DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Thu, 30 Oct 2025 13:31:02 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-address-maritime-leaders-conclave-in-mumbai-today-645413.html Mumbai Oct 29 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Mumbai on Wednesday to address the Maritime Leaders Conclave and chair the Global Maritime CEO Forum at India Maritime Week IMW 2025 The Global Maritime CEO Forum the flagship event of India Maritime Week 2025 will bring together CEOs of global maritime companies major investors policymakers innovators and international partners to deliberate on the future of the global maritime ecosystemThe Forum will serve as a key platform for dialogue on sustainable maritime growth resilient supply chains green shipping and inclusive blue economy strategiesThe Prime Ministers participation reflects his deep commitment to an ambitious futureoriented maritime transformation aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047This longterm vision built on four strategic pillars portled development shipping and shipbuilding seamless logistics and maritime skillbuilding aims to position India among the worlds leading maritime powersIndia Maritime Week 2025 serves as the government of Indias premier global platform to translate this vision into action bringing together leading stakeholders across shipping ports shipbuilding cruise tourism and blue economy finance said the government releaseBeing organised from October 27 to 312025 under the theme Uniting Oceans One Maritime Vision IMW 2025 will showcase Indias strategic roadmap to emerge as a global maritime hub and a leader in the Blue EconomyIMW 2025 will draw participation from over 85 countries featuring more than 100000 delegates 500 exhibitors and 350 international speakersMeanwhile Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his inaugural address at the IMW 2025 on Monday said said that due to the reforms undertaken by the Modi government in the maritime sector India is emerging as a powerhouse in the maritime field globallyPrime Minister Narendra Modis maritime vision is based on these three pillars security stability and selfreliance he statedIndia is playing the role of a bridge between the IndoPacific and the Global South today based on its maritime position democratic stability and naval capability It is also accelerating all threedevelopment security and environment said the Home MinisterHe expressed Over 100 countries representatives are present in todays maritime ceremony This is proof that Indias maritime tradition remains a central point for global partnership and regional stability even todayIndias maritime strength and strategic location are evident from the fact that our coastline is over 11000 kilometres long There are 13 coastal states and Union Territories and our maritime business contributes significantly to the economy said the Home MinisterHe highlighted how this vast coastline supports trade logistics and the blue economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-address-maritime-leaders-conclave-in-mumbai-today-645413.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-impacts-bihar-imd-issues-heavy-rainfall-alert-for-several-districts-645425.html New Delhi Oct 29 The impact of Cyclone Montha is being increasingly felt across Bihar with the India Meteorological Department IMD issuing a heavy rainfall alert for several districts According to the latest IMD forecast districts including West Champaran Kaimur Banka Rohtas Gaya Sheikhpura and Nawada are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall on Wednesday as the cyclones outer bands move northwardThe cyclonic system is also likely to cause a notable drop in temperatures and strong gusty winds across parts of southern and western Bihar over the next 24 hours The weather office has urged farmers to suspend harvesting and drying activities while residents have been advised to avoid open areas and weak structuresMeanwhile the IMD confirmed that the landfall process of the severe Cyclone Montha began early off the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada district The landfall process will continue for three to four hours said Dr M Mohapatra Director General of the IMD The storm moved northnorthwestwards at a speed of about 15 kmph over the past six hours before intensifying into a severe cyclonic storm around 530 amThe Andhra Pradesh government has taken largescale preparedness measures as Montha is expected to impact 403 mandals across 22 districtsAccording to the Chief Ministers Office CMO nearly 76000 people have been evacuated to relief camps and 219 medical camps have been set up To maintain emergency communication authorities have deployed 81 wireless towers and 21 highintensity lampsThe IMD has issued a cyclone warning for the Andhra Pradesh Yanam and South Odisha coasts forecasting wind speeds of 92117 kmph in central and north Andhra Pradesh followed by heavy to extremely heavy rainfall in coastal Andhra Pradesh Rayalaseema Telangana South Chhattisgarh and Odisha IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-impacts-bihar-imd-issues-heavy-rainfall-alert-for-several-districts-645425.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-at-sbis-branch-in-kolkata-645429.html Kolkata Oct 29 A fire broke out on the second floor of the State Bank of Indias branch in the Dhakuria area of Kolkata on Wednesday Locals and bank security guards observed smoke emanating from the bank and immediately notified the Fire DepartmentAfter receiving information six fire engines rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under controlNo one was injured in the incidentThe Fire Department has started investigating the cause of the firePreliminary investigation revealed that a short circuit might have caused the fireIt is learnt that the fire broke out in the bank at 545 am Since it was not the banks opening time no employees or customers were in the bank As a result the Fire Department said that a major disaster has been averted However there are various financial documents in the bank The Fire Department is trying to ensure that those documents are not damaged too muchAn official of this bank branch said There was no damage to the customers documents The fire mainly damaged the furniture We received information about the fire at 615 am The security guards who are stationed at the ATM below informed usLocal Left councillor Madhuchanda Deb reached the bank after hearing the news of the fire She said I came here as soon as I got the information I learned that no one was injured The fire has been brought under controlCustomers also came after hearing news of the fire at the bank They came to know if their documents were damagedA customer told a section of media persons I came to know whether there was any damage to the locker The bank said that there was no damage to the locker There was a fire on the second floor of the bank I will come after 10 oclock to know if any documents were damagedFurther investigation was underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-breaks-out-at-sbis-branch-in-kolkata-645429.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-to-launch-rs-1-020-crore-welfare-projects-in-tns-tenkasi-645432.html Chennai Oct 29 Chief Minister MK Stalin will undertake an extensive tour of Tamil Nadus Tenkasi district on Wednesday inaugurating a series of government welfare schemes and distributing assistance to thousands of beneficiaries The Chief Minister will begin his journey from Ariyanakipuram in Tirunelveli district in the morning and travel by road to Tenkasi At the district border in Alangulam he will be accorded a grand reception led by Tirunelveli West DMK incharge AvudaiyappanFrom there CM Stalin will proceed via Athiyuthu Surandai and Sambavarvadakarai to Lathur where he will hand over the 100000th house constructed under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing scheme to beneficiary Sumathi marking a major milestone in the states flagship projectLater in the day the Chief Minister will participate in a largescale government function at Ananthapuram Grounds on the AyikudiTenkasi road During the ceremony he will distribute welfare assistance worth Rs 445 crore to around 24000 beneficiaries from various social welfare departmentsIn addition he will inaugurate completed public works valued at Rs 575 crore and lay foundation stones for several new projectsIn all the Chief Minister will launch development and welfare initiatives amounting to Rs 1020 crore for the Tenkasi district A massive pavilion and stage have been set up for the event with the venue decorated with banners highlighting various government schemesAfter addressing the gathering Chief Minister Stalin will visit Amar Seva Sangam in Ayikudi where he will interact with differentlyabled children and review the services offered by the institutionFollowing this he will proceed to the Courtallam Tourist House for lunch before departing for Madurai later in the afternoon Throughout Tenkasi town DMK cadres have erected party flags and welcome banners to greet himA tight security cover has been put in place under the supervision of Superintendent of Police Aravind with police units conducting parade rehearsals at the venue to ensure smooth proceedings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-to-launch-rs-1-020-crore-welfare-projects-in-tns-tenkasi-645432.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-impact-heavy-rain-lashes-telangana-645441.html Hyderabad Oct 29 Heavy rain has been lashing parts of Telangana under the impact of severe cyclone Montha which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast near Narsapur Heavy rain inundated lowlying areas and disrupted vehicular transport in some areasAuthorities in Khammam Warangal Mahabubabad Suryapet and some other districts have declared a holiday for educational institutionsOverflowing rivulets streams and water bodies flooded the roads cutting off villages in Nagarkurnool district which shares a border with Andhra PradeshRainwater entered an electricity substation at Pulicherla village in Nalgonda district disrupting electricity supply to some villages in Peddapur mandal since Tuesday nightHeavy rain in the Sultanabad mandal of Peddapalli district damaged paddy in the agriculture marketAccording to Telangana Development Planning Society Uppununthala in Nagarkurnool district received the highest rainfall of 208 cm during the last 24 hours Amrabad in the same district recorded 197 cm of rainfallTheldevarapally in Nalgonda district recorded 185 cm rainfall followed by 183 cm in Veltur 178 cm in Ainole 1628 cm in Padra 1590 cm in Achampet all in Nagarkurnool district and 1515 cm in Yerraram in Nalgonda districtAbout 30 areas received rainfall of more than 10 cmHyderabad has received moderate to heavy rain since Tuesday night Some areas in the core city and the outskirts received moderate rainfall since Wednesday morningWater stagnation on roads in and around Hyderabad caused hardships to motorists in the morning rush hourAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD light to moderate rain or thundershowers at times intense spells at a few places accompanied by gusty winds 3040 kmph are very likely to occur in Hyderabad MistHazy conditions are very likely to prevail during morningnight hoursThe IMD has issued an orange alert for Bhadradri Kothagudem Hanamkoonda Hyderabad Jangaon Jogulamaba Gadwal Khammam Medchal Malkajgiri Mahabubabad Mahabubnagar Nagarkurnool Nalgonda Narayanpet Rangareddy Suryapet Vikarabad Wanaparthy Warangal and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-impact-heavy-rain-lashes-telangana-645441.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/iit-kanpur-director-explains-why-cloud-seeding-didnt-cause-rain-in-delhi-another-attempt-planned-today-645445.html New Delhi Oct 29 The muchanticipated attempt to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding over parts of Delhi turned out to be not completely successful According to IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal the failure was largely due to insufficient moisture in the clouds emphasising that cloud seeding is not a magic bullet for Delhis pollution crisis but rather an emergency lastresort measure He also stated that the team plans to make fresh attempts on Wednesday Speaking exclusively to NDTV on Tuesday Agrawal whose institute is collaborating with the Delhi government for this experimental project said that the team plans to make fresh attempts on Wednesday expressing hope for improved resultsThere hasnt been any rain so far So in that sense it was not completely successful Unfortunately the clouds present today did not have very high moisture content I am told it was only around 1520 per cent The possibility of inducing rain with such low moisture levels is not very high But this trial has given more confidence to our team to continue conducting them Agrawal told NDTVThe IIT Kanpurled team used a mixture comprising 20 per cent silver iodide and the rest made up of rock salt and common salt to seed the clouds On Tuesday 14 flares were fired in totalThere were conflicting reports about the likelihood of rain today Some forecasts predicted rain while others did not But our own observation was that the cloud cover had very low moisture content and this could well be true for the entire region we flew over So we do not expect rain today Agrawal addedTwo additional flights he said are scheduled for Wednesday and the operations will continue whenever suitable cloud cover is availableWhen asked whether cloud seeding could serve as a longterm remedy for Delhis persistent air pollution Agrawal was clear in his responseIt is an SOS solution something to attempt only in a crisis when pollution levels are extremely high It is not a permanent solution The permanent solution of course is to control the sources of pollution Ideally we should reach a stage where theres no need for cloud seeding because pollution itself has been eliminated Until then this is one of the tools available to provide temporary relief he saidAgrawal acknowledged that the current cost of the operations is high because the flights are being conducted from Uttar Pradesh However he added that these costs could be reduced substantially in future attemptsAny effort that leads to even a partial reduction in pollution benefits everyone Even if rain comes after a few days it can still provide some relief he addedAccording to a preliminary report by the Delhi government the cloud seeding experiment did help reduce particulate matter levels in some of the targeted areas Two minor precipitation events were recorded 01 mm of rain in Noida and 02 mm in Greater Noida around 4 pm on TuesdayBefore seeding the PM 25 levels were recorded at 221 Mayur Vihar 230 Karol Bagh and 229 Burari After seeding they dropped to 207 206 and 203 respectivelySimilarly PM 10 levels fell from 207 206 and 209 to 177 163 and 177 in the same areasDelhis Forest and Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa had confirmed that two cloud seeding attempts were made on Tuesday one in the morning and another in the evening with assistance from IIT KanpurToday one attempt was made in the morning and another in the evening The results are still being collated Sirsa told IANS emphasising that the Delhi government is committed to exploring scientific solutions to combat the citys toxic airThe experiment comes at a time when Delhis air quality has sharply deteriorated in the days following Diwali celebrations The Air Quality Index AQI across Delhi and the National Capital Region NCR has remained in the poor to very poor category with smog blanketing large parts of the cityCloud seeding involves dispersing substances like silver iodide nanoparticles iodized salt and dry ice into the atmosphere to stimulate cloud condensation and trigger rainfall It is often used in regions suffering from water scarcity or to reduce hail and fogOn Tuesday IIT Kanpurs aircraft seeded a corridor approximately 25 nautical miles 463 km long and four nautical miles 74 km wide covering areas between Khekra and Burari coloniesThe first flight released six flares at an altitude of around 4000 feet while the second which took off at 355 pm deployed eight flares at a slightly higher altitude of 5000 feetDespite the lack of rainfall experts consider the trial a significant technical success marking one of Indias most advanced urban cloud seeding operations to date IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/iit-kanpur-director-explains-why-cloud-seeding-didnt-cause-rain-in-delhi-another-attempt-planned-today-645445.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/noida-authority-prepares-special-plan-for-street-dogs-following-sc-order-645447.html Noida Oct 29 In line with the Supreme Courts landmark directive on the protection and management of street dogs the Noida Authority has prepared a comprehensive plan to ensure their welfare and public safety According to Mahendra Prasad Officer on Special Duty OSD of the Noida Authority a stateoftheart street dog shelter has been established in Sector 94 which currently houses around 1000 stray dogs The facility provides medical treatment vaccination and sterilisation services Dogs suffering from rabies are also receiving specialised care at the centrePrasad said a team of trained veterinarians and paraveterinary staff has been deployed at the shelter to monitor the dogs health and wellbeingAround 50 dogs are being sterilised every day helping control the growing street dog population in Noida he addedIn collaboration with two NGOs the Noida Authority has also launched a citywide rabies vaccination drive aimed at ensuring the safety of both residents and animals The campaign is vaccinating stray dogs across all sectors of the cityThe authority is now planning to set up another modern dog shelter with the capacity to accommodate an additional 1000 dogs This upcoming facility will offer proper food water medical care and housing along with the presence of a fulltime veterinarian and support staffTo further promote humane management of street dogs the authority is working on establishing around 1500 dog feeding centres across Noida These centres will provide regular food and water to stray dogs reducing aggression and preventing them from wandering in search of sustenanceFor addressing complaints and emergencies related to street dogs the Noida Authority has also issued a tollfree helpline number operational round the clock Another 24hour helpline is expected to be launched soonDescribing the initiative as a step towards compassion and coexistence Prasad said Our aim is to ensure that both humans and animals in Noida live in a safe healthy and balanced environment IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/noida-authority-prepares-special-plan-for-street-dogs-following-sc-order-645447.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bajrang-dal-files-police-complaint-over-wi-fi-name-pakistan-zindabad-645448.html Bengaluru Oct 29 Bajrang Dal has filed a police complaint regarding a WiFi username Pakistan Zindabad at the Jigani Police Station on the outskirts of Bengaluru on Wednesday The police have registered a NonCognisable Report NCR in this regard and initiated an investigationAccording to the police the incident was reported from Kallubalu village near Jigani on the outskirts of BengaluruThe complaint states that while checking available WiFi networks to access the internet one of the visible WiFi usernames was found to be Pakistan ZindabadBajrang Dal activists have alleged that antinational elements may be operating in the area The complainant stated that when WiFi options are searched on a mobile device the IDs of nearby users are displayed and what was shocking was the appearance of the ID named Pakistan ZindabadThe complaint further alleged that someone using such a name indicates the possible presence of a person with extremist intentions in the vicinity raising serious concerns about their activitiesThe Jigani Police have registered an NCR and are investigating the matterEarlier in February 2024 an incident of Pakistan Zindabad slogans in the premises of Vidhana Soudha being raised by supporters of Congress leader Syed Nasir Hussain after his Rajya Sabha election victory had sparked a major controversyThe BJP had demanded an investigation by the National Investigation Agency NIA The situation had escalated to the point where members of the Congress and the BJP nearly came to blows in the Legislative CouncilSubsequently on March 4 2024 the Vidhana Soudha Police arrested three people for allegedly raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans in the corridors of Vidhana Soudha during the victory celebrations of Rajya Sabha member Syed Nasir HussainThe arrests were made based on a Forensic Science Laboratory FSL report circumstantial evidence and witness statements gathered at the event The accused were identified as Iltaz from Delhi Munawar from RT Nagar in Bengaluru and Mohammed Shafi Nashipudi from Byadagi in Haveri district Karnataka IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-bajrang-dal-files-police-complaint-over-wi-fi-name-pakistan-zindabad-645448.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/right-time-to-invest-in-indias-maritime-sector-amid-global-tensions-pm-modi-645451.html Mumbai Oct 29 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that the maritime sector is driving Indias growth asserting that over the last decade it has transformed significantly boosting trade and port infrastructurenbspThe Prime Minister added that amid global tensions trade disruptions and shifting supply chains India stands as a symbol of strategic autonomy peace and inclusive growthnbspWhen the global seas are rough the world looks for a steady lighthouse India is well poised to play that role with strength and stability he saidHe also appealed to the investors to invest in Indias maritime sector saying that this is the right and opportune time for the samenbspnbspThis is the right time to work and expand in Indias shipping sector The inauguration of several projects related to the Shipping sector has taken place here MoUs worth crores of rupees related to the Shipping sector have also been issued said PM Modi while addressing the Global Maritime CEO Forum the flagship event of India Maritime Week IMW 2025nbspThe Prime Minister added that this shows how much faith the world has in Indias maritime capabilitiesnbspYour presence in this event is a symbol of our common commitment said PM ModinbspHe further said that in this era of the 21st century Indias maritime sector is moving forward with great speed and energynbspnbspThe year 2025 has been a very important year for Indias maritime sector Today Indias ports are counted among the most efficient in the developing world In many aspects they are performing even better than those in the developed world We have replaced over a centuryold colonial shipping laws with modern futuristic laws suited for the 21st century he addednbspHe noted that the new laws empower State Maritime Boards emphasise Safety and Sustainability and expand Digitalisation in Port ManagementnbspPM Modi said that Indias maritime sector is advancing with great speed and energynbspThe year 2025 has been a landmark year for Bharats maritime sector marked by several significant achievements he saidnbspThe Prime Minister added that Indias first deepwater international transhipment hub Vizhinjam Port became operational this yearnbspAdding to the nations pride the worlds largest container vessel recently docked at the port showcasing its global capability During the fiscal year 20242025 Indias major ports achieved a recordbreaking cargo throughput setting new benchmarks in efficiency he saidnbspnbspPM Modi added that Kandla Port has made history by launching the nations first megawattscale indigenous green hydrogen facilityWe have repealed Colonial Shipping Laws over 100 years old and implemented Modern and Futuristic Laws of the 21st century said the Prime MinisternbspPM Modi pointed out that India is accelerating efforts to reach new heights in shipbuilding adding that the country has now granted large ships the status of infrastructure assetsnbspnbspHe said that significant strides have been made to drive nextgeneration reforms in the maritime sectornbspIndia is making remarkable strides in the shipping industry particularly in the development of human resources Over the past decade the number of Indian seafarers has grown significantly increasing from 125 lakh to over 3 lakh Today India ranks among the top three countries in the world in terms of the total number of seafarers he remarkedPM Modi said that under the Maritime India Vision over 150 initiatives have been launched resulting in significant improvements across the maritime sectornbspThe capacity of Indias major ports has doubled and turnaround times have been significantly reduced he saidnbspPM Modi said that additionally cruise tourism has gained substantial momentum adding that inland waterways have experienced remarkable growth with cargo movement increasing by more than 700 per centnbspThe number of operational waterways has expanded from just three to an impressive 32 Furthermore the net annual surplus of our ports has seen a ninefold increase over the past decade he said https://dailyworld.in/national/right-time-to-invest-in-indias-maritime-sector-amid-global-tensions-pm-modi-645451.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-suggests-legislature-amend-definition-of-dependent-under-employees-compensation-act-1923-645324.html New Delhi Oct 29 IANS The Supreme Court has suggested that the legislature reconsider the outdated provisions of the Employees Compensation Act 1923 emphasizing the need to modernize centuryold labour lawsnbspA Bench of Justices Rajesh Bindal and Manmohan observed that certain clauses defining dependents in the 1923 Act have lost their relevance in the present sociolegal contextnbspIt pointed out the impracticality of the current wording in Section 21diiid of the Act which defines a dependent as a minor brother or an unmarried sister or a widowed sister if a minornbspThe Employees Compensation Act was enacted in the year 1923 The definition of word dependentin Section 21diiid means a minor brother or an unmarried sister or a widowed sister if a minor In the present time no one will normally find a widowed sister who is a minor especially after enactment of the Hindu Marriage Act 1955 observed the Justice Bindalled BenchTo address this issue the Supreme Court directed that a copy of the order be forwarded to the Ministry of Law and Justice for further actionnbspIn our view the matter needs to be considered by the Law Commission of India for suitable amendment of the aforesaid provision or any other in the 1923 Act the order statednbspA copy of the order be sent to the Secretary Ministry of Law and Justice who may further refer the same to the Chairperson Law Commission of India it addednbspThe Special Leave Petition SLP stemmed from a Karnataka High Court decision which upheld compensation to two widowed sisters of a deceased employee recognizing them as his dependents under the ActThe insurance company had challenged the award arguing that the statute only recognizes a widowed sister if a minor as a dependent and two widowed sisters were not minors at the time of his demisenbspAfter hearing arguments from both sides the apex court said Keeping in view the amount involved in the present appeal we do not wish to interfere with the impugned judgment The appeal is accordingly dismissed however leaving the question of law openThe top court registry was directed to inform the respondents including two widowed sisters about the dismissal of the appeal to enable withdrawal of the compensation amount deposited in the Karnataka High CourtnbspIn case any of the aforesaid respondents has expired hisher legal heirs are permitted to withdraw the amount along with interest accrued thereon the Justice Bindalled Bench clarifiednbspIn an earlier order passed on August 24 2023 the Supreme Court had sought assistance from the Union government to interpret the term dependent noting then that the deceased worker was survived by two widowed sisters who though not minors were financially dependent on him https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-suggests-legislature-amend-definition-of-dependent-under-employees-compensation-act-1923-645324.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-polls-a-chance-to-choose-development-over-mafia-says-up-cm--645325.html Patna Oct 29 IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday launched a blistering attack on the Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD accusing it of promoting jungle raj and criminal elements and appealed to the people to vote for developmentnbspAddressing an election rally in Raghunathpur Siwan CM Yogi said the upcoming Bihar Assembly election is a battle between development and those responsible for Bihars jungle rajnbspThis election is a fight against those who created an identity crisis for Biharis before 2005 Under the doubleengine government led by Nitish Kumar Bihar has regained its respect across the country Today Biharis are respected wherever they go because of the NDAs governance he saidThe Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister accused the RJD of encouraging criminal elements by giving them tickets in the ongoing electionnbspWithout taking names he referred to former RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin and his son Osama Shahab who is contesting from Raghunathpur on an RJD ticketnbspPeople of Siwan know very well about an acid attack case that took place during the RJD government executed by a wellknown Bahubali leader Today RJD has given a ticket to his son CM Yogi saidnbspDrawing parallels between the RJD in Bihar and the Samajwadi Party SP in Uttar Pradesh he said both parties are relatives in promoting anarchyRJD created anarchism in Bihar SP did the same in Uttar Pradesh However the bulldozer in UP acted against criminals supported by SP leaders Only the doubleengine government of the NDA can control such elements he assertednbspTurning his attention to the Ram Temple issue he said that leaders of the opposition had once questioned the feasibility of the temples construction but it was the NDA government that fulfilled the longstanding promisenbspThe Ram Temple in Ayodhya has become a reality Lord Ram who stayed in a hut for over 550 years now resides in a grand temple built under the NDA Lalu Prasad Yadav had committed the sin of stopping the Ram Rath Yatra but people like him couldnt stop us from building the temple Yogi saidHe further announced that a grand temple of Goddess Sita is being built in Sitamarhi and a RamJanaki corridor worth Rs 6100 crore will be built connecting Ayodhya and SitamarhinbspThese people offer chadar on the mazar of Babar and Aurangzeb while we work for Sanatan Dharma he addednbspCM Yogi also took a dig at the RJDs governance slogan saying Before 2005 their slogan was Sabka Saath par Apne Pariwar ka Vikas With all but development for their own family Our slogan is Sabka Saath Sabka VikasHe appealed to the people of Siwan to prevent the return of mafia elements and support NDA candidates Vikas Kumar Singh Raghunathpur and Vishnudev Paswan BaraulinbspCM Yogi also mentioned Union Home Minister Amit Shahs commitment to eliminating Naxalism and Maoism from India by 2026nbspWe dont need CPIML we need LJPRV We want a crimefree Bihar where business can grow industrialists invest and our mothers and sisters can live without fear he said https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-polls-a-chance-to-choose-development-over-mafia-says-up-cm--645325.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-takes-sortie-in-rafale-fighter-jet-in-haryanas-ambala-645326.html Ambala Oct 29 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Wednesday took a sortie in a Rafale fighter jet which played a crucial role in Operation Sindoor launched by India in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack at the Ambala Air Force Station in Haryana her second flight in an Indian Air Force IAF combat aircraftnbspAir Chief Marshal AP Singh was among others present at the Air Force Station Before taking the sortie President Murmu inspected the guard of honour at the air basenbspThe President waved as she took off for the sortie Dressed up in a Indian Air Force pilots uniform and carrying a helmet ahead of the sortie her flight marks a symbolic show of confidence in the Indian Air Forces operational readiness and growing air power capabilitiesnbspManufactured by French aerospace company Dassault Aviation and formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in September 2020 in Ambala Rafale jets played a key role in Operation SindoorOn April 8 2023 President Murmu the supreme commander of the Indian armed forces became the third President and second woman head of state to take a sortie in a Sukhoi30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in AssamnbspFormer Presidents APJ Abdul Kalam and Pratibha Patil had undertaken sorties in Sukhoi30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Air Force Station Lohegaon near Pune on June 8 2006 and November 25 2009 respectivelynbspManufactured by French aerospace major Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter aircraft were formally inducted into the Indian Air Force in September 2020 at the Air Force Station AmbalanbspThe first five Rafale aircraft which had arrived from France on July 27 2020 were inducted in 17 Squadron the Golden Arrows The Rafale was the first imported fighter jet to be inducted into the Indian Air Force in 22 years after the Russian Sukhoi30 fighters the first of which entered the Indian Air Forces service in June 1997 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-takes-sortie-in-rafale-fighter-jet-in-haryanas-ambala-645326.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/denying-appointment-to-disabled-candidate-for-no-vacancy-defeats-rpwd-act-delhi-hc-645327.html New Delhi Oct 29 IANS The Delhi High Court has ruled that rejecting the candidature of a physically disabled person for compassionate appointment on the ground of no vacancy runs contrary to the mandate of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities RPwD Act 2016nbspnbspA bench of Justices Madhu Jain and Navin Chawla dismissed a plea filed by the Commissioner of Police and others against an order of the Central Administrative Tribunal CAT that had directed reconsideration of a disabled candidates case for compassionate appointment in the Delhi PolicenbspThe respondent Amit Kumar who is 75 per cent physically disabled and belongs to a Scheduled Caste community had sought a compassionate appointment after his father a MultiTasking Staff MTS employee died while in service in 2013nbspnbspHis application was rejected by the Delhi Police citing a lack of vacancies for physically challenged candidates in the MTS cadrenbspIn its decision the Delhi High Court came down heavily on the authorities and observed that the repeated rejections on the same ground defeat the very purpose of the compassionate appointment scheme which is meant to provide immediate succour to the bereaved familynbspThe Justice Jainheaded bench said Rejection of his candidature on the sole ground that there was no vacancy for physically disabled persons reflects a lack of awareness and sensitivity towards the principles of reasonable accommodation and inclusionnbspnbspIt added that such an action cannot withstand the test of fairness and is antithetical to the principles of justice equity and good conscience that animate our constitutional frameworknbspnbspThe Delhi High Court said that the decision defeats the provisions of the RPwD Act noting that the Act ensures equality dignity and nondiscrimination for persons with disabilities and mandates the government to provide reasonable accommodation in employmentnbspReferring to Supreme Court judgements the bench observed that the RPwD Act has acquired the status of a super statute containing the ingredients of a quasiconstitutional law It ruled that reasonable accommodation is not a discretionary measure but a fundamental right integral to achieving substantive equality for persons with disabilities forming part of the right to dignity as guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of IndianbspnbspThe Delhi High Court found that while the Delhi Polices Standing Orders provided age relaxation for physically handicapped dependents the mandate of the RPwD Act cannot be satisfied merely by giving this relaxation in agenbspThe reasonable accommodation mentioned therein has to extend to reservation and special consideration of such individuals especially in matters of compassionate appointment it saidnbspHolding that the Delhi Polices approach in compassionate appointment was arbitrary and devoid of the compassion that the law mandates in such cases the Justice Jainheaded bench directed the Screening Committee to reconsider Amit Kumars case afresh and issue necessary orders within eight weeksnbspThe Screening Committee of the petitioners Delhi Police is directed to reconsider the case of the respondent for compassionate appointment Necessary orders in this regard shall be issued by the petitioners within a period of 8 weeks it orderednbsp https://dailyworld.in/national/denying-appointment-to-disabled-candidate-for-no-vacancy-defeats-rpwd-act-delhi-hc-645327.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-wreaks-havoc-in-coastal-andhra-2-killed-645328.html Amaravati Oct 29 IANS Severe cyclone Montha which crossed the Andhra Pradesh coast in the early hours of Wednesday wreaked havoc killing two people damaging houses crops and electricity towers and disrupting vehicular trafficnbspStrong winds uprooted trees and electricity poles while heavy rains resulted in the lakes and streams overflowingnbspVillages and residential areas in some towns in coastal districts were inundated Roads were also flooded in a few areas disrupting vehicular trafficnbspTeams of the NDRF and the SDRF were engaged in the work to remove fallen trees and poles Efforts were also being made to restore the electricity supply in the affected areasAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD the severe cyclone crossed the coast near Narsapur between Machilipatnam and Kakinada It weakened into a cyclone and later into a deep depression The system is likely to move northnorthwestwards across Andhra Pradesh and adjoining Telangana and south Chhattisgarh and weaken into a depression during the next six hoursnbspThe cyclone caused extensive damage to crops in the coastal districts Agriculture Minister K Atchenaidu said that in Konaseema district alone paddy crops over 20000 acres were damagednbspVijayawada was receiving heavy rains under the impact of the cyclone inundating lowlying areas Rainwater flooded some roads in the city disrupting traffic Water also entered houses in some areas of the cityIn the Bapatla district police rescued a group of 20 people trapped in flood waters at a shrinenbspA part of National Highway 16 KolkataChennai was submerged near Timmapuram in Palnadu district bringing the vehicular traffic to a haltnbspAuthorities closed the Srisailam ghat road due to landslides Police stopped the vehicles heading to Srisailam at Pedda Dornala in Prakasam district Authorities deployed JCBs to clear the roadnbspnbspAs flood water entered two tunnels of the Veligonda project in Prakasam district authorities safely evacuated 200 employees who were working in the tunnelsnbspIn Nandyal district the Kundu River the Maddileru and Chama Kaluva streams were overflowing inundating lowlying areas Water was flowing over the bridge at Boyarevula bringing vehicular traffic to a haltnbspMeanwhile Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu visited cycloneaffected Udelarevu in Konaseema district He will discuss with officials and public representatives about the damage caused by the cyclonenbspHe also made an aerial survey of the areas affected by the cyclonenbspThe Chief Minister earlier held a teleconference with district collectors officials and ministers and made suggestions about measures to be taken in floodaffected areasnbspHe claimed that they could mitigate damage by dealing effectively with the cyclone during the four to five daysnbspMeanwhile the government has decided to provide financial assistance of Rs 1000 each to those who had taken shelter in relief camps A family with more than three members will be provided with maximum assistance of Rs 3000Officials said the money would be handed over to them while returning to their homesnbspAbout 75000 people were shifted to relief camps in the affected districtsnbspEarlier the government issued an order giving permission to the district Collectors of affected districts for the distribution of essential commodities free of cost to the affected families who were put in relief camps and fishermen whose livelihoods were affectednbspThe families will be given 25 kg of rice 50 kg for weavers and fishermen one kg of red gram dal one litre of palm oil one kg of onions one kg of potatoes and one kg of sugar https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-wreaks-havoc-in-coastal-andhra-2-killed-645328.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sensex-nifty-end-higher-on-india-us-trade-deal-hopes-and-positive-global-cues-645329.html Mumbai Oct 29 IANS Indian stock markets closed higher on Wednesday supported by strong global cues and optimism ahead of the US Federal Reserves policy decisionnbspnbspInvestor sentiment also improved following reports that the US President may soon finalise a trade deal with IndianbspThe Sensex gained 36897 points or 044 per cent to end the day at 8497713 The Nifty rose 1177 points or 045 per cent to close at 260539nbspThe Nifty continues to encounter stiff resistance near the 2605026100 zone while support remains firm around 2590025660 As long as the index holds above 25800 the broader trend stays firmly bullish experts saidnbspA decisive close above 26100 could open the door for an extended rally toward 2625026400 whereas a dip below 25900 may trigger mild profit booking at higher levels experts statedIn the Sensex pack NTPC PowerGrid Adani Ports HCL Tech and Tata Steel were the top performersnbspOn the other hand Bharat Electronics Eternal Mahindra ampamp Mahindra Maruti Suzuki and Bajaj Finance were among the major losersnbspBroader market indices also traded in the green The NSE Midcap 100 index climbed 064 per cent while the Nifty Smallcap 100 index gained 043 per centnbspAmong sectoral indices Nifty Oil ampamp Gas led the gains with a rise of 212 per cent Energy Metal Media Bank Financial Services IT Pharma FMCG and Consumer Durables indices also ended higher However Nifty Auto was the only sector to close in the redMarket participants are now closely watching the outcome of the US Federal Reserves policy meeting and further developments on the potential IndiaUS trade agreement which could influence market direction in the coming sessionsnbspOptimism over potential progress in IndiaUS trade talks further lifted sentiment experts addednbspThe upcoming Fed decision remains a key event for global markets although a 25bps rate cut is widely anticipated investors will closely track its commentary for further rate cuts which will guide the future market trajectory they mentioned https://dailyworld.in/national/sensex-nifty-end-higher-on-india-us-trade-deal-hopes-and-positive-global-cues-645329.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/23rds-majority-to-nda-in-bihar-will-be-fitting-tribute-to-nehru-on-his-birthday-on-nov-14-rajnath--645330.html DarbhangaPatna Oct 29 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said a twothirds majority for the NDA in the 243member Bihar assembly will be a fitting tribute to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru on his birthday on November 14 the day poll results will be announcednbspBihar does not need goonda raj he claimed while alluding to the RJDs rule in the statenbspBihar CM Nitish Kumar has largely been successful in undoing damage inflicted by RJDs jungle raj Singh said during a poll rally at Barh in Patna districtnbspnbspOpposition parties want to secure votes of Bangladeshi infiltrators he claimednbspHe slammed the Congress and the RJD for attacking the Election Commission and wondered how will democracy run if constitutional bodies are defamednbspAlleging that the RJD has defamed Bihar across the world the defence minister said the issue of the assembly polls in the state was clear whether it will be taken back to the days of jungle raj or remain on the path of developmentAddressing an election rally in Darbhanga district earlier in the day Singh slammed the RJD alleging that it made an unrealistic promise of providing a government job to each household in the statenbspWe will release our manifesto on Thursday and implement every single word in it he saidnbspSingh said that no corruption allegations can be levelled against CM Nitish Kumar who governed the state for 20 years while it was a matter of grief that the entire family of a former chief minister is accused of irregularitiesAccusing the opposition in the state of making false promises of undoing amendments to the Waqf Act he said they cannot as the law was passed in ParliamentnbspSingh said his party the BJP does not indulge in politics of caste and religion asserting that we do fair and clean politicsnbspHe said Rs 15 lakh crore was allocated for the allround development of the state in the last 11 years under the Narendra Modi governmentnbspIt was PM Modi not Rahul Gandhi who gave constitutional status to the OBC commission he saidAgencies https://dailyworld.in/national/23rds-majority-to-nda-in-bihar-will-be-fitting-tribute-to-nehru-on-his-birthday-on-nov-14-rajnath--645330.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 16:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tejashwi-carries-a-mixed-bag-of-lalu-legacy-where-jungle-raaj-is-among-burdens-645332.html New Delhi Oct 29 IANS When his estranged elder sibling Tej Pratap Yadav said that Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD leader Tejashwi was living in their father Lalu Prasads shadow the younger brother could have nodded in agreement since his aspiration to be Bihars next Chief Minister lay through that pathnbspnbspEarly this year the Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD national executive committee passed a resolution empowering Tejaswi to levels that equalled that of the founder and party President Lalu It was thus clear who among the latters nine children would carry the legacy forwardFour of LaluRabris children exhibited interests in politics with Misha Bharti standing by Tejashwi in the current family feud seemingly content as a Lok Sabha member while the younger Rohini Acharya has extended support to Tej PratapRohini who unsuccessfully contested as an RJD candidate from Bihars Saran Lok Sabha constituency in 2024 makes no secret of her disappointment over their fathers endorsement of Tejashwi She also makes it known that it was she who donated a kidney to Lalu earlierTejashwis elevation in RJD was therefore through a family feud that is standing out more vividly with the elections The resilience and determination that he has shown in his fights within the family and party reflected outside in seatsharing negotiations Despite his age and experience being less than most of his allies he handled them with elan refusing to give in much to their demandsHe lacks the rustic sense of humour of his father but that did not come in the way of making the partners smile even if reluctantly The exercise bore fruit in 2020 when the Mahagathbandhan fell short of a majority by only a dozen seats and the RJD emerged as the single largest party winning 75 of Bihars 243 Assembly constituencies He has thus lived by Lalus legacy of using alliance strength when facing a stronger opponentIn 1999 when Sonia Gandhi was poised to stake a claim to form the government but Mulayam Singh Yadav refused to support Lalu despite being a political rival at times was more amenable to working with the Congress Though he had only seven seats in the Lok Sabha the Bihar strongman played a role in trying to bridge gaps between regional leaders and GandhiIn the 2004 Lok Sabha elections when the RJD won 24 Lok Sabha seats giving Lalu substantial influence in forming the new government he had famously said I will play the role of queenmaker referring to his support for the Sonialed CongressIn the runup to the 2025 polls Tejashwi did upset a few parties including the All India MajlisEIttehadul Muslimeen AIMIM and national ally Jharkhand Mukti Morcha JMM but he did not want RJD to either lose vote share or vote bank accommodating more partners He calculated that getting AIMIM onboard could paint a Muslim overreach and could affect Yadav votes Bihars caste census report of 2022 shows the former at around 1770 per cent and the latter at about 143 per cent He is rather intending to somehow break into the Backward OBC and the Extremely Backward Class EBC votes who together constitute some 631 per cent of Bihars populationThe RJD which initially enjoyed their support witnessed an erosion in OBC votes being viewed as leaning further towards MuslimYadav support while EBC votes shifted for Bihars ruling National Democratic Alliance NDA led by Nitish Kumars Janata Dal United He is thus trying to live Lalus legacy of using Mandal over KamandalLalus rise to prominence was rooted in the implementation and political mobilisation around the Mandal Commissions recommendations He used it as a tool against socalled Kamandal politics said to be in favour of majoritarian uppercastecentred Hindutva projects This consolidation also helped Lalu decimate the rising Communist forces who stuck to class struggle over the states caste equationsHowever Tejashwi also carries the legacy of jungle raaj under the LaluRabri regime that his critics have repeatedly raised with a slogan of good governance from Nitish Kumar That is among the aspects of his fathers shadow that the young Yadav is trying hard to step out of https://dailyworld.in/national/tejashwi-carries-a-mixed-bag-of-lalu-legacy-where-jungle-raaj-is-among-burdens-645332.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-monthas-landfall-continues-near-kakinada--645336.html Amaravati Oct 28 The landfall by severe cyclonic storm Montha in the Bay of Bengal continued near Kakinada on Tuesday night triggering heavy rains and strong winds in the region The cyclone started making landfall around 8 pm at Antarvedipalli between Kakinada and MachilipatnamThe India Meteorological Department IMD said that land landfall process may continue for another two hoursThe maximum wind speed at the time of landfall is likely to be 90110 km per hourThere were reports of trees getting uprooted and disruption in the electricity supply in some towns and villages in the coastal districtsChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu remained at the Real Time Governance centre on Tuesday night to review the situationHe directed officials to remain alert throughout the night to prevent loss of life and propertyThe Chief Minister held a teleconference with district collectors to review the current status of the cyclone He instructed ministers to visit the cycloneaffected areas interact with the people and immediately implement relief measures to instil confidence among themHe emphasised that power supply should be restored promptly after the cyclone by repairing damaged electric poles and substations The CM further stated that he has requested the Centre to send central teams to assess the overall cyclone damage including crop lossesThe IMD said that under the impact of Montha heavy to extremely heavy rainfall is expected in Coastal Andhra Pradesh Rayalaseema Telangana South Chhattisgarh and OdishaThe IMD appealed to people to stay indoors to stay safe and follow official updatesThe impact of the cyclone is likely to be severe in Kakinada Krishna Eluru East Godavari West Godavari Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema and Chinturu and Rampachodavaram divisions of Alluri Sitarama Raju districtThe state government ordered the suspension of vehicle movement in these seven districts from 830 pm on Tuesday to 6 am on WednesdayDistrict Collectors and Superintendents of Police were instructed to halt traffic on all types of roads including national highways passing through these districts However anexemption has been granted only for emergency medical servicesThe government has advised all residents in these districts to stay indoors not to venture outside and to remain vigilantThe cyclone is likely to affect 403 mandals in 22 districts across the state The officials have set up 488 control rooms in mandals to deal with the emergency situationThe government has set up a total of 1204 relief camps and 75802 people have been evacuated to these campsThe IMD has issued a red alert for the coastal districts which also face the threat of flash floodsSrikakulam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Anakapalle Nellore Konaseema and Kakinada districts have been receiving heavy rains with strong windsHigh tidal waves have damaged the UppadaKakinada beach road Authorities have closed the road for trafficFishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for five days All activities on the coast have been suspended Authorities have closed the beaches for touristsMeanwhile Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw posted on X that he spoke to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu along with concerned Railway officials Decisions taken for immediate restoration work post landfall of the cyclone he saidResponding to this Chief Minister Naidu thanked the Union minister for his concern and support on Cyclone Montha The Union and State Governments stand prepared together to mitigate the impact of the cyclone prioritising the safety of our people posted Naidu IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-monthas-landfall-continues-near-kakinada--645336.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/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/national/no-culprit-of-will-be-spared-mp-cm-on-farmers-murder-in-guna-645153.html Guna Oct 27 In a swift midnight post on X Chief Minister Mohan Yadav broke the silence on a farmers daylight murder in Guna his words carrying the weight of both grief and command I express my condolences to the family he wrote before issuing an ironclad directive No culprit will be sparedWithin hours a case against 14 accused was filed one arrest made and the states lawenforcement machinery jolted into high gearWhat began as a land dispute in Ganeshpura village had ended in a fathers brutal deathand now the Chief Minister had made it a test of governanceAnkit Soni superintendent of police Guna has said that the police have arrested an accused Hukum Singh and have launched a manhunt for others including Mahendra Nagar Jitendra Nagar Kanhaiyalal Nagar and othersA longsimmering land dispute erupted into unimaginable brutality in Ganeshpura village under Fatehgarh police station limits claiming the life of 40yearold farmer Ramswaroop Dhakad and leaving his family shatteredAccording to police on Sunday afternoon as Dhakad walked to his fields with his wife Vindo Bai they were ambushed by a mob led by local BJP booth committee president Mahendra Nagar and his relatives including his sons Nitesh and Devendra wife Kamlesh Bai nephew Jitendra and around a dozen others among them womenEyewitnesses recounted a scene of sheer savagery The attackers armed with sticks rods and guns surrounded Dhakad and unleashed a frenzied assault pummeling him until he collapsed with multiple fractures across his bodyIn a final act of cruelty Nagar allegedly drove a Thar jeep over Dhakads limp form crushing him fatally When Vindo Bai and their two 17yearold daughters Tanisha and Krishna rushed to intervene the mob turned on them slapping the women viciously tearing the girls clothes and firing shots into the air to terrorise villagers from approachingPolice accounts also reveal that Dhakads maternal uncle Rajendra Nagar who joined the fray to help was also beaten For nearly an hour the assailants held the village hostage at gunpoint blocking locals from rushing Dhakad to a nearby health centreOnly after persistent pleas did they relent allowing the gravely injured family to be ferried to Guna District Hospital Dhakad succumbed en route or upon arrival his body riddled with trauma However SP Ankit Soni said victim died during treatmentThe survivorsVindo Bai Tanisha Krishna and Rajendraremain under treatment for fractures lacerations and emotional scars with the daughters particularly traumatised by the molestationThe trigger was a festering feud over six bighas of farmland in neighbouring Pachlavara village Baran district of Rajasthan owned by Dhakads maternal uncle Pappu NagarNagars relative Kanhaiya had been pressuring the family to relinquish it but Dhakads steadfast refusalamid allegations of Nagars yearslong reign of intimidationforces at least 25 small farmers to sell holdings at throwaway prices and flee GaneshpuraChief Minister Mohan Yadav who also holds the home portfolio condemned the unfortunate murder as a stain on the states law and orderNo one indulging in criminal acts will be spared he asserted directing police and district authorities to expedite the probe with utmost seriousnessAn FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder conspiracy assault and outraging womens modesty has been registered against 14 named accused including the Nagars and four unidentified personsHukum Singh Mahendras elder brother was arrested late Sunday while the seized Thar jeep yielded bloodstains linking it to the crime Raids continue for the absconders with SubDivisional Police Officer Vivek Asthana vowing forensic sweeps and witness protectionThe BJP district unit acknowledging Mahendra Nagars role as a former Kisan Morcha officebearer who defected from Congress in 2020 has urged his immediate expulsionState BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal echoed the CM stating Our government will punish every criminal regardless of affiliation Yet the opposition Congress led by Bamori MLA Rishi Agrawal decried the incident as a Lakhimpur Kheri rerun accusing the ruling party of shielding land mafia and fostering impunityViolence looting and assaults are rampant under this regime Agrawal charged demanding a highlevel judicial inquiry and Scindias intervention given Gunas status in his Lok Sabha turfVillagers living in fear of reprisals whispered of Nagars unchecked dominance where defiance meant ruinAs Dhakads body was cremated amid wails his daughters tearful accountsThey sat on me tore my cloths and fired at usamplified calls for justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-culprit-of-will-be-spared-mp-cm-on-farmers-murder-in-guna-645153.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-culprit-will-be-spared-mp-cm-on-farmers-murder-in-guna-645154.html Guna Oct 27 In a swift midnight post on X Chief Minister Mohan Yadav broke the silence on a farmers daylight murder in Guna his words carrying the weight of both grief and command I express my condolences to the family he wrote before issuing an ironclad directive No culprit will be sparedWithin hours a case against 14 accused was filed one arrest made and the states lawenforcement machinery jolted into high gearWhat began as a land dispute in Ganeshpura village had ended in a fathers brutal deathand now the Chief Minister had made it a test of governanceAnkit Soni superintendent of police Guna has said that the police have arrested an accused Hukum Singh and have launched a manhunt for others including Mahendra Nagar Jitendra Nagar Kanhaiyalal Nagar and othersA longsimmering land dispute erupted into unimaginable brutality in Ganeshpura village under Fatehgarh police station limits claiming the life of 40yearold farmer Ramswaroop Dhakad and leaving his family shatteredAccording to police on Sunday afternoon as Dhakad walked to his fields with his wife Vindo Bai they were ambushed by a mob led by local BJP booth committee president Mahendra Nagar and his relatives including his sons Nitesh and Devendra wife Kamlesh Bai nephew Jitendra and around a dozen others among them womenEyewitnesses recounted a scene of sheer savagery The attackers armed with sticks rods and guns surrounded Dhakad and unleashed a frenzied assault pummeling him until he collapsed with multiple fractures across his bodyIn a final act of cruelty Nagar allegedly drove a Thar jeep over Dhakads limp form crushing him fatally When Vindo Bai and their two 17yearold daughters Tanisha and Krishna rushed to intervene the mob turned on them slapping the women viciously tearing the girls clothes and firing shots into the air to terrorise villagers from approachingPolice accounts also reveal that Dhakads maternal uncle Rajendra Nagar who joined the fray to help was also beaten For nearly an hour the assailants held the village hostage at gunpoint blocking locals from rushing Dhakad to a nearby health centreOnly after persistent pleas did they relent allowing the gravely injured family to be ferried to Guna District Hospital Dhakad succumbed en route or upon arrival his body riddled with trauma However SP Ankit Soni said victim died during treatmentThe survivorsVindo Bai Tanisha Krishna and Rajendraremain under treatment for fractures lacerations and emotional scars with the daughters particularly traumatised by the molestationThe trigger was a festering feud over six bighas of farmland in neighbouring Pachlavara village Baran district of Rajasthan owned by Dhakads maternal uncle Pappu NagarNagars relative Kanhaiya had been pressuring the family to relinquish it but Dhakads steadfast refusalamid allegations of Nagars yearslong reign of intimidationforces at least 25 small farmers to sell holdings at throwaway prices and flee GaneshpuraChief Minister Mohan Yadav who also holds the home portfolio condemned the unfortunate murder as a stain on the states law and orderNo one indulging in criminal acts will be spared he asserted directing police and district authorities to expedite the probe with utmost seriousnessAn FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder conspiracy assault and outraging womens modesty has been registered against 14 named accused including the Nagars and four unidentified personsHukum Singh Mahendras elder brother was arrested late Sunday while the seized Thar jeep yielded bloodstains linking it to the crime Raids continue for the absconders with SubDivisional Police Officer Vivek Asthana vowing forensic sweeps and witness protectionThe BJP district unit acknowledging Mahendra Nagars role as a former Kisan Morcha officebearer who defected from Congress in 2020 has urged his immediate expulsionState BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal echoed the CM stating Our government will punish every criminal regardless of affiliation Yet the opposition Congress led by Bamori MLA Rishi Agrawal decried the incident as a Lakhimpur Kheri rerun accusing the ruling party of shielding land mafia and fostering impunityViolence looting and assaults are rampant under this regime Agrawal charged demanding a highlevel judicial inquiry and Scindias intervention given Gunas status in his Lok Sabha turfVillagers living in fear of reprisals whispered of Nagars unchecked dominance where defiance meant ruinAs Dhakads body was cremated amid wails his daughters tearful accountsThey sat on me tore my cloths and fired at usamplified calls for justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-culprit-will-be-spared-mp-cm-on-farmers-murder-in-guna-645154.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-culprit-will-be-spared-mp-cm-on-farmers-murder-in-guna-645155.html Guna Oct 27 In a swift midnight post on X Chief Minister Mohan Yadav broke the silence on a farmers daylight murder in Guna his words carrying the weight of both grief and command I express my condolences to the family he wrote before issuing an ironclad directive No culprit will be sparedWithin hours a case against 14 accused was filed one arrest made and the states lawenforcement machinery jolted into high gearWhat began as a land dispute in Ganeshpura village had ended in a fathers brutal deathand now the Chief Minister had made it a test of governanceAnkit Soni superintendent of police Guna has said that the police have arrested an accused Hukum Singh and have launched a manhunt for others including Mahendra Nagar Jitendra Nagar Kanhaiyalal Nagar and othersA longsimmering land dispute erupted into unimaginable brutality in Ganeshpura village under Fatehgarh police station limits claiming the life of 40yearold farmer Ramswaroop Dhakad and leaving his family shatteredAccording to police on Sunday afternoon as Dhakad walked to his fields with his wife Vindo Bai they were ambushed by a mob led by local BJP booth committee president Mahendra Nagar and his relatives including his sons Nitesh and Devendra wife Kamlesh Bai nephew Jitendra and around a dozen others among them womenEyewitnesses recounted a scene of sheer savagery The attackers armed with sticks rods and guns surrounded Dhakad and unleashed a frenzied assault pummeling him until he collapsed with multiple fractures across his bodyIn a final act of cruelty Nagar allegedly drove a Thar jeep over Dhakads limp form crushing him fatally When Vindo Bai and their two 17yearold daughters Tanisha and Krishna rushed to intervene the mob turned on them slapping the women viciously tearing the girls clothes and firing shots into the air to terrorise villagers from approachingPolice accounts also reveal that Dhakads maternal uncle Rajendra Nagar who joined the fray to help was also beaten For nearly an hour the assailants held the village hostage at gunpoint blocking locals from rushing Dhakad to a nearby health centreOnly after persistent pleas did they relent allowing the gravely injured family to be ferried to Guna District Hospital Dhakad succumbed en route or upon arrival his body riddled with trauma However SP Ankit Soni said victim died during treatmentThe survivorsVindo Bai Tanisha Krishna and Rajendraremain under treatment for fractures lacerations and emotional scars with the daughters particularly traumatised by the molestationThe trigger was a festering feud over six bighas of farmland in neighbouring Pachlavara village Baran district of Rajasthan owned by Dhakads maternal uncle Pappu NagarNagars relative Kanhaiya had been pressuring the family to relinquish it but Dhakads steadfast refusalamid allegations of Nagars yearslong reign of intimidationforces at least 25 small farmers to sell holdings at throwaway prices and flee GaneshpuraChief Minister Mohan Yadav who also holds the home portfolio condemned the unfortunate murder as a stain on the states law and orderNo one indulging in criminal acts will be spared he asserted directing police and district authorities to expedite the probe with utmost seriousnessAn FIR under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for murder conspiracy assault and outraging womens modesty has been registered against 14 named accused including the Nagars and four unidentified personsHukum Singh Mahendras elder brother was arrested late Sunday while the seized Thar jeep yielded bloodstains linking it to the crime Raids continue for the absconders with SubDivisional Police Officer Vivek Asthana vowing forensic sweeps and witness protectionThe BJP district unit acknowledging Mahendra Nagars role as a former Kisan Morcha officebearer who defected from Congress in 2020 has urged his immediate expulsionState BJP chief Hemant Khandelwal echoed the CM stating Our government will punish every criminal regardless of affiliation Yet the opposition Congress led by Bamori MLA Rishi Agrawal decried the incident as a Lakhimpur Kheri rerun accusing the ruling party of shielding land mafia and fostering impunityViolence looting and assaults are rampant under this regime Agrawal charged demanding a highlevel judicial inquiry and Scindias intervention given Gunas status in his Lok Sabha turfVillagers living in fear of reprisals whispered of Nagars unchecked dominance where defiance meant ruinAs Dhakads body was cremated amid wails his daughters tearful accountsThey sat on me tore my cloths and fired at usamplified calls for justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-culprit-will-be-spared-mp-cm-on-farmers-murder-in-guna-645155.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/govt-announces-rashtriya-vigyan-puraskar-honouring-scientific-achievements-645156.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ancient-chola-era-sculptures-unearthed-near-villupuram-village-in-tn-645161.html Chennai Oct 28 In a remarkable archaeological discovery a set of stone sculptures dating back nearly 1000 years to the Chola period has been found near Kooteripattu in Villupuram district The ancient artefacts identified during a recent field survey by historian Senguttuvan of Villupuram were located in and around Alagramam village a site already known for its historical significanceThe findings include intricately carved images of Vaishnavi Devi Kaumari and a Buddhist figure each believed to date to around the 10th century CE Experts say the discovery sheds new light on the regions religious diversity and the artistic excellence that flourished under the CholasThe halfburied sculpture of Vaishnavi Devi was discovered at the Chekkadi Street Junction The goddess is depicted seated gracefully her four arms bearing distinct attributes The front hands are in the abhaya mudra and resting on her thigh while the rear hands hold a conch and discus symbols associated with Lord Vishnus divine powerThe figures detailed carving and serene expression reflect the stylistic precision of early medieval Tamil art Nearby on the premises of the Chelliamman temple another rare sculpture of Kaumari was unearthedShe is shown seated with one leg folded and the other hanging down adorned with a warriors chain and ornate jewelleryThe figures posture and detailing highlight the influence of Chola craftsmanship and the iconographic traditions of the Sapta Matrikas Seven Mother GoddessesAdding further significance to the find a Buddhist sculpture depicting Avalokiteshvara the Bodhisattva of compassion was located along Jain temple streetThe figure seated under a fiveheaded serpent points to the historical coexistence of Buddhist and Jain traditions in Villupuram Senior epigraphist Vijay Venugopal noted that the discovery confirms the oncevibrant spread of Buddhism in the regionArchaeologist Sreedharan has verified that all the sculptures belong to the Chola period and were likely part of a nowvanished Shiva temple complexHistorian Senguttuvan urged immediate steps for proper preservation and documentation revealing that a halfburied inscribed stone slab was also found nearbyHe appealed to the Archaeological Department and local authorities to safeguard the site for future research and conservation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ancient-chola-era-sculptures-unearthed-near-villupuram-village-in-tn-645161.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 08:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/coimbatore-corporation-submits-rs-102-crore-plan-for-noyyal-riverfront-revamp-645164.html Chennai Oct 28 Giving a renewed push to the restoration of the Noyyal River the Coimbatore Corporation has submitted a detailed project report DPR to the state government seeking Rs 102 crore for developing a 43km stretch of the riverfront from Nanjundapuram to Athupalam The proposal is part of the state governments initiative to rejuvenate urban riverfronts for which Rs 400 crore was earmarked in the current fiscal for five districts including CoimbatoreThe ambitious project aims to combine ecological restoration with public recreation making the riverfront a green and accessible urban spaceIt is a joint effort of the state government and the Coimbatore Corporation with Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Limited TNUIFSL designated as the funding agencyAlongside this plan the civic body has also forwarded a separate Rs 100crore proposal for building three new sewage treatment plants STPs and for upgrading underground drainage intersections and diversionsAccording to the DPR the project will focus on strengthening and improving the bunds on both sides of the river creating road access along the banks and developing public amenities such as parks openair gyms and viewing points Three new STPs are proposed to intercept sewage discharge into the river with the project identifying 41 points where untreated wastewater currently enters the watercourse Designed on ecofriendly principles the Noyyal Riverfront Project will adhere to norms of the Germanbased KfW Development Bank prioritising minimal concrete use and extensive green cover The plan envisions a sevenmetrewide road on one bund with recreational facilities and landscaped areas on the opposite side The overall layout aims to preserve the natural width of the river prevent encroachments and maintain a sustainable ratio of 70 per cent greenery to 30 per cent built structures Experts have stressed the need to safeguard the rivers natural flow and recommended including data on historical flood levels to guide design and safety parameters However concerns have also emerged from local farming groups about the lack of consultation during public review meetings and the necessity of additional STPs given that existing ones are underutilised Once approved the project is expected to transform the Noyyal Riverfront into a major ecological and recreational corridor for Coimbatore while supporting longterm urban water management goals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/coimbatore-corporation-submits-rs-102-crore-plan-for-noyyal-riverfront-revamp-645164.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/police-give-clean-chit-to-main-suspect-in-delhi-acid-attack-case-645166.html New Delhi Oct 28 The man accused of throwing acid on a 20yearold girl near Laxmi Bai College in Delhi has been given a clean chit by the police after officials reviewed evidence showing that he was not present at the crime scene In her complaint the acid attack victim had alleged that the accused was involved in the acid attack However during police questioning the accused claimed that he was not present at the crime scene and was instead in Karol Bagh for workAccording to the police officials CCTV footage from the Karol Bagh area shows the accused riding a motorcycle when the incident happened near the Laxmi Bai College Based on this footage the police have so far given a clean chit to the manAdditionally the acid attack victims father Akil Khan has been arrested for sexually assaulting the accuseds wifeThe arrest confirmed late Monday evening by senior officials at Bharat Nagar police station marks a pivotal shift in an investigation already mired in contradictions family vendettas and competing narratives of harassment and revengeKhan a 45yearold factory owner from Mukundpur was located hiding in a relatives residence in neighbouring Ghaziabad after a tipoff from local intelligence networksAccording to police sources he is being transported back to Delhi under heavy escort for intensive questioning expected to commence early Tuesday at the stations interrogation cellAuthorities suspect his involvement in orchestrating elements of the incident or fabricating details to bolster the initial complaint though no formal charges have been filed against him yet in the acid attack FIRThe case erupted on October 26 around 1052 am when the victima secondyear NonCollegiate Womens Education Board student affiliated with Delhi Universitywas admitted to Deep Chand Bandhu Hospital with severe burns on both hands and minor splashes to her stomachForensic analysis by the Forensic Science Laboratory confirmed the liquid as a potent acid causing five per cent burns primarily from her instinctive shielding of her face with her bagA case under Sections 1241 and 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita was registered as FIR No 6052025 with crime scene teams scouring the area near the college gate for residue and eyewitnesses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/police-give-clean-chit-to-main-suspect-in-delhi-acid-attack-case-645166.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 09:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/severe-cyclone-montha-comes-hurtling-towards-andhra-coast-645169.html Amaravati Oct 28 Cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclone and is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam near Kakinada on Tuesday night Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority APSDA said in the morning that the cyclone moved at a speed of 15 km per hour during the last six hours and is currently centered 190 km from Machilipatnam 270 km from Kakinada and 340 km from VisakhapatnamASDMA Managing Director Prakhar Jain said that at the time of the cyclones landfall strong gales with a speed of 90110 kmph are likely Under the impact of the cyclone very heavy rainfall is likely along the entire Andhra coast from Srikakulam to Nellore Some areas may receive extremely heavy rainfallThe APSDMA has advised people to remain indoors It asked people not to panic and assured them that the state administration is with themThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a red alert for the coastal districts which also face the threat of flash floodsA storm surge of about one metre above the astronomical tide is also expected along the coast which may inundate lowlying areasSrikakulam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Anakapalle Nellore Konaseema and Kakinada districts are already receiving heavy rain with strong winds At least 95 places have recorded heavy to very heavy rainfallHigh tidal waves have damaged the UppadaKakinada beach road Authorities have closed the road for trafficFishermen have been advised not to venture into the sea for five days All activities on the coast have been suspended Authorities have closed the beaches for touristsAccording to officials the cyclone is likely to impact 1419 villages in 233 mandals and 44 municipalities Authorities have already opened 2194 relief camps in these areasThe administration is ready to shift people to relief camps where necessary Special attention has been paid to 3465 pregnant womennursing mothers for careA total of 558 control rooms have been set up including one state control room 19 district control rooms and 54 revenue division control roomsSixteen satellite phones 35 DMR sets and other equipment have been made available in the districts for the communication systemAs a precautionary measure South Central Railway and East Coast Railway have announced the cancellation of over 100 trains for the next two daysEleven teams of National Disaster Response Force NDRF and 12 teams of State Disaster Response Force SDRF have reached the coastal districts for relief operations while some more teams are available at the headquarters IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/severe-cyclone-montha-comes-hurtling-towards-andhra-coast-645169.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/attacks-on-adani-group-coordinated-effort-to-undermine-indias-growth-lawyer-645176.html New Delhi Oct 28 Supreme Court advocate Ishkaran Singh Bhandari has said that recent reports by foreign media targeting the Adani Group are part of a larger coordinated effort to undermine Indias economic growth and private industrial progress In a conversation with IANS Bhandari said this is not the first time such attempts have been made to malign the Adani GroupFor years the Adani conglomerate has been repeatedly targeted These are the same companies that play a crucial role in Indias economic backbone operating in key sectors such as ports airports and energy he saidForeign interests do not want Indian enterprises to gain strength and global recognition in these strategic areas he told IANSHe recalled that the Adani Group had earlier faced similar allegations from Hindenburg Research which has been shut down which even led to a Supreme Courtmonitored investigationDespite the probe and the formation of a special committee no evidence of wrongdoing was ever found Yet the narrative continues to be pushed for ulterior motives Bhandari notedCalling the campaign a longrunning international conspiracy he cited examples of global financiers like George Soros who according to him have openly linked Adanirelated controversies to political outcomes in IndiaPeople who dont even live in India are trying to interfere with our economic stability he saidBhandari dismissed such reports as fit for the dustbin adding that raising them in Parliament or during election debates serves an antiIndia purposeDefending LICs investment in Adani Ports he said If an American company can profit from investing in Mumbai Airport why cant LIC invest in Adani Ports There is nothing questionable about itLICs investment processes are transparent and multilayered It has always invested in Indian enterprises thats part of its mandate Bhandari mentionedHe argued that questioning LICs investments while ignoring those of foreign investors exposes the hypocrisy behind such criticismIndia is now the worlds fourthlargest economy Those trying to weaken LICs profitability under the guise of transparency are actually seeking to undermine Indias growth story he saidBhandari urged citizens and lawmakers to reject agendadriven foreign narratives that attempt to erode confidence in Indian industry and private investment These baseless reports are designed to shake faith in Indias economic momentum and must be firmly dismissed he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/attacks-on-adani-group-coordinated-effort-to-undermine-indias-growth-lawyer-645176.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengaluru-college-student-working-part-time-with-blinkit-misbehaves-with-brazilian-model-arrested-645180.html Bengaluru Oct 28 A student enrolled in a reputed private college and working as a Blinkit delivery staffer has been arrested on charges of misbehaving with a Brazilian model in the RT Nagar police station limits Bengaluru The accused identified as Kiran Rao Pawar has been arrested by the police on charges of sexual harassmentKarthik the owner of the firm where the victim worked lodged a police complaint in this regardConsidering the seriousness of the case the police acted swiftly and arrested the accusedThe complaint was lodged on October 25 while the incident occurred on October 17According to the FIR the victim had not revealed the traumatic experience earlier due to fearThe police have booked the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita They have also obtained CCTV footage of the incidentAs per the FIR the victim a Brazilian national was provided accommodation by the firm in an apartment in RT Nagar Bengaluru Two other models also stayed with herOn October 17 the victims friend ordered food through the Blinkit app and at about 320 pm the accused delivery staffer arrived at their flat to deliver the order The victim went to receive the foodAccording to the FIR the accused behaved inappropriately with the Brazilian woman and offensively touched her The victim pushed him away rushed inside the flat and locked the door However she did not immediately share the incident with her friendsLater the victim and the two other women both foreign nationals informed the complainant about the incident The complainant verified the CCTV footage and confirmed the assault following which he lodged a complaint with the policeEarlier Basaveshwarnagar Police arrested a Zepto delivery executive for allegedly assaulting a customer over providing a wrong address for delivery After a video of the executive allegedly assaulting the customer went viral police tracked down the accused Vishnuvardhan a resident of Vijayanagar arrested him and let him go on station bailThe accused studied in class 12 and worked as a delivery executive in his free time The complaint in this regard was filed on May 21 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengaluru-college-student-working-part-time-with-blinkit-misbehaves-with-brazilian-model-arrested-645180.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-danger-signal-seven-hoisted-at-kakinada-port-645181.html Visakhapatnam Oct 28 With severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal racing towards the Andhra Pradesh coast authorities have hoisted danger signal number seven at Kakinda port Cyclone Warning Centre Visakhapatnam has issued danger signal number six at Visakhapatnam and Gangavaram portsDanger signal number five has been hoisted at Machilipatnam Nizampatnam and Krishnapatnam portsInformatory messages have been sent to Kalingapatnam Bheemunipatnam and Vadarevu portsAccording to India Meteorological Department IMD cyclonic storm Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal moved northnorthwestwards with a speed of 15 kmph during past six hours intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centered at 0530 hrs IST of Tuesday over the same region about 190 km southsoutheast of Machilipatnam Andhra Pradesh 270 km southsoutheast of Kakinada Andhra Pradesh 340 km southsouthwest of Visakhapatnam Andhra Pradesh 550 km southsouthwest of Gopalpur OdishaIt is likely to continue to move northnorthwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the eveningnight of today the 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph the IMD saidThe IMD has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh It said in a bulletin that scattered heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Srikakulam Parvathipuram Manyam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Alluri Sitharama Raju Anakapalli KakinadaYanam Dr B R Ambedkar Konaseema East Godavari West Godavari Eluru NTR Krishna Guntur Palnadu Bapatla and Prakasam districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and YanamHeavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at a few places over Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore Tirupati Annamayya YSR Kadapa and Nandyal districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh Yanam and RayalaseemaIndian National Centre for Ocean Information Services INCOIS has issued high wave alerts for coastal districtsIt forecasted high waves in the range of 3 47 meters INCOIS advised small vessels not to ply near shore and to avoid recreational activities Erosionwave surges are possible under the impact of the cyclone IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-danger-signal-seven-hoisted-at-kakinada-port-645181.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-wary-as-possible-delay-in-nepal-polls-opens-space-for-external-influence-645185.html New Delhi Oct 28 India is keeping a close watch on the political developments in Nepal as stability in the country is crucial since the two countries share a 1700kilometre border Officials said that India is wary of external influence in Nepal and hence elections must be held soon Currently there is an interim government in place and this was installed following the Gen Z protests during which 73 people died The K P Oli government was thrown out following protestsIndian agencies suspect that external elements are making attempts to create a political vacuum in the country If a caretaker government prolongs then it gives other countries including China time to influence Nepal through both economic and infrastructure projectsMany external elements are also trying to exploit the Maoist sentiments in the country and if this sets in then Nepal could descend into chaos This would cause a great amount of instability and other countries could exploit this situationIndian officials say that their main priority is to prevent Nepal from plunging into chaos Hence it is important that the political process gets rolling and elections are held as soon as possibleA caretaker government may be accountable but it is not the same that a democratically elected would have to be They are answerable to the people and will have to face them during an electionWhile the Gen Z mainly comprising students ensured that Oli stepped down such protests cannot happen regularlyThe concerns for India stem from the fact that elections may be delayed in Nepal Attempts are being made to push the elections to either May or June instead of March 2026Attempts are allegedly being made to weaken some of the political parties so that others have an advantage when the elections are held Some leaders have also complained about getting threats and hence they fear that the democratic process may be erodedOne of the biggest fixes that Nepal needs now is its economy and job market If this is not fixed it affects the younger generation the most The youth have been complaining that the economy is in distress and there are no jobs available They had accused the Oli government of doing nothing about the situation They further accused that those in power had become corrupt and their children led lavish lives while the youth looked for jobsAnother official said that if the situation fails to improve then there is every chance of violence breaking out again While the external elements would try and take advantage of the situation it also poses a huge problem at the Indian borderAdding to the problem is the ISI which uses the NepalIndia border as a transit for criminals and terrorists The border with Nepal has largely been a peaceful one and India would not want that dynamic to changeThe Indian security forces are already guarding tense borders India shares a border with Pakistan in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir Further the borders with China are tense while the situation in Bangladesh has increased the workload of the security forces at the IndoBangla borderIn the aftermath of the protests attempts were made by external elements to ensure that the violence continued However once Oli was out the army took control of the situation The army stood with the protesters as it felt that their demands were valid The army also left it up to the protesters to decide on who would be the caretaker prime ministerLooking at the fragile situation India hopes that a government will be elected soon so that any external influence can be avoided IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-wary-as-possible-delay-in-nepal-polls-opens-space-for-external-influence-645185.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-andhra-pradesh-introduces-real-time-voice-alert-system-645188.html Amaravati Oct 28 With severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal hurtling towards the Andhra Pradesh coast the state government has introduced a realtime voice alert system in coastal districts Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority APSDMA said on Tuesday that as per Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidus directive to provide cyclone information to the public in various forms cyclone warnings through realtime voice alerts were introduced on a pilot basis in 26 coastal villagesRealtime voice alerts for the Montha cyclone warnings are being delivered within minutes in these coastal villages on an experimental basisEven in the event of a power outage a 360degree horn speaker system provides clear warnings even within a radius of one kilometre This system will be expanded to more villages said APSDMA Managing Director Prakhar JainHe stated that the state government is at the forefront of using awareness alert broadcasting technologyPeople are being alerted from time to time through messages interactive voice response calls tomtoms and fieldlevel officialsMinisters and top officials of the state government are monitoring the cyclone situation in realtime from the Real Time Governance Society RTGS centre at the State SecretariatChief Minister Naidu who is also visiting the RTGS war room to personally review the situation said that they were assessing the impact of the cyclone on an hourly basis He directed officials to continuously provide accurate information to the public to keep them alertAccording to the India Meteorological Department IMD cyclonic storm Montha over westcentral Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclonic storm and lay centred at 0530 hrs IST of Tuesday about 190 km southsoutheast of Machilipatnam 270 km southsoutheast of Kakinada and 340 km southsouthwest of VisakhapatnamIt is likely to continue to move northnorthwestwards and cross Andhra Pradesh coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam around Kakinada during the eveningnight of today the 28th October as a severe cyclonic storm with a maximum sustained wind speed of 90100 kmph gusting to 110 kmph the IMD said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-andhra-pradesh-introduces-real-time-voice-alert-system-645188.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-bjp-leader-arrested-in-assault-case-645192.html Kolkata Oct 28 Bengal BJP leader Rakesh Singh and his children were arrested allegedly for going on a rampage inside a housing complex in the Kasba area of Kolkata police said on Tuesday According to the police the incident occurred on Monday during which Rakesh and his daughter and son allegedly assaulted the owner of a flat and his childrenThe police said that the BJP leader has a flat in a multistoreyed building in Kasba However he was accused of forcibly occupying another flat in the same residential complexWhen the owner of the flat went to remove things from the place along with his workers Rakesh Singh and his children allegedly attacked himThe victim alleged that the attackers had firearmsThe owner of the flat Chandu Khan was injured in the attack and was admitted to a hospital Chandus sons Saptarshi Khan and Rajarshi Khan were also injuredThey alleged that the BJP leader his son and daughter beat them up with the butt of a gun and knivesBased on their complaint the Kasba Police arrested Rakesh Singh his children Shivam and SimranRajarshi Khan said Rakesh Singh has a flat on the fourth floor He has forcibly occupied our flat on the third floor He has kept his belongings there I have repeatedly asked him to remove the belongings But he did not remove them We were taking the workers today and putting their belongings down because we were paying rent Then eight to nine people came and beat my father and brother They had firearms in their hands They beat them with gun butts My father had to be admitted to the hospital They also attacked me with a knifeA senior officer of Kolkata Police said The BJP leader and his son and daughter have been arrested A case has been registered against them Investigation is onOn September 3 Kolkata Police arrested Rakesh Singh on charges of vandalism at the headquarters of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee in Kolkata The BJP leader had been absconding since he led the vandalism at the state Congress headquarters in Kolkata on August 29On September 1 the police arrested Rakesh Singhs elder son Shivam Singh for allegedly aiding his fathers escape who is the main accused in the vandalism Singh was arrested based on an FIR lodged by the Congress against the alleged attack and defacement of posters of its leaders Rahul Gandhi and others IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-bjp-leader-arrested-in-assault-case-645192.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-charred-to-death-as-bus-hits-high-tension-power-line-in-jaipur-645194.html Jaipur Oct 28 Two people were killed while 12 others suffered burn injuries after a bus carrying labourers came in contact with a hightension power line in the Manoharpur area about 50 kilometres from Jaipur on Tuesday According to officials the labourers were being transported to a brick kiln in Todi village when the accident occurredThe bus reportedly brushed against an overhead hightension line causing an electric current to surge through the vehicle and triggering a fire Locals rushed to the scene and helped rescue those trapped inside the burning busEyewitnesses said several passengers sustained severe burns before they could be pulled outVillagers claimed they had repeatedly urged the local administration to remove or raise the height of these hightension lines but no action had been takenUpon receiving information about the incident Jaipur District Collector Jitendra Soni and senior police officials rushed to the spotA special district police and civil defence team were also deployed to assist in rescue operations The injured were initially taken to the Shahpura SubDistrict Hospital where doctors declared two workers dead on arrivalFive critically injured patients were later referred to Sawai Mansingh SMS Hospital in Jaipur for advanced treatmentHospital authorities have confirmed that an emergency team was put on alert to receive the victimsPreliminary investigations suggest that the bus exceeded the safe height limit and came into contact with the live wirePolice have registered a case of negligence against the bus driver and are conducting further inquiriesThe deceased have not yet been identified but are believed to be migrant workers employed at a local brick kilnExpressing grief over the incident Congress leader Ashok Gehlot said The tragic incident in Manoharpur Jaipur where a bus carrying workers caught fire after coming into contact with a hightension line resulted in two deaths and several injuries is deeply saddeningThe increasing number of such accidents in Rajasthan is a matter of serious concern My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families and I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured Gehlot the former chief minister saidRecently over 20 people were charred to death in a bus fire tragedy in Jaisalmer IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-charred-to-death-as-bus-hits-high-tension-power-line-in-jaipur-645194.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-cm-naidu-urges-nda-mps-mlas-to-stand-by-people-645203.html Amaravati Oct 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday asked the NDA MPs ministers MLAs and other leaders to stand by the people in the wake of severe cyclone Montha In a teleconference with the NDA MPs ministers and MLAs he said from cadre to leader everyone should help people in the time of calamityThe Telugu Desam Party TDP president told the leaders of TDP Jana Sena and BJP to be available to people in the cycloneaffected areasStating that cyclone Montha is going to affect the state the Chief Minister informed the leaders that as per the current information it is approaching the state from a distance of 270 km from Kakinada at a speed of 15 kmThe cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatnam There is a possibility of heavy rains in Krishna West Godavari Konaseema and Eluru districtsCM Naidu spoke about the steps being taken to completely reduce the loss of life and prevent property damageWe are sending messages to mobile phones in real time depending on the severity of the situation We have informed the authorities about the steps to be taken to save the crops from being submergedHe wanted NDA workers to come forward as volunteers and participate in relief activities by sensitising the peopleThe Chief Minister also told the NDA MPs that the coalition government will also seek Central assistance if necessaryThe governments goal is to save the lives of the people and reduce the loss We should be there for the people in times of crisis The NDA machinery should cooperate with the government machinery in cyclone relief measures he saidRecalling that the government dealt effectively with Titli and Hudhud cyclones CM Naidu exuded confidence that it will also effectively deal with MonthaThe Chief Minister told the NDA leaders that the rains under the impact of the cyclone were affecting 39 constituenciesThe government has deployed NDRF and SDRF personnel at the field level in view of the possibility of flash floodsWe are making arrangements to remove fallen trees and poles on a war footing We have brought back the fishermen who went fishing in the sea The NDA cadres should also have coordination with them he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-cm-naidu-urges-nda-mps-mlas-to-stand-by-people-645203.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-to-appoint-76-animal-welfare-officers-set-up-138-new-centres-for-stray-dog-control-645207.html Chennai Oct 28 In a major step toward curbing the stray dog population and preventing rabies outbreaks the Tamil Nadu Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has announced the appointment of 76 districtlevel animal welfare officers across the state as part of a largescale sterilisation and immunisation drive The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the Tamil Nadu Animal Welfare Board TNAWB which is preparing to roll out a mass antirabies vaccination campaign in collaboration with corporations municipalities and town panchayats outside ChennaiThe move comes amid growing concerns over stray dog attacks and the spread of zoonotic diseases According to a recent government order the 76 new appointees will include 38 districtlevel animal welfare officers and 38 veterinary surgeons with expertise in Animal Birth Control ABC surgeriesThese positions will be filled on a oneyear contractual basis with extensions possible based on performance and requirementsThe recruitment process is expected to be completed by the first week of December The newlyappointed officers will oversee multiple responsibilities from ensuring the humane conduct of traditional events such as jallikattu and taking legal action in cases of animal cruelty to conducting awareness campaigns on responsible pet ownership rabies prevention and sterilisationTo strengthen infrastructure for the upcoming drive the department has also proposed the establishment of 38 new ABC centres with shelter facilities capable of accommodating up to 100 dogs eachAdditionally another 100 centres are planned without shelter facilities focusing exclusively on sterilisation and vaccination procedures In a bid to scientifically track and manage the states stray dog population the TNAWB has initiated the procurement of 24 lakh RFID radio frequency identification tags to microchip sterilised and vaccinated dogs This will help local bodies monitor coverage and prevent duplicationThe veterinary surgeons will handle ABC surgeries provide postoperative care and administer vaccines Supporting staff for the operation of these centres will also be appointed soon said a senior official from the departmentThe largescale programme marks one of Tamil Nadus most comprehensive efforts in animal welfare combining public health goals with humane management of stray animals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-to-appoint-76-animal-welfare-officers-set-up-138-new-centres-for-stray-dog-control-645207.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-services-led-growth-becoming-more-balanced-inclusive-niti-aayog-report-645209.html New Delhi Oct 28 The servicesled growth in Indias economy is becoming more regionally balanced as states with lower initial shares in services are catching up with more advanced ones according to a NITI Aayog report released on Tuesday There is clear evidence that structurally lagging States are beginning to catch up with advanced ones This emerging pattern of convergence suggests that Indias servicesled transformation is gradually becoming more broadbased and spatially inclusive the report statesThe services sector has become the cornerstone of Indias economic growth contributing nearly 55 per cent of national GVA Gross Value Added in 202425To guide policy the report introduces a quadrantbased framework that classifies 15 major service subsectors into four categoriesEngines of Growth Emerging Stars Mature Giants and Struggling Segmentsto support differentiated strategies across StatesThe report recommends prioritising digital infrastructure logistics innovation finance and skilling to accelerate diversification and competitiveness at the sectoral levelIt also recommends that at the state level there is a need for developing tailored service strategies based on local strengths improving institutional capacity integrating services with industrial ecosystems and scaling up urban and regional service clustersTogether these findings offer a forwardlooking policy road map for positioning the services sector as a key growth engine across India reinforcing its central role in the Viksit Bharat 2047 visionA companion report titled Indias Services Sector Insights from Employment Trends and StateLevel Dynamics focusses on employment within the services sector drawing on data from the NSS 201112 and PLFS 201718 to 202324It offers a longrun and multidimensional view of Indias services workforce across subsectors gender regions education and occupations The report goes beyond aggregate trends to reveal the sectors dual character modern highproductivity segments that are globally competitive yet limited in employment intensity and traditional segments that absorb large numbers of workers but remain predominantly informal and lowpayingBy linking historical and contemporary data it situates these patterns within a broader framework of structural transformation offering an integrated understanding of the opportunities and divides that shape Indias servicesled employment transitionFindings show that while services remain the mainstay of Indias employment growth and postpandemic recovery challenges persist Employment generation is uneven across subsectors informality remains widespread and job quality continues to lag behind output growth Gender gaps ruralurban divides and regional disparities underline the need for an employment strategy that integrates formalisation inclusion and productivity enhancement at its coreTo bridge these gaps the report outlines a fourpart policy road map focussing on formalisation and social protection for gig selfemployed and MSME workers targeted skilling and digital access to expand opportunities for women and rural youth investment in emerging and green economy skills and balanced regional development through service hubs in Tier2 and Tier3 citiesBy positioning the services sector as a purposeful driver of productive highquality and inclusive jobs the report underscores its centrality to Indias employment transition and its pivotal role in realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047The reports emphasise the need to deepen digital infrastructure expand skilled human capital foster innovation ecosystems and integrate services across value chains positioning India as a trusted global leader in digital professional and knowledgebased services IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-services-led-growth-becoming-more-balanced-inclusive-niti-aayog-report-645209.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 13:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/great-danger-signal-10-at-kakinada-port-as-cyclone-montha-nears-andhra-pradesh-coast-645213.html Visakhapatnam Oct 28 Great danger signal number 10 was hoisted at Kakinada Port on Tuesday as the severe cyclone Montha in the Bay of Bengal was hurtling towards the Andhra Pradesh coast With the cyclone nearing the coast the Cyclone Warning Centre Visakhapatnam directed authorities to replace danger signal seven with 10 at Kakinada PortThe great danger signal is the highest issued to port in times of severe cyclonesGreat danger signal number nine was hoisted at Visakhapatnam Gangavaram Kalingapatnam and Bheemunipatnam portsGreat danger signal eight was hoisted at Machilipatnam Nizampatnam Krishnapatnam and Vadarevu portsAccording to Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority APSDMA cyclonic storm Montha over the westcentral Bay of Bengal has intensified into a severe cyclone and moved northnorthwestwards with a speed of 12 kmph during the past six hours It lies centred about 160 km from Machilipatnam 240 km from Kakinada and 320 km from VisakhapatnamThe system is being continuously monitored from the Disaster Management Authoritys control roomThe severe cyclone is likely to cross the coast between Kakinada and Machilipatnam tonight At the time of crossing the coast strong cyclonic winds with speeds of 90110 km per hour Due to its impact extremely heavy rainfall is expected from Srikakulam to Nellore with very heavy rainfall in some areasAPSDMA has advised people to stay safe indoorsThe IMD has issued a red alert for coastal Andhra Pradesh It said in a bulletin that scattered heavy to very heavy with extremely heavy rainfall likely to occur at one or two places over Srikakulam Parvathipuram Manyam Vizianagaram Visakhapatnam Alluri Sitharama Raju Anakapalli KakinadaYanam Dr BRAmbedkar Konaseema East Godavari West Godavari Eluru NTR Krishna Guntur Palnadu Bapatla and Prakasam districts of coastal Andhra Pradesh and YanamHeavy to very heavy rainfall is likely to occur at a few places over Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore Tirupati Annamayya YSR Kadapa and Nandyal districts of Coastal Andhra Pradesh Yanam and RayalaseemaIndian National Centre for Ocean Information Services INCOIS has issued high wave alerts for coastal districtsIt forecasted high waves in the range of 3 47 meters INCOIS has advised small vessels not to ply near shore and to suspend recreational activities Erosionwave surges are possible under the impact of the cyclone IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/great-danger-signal-10-at-kakinada-port-as-cyclone-montha-nears-andhra-pradesh-coast-645213.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/counter-intelligence-wing-of-jampk-cid-saves-two-teenagers-from-terror-trap-645216.html Srinagar Oct 28 The Counter Intelligence Kashmir wing CIK of Jammu and Kashmir CID said on Tuesday that it has saved two teenagers from falling into the trap of terrorism through online radicalisation A statement by the intelligence wing said on Tuesday CIK has foiled an online radicalisation plot and has prevented two teenage boys from falling into the terror trapCIK has once again demonstrated its exceptional professional competence cyber intelligence skills and social outreach capabilities by dismantling a digital radicalisation network operating through multiple social media platformsThe timely operation not only neutralised the propaganda machinery of a terrorist outfit but also safeguarded two impressionable young boys from being recruited into terrorism the statement readActing on precise intelligence inputs and sustained cyber surveillance CIK identified two radical social media handles faithfulwarrior57 and Gurkboru08 engaged in glorifying terrorism and circulating extremist narrativesThese accounts were actively sharing propaganda material including audio clips and digital content of known terrorists designed to sow discord promote secessionist sentiment and attract vulnerable youth toward violent extremismAfter detailed technical analysis the operators of these accounts were identified as Hashim Mashood Lone son of Mashood Ahmad Lone resident of Khawjabagh Maloora aged about 17 years and Mohammad Hazik Ahanger son of Farooq Ahmad Ahanger resident of Railway Colony Nowgam aged about 15 yearsBoth individuals were traced apprehended for questioning and found to be juveniles Digital forensic examination of Hashims mobile device established him as the user of Gurkboru08 and evidence revealed he was disseminating terror content under the direct guidance of an online handlerInvestigations further disclosed that he had been using encrypted communication tools and VPNs to sustain covert interaction with crossborder handlers Subsequent inquiry traced the online handler operating under the alias Saqib real name Ahmad Salar a Pakistanbased propagandist linked to The Resistance Front TRF Salar was orchestrating a sophisticated online indoctrination effort exploiting social media to manipulate vulnerable youth through ideological grooming false promises and glorification of terrorist activities it saidThe second juvenile Hazik operating the handle faithfulwarrior57 was similarly influenced by the same handlerDigital traces revealed instructions emotional manipulation and ideological conditioning intended to draw both minors deeper into extremist networksThrough meticulous coordination superior cyber analytics and swift operational execution CIK successfully disrupted the network effectively preventing the recruitment of two juveniles and thwarting an emerging radicalisation threat that could have endangered community safety the statement readRecognising the social dimension of this threat CIK held joint counselling sessions involving the families of juveniles community elders and local religious scholarsThese sessions aimed to help the youth and their guardians understand the grave repercussions of radicalisation and the importance of responsible digital engagement The initiative underscored CIKs compassionate approach combining operational excellence with social responsibility and strengthened community cooperation against extremist exploitation the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/counter-intelligence-wing-of-jampk-cid-saves-two-teenagers-from-terror-trap-645216.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/through-eci-they-are-conspiring-to-change-the-constitution-cong-rjd-on-sir-20-launch-645220.html New Delhi Oct 28 As the Election Commission of India ECI launched the second phase of Special Intensive Revision SIR of voter lists across 12 States and Union Territories including pollbound Tamil Nadu West Bengal Kerala and Puducherry the Opposition parties including the Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD on Tuesday accused the government of misusing the ECI to change the Constitution by other means Speaking to IANS Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said What was their slogan inside Parliament outside Parliament and in public rallies Abki Baar 400 Paar Their intention was clear to change the Constitution and take away the voting rights of minorities backward classes and Scheduled Castes When they failed to do that directly they began using the ECI through mechanisms like the NRC Thats why yesterday the ECI could not even specify which caste or religion the names removed from the voter list belonged toCongress spokesperson Surendra Rajput questioned the transparency of the process saying Announcing SIR should be done in a proper and legal manner But in Bihar where it was implemented many questions remain unanswered Even now the Election Commission should clarify how many new voters have been added how many infiltrators votes have been blocked and address all the questions raised by political parties regarding infiltrators How many such names were deleted The public deserves transparencyCongress spokesperson Abhay Dubey echoed similar concerns alleging that the BJP is using the Election Commission for political gainsThe Modi government and the BJP gave the slogan of 400 plus because they wanted to undermine the Constitution framed by BR Ambedkar The people of India stopped them once but now they are trying to achieve their goals through the Election Commission The ECI claimed that the SIR in Bihar was successful but everyone in Bihar knows how voter names were illegally deleted he saidRJD leader and Mahagathbandhans CM face Tejashwi Yadav said This exercise was predecided They had already said they would do it and now they are going ahead with it Nothing surprisingPrashant Kishor founder of the Jan Suraaj Party also reacted and said The BJP can use all the tricks they want remove names intimidate people or harass them But when the public turns against you no SIR or FIR can save youJMM spokesperson Manoj Pandey added India must not allow its rights to be taken away especially fundamental rights like voting This is exactly what the BJP government seems to be attempting It is the duty of every citizen and political party to safeguard these democratic rightsSamajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad said No voter should be left out of the voter list No one should lose the right to vote the most precious right given to us by BR Ambedkar Nothing is more valuable than this IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/through-eci-they-are-conspiring-to-change-the-constitution-cong-rjd-on-sir-20-launch-645220.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/massive-preparations-underway-in-gujarat-for-grand-national-unity-day-celebrations-645226.html Ahmedabad Oct 28 With just days to go for the grand celebration of National Unity Day on October 31 Sardar Vallabhbhai Patels 150th birth anniversary Ekta Nagar in Gujarat is buzzing with extensive preparations To accommodate guests from across the nation the Gujarat government has set up 11 large domes providing full accommodation for more than 9000 visitors including a dedicated dormitory for 1400 police personnelThese domes located near the KoyariGarudeshwar Mamlatdars office come equipped with comfortable bedding charging points secure luggage stands clean bathrooms separate sections for men and women ventilation and fire safety infrastructureIn addition to lodging organisers have planned a fullyintegrated support system A registration counter medical firstaid centre and modern restroom blocks all with continuous water and lightingTo ensure seamless movement parking has been arranged for 174 buses and the entire area is adorned with vibrant fabric decor bright lighting and festive touches creating a welcoming atmosphereThe event will embody Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Rajya anek rashtra ek samaj anek Bharat ek bhasha anek bhaav ek rang anek tiranga ek many states one nation many communities one India many languages one emotion many colours one TricolourUnder the theme Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat the celebration will feature a grand moving parade at Ekta Nagar modelled on the Republic Day parade in New Delhi showcasing Indias cultural social and regional diversity The parade will include 16 contingents from CAPFs and state police forces such as BSF CRPF CISF ITBP SSB and various state units Medalwinning personnel including the BSFs Operation Sindoor heroes and CRPFs gallantry awardees will also participateAdding to the spectacle ten thematic tableaux from states and union territories including Jammu amp Kashmir Andaman amp Nicobar Islands Puducherry Maharashtra Gujarat Manipur Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand will display Indias rich achievements and heritageThe parade will also feature nine military and police bands four awardwinning school bands and captivating displays such as the NSGs Hell March Assam Polices Daredevil Motorcycle Show and a dog show by the BSFs Indian breedsThe Prime Minister will offer floral tributes at the Statue of Unity before attending the parade where he will be accorded a Guard of Honour by the CAPF and Gujarat Police contingents Beyond the parade a 15day cultural festival Bharat Parv 2025 will be held from November 1 to 15 celebrating Indias unity in diversity IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/massive-preparations-underway-in-gujarat-for-grand-national-unity-day-celebrations-645226.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 14:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-navy-chief-calls-for-collective-maritime-strategy-in-complex-indo-pacific-region-645254.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indian Navy chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on Tuesday emphasised the need for collective cooperative and technologydriven approaches to ensure maritime security in an increasingly complex IndoPacific as he inaugurated the 11th edition of the IndoPacific Regional Dialogue IPRD here  Welcoming over 30 international delegates Admiral Tripathi said the IndoPacifics future must be shaped together through dialogue cooperation and mutual trustThis years theme he noted reflects Indias expanded maritime vision from SAGAR Security and Growth for All in the Region to MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions underscoring Indias commitment to a secure and inclusive maritime orderHighlighting what he termed the dynaxity of the maritime environment a blend of dynamism and complexity Admiral Tripathi identified three defining currents commercial disruption transnational turbulence and technological accelerationGlobal seaborne trade growth is projected to drop to 05 per cent in 2025 from 22 per cent in 2024 signalling strategic fragility he said citing the Red Sea crisis as a reminder of how chokepoints can destabilise global supply chainsThe Red Sea crisis has demonstrated how a single maritime chokepoint can ripple across global freight indices insurance premiums and food prices he saidHe also warned against rising illegal fishing trafficking and maritime pollution which threaten livelihoods particularly in Small Island Developing StatesAccording to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation FAO IUU fishing activities are responsible for the loss of 11 to 26 million tonnes of fish each year which is estimated to have an economic value of 10 to 23 billion he saidAt the same time smuggling networks are increasingly exploiting ungoverned maritime spaces and weak enforcement regimes to move narcotics arms and even sanctioned commodities for financing terror networks and fuelling instability ashore he noted adding Rising sea levels extreme weather and marine pollution have added new dimension to transnational maritime challenges threatening both lives and livelihoods especially for Small Island Developing States SIDSOn technology he noted that while AI autonomous systems and satellites are enhancing maritime awareness they also expose vulnerabilities such as GPS jamming and cyber intrusionsAdmiral Tripathi outlined three pillars to navigate maritime dynaxity holistic maritime security capacity building and capability enhancementHe highlighted the Indian Navys initiatives including the Information Fusion CentreIndian Ocean Region IFCIOR in Gurugram which currently hosts 15 international liaison officers and aims to expand to 50 by 2028He also cited Indias collaborative exercises like AIKEYME with African nations and Pacific Reach as well as innovations such as the indigenous NISHARMITRA terminals for secure communicationIndias own experience underscores that capacity building cannot be an insular enterprise It thrives on partnerships through joint design coproduction maintenance collaboration and mutual support in crisis response he saidUnder MAHASAGAR Indias defenceindustrial transformation seeks to extend such cooperation beyond our shores enabling friends and partners to strengthen their maritime presence with indigenous design affordable technologies and sustainable support systems True capacity after all is not what a nation accumulates but what a region aggregates IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-navy-chief-calls-for-collective-maritime-strategy-in-complex-indo-pacific-region-645254.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-yogi-welcomes-guru-charan-yatra-says-sikh-gurus-contribution-in-indias-heritage-unforgettable-645255.html Lucknow Oct 28 The Charan Suhawe Guru Charan Yatra of sacred Jode Sahib a profound symbol of the Sikh communitys faith received a rousing welcome in the capital on Tuesday Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath welcomed the Yatra in Lucknow and said that the Guru tradition has given India the ideals of service sacrifice and national protectionHe emphasised that the Sikh Gurus contribution in building Indias heritage has been instrumental and unforgettable and it remains our collective duty to preserve this spiritual heritage and pass on its ideals to future generationsUnion Minister Hardeep Singh Puri was also present on the occasionThe Chief Minister heard the Guruvani during a special ceremony at the Yahiyaganj Gurudwara and honoured the Yatra members by tying turbans on their heads In return the Gurudwara Committee greeted him with a robe and a mementoThe Chief Minister addressing the gathering said The Yatra reconnects people with the glorious Guru tradition that gave India a new direction in culture courage and sacrificeExpressing gratitude to Union Minister Puri CM Yogi said This Yatra began on the occasion of the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji Maharaj It is not merely a spiritual journey but a moving tribute that inspires renunciation sacrifice and devotion to the nationHe said the Sikh Gurus contribution to Indias eternal tradition is unforgettableFrom Guru Nanak Dev Ji to Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj and his four Sahibzadas their supreme sacrifices to protect religion humanity and the nation continue to inspire generations the UP CM statedHe added that the Yatra is not just a remembrance of the past but a guiding light for the present and future calling upon all devotees to carry forward this message of national unity and spiritual awakeningNotably the Yatra is associated with the Jode Sahib of the tenth Sikh Guru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur both of whom are considered the most sacred emblems of Sikh devotion IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-yogi-welcomes-guru-charan-yatra-says-sikh-gurus-contribution-in-indias-heritage-unforgettable-645255.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sardar-patels-150th-birth-anniversary-to-be-celebrated-in-gujarat-with-presence-of-his-descendants-645259.html Ahmedabad Oct 28 IANS The worlds tallest statue the Statue of Unity at Ekta Nagar Kevadia in Narmada district in Gujarat is set to host a historic celebration on October 31 marking the 150th birth anniversary of Indias Iron Man Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Ekta Nagar on the occasion which will also see the distinguished presence of Sardar Patels descendants adding a personal and historic dimension to the national celebration of unitynbspAmong those attending will be Sardar Patels grandson Gautam Dahyabhai Patel 80 and his wife Dr Nandita Gautam Patel 79 their son Kedar Gautam Patel 47 and his wife Reena Patel 47 Their daughter Karina Kedar Patel 13 who is Sardar Patels greatgreatgranddaughter will also be presentIn addition Sameer Indrakant Patel 68 and Rita S Patel 66 extended family members will join the event to pay their respectsThe gathering of Sardar Patels family across generations at his towering 182metre statue symbolises not only familial pride but also the enduring legacy of national unity and integrity that the Iron Man of India envisioned The presence of his descendants alongside the Prime Minister is expected to make the celebration deeply symbolic a blend of history emotion and patriotismEkta Nagar once a quiet riverside town has transformed into a vibrant symbol of Indias unity and progress With the participation of Sardar Patels family this years celebration promises to be a poignant reminder of the man whose vision and leadership laid the foundation of a united IndiaBorn on October 31 1875 in Nadiad in Gujarat in presentday Kheda district Sardar Patel was trained as a barrister in England he returned to India to practice law in Ahmedabad where he soon became known for his sharp intellect and deep empathy for common peoplePatels leadership in Gujarat first came to prominence during the Kheda Satyagraha of 1918 where he led farmers in protest against unjust tax collection during a famineHis success in negotiating relief from the British marked him as a fearless and pragmatic leader He further cemented his reputation during the Bardoli Satyagraha of 1928 a nonviolent revolt by farmers against increased land revenue https://dailyworld.in/national/sardar-patels-150th-birth-anniversary-to-be-celebrated-in-gujarat-with-presence-of-his-descendants-645259.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/habit-of-imaginary-confusion-bjp-slams-india-bloc-over-sir-20-645260.html New Delhi Oct 28 IANS As the Election Commission of India ECI launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision SIR of voter lists in 12 states and Union Territories including pollbound Tamil Nadu West Bengal Kerala and Puducherry BJP on Tuesday criticised the INDIA Bloc saying some people have made it a habit to create imaginary confusion and engage in criminal conspiracy against every reform undertaken in the nations interestThe campaign for purification of voter lists should not turn into any kind of political lynching that is not in the nations interest Some people have now made it a habit to create imaginary confusion and engage in criminal conspiracy against every reform or initiative taken for the countrys welfare BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told IANSHe further added They only try to create confusion spread fear and politicise the process But they will not gain from it The SIR is a legitimate process aimed at purifying voter lists identifying illegal voters and protecting genuine ones This is not the first time such a revision is taking place it is a regular exercise to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral systemBriefing the media about the voter revision exercise Chief Election Commissioner CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Monday congratulated the polling officials as well as electors for a successful SIR in Bihar and explained in detail the procedure and rationale of undertaking the purification drive from time to timeThe CEC said that since Independence the SIR has been undertaken in the country as many as 8 times between 1951 to 2004 and the last one took place in 2004 He added that political parties have been repeatedly urging it to conduct voter verification to ensure only legitimate voters participate in the electoral processHe said that it is essential to clean the electoral rolls after every few years because of reasons like voter duplication removal of names of those who have either passed away or have permanently shifted out of the pollbound state https://dailyworld.in/national/habit-of-imaginary-confusion-bjp-slams-india-bloc-over-sir-20-645260.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/organisational-rejig-bureaucratic-reshuffle-before-sir-poll-process-viewed-as-part-of-trinamools-2026-gameplan-645261.html New Delhi Oct 28 IANS With Assembly elections expected in West Bengal by MayJune next year every move made by Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress Chairperson Mamata Banerjee will be under public scrutiny Thus the largescale bureaucratic reshuffle carried out by her government hours before the Election Commission announced the Special Intensive Revision SIR of electoral rolls in the country is suspected to be linked with the upcoming pollsnbspAs is the ongoing organisational rejig seen as a move to strengthen a party facing incumbency with alleged corruption indiscipline and infighting sometimes leading to physical altercations charges after about 14andahalf years in powernbspThe administrative order involves hundreds of officers being relocated or reassigned across several districts which the government described as routine claiming that many of them had completed three years at their postings requiring a moveTechnically it is a norm at preventing any single officer from becoming a longterm local power broker But in this case the decision is being considered in certain sections as redeployment of key officials to place administrators with proven loyalty competence or responsiveness in critical districts before the SIR process beginsnbspTrinamool leaders have publicly criticised the Election Commissions decision to conduct SIR in West Bengal arguing the exercise risks wrongful deletion of legitimate voters and could be used to target specific communities for political advantageThey framed the process as politicallymotivated and warned of protests if valid electors were removed They questioned the impartiality of the process and linked the timing of the exercise to heightened political stakes ahead of the 2026 Assembly pollsnbspHowever the poll body clarified that as per law electoral rolls have to be revised before every election or as per requirement where SIR has been done eight times from 1951 till 2004 with the last taking place over two decades ago in 20022004Some changes like frequent migration resulting in voters getting registered at more than one place names of those deceased including fraudulent entry of foreign nationals among other cannot be made in electoral rolls in the usual revision process Such an exercise requires doortodoor visits at the booth levelnbspReports both administrative and media have shown a demographic change in West Bengal especially in districts bordering Bangladesh due to decades of influx through porous borders and alleged political complicityEconomic dominance and population growth among Muslims are allegedly altering local life triggering tensions as was reflected in this years violence in Murshidabad over the Waqf Amendment BillnbspRuling party leaders publicly claim their absolute dominance in such areas with poll results indicating the trend There have been reports of certain immigrants holding voters identity card and participating in the poll process without citizen status Such voters can be identified through the process of SIR though oversight or deliberate interference on ground level cannot be totally ruled outMeanwhile in recent months the Trinamool has undertaken widespread organisational changes at the district level to balance veteran leaders and emerging younger leadersnbspThe reshuffle aims to reduce factionalism impose stricter controls and futureproof the party machinery for securing a fourth term in powernbspThere also appears an attempt at a strategic recalibration from the old vs new debate to a mix of prominent longstanding figures with younger faces in organisational committees and lists of future poll candidatesThe efforts involved restructuring sometimes even abolishing district presidents in favour of small handpicked core committees In Birbhum Kolkata North for example districtlevel leadership has been moved from a single strongman to collective committeesnbspThe partys organisational moves may be viewed as a strategy to recentre control reduce factionalism and improve candidate quality changes expected to influence party decision at considering tickets for the 2026 Assembly polls https://dailyworld.in/national/organisational-rejig-bureaucratic-reshuffle-before-sir-poll-process-viewed-as-part-of-trinamools-2026-gameplan-645261.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-nod-to-nutrient-based-subsidy-rates-for-rabi-2025-26-on-phosphatic-potassic-fertilisers-645263.html New Delhi Oct 28 The Union Cabinet Chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday approved the nutrientbased subsidy rates for Rabi 202526 on phosphatic and potassic fertilisers It approved the proposal of the Department of Fertilisers for fixing the nutrientbased subsidy NBS rates for Rabi Season 202526 from October 1 2025 to March 31 2026 on phosphatic and potassic PampK fertilisersAccording to the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers the tentative budgetary requirement for the Rabi season 202526 would be approximately Rs 3795229 crore approximately Rs 736 crore more than the budgetary requirement for the Kharif season 2025The subsidy including Di Ammonium Phosphate DAP and NPKS Nitrogen Phosphorus Potash Sulphur grades will be provided based on approved rates for Rabi 202526 to ensure smooth availability of these fertilisers to the farmers at affordable pricesIt will help in the availability of fertilisers to farmers at subsidised affordable and reasonable pricesIt will also help rationalisation of subsidy on PampK fertilisers in view of recent trends in the international prices of fertilisers and inputsAccording to the ministry the government is making available 28 grades of PampK fertilisers including DAP to farmers at subsidised prices through fertiliser manufacturersimportersThe subsidy is governed by the NBS Scheme In accordance with its farmerfriendly approach the government is committed to ensuring the availability of PampK fertilisers to the farmers at affordable pricesAccording to the ministry the Centre has decided to approve the NBS rates for Rabi 202526 effective from March 31 2026 on Phosphatic and Potassic PampK fertilisers including DAP and NPKS gradesThe official statement further stated that the subsidy would be provided to the fertiliser companies as per approved and notified rates so that fertilisers are made available to farmers at affordable pricesWith the increase in minimum support prices MSP for various crops announced for the rabi marketing season of 202627 farmers are expected to receive Rs 84263 crore as the governments procurement is estimated at 297 lakh metric tonnes according to an official statement issued earlier this monthMSP payouts to farmers for the governments purchase of foodgrains have more than tripled from Rs 106 lakh crore in 201415 to Rs 333 lakh crore in July 2024 June 2025 while procurement has increased from 76140 lakh metric tonnes to 1175 lakh metric tonnes over the same period benefiting 184 crore farmers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-nod-to-nutrient-based-subsidy-rates-for-rabi-2025-26-on-phosphatic-potassic-fertilisers-645263.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-it-sector-expected-to-reach-400-billion-by-2030-amidst-ai-related-disruptions-645264.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias information technology IT sector is projected to reach 400 billion by 2030 led by firms delivering domainspecific automation that outperforms traditional service models on speed quality and cost a report said on Tuesday The countrys strong talent pool global client trust and cost efficiency will enable it to leverage the increased global demand for AIdriven solutions a report by venture firm Bessemer Venture Partners indicatedAI is automating tasks previously performed by humans and disrupting the billablehour model that supports traditional Indian IT services which makes deep strategic pivots crucial to stay competitive the report notedThe venture firm mentioned that agile AInative challengers are adapting more quickly to such changes than incumbent companiesThree types of fastmoving AIfirst challengers that will disrupt existing models are AIenabled services services built for AI and pure softwareled platforms the report saidThe venture firm forecast that Indias IT services industry will grow with margins intact despite challenges from AIrelated disruptionsIt noted that three years after the launch of ChatGPT Indias IT revenues continue to climb and margins remain surprisingly resilient because uptake of generalpurpose large language models is concentrated in only two sectors technology and media or advertisingIncumbent IT firms continue to play a crucial role in solving complex business problems that are nuanced rather than providing onesizefitsall SaaS deploymentsThe strong balance sheets of these companies further strengthen client confidence Bessemer Venture Partners saidFortune 500 companies still trust that IT services vendors can manage multiyear projects absorb macro shocks and deliver consistent execution the report saidThe market capitalisation of Indias top ten IT firms has more than doubled from 166 billion to 354 billion in the past decade driven by annual revenue growth exceeding 7 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-it-sector-expected-to-reach-400-billion-by-2030-amidst-ai-related-disruptions-645264.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-smuggler-arrested-gold-valued-more-than-rs-245-crore-seized-645266.html Kolkata Oct 28 The Border Security Force BSF foiled a major gold smuggling attempt across the IndoBangladesh Border by arresting a smuggler and seizing gold worth more than Rs 245 crore from him in the North 24Parganas district of West Bengal A senior BSF official stated that troops of the 145 Bn BSF South Bengal Frontier posted at the Integrated Check Post ICP in Petrapole received intelligence inputs indicating an attempt to smuggle gold from Bangladesh into India and were maintaining a close watch on the movement A BSF vehicle checking party intercepted an inbound empty truck entering India from Benapole Bangladesh A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of two green packets that contained eight gold pieces he said The official stated that the packets contained six gold bars and two biscuits with a total weight of 1974540 grams of gold The gold was valued at nearly Rs 2457907390 During questioning the driver of the vehicle confessed that he had agreed to transport the consignment across the border in his truck for money he saidHe further pointed out that the smuggler along with his truck and the gold has been handed over to the concerned authorities for further legal actionThe official said that the BSF continues its unwavering commitment to preventing crossborder crimes along the IndiaBangladesh border This operation once again underscores the alertness and operational excellence of BSF troops deployed at ICP Petrapole We have strengthened our intelligence network and there is complete coordination between all branches hence the successes he added The official said that the BSFs South Bengal Frontier has made a series of gold seizures over the last few weeks adding that several smugglers have been apprehended and vital information gathered regarding the networks operating along the border While applauding the effort of the troops the official said that they remain committed to protecting the border and stopping all kinds of smuggling he said He urged residents of border areas once again to report any information regarding gold smuggling or other unlawful activities to the Seema Sathi Helpline Number 14419They can also send text or voice messages to the WhatsApp number 9903472227 Those providing credible information would be suitably rewarded and their identity would be kept confidential he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-smuggler-arrested-gold-valued-more-than-rs-245-crore-seized-645266.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-grants-bail-to-man-convicted-of-killing-his-father-645268.html New Delhi Oct 28 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday granted bail to a man convicted of killing his father noting that he has already served nearly five years of his 10year sentence awarded by the Chhattisgarh High CourtnbspnbspA Bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order while hearing the petitioners special leave petition SLP challenging his convictionnbspHaving regard to the facts of the case and the period of sentence already undergone we deem it appropriate to suspend the sentence awarded by the High Court during the pendency of this appeal the apex court observedThe case arose from an incident in which the appellant Vijay Thakur allegedly assaulted his father with a wooden stick leading to his death The trial court had convicted him under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code IPC and sentenced him to life imprisonmentnbspHowever the Chhattisgarh High Court in its judgment passed in April last year modified the conviction to one under Section 304 PartI IPC reducing the sentence to 10 years of rigorous imprisonmentAppearing for the petitioner senior advocate Sonia Mathur argued that the accused had already served almost four years and eleven months of his sentence and sought suspension of the remaining period pending appealnbspIt is submitted that by now the appellant has already served almost 5 years 4 years 11 months of the sentence In such circumstances it has been prayed that the sentence awarded to the appellant be suspended and the appellant be released on bail during the pendency of the appeal the order recordedGranting relief the Justice Misraled Bench directed that the appellant be released on bail on such terms and conditions as the trial court may deem fit to impose in the facts and circumstances of the casenbspThe apex court also noted that despite its earlier order directing the lower courts to submit the case records as per the Office Report records are still awaited https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-grants-bail-to-man-convicted-of-killing-his-father-645268.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/notice-to-prashant-kishor-over-dual-voter-registration-in-bengal-and-bihar--645269.html New Delhi Oct 28 IANS Jan Suraaj founder Prashant Kishor has come under scrutiny after reports alleged that his name appears on the electoral rolls of both Bihar and West BengalnbspThe revelation has sparked a fresh political storm in Bihar ahead of the crucial Assembly electionsnbspAccording to a notice issued by the Returning Officer of the 209Karhgar Assembly constituency in Sasaram the matter came to light following a report published in the Indian Express on October 28The report claimed that Kishors name was listed in the electoral rolls of Bengal his address is listed as 121 Kalighat Road which houses the Trinamool Congress office in Bhabanipur Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees assembly constituency while in Bihar he is registered as a voter under the Sasaram parliamentary constituency in the Kargahar assembly constituencynbspThe notice addressed to Prashant Kishor cites Section 17 of the Representation of the People Act 1950 which prohibits a person from being registered as a voter in more than one constituencyIt warns that violation of this provision could lead to legal proceedings and penalties under the same Act which includes oneyear imprisonment or penalties or bothnbspThe document notes that Kishors voter identification number in the Karhgar Assembly constituency is IUJ1323718 corresponding to Part No 621 of the rollsnbspThe Returning Officer has directed him to clarify within three days whether his name is indeed registered in more than one constituencyIn case your name is registered in more than one Assembly constituency kindly confirm and clarify the situation within three days the notice reads adding that failure to do so could attract action as per electoral lawnbspThe controversy comes at a sensitive time with Kishors Jan Suraaj movement expanding its footprint in Bihars political landscapenbspOpposition parties are likely to seize on the issue to question his credibility while Kishors camp has yet to issue an official response https://dailyworld.in/national/notice-to-prashant-kishor-over-dual-voter-registration-in-bengal-and-bihar--645269.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-in-bihar-after-long-absence-to-seek-mandate-from-voters-identified-by-a-process-he-opposes-645270.html New Delhi Oct 28 IANS Almost two months after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi promised an explosive disclosure at the level of dropping a hydrogen bomb he will launch the grand old partys campaign for a poll process that he has been criticising for allegedly benefitting the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPnbspMeanwhile his party workers are yet to collect ingredients required for the revelation while others have been squabbling for a nomination in Bihar Assembly elections where the mandate will come from electors listed in the voters roll prepared by the Election Commission after its Special Intensive Revision SIRSince the Congress leadership published the final list of its candidates they have been on the receiving end of outbursts from disgruntled members whose names did not feature among the list of nomineesnbspEarlier the poll body completed the process of SIR of Bihars voters list and released the final list of electors on September 30 where it claimed there were Zero Appeals as of Monday October 27nbspThe Election Commission has further declared rolling out SIR in another dozen states and Union Territories The decision has in an expected manner triggered sharp political reactions from Opposition parties including the Congress which has again accused the poll body of vote theftAmong the 12 states and Union territories where the next phase of SIR will be held are West Bengal Kerala and Tamil Nadu where elections are expected to be held by MayJune next yearnbspMeanwhile Rahul Gandhis absence from Bihars political landscape has become a focal point of discussion as the state gears up for the November Assembly electionsnbspDespite earlier reports suggesting that he would negotiate seatsharing equations directly with Mahagathbandhan ally Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav the matter was left to the Congress High Commands emissariesInternal rebellion in the state unit by ticket hopefuls were also left to central leaders to address as was the issue of candidates contesting against allies in some constituenciesnbspThe ticket distribution process had escalated into accusations of corruption and favoritism leading to protests and a disconnect between the central leadership and local cadresnbspTill the day of withdrawal of nomination papers for the second phase of the polls on October 23 uncertainty loomed over the Opposition blocs unity Media queries on Rahul Gandhis absence reportedly did not elicit any responseHowever the Oppositions ambitious Voter Adhikar Yatra in August spanning some 1300 km across 25 districts initially did raise enthusiasm among Congress workersnbspThe gap since his last onground appearance has now affected the momentum and confidencenbspMeanwhile top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi Home Minister Amit Shah and others including Tejashwi Yadav himself have stepped up their respective campaign engagementsSignificantly Tejashwi Yadav had launched a solo journey in some critical districts soon after the joint Voter Adhikar Yatra ended on September 1 that was much acclaimed by his partynbspSince then Rahul Gandhis absence has not only impacted Congresss visibility on the ground but also exposed internal fractures within the party and among Opposition ranksnbspMeanwhile the Congress MP continued to attend to his commitment elsewhere raising more questions Some party leaders have justified his absence owing to the festivities where Rahul is scheduled to hold joint rallies with Tejashwi on October 29 and 30nbspWith phase one polling just days away November 6 questions linger about the effectiveness of this late entry While Congress circulates old clips of Rahul Gandhis yatra to rekindle support the ground reality suggests that presence and timing are critical that the delayed involvement may be more symbolic than strategic https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-in-bihar-after-long-absence-to-seek-mandate-from-voters-identified-by-a-process-he-opposes-645270.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/habit-of-imaginary-confusion-bjp-slams-india-bloc-over-sir-20-645275.html New Delhi Oct 28 As the Election Commission of India ECI launched the second phase of the Special Intensive Revision SIR of voter lists in 12 states and Union Territories including pollbound Tamil Nadu West Bengal Kerala and Puducherry BJP on Tuesday criticised the INDIA Bloc saying some people have made it a habit to create imaginary confusion and engage in criminal conspiracy against every reform undertaken in the nations interest The campaign for purification of voter lists should not turn into any kind of political lynching that is not in the nations interest Some people have now made it a habit to create imaginary confusion and engage in criminal conspiracy against every reform or initiative taken for the countrys welfare BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told IANSHe further added They only try to create confusion spread fear and politicise the process But they will not gain from it The SIR is a legitimate process aimed at purifying voter lists identifying illegal voters and protecting genuine ones This is not the first time such a revision is taking place it is a regular exercise to ensure fairness and transparency in the electoral systemBriefing the media about the voter revision exercise Chief Election Commissioner CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Monday congratulated the polling officials as well as electors for a successful SIR in Bihar and explained in detail the procedure and rationale of undertaking the purification drive from time to timeThe CEC said that since Independence the SIR has been undertaken in the country as many as 8 times between 1951 to 2004 and the last one took place in 2004 He added that political parties have been repeatedly urging it to conduct voter verification to ensure only legitimate voters participate in the electoral processHe said that it is essential to clean the electoral rolls after every few years because of reasons like voter duplication removal of names of those who have either passed away or have permanently shifted out of the pollbound state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/habit-of-imaginary-confusion-bjp-slams-india-bloc-over-sir-20-645275.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/80th-un-day-relevance-of-the-united-nations-today-deliberated-at-jindal-varsity-645276.html Sonipat Haryana October 28 The Jindal School of Government and Public Policy JSGP at the OP Jindal Global University JGU organised a seminar on the Relevance of the United Nations on the 80th Anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter also known as the San Francisco Treaty The programme of the seminar featured eminent experts from and on the United Nations faculty from the Jindal School of International Affairs JSIA and the JSGP as also scholars and researchers from different schools of the JGUThe keynote speakers were Dr Deodat Maharaj from the UN Technology Hub for Least Developed Countries and Dr Mitali Nikore from Nikore AssociatesIn his opening remarks Prof Dr Naresh Singh urged speakers to focus on the relevance of the United Nations now rather than dwell on the past aloneDean Ramaswamy Sudarshan provided a detailed narrative of the setting within which the United Nations was created its achievements many of which are unsung and its failures most of which are wellknownProf Ambassador Mohan Kumar explained that member countries need to come forth with funds and human resources instead of blaming the organisation whose core ethos and structure had served quite well and BRICS and G20 can play this role buffering against the skewness in membership of the UN Security CouncilDr Maharaj argued that our perspective regarding the relevance of the UN is determined by where the interlocutor is located geographicallyIn the developed countries the UN is often criticised for the failures of the UN Security Council due to the veto power exercised by the P5 countries and disparaged for its shrinking budget and human resource challenges The emerging economies like the BRICS and G20 have a more nuanced view and can contribute funds and human resources for UN Reform but permanent membership of the UNSC is a sticking pointWhen it comes to other less developed countries it is not feasible to develop without a strong role of the United Nations Hence for nearly 60 per cent of the countries in the world the UN is and will continue to be highly relevantDr Nikore provided an account of her own connect with the UN first as a child growing up inspired by the UN and then her initial engagement with UN Women HQ and subsequent ongoing work with a wide variety of UN agencies the World Bank and Asian Development Bank under the umbrella of Nikore AssociatesShe argued that the UN can stay relevant provided it reflects the Global South not only in terms of projects but even more so in its hiring practices at all levels including senior positions in HQs and regional officesShe argued that the diversity in the composition of leadership at all levels and across regions will make the UN more representative of the world today and therefore more relevantProf Veselin Popowski argued that the continued relevance of the UN can be done not only through the reform programmes such as UN80 but also by creating a new UN Charter with a World Parliament which eliminates the temporary gift of the veto power to the victors of World War II and rejuvenates the language and spirit of the UN Charter for young people and future generations in the 21st centuryProf Silvia Bottega argued that the extensive network of experts and projects of the UN and its funds and programmes and specialised agencies cannot be dismantled without damaging the very development trajectory of the world including the countries critical of the UNShe explained that the reform process needs to certainly include UNSC reform but also the reform of the specialised agencies with the required increase in budget and human resources for the agenciesProf Naresh Singh summarised the points made by the speakers and argued that the frame of thinking about development needed to evolve towards addressing complexity and system interdependency and that this change would also make the thinking about the UN more relevant especially given the challenges of climate change inequality and conflictDuring the interactive QampA scholars and researchers in the audience appreciated the insights from the speakers and raised queries regarding UN reform measures the prospects of UNSC reform and new sources of funding and leadership for the UN The perspectives from them included diverse views regarding the UNs continued relevance but found common ground in the discourse of complexity and spiritualityProf Suraj Kumar stated that the relevance of the UN has been questioned and debated since its very inception and that conversation is renewed virtually every decade if not annuallyEleanor Roosevelt the founding persona behind the creation of the UN and the host country role of the United States has described the United Nations as a dream implemented by a bureaucracy The dream is eternally relevant but the bureaucracy has to adapt and reform not only in terms of the UN80 Initiative but also in the mindset of the constituent organisations funds and programmes and specialised agencies and the mindset of UN staffIndia has 28 UN agencies that find it difficult to coordinate and contribute towards common goals and there is a sharp disjunct between international staff and national staff It is time for UN constituent organisations to give up the Ego and Logo and for UN staff to forego their selfdefinition in terms of nationality and see themselves as UN staff first and foremost IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/80th-un-day-relevance-of-the-united-nations-today-deliberated-at-jindal-varsity-645276.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 16:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-bulls-trigger-boiling-oil-horror-at-bageshwar-dham-toddler-burned-vendor-injured-645290.html Chhatarpur Oct 28 A threeyearold boy Raghav sustained severe burns when scalding oil accidentally poured over him after two fighting bulls rammed a samosa handcart at Bageshwar Dham in Madhya Pradesh The chaotic incident in Bamitha police jurisdiction also injured the female vendor but authorities have dismissed earlier media claims of a heroic grandmothers intervention Speaking to IANS Bamitha police station incharge and investigating officer Ashish Shrotiya clarified the sequenceThe child was playing near the woman vendors handcart Suddenly two bulls emerged from nowhere locked horns and charged into the cart This toppled the cauldron spilling boiling oil onto Raghav and the lady owner he said He ruled out reports that the boy plunged headlong into the vat or that his grandmother pulled him out suffering hand burns herself Raghavs father Brijraj Vaishnav from Kishangarh in Rajasthans Ajmer district had brought the family including wife and son for darshan at the iconic Balaji Maharaj shrine the office said Postprayers they paused at the bustling stall inside the temple complex where fresh samosas sizzled amid devotional fervour Eyewitnesses recounted the evening turning nightmarish as the stray bulls common in rural temple areas erupted into a territorial brawl around 6 PM scattering pilgrims and upending carts in a ministampede Raghavs cries echoed through the chaos Shrotiya said identifying the injured vendor as 55yearold Lakshmi Devi the handcart owner not the childs grandmother as initially circulated No family member attempted a rescue from the oil the spill occurred purely from the impact Onlookers quickly alerted temple security and an ambulance from the Dhams facility arrived swiftly Both victims were rushed to Chhatarpur District Hospitals burn ward Contradicting earlier grim assessments Shrotiya said Raghavs condition is stable and improving He received prompt treatment full recovery is expected soon Details on Lakshmi Devis injuries remain limited but she is under treatment Speaking to IANS Roshan Dwivedi doctor on duty at Chhatarpur district hospital said The boy is out of danger he did not suffer serious burn injuries It does not seem he plunged into the cauldron The woman is also treated for minor burn injuriesAn official said that police have inspected the site taken statements and launched a probe into potential negligence particularly unsecured animals amid heavy crowds The bulls werent restrained properlylikely agitated by noise Shrotiya noted No arrests have been made but enhanced safety measures including animal control and vendor zoning are under urgent review at the Dham Founded by Dhirendra Krishna Shastri Bageshwar Baba the site draws massive devotees for Hanuman rituals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-bulls-trigger-boiling-oil-horror-at-bageshwar-dham-toddler-burned-vendor-injured-645290.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-industrial-production-clocks-4-per-cent-growth-in-september-645291.html New Delhi Oct 28 Indias industrial production recorded a 4 per cent growth in September this year compared to the same month last year driven by a strong performance in the manufacturing sector according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday The industrial growth rate based on the Index of Industrial Production IIP had accelerated to 4 per cent in August from a fourmonth high of 35 per cent in July which in turn had surged from 15 per cent in June The 4 per cent growth rate has been maintained in September as wellThe data showed that the manufacturing sector which provides quality jobs for the young graduates passing out of the countrys universities and engineering institutes registered a robust 48 per cent growth in September this year over the same month of the previous year This is higher than the corresponding figure of 38 per cent registered in AugustWithin the manufacturing sector 13 out of 23 industry groups recorded a positive growth in September this year compared to the same month of the previous year The top three positive contributors for the month are Manufacture of basic metals 123 per cent Manufacture of electrical equipment 287 per cent and Manufacture of motor vehicles trailers and semitrailers 146 per centElectricity generation recorded a 31 per cent growth in September while the mining sector proved to be a laggard with a negative growth of are 04 per cent during the monthThe figures on usebased classification show that the production of capital goods which comprise machines used in factories went up by 47 per cent in September over the same month of the previous year This segment reflects the real investment taking place in the economy which has a multiplier effect on the creation of jobs and incomes going aheadThe production of consumer durables such as refrigerators air conditioners and TV sets jumped by a robust 102 per cent during the month reflecting the rise in demand for these products due to rising incomes enabling buyers to improve their living standardsThe infrastructure and construction sector clocked a doubledigit surge for the second month in a row at 102 per cent in September compared with the same month of the previous year on the back of bigticket government projects being implemented in the highways railways and ports sectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-industrial-production-clocks-4-per-cent-growth-in-september-645291.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-mlas-delegation-visits-gujarat-legislative-assembly-lauds-advanced-infrastructure-645292.html Gandhinagar Oct 28 A delegation of 11 members including four MLAs from Tripura visited the Gujarat Legislative Assembly on Monday as part of their fiveday study tour of the state which continues until October 31 During their visit the delegates including MLAs Swapna Debbarma Manab Debbarma Ramu Das and Nayan Sarkar were given a detailed briefing by Assembly officials on the functioning of the legislature including the library facilities NeVA National eVidhan Application service centre seating arrangements for members and amenities available to legislatorsTripura MLA Swapna Debbarma expressed admiration for the Gujarat Assemblys stateoftheart infrastructure particularly its modern library and paperless digital systemsShe stated that the insights gained from this visit would help upgrade the Tripura Assemblys library and improve its facilities in the near futureOfficials also guided the delegation through various sections of the Assembly including the press and VVIP galleries and explained how the paperless operations under NeVA have enhanced transparency and efficiency in legislative work Joint Secretary Rita Mehta and Deputy Secretary Dinesh Chaudhary along with other Assembly officials and staff were present during the visitOn the first day of the visit the delegation toured Ahmedabads Sabarmati Riverfront Atal Bridge Iskcon Temple and key areas along Ashram Road Members received an overview of the citys urban planning beautification efforts and infrastructure that have contributed to Ahmedabad being recognised as the worlds first UNESCO World Heritage City Led by MLA Swapna Debbarma the delegation includes members Manab Debbarma Ramu Das and Nayan SarkarThe team praised Gujarats balanced approach to urban development and citizencentric governance noting that the visit provided valuable insights for implementation back home Over the next days the delegation will travel to Somnath Dwarka and PorbandarMahatma Gandhis birthplaceto study Gujarats developmental policies heritage conservation efforts and welfare programmes aimed at improving the quality of life across the stateGujarat has emerged as one of Indias most progressive states driven by a model that blends rapid industrial growth with inclusive social welfare The state government has implemented largescale infrastructure projects such as GIFT City the Sabarmati Riverfront and Dholera Smart City alongside initiatives in renewable energy skill development and egovernance Through programs like Mukhyamantri Amrutam Yojana Mission Mangalam and Kanya Kelavani it focuses on health womens empowerment and education IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tripura-mlas-delegation-visits-gujarat-legislative-assembly-lauds-advanced-infrastructure-645292.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/i-do-not-wish-to-become-karnataka-cm-says-muniyappa-after-being-backed-for-post-by-parameshwara-645299.html Kolar Karnataka Oct 28 Responding to the statement made by Home Minister G Parameshwara that he would be happier if Karnataka Minister for Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs is chosen for the post of Chief Minister KH Muniyappa has clarified that he has no desire to become the Chief Minister We are all bound by the decision of the high command he emphasised on Tuesday The statements have gained significance as Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar is reportedly making efforts to secure the top postThe projection of Muniyappa a seventime Congress MP former Union Minister and prominent Dalit leader as a potential CM candidate had intensified the power tussle within the party With Muniyappa now stating that he has no desire to become Chief Minister and will abide by the high commands decision sources suggest that this development could prove advantageous for Dy CM ShivakumarSpeaking to the media in Kolar on Tuesday Minister Muniyappa said I am happy that Parameshwara has backed my candidature for the CMs post Parameshwara is one of the seniormost leaders in the party He served as the President of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee KPCC and provided good leadershipWe are all committed to the decision of the high command The decision regarding the Chief Ministers post will be made by the high command I cannot simply say or declare that I am ready for the CMs post I have no wish to become the Chief Minister Muniyappa reiteratedHe further stated that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will continue in office for five years and that there are no changes in leadership at present He played a key role in bringing the Congress party to power in the state There are many capable leaders including State Congress President and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who are eligible for the post he saidHowever every day attempts are being made to create confusion We will not take any decision on changing the Chief Minister he addedAmid the ongoing leadership row Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara had stated that he would be happy if senior party leader and Minister for Food KH Muniyappa who hails from the Dalit community becomes the Chief Minister of Karnataka Parameshwara further said that Muniyappa a seventime MP is an efficient leaderParameshwara had said Muniyappa has been elected as MP seven times from the Congress party It is not easy to win seven times He is a senior leader and a former Union Minister He is efficient If Muniyappa is made the Chief Minister I will be happySince we belong to the same community I will naturally be happy if our community gets an opportunity The community that has long been suppressed and exploited if it comes to power wont we be happier In this context Muniyappa is efficient and if he is made the Chief Minister I will be happy Parameshwara added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/i-do-not-wish-to-become-karnataka-cm-says-muniyappa-after-being-backed-for-post-by-parameshwara-645299.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/six-tourists-injured-in-road-accident-in-jampks-sonamarg--645300.html Srinagar Oct 28 Six were injured in a road accident in the Sonamarg hill station of Jammu and Kashmirs Ganderbal district on Tuesday officials said The tourists were injured in a collision between two vehicles on the SrinagarLeh national highway near the hill station in GanderbalThe accident occurred when two minibuses collided with each other causing injuries to six occupants including the driver of a minibus The injured were initially shifted to the Primary Health Centre PHC Sonamarg for immediate medical aid where attending doctors referred two of them for specialised treatment to superspecialty SKIMS hospital in Srinagar an official saidThose injured have been identified as Pawan 20 son of Chuni Lal Dhruv 22 son of Samsar Chand Vishaka 34 wife of Prasad Ashish 17 son of Chuni Lal driver Chamail Singh son of NK and Ujwal daughter of Narinder Kumar all residents of Udhampur Jammu the official said adding that police has registered a case in this incidentRash and negligent driving road rage overloading and overspeeding are the major causes of road accidents in the hilly areas of JampKThe Traffic Department has deployed special squads to check these and stringent punishment is given to offendersIn their widely publicised warnings the regional transport officers RTOs have said that cancellation of driving licences and registration certificates is the penalty for repeat offenders of traffic rulesIf a vehicle is driven by a minor the parents can be imprisoned in addition to the cancellation of registration certificates of such vehiclesIn their directives the Traffic Department has advised refilling stations not to sell petrol to motorcyclescooter drivers without helmetsThe hilly districts of Doda Kishtwar Ramban and Reasi are often in the news for fatal road accidents resulting in the loss of precious lives of travellersThe common citizens are blaming the authorities for being lenient to offenders of traffic rules as violations of traffic rules have been very common in JampK during the last 20 yearsStunts performed on roads by bikers is another menace that the Traffic Department officials are facing in JampK IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/six-tourists-injured-in-road-accident-in-jampks-sonamarg--645300.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-peace-meeting-on-rss-foot-march-in-chittapur-ends-without-consensus-645302.html Bengaluru Oct 28 The peace meeting convened by the Kalaburagi district administration on Tuesday to resolve the dispute over the proposed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS foot march in Chittapur town represented by Minister Priyank Kharge ended without any consensus among participating organisations The meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Taranum and Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu was held following directions from the Karnataka High Court which had asked the government to facilitate discussions and submit a report on the issue by October 30Authorities allowed three representatives from each of the 11 organisations including the RSS and several community groups to participate The session aimed to resolve the matter amicably as multiple groups had sought permission to hold processions and foot marches in Chittapur on November 2 the same day the RSS proposed to conduct its centenary marchDalit organisations said they would withdraw their applications only if the RSS agreed to carry the national flag and the Constitutions Preamble instead of lathis and the Bhagwa Dhwaj during the foot marchSources said the meeting witnessed strong differences of opinion among participants with several organisations expressing opposition to holding simultaneous processions in the same town Despite the district administrations efforts to reach a middle ground the talks failed to produce an agreement forcing officials to prepare a detailed report for submission to the High CourtFollowing the meeting tensions briefly escalated as members of a few organisations staged protests and slogans were raised However the situation was brought under control with the intervention of the policeThe peace meeting followed the Dharwad Bench of the High Courts earlier direction to the government to conduct the discussion and report on the outcome The bench while hearing a batch of petitions on Friday had sought the governments response before taking up the matter again on October 30The RSS had approached the High Court challenging the denial of permission by the district authorities to conduct its centenary foot march in Chittapur The court had subsequently directed the organisation to file a fresh application for permission to hold the event on November 2Following this several other organisations including the Bhim Army Dalit Panthers Kuruba community groups and others also submitted applications to organise processions and marches on the same date prompting security concerns in the districtThe High Court bench headed by Justice M Nagaprasanna had earlier observed that the matter should not be prolonged and must be settled amicably through administrative dialogue The court also advised the government to treat the issue as an opportunity to demonstrate administrative efficiency and uphold law and orderThe Deputy Commissioner is now expected to submit a comprehensive report on the peace meeting and the district administrations position before the High Court by October 30Meanwhile the police have maintained heightened vigilance in Chittapur and neighbouring areas ahead of the scheduled date of the foot march Senior officers said adequate arrangements are being made to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incidentsThe case will next be heard by the Kalaburagi Bench of the Karnataka High Court on October 30 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-peace-meeting-on-rss-foot-march-in-chittapur-ends-without-consensus-645302.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-mp-surya-meets-dy-cm-shivakumar-discusses-bengaluru-tunnel-project-traffic-congestion-645303.html Bengaluru Oct 28 BJP National Yuva Morcha President and Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya met Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who also holds the Bengaluru Development portfolio at his residence in Bengaluru on Tuesday to discuss the Tunnel Road Project and traffic congestion in the city The meeting has drawn attention as Dy CM Shivakumar had earlier described Tejasvi Surya as an empty vessel and remarked that he is busy posting on social media without doing any real workChief Minister Siddaramaiah too had commented that Tejasvi Surya does not represent the sun Surya but represents Amavasya new moonAccording to the office of the Deputy Chief Minister Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya met Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar at his Sadashivanagar residence on Tuesday and held discussions regarding measures to ease Bengalurus traffic congestionThe office of Tejasvi Surya stated that two presentations were made to the Dy CM during the meeting one on Decongesting Bengaluru and another on Why Tunnel Road is Not the SolutionUnder the Decongesting Bengaluru topic the presentation highlighted the current approach of the government It stated As cities worldwide shift to peoplefirst mobility Bengaluru remains trapped in a carfirst modelThe key issues identified were overreliance on road expansion leading to induced demand lack of first and lastmile connectivity carcentric infrastructure fragmented planning across agencies lack of administrative support for key institutions and delays in project executionSurya also presented a comparison of the efficiency ratio between tunnel roads and the Metro system The Metro carries more than 40 times the number of people for the same investment Tunnel roads increase Vehicular Kilometres Travelled VKT resulting in more vehicles and exponentially higher emissions The Metro moves people efficiently as a mass public transport system whereas tunnel roads move vehicles and prioritise car users Surya statedHe further added that VKT decreases with Metro systems but increases with tunnel roads The Metro is cleaner quieter and reduces emissions while the tunnel project is polluting and energyintensive he notedTejasvi Surya proposed several recommendations to address Bengalurus mobility challenges These included Improving execution efficiency of existing solutions adopting a Move People Not Vehicles policy prioritising public transport promoting integration over silos and following the principle that the pedestrian is king not motor vehicles IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-mp-surya-meets-dy-cm-shivakumar-discusses-bengaluru-tunnel-project-traffic-congestion-645303.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/global-level-mumbai-climate-week-to-be-held-in-feb-2026-maha-cm--645315.html Mumbai Oct 28 IANS Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday announced that India will host the inaugural edition of Mumbai Climate Week MCW in February 2026nbspMumbai Climate Week aims to become a major platform for climate action across the Global South with India taking a leadership role The event will bring together the best minds from across the Global South to find practical solutions for our climate challenges said the Chief MinisternbspHe added that this platform will help developing nations work together and make their voices heard on the global stagenbspThe Chief Minister joined by leading climate experts shared details of the event saying that representatives from more than 30 countries are expected to participatenbspnbspThey will come to Mumbai to create a practical climate action plan working with city leaders state chief ministers civil society groups corporates students and young people he saidThe Chief Minister added that by bringing together governments businesses startups academia civil society indigenous communities youth and citizen groups the event aims to foster an ecosystem of shared purposenbspnbspThrough diverse expertise and realworld experience Mumbai Climate Week will help shape a just sustainable and resilient future for the Global South while amplifying its voice on the global stage said the Chief MinisterFadnavis added that the event showcases Indias resolve to lead with action adding that inspired by the vision set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Mumbai and Maharashtra are ready to help shape a just innovative wellfunded climate future for the Global SouthnbspThe inaugural edition of Mumbai Climate Week will focus on three connected themes food systems energy transition and urban resiliencenbspnbspEach theme will be examined through the lenses of justice innovation and funding This ensures that the MCW platform addresses both climate adaptation and mitigation strategiesnbspImportantly the platform will bring together not just policymakers and experts but also give a voice to citizens and grassroots initiativesnbspTopics like mental health art spirituality sports and cinema will be included in the weeks activities A climatefocused food festival is also being planned as part of public engagementnbspnbspIn the leadup to the event in February various preparatory activities will help identify and improve solutions for showcasing These include crossstakeholder working groups innovation mapping exercises calls for applications workshops roundtables and conferencesnbspThe February event will use a unique hubandspoke format with the main event scheduled for February 17 to 19 https://dailyworld.in/national/global-level-mumbai-climate-week-to-be-held-in-feb-2026-maha-cm--645315.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 22:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/behind-pakistans-civilian-facade-asim-munirs-deep-state-consolidation-of-power-645121.html New Delhi Oct 27 In July this year rumours were rife that Pakistans Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was planning a coup to overthrow the government However Munir refrained from doing so as he was aware that had he done so there would have been international pressure on him to restore democracy When General Pervez Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif and installed himself as the President of Pakistan there was immense pressure on him to restore democracy Asmi Munir appears to have learnt from that and has instead decided to control the country entirely by himself while also having a puppet Prime Minister and President in placeThe Pakistani Army Chief is gradually bringing in people from both his family and the army into the administrative division of the country This would ensure that he gets to control the country both on the civilian as well as the military sideMunir first ensured that Imran Khan was removed from power and then jailed The biggest threat that the Army Chief faced was from Imran Khan and hence he made sure that he was out of the way Following this he installed Asif Ali Zardari as the President and Shehbaz Sharif as the Prime Minister Both are currently puppets in the hands of Asim MunirThe second step was installing his blueeyed boy General Asim Malik as the ISI chief and also handing him the additional charge of National Security Advisor Now Munir has transferred his nephew Captain Syed Abu Rehman Bin Qasim from the armed forces to the civil services Along with his nephew Munir also transferred nine other Pakistan army officials to the civil services This is a clear sign that Munir wants his men in every possible department in Pakistan so that he can control everything virtuallyAn official said that this gives Munir more power to control the system while also showing the world that Pakistan is technically a democracy Transferring his nephew to serve in the Prime Ministers office gives Munir the scope to keep a close watch on Shehbaz SharifMunir also plans to appoint his stooges in the interior ministry high commissions and embassies This would give him direct access to the administrative side of the countryIntelligence Bureau officials indicate that Munirs nephew would eventually be transferred to head an embassy either in the US or India This would also give Munir complete control over intelligencerelated operations abroad However for Munir having control over Intelligence operations is not the priority since the ISI chief is his stooge These moves are just ways of asserting himself over everything that Pakistan is concerned withThe PM or President would continue to remain in office These would just be symbolic positions just to show the world that a democracy still exists in Pakistan An official explains that all these are moves being made because Munir is extremely insecure about his position The very fact that he got Sharif to promote himself to the rank of Field Marshal despite being embarrassed during Operation Sindoor itself was a sign of his insecurityFurther Munir is repeatedly facing embarrassment at the hands of the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP Balochistan Nationalist Army BLA and the Afghan Taliban He fears that a military coup could upstage him as the soldiers are very unhappy with his administration Many soldiers are already disobeying his orders and in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP they are refusing to fight against the TTP at least in the tribal beltsThese developments also come against the backdrop of tensions escalating between the GHQ and the government These tensions arose due to the extension that Munir is seeking as the Army ChiefThe government says that he can remain Army Chief until 2027 but Munir has asserted that he wants to remain in the top position until 2030 This has made several within the army unhappy especially those who are waiting to be elevated as the next Army ChiefMunir has already changed some top corps commanders to ensure that there would be no seniority issues All these developments have made Munir very shaky and insecure and hence he is taking control over the Intelligence Army and now the administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/behind-pakistans-civilian-facade-asim-munirs-deep-state-consolidation-of-power-645121.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-infighting-parameshwara-backs-minister-muniyappa-for-ktaka-cm-post-645123.html Bengaluru Oct 27 Amid the ongoing leadership dispute Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara has said that he would be happy if senior party leader and Minister for Food Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs KH Muniyappa who comes from the Dalit community becomes the Chief Minister Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Monday Parameshwara said Muniyappa a seventime MP is an efficient leaderMuniyappa has been elected as MP seven times from the Congress party It is not easy to win seven times He is a senior leader and a former Union Minister He is efficient If Muniyappa is made the Chief Minister I will be happySince we belong to the same community I will naturally be happy if our community gets an opportunity The community that has long been suppressed and exploited if it comes to power wont we be happier In this context Muniyappa is efficient and if he is made the Chief Minister I will be happy Parameshwara added Parameshwara also hails from the Dalit community When asked about the possibility of a cabinet reshuffle Parameshwara said I dont know anything about it as we cannot make statements on decisions that rest with the high command Let us wait for their decision Making statements to the media will only create confusion Has anyone from the high command said anything We have absolutely no information from themWe can react only if there is any communication from the high command regarding cabinet reshuffle leadership change or other developments Any statements made by us have no significance unless they come from the high command he saidNo matter who makes such statements unless they come from the high command they carry no value he reiteratedThe high command will consider everything and make decisions accordingly First there were talks about powersharing now there is talk of a cabinet reshuffle Such daily confusion only affects governance If governance has to improve this must stop and the focus should return to administration Parameshwara saidThere has been flooding in North Karnataka and Bengaluru There are also concerns about road infrastructure and the pothole menace If we want to address these complaints we need to focus more on governance he addedSpeaking about various statements by Congress leaders on cabinet reshuffle and leadership Parameshwara said You all know who makes the decisions in the Congress party If a few people in Karnataka make statements in this regard it will not make any difference The high command will think and analyse There are elections in Bihar now after that if there is a need the high command will take appropriate actionThese statements have gained significance amid the leadership row within the ruling Congress party Recently Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs son and MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah stirred controversy by projecting Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi as the successor to CM Siddaramaiah IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-infighting-parameshwara-backs-minister-muniyappa-for-ktaka-cm-post-645123.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-meets-families-of-karur-stampede-victims-assures-support-645125.html Chennai Oct 27 Actor and TVK President C Joseph Vijay on Monday met the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic Karur stampede incident and expressed his heartfelt condolences The meeting took place at a private resort in Mamallapuram where the families had been brought by party functionariesDuring the emotional interaction Vijay personally spoke to each bereaved family assuring them that he would bear the complete expenses related to the education and medical needs of their surviving family membersI stand by you in this difficult time Your pain is mine too Vijay was quoted as saying during the meetingThe meeting marks Vijays first direct interaction with the families since the September 27 stampede during his public rally at KarurThe tragedy occurred amid a massive crowd surge during the TVK campaign claiming the lives of 41 people including several women and childrenThe incident sent shockwaves across the state drawing widespread criticism from political circles and the publicFollowing the tragedy Vijay had initially planned to visit Karur to personally meet the families and offer condolences However the plan was reportedly shelved due to security concerns To ensure the meeting could take place in a secure and comfortable environment TVK organisers decided to bring the families to Chennai insteadAround 38 families were transported in private buses while a few others arrived by flightTVK sources said the meeting at the Mamallapuram resort was kept private and attended only by close party aidesHe wanted to ensure that the families received his condolences directly and that their immediate needs were taken care of said a senior party functionaryThe Karur stampede had led to intense scrutiny over the conduct of political rallies and crowd management practicesThe Madras High Court and the Supreme Court have since been monitoring investigations into the incidentVijays gesture on Monday though longawaited was seen as a significant move to reach out to grieving families and reaffirm his responsibility as both a political leader and a public figure IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vijay-meets-families-of-karur-stampede-victims-assures-support-645125.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/all-leaders-make-announcements-but-i-get-work-done-tej-pratap-slams-tejashwi-yadavs-promises-645131.html New Delhi Oct 27 National President of the Janshakti Janata Dal Tej Pratap Yadav on Monday reacted sharply to RJD leader Tejashwi Yadavs promises saying that while all leaders make announcements it is he who has the ability to actually get the work done Speaking to IANS Tej Pratap Yadav said All leaders make announcements but it is Tej Pratap Yadav who has the ability to actually get them done Go and see the medical college we have built I dont care what other leaders claimTej Pratap also highlighted the challenges faced by the people of Bihars Mahua saying The people are distressed and worried they need employment Here who will become the Chief Minister depends on the people The people decide whoever they give power to the Jan Shakti Janata Dal will establish itself hereI have worked a lot in Mahua Earlier people used to visit Patna for medical treatment but now the situation has changed they get treatment here in Mahua itself I have worked for their betterment The people here want work they want employment but they do not get itHe also spoke about infrastructure development in the region stating There were no proper roads in Mahua We have worked on development including starting the work to open a medical college Roads will also be built and we will winTej Pratap Yadavs remarks underline his focus on grassroots development and public service portraying a contrast to leaders who according to him operate from comfort and make unfulfilled promisesEarlier on Sunday Tejashwi Yadav the RJD leader and the Mahagathbandhans chief ministerial face held a press conference announcing several welfare measures including doubling the allowance for Panchayat and Gram Kachahri representatives and introducing pension schemes for former membersTejashwi Yadav also said that the Mahagathbandhan only seeks 20 months from the people of Bihar to prove that positive change is possibleYadav accused the NDA government of corruption unemployment and industrial neglect saying The people of Bihar are ready for change They gave 20 years to the NDA now give us 20 monthsThe Bihar Assembly elections are scheduled for November 6 and 11 with the results to be announced on November 14 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/all-leaders-make-announcements-but-i-get-work-done-tej-pratap-slams-tejashwi-yadavs-promises-645131.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notices-to-all-states-uts-in-suo-moto-case-on-digital-arrest-scams-645135.html New Delhi Oct 27 IANS The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to all states and Union Territories in the suo moto case concerning the rising menace of digital arrest scams where fraudsters impersonate police and judicial officers using forged court orders to extort money from citizensnbspA Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi directed all state governments to submit details of First Information Reports FIRs registered in connection with such scams and remarked We are not issuing directions today We are issuing notice to the States to ensure there is a uniform investigationThe Justice Kantled Bench added that digital arrest scams appeared to be panIndia or even crossborder in nature as it suggested that the investigation be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation CBInbspThere are more than one instances that have taken place in different parts We are inclined to entrust the matter to the CBI in respect of all the States because this is a kind of crime which may be operating panIndia or even across the border the apex court remarkednbspAppearing for the Union of India Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the top court that the CBI was already investigating several similar cases with technical assistance from the Cyber Crime Division of the Union Ministry of Home AffairsThe Attorney General for India R Venkataramani apprised the Justice Kantled Bench that the moneylaundering networks behind such scams were often based outside India operating from countries such as Myanmar and ThailandnbspThere are money laundering gangs located outside our territory in many parts of Asia including Myanmar and Thailand said AG VenkataramaninbspDuring the hearing the Haryana government which had earlier been issued notice informed the Supreme Court that two FIRs had been registered by Ambalas Cyber Crime Branch and that it had no objection if the investigation was transferred to the CBIThe Justice Kantled Bench allowed Haryanas request for one weeks time to file additional details on other related FIRsnbspBeside the two FIRs there are some more FIRs pertaining to similar crimes in Haryana AAG seeks and is granted one week time to furnish the details of those FIRs the order saidnbspThe apex court directed all other states and Union Territories to furnish details of similar FIRs registered within their jurisdictions clarifying that no formal counteraffidavits were required at this stageWe issue notice to all the States and UTs with a direction that let details of FIRs registered in their respective states pertaining to the nature of cyber crime relating to digital arrest be furnishednbspIn this regard no formal counteraffidavit is required to be filed and only details of cases may be brought on record it orderednbspThe matter will be taken up next after the state governments file their responses https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-issues-notices-to-all-states-uts-in-suo-moto-case-on-digital-arrest-scams-645135.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 14:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/patna-gears-up-for-chhath-mahaparva-78-ghats-60-artificial-ponds-ready-for-devotees-645146.html Patna Oct 27 The bathing ghats of Ganga and ponds in Bihars capital Patna are all set for the grand celebration of Chhath Mahaparva the festival of devotion and purity dedicated to Surya Sun god and Chhathi Maiya The first Arghya offering to the setting Sun will be performed on Monday evening under the Purvashada constellation while the second Arghya will be offered to the rising Sun on Tuesday morning during the Uttarashada constellation This year devotees in Patna City will offer prayers at 78 ghats with 60 artificial ponds also prepared to ensure smooth conduct of rituals and to prevent overcrowding at the Ganga ghatsAccording to Pandit Ram Narayan Shastri it is considered auspicious to offer prayers to the setting Sun half an hour before sunset and to the rising Sun just after it turns redOn Tuesday morning auspicious yogas such as Ubhayachar and Amalakriti will further enhance the significance of the festivalOn Sunday the second day of the Chhath festival devotees observed the Kharna Puja with devotion and reverenceAfter sunset they consumed prasad ritual food offering made of uncooked rice Ganga water milk jaggerybased kheer flat bread and bananas served on banana leavesThis marked the beginning of their 36hourlong waterless fastThe Patna district administration has made elaborate arrangements for security and crowd management and as many as 187 Bluetoothenabled cameras have been installed at 35 major ghats to ensure realtime monitoring of the situationOverall Chhath celebrations are being observed at 550 ghats across the district representing the traditions of 444 communitiesMedical teams including physicians and health researchers have been stationed at all primary health centres in both urban and rural areas to handle any medical emergenciesAcross Bihar a wave of devotion and enthusiasm can be seenThe Deo Surya Temple in Aurangabad and the Ular Sun Temple in Patna district are witnessing heavy footfallIn total arrangements have been made at 8500 Chhath ghats statewideSpecial instructions have been issued to the National Disaster Response Force NDRF and State Disaster Response Force SDRF who are deployed at sensitive locations to ensure devotees safetyThe Patna Municipal Corporation has also taken charge of cleaning lighting barricading dangerous ghats and setting up medical campsAuthorities have appealed to devotees to remain cautious secure their belongings and avoid unsafe or slippery areas near the riverbanks IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/patna-gears-up-for-chhath-mahaparva-78-ghats-60-artificial-ponds-ready-for-devotees-645146.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/former-cricket-captain-srikkanth-makes-maiden-visit-to-mahakaleshwar-645147.html Ujjain Oct 27 Former Indian cricket captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth participated in the worldfamous Bhasma Aarti at Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Temple in Ujjain on Monday morning He had travelled specially from Chennai to offer prayers to Lord Mahakal for the happiness peace and prosperity of people in India and across the world This was Srikkanths maiden visit to the revered shrineAccompanied by his family and friends he took part in the sacred ritual conducted by priests who performed the traditional worshipDeeply moved by the experience Srikkanth said The darshan of Lord Mahakal and the Bhasma Aarti was truly amazing Our entire family feels blessed to be part of this divine moment Everything will happen good for everyone in India and the worldHe also commended the temple management for the extensive arrangementsShri Mahakaleshwar Temple one of the twelve Jyotirlingas is globally known for its unique Bhasma Aarti which begins around 4 am every day and involves offering ashes to Lord ShivaOnline booking is mandatory for darshan particularly for the Bhasma Aarti The recent opening of the second phase of the Mahakal Lok Corridor has significantly improved facilities for devoteesSrikkanths spiritual visit coincided with the beginning of the first Sawari of Kartik Maas on October 27 allowing devotees two opportunities for darshan during the dayThe former cricket openers presence added a touch of celebrity devotion to the sacred occasion drawing attention to the temples growing appeal among public figuresIn a separate development following a recent clash among priests at the temple a threemember committee has been formed The involved priests have been barred from using the VIP gallery for a few daysCCTV cameras will now monitor access to the gallery to ensure proper usage and verify referencesMeanwhile Kartik Agahan Sawari which is the ceremonial procession of Lord Mahakal is also starting on Monday The procession held annually on the second Monday of the Kartik Hindu month will feature the deity in five divine forms carried through the streets of the temple town IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/former-cricket-captain-srikkanth-makes-maiden-visit-to-mahakaleshwar-645147.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sensex-nifty-end-higher-as-us-china-deal-hopes-boost-sentiment-645148.html Mumbai Oct 27 IANS Indian stock markets started the week on a positive note on Monday recovering after a brief pause in the previous sessionnbspInvestors turned optimistic as hopes grew for a potential trade deal between the United States and ChinanbspThe Sensex climbed 56696 points or 067 per cent to close at 8477884 while the Nifty gained 1709 points or 067 per cent to settle at 2596605nbspThe Nifty started on a strong note and remained mostly sideways throughout the day ahead of the NSE FampampO expiry Sentiment continues to remain strong as the index sustains above the breakout point analysts saidOn the lower end support is placed at 25700 below which weakness might emerge On the higher end resistance is seen at 26000 a decisive move or close above this level could trigger a rally towards 26500 in the short term they addednbspThe rally came after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen said on Sunday that President Trumps proposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods were off the tablenbspHe added that China is likely to increase its soybean imports and delay restrictions on rare earth exports a move that further boosted global market confidenceSofterthanexpected inflation data from the US also lifted sentiment with markets now expecting two more interest rate cuts in 2025nbspAmong major gainers on the Sensex were Bharti Airtel State Bank of India and Eternal each rising more than 2 per centnbspOn the other hand Kotak Mahindra Bank Bharat Electronics Infosys Bajaj Finance and others were among the top laggards of the dayBroader markets also moved higher with the Nifty MidCap index rising 093 per cent and the Nifty SmallCap index gaining 082 per centnbspSectorwise PSU Bank Realty Metal and Oil ampamp Gas indices advanced over 1 per cent each while Media and Pharma stocks saw some profit booking https://dailyworld.in/national/sensex-nifty-end-higher-as-us-china-deal-hopes-boost-sentiment-645148.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tejashwi-trying-to-appease-muslims-with-waqf-act-remarks-kiren-rijiju-645151.html New Delhi Oct 27 IANS Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday lashed out at RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav over his remarks on the Waqf Amendment Act saying that he lacks maturity and is making such statements merely to appease the Muslim community ahead of the Bihar Assembly electionsnbspTejashwi Yadav the Mahagathbandhans chief ministerial face in Bihar had earlier said that if his government is formed he would scrap the Waqf ActI want to tell you that when I become the CM Tejashwi will throw the Waqf Board law bill into the dustbin When I become the CM every Bihari will become CM meaning Chinta Mukt free from worries Bihar today lacks good colleges education is poor poverty is high and migration continues My only dream is to make Bihar number one he said attacking the ruling NDA for what he called 20 years of stagnationReacting sharply to this Kiren Rijiju in an interview with IANS said Its surprising that Tejashwi Yadav claims to be the Chief Minister and doesnt know the basic fact that a state government cannot overturn any law passed by Parliament He does not know the Constitution How can he talk like thisRijiju said that people across the country including in Bihar are watching Yadavs remarksThe people of Bihar and the entire country are watching laughing that a person who calls himself a Chief Minister candidate doesnt even know that he will throw a Parliamentary Act into the dustbin if he becomes Chief Minister he saidAccusing Yadav of being desperate for power the Union Minister said What kind of language is he using First I think Tejashwi is not mature and lacks knowledge Second he is so desperate for power that he will say anything To gain Muslim votes will he say he will throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin How can he say such a thingResponding to a question about whether any state government can deny implementation of a law passed by Parliament Rijiju who also holds the Minority Affairs portfolio clarified that no state has such authorityAny law passed by Parliament applies to the entire country and no one can remove the power granted by the Constitution he assertedHitting out at the Opposition for dynastic politics Rijiju said Can Tejashwi Yadav and Rahul Gandhi explain that if they dont obey laws passed by Parliament if they dont obey what the Supreme Court has cleared then do they not obey Parliament the Supreme Court or Indian democracy The children of these few families consider themselves above the law above the Constitution above Parliament But the country and the people are watchingThe Union Minister also accused the Opposition of engaging in appeasement politics ahead of the Bihar Assembly electionsFor decades Congress and RJD have ruled by doing Muslim appeasement by deceiving and misleading Muslims Now Muslims have understood this and gradually they all will But a large section is still being controlled by some people who are trying to create a vote bank by misleading them by intimidating them and by using the BJP as a pretext he saidRijiju added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi the entire nation including Muslims will progressGradually Muslims will also understand that the country will progress only because of PM Modi Under PM Modis leadership not just Muslims but everyone whether minority or majority will be safe in India Everyone knows this and Muslims have also come to understand this to a large extent he said https://dailyworld.in/national/tejashwi-trying-to-appease-muslims-with-waqf-act-remarks-kiren-rijiju-645151.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-kicks-off-bjps-campaign-for-maha-local-body-polls-pitches-for-triple-engine-govt-645152.html Mumbai Oct 27 IANS Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday sounded the bugle for the upcoming local and civic body polls in Maharashtra asking the party workers to secure an emphatic victory over the opposition to ensure a triple engine government in the statenbspIn Maharashtra the BJPled NDA has been victorious three times and Devendra Fadnavis has become the Chief Minister for the third time Maharashtra currently has a doubleengine government However I am not satisfied with just that we want a tripleengine government The party must fight the upcoming local and civic body elections with full strength defeating the opposition which will not even be visible through binoculars HM Shah said while addressing BJP workers after laying the foundation stone of the Maharashtra BJP units new office in South MumbaiHome Minister Shah recalled that after the BJPs alliance with the undivided Shiv Sena broke ahead of the 2014 polls the party fought independently and emerged as the singlelargest formation to form a government under CM Devendra Fadnavis Since then he said Fadnavis has held the Chief Ministers post three times and the BJP once ranked fourth in the state has now emerged as Maharashtras principal political forceI am happy that the BJP has not only grown stronger in Maharashtra but has also remained true to its ideology and traditions Today the BJP stands on its own strength and not on political crutches Just as the BJP holds an indelible place in the politics of India it has now become a strong signature in Maharashtras political arena he notedThe Home Minister also underlined the historical significance of the plot where the new headquarters is coming upThis is the land Mumbai where the Jan Sangh merged into the Janata Dal leading to the birth of the BJP As Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji said Andhera chhatega kamal khilega darkness will fade and the lotus will bloom he saidHome Minister Shah said the BJP takes pride in seeing Narendra Modi lead the nation as Prime Minister for the third consecutive termWe have proven that familyrun parties can no longer dominate Indian politics It is performancebased politics that will take the nation forward A child born in a humble teasellers family rose through dedication sacrifice and hard work to become the Prime Minister A party that cannot uphold democracy within its own organisation can never protect democracy in the country This is our message to all dynastic parties he addedHe further said that under PM Modi the BJP has fulfilled its key promises including the construction of the Ram Temple and abrogation of Article 370 while some states have implemented the Uniform Civil CodeIndia has emerged as a strong nation and the worlds fourthlargest economy under PM Modi whose government has prioritised national security Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev are the latest examples of our zerotolerance policy on terrorism HM Shah asserted https://dailyworld.in/national/hm-shah-kicks-off-bjps-campaign-for-maha-local-body-polls-pitches-for-triple-engine-govt-645152.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 16:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/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/national/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/national/vijay-to-meet-families-of-karur-stampede-victims-in-mahabalipuram-today-645070.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 08:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/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/national/explained-how-washington-posts-article-on-lic-adani-link-churns-out-misleading-false-narratives-645088.html New Delhi Oct 27 Ahead of the Bihar Assembly elections and the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament a USbased media outlet published an article alleging that the Government of India pressured LIC to invest up to 39 billion in the Adani Group including 568 million Rs 5000 crore in May 2025 The article contains multiple false information factual inaccuracies misleading claims and false narratives The Life Insurance Corporation of India LIC has already issued an official rebuttal to the Washington Post article categorically describing it as false baseless and far from the truthFormer LIC Chairman Siddhartha Mohanty has also denounced the report stating A misleading narrative has been created by The Washington Post against LICs investments in the Adani Group alleging government interference I categorically affirm that the Government never interferes directly or indirectly in any investment decision of LIC I call upon The Washington Post to withdraw the unverified content from all platforms and refrain from publishing such baseless allegationsAccording to people close to the matter the article is based on wrong assumptions that Adani Ports amp SEZ needed money to refinance its dues and states that Adanis ports subsidiary needed to raise roughly 585 million in a bond issue to refinance existing debtNo such refinancing was due As clearly stated in Adani Ports amp SEZs official media release on May 30 this year the funds raised from LIC were earmarked for the proposed buyback of bonds maturing between 2027 and 2029 not for refinancing any existing debtImmediately after in July Adani Ports launched a tender offer to buy back up to 450 million of outstanding US bonds all maturing between 2027 and 2029The second paragraph of the article incorrectly states Indias second richest man whose net worth hovers around 90 billion had been charged with bribery and fraud last year by the US authorities and several major American and European banks he had looked to for loans were hesitant to helpThe fact is that several American and European institutions have invested in Adani in recent months all of which is publicIn April 2025 BlackRock invested in Adanis private entities In June 2025 Apollos Athene Life led a US750 million Rs 6650 crore investment in Adanis Mumbai Airport in which several insurers participatedIn September 2025 Leading Dutch Bank Rabobank and DZ Bank Germanys second largest bank based on assets invested in Adanis Green AssetsThe opening statement in the article that debt was piling up quickly this spring is falseAdanis debt numbers or balance sheets are not disclosed for the April to June 2025 quarter as Indian companies follow the practice of releasing balance sheets only halfyearly hence this claim is unverifiedFurther the debt of Adani Ports amp SEZ the company in reference has only reduced its debt in FY25 over FY24 to Rs 36422 crore The leverage of not a single Adani group company has increased in FY2025As leverage is a financial figure it can be easily verified from the companies balance sheets but this was not done Instead a dramatic dire situation is created in the opening statement to prejudice the readerFurther for FY25 Adani Portfolios EBITDA was Rs 89218 crore and the total longterm debt was Rs 265 lakh crore and the cash balance was Rs 53843 crore This simply means that Adani can knock off the entire debt in less than three years if it pauses investmentAdani Ports amp SEZ is rated AAA by all four leading domestic rating agencies the highest rating achievable by any Indian corporate reflecting the strongest credit quality and utmost safety for lenders including LICFurther the BBB rating by Fitch for Adani Ports subsidiary and Adanis two green units is equivalent to Indias sovereign rating the highest possible international rating any Indian entity can hold and LIC can invest inTo describe such investments as too risky for a lowrisk lender like LIC is factually baseless and misrepresents both Adani Ports financial strength and LICs prudent investment framework according to people familiar with the matterThe article has quoted Tim Buckley stating Why should he sell them if he can actually just get the government of India to keep on funding him he said Its the Indian people that have to keep bailing him outThe fact is that Adani has never required any bailout from the Indian people the government or its institutions Adani Ports over 75 per cent debt is foreign debt and the remaining is from a mix of domestic institutions including some of the top mutual funds and banksThis is not the first time LIC which has an AUM of over Rs 55 lakh crore has been the sole subscriber to an issuance LIC has also solely subscribed to 10year issuances by institutions like Vedanta AA rated LampT Finance AAA rated NIIF Infra Fund AAA rated Shriram Finance Ltd AA Rated India Infradebt Limited AAA rated and Arka Fincap Ltd AA ratedIn November 2023 Reliance Industries successfully raised Rs 20000 crore through a 10year domestic bond issue via private placement marking the largest such sale by an Indian nonfinancial firm at the time and the issue was indeed heavily oversubscribed wherein with LIC subscribing the lions share of Rs 12000 croreLIC is receiving 126 per cent additional spread over a 15year GSEC bond on the underlying Rs 5000 crore loan to APSEZs AAA issuance translating to additional Rs 950 crore profit over the period of tenure of the bond in comparison to a similarrated 15year Government Bond Total yield on APSEZ AAA issuance 765 per cent while 15year GSec Yield offered 649 per cent yieldDebt from LIC is less than 3 per cent of Adanis total debt Fifty per cent of the debt is from overseas investors including investors from the US Europe the Middle East and Asia Pacific and has some of the best names globally in the investors listNot just LIC but several other top institutions including ICICI Prudential Nippon and SBI mutual funds HDFC and ICICI banks LIC of India infrastructurefocused funds like NIIF Infra Aseem Infra and IIFCL and top provident funds have invested in the bond offerings by Adani over the past six monthsThe fact is that LICs debt exposure to Adani is less than 03 per cent of its overall debt portfolio On the equity side LIC invested Rs 30127 crore in Adani companies the value of which has almost doubled over the past four yearsAlso Adani is not LICs largest holding Reliance Tata Group ITC SBI SBI Bank and SBI Cards LampT HDFC and Infosys are IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/explained-how-washington-posts-article-on-lic-adani-link-churns-out-misleading-false-narratives-645088.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/howrah-municipal-corporation-chief-sujay-chakraborty-resigns-645098.html Kolkata Oct 27 Chairman of the Board of Administrators at Howrah Municipal Corporation HMC Sujay Chakraborty has resigned from the post He informed on Monday that he sent his resignation letter to the State Urban Development and Municipal Affairs Minister Firhad Hakim on SundayChakraborty has been serving as the Chairman of the Board of Administrators at HMC since August 18 2021 He had previously sent his resignation letter seeking relief from the post However at that time his resignation was not accepted He sent his resignation letter again on Sunday requesting that the same be accepted this timeHowever the Trinamool Congress leader said that he resigned from the post purely for personal reasons No one wanted to remove me This decision has been taken for personal reasons If the party gives me any other responsibility I will fulfil it he told a section of media personsIncidentally Saikat Chowdhury the vicechairperson of the board of administrators at Howrah Municipal Corporation had resigned a couple of days ago There were speculations that he took this decision on party ordersAccording to Trinamool sources a large section of the party was not happy with Chakrabortys performance The party believes that the anger of the residents over municipal services in Howrah may affect the partys prospects in the upcoming Assembly election However Chakraborty said in this regard that the party did not give him any instructions to resign However it remains to be seen whether his resignation will be accepted this time or notThe last election in the Howrah Municipal Corporation was held in 2013 and the municipal services were running without any elected councillors After a long time Chakraborty took charge as the chairman of the Howrah Municipal Corporations Board of Administrators in August 2021 This important city across the river Hooghly and neighbouring to Kolkata has been running under the administrative board since thenAs a result of Chakrabortys resignation announcement on Monday and the vicechairpersons resignation a few days ago both the top posts of the board of administrators have become vacantIt is to be noted that the Howrah Municipal Corporation Amendment Bill passed by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly in 2021 was stuck in the West Bengal Governors office for a long time The bill was recently signed by Governor CV Ananda Bose Therefore elections will be held soon IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/howrah-municipal-corporation-chief-sujay-chakraborty-resigns-645098.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cji-gavai-recommends-justice-surya-kants-name-as-successor-645099.html New Delhi Oct 27 Chief Justice of India CJI Bhushan R Gavai on Monday recommended the name of Justice Surya Kant as his successor to the Centre paving the way for Justice Kant to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India The recommendation comes in response to the Law Ministry seeking CJI Gavais suggestion for his successor as he is set to retire on November 23Justice Surya Kant currently the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court and next in line by seniority will assume office upon Justice Gavais retirementOnce the Centre issues the official notification Justice Kant will take oath as the new Chief Justice of India on November 24 He is expected to serve in the top judicial post until his retirement on February 9 2027 a tenure spanning approximately 14 monthsJustice Gavai took charge as the 52nd Chief Justice of India in May 2025As per convention the Law Ministry writes to the incumbent Chief Justice a little over a month before his retirement to seek the name of the next seniormost judge eligible for the positionFollowing this the Chief Justice formally recommends the name to the government for approvalAccording to the Memorandum of Procedure MoP governing judicial appointments and transfers the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court deemed fit to hold the position should be appointed as the Chief Justice of IndiaWith CJI Gavais recommendation now forwarded the government is expected to notify Justice Surya Kants appointment soonBorn on February 10 1962 in a middleclass family in Haryana Justice Kant graduated from Government Post Graduate College Hisar in 1981 and obtained his law degree in 1984 from Maharishi Dayanand University RohtakHe began his legal practice at the District Court in Hisar in 1984 and later shifted to Chandigarh in 1985 to practice at the Punjab and Haryana High Court according to Justice Kants profile on the Supreme Courts official websiteOver the years he specialised in constitutional service and civil matters representing several universities boards corporations banks and even the High Court itself Justice Kant earned the distinction of becoming the youngest Advocate General of Haryana on July 7 2000He was designated as a Senior Advocate in March 2001 and served as Advocate General until his elevation as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9 2004He also served as a member of the Governing Body of the National Legal Services Authority NALSA for two consecutive terms from February 2007 to February 2011 and is currently a member of several committees of the Indian Law Institute a deemed university functioning under the Supreme Court of IndiaJustice Kant assumed charge as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5 2018 and was elevated to the Supreme Court on May 24 2019 He has served as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee since November 12 2024 and is due to retire on February 9 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cji-gavai-recommends-justice-surya-kants-name-as-successor-645099.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/man-dies-as-bus-collides-with-car-in-rajasthans-jodhpur-645105.html Jaipur Oct 27 A tragic road accident in Jodhpur district of Rajasthan on Monday left one person dead and 30 others injured ten of them critically said officials here The accident occurred around 8 am near Naiyon Ki Dhani on the OsianChadi Road when a private bus carrying about 40 passengers collided headon with an oncoming carAccording to police the bus was travelling from Osian to Chadi while the car was heading towards Jodhpur The impact was so severe that the bus overturned and the car was completely crushed One man died on the spot and 30 passengers from both vehicles were injured The deceased has been identified as Bhanwar a businessman from Bhinmal Jalore who was travelling to Jaipur with his family after Diwali celebrations Upon receiving the report the Osian police reached the accident site and with the help of locals rescued the injured from the wreckageAll the injured were taken to the Osian SubDistrict Hospital from where ten critically injured individuals were referred to Mathuradas Mathur Hospital in Jodhpur for further treatment Naib Tehsildar Chhatar Singh Rajpurohit informed that there were seven occupants in the car Bhanwar deceased his sons Arvind Vinay and Mahendra as well as Mahendras wife Usha driver Dilip Kumar and Santosh Dave Dilip Mahendra Usha and Santosh sustained serious injuries and are being treated in Jodhpur Six bus passengers have also been referred to JodhpurThey have been identified as Pooja 26 Kishna Ram 45 Sanjay Nain Singh 62 Bhoja Ram 60 and Ganga Ram 65 all residents of nearby villages in Jodhpur district Eyewitnesses said screams echoed in the area as the bus overturned Locals rushed to the spot after hearing the crash and helped in the rescue operation Police are investigating the exact cause of the collision which is suspected to have been caused by speeding on a curved stretch of road IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/man-dies-as-bus-collides-with-car-in-rajasthans-jodhpur-645105.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 11:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/path-to-viksit-bharat-will-be-built-across-our-villages-fm-sitharaman-645114.html New Delhi Oct 27 The path to Viksit Bharat will be built not merely in cities or industrial hubs but across our villages Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Monday In a series of posts on X social media platform citing a media article written by her she said this will be achieved by empowering farmers as entrepreneurs converting every district into a processing hub and ensuring that the fruits of Indias progress reach every householdAn umbrella brand of Kalyana Sampada was created and each district was encouraged to identify an agriproduct or a set of products that could be developed into valueadded commodities said FM SitharamanThe initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of One District One Product programme as an extension of Make in India for our annadatas farmersIn each district a farmer producer company FPC was chosen by NABARD to operate the food processing and training units My MPLADS funds were leveraged to support farmers of the region by bringing agroprocessing capabilities to their doorstep the finance minister informedAccording to her agroprocessing today demands capital technology and market linkagesIn an increasingly protectionist global environment strengthening our domestic food processing capacity is a national security priority Selfsufficiency in food processing ensures resilience against global disruptions and creates rural prosperity in tandem she mentioned in her X postsIndia is primed for this leap In the true spirit of cooperative federalism the Centre and states must join hands to scale and replicate these successful models nationwide FM Sitharaman addedEarlier this month Sitharaman assured farmers of full support to boost agricultural income as she inaugurated the Farmers Training and Common Facility Centre and a new agroprocessing unit hereAddressing the gathering in Karnataka she highlighted initiatives like soil health cards fertilisers financial assistance and the increased MSP for foodgrains and pulses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/path-to-viksit-bharat-will-be-built-across-our-villages-fm-sitharaman-645114.html Mon, 27 Oct 2025 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pocso-case-ktaka-hc-reserves-verdict-on-quash-petition-by-ex-cm--644959.html Bengaluru Oct 25 Karnataka High Court on Saturday reserved the verdict on the petition by the BJP Central Parliamentary Committee Member and former CM B S Yediyurappa to quash proceedings in connection with the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act Yediyurappa pleaded to quash the order taking cognisance of the offence by the court and issuance of summons against him on February 28 2025Yediyurappa has also sought the quashing of the FIR and chargesheet against him in the caseThe single division bench headed by Justice M I Arun passed the order in this regard It can be recalled that the High Court on February 7 had set aside the trial court order taking cognisance of the offences under the Pocso Act and reverted the matter to the trial court for continuation of the probeSenior counsel C V Naagesh appearing for Yediyurappa had submitted that the High Court had quashed the earlier cognisance order after finding that there was no application of mind by the trial courtThe offence was committed on February 2 2024 at 1130 am Again on February 5 2024 the opposite parties met Yediyurappa and took pictures However a complaint was not lodged on either of the days When there was political strife in the state on March 14 2024 they lodged a complaintThe witnesses present at the time of the alleged crime have stated that nothing had happenedSenior Public Prosecutor Professor Ravivarma Kumar had submitted that the trial court had taken cognisance of the matter based on the evidence and with the application of mindAs per the charge sheet Yediyurappa in collusion with the other three accused had been charged under the Pocso Act and IPCs sections 354A sexual harassment 204 destroying document or electronic record and 214 offering bribe to another person to make them conceal an offenceThe other accused faces charges of colluding with Yediyurappa to hush up the case under IPC sections 204 and 214The charge sheet mentions that the complainant had gone to meet Yediyurappa at his residence on February 2 this year to seek his help regarding the sexual assault against her 17yearold daughterYediyurappa holding the wrist of the girl took her into a room in his residence locked it and sexually harassed her it said However it mentions that the girl resisted and came out of the room Afterwards the BJP leader refused to help themWhen the victim uploaded the photo and video on a social media account the accused had them called to his residence through other accused persons and gave Rs 2 lakh cash to the complainant The accused had also obtained the photos and video from social media and from the iPhone galleryThe victims mother had passed away on May 26 2024 due to health complications in BengaluruYediyurappa had refuted the charges and said that he was ready to face any case A mother and daughter were found near my residence We did not entertain them out of suspicion But once I saw them sitting near my house with tears in their eyes I called them and asked why they were weeping They claimed that they were going through a big crisis I called up Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand and asked him to help them out The woman and daughter started talking against me there itself and they were sent outThen the matter had taken a different turn If we come forward to help these are the consequences to be faced I had even given them money after hearing their woes I will face everything the former Chief Minister had said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pocso-case-ktaka-hc-reserves-verdict-on-quash-petition-by-ex-cm--644959.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vande-bharat-express-halt-at-reasi-sparks-joy-among-jampk-locals-644960.html Reasi Oct 25 In a boost to regional connectivity and tourism the Northern Railway has announced an additional twominute stoppage for the KatraSrinagar Vande Bharat Express at Reasi station starting 29 October The decision introduced on a fivemonth trial basis has been met with widespread celebration by residents who see it as a gamechanger for the areas economy and youth employmentThe semihighspeed train flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 6 June 2025 currently makes just one stopat Banihalbetween Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra and SrinagarTrain numbers 26401 KatraSrinagar and 26402 SrinagarKatra will now halt at Reasi toandfro departing Katra at 0810 AM and arriving in Srinagar by 1108 AM shaving travel times while enhancing accessibilitySenior Divisional Commercial Manager Uchit Singhal Jammu Division said This responds to persistent local demands and rising passenger traffic from Reasi a key religious and tourist hub near the Vaishno Devi shrine and the iconic Chenab BridgeLocals erupted in gratitude crediting Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for heeding their callsOne resident speaking anonymously to IANS said From the bottom of my heart thank you to Minister Vaishnaw This was essential tourism will boom drawing more visitors to Reasi Under PM Modis visionary leadership weve seen bridges built and now the stopping of this muchawaited train It will cut unemployment and empower our youthPankaj Malhotra another local echoed the sentiment Reasi demanded a bridge earlier and it happened Now the Vande Bharat halt from 29 October will bring outsiders boosting business at shops taxis and jobs for everyoneBusiness organisations hailed the move as a milestone predicting a surge in pilgrim footfall to nearby sites like the worlds highest railway archThe UdhampurSrinagarBaramulla Rail Link USBRL project featuring engineering marvels like the Chenab Bridge has already transformed JampKs transport landscape since its partial openingOfficials will monitor ticket sales closely with a review slated after five months to assess viabilityThe Vande Bharat has redefined speed and comfort for JampK travellers Singhal added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vande-bharat-express-halt-at-reasi-sparks-joy-among-jampk-locals-644960.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-court-dismisses-petition-challenging-scs-historic-ayodhya-verdict-644961.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Patiala House Court of Delhi has dismissed a petition challenging the Supreme Courts historic Ayodhya verdict Lawyer Mahmood Pracha had filed a petition seeking to declare the 2019 decision of a fivejudge bench of the Supreme Court null and voidIn his petition the lawyer also challenged the lower courts order refusing to hear his civil suitPracha claimed in his petition that former Chief Justice of India Justice DY Chandrachud was part of the fivejudge bench that decided the Ayodhya dispute but Justice Chandrachud in a speech last year acknowledged that the Ayodhya verdict was in accordance with the solution provided to him by Bhagwan Shri Ram Lalla Virajman It is also true that Shri Ram Lalla was one of the litigants in the Ayodhya disputeDistrict Judge Dharmendra Rana of Patiala House Court dismissed Prachas petition stating that it was frivolous fallacious and an abuse of the judicial processDismissing the petition the court also imposed a fine of Rs 6 lakh on Pracha while the trial court had imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on himThe court stated that it is clear that the fine imposed by the lower court has failed to have any effect Therefore the court believes that a reasonable increase in the fine is necessary to effectively curb the tendency of those who file such cases with a frivolous mentalityIn the English translation of former Chief Justice Chandrachuds speech which was included in the court order Justice Chandrachud did not mention Ram Lalla He stated that he had prayed to God for a resolution to the Ayodhya caseLawyer Mahmood Pracha had also made Bhagwan Ram Lalla Virajman a party in his lawsuit The petition also included the name of then Chief Justice Dhananjay Yashwant Chandrachud as the next friend of Ram Lalla VirajmanIn fact the lower court had dismissed Prachas petition in April 2025 and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakhPracha challenged the lower courts decision of October 18 in the district court District Judge Rana citing both the Ayodhya verdict and the former Chief Justices speech concluded that Justice Chandrachuds prayer to God was a statement made out of spiritual sentiment and not a sign of bias or external influenceThe court stated that appellant Pracha failed to grasp the subtle distinction between the Supreme God and the legal personality representing the litigant in court He appears to have a misunderstanding of religion and law It appears the appellant did not carefully read the Ayodhya judgment Otherwise such a misconception would not have arisenJudge Rana also stated that seeking guidance from God based on personal faith cannot in any way be considered fraud or manipulation of the judicial processThe court also found that Prachas petition is also barred by the Judges Protection Act 1985 It prohibits any civil or criminal proceedings against judges during judicial duties Pracha wrongly included former CJI Chandrachud as a close friend of Bhagwan Shri Ram Lalla Virajman but excluded other essential parties to the original Ayodhya caseIn his conclusion Justice Rana expressed concern that there is a growing trend of targeting public functionaries after retirement Consequently the judiciary and its associated legal community need to be vigilant against such propaganda and malicious attacks The situation becomes even more tragic when the protector himself turns predator Here too the appellant is experienced lawyer but he chose to support the wrong side Instead of participating in the solution he opted to augment the problem The appellant not only filed a false and frivolous suit but also filed an absolutely frivolous and luxurious appealThe District Court dismissed Prachas appeal upholding the lower courts order The fine imposed on him was increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 6 lakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-court-dismisses-petition-challenging-scs-historic-ayodhya-verdict-644961.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-doctor-suicide-case-accused-cop-arrested-after-surrender-644989.html New Delhi Oct 26 In a significant development in the Maharashtras female doctors rape and suicide case in Satara district police arrested SubInspector Gopal Badane after he surrendered at the Phaltan Police Station Badane who had been absconding since his suspension is accused of repeatedly raping a woman doctor and driving her to suicide He will be produced before the court on SundayEarlier on Saturday police arrested another accused Prashant Bankar the son of the deceased doctors landlord Bankar has been charged with mentally harassing the doctor whose name appeared alongside Badanes in her fourpage suicide note and in a message written on her palm before her deathAccording to officials the deceased was a government medical officer posted at the Phaltan subdistrict hospital in Satara A native of Beed district she was found hanging in a hotel room late Thursday night under mysterious circumstancesHer suicide note accused SubInspector Gopal Badane of raping her four times and Prashant Bankar of continuous mental harassment She also mentioned that a Member of Parliament MP and his personal assistants had pressured her to falsify medical reports for accused individuals in criminal casesPolice confirmed that both accused have been booked at the Phaltan Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code Satara Superintendent of Police Tushar Doshi stated that a detailed investigation is underway into the rape allegations the harassment claims and the possible involvement of political figuresThe deceased doctors note revealed that she had been subjected to physical and mental torture for over five months It also mentioned that she had lodged as many as 21 complaints with various authorities but no effective action was taken In one incident described in her note the doctor claimed she was threatened by an MP over the phone for refusing to issue a false medical certificateHer cousin also made similar allegations about the doctor being made to falsify medical certificates IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-doctor-suicide-case-accused-cop-arrested-after-surrender-644989.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 08:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-forecast-for-six-tn-districts-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-644990.html Chennai Oct 26 The Regional Meteorological Centre RMC in Chennai has forecast heavy rainfall across six districts of Tamil Nadu on Sunday due to the formation of a lowpressure area over the Bay of Bengal The system currently active over the central and adjoining eastern parts of the Bay is bringing widespread showers and strong winds to the regionAccording to the latest bulletin Chennai Chengalpattu Tiruvallur Kancheepuram Ranipet and Villupuram districts along with Puducherry are likely to experience heavy rainThe RMC further noted that rainfall activity is expected to intensify on Monday with extremely heavy rain possible in Tiruvallur Chennai and Ranipet districtsStrong showers are also expected in Chengalpattu Kancheepuram Vellore Villupuram and Puducherry Officials said the developing weather system is part of a larger circulation extending over the central and northwestern Bay of Bengal which is expected to strengthen further over the next 24 hoursThe lowpressure area is likely to move northwestward bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to northern coastal districts of Tamil Nadu and parts of Puducherry the RMC statedMeanwhile fishermen have been strongly advised to stay away from the sea due to squally winds Wind speeds are expected to reach 80 kmph over the southwest southeast and central Bay of Bengal and may intensify up to 100 kmph over the midwestern and northwestern sectorsCoastal residents have also been urged to remain cautious as the sea is likely to be very rough Disaster management teams in the affected districts have been placed on high alert and local administrations have initiated preparatory measures to handle possible flooding in lowlying areasWith the northeast monsoon active since October 16 several parts of Tamil Nadu have already received aboveaverage rainfall in the past week The weather office has said that further updates will be issued as the system evolves IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-forecast-for-six-tn-districts-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-644990.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 08:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/roads-crumble-in-chennai-after-heavy-rainfall-mayor-orders-swift-repairs-644991.html Chennai Oct 26 Over the past week residents across Chennai have flooded social media with complaints about the worsening condition of the state capitals arterial and interior roads which were battered by recent spells of heavy rain Videos and photos of cratered roads traffic snarls and waterlogged stretches have sparked public outrage and renewed calls for urgent civic intervention Responding to the criticism Mayor R Priya announced that the Greater Chennai Corporation GCC has identified potholes in nearly 2000 locations across the cityIn a statement on Sunday she attributed the deterioration directly to the continuous downpour and assured that immediate steps are being taken to fix the damaged stretches Due to heavy rainfall potholes have appeared on several city roads Funds have been allocated to fill them immediately and wardwise repair work is already underway These potholes will be filled on the same day they are identified the Mayor saidShe added that motor pumps have been installed in several floodprone areas to drain accumulated rainwater quickly and prevent further road damageIt may be recalled that Mayor Priya accompanied by HRampCE Minister and CMDA Chairman PK Sekarbabu had on Saturday inspected dredging work at the Buckingham Canal in Royapuram ZoneThe Minister instructed officials to ensure the free flow of rainwater and directed immediate clearance of waste from the canal to prevent floodingThis area lies adjacent to the Buckingham Canal where the Otteri Nalla joins Water from Ambattur Kolathur and Thiru Vi Ka Nagar flows into this canal Dredging work is progressing well and with the weather department predicting more rain these measures are essential to prevent inundation the Mayor saidCivic officials said doortodoor inspections were also carried out in neighbourhoods like Kalyanapuram and Kalyanapuram Pallam where around 1000 families were consulted to identify local issues and grievancesA senior GCC official noted that patchwork has already been completed in 168 locations with all complaints being tracked and resolvedMeanwhile Chennai Traffic Police have identified 115 critical pothole spots including 38 on highways 71 on bus route roads and 12 on interior roads which are now being prioritised for repair to ease traffic movement and ensure road safety IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/roads-crumble-in-chennai-after-heavy-rainfall-mayor-orders-swift-repairs-644991.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 09:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/i-respectfully-bow-down-to-devotees-observing-fast-pm-modi-on-chhath-puja-kharna-644992.html New Delhi Oct 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday wished the people on the second day of auspicious Chhath Puja Kharna and prayed for the wellbeing of all The second day of Chhath Puja is known as Kharna During this day devotees fast from sunrise to sunset refraining from both food and water The fast is broken only after making offerings to the Sun God at sunsetIn a post on X PM Modi said Heartfelt greetings to all on the auspicious occasion of Chhath Parvas Kharna Puja I respectfully bow down to all the devotees observing the fastOn this sacred occasion which symbolises faith and restraint there is a tradition of partaking in satvik prasad prepared with jaggerybased kheer My wish is that on this ritual Chhathi Maiya blesses everyone with her grace he addedThe Prime Minister also shared a song Sukh leke ugayi Dukh leke dubayi by Bihari singer Dinesh Lal Yadav Nirahua as well as a Chhath Geet titled Sona Satkuniya Ho Dinanaath by Maithili ThakurKharna signifies purification prompting devotees to fast from sunrise to sunset to cleanse their bodies The fast is concluded in the evening with a special prasad offering of jaggery rice puddingConsuming the prasad marks the official start of the 36hour waterless fast that is observed until the final day of the festivalEarlier in the day Union Home Minister Amit Shah also took to X and extended greetings to the peopleThe Kharna holds utmost sacred significance in Chhath Puja It is from Kharna that the fast worship and adoration of Chhathi Maiya beginMay this sacred occasion become a means of welfare in the lives of all of you he saidUnion Health Minister JP Nadda also extended best wishes to the devotees on the auspicious occasion and said I extend my heartfelt best wishes to all the devoted observers of the Kharn ritual on the second day of Chhath Puja the great festival of gratitude towards nature and worship of the Sun May Lord Surya Narayan and Chhathi Maiya bestow upon you all happiness prosperity and excellent health IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/i-respectfully-bow-down-to-devotees-observing-fast-pm-modi-on-chhath-puja-kharna-644992.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html New Delhi Oct 26 India remains on the forefront of the drive to ensure that Artificial Intelligence AI was transparent oriented to public good and governed by international regulations As the Lead Chair of the Global Partnership on AI GPAI India organised the Global India AI Summit in Delhi in July 2024 which focused on key pillars of AI ecosystem including Computer Capacity Data Sets Application Development Start Up Financing and Safe and Trustworthy AI India will now host the AI Impact Summit in Delhi in February next year where the theme will be the harnessing of AI for addressing realworld challenges such as health care education agriculture climate change and governance Prime Minister Modi has taken a personal interest in promoting advancement of AI he had foreseen the transformative role of AI for humanity He has already earned the credit for putting India on the world map of digitisationMeanwhile India has moved ahead with measures to fight misuse of AI on social media for producing deepfakes videos with synthetic voices and manipulated images and tightened IT Rules 2021 in this regard On October 21 the Centre released amendments to the Rules and invited public feedback on the same within a fortnight This is a timely step considering the fact that a perceived unfair government control on social media was known to have evoked strong protests from youth in many areas in Indias neighbourhoodThe Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology MeitY in its official notice said that with the increasing availability of generative AI tools and the resulting proliferation of synthetically generated informationcommonly known as deepfakes the potential for misuse of such technologies to cause user harm spread misinformation manipulate elections or impersonate individuals has grown significantly and added that it is on recognising these risks and following extensive public discussions and parliamentary discussions that MeitY had drawn up the amendmentsThe framework of amended rules enjoins on the companies offering AI generation tools to embed permanent visible watermarks or metadata identifiers on all synthetic content prescribing coverage of at least 10 percent of the display area of images and videos Likewise audio content must carry identifiers during the first 10 percent of playback duration The amendments formally set out to define for the first time a synthetically generated information as content artificially or algorithmically created generated modified or altered using a computer resource in a manner that makes it appear as authentic or trueSignificant social media intermediaries large platforms designated under the IT Rules will be prohibited from enabling users to suppress or remove the identifiers making it harder to disguise the origin of AI generated material The platform is obligated to ask the users to declare whether uploaded content is synthetically generated before publication and deploy automated detection systems to verify such declarations The rules of course apply only to publically available content and not to private or unpublished materialIn a further move the government has brought all digital services that use mobile numbersfrom WhatsApp and payment apps to food delivery platformsunder telecom cybersecurity regulations and empowered the concerned authorities to order suspension of user accounts across multiple services The TelecommunicationsTelecom Cyber Security Amendment Rules notified on October 22 establish a governmentrun mobile number verificationMNV system and mandate database checks before buying or selling used phonesThey are meant to deal with the cybercrime surge based on stolen or forged mobile connections MNV platformthe centrepiece of the new rules will verify whether phone numbers provided by users corresponded to legitimate telecom subscribersThe government seeks to bring AIgenerated material under the same due diligence and takedown obligations that currently apply to unlawful online information MeitY says the rules aimed at promoting user awareness enhancing traceability and ensuring accountability while maintaining an enabling environment for innovation in AIdriven technologies A new provision clarifies that platforms removing synthetic content through grievance redressal mechanisms will retain their legal protection from liability over such contentThe government has introduced new procedural safeguards into the content takedown rules restricting the power to senior officers The rules limit content removal powers to officials at Joint Secretary rank and above and Deputy Inspector General or higher in Police Previously even junior officials sometimes of rank as low as Section Officer could send removal notifications Further all notifications must now include specific legal basis statutory provisions and detailed reasoning A Secretarylevel officer will review all orders on a monthly basis to ensure necessity and proportionality It maybe mentioned that Social Media Platform X had recently challenged the government arguing that thousands of officials were allowed to issue arbitrary orders without judicial oversightThe tightening of rules for online content removal is prima facie a good move as it compels serious application of mind at a senior level before sending an order to the intermediary The order will have to define the legal basis and statutory provision being invoked the nature of the unlawful act and the electronic location of the content India has taken this initiative at a time when potential misuse of AI is attracting attention worldwide The European Unions AI Act to come into effect in 2026 mandates labelling for synthetic audioimage video or text content Chinas labelling measures which came into force recently were even more detailed and strict The Indian approach is to address concerns of misinformation false political narratives and deepfakes without discouraging innovation and creative expressionA balance between regulatory penalties under the IT Act and the safe harbour provisions for intermediaries has been attempted by MeitY and this is a welcome step India leads the world in adoption of AI applications and MeitY has taken a timely initiative to help the AI based economic advancement of the country The new rules for strengthening telecom cyber security have also come not a day too soon as they ensure compliance with data protection laws and thus check the widespread malady of data theftThe writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/the-third-eye-india-is-global-leader-in-artificial-intelligence-644995.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/alert-in-tamil-nadus-chidambaram-village-after-sighting-crocodiles-644996.html Chennai Oct 26 The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has issued a public alert and launched an awareness drive in several villages along the Old Kollidam River after crocodiles were sighted in the region following heavy water discharge from the main Kollidam River Teams led by Forest Range Officer Vasanth Bhaskar Forester Panneerselvam and Forest Guard Anbumani visited villages including Velakkudi Agaranallur and Pazhaiyannallur on Saturday to warn residents and distribute pamphlets outlining safety measuresThe officials went doortodoor cautioning people against entering canals ponds or lowlying water bodies where recent reports of crocodile movements had been madeWe advised people not to enter or wash clothes in open waterbodies and to remain cautious especially during the night said Forest Range Officer Vasanth BhaskarThe rising water level has pushed several crocodiles into adjoining streams and flooded fields Their movements have been noticed near the riverbanks and irrigation canalsThe Kollidam River a major distributary of the Cauvery has been carrying a high volume of surplus water released upstream due to the ongoing monsoon rainForest officials believe that the sudden increase in water flow has displaced crocodiles from their usual habitats forcing them closer to human settlementsIn addition to the wildlife alert continuous heavy rain over the past five days has inundated several parts of Cuddalore district including Chidambaram townLocal officials reported that residential colonies and school campuses in lowlying areas have experienced waterloggingAdding to residents anxiety five snakes were rescued from different parts of the town after they slithered into houses and classrooms seeking dry shelter Fire and Rescue Services personnel led by Station Officer P Manimaran safely captured the reptiles and released them into nearby forest areasThe snakes were found at Chidambaram Government Girls Higher Secondary School Ramakrishna Higher Secondary School a house near Annamalai University Agricultural College in Annamalainagar another in VNS Nagar and one in Malaikatti Street Manimaran saidAuthorities have urged the public to remain vigilant avoid venturing into flooded areas and report any sightings of wild animals to the Forest Department or local rescue teams IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/alert-in-tamil-nadus-chidambaram-village-after-sighting-crocodiles-644996.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-seychelles-to-attend-swearing-in-ceremony-of-president-elect-644997.html New Delhi Oct 26 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday departed for Seychelles to attend the swearingin ceremony of Presidentelect Patrick Herminie In a statement the Ministry of External Affairs MEA announced that during the visit the Vice President will extend Indias congratulations to Patrick Herminie and reaffirm the close longstanding and timetested ties between the two nationsIn a post on X the MEA said Adding further momentum in IndiaSeychelles bilateral ties VicePresident CP Radhakrishnan has departed for Seychelles to attend the swearingin ceremony of Dr Patrick Herminie Presidentelect of the Republic of SeychellesThe visit underscores Indias deep commitment to further strengthen and expand its partnership with SeychellesIndias bilateral engagement with Seychelles is characterised by New Delhis historical contacts and continuous support to Seychelles for its security IndiaSeychelles relations embody close friendship understanding and cooperationSeychelles is an important partner under Indias Vision MAHASAGAR and in our commitment to the Global South The visit underscores Indias deep commitment to further strengthen and expand its partnership with Seychelles read a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs MEA on FridayIt was in the year 1770 that a small group of five Indians landed in Seychelles as plantation workers along with seven African slaves and 15 French colonists and were recorded as the first inhabitants of the Islands the MEA statesRegular trade links facilitated the migration of an Indian trading community looking for greener pastures having reached a saturation point in East AfricaIndiaSeychelles diplomatic ties were established after the countrys independence in 1976 When Seychelles attained freedom on June 26 1976 a contingent from the Indian Naval Ship INS Nilgiri took part in the Independence Day celebrationsThe Indian Mission was established in 1979 in Victoria with the High Commissioner based in DaresSalaam and concurrently accredited to Seychelles The first resident High Commissioner was appointed in 1987 while Seychelles opened its resident mission in New Delhi in early 2008During Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Seychelles in March 2015 the first by an Indian PM in 34 years four significant agreementsMoUs were signed including the inauguration of the Coastal Surveillance Radar System CRS Project announcements of gifting of a second Dornier aircraft to Seychelles and a threemonth gratis visa for Seychelles nationals for travel to India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vp-radhakrishnan-departs-for-seychelles-to-attend-swearing-in-ceremony-of-president-elect-644997.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/man-brutally-killed-with-rod-near-kolkata-mayor-firhad-hakims-residence-645003.html Kolkata Oct 26 A man was killed with a sharpedged weapon on a public road near Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakims residence in south Kolkata the police said on Sunday The incident happened in front of Chetla 17A17B bus stand at around 1130 pm on SaturdayAccording to the police a rod was inserted into the mans throat and one person has been detained in connection with the murderThe incident in a posh locality and especially in the mayors neighbourhood raised questions about the safety and security on public roadsIt is learned that the name of the deceased is Ashok Paswan 42 He was sitting with his friends near the bus stand at around 1130 pm and was having a chat when a quarrel suddenly broke outIt is alleged that someone suddenly attacked Paswan with a rod and inserted it into his throat Injured and bleeding the man ran about 100 metres along the road towards his sisters house However he could not make it and fell on the roadside Local residents saw him covered in blood and took him to a nearby hospital The doctors at the hospital declared him brought deadSoon after the incident officers from Chetla police station reached the spot immediatelyOne person has already been detained and is being questioned Efforts are also being made to find out from the local residents who were present at the time of the incident and who committed this crime and how the murder was committed Investigation into the matter is on said a senior officer of Kolkata PoliceFurther details were awaitedThe incident spread a wave of panic in the area The place where the murder took place in Chetla is Mayor Firhad Hakims own ward The mayor and his daughter often go there for various eventsThe residents said that they have complained many times about people having drinking sessions near the bus stand in the evening They said that antisocial activities are carried out till late at night in the area where the attack took place IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/man-brutally-killed-with-rod-near-kolkata-mayor-firhad-hakims-residence-645003.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 10:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-58-candidates-get-election-symbols-for-jubilee-hills-bypoll-645007.html Hyderabad Oct 26 From fruits to kitchen utensils and from household items to electrical and electronic goods the candidates in the Jubilee Hills Assembly byeelection have chosen a variety of election symbols both mundane and unusual There are 58 candidates in the fray for the November 11 byeelection to the Assembly constituency in HyderabadThe Election Commission on Sunday issued the list of contesting candidates and election symbols allotted to themCandidates of smaller parties and independents have opted for unusual symbols like soap dish baby walker dumbbells dish antenna room cooler CCTV camera basket containing fruits bangles and frockIn addition to the candidates of three recognised national and state political parties 26 contestants from small political parties and 29 independents are in the frayThis is the highest number of candidates in the history of the Jubilee Hills constituency which was created in 2009 during the limitation of Assembly segmentsThe number of contestants would have been much higher if the nominations of 130 candidates had not been rejected Another 23 candidates withdrew their nominationsA large number of candidates entered the fray to highlight their grievances over various issues They included people allegedly affected by the demolition of houses by Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency HYDRAA realignment of the proposed Regional Ring Road RRR farmers and unemployed youthAs per the final electoral rolls released two days ago the constituency has a total of 401365 voters They include 208561 men 192779 women He said 2383 new voters were enrolled after the election notification was issuedSince 58 candidates are in fray four ballot units will be used in each of the polling booths requiring a large voting compartmentDistrict Election Officer RV Karnan has announced that all arrangements have been completed for 407 polling stationsThe byeelection is likely to see a triangular fight among the Congress Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS and Bharatiya Janata PartyBRS leader Maganti Gopinath who had won the Jubilee Hills seat for the third consecutive term in 2023 died in June necessitating the byeelection The BRS has fielded his wife Maganti SunithaThe Congress party has given a ticket to Naveen Yadav while the BJP has once again fielded Lankala Deepak ReddyIn the 2023 elections Gopinath defeated former Indian cricket captain and Congress candidate Mohammed Azharuddin by 16337 votes to winIn a multicornered contest Gopinath had secured 80549 votes while Azharuddin had polled 64212 votes Deepak Reddy of the BJP was in third position with 25866 votesAll India MajliseIttehadul Muslimeen AIMIM whose candidate finished fourth in the 2023 elections is not contesting this time The party led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has declared support for the Congress candidate IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-58-candidates-get-election-symbols-for-jubilee-hills-bypoll-645007.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-lauds-ambikapurs-garbage-cafe-in-mann-ki-baat-645008.html Raipur Oct 26 In a stirring anecdote shared during the 127th episode of his radio programme Mann Ki Baat on Sunday Prime Minister Narendra Modi spotlighted a remarkable initiative unfolding in the heart of Chhattisgarh The Garbage Cafe in Ambikapur a city nestled in central India is redefining the concept of nourishment and civic responsibility one plastic wrapper at a timeEvery day the cafe welcomes people who visit to relish lunch or dinner but instead of paying with rupees they offer bundles of plastic waste discarded carrier bags food wrappers and water bottlesIn lieu of one kilogram of garbage you can get a good lunch or dinner for half a kilogram you can get breakfast the Prime Minister explained lauding the efforts of the Ambikapur Municipal Corporation AMC for this innovative approachThe cafes menu is generous and wholesome rice two vegetable curries dal roti salad and pickles for a full mealBreakfast options include popular street fare such as samosas and vada pav The initiative launched in 2019 under the slogan More the waste better the taste is funded through AMCs sanitation budget and strategically located near the citys main bus standThe concept was born out of a dual crisis plastic pollution and urban hunger By incentivising the collection of plastic waste the cafe not only provides sustenance but also contributes to environmental cleanlinessRagpickers and lowincome individuals are encouraged to gather plastic from streets and landfills exchanging it for hot meals that nourish both body and spiritIf food is available in place of plastic the cafe is not only helping to fill empty stomachs but also contributing to cleaning up the environmentThe cafe feeds several people daily a modest yet meaningful number in a city striving for inclusive progressAmbikapurs Garbage Cafe stands as an example of ingenuity and compassion proving that sustainable solutions can emerge from the most pressing urban challenges In a world grappling with waste and want this humble cafe offers a recipe for hope served warm with a side of civic pride IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-lauds-ambikapurs-garbage-cafe-in-mann-ki-baat-645008.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 11:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bsf-seizes-pistols-drones-heroin-in-border-areas-of-punjabs-ferozpur-amritsar-645009.html Chandigarh Oct 26 In a severe crackdown against crossborder smuggling of arms and narcotics the Border Security Force BSF has seized pistols drones and heroin in separate incidents along the IndiaPakistan border in Punjabs Ferozpur and Amritsar On Sunday the BSF troops recovered a packet of heroin weighing 553 grams from an agricultural field near the village Bhaini Rajputana AmritsarOn Saturday acting on a tipoff provided by its intelligence wing BSF troops on duty recovered one DJI AIR 3S drone near Daoke village in AmritsarThe BSF troops neutralised and recovered one DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone carrying one pistol with a magazine from a farming field near Kahangarh village in Amritsar an official statement saidIn another operation the BSF troops recovered a pistol with a magazine and two live rounds from a farmland near Bahadurke village in the Ferozepur borderThese remarkable operations by the alert BSF troops mark their resolute action in devastating the nefarious attempts of crossborder Pakistani smugglers the statement readThe BSF on Wednesday apprehended a minor boy with 11 gold biscuits along the IndiaBangladesh Border IBB in West Bengals North 24ParganasAccording to an official the weight of the seized gold was 128617 grams valued at around Rs 164 croreDuring interrogation the boy revealed that he was sent by his mother to deliver the gold The boy has been handed over to the concerned authorities along with the gold for further legal processingEarlier this month the BSF seized a gold bar weighing 579 grams from West Bengals North 24 Parganas and arrested a person in possession of the precious metal The gold was valued at Rs 7650 lakh The suspected smuggler was interrogated to extract information related to the gold smuggling racket in the area and handed over to the concerned department IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bsf-seizes-pistols-drones-heroin-in-border-areas-of-punjabs-ferozpur-amritsar-645009.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/speeding-ambulance-kills-two-in-bengals-goalpokhar-645010.html Kolkata Oct 26 Two masons were crushed to death by a speeding ambulance in the Ladukhwa area of Goalpokhar police station in West Bengals North Dinajpur district police said on Sunday The deceased were identified as Luv Pal and Utpal Pal both residents of the Ladukhwa area of GoalpokharAccording to police sources the incident occurred on Saturday night when the masons were returning home after finishing workThe speeding ambulance crushed the masons to death and fled the scene the police addedOn receiving information officers from Goalpokhar police station rushed to the spot and sent the bodies to Islampur Subdivisional Hospital for postmortem examinationMeanwhile the family members of the two deceased masons reached the hospital after hearing the news The family demanded strict action against the accused driverJatin Pal an eyewitness said that the ambulance was coming at a high speed through the Ladukhwa area Pal claimed that the driver of the ambulance was in an inebriated conditionThe Goalpokhar police said that searches are on to catch the accused and seize the vehicleWe have started an investigation into the incident where an ambulance killed two people A case under hit and run has been registered Searches are on to find the ambulance and its driver The bodies have been sent for postmortem examination said a senior officer of North Dinajpur district policeThe accident comes just hours after three people were killed in a road accident in West Bengals Hooghly districtAccording to the police three potters died in a road accident in the Kanajuli area of Gurap police station on National Highway19 early on SaturdayThe potters were travelling in a car which suddenly lost control in the Kanajuli area and hit another vehicleThe deceased were identified as Divas Mandal 30 Kaushik Mandal 28 and Nimai Das 38Further investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/speeding-ambulance-kills-two-in-bengals-goalpokhar-645010.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-spotlights-kutch-mangrove-revival-in-mann-ki-baat-urges-nationwide-tree-planting-645012.html Ahmedabad Oct 26 In the 127th episode of his iconic radio programme Mann Ki Baat Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Gujarats triumph in mangrove conservation as an example of ecological resilience drawing parallels between forests binding hilly terrains and mangroves protecting coastal ecosystems PM Modi emphasised how these green guardians mitigate natural disasters like tsunamis while fostering biodiversity and livelihoodsJungles bind the soil in hills and plains similarly mangroves are the lifeline of our coasts he said invoking the spirit of environmental stewardship amid greetings for the upcoming Chhath Puja which he described as a profound unity of culture nature and societyAt the heart of PM Modis address was the transformative story from Dholera in Gujarats Gulf of KhambhatUnder the state Forest Departments proactive efforts over 3500 hectares of mangroves primarily Avicennia marina species have been planted in the past five years aligning with the Central governments MISHTI Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats and Tangible Incomes scheme launched in 2023This initiative has propelled Gujarat to the national forefront with 19020 hectares afforested in just two years expanding the states mangrove cover to 1175 square kilometres the secondlargest in India after the Sundarbans The results are striking The 2024 wildlife census revealed a surge in marine life along Dholeras revitalised shoresDolphins frolicking in greater numbers PM shared and thriving populations of crabsThis is natures way of thanking us PM Modi noted crediting community involvementEchoing these successes PM Modi highlighted Kori Creek in Kutch district home to one of Indias richest mangrove belts spanning 795 sq km Here the Forest Department runs a dedicated mangrove restoration centre integrating animal welfare programmes that rescue and rehabilitate coastal wildlife If reports are believed recent sightings of several dolphins across 4087 sq km from Kutch to Bhavnagar confirm the ecosystems rebound turning degraded coasts into vibrant habitatsThe 2024 census echoed positive trends 7672 wild asses in the Rann of Kutch a 26 per cent rise alongside increased sightings of otters jackals and seabirdsInland mangroves at Guneri village declared Gujarats first Biodiversity Heritage Site in January further underscore Kutchs unique ecosystems possibly remnants of ancient riverine formationsBuoyed by these positive tidings the Ahmedabad Social Forestry Division announced its maiden marine life survey for the districts coasts inspired by a similar 2024 initiative in Kutch This will assess fish stocks invertebrates and dolphin movements building on Gujarats overall mangrove expansion of 6930 hectares in 202324 with 12000 more planned for 202526 Such surveys aim to inform policy boosting ecotourism and sustainable fisheries amid a national marine fish catch dip of 2 per cent last yearPM Modi concluded with a heartfelt call to action Wherever we live let us plant a tree in the name of our mother under Ek Ped Maa Ke NaamHe urged citizens to contribute via MyGov or the NaMo App framing treeplanting as a tribute to maternal nurturing and planetary healthTrees benefit every being transcending borders he added linking it to global goals like the LiFE movementWith Gujarat leading MISHTI efforts PM Modis message says conservation is collective yielding tangible gains in biodiversity and disaster resilience IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-spotlights-kutch-mangrove-revival-in-mann-ki-baat-urges-nationwide-tree-planting-645012.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/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/national/those-claiming-to-save-constitution-are-threatening-to-change-it-every-day-bjp-645016.html Kolkata Oct 26 The opposition parties who are constantly posing as saviours of the Indian Constitution are threatening to change that every day the BJP claimed on Sunday Referring to a viral video where RJDs member of legislative council MLC Qari Soheb announced that if Tejashwi Yadav would become the Chief Minister of Bihar they would change the Constitution and amend the Waqf law BJPs Information Technology Cell Chief Amit Malviya made a social media post on Sunday observing that the real intention of those threatening to change the Constitution is to snatch the rights of people coming from Backward ClassesThose who talk day and night about saving the Constitution are the very ones plotting to change it so that they can seize the land and rights of Dalits Backward Classes and tribals Malviya said in his social media postMalviya has also attached the viral video of Qari Soheb speaking of changing the Constitution in his postAt the same time Malviya has questioned whether the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and the RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav who is the chief ministerial candidate for the antiNDA grand alliance in Bihar would take the responsibility for such threats to change the ConstitutionNow the question is for Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav who call themselves the selfappointed guardians of the Constitution Will they allow people like Qari Soheb to encroach on the land and reservations of poor and deprived Hindus questioned MalviyaIn the viral video Qari Soheb was also heard saying at an election rally that those who supported the newly promulgated Waqf Amendment Act required proper treatmentTo save Bihar as well as the country what is required is to defeat the allies of NDA Once Tejashwi Yadav becomes the Chief Minister of Bihar all such bills would be thrown away The Mahagathbandhan will be a government for unity brotherhood and humanity he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/those-claiming-to-save-constitution-are-threatening-to-change-it-every-day-bjp-645016.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 12:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/girl-among-three-killed-in-head-on-collision-between-two-bikes-in-tripura-645018.html Agartala Oct 26 Three people including a girl were killed and another seriously injured after a headon collision between two speeding motorcycles in Tripura police said on Sunday A police officer said the accident occurred at Charilam along National Highway8 in Sepahijala district late on Saturday night when two highspeed bikes collided headon Each of the twowheelers had two ridersQuoting local residents the police officer said the impact of the collision was so severe that the loud crash brought people rushing out of their homesThey found two mangled motorcycles lying on the road and the bodies of three youths including a tribal girl scattered nearby Locals immediately alerted the Bishramganj and Bishalgarh fire servicesFirefighters from Bishalgarh rushed to the spot and took the injured and the bodies to the Bishalgarh SubDivisional Hospital One of the injured was taken to the hospital by local residents in a private vehicle A police team led by SubInspector Rammohan Debbarma of Bishalgarh Police Station reached the spot soon after the mishapThe deceased have been identified as Indrajit Das 28 Rakesh Debbarma 23 and Risha Debbarma 18 Another youth identified as Titon Das sustained serious injuries and was referred to the governmentrun Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital in AgartalaThe accident caused a massive traffic jam on the national highway for some timePolice said the same stretch of the highway has witnessed several fatal accidents in recent months A few days ago another youth had died in an earlymorning accident at the same spot after being run over by a busLocal residents have expressed concern over the repeated accidents and urged the authorities to install proper speedcontrol measures and warning signs along this accidentprone stretch of the National Highway to prevent further loss of lives IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/girl-among-three-killed-in-head-on-collision-between-two-bikes-in-tripura-645018.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-polices-i-pragati-keeps-people-updated-on-case-progress-via-sms-645024.html Gandhinagar Oct 26 Citizens in Gujarat no longer need to make repeated visits to police stations to know the status of their complaints Through the IPRAGATI initiative Intelligent Progress Reporting and Grievance Addressing through Technology Initiative the state government is providing realtime case updates directly to complainants via SMS Since its launch on May 14 IPRAGATI has sent millions of SMS updates to citizens across the state ensuring timely and accurate information The system not only saves citizens from multiple police station visits but also helps officers focus more on investigation rather than administrative queries according to official information shared on SundayLaunched in May by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and under the guidance of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and DGP Vikas Sahay the system aims to make the police process more transparent efficient and citizenfriendlyThe initiative automatically sends SMS alerts to complainants at every key stage of their case including FIR registration panchanama notices arrests bail updates recovery of property and chargesheet filingOfficials said the initiative has strengthened public trust in the police by introducing transparency and accountability at every stage of the legal process It also creates a digital record of all updates allowing senior officials to monitor cases more effectivelyAccording to the government the IPRAGATI initiative offers several tangible benefits to citizens It promotes greater transparency and trust by providing direct updates that enhance public confidence in the police system The system also improves time efficiency saving citizens the effort and inconvenience of repeatedly visiting police stations for caserelated informationThrough automatic SMS alerts complainants receive timely notifications at every key stage of their case ensuring that no development goes unnoticed Moreover the consistent flow of updates instils a sense of security among citizens reassuring them that their cases are being actively pursued by the authorities The IPRAGATI initiative marks a major step towards citizencentric governance and technological innovation in policing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-polices-i-pragati-keeps-people-updated-on-case-progress-via-sms-645024.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/science-guided-by-faith-can-achieve-any-goal-gujarat-cm-patel-645025.html Ahmedabad Oct 26 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Sunday attended the Shatchandi Mahayagna at Gozariya village in Mehsana district and claimed that science guided by faith can achieve any goal Extending New Year greetings on the occasion of Vikram Samvat 2082 the Chief Minister emphasised that development must go hand in hand with tradition echoing Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of progress while preserving heritageHighlighting the spiritual significance of yajnas CM Patel said If science is guided by faith we can reach any destination we aspire toHe made the remarks while attending the Mahayagna organised by the Shri Umiya Mataji Mandir Trust and the Patidar communityHe praised Gozariya village noting its spirit of collective strength a village not only capable of completing its own tasks without obstacles but also helping others achieve theirsSpeaking on the renewed spiritual energy across the nation following the consecration of the Ram Lalla in Ayodhya CM Patel underscored Gujarats crucial role in nationbuilding The vision of a developed India is achievable only through a developed Gujarat he said detailing state initiatives to ensure inclusive growth that reaches every village and citizenThe Chief Minister also outlined Gujarats efforts to accelerate economic growth including the governments new zonewise Vibrant Conferences The first such conference recently held in North Gujarat resulted in investment commitments exceeding Rs 3 lakh crore and over 1200 MoUs Patel said with satisfactionCM Patel concluded his address by urging the people of Gozariya to take new resolutions for the year and prayed to Goddess Umiya Mata for their successful fulfilmentMember of Parliament Haribhai Patel highlighted the importance of maintaining religious practices across India to nurture values among the younger generationTrue development includes not just roads and infrastructure but also spirituality and cultural values Haribhai Patel saidRajya Sabha member Mayank Nayak commended the organisers for holding the Shatchandi Mahayagna to reconnect the youth with Sanatan Dharma amid the rise of technology and artificial intelligence He assured continuous support for Gozariyas development and pledged to ensure the village remains at the forefront of progressOn this occasion CM Patel offered prayers to Goddess Umiya Mata and honoured donors who contributed to the MahayagnaThe event saw the presence of Mehsana MLA Mukesh Patel Mehsana District Bank Chairman Vinod Patel Collector SK Prajapati members of the Umiya Mataji Mandir Trust Patidar community leaders and a large gathering of devotees IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/science-guided-by-faith-can-achieve-any-goal-gujarat-cm-patel-645025.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/over-60-hospitalised-after-suspected-food-poisoning-in-gujarat-645026.html Surendranagar Oct 26 Over 60 people including women and children were hospitalised after a suspected case of food poisoning in Gomta village of Gujarats Surendranagar The incident occurred on Saturday night after residents consumed buttermilk served during a house Vastu ceremonyHealth officials said several people began complaining of vomiting diarrhoea and stomach pain shortly after consuming the buttermilkThe affected villagers were rushed to hospitals in Limbdi and Wadhwan for treatmentA team of health officers and local administration immediately reached the site and hospitals to assess the situationAccording to Taluka Health Officer Jayesh Vaghela More than 60 people suffered from food poisoning after a festive meal in Gomta village All patients are under medical supervision and their condition is currently stableSamples of the buttermilk have been sent to a laboratory for testing to determine the cause of contaminationThe district Health Department has launched an inquiry and is closely monitoring the situationOfficials expressed relief that all victims have started recoveringThe Gujarat government has intensified efforts to curb food poisoning incidents by strengthening food safety enforcement increasing inspections and promoting hygiene awarenessIn 202425 the Food and Drug Control Administration FDCA tested around 60448 food samples across the state of which 145 per cent failed quality checks and 017 per cent were declared unsafe for consumptionUnder the Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 Gujarat authorities filed 980 adjudication cases resolving 864 of them and imposing fines amounting to Rs 621 crore while 87 court cases related to unsafe food led to additional penalties of Rs 054 croreThrough the FDCA thousands of food samples are tested annually with strict action taken against violators under the Food Safety and Standards ActThe government has also launched statewide raids to seize adulterated or unsafe food items and imposed heavy fines on offendersIn addition health and local authorities are conducting regular awareness drives on safe food handling at community events and monitoring largescale public meals to ensure compliance with safety norms IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/over-60-hospitalised-after-suspected-food-poisoning-in-gujarat-645026.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/over-4-500-irrigation-tanks-in-tn-near-full-capacity-645029.html Chennai Oct 26 The onset of the Northeast monsoon has begun to yield significant benefits for Tamil Nadus water resources with nearly 2000 additional irrigation tanks recording storage levels exceeding 75 per cent capacity over the last ten days According to data from the Water Resources Department as of October 15 only 2622 tanks across the State had storage above the 75 per cent markBy Saturday this number had surged to 4556 tanks an increase of 1934 within just 10 days The figure also represents a substantial improvement compared to the same period last year when 3197 tanks had reached similar storage levels as on October 21 2024Of the total tanks that have achieved 100 per cent capacity 396 are located in Kanniyakumari district 266 in Tiruvannamalai 243 in Ranipet 241 in Madurai 189 in Thanjavur and 137 in VillupuramAmong districts showing the steepest rise in tank levels Villupuram recorded the highest increase with 131 tanks reaching full storage followed by Madurai with 120 and Tiruvannamalai with 111Neighbouring districts of Chennai Chengalpattu and Kancheepuram also reported improved storage with 50 and 62 tanks respectively now filledOfficials said that the rise in water levels reflects the welldistributed rainfall pattern during the first phase of the Northeast monsoon which began on October 16In addition to the filled tanks 2274 others currently hold between 76 per cent and 99 per cent of their capacityKanniyakumari district tops this category with 788 tanks followed by Thanjavur 263 Madurai 220 Pudukottai 144 and Tenkasi 109Madurai has seen the highest increase in tanks within this range with 189 more tanks nearing full capacity compared to the previous week followed by Kanniyakumari 122 and Thanjavur 95Officials expect that with the India Meteorological Department predicting aboveaverage rainfall for the remainder of the season the number of tanks reaching full capacity is likely to rise further in the coming weeks Higher tank storage they added would naturally improve groundwater levels and reduce dependency on borewellsFor farmers who already benefit from free power supply this means less groundwater extraction and a more sustainable irrigation pattern across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/over-4-500-irrigation-tanks-in-tn-near-full-capacity-645029.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-to-bring-heavy-rain-in-bengal-says-met-office-645031.html Kolkata Oct 26 The Meteorological MeT office on Sunday said that Cyclone Montha will not have a direct impact on West Bengal but is likely to bring heavy rain from Monday onwards Districts of South Bengal including Kolkata will receive rain due to the influence of the systemAccording to the special bulletin of the MeT office the cyclone is then likely to make landfall between Machilipatnam and Kalingapatam on the Andhra Pradesh coast near Kakinada region on Tuesday evening or night as a severe cyclonic stormThe maximum wind speed at the time of landfall may be 90100 kilometres per hour The wind speed may reach 110 kilometres per hour said the MeT DepartmentThe MeT Department official Sourish Banerjee said that although there will be no direct impact of the cyclone on the state the sea will remain rough in the Bengal coast from October 28 to 30 There is a possibility of gusty winds of 3545 kilometres per hour The speed of gusty winds can reach 55 kilometres per hourDue to rough seas fishermen in Bengal have been advised not to venture into the sea from October 28 to 30 Those who are in the deep sea have been asked to return by Monday October 27 said the officialOn Monday light thundershowers are likely at one or two places in South 24 Parganas Jhargram East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts On Tuesday heavy rain is likely at a few places in the South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore districts Light to moderate rain with thundershowers are likely at a few places in the remaining south Bengal districts said the officialIn addition North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas Howrah Hooghly Jhargram East Midnapore West Midnapore and Kolkata are likely to experience light to moderate rain with thundershowers at most places on Wednesday Light to moderate rain with thundershowers is likely in all districts of south Bengal on Thursday There is a possibility of light to moderate rain with thunderstorms in most areas of all districts on FridayMeanwhile the possibility of thunderstorms in north Bengal is low However the amount of rain will gradually increase in the next seven daysThe maximum temperature in Kolkata on Saturday was 329 degrees Celsius which is 12 degrees above normal The minimum temperature on Sunday was 255 degrees Celsius which is 25 degrees Celsius above normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cyclone-montha-to-bring-heavy-rain-in-bengal-says-met-office-645031.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 14:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-sailing-ahead-with-over-rs-3-lakh-crore-maritime-vision-2030-645034.html New Delhi Oct 26 Charting a decade of transformation from 2014 to 2025 Indias maritime sector is cruising ahead with a record performance across ports coastal shipping and inland waterways according to an official statement issued on Sunday ahead of the India Maritime Week 2025 which kicks off in Mumbai on Monday The development is powered by Maritime India Vision 2030 backed by a total investment of Rs 335 lakh crore to modernise ports expand shipping capacity and strengthen inland waterways A recent landmark package of Rs 69725 crore is under implementation to boost shipbuilding and revitalise the maritime ecosystemIndias ports sector has witnessed a transformative leap with total port capacity nearly doubling from 1400 million metric tonnes per annum MMTPA to 2762 MMTPA reflecting major investments in modernisation and infrastructureThe sectors financial strength has surged with the net annual surplus rising sharply from Rs 1026 crore to Rs 9352 crore underscoring improved revenue generation and cost management the statement saidEfficiency indicators have also strengthened with the operating ratio improving from 73 per cent to 43 per cent marking a major step toward sustainable and profitable port operationsCargo handling volumes have grown impressively from 972 million metric tonnes MMT to 1594 MMT signalling robust growth in maritime trade and port efficiency with major ports handling approximately 855 million tonnes of cargo in FY 20242025 an increase from 819 million tonnes in FY 202324Operational performance has improved significantly as the average vessel turnaround time has been reduced from 93 hours to just 48 hours enhancing overall productivity and global competitivenessIndias shipping sector has charted steady growth with the number of Indianflagged vessels rising from 1205 to 1549 reflecting the nations expanding maritime presenceThe gross tonnage of the Indian fleet has increased from 10 million gross tonnes MGT to 1352 MGT underscoring a stronger and more capable shipping capacityCoastal shipping has gained significant momentum with cargo movement nearly doubling from 87 million metric tonnes MMT to 165 MMT reinforcing the shift toward efficient lowcost and ecofriendly transport modesIn a landmark development for the inland water transport sector the Inland Waterways Authority of India IWAI reported a record cargo movement of 146 MMT in 2025 up from 18 MMT in 2014 an increase of around 710 per centThe number of operational waterways has increased remarkably from 3 to 29 reflecting a major boost to Indias inland transport networkIWAI handed over the Haldia MultiModal Terminal MMT to IRC Natural Resources marking a major step in advancing inland waterway infrastructure and promoting multimodal logistics under the PublicPrivate Partnership PPP model Built with World Banks assistance the West Bengal terminal has a capacity of 308 million metric tonnes per annum MMTPAFerry and RoPax a ship that carries both vehicles and passengers have also gained strong traction carrying over 75 crore passengers in 202425 reflecting growing public adoption of waterbased transport for safe and efficient travelIn just a decade Indias seafarer workforce has surged from 125 lakh to over 3 lakh now accounting for 12 per cent of the global seafaring workforce making the country one of the worlds top three suppliers of trained seafarers and opening up vast opportunities in navigation ship operations logistics and allied maritime industries at home and overseasWith a Rs 25000 crore corpus the Maritime Development Fund MDF is set to provide longterm financing to expand Indias shipping tonnage and shipbuilding capacity Complementing this the revamped Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme with an outlay of Rs 24736 crore tackles domestic cost disadvantages and incentivises shipbreaking while the Shipbuilding Development Scheme drives greenfield clusters yard expansions and risk coverage with Rs 19989 croreIndia Maritime Week 2025 IMW 2025 is a landmark event in the global maritime calendar taking place from October 27 to 31 at the NESCO Exhibition Centre Mumbai Bringing together key stakeholders from the shipping port and logistics communities IMW 2025 will serve as a strategic platform for dialogue collaboration and business development The event is expecting participation from over 100 countries and drawing more than 100000 delegates port operators investors innovators and policymakers alike The fiveday programme will feature 500 exhibitors thematic pavilions technology demonstrations and sessions spanning portled development shipbuilding clusters and digital corridors IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-sailing-ahead-with-over-rs-3-lakh-crore-maritime-vision-2030-645034.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 15:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-continues-to-attract-record-fdi-flows-as-global-firms-exit-pakistan-645037.html New Delhi Oct 26 While India continues to attract record levels of foreign investment and corporate expansion Pakistan has witnessed a steady retreat of global firms across sectors This contrast reflects not only macroeconomic trends but also the underlying business culture regulatory frameworks and institutional capacity that shape investor confidence and longterm strategic decisions according to an article in Japan Forward a website of the Sankei Shimbun newspaperPakistan despite being the fifthmost populous country in the world has struggled to retain the interest of major international companies The recent announcement by Procter amp Gamble PampG to shut down its manufacturing and commercial operations in Pakistan is emblematic of broader challenges the article by Professor Pema Gyalpo saidThe PampGs exit follows similar moves by Shell Pfizer TotalEnergies Telenor and Microsoft Pfizer sold its Karachi manufacturing plant to Lucky Core Industries in 2024 ending local production Shell exited in 2023 after years of strategic reconsideration selling its stake to Saudi Arabias Wafi EnergyTotalEnergies divested its share in Total PARCO Pakistan Limited to Singaporebased Gunvor Group Telenor after a failed merger attempt agreed to sell its Pakistan operations to Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited though regulatory approvals have delayed the transaction Microsoft after 25 years in Pakistan quietly shut down its operations in July 2025These exits span diverse sectors consumer goods energy pharmaceuticals telecommunications and technology suggesting systemic rather than sectorspecific issues Industry leaders have pointed to high power costs regulatory uncertainty and infrastructure bottlenecks as key deterrentsSaad Amanullah Khan former CEO of Gillette Pakistan noted that such departures should serve as a wakeup call for policymakers The lack of reliable logistics frequent power outages and delays in approvals have made it increasingly difficult for MNCs to operate efficientlyThe pharmaceutical sector offers a particularly stark example Multinational drug companies have faced prolonged delays in price change approvals and regulatory hurdles from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan DRAP Inconsistent enforcement lack of transparency and outdated promotional standards have discouraged innovation and investmentThese challenges are compounded by macroeconomic instability currency depreciation inflation and limited access to foreign exchange which erode profitability and complicate financial planningThe article highlights that in contrast India has emerged as a preferred destination for global investment In FY2425 alone India attracted 81 billion in foreign investments driven by steady economic growth a rapidly expanding middle class and a businessfriendly policy environment The governments proactive initiatives such as Make in India digital infrastructure expansion and tax reforms have created a conducive climate for corporate expansionMajor global firms are deepening their footprint in India Airbus is investing across manufacturing engineering and training aligning with national priorities Microsoft has committed 3 billion to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure with new data centres planned to support growing demandApple has significantly increased iPhone production assembling over 22 billion worth of devices in April 2025 alone Amazon already one of Indias largest employers is investing an additional 82 billion in cloud infrastructure in Maharashtra NTT DATA has launched its largest data centre campus in India while VinFast LLC is building a 2 billion EV manufacturing plant in Tamil NaduThe pharmaceutical sector in India is also thriving Eli Lilly is investing over 1 billion in contract manufacturing and establishing a global capability center in Hyderabad The company is positioning India as a key hub for innovation and production including the rollout of its experimental weight loss drug These moves reflect confidence in Indias regulatory environment skilled workforce and infrastructure readiness IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-continues-to-attract-record-fdi-flows-as-global-firms-exit-pakistan-645037.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 15:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-bjp-urges-cm-stalin-to-declare-thevar-jayanthi-as-statewide-student-festival-645040.html Chennai Oct 26 Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad has urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to officially direct the School Education Department to celebrate the birth anniversary of Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar popularly known as Thevar Jayanthi as a transformative student festival across all schools and colleges on October 30 In a detailed statement Prasad described Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar as a divine son and golden soul who embodied the highest ideals of nationalism unity and personal disciplineHe appealed to the state government to declare Thevar Jayanthi as Discipline Unity and Solidarity Day a day dedicated to cultivating moral values and social responsibility among studentsQuoting Thevars guiding principle Nationalism is my body divinity is my soul Prasad said the leaders life served as a timeless example of unwavering patriotism and humanenessThevars birth anniversary must not remain confined to commemorative rituals It should become a festival that uplifts the student community reminding them of their duty to live with purpose and virtue he saidHighlighting the moral and social challenges faced by todays youth Prasad suggested that the observance of Thevar Jayanthi in schools should include awareness programmes on abstaining from tobacco alcohol and social media misuseIn an age when our culture and civility are eroded by vices and distractions this day should inspire students to embrace selfdiscipline and righteousness he statedPrasad called upon the state to integrate the teachings of great national figures like Mahatma Gandhi BR Ambedkar and Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar into educational activitiesTheir lives and sacrifices must become part of the moral education of every student in Tamil Nadu he said adding that the government has a solemn responsibility to nurture such national consciousness through institutional effortHe also recalled the wisdom of Thiruvalluvars verse Discipline brings no shame it is cherished even beyond life itself observing that Thevar exemplified this ideal throughout his lifeBy following his path students can bring pride to their families and the nation Prasad saidThe BJP spokesperson concluded that an official directive from Chief Minister Stalin declaring Thevar Jayanthi as Discipline Unity and Solidarity Day would be a fitting tribute to his legacy and a milestone initiative to strengthen student character and national spirit across Tamil Nadu IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-bjp-urges-cm-stalin-to-declare-thevar-jayanthi-as-statewide-student-festival-645040.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-offers-condolences-on-demise-of-thailands-queen-mother-sirikit-645045.html New Delhi Oct 26 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed sadness over the passing away of Thailands Queen Mother Sirikit and paid tribute to her lifelong dedication to public servicenbspHe offered condolences to Thailands King the members of the Royal Family and the people of Thailand over the death of Queen SirikitnbspPM Modis condolence message came after the Bureau of the Royal Household announced that Thailands Queen Mother Sirikit passed away at the age of 93 in King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital on FridayI am deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother of Thailand Her lifelong dedication to public service will continue to inspire generations My heartfelt condolences to His Majesty The King the members of the Royal Family and the people of Thailand in this hour of profound grief PM Modi wrote on XnbspIn an official statement the Bureau of the Royal Household stated that a team of doctors who had been providing treatment to the Queen Mother at the hospital since September 7 2019 found that she was suffering from several illnesses and abnormalities across multiple bodily systems which required continuous medical attention Xinhua News agency reportedThailands Queen Mother contracted a bloodstream infection on October 17 according to the physicians Despite the efforts made by the medical team her condition deteriorated and she passed away peacefully at 921 pm local time on FridaynbspThailands King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua has ordered the relevant bureau to make arrangements for the Queen Mothers royal funeral Her remains will be enshrined at the Dusit Maha Prasat Throne Hall in the Grand Palace in Bangkok The King also issued a decree declaring that a oneyear mourning period will be observed by members of the royal family and officials of the royal court from the date of the Queen Mothers passing https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-offers-condolences-on-demise-of-thailands-queen-mother-sirikit-645045.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/stronger-india-brazil-ties-to-give-global-south-a-bigger-say-645046.html New Delhi Oct 26 IANS India and Brazil are strengthening trade investment and energy ties as part of the BRICS bloc a move that is expected to boost the negotiating power of the Global South at a time when the turmoil over US tariffs has increased uncertainty in global tradenbspThe two countries have decided to go in for a substantial expansion of the agreement between India and MERCOSUR member states aiming for a significant share of the bilateral trade to benefit from tariff preferences according to a joint statement issued after a meeting held here between the Vice President of Brazil Geraldo Alckmin and Indias Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush GoyalThe agreement between India and MERCOSUR comprising Brazil Argentina Bolivia Paraguay and Uruguay was signed on June 17 2003 with the aim of strengthening relations and promoting the expansion of tradenbspAccording to the joint statement the expansion of the agreement should cover both tariff and nontariff issues related to trade and economic partnershipnbspAnalysts say the push is not just about shielding their economies from punitive US tariffs but also about asserting influence on multilateral issues ranging from energy security to global climate policy according to an article in the South China Morning Posts publication This Week in AsiaBrazil is Indias largest trade partner in South America and the two countries agreed to raise bilateral trade to 20 billion by 2030 from 12 billion last yearnbspThis is a partnership of weight and complementarity There is a reason to be together because their interests coincide but it is also in the interest of humankind Manjeev Puri Indias former ambassador to the European Union told This Week in AsianbspBoth countries were strong advocates for protecting the interests of developing nations in the Global South he saidnbspBrazil has helped the Global South by raising issues such as food security and health at multilateral forums including BRICS and G20 while India has provided digital infrastructure sharing humanitarian aid and supported the inclusion of the African Union into the G20Besides being founding members of BRICSa bloc of major emerging national economies that includes Russia China and South AfricaIndia and Brazil are also part of a trilateral grouping called the IndiaBrazilSouth Africa Dialogue Forum that seeks to promote cooperation in various sectorsnbspIt is in our national interest that we will be with Brazil no matter that there are strong headwinds from the US in particular Puri saidnbspExperts say there are several possible areas for deeper bilateral cooperation Brazils pioneering efforts in developing sugar canebased biofuels could be important for Indias own push to increase use of ethanol to trim crude oil imports which have historically been the biggest drag on its foreign exchange Puri notedAviation could be another sector experts say Brazilian aerospace major Embraer inaugurated its office in Delhi to strengthen its presence in Indias commercial aviation sector The Indian Air Force and the commercial airline Star Air already use Embraer aircraftnbspBrazils Vice President also met Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh PurinbspWas pleased to meet Geraldo Alckmin Vice President and Minister of Development Industry Trade and Services of Brazil during his visit to India Our conversation focused on the expanding energy partnership between India and Brazil from robust bilateral trade in hydrocarbons and longterm crude supply contracts with Petrobras to Indian investments worth over USD 35 billion in Brazils upstream sector making it Indias largest investment destination in the Americas Puri said after the meetingThe minister further stated that discussions also took place on opportunities for collaboration in exploration and production Indias participation in upcoming offshore projects and mutual prospects in deep and ultradeepwater activitiesnbspAlckmin also held a meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Brazilian Defence Minister Jose Mucio Monteiro Filho was also present during the interactionnbspIndia and Brazil share a strategic partnership The leaders reviewed the entire range of multifaceted relations in the defence sector between the two countriesnbspThey also exchanged views on areas of mutual interest covering militarytomilitary and defence industrial cooperation including joint exercises and training visitsnbspThe leaders reviewed the progress of ongoing defencerelated initiatives and identified priority areas for joint work including exploring opportunities for codevelopment and coproduction of defence equipment the Ministry of Defence said in a statement https://dailyworld.in/national/stronger-india-brazil-ties-to-give-global-south-a-bigger-say-645046.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-omar-abdullahs-statement-to-step-down-on-statehood-demand-stirs-speculation-in-jk-645047.html Srinagar Oct 26 IANS Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Sunday that he would resign as the CM if statehood was not restored in a finite periodnbspIn an interview with NDTV Omar Abdullah has said that he would resign as the chief minister if statehood was not restorednbspThe statement assumes significance for more than one reason as it comes in the aftermath of alleged crossvoting in the recently concluded Rajya Sabha elections in which four seats were won by the National Conference NC and one by the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPThe BJP victory on the 4th seat has come as a surprise to Omar Abdullah and his party as he had said with confidence that the NC would win all four seatsnbspOmar Abdullah has now said that no MLA from the NC went against the party whip and all of them voted for the four NC candidates Mohammad Ramzan Chowdhary Sajad Kichloo Shami Oberoi and Imran Nabi DarnbspImran Nabi Dar lost to BJPs JampampK president Sat Sharma contesting for the 4th Rajya Sabha seat Omar Abdullah has been accusing those MLAs belonging to nonNC political parties of having declared support for NC but finally voting for the BJP candidate on the 4th seatThe BJP candidate got 32 votes against 22 taken by the NC candidate on the 4th seatnbspThe BJP had 28 votes of its own on the 4th seat and Omar Abdullah and other leaders now want to know which four MLAs voted for the BJP for this seatnbspThe NC was depending on the support of six Congress MLAs one CPIM MLA five Independents one of the Awami Ittehad Party AIP and one of the Aam Aadmi Party AAP on the 4th seatnbspSajad Lone chief of Peoples Conference PC and MLA from the Handwara constituency had chosen to stay away from the Rajya Sabha polls but after the results were out Sajad stirred the Hornets nest by saying that the NC had gifted seven MLAs to the BJP in a fixed match to ensure the victory of the BJP candidateOmar Abdullah took exception to Sajad Lones comment and said that after abstaining from voting Sajad should not talk like a professor teaching political lessons to othersnbspIn the 2024 Assembly polls NC won 42 BJP 29 Congress 6 PDP 3 CPIM 1 AIP 1 PC 1 AAP 1 and 6 Independents also won One of the Independents later joined the NC while the Congress chose to support the NC government from outside without joining itnbspIn the 90member Legislative Assembly to form the government a simple majority of 46 is needed to form the government Two seats of Nagrota and Budgam are presently vacant as these two Assembly constituencies go to bypolls on November 11On its own NC has 42 seats including the one independent who joined the NC later this time and it has the support of one CPIM MLA and six Congress MLAsnbspAAP MLA Mehraj Malik presently in detention initially supported the NC government but later withdrew his supportnbspA political debate of sorts is doing the rounds in JampampK now whether the latest statement by Omar Abdullah threatening to resign if statehood is not restored in the near future owes itself to NCs statehood restoration commitment or the fear that the future could upset the numbers equations in the JampampK assembly One would not have to wait long for the rabbit to come out of the bag either way https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-omar-abdullahs-statement-to-step-down-on-statehood-demand-stirs-speculation-in-jk-645047.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/life-of-sant-namdev-ji-reflects-love-devotion-equality-says-haryana-cm-645049.html Chandigarh Oct 26 IANS The life of Sant Namdevji Maharaj reflects love devotion and equality as he worked to unite society by eliminating discrimination untouchability and inequality said Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on SundaynbspPresiding over the statelevel event dedicated to Sant Namdevji Maharaj in Hisar under the SantMahapurush Vichar Samman and Prasar Yojana an initiative of the government aimed at spreading the teachings of saints and great personalities CM Saini announced that in response to peoples requests a government institution would be named after Sant Namdev MaharajCM Saini declared a grant of Rs 51 lakh for the upkeep of various dharamshalas managed by the community and for installing solar panelsnbspHe said the land would be allotted as per norms if the community applies for plots in Bhiwani Panipat and NarnaulnbspIn addition the Chief Minister said other demands would be forwarded to the departments concerned for implementationnbspThe Chief Minister said that Sant Namdevji saw divinity in every individual and worked tirelessly to eradicate social evils such as casteism untouchability and inequalityHe said the true religion connects humanity and teaches compassion for others He added Sant Namdevjis message of hard work devotion and honesty is deeply rooted in Haryanas social fabricnbspThe states working class farmers artisans tailors blacksmiths and all hardworking people embody his spirit through their dedication and worknbspThe Chief Minister said the government guided by its commitment to harmony goodwill equitable growth unity and tolerance has introduced reforms that have made life simpler easier and safer for the common citizenPeople no longer need to visit multiple offices to access government services In todays Haryana the hopes and aspirations of ordinary citizens are being fulfilled and their dreams are turning into reality Inspired by the teachings of saints and great personalities the state government remains dedicated to the welfare and upliftment of every section of society he saidnbspIts foremost objective is to improve the living standards of the poorest ensuring that the benefits of development reach the last person added the Chief Minister https://dailyworld.in/national/life-of-sant-namdev-ji-reflects-love-devotion-equality-says-haryana-cm-645049.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/waqf-act-will-be-thrown-into-dustbin-if-india-bloc-voted-to-power-in-bihar-tejashwi-645050.html KatiharKishanganjAraria Oct 26 If the INDIA bloc is voted to power in Bihar the Waqf Amendment Act would be thrown into the dustbin the opposition coalitions CM candidate Tejashwi Yadav said on SundaynbspAddressing backtoback public rallies in the Muslimdominated Katihar Kishanganj and Araria districts Yadav said his father Lalu Prasad the RJD chief never compromised with communal forces in the countrynbspBut Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has always supported such forces and it is because of him that the RSS and its affiliates are spreading communal hatred in the state as well as in the country The BJP should be called Bharat Jalao Party If the INDIA bloc comes to power in the state we will throw the Waqf Act into the dustbin he saidThe Waqf Amendment Act was passed by Parliament in April The ruling BJPled NDA has hailed the law as a step towards transparency and empowerment for backward Muslims and women in the community while the opposition has criticised it alleging that it infringes upon the rights of MuslimsnbspOn Saturday RJD MLC Mohammad Qari Sohaib stirred a controversy by stating that if Yadav becomes the CM of Bihar all bills will be torn apart including the Waqf bill inviting a barrage of attacks from their opposition who questioned how a central law could be changed by the chief minister of a stateWithout naming Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor Yadav alleged Some people are trying to divide votes by fielding candidates forcefully but people should not pay attention to such candidates He claimed that this election is a fight to protect the Constitution democracy and brotherhoodnbspPeople of the state are tired of the 20yearold Nitish Kumar government Nitish Kumar has become like stagnant water which has stopped flowing Its stinking now Therefore in that case this NDA government should be thrown out he claimednbspThe CM is not in his senses Corruption is rampant in each and every department of the government The law and order situation has completely collapsed in the state he allegedYadav claimed that the NDA government has done nothing for the development of the Seemanchal region comprising Purnia Araria Kishnaganj and Katihar districtsnbspIf we come to power we will set up the Seemanchal Development Authority for the overall development of the region A worldclass university will be built here besides a superspeciality hospital and a centre of the Aligarh Muslim University he saidnbspYadav alleged that even after Kumar as CM for 20 years and Narendra Modi as PM for 11 years Bihar has remained the most backward and poor state in the countrySeemachal is the poorest region of the state This is the time to teach them a lesson he addednbspThe RJD leader alleged that the NDA government was copying the election promises he was makingnbspWe promised an increase in the oldage pension The Nitish Kumar government increased it from Rs 400 per month to Rs 1100 per month I promise we will increase it to Rs 2000 per month he saidnbspYadav also hit back at Union Home Minister Amit ShahnbspA few days ago when Amit Shah came to Bihar he was threatening us that he wouldnt leave us in a condition to contest elections I will fight and I will win We are Biharis true Biharis we do not fear outsiders Ek Bihari sab pe bhari one Bihari is stronger than everyone else he said https://dailyworld.in/national/waqf-act-will-be-thrown-into-dustbin-if-india-bloc-voted-to-power-in-bihar-tejashwi-645050.html Sun, 26 Oct 2025 17:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/raua-sab-par-chhathi-maiya-ke-kripa-banal-rahe-up-cm-yogi-wishes-mothers-sisters-observing-chhath-puja-644866.html New Delhi Oct 25 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday shared a video message on the occasion of Chhath Puja extending greetings to all devotees He said Raua Sab Par Chhathi Maiya Ke Kripa Banal Rahe May Chhathi Maiyas blessings be upon you all Taking to his official social media handle X CM Yogi said I extend my heartfelt greetings to everyone on Chhath Puja Raua Sab Par Chhathi Maiya Ke Kripa Banal Rahe My special wishes to all mothers and sisters who observe this difficult fast for the wellbeing of their familiesDescribing the significance of the festival he added Chhath Puja is the confluence of faith and discipline Through Surya Upasana worship of the Sun God it conveys a message of light energy and balance This is not merely a festival it is the soul of our culture May all devotees observing the fast be blessed with success health wealth and happiness Let this sacred tradition continue for generations to comeEarlier in the day Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his heartfelt greetings to devotees across the country on the occasion of Nahay Khaay marking the beginning of the fourdaylong Chhath pujaTaking to social media platform X Prime Minister Modi said The fourdaylong Chhath festival begins today with the sacred rituals of bathing and eating My heartfelt greetings to devotees across the country including Bihar My salutations and respect to all those observing the fastThis grand festival of our culture symbolizes simplicity and restraint its purity and adherence to discipline are incomparable The scenes witnessed at the Chhath Ghats on this sacred occasion offer a wonderful inspiration for family and social harmony The ancient tradition of Chhath has had a profound impact on our society PM Modi addedHe further wished that Chhathi Maiya bestows her bountiful blessings on everyoneToday Chhath is celebrated as a major cultural festival in every corner of the world Indian families living around the world participate wholeheartedly in its traditions I wish that Chhathi Maiya bestows her bountiful blessings on everyone he saidPM Modi further said that Chhath Mahaparva is a unique confluence of faith worship and love for natureChhath Mahaparva is a unique confluence of faith worship and love for nature While offerings are made to the setting and rising Sun the offerings also incorporate the diverse colours of nature The songs and melodies of Chhath Puja are also imbued with a unique sense of devotion and love for nature PM Modi saidHe further remembered that Bihars Nightingale late Sharda Sinha had a close relationship with BegusaraiI was fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Begusarai just yesterday Bihars Nightingale Sharda Sinha had a close relationship with Begusarai Sharda Sinha and many other folk artists from Bihar have added a unique touch to the Chhath festival through their songs PM Modi addedPM Modi further shared a song of Sharda Sinha who had died during the Chhath festival last yearToday on this great festival I am sharing with you all such songs of Chhathi Maiya listening to which everyone will be mesmerised he addedOn the first day devotees known as Vratis people who are fasting take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple sattvic having qualities of purity harmony and balance meal of arwa chawal plain rice and lauki ki sabzi bottle gourd curry after offering prayers Other traditional foods like chana dal amla chutney and papad are prepared and later served as prasad ritual food offeringMass gatherings are expected across various bathing ghats across the country where thousands of devotees will participate in the rituals with unwavering faithWith roots tracing back to the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is regarded as one of the oldest forms of Sun worship Devotees observe strict fasting abstaining from food and water for extended periods to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is believed to dispel negativity and usher in peace and positivityChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the world IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/raua-sab-par-chhathi-maiya-ke-kripa-banal-rahe-up-cm-yogi-wishes-mothers-sisters-observing-chhath-puja-644866.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rave-party-serving-liquor-in-dry-state-gujarat-raided-15-detained-644874.html Ahmedabad Oct 25 Police raided a rave party in Gujarats Ahmedabad leading to the detention of 15 people who were consuming alcohol in the dry state The Bopal Police acted after receiving a tipoff about the party at Zephyr Farmhouse near Shilaj where both liquor and drugs were reportedly being usedUpon reaching the venue police found 15 individuals including 13 foreign nationals from Nigeria Mozambique Kenya and other African countries alongside two Indians intoxicatedInvestigations revealed that the organisers had printed special passes for the party advertising unlimited alcohol showing the scale and planning behind the eventAll 15 attendees have been detained a case has been registered and further inquiries are underway to identify the main organisers the farmhouse owner and the source of the liquor in a state where alcohol is bannedGujarat has maintained a strict prohibition on alcohol since 1960 under the Gujarat Prohibition Act 1949 which bans the sale consumption and manufacture of liquor across the stateThe law applies to all forms of alcoholic beverages including Indianmade foreign liquor IMFL countrymade liquor and spirits Exceptions exist only for medicinal industrial and export purposes subject to government permission Violations of the Act carry severe penalties including imprisonment fines and seizure of property involved in the illegal tradeDespite Gujarats strict prohibition laws the illegal liquor trade remains a significant issueIn 2024 authorities seized approximately 82 lakh bottles of liquor valued at Rs 144 crore across the state Ahmedabad alone accounted for over 438 lakh bottles with 2139 cases involving IMFL and 7796 cases related to countrymade liquor Notably the State Monitoring Cell SMC registered 455 cases confiscating liquor worth Rs 225 crore and total items valued at nearly Rs 52 croreIn a significant operation the SMC seized over 8500 bottles of foreignmade liquor worth Rs 119 crore in Chotila taluka SurendranagarAdditionally in a midsea raid off Una Rajkot authorities intercepted a boat carrying liquor worth Rs 25 lakhThese seizures reflect ongoing efforts to combat the illegal liquor trade which often involves smuggling from neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rave-party-serving-liquor-in-dry-state-gujarat-raided-15-detained-644874.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-harmonises-customs-exemption-framework-to-boost-ease-of-doing-biz-effective-from-nov-1-644876.html New Delhi Oct 25 The government has issued a new notification towards bringing a major reform in the customs exemption framework towards ease of doing business The new notification by Ministry of Finance Department of Revenue rationalises and harmonises existing customs duty exemptions across various sectors The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs CBIC has consolidated 31 separate Customs Duty notifications into a single comprehensive document The sectors covered include renewable energy metals fertilisers agriculture pharmaceuticals electronic components etcEffective from November 1 2025 the notification consolidates a wide range of legacy notifications into a single unified structure while providing conditional exemptions on customs duties Integrated GST and compensation cess where applicableThe Notification No 442025Customs dated 24th October 2025 amends several existing Customs notifications in the public interest The new consolidated notification effectively merges all relevant exemptions and procedural details into a single framework thus eliminating redundancy while preserving the substance of existing benefitsThe amendments affect key notifications governing customs exemptions and procedural frameworks including Notification Nos 112018Customs 82020Customs 112021Customs and 522017Customs The current changes bolster the governments effort to harmonise customs provisions with ongoing budgetary and policy adjustments under the Integrated and Goods and Services Tax framework Earlier this month the CBIC introduced systembased autoapproval for IFSC code registration to enhance the ease of doing businessThe system will automatically approve requests for registration of the same incentive bank account and IFSC code for a particular Importer Exporter Code IEC at multiple Customs locations provided the same combination has already been approved at any one location The move comes as part of the CBICs initiatives to leverage technology to simplify procedures reduce transaction costs and enhance the ease of doing business for Indias trade community the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-harmonises-customs-exemption-framework-to-boost-ease-of-doing-biz-effective-from-nov-1-644876.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/accused-should-be-shot-in-front-of-hospital-rg-kar-victims-father-on-mumbai-doctor-suicide-644880.html Kolkata Oct 25 The father of an RG Kar victim on Saturday reacted to the Satara doctors suicide in Maharashtra saying the accused should be shot in front of the hospital so that such incidents do not recur Speaking to IANS he said What the accused have done is wrong and there should be strict action against them Wherever the incident happened outside that hospital the accused should be shotHe added A clear message must be sent that such acts will not be tolerated and should not be repeated in the future There should be an encounter in this caseHe also criticised the Womens Commission which filed a suo motu case saying They do nothing they only come and file cases They visited our case as well but nothing happenedMeanwhile police in Maharashtras Satara district arrested one accused on Saturday in connection with the death of the female doctor who allegedly committed suicide after being repeatedly raped by a police officer and being pressurised by an MP to falsify medical reports of the accused in casesAccording to officials the arrested person has been identified as Prashant Bankar the son of the doctors landlord whose name was mentioned in her fourpage suicide noteThe deceased doctor a native of Beed district was posted as a medical officer at a government hospital in Phaltan Satara On Thursday night she was found hanging in a hotel room under mysterious circumstances Shockingly she had written a suicide note on her palm naming SubInspector Gopal Badane and Prashant Bankar accusing the police officer of rape and Prashant of mental harassmentAfter Prashants arrest police said he will be produced before the court and his custody will be sought for further investigation Meanwhile SubInspector Badane has been suspended and a detailed enquiry is underway Both accused have been booked at the Phaltan Police Station Satara SP Tushar Doshi confirmed that the rape allegations and Prashants role are being thoroughly investigatedThe female doctor who allegedly committed suicide left behind a detailed fourpage suicide note apart from the inked note on the palm of her hand stating that a police officer raped her four times and exerted pressure on her to issue fake fitness certificates for accused persons in police cases It has now emerged in her note that she was allegedly under pressure not only from police officials but also from a Member of Parliament MP and his personal assistantsShe had complained 21 times to various authorities but no action was taken against her tormentorsRecounting a particular instance in her note the doctor said she had refused to issue a certificate and two personal assistants of an MP had come to the hospital and made her speak to him over the phone She stated in her note that during that conversation the MP had threatened her indirectlyHer cousin also made similar allegations about the doctor being made to falsify medical certificates IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/accused-should-be-shot-in-front-of-hospital-rg-kar-victims-father-on-mumbai-doctor-suicide-644880.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sikkim-up-biodiversity-panels-get-rs-183-lakh-under-benefit-sharing-mechanism-644881.html New Delhi Oct 25 Recognising and rewarding local communities for acting as custodians of biological heritage the National Biodiversity Authority NBA has released Rs 183 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees in UP and Sikkim an official said on Saturday The funds represent the access and benefitsharing mechanism under the framework of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 said the Environment Ministry official in a statementThese funds will be utilised for activities outlined under Section 44 of the Act and the relevant State Biodiversity Rules the statement saidBy transferring these funds the NBA is empowering these local custodians to lead a role in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of their resources Also the fund transfer is aimed at promoting fair and equitable benefitsharing said the statementThe funds were seamlessly transferred through the respective State Biodiversity Boards directly to two BMCs namely Narrau village Biodiversity Management Committee located in Akrabad Kaul Taluk Aligarh District Uttar Pradesh and Biodiversity Management Committee in the Lampokhari Lake Area Aritar SikkimA company accessed crop materials within the Narrau village for producing fermentable compounds from lignocellulosic biomass Another company accessed microorganisms from water and soil samples collected in the Lampokhari Lake area for research purpose said the statementEarlier the NBA released Rs 136 crore sharing the benefits of commercial use of biodiversity to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar PradeshThis financial support was routed through the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees BMCs Sakharwadi village Phaltan Taluk Satara District Maharashtra Kunjirwadi village Haveli Taluk Pune Maharashtra and the Kasganj area Etah District Uttar Pradesh according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeEach BMC will receive Rs 4550 lakh This initiative underscores the governments unwavering commitment to the principles of equity sustainability and conservationThe released funds represent a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing ABS payment following the commercial use of microorganisms sourced from soil and industrial effluent samples for producing fructooligosaccharide products IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sikkim-up-biodiversity-panels-get-rs-183-lakh-under-benefit-sharing-mechanism-644881.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/e-bill-module-law-ministry-eyes-digitisation-of-advocate-fee-disbursal-644882.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Department of Legal Affairs Law and Justice Ministry has launched an initiative to enable the digitisation of the entire process of advocate fee disbursal and forms a statement said on Saturday Earlier payment of fees to advocates involved physical processing manual verification and submission of hard copies to the Pay and Accounts Office often resulting in delays and paperintensive workflows The enhanced eBill module now enables endtoend electronic processing of fee disbursals to Law Officers and Panel Advocates said the Law and Justice MinistryThe enhanced eBill module now enables endtoend electronic processing of fee disbursals to Law Officers and Panel Advocates eliminating manual paperwork and delays that previously characterised the system it saidThe Ministry of Law and Justice said it has achieved a major milestone in procedural simplification by integrating the Legal Information Management and Briefing System LIMBS with the Public Financial Management System PFMSThis reform is enabling digitisation of the entire process of advocate fee disbursal and forms an important component of the Governments broader initiatives of Ease of Doing Business and Digital India it saidWith further enhancements in the eBill module bills generated by Law Officers and Panel Advocates on the LIMBS platform are now also seamlessly transmitted to PFMS for digital verification sanction and payment it saidThe integration has made the entire process paperless reducing processing time enabling realtime bill tracking and eliminating human errorEach claim generates a Claim Reference Number CRN enabling administrative units to track progress in real time Once verified and digitally signed by the Drawing and Disbursing Officer DDO payments are released directly to the beneficiarys bank account through PFMS without any physical file movement said the statementThe Central Agency Section CAS of the Department of Legal Affairs implemented the eBill module for panel advocate payments through LIMBS in February 2025 and the Department is now preparing to extend the system to other litigation units including the Delhi High Court it saidA proposal for creating a Retainer Fee Module within LIMBS to cover Law Officers periodic payments is also being considered for implementation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/e-bill-module-law-ministry-eyes-digitisation-of-advocate-fee-disbursal-644882.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/such-arrangements-for-the-first-time-passengers-on-special-trains-on-chhath-puja--644884.html New Delhi Oct 25 Delhis Anand Vihar railway station witnessed a massive crowd of passengers on Saturday ahead of the Chhath festival Excitement filled the air as people prepared to travel to their hometowns in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh to celebrate and worship Chhath Puja with their families The fourday Chhath festival began on October 25 with NahayKhaay marking the start of the festivitiesPassengers at Anand Vihar railway station expressed satisfaction with the arrangements made by Indian Railways Separate ticket counters were set up making it easier for passengers to purchase tickets while security was tightened RPF personnel were seen assisting passengers and guiding them about ticketing and boarding detailsSpeaking to IANS passenger Mohan Rai said Everything is very comfortable We are getting great facilities here I want to thank the police and railway authorities for this arrangementAnother passenger Rajan added I am going to Bihar The facilities are excellent I have never seen such an arrangement beforeTo manage the surge in passenger traffic the Indian Railways has made elaborate preparations Special trains additional coaches and several passengerfriendly measures were introduced on major routes and at key stations A roundtrip Chhath Puja Special train has also been scheduled between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat NizamuddinThis special train will comprise 22 LHB coaches including two Second AC three Third AC six Economy Third AC five Sleeper four General Class one SLRD and one generator carAccording to the Railways Ministry around 6181 special trains have been planned for October 28 to facilitate passengers returning to their workplaces after the festive season In total over 12000 special trains are being operated across the country with more than 900 additional trips scheduled in the next three days to manage the festival rushChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily celebrated in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also observed in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities worldwide Dedicated to the worship of the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival signifies purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones family IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/such-arrangements-for-the-first-time-passengers-on-special-trains-on-chhath-puja--644884.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-sonu-nigam-arrives-in-srinagar-to-enthral-fans-644885.html Srinagar Oct 25 Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam arrived here on Saturday for October 26 musical concert on the banks of the Dal Lake in JampKs Srinagar city The concert being held at the ShereKashmir International Convention Centre SKICC by the banks of the Dal Lake tomorrow will be a tribute to the legendary singer late Mohammad RafiThis is going to be the first major musical event in Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 by Pakistanbacked LashkareTaiba LeT terroristsOrganised by NDTV Good Times the musical bonanza will feature Sonu Nigams voice blending modern energy with the timeless melodies of Mohammad RafiThe concert will be open to all ages with tickets available on the official website of wwwdistrictineventssonunigamlivetributetomohammedrafi2025buyticketsThose desirous of attending the concert can also visit the SKICC venue for tickets and more detailsIt is more special because we have not seen the celebration of 100 years of the late Mohammed Rafi Sahab at Dal Lake Can you imagineThe whole World knows my connection with my peer my guru and my inspiration but celebrating his legacy at Dal Lake in Kashmir celebrating the zest of Kashmir will be really wonderful and special Looking forward to seeing you all there Sonu Nigam has saidThe concert is slated to last approximately 5 hours and 30 minutesSrinagarbased Qazi Touqueer who won the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005 will be the opening act at the Sonu Nigam Live On Dal Lake concertLimited free parking will be available at the venue and visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid congestionThere is no dress code and the venue is wheelchair accessible ensuring an inclusive and comfortable experience for all attendeesA variety of food beverages and drinks will be available for purchase at the venue Reentry will not be permitted once you exit so guests should plan their movements accordingly IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-sonu-nigam-arrives-in-srinagar-to-enthral-fans-644885.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/name-the-site-for-industries-well-acquire-land-dks-to-union-minister-kumaraswamy-644886.html Bengaluru Oct 25 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy should tell the state government the sites where industries are to be set up adding that the land acquisition process will begin accordingly Let Kumaraswamy tell us where he plans to bring industries Wherever he names well begin the land acquisition process there said Shivakumar Speaking to the media on Saturday at Bharat Nagar Gandhi Park in Herohalli Yeshwanthpur constituency the state Congress president responded to various questions from reportersWhen asked about JDS allegation of corruption in converting A Khata and B Khata property documents he said I have been inviting everyone for an open discussion What corruption is taking place in A KhataB Khata conversions Our goal is to regularise property records for Bengaluru citizens so they can access bank loans and other facilities pay taxes properly and receive better civic amenitiesThis initiative is our sixth guarantee No other city in India has implemented such a project in fact the central government has awarded us for it Thousands have already applied Why didnt they previous governments digitize property records during their tenure Why didnt they implement EKhata They had no such visionHe further said Union Minister Kumaraswamy keeps saying hell bring industries fine let him bring them Whether its in Ramanagara Bidadi or Mandya let him list the locations If he submits applications for the required land well proceed But just empty talk wont convince anyoneOn the reported clash between Congress MLA Pradeep Eshwar and former MP Pratap Simha Shivakumar said I will not intervene in that issue If its about development Ill talk otherwise I wontAsked if MLA ST Somashekar is joining Congress he said Leave that aside Hes doing his duty as an MLA thats enoughSpeaking about his Bengaluru Walk programme he said This area was developed about 25 years ago Now congestion has increased and most residents are middleclass There are several basic infrastructure issues here Hundreds of people came and shared their problems Ill return on another day to spend more time with them he saidHundreds of people from the area have come and poured out their woes and I will come here another time he statedThese areas were established 15 to 20 years ago These areas have more pressure as mostly middleclass people are residing here New people have settled here and Kempegowda Layout is close by The area is facing issues regarding infrastructure and I have kept everything in mind Shivakumar stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/name-the-site-for-industries-well-acquire-land-dks-to-union-minister-kumaraswamy-644886.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/final-phase-of-rte-admissions-in-tamil-nadu-to-begin-on-oct-30-644887.html Chennai Oct 25 The School Education Department has announced that the final phase of admissions under the Right to Education RTE Act will commence across Tamil Nadu on October 30 marking a crucial step in ensuring equitable access to education for all children School Education Department Secretary B Chandra Mohan said that 7717 schools have registered under the RTE quota this year receiving 81927 applications for LKG and 89 applications for Class 1 for the academic year 202526The enrolment is being conducted under the 25 per cent reservation mandated by the RTE Act which guarantees free and compulsory education to children from economically weaker sectionsAccording to the schedule eligible students will be admitted on October 30 in schools where the number of applicants does not exceed the available seatsIn cases where the number of applications surpasses the seats a draw of lots will be conducted on October 31 following which the selected students will be enrolledOnce the process concludes all admitted children will be officially tagged under the RTE quota in the Education Management Information System EMIS portal ensuring transparency and monitoring throughout the academic yearChandra Mohan reiterated that schools are strictly prohibited from collecting any form of tuition or admission fees from students admitted under the RTE categoryIf any fees have already been collected they must be refunded within seven working days he emphasisedTo ensure smooth implementation districtlevel monitoring committees have been directed to oversee the process and a State helpline has been set up to assist parents and address grievancesThe state government remains fully committed to upholding every childs constitutional right to free and compulsory education Chandra Mohan saidThe RTE 25 per cent admission process will continue to be conducted in a transparent equitable and childcentred manner across Tamil NaduOfficials added that this years RTE admissions have seen an encouraging response from parents across the state reflecting growing awareness of the schemes benefits and the governments sustained efforts to make quality education accessible to all IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/final-phase-of-rte-admissions-in-tamil-nadu-to-begin-on-oct-30-644887.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/seshasayee-paper-q2-net-profit-falls-21-pc-to-rs-224-crore-644889.html Mumbai Oct 25 Seshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd reported a 213 per cent yearonyear YoY decline in consolidated net profit for the second quarter of FY26 as per a regulatory filing on Saturday The companys net profit stood at Rs 224 crore down from Rs 285 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous yearMeanwhile Revenue from operations also fell 131 per cent to Rs 3463 crore compared to Rs 3985 crore in the same period last yearEarnings before interest tax depreciation and amortisation EBITDA came in at Rs 263 crore a 144 per cent decrease from Rs 307 crore a year earlierThe EBITDA margin for the quarter stood at 76 per cent marginally lower than 77 per cent in the yearago quarterDuring the quarter the company invested Rs 26 crore in a special purpose vehicle SPV to acquire a 261 per cent equity stake in line with the terms of its investment agreementSeshasayee Paper and Boards Ltd is a leading manufacturer of writing and printing paperMeanwhile Seshasayee Paper and Boards shares closed slightly higher on Friday ahead of the Q2 result announcement The scrip ended the session at Rs 2560 up 020 per cent In the last five days the stock jumped nearly 15 per cent however in the last 30 days it remained flat This year till date the stock has plunged over 18 per cent and in a year the shares of the company fell 14 per centSeshasayee Paper and Boards Limited SPB the flagship company of the SPBESVIN Group owns and operates an integrated pulp paper and paperboard mill at Pallipalayam in Erode Tamil Nadu and another paper mill in Tirunelveli District Tamil NaduIncorporated in June 1960 SPB was promoted in association with its foreign collaborator Ms Parsons and Whittemore USA IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/seshasayee-paper-q2-net-profit-falls-21-pc-to-rs-224-crore-644889.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/as-trump-embarks-on-asia-tour-world-awaits-outcome-from-xi-talks-and-if-he-indeed-will-meet-kim-again-644890.html New Delhi Oct 25 United States President Donald Trumps current visit to three Asian destinations will be followed by the global community with a mixed bag of expectations The fiveday trip begins with Malaysia where the President is expected to land on Sunday morning for the AESAN Summit followed by visits to Japan and South Korea But the highlight of his visit may be marked with a facetoface meeting with President Xi Jinping of China amidst the ongoing trade tariff tensions And during that last leg of his trip though not part of the official schedule if he does meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he did in his earlier term that will hog international headlines over the restThe earlier encounters which included three summit meetings between 2018 and 2019 plus highprofile public gestures had turned into muchtalked international events The most vivid example remains their impromptu June 30 2019 meeting at the Demilitarised Zone DMZ in Panmunjom After what seemed a brief moment of hesitation where Trump asked if he could step across the demarcating line the US President did cross a few steps onto North Korean soil That made Trump the first sitting US President to set foot on North Korean territoryThe world watched Trump joked and bantered with Kim while media coverage emphasised the optics The handshake and the gesture of walking across the border was taken as evidence of a personal rapport that could break longstanding diplomatic logjamsMeanwhile according to South Koreas unification minister Chung Dongyoung Trump and Kim should make a bold decision to meet facetoface again said reports The US President himself told reporters onboard Air Force One as he departed for the visit that he was open to it meeting the North Korean leader adding that he had a great relationship with KimMedia reports late last month quoted the North Korean leader saying that he has good personal memories of Trump from their meetings and there is no reason to not resume dialogues But he did have a rider that the US needs to abandon its delusional obsession with denuclearisationAgain in South Korea Trumps meeting with Xi Jinping is scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the APEC meetings Their current dynamic is shaped by the tariff threats from Washington and Beijings retaliatory moves on export controls for critical inputs such as rareearth elementsBoth sides have reasons to deescalate economic slowdown risks domestic political calendars and the global costs of supplychain disruption yet both also see leverage in holding firm making outcomes fragile and incremental Their meeting can produce useful shortterm relief for markets and tactical concessions on highpriority items but durable peace in the economic sphere will require followthrough through enforceable agreements technical working groups and domestic political buyin on both sidesWhile the last leg of his tour at the end of this month may witness the highprofile encounters Trump may likely also showcase new trade deals push for credit for negotiating peace between Thailand and Cambodia and show that Washington still has sway in Southeast Asia a region where Beijing has growing clout He hopes to sign a trade agreement with Malaysia and witness a peace agreement between Thailand and Cambodia that he has personally taken credit for brokeringIn Japan Trump will hold formal bilateral talks economic and security discussions and meet business delegations to press trade and investment objectives IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/as-trump-embarks-on-asia-tour-world-awaits-outcome-from-xi-talks-and-if-he-indeed-will-meet-kim-again-644890.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-rifles-recover-huge-arms-ammunition-in-mizoram-644891.html Aizawl Oct 25 The Assam Rifles have recovered a huge cache of arms ammunition in Mizoram officials said here on Saturday A defence spokesman said that based on specific intelligence inputs Assam Rifles launched a deliberate and wellcoordinated search operation on Friday at Saikhumpai areas in bordering Champhai District a hotspot of smuggling of various drugs and arms The operation was conducted with complete surprise and involved a sustained search through dense forested terrain During the search troops unearthed a concealed cache containing six 60mm Mortar Tubes with Base plates two 762mm Myanmarmade Assault Rifles three shotguns two point 22 Rifles and one Hand Grenade During the intensive search the troops also recovered 45 live rounds of 762mm 15 rounds of 60mm Mortar two AntiPersonnel Mines and two radio sets with antennas along with a charger Following the recovery the team carried out extensive area domination to verify any presence of underground cadres in the vicinity However no signs of underground movement were detected The recovered weapons ammunition were secured at the site and later handed over to the Mizoram Police for further investigation and legal proceedings Assam Rifles remains steadfast in its commitment to eliminating illegal arms networks and ensuring continued peace and security in Mizorams border areas an official statement said The paramilitary force guards the 1643kmlong IndiaMyanmar border along four Northeastern states Mizoram Arunachal Pradesh Manipur and Nagaland These unfenced frontiers serve as key illegal transit points for drugs particularly heroin and methamphetamine tablets as well as various arms entering India The Mizoram districts that border Myanmar are Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and Serchhip These six districts share a combined border of 510 km with Myanmars Chin state which is a hub for smuggling of varied drugs arms and ammunition exotic wildlife animals and many other contraband through the Northeastern states IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/assam-rifles-recover-huge-arms-ammunition-in-mizoram-644891.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-painful-mpca-condemns-molestation-of-australian-women-cricketers--644892.html Indore Oct 25 Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association MPCA on Saturday expressed profound dismay over the alleged molestation involving two Australian women cricketers in Indore No woman should have to endure such inappropriate behaviour We extend our deepest condolences to the affected players This incident is deeply painful not only for the players but for the entire sports community as well as for our state and city Mahanaaryaman Scindia President of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association MPCA posted on his XA shocking incident of alleged molestation involving two Australian women cricketers has sent ripples through the cricketing world and local community prompting swift arrests and strong condemnations from officials Scindia said that Madhya Pradesh especially Indore has always been renowned for the respect and safety of its guests The players staying at the premium Hotel for the Womens World Cup Cricket were reportedly harassed while walking to a nearby cafe casting a shadow over Madhya Pradeshs reputation for hospitality Scindia further lamented the damage to the citys image The inappropriate behaviour of one individual has tarnished this prestigious image leaving us all deeply saddened We commend the swift and firm action of the local administration and police who promptly identified and arrested the accused The MPCA stands in complete solidarity with the affected players and the Australian team during this difficult time and is committed to providing all possible cooperation to the investigating agencies According to police officials the incident occurred on Thursday when the two cricketers were approached by two young men on a motorcycle The suspects allegedly began harassing them verbally and physically before fleeing the scene Distressed the players immediately sent an SOS call to the hotel and team security Danny Simmons who alerted local authorities Police responded promptly identifying and arresting one of the accused 28yearold Aqueel Khan on Friday Investigations are going on to apprehend the second suspect Madhya Pradesh Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya echoed the sentiment stating If this has happened it is shameful Strict action will be taken against those involved as this concerns the honour of our country He assured that the government would ensure justice and prevent such occurrences in the future The Australian team management has acknowledged the incident but declined further comment focusing on player welfare Cricket Australia is reportedly in touch with local organisers to bolster security measures for the remainder of the tournament This episode has sparked broader discussions on womens safety in public spaces particularly during highprofile international events Local residents and cricket enthusiasts in Indore have voiced support for the victims with many praising the rapid police response The MPCA has pledged enhanced protocols to safeguard all participants The arrested suspect faces charges under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code with a court appearance scheduled soon IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-painful-mpca-condemns-molestation-of-australian-women-cricketers--644892.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-bjp-seeks-probe-into-illegal-clearance-for-rs-2-000-crore-project-inside-pallikaranai-ramsar-site-644894.html Chennai Oct 25 Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad has written to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav urging an immediate investigation and revocation of environmental clearances and building permissions granted for a Rs 2000crore housing project at Perumbakkam in Chennai In his detailed representation Prasad alleged that the 147acre project consisting of 1250 residential units lies within the boundaries of the Pallikaranai Marshland a Ramsarnotified wetland and ecologically sensitive zoneThe marshland spread over 3081 acres was officially declared a Ramsar site in April 2022 under the Wetlands Conservation and Management Rules 2017He said any form of permanent construction or alteration of the wetlands natural character is strictly prohibited under these rulesAccording to Prasad rights body Arappor Iyakkam had already submitted a 213page complaint on October 23 to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Chief Secretary and the Directorate of Vigilance and AntiCorruption DVAC alleging collusion between the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority SEIAA Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority CMDA Forest Department and Water Resources Department in granting approvals for the projectCiting key irregularities Prasad said the project proponents falsely claimed the site was located 12 km away from the marshland though it actually abuts survey number 5344 a documented marsh parcelDuring the SEACs 411th meeting in September 2023 the project was recorded as abutting the Ramsar site and was deferred for clarification on boundary coordinates and mitigation plansDespite this SEIAA granted environmental clearance File No 9462 on January 20 2025He also highlighted historical manipulation of land records dating back to 1911 through which portions of the original marshland survey number 430 were subdivided shrinking its extent from over 640 acres to barely six acres by 1993 thereby facilitating encroachmentsThese survey numbers are clearly within Ramsar boundaries as per Tamil Nadu State Wetland Authority maps and CMDA influence zones he addedPrasad further pointed out that the CMDA granted building permission on January 23 2025 just days after the environmental clearance in violation of its own Office Order 72025 issued in September which prohibits any approval within Ramsar sites or their onekilometre bufferHe noted that the project is also listed on the Tamil Nadu Real Estate Regulatory Authority TNRERA website without addressing these violationsThe Pallikaranai marsh is Chennais natural sponge and its destruction will intensify future flooding This case represents not only an environmental crime but also a deep administrative failure Prasad saidHe urged the Union Environment Ministry to order an immediate probe under Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act 1986 into the roles of SEIAA CMDA and other state departments and to coordinate with the DVAC for corruption investigationsHe also demanded that all site activities be halted the environmental clearance and building approvals revoked and the encroached wetland areas restoredThe truth will emerge if the Ministry obtains Arappor Iyakkams complaint SEIAA minutes and Ramsar maps The project violates both national and international environmental laws Prasad stated calling for strong action against the officials and the developer involved IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-bjp-seeks-probe-into-illegal-clearance-for-rs-2-000-crore-project-inside-pallikaranai-ramsar-site-644894.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/greater-bengaluru-authority-will-continue-dks-responds-to-bjps-scrap-the-body-remark-644898.html Bengaluru Oct 25 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responding to the BJPs statement that it would scrap the Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA if it comes to power stated that its not in the fate of the party to come to power He was responding to media questions on Saturday at Bharat Nagar Gandhi Park in Herohalli Yeshwanthpur constituency in BengaluruShivakumar said If they come to power they can do whatever they want But its not written in their fate that they will come to power and scrap the GBA This authority will continue If they dont want GBA let them boycott the upcoming municipal elections Lets see if they withdraw from contesting Their workers are already preparing to contestAsked about Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Suryas opposition to the tunnel road Shivakumar said Anyone can oppose anything I wont bother He has gone to court His intention is that the government should not earn goodwill by doing good work Im not acquiring any land for this projectOnly a small portion of land is acquired for the tunnel project Ill review it and if theres an issue well make alternative arrangements Lalbagh will not be disturbed in any way Well only use a small portion temporarily during construction and return it afterwardWhen told that Tejasvi Surya called Lalbagh a heritage site Shivakumar responded The tunnel road will be dug underground not above ground We cant stop the project just because of what he says If thats the case why are they digging and building tunnel roads in Mumbai and DelhiI will not yield to his words Let those who want to protest do so Criticisms will die good work will remain Were working for the people What good work did they do for Bengaluru during their term Tejasvi Surya is an empty trunk Shivakumar slammedAsked whether the tunnel road is being built only for the benefit of the rich he replied Yes its for those who will pay tolls and use it If they dont want this project ask them to come up with a plan to solve Bengalurus traffic congestion As the citys MP has he ever brought even Rs 10 of special funding for the citys development from the Prime MinisterDuring their rule what steps did they take to reduce traffic congestion Why couldnt they even issue tenders for garbage collection Why didnt they widen roads or build flyovers They did nothing for Bengaluru he questionedOne can still see dangling cable wires all over the city why didnt they BJP remove them They joined hands with mafias and ruined Bengaluru Thats why people supported our party and elected 140 MLAs to power Well continue doing our work with commitment Bengaluru is a global city and well do whatever it takes to protect it Shivakumar said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/greater-bengaluru-authority-will-continue-dks-responds-to-bjps-scrap-the-body-remark-644898.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-procures-5218-lakh-tonnes-paddy-cm-saini-says-govt-to-purchase-every-grain-644900.html Chandigarh Oct 25 After procuring 5218 lakh metric tonnes of paddy Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday said the government is committed to purchasing every grain of crops Both the Central and state governments under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi are working in the interest of farmers At present procurement of paddy and bajra crops is underway in the state he saidHowever those attempting to defraud the government under the pretext of procurement will not be spared under any circumstances CM Saini saidThe Chief Minister was chairing a highlevel review meeting to ensure transparency and smooth operations in paddy and bajra procurementOfficers from all departments concerned attended the meeting with all Deputy Commissioners and Police Superintendents joining virtuallyThe meeting reviewed arrangements related to the procurement the condition of mandis farmers complaints and the eprocurement systemThe Chief Minister was categorically clear in saying the government would not compromise on the interests of farmersCM Saini instructed that in cases where irregularities were found in eprocurement portal entries employees and officers have been suspendedThe Chief Minister emphasised that the government is determined to protect farmers earnings and purchase every grain of their produceOfficials reported that paddy procurement started on October 22 and in most markets it is proceeding smoothly So far procurement from 266 lakh farmers has resulted in approximately 5218 lakh metric tonnes of paddy being purchasedAround Rs 1020498 crore has been transferred to farmers accounts Procurement of bajra includes 29110 metric tonnes by state agencies and 399 lakh metric tonnes by private tradersThe officials also reported some complaints regarding paddy coming from other states and irregularities in gate pass scanning to which the government has taken a strict stancePhysical verification is being conducted for rice mills in Ambala Yamunanagar Kurukshetra and Kaithal where paddy has been allocated for millingTo prevent illegal entry of paddy from other states all border districts have been instructed to implement strict police checkpointsThe Chief Minister instructed district administration officers to regularly visit mandis and interact with farmers Rice mills allocated paddy should be physically verified periodically IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryana-procures-5218-lakh-tonnes-paddy-cm-saini-says-govt-to-purchase-every-grain-644900.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cpi-wants-pm-shri-to-be-cancelled-govt-in-damage-control-mode-644906.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 25 The CPI continues to demand that the Kerala government cancel its agreement to implement the PMSHRI scheme even after a highlevel meeting between CPI General Secretary D Raja and CPIM General Secretary MA Baby at AKG Bhavan in Delhi took place on Saturday Our position is clear the PMSHRI pact should be cancelled Raja said adding that the matter was discussed in detail and that the CPI expects CPIM to reconsider its stanceBaby said the state leadership of both parties will sort out the matterBack in Kerala State Education Minister V Sivankutty personally met CPI State Secretary Binoy Viswam at the MN Memorial to discuss the issueState Food Minister and top CPI leader GR Anil was also presentAfter the meeting Sivankutty confirmed that certain matters related to PMSHRI were discussed but declined to reveal details stating I am not responding now all problems will be resolvedReports indicate the Minister informed the CPI that the governments decision was aimed at securing central funding Later LDF convener TP Ramakrishnan said the LDF would review both the signed agreement and the issues raised by the CPIHe added that the National Education Policy NEP implications of PMSHRI would also be examined and all parties views considered before a final decisionThe CPI has raised objections over consultation lapses and coalition protocol while the CPIM has defended the state governments decisionParty leaders assigned Sivankutty to engage in reconciliation talks ahead of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayans return from abroad tomorrowRamakrishnan expressed confidence that the discussions would help resolve the controversyThe ongoing debate highlights internal strains within the Left Front as the government balances Central directives with alliance sensitivities ahead of crucial educational reformsMeanwhile it has been reliably learned that even some of the CPIM Ministers were unaware of the Vijayan government going forward with the PMSHRI programme and a top State Education official was going to sign it and only after the news surfaced on Thursday that it was inked did many in the Vijayan cabinet know about it IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cpi-wants-pm-shri-to-be-cancelled-govt-in-damage-control-mode-644906.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/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/national/ktakas-khata-conversion-scheme-is-bogus-kumaraswamy-644932.html Bengaluru Oct 25 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy said on Saturday that the conversion of B Khata to A Khata is a complete bogus asserting that it is nothing but an extortion scheme designed to loot money by the Congressled government No one should pay money for Khata conversion In two years when the JDSBJP alliance government comes to power we will get it done for you people at minimal cost Do not fall for the bogus temptations of this government This is my open call to the people of Bengaluru he said He also attacked the Congress government regarding the programme as the sixth guarantee for converting B Khata to A KhataHe alleged that the Congress government is committing daylight robbery adding that the government is using people to extortion money Under no circumstances should you pay even a single rupee For no reason should you go ahead with Khata conversion in the next two years Do not be misled by their words It is our responsibility to protect you and safeguard your interests he said He claimed that after two years when their alliance government comes they will ensure Khata conversion most simply and easily without any financial burden on the people People are struggling to repay loans taken for property Do not once again borrow lakhs of rupees just to get A Khata done Do not fall into another debt trap Already people are crushed under price rise and tax burdens At such a time this government has brought in the socalled A Khata scheme claiming it as a Diwali gift and their sixth guarantee he said Kumaraswamy also claimed that this government has been flooding the public with advertisements about this bogus programme for the last 15 days This is nothing but fooling the people of the state Who said Khata conversion should not be done The question is why charge lakhs in the name of it he saidHe said that the people of Bengaluru have been facing this problem since 1995 adding that it also exists in rural areas In 1997 an order was passed Until 2003 the then Deve Gowda government divided 60 municipal wards into 90 and created new town municipalities and city councils as the Bengaluru outskirts had not developed much then In 1997 the rate was fixed at Rs 110 per sq metre Through Form 19 Khata was issued For a 30x40 site the rate came to Rs 12263 and for land conversion Rs 1500 was collected explained the MinisterIn 2007 when I was CM a central government programme was launched for urban development over five years I emphasised the development of Bengaluru and Mysuru BBMP was created with 198 wards by merging 110 villages A comprehensive development plan of Rs 25000 crore was drawn up for Bengaluru and MysuruAt that time we fixed clear rates for Khata conversion Rs 200 per sq metre for up to 60 sq m Rs 400 for 60120 sq m and Rs 600 for above 120 sq m Then some people went to court The court directed that Khata be given within 15 days From then itself the government and BBMP have collected money for Khata Why should they charge again now he saidThe Union Minister said that Bengaluru is a rapidly growing city Its development cannot be ignored adding that the unplanned and unsafe constructions are causing trouble for citizens In this order the government claims Khata conversion is needed because of such issues Are B Khata houses collapsing in the rain Is that why they are making A Khata Is this believable he saidHow long will you keep looting people in broad daylight Your bad time has begun Whenever we speak for the people you accuse us of jealousy There is nothing like B Khata or A Khata As if that wasnt enough now they are bringing in OC Occupancy Certificate and CC Completion Certificate They say 70 per cent of people will benefit from OC exemptions Kumaraswamy alleged IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktakas-khata-conversion-scheme-is-bogus-kumaraswamy-644932.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-cracks-robbery-case-in-seelampur-two-held-stolen-items-recovered-644933.html New Delhi Oct 25 In a swift breakthrough the Delhi Police team of Police Station Seelampur has successfully solved a robbery case reported earlier this month The police have arrested the robber along with the receiver of the stolen items and recovered both the robbed mobile phone and the scooter used in the commission of the crimeAccording to a statement from the police On the night intervening 13141025 a robbery incident was reported at PS Seelampur The complainant Ashraf 50 years So Mehar Ro JMC Welcome stated that after midnight while he was charging his mini tempo at a Charging Hub near Welcome Metro Station three persons on a scooty robbed him of his mobile phoneFollowing the complaint a case under Sections 309635 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS was registered at Police Station Seelampur and a detailed investigation was initiatedA dedicated team led by Inspector Pankaj Kumar SHOPS Seelampur developed vital leads in the case and managed to trace one of the suspects The accused was identified as Dinesh 23 years So Kallu Ro Kishan Colony Prahladpur Bangar Delhi During the search police recovered the robbed mobile phone from his possessionDuring interrogation Dinesh revealed that he had purchased the stolen phone from an acquaintance Acting on his disclosure police conducted a raid and apprehended Paras 29 years So Kanhaiya Lal Ro Jheel Khuranja Geeta Colony Delhi The team also recovered the scooty No DL5SDA1878 used in the robberyPolice said During sustained interrogation both accused admitted to their involvement in the robbery Verification revealed that the accused Paras has a previous criminal record and was earlier involved in three cases including theft and Arms Act violationsBoth accused have been taken into custody and further investigation is underway to identify and arrest the third accomplice who remains at largeThe prompt action of Seelampur Police under the supervision of senior officers demonstrates the departments continued efforts to ensure public safety and bring habitual offenders to justice Authorities stated that more arrests are likely as the probe progresses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-cracks-robbery-case-in-seelampur-two-held-stolen-items-recovered-644933.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/one-killed-three-injured-in-bengaluru-blast-union-minister-seeks-probe-644934.html Bengaluru Oct 25 One person was killed and three others from the same family were injured in an explosion in Bengaluru on Saturday The impact of the blast was so severe that the house sustained significant damage The explosion has been reported from Triveninagar in the KR Puram localityUnion Minister Shobha Karandlaje visited and inspected the spot She has also demanded a comprehensive probe into the incidentThe deceased has been identified as 80yearold Akkayyamma Besides 25yearold Kiran 52yearold Shekar and 22yearold Chandana are the injured persons Chandana has suffered more than 50 per cent burn injuriesEast Division Joint Commissioner of Police Ramesh Banoth also visited the spot and gathered information from the officialsHe said The incident occurred at around 730 am An elderly woman who was sleeping died after the roof slab collapsed on her Three others have sustained injuriesA woman living in the house behind was also injured Shekhars daughter too was hurt We obtained information from them They said the explosion occurred when the gas stove was turned on The young woman gave this statement However an investigation is being carried out to determine the exact cause he statedWhitefield Division DCP Parashuram stated Among the injured a woman named Chandana has sustained serious injuries The house where the incident occurred has been completely damaged Three shed houses behind the main house have also suffered damage A woman residing in one of those sheds has also been injuredAt first glance it appears to be a cylinder blast A clear picture will emerge after expert examinationLocal resident Rajalakshmi stated Between 7 and 710 am we heard a very loud sound Since it was Diwali we thought someone might be bursting crackers When we came out we saw that the entire house was damagedThe injured were immediately taken to the hospital with the help of neighbours Window panes of nearby houses were shattered Four people were living in the same house A woman living in the house behind was also injured The sound was heard up to four to five kilometres awayShekhars relative Sindhu stated My brotherinlaw his children and their mother were in the house In the morning we received a call informing us about the incident All of them have suffered injuriesUnion Minister Shobha Karandlaje has demanded a thorough investigation into the largescale explosion that occurred in Triveninagar of the KR Puram Assembly constituency in Bengaluru citySpeaking to the media after inspecting the explosion site she said that an explosion occurred this morning in Triveninagar resulting in the death of a woman and causing severe damage to the entire house Expressing concern she said that a detailed forensic report must be obtained to bring out the truth Incidents like this create fear among the public she addedThere must be a reason behind the collapse of such a large and sturdy house An investigation should determine whether the explosion was caused by a gas leak or by some other explosive material the Union Minister emphasised She urged the government to immediately provide compensation to the deceaseds family and ensure free medical treatment for the injuredShe noted that nearby houses were also affected by the blast and that some neighbours have been hospitalized Glass panes have shattered up to a considerable height she remarked with concern She appreciated the efforts of police officers fire personnel and local residents who rushed to helpThe Minister also appealed to the government to compensate those whose houses were damaged due to the incident She mentioned that the cylinder involved reportedly belonged to Bharat Petroleum and urged the company to conduct its own investigation as wellFormer Minister and BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj representing the KR Puram Assembly constituency said he was shocked after visiting the site of the massive explosion that occurred in Triveninagar in BengaluruAccording to preliminary investigations the building is owned by a person named Ramesh Shekhar was residing in the house Shekhars family had moved into the house on rent about nine months ago He was living there with his two children Chandana and Kiran Kumar and the elderly woman Akkayyamma IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/one-killed-three-injured-in-bengaluru-blast-union-minister-seeks-probe-644934.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-37-251-domestic-electricity-connections-issued-in-20-days-644935.html Jaipur Oct 25 In line with the vision of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma Rajasthans Discoms delivering on the promise of quality accessible and consumercentric electricity services have made significant strides in improving service delivery and introducing innovations that ensure accountability and transparency Ahead of Diwali 2025 the Discoms conducted a special campaign that successfully issued 37251 domestic electricity connections across the stateFurthering consumer engagement Jaipur Discom has launched a Star Rating feedback system to strengthen service quality through direct consumer input The campaign focused on clearing pending cases and providing new connections efficiently The Discoms expedited all necessary processes including document verification site inspection and demand note issuance while ensuring the timely availability of line materials at storage branches As a result Jaipur Discom issued 17373 connections Ajmer Discom issued 15433 connections and Jodhpur Discom issued 4445 connections This achievement highlights the governments proactive approach to ensuring timely access to electricity for every householdTo enhance accountability and monitor service quality Jaipur Discom has developed an independent feedback system for consumers receiving new connections Once a domestic connection is activated the consumer receives an SMS link to download the Bijli Mitra mobile app Upon entering the K number users can rate their experience from 1 to 5 stars via a feedback popup These ratings will be reviewed monthly at the circle and subdivision levels with Superintending Engineer and Assistant Engineer offices ranked based on performanceThe initiative enables continuous improvement in service delivery and better monitoring of fieldlevel officers and staff said officials In addition to appbased feedback Jaipur Discom has also been collecting consumer opinions through its helpline 181 Between April 1 and August 15 2025 calls were made to 75746 consumers who recently received connections gathering valuable insights to refine service procedures and enhance consumer satisfaction IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-37-251-domestic-electricity-connections-issued-in-20-days-644935.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-to-begin-paddy-procurement-from-nov-1-payments-directly-to-farmers-accounts-644936.html Kolkata Oct 25 The West Bengal Food Department will start buying paddy from farmers at the beginning of the kharif season on November 1 said a senior government official on Saturday It has been informed that if the paddy is sold in the government buying centre the farmers will get the price of paddy within a maximum of three working days The money will directly enter the bank account of the farmers This initiative has been taken to ensure that there is no delay in getting money for the farmers after the sale of paddy according to the officialThe government will buy paddy for the 202526 season across the state from November 1To collect this paddy the Food Department is launching 620 permanent buying centres In addition about 179 mobile permanent purchase centres which will mainly travel to remote areas will buy paddy from farmersThese mobile centres will play a major role especially where it is difficult for the farmers to reach the nearby permanent buying centresAt the same time temporary paddy procurement camps will be conducted at various places during the kharif season These camps will be managed by various government agenciesAccording to the guidelines issued by the Food Department the agencies should inform the Food Department the day after the purchase of paddy in the temporary camp The Food Department will verify that information and send the money to the farmers bank account quicklyFarmers will get Rs 2369 per quintal if they sell paddy this season Besides the state government has decided to give an additional bonus of Rs 20 in case they sell paddy in government purchasing centres Therefore a total of Rs 2389 per quintal will go to the farmerHowever online registration has been made mandatory for the sale of paddy by the Food Department Farmers have to go to the designated purchase centre and sell paddy on the appointed dayIf for some reason it is not possible to reach on the appointed day then rebooking should be done said the officialIt should be noted that from November to February these four months are considered as the busiest and most important time for buying paddy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-to-begin-paddy-procurement-from-nov-1-payments-directly-to-farmers-accounts-644936.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-bjp-says-state-now-aligns-with-national-education-policy-644937.html Kozhikode Oct 25 Former state unit BJP president K Surendran on Saturday said that Kerala has finally adopted the correct stance on the National Education Policy NEP a position the BJP has long advocated Surendran noted that both the state government and a few Congressruled states have acknowledged that the BJPs position was right even as implementation lagged over the past four yearsHe criticised the delay in rolling out NEP initiatives pointing out that hundreds of thousands of students missed the benefits of the policys modern educational programsSurendran urged the government to implement the NEP this academic year itself without further delays stressing that children should not be inconveniencedHe added that the Left Front by creating unnecessary controversies had misled the public and is largely responsible for the current debates surrounding education reformsWelcoming the Education Ministers admission that there was no flaw in the NEP and that he had revised his earlier stance Surendran called for an apology to the public for the prolonged inactionHe described the CPIMs claim that the PMSHRI program is merely a tool to earn cash and that policies would not be implemented as laughable emphasizing that directives from the Central Government would be implemented in Kerala as in other statesSurendran further highlighted that curriculum reform falls under concurrent subjects allowing both the Centre and the state to interveneHe said that Prime Minister Narendra Modiled government would correct the historical narratives neglected by Congress encouraging students to learn about figures such as Veer Savarkar Dr Hedgewar and Pandit Deendayal UpadhyayaHe also took pot shots at the CPI noting that the CPI may bark but it wont bite Surendran pointed out that CPI claims including opposition to Maoist hunts and ration reforms have not materialized and even their ministers did not resign over controversial issues like the One India One Ration Card schemeAccording to Surendran the ongoing debates show that both the Left and Congress in Kerala are trying to mislead the public instead of focusing on practical implementation of education reforms IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-bjp-says-state-now-aligns-with-national-education-policy-644937.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-criticises-ktaka-govt-says-rss-row-is-to-hide-failures-644938.html Bengaluru Oct 25 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Saturday sharply criticised the Congressled Karnataka government stating that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS issue is being highlighted by the state government to cover its own failures Speaking to the media in Bengaluru he said that the RSS cannot be banned and questioned why the government constantly talks about the organisation What have they achieved Why waste time discussing RSS he askedReferring to past controversies Kumaraswamy noted that the government delayed action on the Dharmasthala SIT case Now Mahesh Shetty activist against temple authorities has received relief in one case During this government nothing reaches a logical conclusion They waste time and mislead people he saidHe emphasized that instead of focusing on the RSS the government should prioritize development and resolving the states pressing issues Mere criticism is of no use he addedResponding to a question on Yathindra Siddaramaiah projecting Satish Jarkiholi as the next Chief Minister Kumaraswamy said Anyone can become CM in this country under the Constitution drafted by Ambedkar Its the partys decision to choose the CM No one is inevitable What I think doesnt matterHe further criticized the state government for neglecting farmers issues I dont know if reports were submitted to the central government Banning RSS is not the priority First solve peoples problems he saidWhen asked about Dy CM DK Shivakumars challenge to him to bring industries to the state and he would ensure land acquisitions Kumaraswamy reminded that during his tenure as CM he initiated numerous reforms He highlighted the Compete with China plan industrial clusters employment schemes and proposed Rs 25000 crore subsidies for the industrial sector initiatives that were scrapped by the current government They lacked the capability to continue these projects he saidOn the challenge for an open discussion from Shivakumar Kumaraswamy retorted that Shivakumar lacks the competence Does he have the eligibility to hold an open debate I never engaged in corruption like him Before talking about me understand my work as CM my departments and my initiatives I have taken steps such as introducing 4500 electric buses in Bengaluru and other development projects across the state he saidKumaraswamy also questioned the claims of past ministers regarding industrial development in Bengaluru implying that many projects were mismanaged or swallowed by private interestsReacting to Siddaramaiahs remark that he would not ask PM Narendra Modi for funds Kumaraswamy said Why should I ask for funds People gave 136 seats for the Congress When floods came I built 1000 houses in Kodagu without waiting for central aid They lack such capability and initiative he saidAmong those present at the press meet were Legislative Party Leader Suresh Babu former Minister Venkatarao Nadagouda Legislative Council members TA Sharavan SL Bhojegowda Javarayigowda Vivekananda JDS Bengaluru City unit President and former MLA HM Ramesh Gowda and Choudareddy Thoopalli IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kumaraswamy-criticises-ktaka-govt-says-rss-row-is-to-hide-failures-644938.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/aaps-greatest-failure-bjp-on-former-woman-athlete-selling-her-son-for-drugs--644939.html Chandigarh Oct 25 Expressing concern over an alleged incident in which a former woman athlete who fell into the grip of addiction sold her own son for just Rs 180 lakh Punjab BJPs working President Ashwani Sharma slammed the Aam Aadmi Party government over the incident saying this reflected the governments greatest failure BJP leader Sharma said the states antidrug campaign has remained confined only to papers and photo opportunitiesHe said the woman athlete had become addicted to drugs and due to financial distress she took this horrifying stepAbout two and a half months later when she realised her mistake her maternal instincts resurfaced and she applied to the Bareta Police Station to get her son back leading to the exposure of the caseThe BJP legislator said the drug trade has now spread to every village and town yet the governments policies are trapped in advertisements and false claimsJoining the issue Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of wilfully ignoring the drug menace that is ravaging Punjab and leaving an indelible stain on its historyCongress lawmaker Bajwa highlighted that in a gutwrenching incident that exposes the horrifying depths of Punjabs drug crisis a drugaddict couple from Mansa district sold their fivemonthold son to a family in Budhlada for Rs 18 lakh just to fund their addictionA fivemonthold baby was sold like an object An innocent life was reduced to a transaction because drugs have eaten away the soul of our society said Bajwa in a statementHe said the mother was once a statelevel wrestler She and her husband both enslaved by drugs sold their baby to keep their next high goingThis is not fiction This is the reality of Punjab in 2025 he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/aaps-greatest-failure-bjp-on-former-woman-athlete-selling-her-son-for-drugs--644939.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-five-employees-affected-as-gas-leaks-at-rawatbhata-heavy-water-plant-644941.html Jaipur Oct 25 A hydrogen sulfide HS gas leak at the Rawatbhata Heavy Water Plant on Saturday left five employees affected including one departmental employee and four contract workers Of them two have been referred to Kota for advanced medical treatment while three are receiving care at the Nuclear Power Plant HospitalAccording to General Manager P Satish the incident occurred while employees were working in the field All affected workers were immediately shifted to the hospitalContract worker Dharmendra Lohar son of Mohan Lohar from Bhainsrodgarh is reported to be in critical condition and has been referred to Kota HospitalUpon learning of the incident DSP Kamal Prasad Meena Tehsildar Vivek Garasiya Police Station Officer Raisal Singh and other officials reached the siteAuthorities confirmed that the situation is now under control though the exact cause of the gas leak is still under investigationSDM Kriti Vyas stated I spoke with the General Manager who informed me that two people were injured and are undergoing treatmentMeanwhile a soldier posted at Tower No 11 reportedly suffered eye irritation and swelling due to exposureHydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic and flammable gas Even at low concentrations it can cause eye irritation respiratory distress nausea and vomiting Prolonged or highlevel exposure can lead to unconsciousness or deathFollowing the incident the local residents and plant employees have demanded a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsibleAs of now no official statement has been issued by the plant administration or district authoritiesFurther investigations were in progress till the time of filing of this report IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-five-employees-affected-as-gas-leaks-at-rawatbhata-heavy-water-plant-644941.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 20:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-lover-arrested-for-forcing-girl-to-convert-to-islam-for-marriage-644942.html Bengaluru Oct 25 Karnataka Police on Saturday arrested a man for allegedly forcing a girl to convert to Islam in order to marry her The accused Mohammad Ishaq has been arrested in Amrutalli police station limits in BengaluruThe case came to light after the victim filed a complaint against her lover and his family alleging that they were pressuring her to convert to Islam for marriage The complaint was registered at HSR Layout police station in Bengaluru on ThursdayAccording to police the victim and Mohammad Ishaq were introduced via Instagram on October 17 2024 After some interaction they began a relationship On October 30 2024 they met at a mall in the Thanisandra locality of Bengaluru where the accused allegedly promised to speak to her parents and marry herLater that day he booked a room in Dasarahalli and reportedly sexually exploited her The victim claimed that he repeatedly abused her physically under the pretext of marriage Over time she became suspicious of his behaviour and discovered that he had multiple affairs with other girls When she insisted on marriage he allegedly kept postponing it with excusesIt was further revealed that the accused had gotten engaged to a Muslim girl on September 14 2025 When confronted about this he allegedly threatened the victim warning that she would be killed if she contacted him again and told her to move on The victim also stated that she was verbally abused in vulgar languagePolice said the victim attempted suicide after which Mohammad Ishaqs family contacted her family suggesting that the matter could be resolved amicably However Ishaqs elder brother and brotherinlaw reportedly told the girl that she must convert to Islam if she wanted to marry him They allegedly instructed her to learn to perform namaz prayers within 40 days and stated that marriage discussions would only proceed after her conversionThe case has taken a controversial turn with Hindu organizations approaching the victims family claiming it as a case of love jihad and demanding justice The police are treating the matter seriously and continue to investigateIt may be recalled that the BJP has alleged that cases of love jihad are on the rise in Karnataka due to the appeasement policies of the Congressled government Former minister and BJP MLC CT Ravi had urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to form a Special Investigation Team SIT to comprehensively investigate all cases of love jihad land jihad and vote jihadBJP State President and MLA BY Vijayendra also stated that love jihad cases are increasing in the state which he claimed is following a Kerala model due to the minority appeasement politics of Siddaramaiah Those who commit crimes against women and other antisocial activities believe that the state government will support them because it hesitates to arrest accused individuals even in cases such as raising Pakistan Zindabad slogans at Vidhana Soudha This policy is destabilizing law and order and creating fear among Hindu families and women Vijayendra said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-lover-arrested-for-forcing-girl-to-convert-to-islam-for-marriage-644942.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-disciplinary-committee-meeting-next-week-to-crack-whip-on-rebel-mla-humayun-kabir-644943.html Kolkata Oct 25 The Trinamool Congress has convened a meeting of its disciplinary committee next week to crack the whip on rebel party leaders who are making public statements against the party leadership Sources in the Trinamool Congress said on Saturday that the discussion will be held on party leader Humayun Kabir and his controversial remarks against the party Before the meeting members of the disciplinary committee will discuss with Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee It is learnt that senior party leader Sovandev Chattopadhyay is already in touch with the members on behalf of the committee The meeting will be held next week but the date is yet to be finalisedFor the past few days the Trinamool Congress MLA from Bharatpur in Murshidabad district has been practically naming and shaming the presidents of the party organisations starting with the Murshidabad district president Apurba Sarkar He has warned that those who hold various political positions in the entire district will be brought to the fore and their photographs will be hung on the wall After that he practically threw a challenge to the party and said Let me be expelled from the party I want to leave Then I will explain the kind of politics prevailing in the districtHe also alleged that Sarkar played a role in the arrest of another Trinamool Congress MLA Jiban Krishna Saha by Enforcement Directorate ED in cash for school jobs scamI have information and I will share it at the right time I will tell you at the right time how this district president got Jiban Krishna Saha arrested by influencing Sahas father Bishwanath SahaIt may be recalled thay has also raised his voice against Baharampur Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf PathanPreviously Kabir had been censured by the Trinamool Congress leadership a number of times and even slapped with showcause notices for making public statements that caused embarrassment to the party However despite being reprimanded Kabir repeated his actions and statements IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-disciplinary-committee-meeting-next-week-to-crack-whip-on-rebel-mla-humayun-kabir-644943.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-leadership-row-bjp-questions-shivakumars-courage-to-act-against-cm-siddaramaiahs-son--644944.html Bengaluru Oct 25 The Karnataka BJP has criticised Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president DK Shivakumar questioning inaction against Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs son MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah for projecting Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi as successor to his father The BJP wondered doesnt he even have the courage to issue a notice to CM Siddaramaiahs sonLeader of the Opposition R Ashoka stated on Saturday Shivakumar has the courage to threaten film actors saying he will tighten their nuts and bolts He has the courage to threaten MLAs saying they must behave submissively He even has the courage to shout at party workers at his will But as Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee KPCC President dont you even have the courage to issue a notice to Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs son Yathindra Mr DK ShivakumarAshoka further attacked When you look up to the Delhi High Command for everything how will you lead the state if you somehow become Chief Minister tomorrow Mr DK ShivakumarJust as the late Dr Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister but Sonia Gandhi held the real power in her hands even if you suddenly become the Chief Minister there is no doubt that Siddaramaiah will remain the super CMWhat benefit will Kannadigas get if a weak leader like you becomes the Chief Minister Ashoka questionedIn a major development Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs son MLC Yathindra Siddaramaiah had stated that his father is in the fag end of his political career He further said that at this crucial juncture Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi will take the lead in guiding those who follow scientific and progressive thoughtThe statements have stirred a huge controversy amid rumours of a leadership change and discussions of a powersharing agreement in KarnatakaYathindra said Today my father is at the end of his political career He is in the final stage of his political life At this hour for those who embrace scientific and progressive ideas Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi will take responsibility and provide leadershipThough Dy CM Shivakumar had said that no one is bigger than the party and that party workers should remain devoted to the party till date no action has been initiated However the party has issued notices to MLAs for raising leadership issues in public earlierDeclining to comment on the matter Shivakumar later maintained that he would convey the message to the appropriate quarters Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday Shivakumar said when asked whether he would issue a notice to Yathindra I wont talk about the matter now I will convey the message where it should reachI stand by discipline Discipline is the priority of my party Shivakumar underlined The statements are likely to trigger a major controversy within the ruling Congress as the Siddaramaiah camp is also expected to react to Shivakumars remarksMeanwhile sources confirmed that a report on Yathindras statement along with a video clip of his announcement has already been sent to the party high command by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee KPCC The Shivakumar camp is confident that the national leadership will take note of the message conveyed through Yathindras remarks IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-leadership-row-bjp-questions-shivakumars-courage-to-act-against-cm-siddaramaiahs-son--644944.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-ieds-seized-from-man-in-punjab-644945.html Chandigarh Oct 25 Punjab Polices Special Operation Cell of Amritsar has apprehended an operative of a terror network and recovered two improvised explosive devices IEDs weighing around 25 kg each packed with highgrade RDX and equipped with timers for detonation said Director General of Police DGP Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday The accused has been identified as Manpreet Singh alias Tiddi a resident of Kotla Tarkhana village in Amritsar He has a criminal history being previously involved in two criminal cases registered in police stations of Batala and Kalanaur After spending around one and a half years in Gurdaspur and Amritsar jails he was released in February 2025 and he subsequently resumed his criminal activitiesDGP Yadav said preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused was working on the directions of his handlers based in Armenia Britain and Germany who are further receiving instructions from a Pakistanbased mastermind of a banned terrorist organisationSharing operational details Assistant Inspector General Amritsar Sukhminder Singh Mann said acting swiftly on a specific intelligence input the police arrested suspect Manpreet Singh and recovered a pistol of 30 bore along with ammunition from his possession Following his disclosure two IEDs packed in metal containers with highgrade RDX and equipped with timers for detonation are also recovered from the area of Kotla Tarkhana village he saidThe AIG said probe further indicated that around two weeks back the Pakistanbased handler facilitated a dronedropping of the seized consignment in the Ajnala sector which was retrieved by the arrested person and further concealed by him near a canal close to his Kotla Tarkhana villageHis handlers had instructed him to remain on standby and await further orders to hand over the IEDs to another contact for intended use he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-ieds-seized-from-man-in-punjab-644945.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-cell-phone-thief-injured-in-firing-by-dcp-644949.html Hyderabad Oct 25 A Deputy Commissioner of Police in Hyderabad opened fire injuring a mobile phone thief who was fleeing after trying to attack police with a knife The incident occurred in broad daylight in the Chaderghat area around 5 pm on SaturdayThe incident near Victory Playground on the banks of the Musi River sent panic through the busy areaSai Chaitanya Deputy Commissioner of Police South East who was returning to his office after attending a meeting at the Police Commissioners Office spotted a rowdy sheeter and a property offender committing a mobile phone theft The DCP along with his gunman tried to catch the offendersThe accused tried to attack the gunman with a knife Police Commissioner C V Sajjanar told media persons after a visit to the spot that on seeing the constable getting injured in the attack the DCP opened two rounds of fire injuring one of the offendersThe accused who sustained injuries on the hand and near the stomach was taken to a private hospital while the other accused managed to escapeDCP and the gunman also sustained minor injuries in the scuffle and they were also shifted to a private hospitalThe injured offender was identified as Omer Ansari a rowdy sheeter of Kalapatthar police station in the city He is said to be involved in 20 casesPolice teams were working to catch the absconding accusedThe Police Commissioner defended the DCPs action in opening fire in a crowded area saying a constable was under attackThe incident in the busy area triggered a sensation One of the eyewitnesses said that when the police were chasing the accused they entered the playground and mingledSultan Bazar Police registered a case and took up an investigation The team collected clues from the sceneDCP South Zone Sneha Mehra DCP Central Zone K Shipavalli and other officials also visited the Victory playground IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-cell-phone-thief-injured-in-firing-by-dcp-644949.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 21:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-badesetti-becomes-first-maoist-free-village-setting-model-for-peace-development-644952.html New Delhi Oct 25 Once a symbol of fear and insurgency Badesetti village in the Bastar region has scripted a new chapter in Chhattisgarhs history by becoming the states first Maoistfree Gram Panchayat Once caught in the shadow of Maoist violence this remote village is now a model of peace development and selfreliance Under the Maoist Rehabilitation Policy the Panchayat and Rural Development Department has sanctioned Rs 110 crore for the holistic development of the village The funds are being utilised to improve infrastructure strengthen local governance and ensure the return of essential public services that were once disrupted by Maoist activitiesToday Badesetti stands as a symbol of transformation The same residents who once feared venturing out after sunset now actively participate in village development meetings and digital transactions With the reopening of bank accounts that were dormant during years of insurgency the people of Badesetti are now embracing Digital India using UPI payments for daily transactions a small but powerful sign of confidence and progressThe Anganwadi centre which had been shut down for nearly three years due to Maoist threats has now reopened Workers have returned and children once again receive early education and nutritional support Government schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jal Jeevan Mission and Solar Lighting Projects have brought clean drinking water and reliable power to the community Construction of a Panchayat Bhawan and a primary health centre is underway while the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana has connected the village to nearby towns with a newly built concrete road making transport and trade easier than everA villager said Yes the construction work in our Panchayat has been completed and everything is functioning properly now Earlier the situation was very different but now a real improvement is visible Bus services have started electricity has reached every home and a concrete road connects us to nearby areas Development is clearly taking shape hereAnother villager shared how peace has returned to the region saying Earlier my entire area was under Maoist influence but now the presence has completely ended There are no signs of any Maoist activity anymore the area is fully free and peacefulBadesettis transformation has become a source of inspiration for nearby villages still struggling under the remnants of extremism Local authorities believe that the villages success story can serve as a model of peace through development for the rest of BastarOfficials say continued investment in education health and employment generation will ensure that this peace is lasting From fear to freedom and from darkness to development Badesetti has truly become the face of a new selfreliant Bastar IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-badesetti-becomes-first-maoist-free-village-setting-model-for-peace-development-644952.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 22:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-killed-in-road-accident-in-bengals-hooghly-district-644954.html Kolkata Oct 25 Three persons were killed in a road accident in West Bengals Hooghly district early on Saturday According to the police three potters died in the road accident which occurred in Kanajuli area of Gurap police station on National Highway19The potters were returning to Asansol in a car on Saturday morning The car suddenly lost control in the Kanajuli area and rammed into the back of a moving car The intensity of the accident was so high that the front part of the car was completely damaged Three people in the car were seriously injuredLocal residents first started the rescue work Later Gurap police station was also informed The police came and rescued the injured and quickly sent them to Burdwan Medical College and HospitalHowever doctors at the hospital declared all three dead on arrival The deceased have been identified as Divas Mandal 30 Kaushik Mandal 28 and Nimai Das 38 died All are known to be potters by profession Among them Divas house is in Hingalganj of North 24 Parganas district Kaushiks house is in Haroa police station area of the same district Nimais house is in Rabindra Sarobar police station area of south KolkataIn the preliminary investigation the police are of the view that this incident may have happened after the driver fell asleepA terrible accident took place at around 4 to 5 am The car was travelling in a high speed It lost control and rammed the back of a moving car Three people died in the accident Further investigation is on said a senior officer of Hooghly district policeThe bodies have been sent for postmortem According to the police officer family members of the deceased potters have been informed Following the news of the accident a pall of gloom has descended on the neighbourhood of the potters IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-killed-in-road-accident-in-bengals-hooghly-district-644954.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 22:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-asks-bihar-parties-to-disclose-if-campaign-content-is-ai-generated-644804.html New Delhi Oct 24 To maintain a levelplaying field in the Bihar Assembly election campaign the ECI on Friday directed candidates and parties to clearly mention on videos and images if these are synthetically generated or AIaltered While advising them to use such content responsibly the poll panel emphasised the need for strict compliance by all political parties with the due diligence obligations and contentrelated responsibilities prescribed under the IT Rules 2021 to ensure a fair and transparent electoral processTo guard against deep fakes the ECI advised parties and candidates that no content shall be published or forwarded which is unlawful and misrepresents the identity appearance or voice of any person without his consent in a manner reasonably likely to mislead or deceive the electorateAny synthetically generated or AIaltered image audio or video used or disseminated for campaigning purposes shall bear a clear prominent and legible label such as AIGenerated Digitally Enhanced or Synthetic Content covering at least 10 per cent of the visible display area or initial 10 per cent duration for audio content The label in the case of video content shall be carried as part of the top hand of the screen said an advisory issued by the Election Commission of India ECISuch content shall prominently disclose the name of entity responsible for its generation in the metadata or accompanying caption said the ECIThe poll panel also cautioned candidates and parties that any content that violates this advisory shall have to be taken downAny instance of synthetically generated or AIaltered image audio or video misinformation or manipulated content detected on official party handles shall be taken down within 3 hours of being noticed or reported it saidEarlier the ECI announced a paid holiday for employed electors on the two polling days for the Bihar Assembly elections and warned employers of a penalty if they deduct wages of their staff for absence on November 6 and 11The result of the election to pick a new 243seat Assembly will be declared on November 14 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/eci-asks-bihar-parties-to-disclose-if-campaign-content-is-ai-generated-644804.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ravi-kishan-urges-parents-to-remind-youth-of-bihars-past-defends-nitish-kumars-leadership-644807.html Patna Oct 24 Bhojpuri film superstar and BJP MP Ravi Kishan made an emotional appeal to the people urging parents to educate their children about the states past and how far it has come under the NDA government I urge all parents to tell their children what Bihar was like 20 years ago how people lived in fear and how crime ruled the streets Ravi Kishan said while addressing a public meeting in Bhojpurs Sandesh block on FridayPrime Minister Narendra Modi has always said that we must not forget history Bihars reputation was terrible before But after our government came to power the pace of development accelerated We are now running on the path of progress and we must never go back Kishan saidRecounting his own experiences the actorturnedpolitician said When I came to Bihar in 2001 for the shooting of Saiyaan Hamaar the roads were in horrible condition The atmosphere was terrifying shootings ransom and kidnappings were common But today Bihar has changed completely I appeal to everyone to tell their children about the Jungle Raj of 20 years ago so that history is never repeatedRavi Kishan expressed confidence that Bihar would achieve great heights of progress after November 14 and said that everything would be clear on the day of the resultsReacting strongly to Tejashwi Yadavs remark calling Chief Minister Nitish Kumar old and sick Ravi Kishan came out in passionate defence of the JDU leaderNitish Kumar sacrificed himself for Bihar His wife never even entered the Chief Ministers residence He devoted his entire life to beautifying Bihar and pulling it out of misery There isnt a single blemish on his political career he saidDrawing an emotional comparison Ravi Kishan asked When our parents grow old do we abandon them on the streets Nitish Kumar has given everything for Bihar He has energy honesty and dedicationThe BJP MP further said that the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections being held in two phases will once again witness the peoples support for the NDAThose who supported the RJD until yesterday are now standing against them People will rise above caste politics and vote for the NDA I am confident that Bihar will once again form a doubleengine government under the leadership of PM Modi and Nitish Kumar he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ravi-kishan-urges-parents-to-remind-youth-of-bihars-past-defends-nitish-kumars-leadership-644807.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 00:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/four-day-festival-of-faith-chhath-puja-begins-with-the-ritual-of-nahay-khaay-644821.html New Delhi Oct 25 The fourday festival of faith and devotion Chhath Puja began on Saturday with the sacred ritual of NahayKhaay Dedicated to the Sun god the festival celebrates the harmony between nature and humanity embodying purity gratitude and discipline On the first day devotees known as Vratis people who are fasting take a holy dip in rivers or ponds and consume a simple sattvic having qualities of purity harmony and balance meal of arwa chawal plain rice and lauki ki sabzi bottle gourd curry after offering prayers Other traditional foods like chana dal amla chutney and papad are prepared and later served as prasad ritual food offeringMass gatherings are expected across various bathing ghats across the country where thousands of devotees will participate in the rituals with unwavering faithWith roots tracing back to the Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is regarded as one of the oldest forms of Sun worship Devotees observe strict fasting abstaining from food and water for extended periods to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is believed to dispel negativity and usher in peace and positivityChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the worldDedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival emphasises purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones familyThe fourday celebration involves elaborate rituals that symbolise purification faith and selfcontrolDay 1 Nahai Khai The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip in a river or pond to cleanse themselves They bring vegetables and pulses and prepare the first offerings emphasising cleanliness and sanctityDay 2 Kharna On this day devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset They prepare offerings of jaggery rice and wheat breaking their fast in the evening after making offerings to the deity The prasad ritual food offerings is then shared with family friends and neighbours to promote unity and community spiritDay 3 Sandhya Arghya Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening to offer arghya prayers and offerings to the setting Sun They present fruits sugarcane and prasad to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on EarthDay 4 Usha Arghya The final day is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising Sun Devotees break their fast after making offerings symbolising renewal and spiritual rebirth The prasad is distributed among family and community members marking the end of the ritualsChhath Puja is celebrated with simplicity dedication and purity The offerings including fruits vegetables and sweets represent the gifts of nature and the ritual of fasting and prayers signifies the devotees willingness to cleanse their body mind and soul The primary essence of Chhath Puja is gratitude as it fosters respect for natural resources and the harmonious relationship between nature and humankind IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/four-day-festival-of-faith-chhath-puja-begins-with-the-ritual-of-nahay-khaay-644821.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 09:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-railways-tries-to-ease-holiday-rush-for-chhath-puja-with-special-trains-644827.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Indian Railways has made elaborate arrangements to manage the surge in passenger traffic for Chhath Puja as thousands of people tried to reach home even on Saturday to celebrate the festival with their families To accommodate the growing demand special trains additional coaches and several passengerfriendly measures were introduced on major routes and at key stationsIn response to the heavy rush a roundtrip Chhath Puja Special train has been scheduled between Rani Kamlapati and Hazrat NizamuddinAccording to officials train number 01661 Chhath Puja Special departed from Rani Kamlapati station on Saturday at 730 am and will arrive at Hazrat Nizamuddin station at 815 pmOn its return journey train number 01662 will leave Hazrat Nizamuddin at 830 pm on Saturday and halt at Mathura at 955 pm Agra Cantt at 1050 pm Gwalior at 255 am Veerangna Rani Laxmibai Jhansi at 535 am Bina at 810 am Vidisha at 915 am before reaching Rani Kamlapati Station at 1050 am on SundayThe train will comprise 22 LHB coaches including two Second AC three Third AC six Economy Third AC five Sleeper four General Class one SLRD and one generator carThe Railways Ministry stated that around 6181 special trains have been notified for October 28 to facilitate the return of passengers to their workplaces after the festive season is overIn total over 12000 special trains are being operated across the country with more than 900 special trips scheduled in the next three days to manage the festival rushIn Bihar nearly 30 stations are being equipped to handle the massive passenger inflow Measures include additional ticket counters CCTV surveillance weatherproof holding areas and enhanced crowd management systemsStations such as Patna Danapur Rajendra Nagar Terminal Saharsa Darbhanga Muzaffarpur Gaya Samastipur and Barauni in Bihar along with Gorakhpur Ballia and Varanasi also known as Banaras in Uttar Pradesh are among those where holding areas have been set up to ensure smooth operationsAdditional coaches are also being attached to existing services to accommodate increased demand Weatherproof holding areas are being created at major stations to manage large passenger inflows and provide convenient waiting facilities before train departures the ministry statedTo ensure passenger safety 247 medical booths have been established at key stations including Patna Muzaffarpur Darbhanga Gaya and Saharsa Fire brigade and ambulance services have also been stationed for emergency health assistance and safety managementAdding to the festive spirit Indian Railways has begun playing Chhath songs at several major stations to help passengers feel more connected to the occasionAt stations like Patna Danapur Hajipur Bhagalpur Jamalpur Sonpur New Delhi Ghaziabad and Anand Vihar Terminal the devotional songs are creating a joyful atmosphere and evoking the spirit of home and tradition for travellers heading back for the sacred festival IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-railways-tries-to-ease-holiday-rush-for-chhath-puja-with-special-trains-644827.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 10:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kannada-actress-involved-in-hit-amp-run-case-bengaluru-police-to-question-divya-suresh-644840.html Bengaluru Oct 25 The police investigation into the hitandrun case reported from the Byatarayanapura Traffic Police Station in Bengaluru has revealed the involvement of Kannada actress and Big Boss Kannada contestant Divya Suresh police said on Saturday Thirtyfouryearold Anita suffered a leg fracture while two other riders travelling on the bike escaped with minor injuries in the incidentAccording to the police Divya Suresh is currently busy shooting for a project and will soon be taken into custody for questioning regarding the incidentMeanwhile a video clip of the incident has gone viral on social media The video shows the car ramming into a bike and speeding away even as the victims fall onto the road screaming in painThe police have confirmed that the vehicle was driven by Divya Suresh and eyewitnesses have also identified her as the driverThe incident took place at around 1 30 am on October 4 in the Byatarayanapura locality The complainant stated that the complaint was lodged later as they were initially occupied with arranging treatment for the injured victimAn FIR has been registered against an unknown driver under Sections 281 and 125a of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and under Sections 134a 134b and 187 of the Indian Motor Vehicles ActThe complaint was filed by Kiran G a resident of Deepanjalinagar According to the FIR a car coming from the direction of the Byatarayanapura Police Station collided with a twowheeler coming from the opposite directionKiran Anusha and Anita were travelling on the bike to a hospital when they fell onto the road after the collision Anita sustained a fracture in her legHowever the police are also verifying claims that the bike rider swerved slightly towards the car to avoid barking stray dogs which may have caused the accident Further investigation is underwayThe family of Anita stated that she has been advised to undergo surgery costing Rs 2 lakh The doctors have also recommended an extended period of bed rest They further mentioned that Divya Suresh has not contacted themAfter the incident despite the victims calling for help the car did not stop at the spot following the collision It was the police who rushed to the scene and made arrangements to shift Anitawho was bleeding severelyto the hospital they added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kannada-actress-involved-in-hit-amp-run-case-bengaluru-police-to-question-divya-suresh-644840.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/crumbling-frontline-how-ttps-rural-takeover-has-left-pakistan-army-cornered-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-644841.html New Delhi Oct 25 For the Pakistan army Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KP is fast becoming uncharted territory Although it has entered into a delicate truce with the Afghan Taliban the army is battling on several other fronts such as KP and Balochistan The internal strife within the country has also heavily stressed the security mechanismIn KP it appears to be a complete takeover by TehreekeTaliban TTP The TTP is following the exact strategy that the Taliban had adopted before the 2021 pullout by the US forcesFirst the TTP infiltrated rural belts and then made a gradual entry into the urban zones This is typical of what the Afghan Taliban had done before 2021An official said that the situation has become so grave due to the TTPs growing strength many soldiers especially those of Punjabi origin are refusing deployment in the region Some of the rural and tribal belts where the TTP is in complete control include areas adjoining North and South Waziristan Bajaur and Khyber Kurram The soldiers are in particular refusing to enter the rural zones because these areas are tricky and the TTP fights better hereMoreover the TTP has local support which makes the matter worse for the Pakistan Army Many soldiers have refused to fight in these zones As a compromise measure it was decided that the soldiers would stand in defensive positions rather than carry out operations to eliminate TTP cadresIn a nutshell it is a shoot if shot at strategy that is in force in rural zones of KP While rural areas were largely dominated by TTP what worries the Pakistan army is the infiltration into the urban zones The infiltration into urban zones like Bara Road corridors and Badaber and Mattani has worried Pakistan Before the TTP breezed through these areas they were under the control of the Frontier Corps and police These zones are now being used to collect funds to fund TTPs operationsIn addition to this terrorists as well as arms and ammunition are being moved through these areas Recently videos of TTP cadres dancing on the roads and collecting funds in the open had surfaced These shots taken from the urban zones show how much the TTP is in charge and how less the army can do about it The videos also show TTP fighters checking vehicles and verifying documents again suggesting that the outfit is in controlWith each passing day the Pakistan army is finding it hard to gain control over the TTP There are multiple reasons why the army is not able to contain the TTP The TTP has a set of fierce fighters whom the army finds hard to beatIn most parts of Pakistan an antiarmy sentiment is building This has been a major factor as the locals tend to support the TTP rather than the army This is the same sentiment that one can see in Balochistan and Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK as wellThe army is in a fierce battle with the Balochistan Liberation Army BLA and has suffered immense losses in recent yearsFurther the relationship with the Taliban has not been smooth and this too has added to the armys woes There is the Indian border as well where the Army is busy trying to help terrorists infiltrate By keeping itself busy on so many fronts the army is running out of options and in the bargain has suffered losses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/crumbling-frontline-how-ttps-rural-takeover-has-left-pakistan-army-cornered-in-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-644841.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/woman-doctors-suicide-maharashtra-resident-doctors-launch-protest-threaten-to-strike-work-if-action-against-culprits-not-taken-644847.html Mumbai Oct 25 Following the tragic suicide by a 26yearold female doctor in Satara after being repeatedly raped by a police officer and being pressurised by an MP to falsify medical reports of accused in jail there has been a wave of anger in the medical fraternity over the issue Resident doctors under the banner of the Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors MARD staged protests at KEM Hospital in Mumbai on Saturday over the issue As part of their demonstration doctors wore black armbands to express grief and anger over the incident More than 8000 resident doctors across the state participated in the protest demanding justice and a thorough investigation into the case by either the CID or a Special Investigation Team SITSeveral female doctors at KEM Hospital expressed fear and insecurity stating that they worry such incidents could happen again if action is not takenSpeaking to IANS resident doctor Sameer Warge said After this incident we have tied black ribbons and are carrying out a working protest OPD and emergency services have not been stopped However if our demands are not met we will intensify the protest We are demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and proper functioning of the POSH committee so that there is a sense of accountability and deterrence For now we are continuing our duties but if this situation persists we will be forced to stop workAnother protesting doctor said What is most painful is that despite repeated complaints no one listened to her and no action was taken In the end she took her own life Its deeply unfortunate There must be strict action and a transparent investigationpreferably by the CBI or an independent agency Womens grievances must be heard and the POSH Act must be properly implementedResident doctor Bhumika said This is our silent protest We are tying black ribbons on our arms to condemn the incident We have not stopped medical services but we demand a transparent timebound investigation and the arrest of those responsible There should also be a committee to monitor the pressure faced by doctors POSH must be implemented effectively so that doctors especially women can feel safeAnother resident doctor Seenam added Its a very unfortunate incident We want our demands to be met If no action is taken we will be compelled to stop work As doctors we are here to serve but we also deserve a safe and respectful workplaceMeanwhile the female doctor who allegedly committed suicide in Maharashtras Satara district left behind a detailed four page suicide note apart from the inked note on the palm of her hand stating that a police officer raped her four times and exerted pressure on her to issue fake fitness certificates of accused in police cases It has now emerged in her note that she was allegedly under pressure not only from police officials but even from a Member of Parliament MP and his personal assistantsThe woman doctor who worked as a medical officer at the Phaltan subdistrict hospital in Satara also wrote in the note on her palm of her hand that she had been raped four times by SubInspector Gopal Badne and was subjected to mental and physical abuse for over five monthsThe woman doctor who hails from Beed district had been serving in the hospital for 23 months and was just a month away from completing her bond period for service in a rural area when she took the extreme step out of frustrationIn her fourpage suicide note she wrote that police officers pressured her into issuing fake fitness certificates for accused many of whom would not even be brought in for a medical examination When she refused to comply she would be harassed by SubInspector Gopal Badne and others she added in her noteThe reason for my death is SubInspector Gopal Badne who raped me and Prashant Bankar who tortured me mentally and physically for 4 months she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/woman-doctors-suicide-maharashtra-resident-doctors-launch-protest-threaten-to-strike-work-if-action-against-culprits-not-taken-644847.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lic-rebuts-washington-post-report-as-false-baseless-far-from-truth-644852.html New Delhi Oct 25 The Life Insurance Corporation of India LIC on Saturday denied false reports by The Washington Post reaffirming all investments are made with integrity and due diligence In a rebuttal to the article LIC said the allegations leveled by The Washington Post that the investment decisions of LIC are influenced by external factors are false baseless and far from truthNo such document or plan as alleged in the article has ever been prepared by LIC which creates a road map for infusing funds by LIC into Adani group of companies the company said in a statementThe article had claimed that officials allegedly fasttracked a proposal in May this year to direct approximately 39 billion in investments from the LIC to an Adani group firmLIC said that the investment decisions are taken independently as per Board approved policies after detailed due diligenceDepartment of Financial Services or any other body does not have any role in such decisions LIC has ensured highest standards of due diligence and all its investment decisions have been undertaken in compliance with extant policies provisions in the Acts and regulatory guidelines in the best interest of all its stakeholders it further stated in the statementLIC said that these purported statements in the article appear to have been made with the intentions to prejudice the well settled decisionmaking process of LIC and also to tarnish the reputation and image of LIC and the strong financial sector foundations in IndiaLIC the countrys largest life insurer reported a 391 per cent yearonyear YoY increase in its consolidated net profit for the June quarter of the current financial year Q1 FY26The profit rose to Rs 10957 crore from Rs 10544 crore recorded in the same period previous year Q1 FY25 according to its stock exchange filing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lic-rebuts-washington-post-report-as-false-baseless-far-from-truth-644852.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 16:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/four-day-chhath-festival-underway-in-bihar-644853.html Patna Oct 25 The grand fourday festival of Chhath a celebration of faith and devotion to the Sun God began on Saturday with the ritual of NahayKhaay Chhath Puja which begins on the Chaturthi Tithi fourth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik month will culminate with offerings to the rising sun on the Saptami Tithi October 28The main ritual of Sandhya Arghya evening offerings to the setting sun will take place on October 27 followed by Usha Arghya morning offerings the next dayThe festival is being celebrated with great fervour and devotion across Bihar Jharkhand eastern Uttar Pradesh and NepalOn NahayKhaay devotees bathed in holy rivers and water bodies cleaned their homes and kitchens and took vows to maintain purity in mind speech and actionThey prepared a simple sattvic meal of pumpkin curry gram dal and rice cooked on clay stoves without onion garlic or regular salt a symbolic act of inner and outer purificationDevotees believe that Chhathi Maiyas blessings begin from this day and hence rituals are performed with utmost discipline and devotionDuring the four days of the festival participants abstain from nonvegetarian food alcohol and negative behaviour emphasising selfcontrol and spiritual cleansingAccording to the Hindu calendar the Shashti Tithi will begin at 604 am on October 27 and end at 759 am on October 28During this period millions of devotees will gather at riverbanks and ponds to offer their prayers to the Sun God a tradition symbolising gratitude toward nature light and lifeThe ghats across Bihar are being decorated and illuminated for the upcoming Sandhya and Usha Arghya which mark the spiritual and visual climax of the festivalThe rhythmic sounds of Chhath songs lighting of lamps and devotional aartis will transform the riverbanks into divine spectacles over the next few days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/four-day-chhath-festival-underway-in-bihar-644853.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-bengal-ceos-office-to-introduce-two-tier-daily-electoral-administration-after-issue-of-notification-644855.html Kolkata Oct 25 The office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West Bengal will introduce a twotier daily electoral administration system in the state immediately after the notification for the Special Intensive Revision SIR in the state is issued After the notification is issued an officer in the rank of additional CEO will hold daily interactions with the district magistrates who are also the district electoral officers reviewing the daily progress in the revision exercise in the respective districtsSimilarly a couple of officers in the rank of joint CEO will hold interactions with the electoral registration officers EROs reviewing the progress of the revision exercise in areas under the jurisdiction of the EROsAn insider from the CEOs office said that this twotier electoral administration is aimed at bridging any communication gap between the CEOs office and the districtlevel electoral administration systemThe entire system will run under the direct supervision of the CEOIt has also been decided that immediately after the notification for the SIR is issued the CEOs office will organize matters with all political parties and in this respect also a twotier system will be followedOn one hand the CEO himself will organize a statelevel meeting with all political parties centrally at the CEOs office in Kolkata On the other hand the district magistrates also the district electoral officers will chair meetings with the district leaderships of all parties in the respective districtsWhile at the statelevel meeting the CEO will note the general perspectives demands and grievances of the political parties on the SIR the district electoral officers will take note of districtspecific issues relating to the revision exerciseAlready the Election Commission of India ECI has decided to adopt multiple measures to ensure that boothlevel officers BLOs remain immune from pressure or influence by political parties or the state administration once the revision process beginsThe steps include complete administrative control of the CEOs office on the BLOs who are state government employees so that they cannot be transferred by the state administration during the SIR exercise or forced to get engaged in any other administrative dutyThe CEOs office has been instructed by the ECI to assure BLOs that their security will be given top priority and that any breach or intimidation attempt will be dealt with strictlyBLOs are being advised to handle pressure tactfully and avoid confrontation but to immediately report such incidents directly to the CEOs office which will then consult the ECI headquarters in New Delhi for suitable action IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sir-in-bengal-ceos-office-to-introduce-two-tier-daily-electoral-administration-after-issue-of-notification-644855.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 17:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/elderly-woman-beaten-up-in-kolkata-for-protesting-against-bursting-firecrackers-644611.html Kolkata Oct 23 An elderly woman on Thursday lodged a complaint against five men for beating her up after she objected against bursting of firecrackers late at night The incident took place in Bhawanipur area in south Kolkata in the early hours of Tuesday The elderly woman alleged that she had gone to the police on the same day but the officers refused to register a complaint as it happened to be the night of Kali Puja when it is common for people to burst firecrackersHowever the woman went to the police station again on Thursday accompanied by a lawyer to lodge the complaint This time the police have registered an FIR against five persons based on her complaint However no one has been arrested so far in connection with the incidentIt has been learnt that Anupama Chowdhury a resident of 4B Asutosh Mukherjee Road alleged that some youth from the neighbourhood were bursting firecrackers at around 130 am on the day of Kali Puja which was beyond the permitted hours for bursting crackersThe elderly woman alleged that she had gone to protest against the bursting of firecrackers with such loud noise She alleged that her house had caught a minor fire from the firecrackers The boys however beaten up the woman and her brother for protesting against bursting of firecrackersSpeaking to a section of media persons the elderly woman said I was sleeping at night Suddenly I saw that the house was filled with smoke I could not breathe I went downstairs and asked the boys to stop bursting firecrackers They forcibly grabbed me and beat me up Locals did not come to my rescueShe feels that she may be attacked again At the same time she raised allegations of noncooperation from the police The police however said that an investigation has started into the matter IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/elderly-woman-beaten-up-in-kolkata-for-protesting-against-bursting-firecrackers-644611.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/digital-payments-make-up-998-pc-of-all-transactions-in-h1-2025-rbi-644615.html New Delhi Oct 23 Indias digital payments landscape continues its rapid expansion with digital transactions accounting for 998 per cent of the total payment volume and 977 per cent of the total transaction value in the first half of 2025 H1 2025 according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India RBI Unified Payments Interface UPI continues to dominate the digital ecosystem accounting for 85 per cent of transactions by volume and 9 per cent by value in the first six months of the yearDuring this time the UPI system handled 10637 crore transactions valued at Rs 1433 lakh crore compared to Rs 117 lakh crore in the previous year According to the RBI UPIs effectiveness roundtheclock accessibility and userfriendliness continue to make it the most popular retail fast payment system in IndiaOn the other hand although it only made up 01 per cent of the total volume the Real Time Gross Settlement RTGS system which facilitates highvalue transfers held the largest share in terms of value at 69 per cent In 2024 there were 295 crore RTGS transactions up from 148 crore in 2019 and the transaction value increased from Rs 13887 lakh crore to Rs 19382 lakh croreRTGS handled 161 crore transactions totalling Rs 10792 lakh crore in the first half of 2025 aloneThe RBI explained the divergent trends in volume and value shares by pointing out that RTGS mainly handles largevalue transfers with a minimum transaction threshold of Rs 2 lakh whereas UPI processes a large number of smallvalue transactions Of the Rs 1572 lakh crore in total payment transactions that took place during that time Rs 1536 lakh crore were handled digitallyThe Clearing Corporation of India Limiteds CCIL largevalue payment systems saw growth as well The number of CCIL transactions increased from 35 lakh in 2019 to 45 lakh in 2024 and their value increased from Rs 1270 lakh crore to Rs 2780 lakh crore CCIL recorded 288 lakh transactions totalling Rs 1734 lakh crore in the first half of 2025The RBI data demonstrates how UPI and other innovations along with persistent efforts to encourage cashless transactions throughout the economy have led to Indias payments ecosystem becoming overwhelmingly digital IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/digital-payments-make-up-998-pc-of-all-transactions-in-h1-2025-rbi-644615.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-bjp-unveils-new-state-executive-team-amid-organisational-revamp-644617.html Bhopal Oct 23 In a significant move to strengthen its organisational structure ahead of upcoming challenges the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP in Madhya Pradesh announced a new slate of state office bearers on Thursday The appointments effective immediately were made with the approval of the BJPs National President Jagat Prakash Nadda and Hemant Khandelwal who was elected as the state unit chief in JulyKhandelwal a twotime MLA from Betul and a thirdgeneration politician with strong RSS ties signed the official order signalling a fresh push for grassroots consolidation in the ruling partyThe revamped team features a mix of experienced leaders and fresh faces reflecting a careful balance of caste region and expertiseNine vice presidents upadhyaksh have been named Ranvir Singh Rawat Kantdev Singh Prabhuram Choudhary Shailendra Barua Manisha Singh Dr Nandita Pathak Surendra Sharma Nishant Khare and Dr Prabhu Lal JatavFour general secretaries mahamantri include Lata Wankhede Sumer Solanki Rahul Kothari Jain and Gourav RandiveThe secretaries mantri list comprises nine members Rajneesh Agrawal Lokendra Parashar Jaydeep Patel Shikhar Bhatt Sangeeta Soni Rajendra Singh Archana Singh Rajjo Malviya and Babita ParmarAkhilesh Jain takes charge as treasurer koshadhyaksh Shyam Mahajan as office secretary karyalaya mantri and Ashish Usha Agrawal as media incharge media prabhariFront morcha presidents were also appointed to key wings Jaypal Singh Chavda for Kisan Morcha Bhagwan Singh Parmar for SC Morcha Pankaj Tekam for ST Morcha and Pavan Patidar for Pichda MorchaThese roles are crucial for mobilising farmers Scheduled Castes Scheduled Tribes and Backward Classes core voter bases in MPKhandelwal who assumed the presidency unopposed in July after a vacancy since Vishnu Dutt Sharmas term emphasised unity and development in his first addressSources indicate the appointments aim to energise the party after the 2023 Assembly win where the BJP secured 163 seatsThe move follows recent districtlevel reshuffles like in Rewa underscoring a statewide overhaulParty insiders hail the team for its diversity with women and tribal representatives prominentAs the BJP gears up for bypolls and national agendas this executive body is poised to drive the partys dominance in the heartland state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mp-bjp-unveils-new-state-executive-team-amid-organisational-revamp-644617.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-bjp-infighting-erupts-over-attack-on-caa-camp-644619.html Kolkata Oct 23 A BJP MLAs supporters have been accused of vandalising a camp meant for filling applications for the amended Citizenship Amendment Act CAA in the Kalyani area of Nadia district which was opened by Union Minister Shantanu Thakur BJP MLA Ambika Roy however denied such allegations He said he was not present there at the time of the incident and maintained that the BJP has no connection with that camp officeAccording to sources a CAA support camp office was opened in the area adjacent to the BJP party office Syamaprasad Bhavan in Kalyanis Central Park The office was inaugurated by Shantanu Thakur on October 22 However early on Thursday morning followers of Kalyani MLA Ambika Roy attacked the camp office The office was vandalised and furniture was broken A few people present there were also beaten upA person named Rohan Sau was injured in the incident He said The MLAs people attacked without provocation They beat us up severely A total of five of us were injured We were assisting the people at the camp office which was inaugurated by Shantanu ThakurThe BJP MLA meanwhile said Several people were drinking alcohol there at night and committing antisocial acts When the locals opposed a scuffle broke out I heard that there was a minor scuffle BJP has no connection with the incident Our workers did not vandalise the campThe incident however raised questions about the growing infighting between the two camps of the BJPBJPs Bangaon organisational district president Vikas Ghosh said It is not a party programme There is no issue of group conflict There has been some misunderstanding locallyTrinamool Congress meanwhile took a dig at the BJP over the incident Partys Ranaghat organisational district president Debashis Gangopadhyay said The MP group and the MLA group are involved in an infighting for their own interests The miscreants from both sides have messed with each other Police will take action as per the law IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-bjp-infighting-erupts-over-attack-on-caa-camp-644619.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/empowered-by-nrlm-chamoli-women-transform-dairy-farming-into-livelihood-success-644620.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/judiciary-must-act-as-guardian-of-constitutional-conscience-cji-br-gavai-644623.html New Delhi Oct 23 Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai on Thursday said that courts play a far greater role than simply adjudicating disputes describing the judiciary as a moral conscience of the Constitution responsible for safeguarding democracy protecting fundamental rights and ensuring accountability of power Delivering a lecture on Courts and Constitutional Governance during the Fifth Wisdom for Future Talk Series hosted by the JSW School of Law at the Royal Institute of Management RIM CJI Gavai reflected deeply on Indias constitutional evolution and its resonance with Bhutans constitutional textCourts are not merely adjudicatory bodies that resolve disputes between parties he said adding that they are vital organs of constitutional governance that safeguard the rule of law protect fundamental rights and ensure that every exercise of power remains accountable to constitutional principles The event was attended by Princess Sonam Dechan Wangchuck President of the JSW School of Law Chief Justice of Bhutan Norbu Tshering members of the Bhutanese judiciary legal scholars and students Calling Bhutan a living lesson in what an ideal civilisation could be CJI Gavai observed that the nation exemplifies progress in harmonybetween human aspiration and natures rhythm between tradition and modernity Bhutans example invites the world to rediscover the art of balanced and compassionate living the CJI said adding that the shared civilizational bond between India and Bhutan is nurtured by a common spiritual inheritance that finds its most eloquent expression in the teachings of Lord Buddha In his address CJI Gavai revisited milestone judgments that shaped Indias constitutional identity Referring to the Kesavananda Bharati v State of Kerala judgment he said the Supreme Court had then ensured that while Parliament could amend the Constitution it could not alter or destroy its basic structureThe decision marked a turning point in constitutional thought recognising that amendment cannot become destruction and that the Constitution must preserve its spirit even as it adapts to changing times he said The CJI added that the basic structure doctrine has since been a cornerstone of Indias constitutional philosophy and has inspired courts worldwide He listed rights such as free legal aid speedy trial education health shelter clean air and water privacy and even the right against the adverse impact of climate change as integral to the expansive interpretation of the right to life This approach compels the State to translate constitutional guarantees into tangible actions CJI Gavai said asserting that rights are meaningful only when they are enforceable accessible and capable of shaping the lived experience of the citizen He emphasised that the legitimacy of courts stems not from coercive authority but from moral integrity Public trust is the judiciarys most valuable asset CJI Gavai said adding that Courts earn this trust through transparency reasoned judgments and consistent adherence to constitutional principles He stressed that every judicial decision should reflect fairness and moral courage and said When citizens believe that justice will be done without fear or favour the legitimacy of the entire constitutional system is strengthened Concluding his address the CJI lauded Bhutans constitutional commitment to Gross National Happiness describing it as a constitutional vocabulary that marries justice with joy rights with responsibilities and liberty with collective flourishing We share not only a geographical neighbourhood but also a deep commitment to constitutional values justice and human dignity We are and will continue to be there for each other as partners in the pursuit of a fair and compassionate world he said Saying he would carry fond memories of Bhutans warmth wisdom and friendship the CJI said May our shared commitment to justice and compassion continue to guide our paths forward CJI Gavai concluded his speech with a heartfelt Kadrinchey laBhutanese for Thank you IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/judiciary-must-act-as-guardian-of-constitutional-conscience-cji-br-gavai-644623.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/deloitte-raises-indias-gdp-growth-forecast-to-68-pc-for-2025-26-644625.html New Delhi Oct 23 Deloitte India on Thursday raised its forecast for Indias GDP growth by 03 percentage points to 68 per cent for the financial year 202526 amid buoyant demand and policy reforms undertaken by the government The increase in the growth forecast comes on the back of a robust 78 per cent growth posted by the Indian economy in the first quarter of the current fiscal yearThis performance signals not just resilience but a renewed sense of India emerging stronger than most nations Similar growth rates are expected in the subsequent year but the range of variation remains broader due to uncertainties associated with trade and investment Deloittes India Economic Outlook report statesGrowth is likely to be supported by buoyant domestic demand accommodative monetary policy and structural reforms such as GST 20 Low inflation is also expected to contribute to spending as purchasing power improves the report addedThe increase in Deloittes growth forecast comes close on the heels of the RBI raising its projection for Indias economic growth to 68 per centDeloitte India Economist Rumki Majumdar said demand during the festive quarter will likely be fuelled by a notable rise in consumption spending This is expected to be followed by strong private investment as businesses respond to uncertainties and prepare to meet elevated demandThere is also anticipation that India will strike a deal with the US and the EU by the end of the year which is expected to elevate overall investment sentiments Strong growth in the first and third quarters is likely to drive overall annual growth Majumdar observedA strong rural consumer confidence index above 100 indicates optimism in rural demand and improved crop output will support farm income in the coming months the report further statedHowever growth in the current fiscal year remains vulnerable to global headwinds Escalating trade uncertainties and Indias inability to secure a trade deal with the United States are potential risks that could impact Indias economic growth the report added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/deloitte-raises-indias-gdp-growth-forecast-to-68-pc-for-2025-26-644625.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/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/national/meeting-of-southern-states-urban-development-ministers-in-bluru-on-oct-30-with-manohar-lal-in-attendance-dks-644630.html Bengaluru Oct 23 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said that Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar has agreed to hold a conference of all ministers in charge of urban development from the southern states in Bengaluru on October 30 Shivakumar said this while interacting with the media here Asked if he would press the Central government for funds for Bengalurus development the state Congress president said Of course we will Since the Union Minister for Urban Development himself will attend this conference we will place our demands before him We have already met Union Ministers and the Prime Minister several times seeking grants for BengaluruSpeaking about his recent visits to boundary areas that could be included under the jurisdiction of the Greater Bengaluru Authority JBA Shivakumar said I have visited the border regions of local bodies within Bengaluru Urban District that are eligible to be included under GBAs limitsSeveral municipalities and town panchayats fall within this zone I have convened a meeting of the concerned officials on Friday Some parts of these areas may in the coming days be brought under the jurisdiction of the Bengaluru municipal corporations that fall under GBA The committee headed by BS Patil is preparing a report on which areas can be included under GBA We have also instructed MLAs MPs citizens and civic organisations to hold discussions on this matterThis weekend I will meet the public through the Bengaluru Nadige Walk in Bengaluru programme Afterwards we will hold meetings with ITBT companies especially in the Mahadevapura and KR Puram areas he addedAsked about the deadline for filling potholes Shivakumar said Officials are filling potholes we have made them responsible In some places instead of simply patching potholes we are laying a fresh layer of road These works are ongoing continuously Priority is being given to major areas to complete the work quickly Since rains have started we are waiting for them to stop Once the rain ceases we will resume the workWhen asked about CM Siddaramaiahs son and MLC Yathindras remarks on leadership and why no disciplinary action has been taken against certain MLAs Shivakumar said I will not comment on this matter at the moment I will respond at an appropriate timeRegarding reports that the SIT has confirmed the manipulation of 6000 votes in the Aland constituency he said There is no doubt about it This was done through the use of phone numbers Officials had filed complaints about this at that time The law will take its own course in this case IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/meeting-of-southern-states-urban-development-ministers-in-bluru-on-oct-30-with-manohar-lal-in-attendance-dks-644630.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/op-sindoor-delivered-a-heavy-dose-to-pakistan-rajnath-singh-644631.html Jaisalmer Oct 23 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that after the heavy dose given to Pakistan during Operation Sindoor will deter it from indulging in any adventurism for a long time Addressing the Army Commanders Conference held in the desert city close to the Pakistan border for the first time since Operation Sindoor the Defence Minister said Though Pakistan has been delivered a heavy dose under Operation Sindoor if at all it thinks of indulging in any troublemaking now it should think 100 times before doing any such thingJust in case Pakistan attempts to do something wrong it should know very well about the outcome of such a misadventure said the Defence Minister adding that Operation Sindoor is still on and it is just put under suspensionHe recalled an anecdote from the Ramayana and said that during Operation Sindoor our pilots had just tried to test the winds but within minutes they crushed the targets In case our pilots get down to the real act then it is only a matter of imagination in what state they will leave Pakistan after their attack he saidHe said our enemies whether external or internal need to be kept under a close watch and effective measures need to be taken against themRajnath Singh said the government is committed to improving infrastructure and developing border areas I am sure as development activities increase in the area you will also going to benefit from it he saidAlerting Commanders to remain alert in this area bordering Pakistan the Defence Minister said the armed forces will play a key role in achieving Viksit Bharat2047On the one hand you have to guard our border and on the other you have to build a developed India he saidThe Defence Minister is on a threeday visit to Jaisalmer which started on Thursday According to defence sources the conference has brought together the Army Chief and senior commanders to deliberate on border security along Indias western frontier modern warfare strategies and technological advancements in defence operationsThe discussions will also focus on the Armys ongoing Year of Reforms assessing the progress of structural and technological modernisation initiativesOn the second day of his visit Rajnath Singh will visit the Longewala border post where he will pay homage to the soldiers martyred during the 1971 IndoPak war IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/op-sindoor-delivered-a-heavy-dose-to-pakistan-rajnath-singh-644631.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/iim-calcutta-srfti-sign-mou-to-foster-collaboration-in-media-management-studies-644632.html Kolkata Oct 23 The Indian Institute of Management IIM Calcutta has informed on Thursday of signing a memorandum of understanding MoU with the Kolkatabased Satyajit Ray Film amp Television Institute SRFTI with the aim to foster collaboration in the area of media management studies The MoU marks the firstever collaboration between a premier business school and a leading institute of media excellence in India creating a pioneering framework for academic research and professional cooperation IIMCalcutta had claimedThe MoU was signed in the presence of the IIMCalcutta director Alok Kumar Rai and Samiran Datta vicechancellor of SRFTIThis collaboration seeks to bring together management principles and creative disciplines to nurture new perspectives in learning leadership and innovation By combining IIMCalcuttas strengths in management education consulting and capacity building with SRFTIs excellence in film media and storytelling the partnership aims to develop impactful programmes that bridge business strategy with creative practice a press statement issued by IIMCalcutta on Thursday readsUnder this framework both institutions will undertake joint research teaching and consultancy initiatives along with capacitybuilding and specialised training programmes that promote crossdisciplinary learning The partnership will also facilitate mutual exchanges and collaborative projects fostering synergy between analytical rigour and artistic expression the statement from IIMCalcutta addedAccording to it the arrangement also aspired to create a unique academic and professional ecosystem that would leverage creativity and media insight through the lens of management thereby contributing to the growth of Indias creative economy and expanding opportunities for students professionals and researchers alikeAlok Kumar Rai said that the MOU also sought to enhance collaboration encourage joint research and offer students increased training and opportunities relevant to the industry This will promote educational interactions between the two institutions and I am sure that the goal of this MoU will be achieved he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/iim-calcutta-srfti-sign-mou-to-foster-collaboration-in-media-management-studies-644632.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/artificial-rain-planned-in-delhi-around-oct-29-to-clean-air-rekha-gupta-644634.html New Delhi Oct 23 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that experts conducted tests in the Burari area on Thursday for inducing artificial rain around October 29 In the runup to the citys firstever cloud seeding experiment to counter air pollution scientifically CM Gupta said If conditions remain favourable Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29Preparations have been completed for the first time in Delhi to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding Today experts have successfully tested it in the Burari area The weather department has indicated the possibility of cloud presence on October 28 29 and 30 she wrote on her X platformShe said This initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also set to establish a scientific method to combat pollution in DelhiThe Chief Minister said The governments objective is to make the capitals air clean and the environment balanced through this innovation Best wishes to our cabinet colleague Shrimssirsaji and all officials involved in making this effort successfulEarlier Sirsa said that the intensified winter enforcement drive has started yielding measurable results as the AQI dropped 50 points in one dayDelhis AQI has improved significantly todays level of 305 is nearly 50 points better than yesterdays 353 The city is responding to swift coordinated action on the ground Sirsa stated after a review meetingHe directed departments to sustain this progress with a laser focus on identified pollution hotspots ensuring interagency coordination through the Green War RoomAround 2000 teams are in the field day and night Delhis strategy is not limited to winter it is a 247 yearround governance model that keeps data accountability and citizens at its core said SirsaHe added that while current measures are showing results the government is also preparing for the futureOur efforts are not limited to the present were strengthening the future Work will soon begin for getting 70 more mechanised sweepers 70 additional antismog guns water sprinklers and 140 litter pickers covering 1440 km of roads Were encouraging innovation through Delhis Clean Air Challenge and cloud seeding will soon be conducted with IIT Kanpur and IMD said SirsaSharing details of the Delhi governments Comprehensive Enforcement Deployment Sirsa said that as part of dust and construction management 200 day teams and 178night teams 970 personnel are deployed to monitor dust and construction normsSites above 500 sqm are under strict monitoring MCD PWD DDA DSIIDC and CPWD are leading with GPStracked sweepers and daily Green War Room reporting said a statementClaiming significant success in controlling open burning the Minister said that 230 day and 213 night patrols total 443 teams with over 1200 personnel are active against garbage leaf and biomass burning The contingents are deployed by MCD DDA DSIIDC and the Revenue Department he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/artificial-rain-planned-in-delhi-around-oct-29-to-clean-air-rekha-gupta-644634.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-came-knocking-at-our-doors-for-power-kumaraswamy-644635.html Bengaluru Oct 23 Reacting to Minister Priyank Kharges statement that the JDS had saffronised itself for the sake of power Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy claimed on Thursday that the Congress came to their doorstep for power Didnt they know before that I had formed the government with the BJP he said while speaking to the media in BengaluruHe also advised Kharge to stop petty politics and instead address the floods in his native Kalaburagi districtIn 2018 Congress came to our doorstep for power Let him ask his father what exactly happened back then and learn about it Instead of indulging in politics in Bengaluru let him focus on what is happening in his own districtHe said that in the past he had criticised the RSS but what have the Congress leaders themselves done The people gave Congress 136 seats Yet they do not listen to the problems of the people In Kalaburagi people are on the streets and farmers are in distress What have you done he saidHe claimed that his party does not beg for power from anyone reiterating his claim that it is the Congress that comes to JDS whenever they need power Everyone knows who Congress backstabbed Dont you know whom they have removed from power and how many peoples political careers they have destroyed he claimed The Union Minister said that Charan Singh was not allowed to participate in the Parliament session How many leaders including Chandrashekhar were sacrificed Their political careers were destroyed Similarly it was the Congress that destroyed Deve Gowdas political future Should I learn politics from such peopleResponding in Bengaluru on the issue of the change of JDS state president he said that there is no discussion within the party about changing the state president This matter has not come up for discussionOn Yathindra Siddaramaiahs statement on leadership change he said that there is no need for us to discuss the developments in their party Speaking on the reconstitution of the core committee he said Our party has already held a meeting on this We have decided to form a committee for the party organisation regarding the core committee and the corporation elections A decision will be taken in the coming daysResponding to CM Siddaramaiahs statement that the Centre is not providing adequate grants to the state Kumaraswamy said For 50 years the Congress party alone ruled the countryAfter independence in all 28 constituencies people elected only Congress MPs At that time there was a Congress government both at the Centre and in the state What did those MPs bring then the Minister questionedWhat did they bring when their party was in power at the centre and state How much money did Karnataka get at that time Which irrigation problems did they solve What funds did they bring for development Instead of discussing us they should sit down and discuss these things themselves Kumaraswamy said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-came-knocking-at-our-doors-for-power-kumaraswamy-644635.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nfr-accelerating-railway-developments-in-bodoland-region-of-assam-644636.html Guwahati Oct 23 The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR is undertaking a series of transformative railway development projects to strengthen connectivity infrastructure and economic growth in Assams Bodoland Territorial Area Districts BTAD officials said on Thursday NFRs Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that this series of initiatives aims to boost regional development create employment and integrate the BTAD region more closely with the national rail network under the vision of Viksit Bharat He said that a key project among them is the proposed Wagon Periodic Overhauling POH Workshop at Basbari in Kokrajhar district Recently NFR General Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava inspected the proposed site along with senior officials and representatives of the Bodoland Territorial Council The modern facility to be developed over about 2500 bighas for Rs 25635 crore Phase I will initially handle 75 wagons per month ramping up to 250 wagons per month in subsequent phases Strategically located near Basbari station and Rupsi Airport the workshop will serve as a major logistics hub generating largescale employment and skill development opportunities for local youth while enhancing NFRs wagon maintenance capacity The CPRO said that in addition NFR is spearheading the KokrajharGelephu New Railway Line Project a 69 km IndoBhutan crossborder connectivity initiative declared a Special Railway Project by the government of India Estimated at Rs 4033 crore this line will connect Kokrajhar in Assam to Gelephu in Bhutan opening new avenues for trade tourism and regional cooperation under the Neighbourhood First and Act East policies he said The project will significantly benefit the BTAD region making Kokrajhar a key gateway for IndiaBhutan rail and logistics operations Sharma said that under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme ABSS NFR has also initiated modernisation works at important BTAD stations including Kokrajhar Gossaigaon Hat Fakiragram Udalguri Tanglaand Majbat These works include the redevelopment of station buildings improved passenger amenities better circulation areas and modern façade designs to provide worldclass facilities to passengers BTAD stations are now better connected than ever before Important trains such as the Vande Bharat Express and Rajdhani Express regularly halt at Kokrajhar station ensuring fast comfortable and premium connectivity for passengers of the Bodoland region to major cities across the country In addition several new stoppages of express and passenger trains have been introduced at key BTAD stations including Gossaigaon Hat Fakiragram Basugaon Bijni Tangla Udalguri and Majbat significantly improving travel convenience for local commuters and enhancing rail accessibility With electrification doubling and infrastructure modernisation progressing rapidly NFR reaffirms its commitment towards driving the socioeconomic transformation of Assams BTAD region through safe sustainable and inclusive railway development the NFR official stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nfr-accelerating-railway-developments-in-bodoland-region-of-assam-644636.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nda-alliance-set-for-decisive-win-in-bihar-polls-union-mos-sp-singh-baghel-644638.html New DelhiPatna Oct 23 In a confident assertion amid the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare SP Singh Baghel has predicted a resounding victory for the NDA alliance Dismissing the Oppositions recent announcements on the Chief Ministerial faces as mere political posturing Union Minister Baghel on Thursday emphasised the groundlevel momentum favouring the NDA coalition driven by welfare schemes and strong leadershipThe INDIA bloc announced Tejashwi Yadav as their chief ministerial candidate while Mukesh Sahani of the Vikassheel Insaan Party as the Deputy Chief MinisterSpeaking in an exclusive interview with IANS Union Minister Baghel downplayed the INDIA blocs move to project the potential CM and Deputy CM candidatesIt may be news for you but for us political people its simple news he remarkedHe said that the internal dynamics within the Opposition noting that the Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD remains the dominant force with Congress merely following suitRJD is a big party Congress is its follower If they had to announce the CM and deputy CM candidates before elections it should have been announced by the RJD not Congress Union Minister Baghel added suggesting the timing and source undermine its impactThe Union Minister also critiqued the Oppositions approach to leadership selection particularly the emphasis on caste affiliationsHe said that such strategies sow confusion among diverse communitiesMany castes were under confusion if they picked up any one caste person they have done damage to others he addedThis he said contrasts with the NDAs broader inclusive appealDelving into the electoral atmosphere Union Minister Baghel shared insights from his recent tours across BiharHe attributed the positive response to the Central governments welfare policies Prime Minister Narendra Modis charismatic personality and the state governments initiativesI have also taken a round Central government welfare policy PM Modis personna and work state policies and the hard work of both the parties from booth level worker to national presidents the BJPled NDA alliance will emerge victorious he saidA key factor according to Union Minister Baghel is the strong support from women voters who view Chief Minister Nitish Kumar as their top choiceWomen voters prefer Nitish Kumar as the first choice in Bihar he has done tremendous work They have found their life has become easier through oldage pension toilet kitchen five kg foodgrains so women understand that PM Modi has made their life easier he said crediting schemes like free rations sanitation drives and pensions for transforming daily lives of women in BiharOn the NDAs own leadership decisions Union Minister Baghel urged the Opposition to focus inwardThey must think about their own home and keep it in order we will decide after a proper democratic process he said underscoring the alliances commitment to internal democracy over hasty projectionsAs polling dates approach Baghels remarks signal high morale within the NDA campWith Bihars political landscape marked by intense rivalry between the NDA and INDIA bloc alliances the Union Ministers optimism could bolster the coalitions campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nda-alliance-set-for-decisive-win-in-bihar-polls-union-mos-sp-singh-baghel-644638.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 01:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-initiates-process-to-appoint-next-cji-seeks-chief-justice-gavais-recommendation-644640.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Union government has written to Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai seeking his recommendation for the appointment of his successor The process marks the formal initiation of the appointment procedure for the next CJI a step that is conventionally taken about a month before the incumbent demits officeCJI Gavai is scheduled to retire on November 23This is in line with the established convention that the outgoing CJI names the seniormost judge of the Supreme Court considered fit to hold the highest judicial office of the countryAs per seniority Justice Surya Kant is next in line to become the 53rd Chief Justice of India and is expected to assume office following Justice Gavais retirementCJI Gavai who is currently on a fourday official visit to Bhutan is expected to send his recommendation to the Union government after returning to New DelhiUnder the Memorandum of Procedure governing appointments to the higher judiciary the Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju seeks the recommendation of the outgoing CJI for naming his successor a process designed to ensure a smooth transition in the leadership of the judiciaryJustice Surya Kant born on February 10 1962 in Hisar Haryana began his legal practice at the Hisar District Court in 1984 and shifted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court a year laterKnown for his expertise in constitutional service and civil law he represented several universities boards and corporations and also served as the youngest Advocate General of Haryana in 2000He was elevated as a permanent judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 9 2004 and went on to serve as Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court from October 5 2018 before his elevation to the Supreme Court on May 24 2019Justice Surya Kant is due to retire on February 9 2027 giving him a tenure of nearly 15 months as Chief Justice of India CJI once appointedAt present he also serves as Chairman of the Supreme Court Legal Services Committee since November 2024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-initiates-process-to-appoint-next-cji-seeks-chief-justice-gavais-recommendation-644640.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-unfortunate-president-murmu-vp-radhakrishnan-express-grief-over-loss-of-11-lives-in-andhra-pradesh-bus-fire-644656.html New Delhi Oct 24 President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Friday expressed deep grief over the tragic bus fire in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh which claimed 11 lives Both leaders termed the incident deeply unfortunate and extended condolences to the bereaved families President Murmu in a post on social media platform X wrote The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool Andhra Pradesh is deeply unfortunate I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injuredVice President Radhakrishnan also shared his condolences on X saying Deeply saddened by the tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool district Andhra Pradesh Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injuredAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident stating I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected familiesFormer Andhra Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy also conveyed his grief calling the tragedy deeply distressingThe news of the tragic bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district is deeply distressing I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones I urge the government to ensure all necessary assistance and medical support to the injured and those affected by this unfortunate incident he saidThe horrific accident occurred near Chinnatekur in Kallur mandal of Kurnool district when a private Volvo bus caught fire leading to a significant loss of life The bus was traveling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad when it caught fire after an accidentAccording to preliminary reports around 40 passengers were on board the bus at the time of the incident Twelve passengers reportedly managed to escape with minor injuries after breaking open the emergency exit but the bus was completely gutted in the blazeAndhra Pradesh State Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy rushed to the site soon after receiving the news Expressing deep anguish he said The loss of so many lives is truly heartbreakingHe directed officials to shift the injured to Kurnool Hospital and ensure the best possible medical care The minister also instructed transport and rescue teams to carry out immediate relief and rescue operations at the accident spot IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/deeply-unfortunate-president-murmu-vp-radhakrishnan-express-grief-over-loss-of-11-lives-in-andhra-pradesh-bus-fire-644656.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 09:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-bus-fire-pm-modi-expresses-grief-announces-ex-gratia-for-victims-644658.html New Delhi Oct 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the Andhra Pradesh bus fire incident that claimed 11 lives and announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh each for the kin of the deceased At least 11 people were killed when a Volvo bus caught fire and turned into ashes after it hit a twowheeler in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool in the early hours of Friday The bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru had around 40 people on board The bus accident occurred near Ullindakonda in the districtExpressing grief the Prime Ministers Office posted on X Extremely saddened by the loss of lives due to a mishap in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time Praying for the speedy recovery of the injuredThe PMO announced an ex gratia of Rs two lakh from PMNRF to the next of kin of each deceased and the injured would be given Rs 50000Earlier President Droupadi Murmu and Vice President CP Radhakrishnan expressed deep grief over the tragic bus incident Both leaders termed the incident deeply unfortunate and extended condolences to the bereaved familiesPresident Murmu in a post on social media platform X wrote The loss of lives in a tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool Andhra Pradesh is deeply unfortunate I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family members and pray for the speedy recovery of those injuredVice President Radhakrishnan also shared his condolences on X saying Deeply saddened by the tragic bus fire accident in Kurnool district Andhra Pradesh Heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the speedy recovery of the injuredAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock over the incident stating I am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident near Chinna Tekur village in Kurnool district My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected familiesThe horrific accident occurred near Chinnatekur in Kallur mandal of Kurnool district when a private Volvo bus caught fire leading to the loss of lifeThe bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad when it caught fire after an accidentAccording to preliminary reports around 40 passengers were on board the bus at the time of the incident At least 19 passengers reportedly managed to escape with minor injuries after breaking open the emergency exit but the bus was completely gutted in the blazeAndhra Pradesh State Transport Minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy rushed to the site soon after receiving the news Expressing deep anguish he said The loss of so many lives is truly heartbreaking He directed officials to shift the injured to Kurnool Hospital and ensure the best possible medical care IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-bus-fire-pm-modi-expresses-grief-announces-ex-gratia-for-victims-644658.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/acharya-prashant-calls-for-an-awakened-vote-ahead-of-bihar-elections-2025-644660.html New Delhi Oct 24 As Bihar heads toward elections philosopher and author Acharya Prashant has urged citizens to treat the vote as an occasion for awakening rather than routine The quality of any government is never higher than the quality of the people who elect it he said When people vote unconsciously by habit caste or anger elections become nothing but a ritual A sleeping mind elects a snoring systemAcharya Prashant said Bihars tragedy was not merely economic but spiritual Bihars tragedy is not that it is poor it is that it refuses to wake up Poverty of money can be cured but poverty of clarity cannotHe linked the states persistent challenges such as migration unemployment weak governance and poor education to an inward lack of awareness among voters Each number in every report is a mirror held to our collective mind Bihars wounds are not of governance alone they are wounds of vision he remarkedCiting official figures he pointed out that Bihars percapita income at about Rs 54000 a year remains the lowest in India while over 25 lakh people migrate annually in search of work The literacy rate is around 71 per cent female literacy roughly 61 per cent and the female labourforce participation rate is barely 25 per centA land that once gave the world the Buddha now struggles to give its children even a decent classroom he said To rebuild Bihar is to rebuild the classroom The gravest injustice to a human being is to keep him uneducated for then he cannot even know that he is in chainsHe noted that neglect in one area infects all others Education ignored breeds unemployment unemployment breeds lawlessness lawlessness finally kills aspiration When the voter remains inwardly unaware every sector reflects the same disorder in a different disguiseHe highlighted continuing challenges in law and order infrastructure and healthcare Bihar still records among the highest pendency of court cases in India and power consumption per capita remains barely a third of the national average Progress that does not reach the last home is only decoration he said Without inner order even outer infrastructure crumbles into misuseOn unchecked population growth Acharya Prashant warned that no economy can outpace the womb forever Bihars population density at over 1200 persons per sq km is triple the national average When the population multiplies without proportionate education employment or healthcare every reform becomes futile he said Womens education and family planning are not charity they are survivalHe emphasised that the position of women remains the most accurate test of social maturity The freedom of the woman is not a social issue it is the barometer of a civilisations core In the same home that worships goddesses daughters are confined for safetyTurning to electoral behaviour Acharya Prashant said the gravest corruption in Bihar lay not in offices but in minds Caste freebies anger and emotion still guide the hand at the ballot The mind votes every day for comfort over clarity for greed over gratitude the EVM is only the final act of that inner disorderHe urged voters not to disengage but to exercise discrimination If no candidate appears worthy the right approach is not to hunt for the perfect but to eliminate the worst as one does in an exam Remove those clearly unfit the corrupt the violent the divisive From what remains choose the one least harmful the one still capable of conscienceHe added a caution against flattery Do not vote for those who only tell you what you want to hear The leader who dares to speak the uncomfortable truth even at the cost of votes is the one who truly deserves them The one who flatters you prepares to exploit youReflecting on Bihars cultural inheritance Acharya Prashant said legacy must be lived not worshippedBihars heritage is luminous Buddha Mahavira Nalanda But luminous memory is not lived understanding Knowledge lives only when it cuts the false inside us The moment it turns into an inheritance a slogan a custom or a cultural tradition it stops liberating and starts protecting our weaknessesA living heritage he said must show itself in conduct honesty in public life safety for women schools that teach real enquiry and courts that deliver justice Otherwise what we call heritage is merely an alibi he remarkedAcharya Prashant concluded that Bihars transformation must begin within Every external change begins with an internal one If you do not first reform the voter within the system outside will keep repeating its old patternsHe called upon citizens to see the coming election as a responsibility of awareness Bihar will rise the day its citizens stop voting to be pleased and start voting to be awakened The real election is not between parties it is between clarity and confusion between light and darkness between awakening and apathy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/acharya-prashant-calls-for-an-awakened-vote-ahead-of-bihar-elections-2025-644660.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/varanasi-district-court-likely-to-deliver-key-decision-on-replacing-sealing-cloth-at-gyanvapi-site-644662.html Varanasi Oct 24 The Varanasi district court may issue a crucial decision on Friday regarding the Gyanvapi site where a Shivling was reportedly found during an Archaeological Survey of India ASI survey The hearing is expected to determine whether the deteriorated sealing cloth covering the disputed area should be replaced The area in question was sealed after the discovery of the Shivling during the courtordered survey Previously the court had directed that the fish found in the sealed section be transferred to the wazukhana ablution pond However with the sealing cloth now completely damaged the court is expected to decide whether to reseal the area with a new cloth to maintain security and prevent further disputesSpeaking to IANS advocate Subhash Nandan Chaturvedi representing the Hindu side said The Gyanvapi matter is trial number 1822 in which under the order of the district and civil court an ASI survey was conducted During the survey a Shivling was found inside what is referred to as the wazukhana Since the issue was highly sensitive and had reached courts from the district level to the Supreme Court the area was sealed and placed under paramilitary protectionHe added The sealing cloth has now deteriorated due to time We have requested the district court to replace it to avoid any allegations or counterallegations The court is expected to deliver its decision today on whether the cloth will be changedThe Gyanvapi dispute has been ongoing for several years On September 12 2022 the Varanasi District Court rejected objections against a petition filed by five Hindu women seeking permission to offer daily prayers to Hindu deities within the disputed mosque premisesThe order allowed the continuation of hearings questioning the religious identity of the site effectively reopening discussions around the Places of Worship Special Provisions Act 1991 a law intended to maintain the religious character of places of worship as they existed on August 15 1947The case originated in August 2021 when five Hindu women filed a plea in the Varanasi Civil Court seeking permission to worship idols allegedly located inside the Gyanvapi Mosque Following the petition an Enquiry Commission conducted a video survey of the mosque premises during which Hindu petitioners claimed that a Shivling was found inside the wazukhana a pond used by Muslims for ablution before prayers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/varanasi-district-court-likely-to-deliver-key-decision-on-replacing-sealing-cloth-at-gyanvapi-site-644662.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-telangana-cms-express-shock-over-bus-blaze-that-killed-11-644666.html Hyderabad Oct 24 Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have expressed shock over the horrific bus fire in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool district that resulted in 11 people being burnt alive A private bus which was heading to Bengaluru from Hyderabad caught fire near Chinnatekur village in Kurnool district in the early hours of Friday killing 11 passengers and leaving 9 others missingAndhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu who is on a visit to the United Arab Emirates expressed shock over the tragedyI am shocked to learn about the devastating bus fire accident My heartfelt condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their loved ones Government authorities will extend all possible support to the injured and affected families he posted on XTelangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the Kurnool district bus accident and conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceasedThe Chief Minister spoke to officials of Andhra Pradesh and directed Telangana State officials to coordinate and extend all necessary assistance He also discussed the incident with the State Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police DGP instructing them to take immediate actionThe Chief Minister directed officials to set up a helpline without delay and ordered the Gadwal District Collector and SP to visit the accident site immediatelyAndhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan said that the horrific accident is deeply shocking It is tragic that more than 10 people have lost their lives in this incident so far I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and pray for the speedy recovery of the injured On behalf of the government instructions have been given to the authorities to ensure better medical treatment for those injured in this accident I urge the transport department to take measures to ensure safety standards are in place to prevent such accidents in the future posted Pawan KalyanFormer Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that the news of the tragic bus fire near Chinnatekur village in Kurnool district was deeply distressing I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families who lost their loved ones I urge the government to ensure all necessary assistance and medical support to the injured and those affected by this unfortunate incident he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-telangana-cms-express-shock-over-bus-blaze-that-killed-11-644666.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/film-on-village-development-plans-debuts-in-cinemas-644672.html New Delhi Oct 24 IANS Starting Friday the Panchayati Raj Ministry is screening a twominute Public Service Awareness PSA film on Peoples Plan Campaign Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas in cinema halls across the country to promote public participation in villagelevel projects an official saidThe documentary which includes visuals of Prime Minister Narendra Modis speeches and interaction with women will be screened in theatres till November 6 as part of a campaign that aims to involve people in the preparation of Panchayat Development Plans for the Financial Year 202627 said the official in a statementIn line with the Prime Ministers vision of janbhagidari and saturation of government schemes this film reinforces the message that every citizen has a vital role in shaping the agenda of development at the grassroots levelThe film also captures the spirit of various development schemes of the central government including those focused on women health solar power panels and school childrenThis short film will be screened nationwide in cinema halls as per the Guidelines for Exhibition of Public Service Awareness Films except in states where the Model Code of Conduct is currently in force due to elections said the official statementThe short film will be played before the start of the movie and during the last five minutes of the interval periodThe Peoples Plan Campaign PPC 202526 was rolled out on October 2 to enable panchayats to prepare evidencebased and inclusive Panchayat Development Plans that reflect local priorities while aligning with national goals through special Gram Sabha meetingsSince its inception in 2018 the Peoples Plan Campaign Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas has evolved into a flagship initiative that has played a pivotal role in deepening grassroots democracy institutionalising participatory planning and strengthening the foundations of selfgovernance across rural IndiaAccording to the eGramSwaraj Portal over 1813 lakh Panchayat Development Plans comprising Gram Panchayat Development Plans GPDPs Block Panchayat Development Plans BPDPs and District Panchayat Development Plans DPDPs have been uploaded since 201920 including 252 lakh Plans for the ongoing exercise of 202526Through this nationwide cinema screening of the public service awareness film on the Peoples Plan Campaign the Ministry seeks to deepen citizen engagement with PRIs and inspire them to actively participate in local governance and rural development said the statementIANS https://dailyworld.in/national/film-on-village-development-plans-debuts-in-cinemas-644672.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nda-heading-for-landslide-victory-in-bihar-polls-says-pm-modi-644674.html New Delhi Oct 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that the National Democratic Alliance will secure a massive victory in the Bihar Assembly polls PM Modi will begin the BJPs poll campaign from Samastipur the birthplace of Bharat Ratna Karpoori Thakur where he will pay homage to the departed leaderIn a post on the social media platform X PM Modi saluted Bharat Ratna Karpoori ThakurThe Prime Minister shared that he would have the privilege to pay tributes to Karpoori ThakurNotably it was the Modi government which conferred the Bharat Ratna the highest civilian honour on the Dalit leader posthumouslyKarpoori Thakur a prominent socialist leader and former Chief Minister of Bihar is remembered for his dedication to social justice and the upliftment of marginalised communitiesKarpoori Thakurs policies including reservations for backward classes have had a lasting impact on the stateIn his post Prime Minister Modi shared that he would address two massive public rallies in the pollbound stateHe further claimed that the enthusiasm of people in Bihar shows that the BJP is heading for a big win in the polls The enthusiasm and excitement of the people of Bihar indicate that the BJPNDA is set to achieve a resounding victory in Assembly elections this time as well he said in the postBesides the Samastipur rally on Friday PM Modi is scheduled to address public meetings in Muzaffarpur and Chhapra on October 30Meanwhile Union Home Minister Amit Shah will also hold two major election rallies on Friday one in Siwan and another in BuxarThe BJPs state leadership has completed all preparations for the highprofile visits of both PM Modi and Amit Shah with local units mobilised to ensure massive public turnoutThe rallies by PM Modi and Amit Shah are expected to significantly raise the political temperature in the state and energise the NDA campaignBihar is scheduled to go to the polls in two phases November 6 and 11 and the counting of votes will be taken up on November 14 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nda-heading-for-landslide-victory-in-bihar-polls-says-pm-modi-644674.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-at-private-nursing-home-in-siliguri-one-patient-killed-644678.html Kolkata Oct 24 One patient admitted to a private nursing home at Siliguri in Darjeeling district of West Bengal was killed late on Thursday after a fire broke out at the nursing home after midnight However the other patients who had been admitted to the private nursing home could be safely evacuated following prompt action by the hospital staff and the cops who joined the evacuation operations It is yet to be clear whether the deceased patient who was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit ICU of the hospital died because of suffocation due to the smoke from the fire or other causesThe Deputy Commissioner of Siliguri Metropolitan Police Rakesh Singh who rushed to the spot on getting the news of the fire later told media persons that there had been no impact of the fire on the 12 patients from the general ward and five patients from the ICU and all of them were safeThe police have started an investigation into the matter and will take appropriate steps as per legal provisions Singh saidHowever the relatives of the patients have complained about the negligence of the nursing home authorities regarding the lack of adequate provisions to fight such cases of emergencyThey complained that there was a shortage of medical staff at the time of the blaze and not even adequate supporting staff to use the nursing homes firefighting equipment when the fire broke out after midnightThe allegations from the relatives were to an extent confirmed by the fire services department official present at the spot who said that the fire could have been brought under control immediately had the nursing homes fire fighting equipment been effectively used by the staff present thereThe nursing home authorities have however denied the allegations There were adequate staff at the hospital when the fire broke out Although there was initial panic the crisis was handled effectively The patients are safe said a nursing home spokesmanInitial investigation has revealed that a short circuit was the reason behind the fire IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fire-at-private-nursing-home-in-siliguri-one-patient-killed-644678.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-urges-people-to-share-chhath-puja-songs-ahead-of-festivities-644679.html New Delhi Oct 24 As Chhath Puja begins from Saturday Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged people to share songs related to the festival saying he would repost them over the next few days Taking to social media platform X the Prime Minister said Chhath the grand festival dedicated to nature and culture is approaching Devotees across Bihar and the country are already engaged in preparations with devotion Songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya further enhance the grandeur and divinity of this sacred occasion I request you to share songs related to Chhath Puja with me I will share them with all my countrymen over the next few daysThe fourday Chhath Puja celebrations this year will be observed from Saturday to October 28 The festival is a revered occasion dedicated to worshipping the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya seeking blessings for prosperity and wellbeingChhath Puja is one of the most significant Hindu festivals primarily observed in Bihar Jharkhand and eastern Uttar Pradesh It is also celebrated in parts of Nepal and among Indian communities across the worldDedicated to the worship of the Sun god and his sister Chhathi Maiya the festival emphasises purity gratitude and the wellbeing of ones familyWith roots tracing back to the ancient eras of Satyuga and Dwapara Yuga Chhath Puja is believed to be among the oldest known forms of Sun worship Devotees observe the festival with strict discipline abstaining from food and water for long hours to express devotion and seek blessings of prosperity health and happiness Worshipping Surya during Chhath is said to remove negativity from ones life and usher in peace and positivityThe fourday celebration involves elaborate rituals that symbolise purification faith and selfcontrolDay 1 Nahai Khai The festival begins with devotees taking a holy dip in a river or pond to cleanse themselves They bring vegetables and pulses and prepare the first offerings emphasising cleanliness and sanctityDay 2 Kharna On this day devotees observe a strict fast from sunrise to sunset They prepare offerings of jaggery rice and wheat breaking their fast in the evening after making offerings to the deity The prasad is then shared with family friends and neighbours to promote unity and community spiritDay 3 Sandhya Arghya Devotees gather near water bodies in the evening to offer arghya prayers and offerings to the setting Sun They present fruits sugarcane and prasad to express gratitude to the Sun god for sustaining life on EarthDay 4 Usha Arghya The final day is dedicated to offering prayers to the rising Sun Devotees break their fast after making offerings symbolising renewal and spiritual rebirth The prasad is distributed among family and community members marking the end of the ritualsChhath Puja is celebrated with simplicity dedication and purity The offerings including fruits vegetables and sweets represent the gifts of nature and the ritual of fasting and prayers signifies the devotees willingness to cleanse their body mind and soul The primary essence of Chhath Puja is gratitude as it fosters respect for natural resources and the harmonious relationship between nature and humankind IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-urges-people-to-share-chhath-puja-songs-ahead-of-festivities-644679.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhath-puja-2025-to-generate-rs-38-000-crore-trade-across-india-cait-644680.html New Delhi Oct 24 The grand festival of Chhath Puja dedicated to worshipping the Sun God is set to give a major boost to the Indian economy with trade worth around Rs 38000 crore expected across the country according to the Confederation of All India Traders CAIT on Friday This marks a sharp rise of 2258 per cent from last years Rs 31000 crore and Rs 27000 crore in 2023 reflecting the festivals growing cultural and economic significanceThe fourday festival celebrated with devotion and grandeur has not only become a symbol of faith and purity but also a driver of local trade and Swadeshi productsCAIT said that around 150 million people are participating in Chhath Puja rituals this year which include fasting bathing and offering prayers to both the setting and rising sunOnce celebrated mainly in Bihar the festival has now become a panIndian event symbolising purity discipline and the deep connection between nature and humanityIn Delhi alone Chhathrelated trade is expected to cross Rs 6000 crore this year The city which has a large Purvanchali population has made elaborate arrangements for devotees setting up around 1500 ghats for ritualsMajor ghats such as Yamuna Ghat Kalindi Kunj Wazirabad and Geeta Colony have been beautifully decorated to welcome lakhs of worshippersThe festival is celebrated with equal fervour in Bihar Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh West Bengal Chhattisgarh Uttarakhand Haryana Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh and other statesAcross India markets are witnessing massive footfall as devotees purchase traditional Chhath essentials such as bamboo baskets sup daura dalia earthen lamps sugarcane fruits sweets sarees utensils and puja materialsCAIT Secretary General and MP from Chandni Chowk Praveen Khandelwal said Chhath Puja is not just a religious festival but also a reflection of Indias social harmony and cultural unityHe added that it supports local traders and smallscale industries strengthening Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Vocal for Local and Aatmanirbhar BharatMost of the products used during Chhath Puja are handmade by local artisans boosting the cottage industry and creating employment opportunitiesKhandelwal emphasised that Chhath also promotes cleanliness environmental awareness and selfdiscipline making it one of Indias most holistic and meaningful festivals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhath-puja-2025-to-generate-rs-38-000-crore-trade-across-india-cait-644680.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ministers-industry-leaders-mourn-ad-guru-piyush-pandeys-demise-644684.html New Delhi Oct 24 Union Ministers and industry leaders on Friday expressed their grief over the passing away of ad guru Piyush Pandey Piyush Pandey a Padma Shri recipient and architect of Indian advertising passed away at the age of 70 He was the Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide of OgilvyAccording to the advertising agency he was battling an infection that took a serious turn His last rites will reportedly be performed at 11 am at Shivaji Park in MumbaiCommerce Minister Piyush Goyal called Pandey a phenomenon in the world of advertisingTruly at a loss for words to express my sadness at the demise of Padma Shri Piyush Pandey A phenomenon in the world of advertising his creative genius redefined storytelling giving us unforgettable and timeless narratives Goyal wrote in a post on the social media platform XThe Minister called Pandey a friend whose brilliance shone through his authenticity warmth and wit who leaves behind a deep void that will be hard to fillMy deepest condolences to his family friends and admirers Om Shanti he addedMinister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed sadness at the passing of PandeyCalling him a titan and legend of Indian advertising Sitharaman said he transformed communication by bringing everyday idioms earthy humour and genuine warmth into it His legacy will continue to inspire generationsFormer Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called Pandey a doyen of Indian advertisingThe creative colossus was a wonderful storyteller who communicated through metaphors reflecting everyday life and relatable emotions His passing away is the end of an era he added on XPandey was a man who left gigantic footprints on the ad industry said Anand Mahindra Chairman of the Mahindra Group on XMore than the campaigns he Pandey crafted or the brands he built Mahindra noted that the adgurus hearty laugh and his irrepressible zest for life will be the most rememberedHe reminded us that even in the serious business of persuasion joy and humanity must never be forgottenAlwida my friend You made life richer for all of us Mahindra saidShiv SenaUBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also expressed grief and called Pandey a communication genius and a truly inspiring personPiyush Pandey wasnt just an ad man he was one of Indias finest storytellers He taught us that emotion is the truest language of creativity His words made brands human and ideas immortal Farewell to a legend who made us feel think and smile added Former Union Minister and BJP leader Smriti Irani on XPandeys career was a series of iconic campaigns that became a cultural phenomenon He helped craft one of Indias most memorable political slogans Ab ki baar Modi sarkarHis ad portfolio includes some of the most memorable advertisements in Indian history like Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein for Cadbury Dairy Milk featuring the dancing girl Asian Paints Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai and the cute ZooZoo characters for Vodafone IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ministers-industry-leaders-mourn-ad-guru-piyush-pandeys-demise-644684.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/piyush-pandey-gave-indian-advertising-its-swadeshi-swagger-gautam-adani-644688.html Ahmedabad Oct 24 Gautam Adani Chairman of the Adani Group on Friday mourned the loss of Piyush Pandey a Padma Shri recipient saying he gave Indian advertising its swadeshi swagger Pandey passed away at the age of 70 after battling an infection that took a serious turn according to advertising agency Ogilvy where he served as Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer WorldwidePiyush Pandey was far more than just an advertising legend He was the voice that made India believe in its own story He gave Indian advertising its selfconfidence its soul its swadeshi swagger the Adani Group Chairman posted on the social media platform XThe billionaire industrialist further stated that Pandey was a very good friendLike a master batsman he played every stroke with his heart Today India has lost a true son Gautam Adani postedPranav Adani Director of Adani Enterprises the Adani Groups business incubator and flagship company also mourned Pandeys deathDevastated by the passing of my very dear friend Piyush Pandey the creative genius who shaped Indian advertising into a global powerhouse His ideas were the industrys benchmarks and have inspired generations of storytellers Will sorely miss his warmth and wit Pranav Adani posted on the social media platform XPandeys career was a series of iconic campaigns that became a cultural phenomenon His ad portfolio includes some of the most memorable advertisements in Indian history like Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein featuring the dancing girl Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai and the cute ZooZoo charactersPandey also spearheaded public service campaigns like the Do Boond Zindagi Ke Polio Abhiyaan with Bollywood superstar Amitabh BachchanPandey is survived by his family his colleagues who became his extended family and the amazing work that continues to define the heart and soul of Indian advertising IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/piyush-pandey-gave-indian-advertising-its-swadeshi-swagger-gautam-adani-644688.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 17:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/setback-for-dadasaheb-phalke-winner-mohanlal-as-kerala-hc-quashes-govt-order-on-his-ivory-collection-644698.html Kochi Oct 24 In a major setback to actor Mohanlal and the Kerala government the High Court on Friday quashed the states order that had legalised the actors collection of some ivory tusks However reacting to the order the actors counsel said this was nothing but only a technical issueThe court also cancelled the licence issued to him and directed the Kerala government to issue a fresh notification in compliance with legal procedures of the landThe court observed that the 2015 Kerala government order regularising Mohanlals ivory collection suffered from procedural lapses and was never published in the official gazette rendering it invalidIt further noted that the Kerala governments action to legitimise the possession of ivory was not in accordance with statutory normsThe case traces back to December 21 2011 when the Income Tax Department conducted a raid at Mohanlals residence in Thevara Kochi and reportedly discovered two pairs of ivory tusksFollowing the raid the Forest Department registered a case against the actor for alleged illegal possession of ivoryThe issue resurfaced after the government moved to withdraw the case a decision later struck down by the Perumbavoor Judicial First Class Magistrate CourtMohanlal subsequently approached the Kerala High Court challenging the lower courts order while another petitioner James Mathew sought legal action against the actor for possession of the elephant tusksEarlier the trial court had directed Mohanlal to personally appear in connection with the case observing that the states withdrawal decision lacked meritThe actor later secured a stay from the Kerala High Court With Fridays judgment the High Court has reaffirmed the need for due process in matters involving wildlife protection and government interventionThe ruling not only reopens the legal scrutiny surrounding actor Mohanlals possession of ivory tusks but also places the state government under pressure to rectify procedural irregularities in its earlier decisions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/setback-for-dadasaheb-phalke-winner-mohanlal-as-kerala-hc-quashes-govt-order-on-his-ivory-collection-644698.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/makingbiharno-1-stateismahagathbandhansgoal-says-tejashwi-yadav-before-launching-campaign-644699.html Patna Oct 24 RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav hit the campaign trail on Friday a day after securing the backing of all Mahagathbandhan partners for his Chief Ministerial candidacy and vowed to make Bihar the number one state in the country Speaking to media persons before leaving Patna for his campaign the RJD leader declared Tejashwi does not make broken and false promises I am firm on my words Making Bihar number one is our goalSeeking to evoke public sentiments and draw maximum eyeballs he promised to make the entire 14 crore population Bihar CM which he insinuated would mean Chinta MuktHe further said that the Mahagathbandhan if voted to power will focus on education health and increasing the income of the people He vowed to fulfil all the promises made to Bihars electorateWe have also announced a scheme for Jeevika Didi We will fulfil each and every one of these promises he said and reiterated that his government will not back off from any promises and will provide a government job to every member of the family as pledged earlierOur priorities are education health justice and employment and this will lay the foundation of development and good governance in Bihar he saidEarlier in the day before hitting the poll trail Tejashwi also shared a picture with VIP chief Mukesh Sahani both seated in the helicopter readying for the highvoltage campaign for the twophase electionsSteps advancing towards the destination with enthusiasm zeal hope and faith Tejashwi wrote sharing the pictureAll parties have now begun canvassing for the Bihar Assembly electionsOn Thursday after weeks of intense infighting and uncertainty the Grand Alliance Mahagathbandhan in Bihar finally declared RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as its Chief Ministerial face for the upcoming Bihar Assembly election The name of Tejashwi Yadav as the Chief Ministerial face was declared during the joint press conference of the alliance in Hotel Maurya PatnaThe announcement was made by former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot in the presence of leaders of the alliance constituent partners He also announced the name of Mukesh Sahani as the face for the Deputy Chief Ministers post The decision came after a prolonged dispute among the constituent partners particularly between the RJD and the Congress over seatsharing arrangements and the CM face IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/makingbiharno-1-stateismahagathbandhansgoal-says-tejashwi-yadav-before-launching-campaign-644699.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/made-monumental-contribution-to-the-world-of-advertising-pm-modi-on-piyush-pandeys-demise-644700.html New Delhi Oct 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief over the demise of advertising legend Piysuh Pandey remembering his contribution to the world of communication The Prime Minister said he will always cherish the interactions with Pandey PM Modi said his thoughts are with Pandeys admirers and familyIn a post on the social media platform X he said Piyush Pandey Ji was admired for his creativity He made a monumental contribution to the world of advertising and communications I will fondly cherish our interactions over the years Saddened by his passing away My thoughts are with his family and admirers Om ShantiPandey a Padma Shri recipient lost the battle against an infection at 70Pandey the Executive Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Worldwide of Ogilvy was widely regarded as the architect of modern Indian advertisingThe advertising legend helped in crafting one of Indias most memorable political slogans Ab ki baar Modi sarkar His ad portfolio includes some of the most memorable advertisements in Indian history like Kuch Khaas Hai Zindagi Mein for Cadbury Dairy Milk featuring the dancing girl Asian Paints Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai and the cute ZooZoo characters for VodafonePandey also spearheaded public service campaigns like the Do Boond Zindagi Ke Polio Abhiyaan with Amitabh BachchanHe is survived by his family his colleagues who became his extended family and the amazing work that continues to define the heart and soul of Indian advertisingSoon after the news about Pandeys demise spread condolences poured in from Union Ministers and industry leadersFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed grief over the demise of the advertising legendFormer Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik called Pandey a doyen of Indian advertisingShiv SenaUBT MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also expressed grief and called Pandey a communication genius and a truly inspiring personAdani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and Adani Enterprises Director Pranav Adani also mourned the loss of Piyush Pandey IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/made-monumental-contribution-to-the-world-of-advertising-pm-modi-on-piyush-pandeys-demise-644700.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/teachers-e-attendance-dispute-reaches-mp-high-court-644704.html Jabalpur Oct 24 A group of 27 aggrieved educators has petitioned the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur challenging the mandatory implementation of the Hamare Shikshak Our Teacher app for electronic attendance marking The case filed by Jabalpur resident Mukesh Singh Barkade and his colleagues from various districts has thrust the contentious eattendance policy into the judicial spotlight highlighting deepseated grievances over technologys intrusion into the profession of teachingThe Madhya Pradesh High Court has demanded a reply from the government The next date of hearing is October 30 with the bench issuing a directive for the state government to furnish a detailed response by that dateAdvocate Anshuman Singh representing the petitioners argued before the court that the apps rollout has engendered a cascade of practical hardships transforming routine duties into bureaucratic ordeals This is not merely an administrative tool it undermines the trust inherent in the profession Singh contendedAt the heart of the dispute lies the School Education Departments decree effective from July 1 mandating all government schoolteachers numbering over 35 lakh across the state to log their attendance via the appUpon arriving at school educators must capture a live selfie with students upload it for GPS verification and repeat the process at dismissal Noncompliance invites salary deductions a penalty that has already ensnared thousandsAccording to teachers association officebearers in Vidisha district alone a staggering 1723 out of 2190 guest teachers 79 per cent have faced pay cuts for failing to comply sparking outrage and fears of financial destitution among lowwage contract staffSimilar scenes have unfolded in Anuppur where zero compliance was recorded in initial audits prompting stern warnings from the Directorate of Public Instruction DPIThe backlash has been volcanic Teacher unions including the Provincial Teachers Union and guest educator federations decry the system as inhuman and impractical a sentiment echoed in rallies across Umaria Chhindwara and IndoreIn Damoh irate faculty submitted memoranda to Collector Sudhir Kumar Kochar vowing street protests unless the order for salary slashes is rescinded Balaghat witnessed a mass strike by thousands of guest teachers who decried the absence of basic infrastructure Rural schools lack network coverage and many of us cant afford smartphones or data packs lamented one demonstratorPrivacy concerns loom large too with the app allegedly exposing personal details publicly breaching constitutional rights to dignity and data protection A female teacher refused to go for eattendance When she was slapped with a notice by the department superiors she replied citing breach of privacy as the mobile phone was not provided by the government but was her personal asset and she cannot give access to a thirdparty appA decade ago in 2014 the High Court dismissed a similar plea against phonebased eattendance deeming it a progressive reform for accountability Yet the current iteration bolstered by the Hamare Shikshak platform launched in June has amplified woesTeachers argue it erodes professional autonomy treating educators as machines rather than mentorsWe build futures not just fill registers This surveillance culture wounds the soul of teaching articulated a union leader from Gwalior where over 22000 educators grapple with the mandateThe governments rationale is unequivocal curbing absenteeism and enhancing punctuality in a sector plagued by irregularitiesDirector of Public Instructions DPI officials cite pilot successes in urban pockets insisting the app fosters transparency However critics counter that without addressing rural digital divides where 40 per cent of schools remain offline the policy is a recipe for inequityGuest teachers often on meagre honorariums of Rs 800012000 monthly bear the brunt with unions threatening provincewide agitation if the High Court does not intervene IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/teachers-e-attendance-dispute-reaches-mp-high-court-644704.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-nab-kingpin-of-inter-state-drug-syndicate-operating-from-thailand-644709.html New Delhi Oct 24 In a major breakthrough against narcotics trafficking the Delhi Police Crime Branch has arrested the kingpin of an interstate drug syndicate that smuggled hybrid ganja marijuana into India from abroad the police said on Friday   The accused identified as Zamjith KP alias Samjhu 38 a native of Calicut Kerala was detained at Mangaluru Airport on October 21 after arriving from DubaiAccording to the Crime Branch Zamjith had been absconding for months and was the prime mover behind a sophisticated drug network operating across several statesDuring the course of investigation continuous efforts were made to trace and apprehend the accused Zamjith Samjhu and he was successfully detained at Mangaluru Airport on October 21 2025 upon his arrival from Dubai the police saidHis arrest comes months after three of his associates Fahim Ahmad KM Deepak Sharma alias Deepu and Sameer were nabbed on July 9 with 413 kg of hybrid ganjaA case FIR No 17525 was registered under sections 20 and 29 of the NDPS Act at the Crime Branch police stationInvestigations revealed that Zamjith who previously lived in Cambodia for nearly nine years dealing in the tobacco trade later shifted to Thailand where he allegedly ran his narcotics operationsHe is accused of smuggling highgrade hybrid ganja into India through international cargo consignments routed via Mumbai and Delhi airports using a network of couriers and distributorsSo far a total of four persons have been arrested and further investigation is in progress to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in this interstate drug syndicate Efforts are also being made to dismantle the entire network and ensure that all perpetrators are brought to justice said DCP Pankaj KumarThe Crime Branch is now probing financial transactions and communication trails to uncover the wider network and identify overseas links involved in trafficking hybrid ganja into India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-police-nab-kingpin-of-inter-state-drug-syndicate-operating-from-thailand-644709.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-health-dept-seeks-report-on-molestation-of-minor-at-kolkata-hospital-644711.html Kolkata Oct 24 The West Bengal Health Department has sought a detailed report from the authorities of staterun SSKM Medical College amp Hospital in South Kolkata over the molestation of a minor girl within the hospital premises on Wednesday afternoon Insiders from the state health department said that an explanation had also been sought from the hospital authorities on how the accused identified as Amit Mallik could freely move around within the hospital premises despite no longer being attached to the hospital as an employeeAmit Mallik a contractual staff member attached to another Kolkatabased staterun hospital NRS Medical College and Hospital was previously attached to SSKM and by virtue of his old association he frequently visited SSKMIt is learnt that the state health department had directed the SSKM authorities to submit a report in the matter within 72 hours The report from the hospital authorities will be personally examined by the state Health Secretary and thereafter necessary actions in the matter will be taken a health department official saidThe main charge against Mallick who had been framed under various Sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act 2012 is molestation of a 15yearold minor girl at a washroom within SSKM premises The victim came to the Outpatient Department of SSKM for some treatmentThe victims family members claimed that the accused posed as a doctor took the victim to the washroom at the trauma care centre of the hospital and molested her there The victim rushed out of the washroom in a state of shock and revealed her ordeal to her parentsSubsequently the Bhabanipur Police Station was informed after which a team of cops arrested the accused on Wednesday nightEarlier this week a traffic homeguard was arrested for beating a female junior doctor attached to a staterun hospital at Uluberia in Kolkataadjacent Howrah district The accused home guard also gave a rape threat to the woman doctor IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-health-dept-seeks-report-on-molestation-of-minor-at-kolkata-hospital-644711.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-stays-resilient-with-diversified-export-basket-amid-global-uncertainty-644712.html New Delhi Oct 24 Indias exports grew 519 per cent yearonyear between April and August 2025 to 3461 billion compared to 32903 billion during the same period in 2024 despite the uncertainty in global markets The performance comes on top of 71 per cent growth in exports in 2024 exceeding the global average of 25 per cent according to World Bank dataThis underscores Indias growing competitiveness diversification and resilience From hightech electronics to traditional commodities like tea and textiles Indias export growth story is being powered by innovation strategic reforms and expanding trade alliances according to an article in India NarrativeExports now contribute 212 per cent to Indias GDP up from 198 per cent in 2015 highlighting their rising importance in the national economy In August 2025 alone exports rose 477 per cent yearonyear with merchandise and services contributing 5309 per cent and 4691 per cent respectivelyBuoyed by this momentum the government has set an ambitious export target of 1 trillion for FY 202526 The growth in Indian exports despite global uncertainties is a result of the synergy between government policy digital transformation and the entrepreneurial dynamism of Indian exporters all advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat on a global scale the article statesIndias merchandise exports reached 18374 billion in AprilAugust 2025 up 231 per cent from the previous year Nonpetroleum and nongems and jewellery exports performed even better rising 776 per cent to 1467 billion underscoring the strength of sectors like engineering goods electronics chemicals and pharmaceuticalsElectronic goods led the surge with a 406 per cent increase adding 55 billion in value compared to the same period in 2024 This success is closely linked to the ProductionLinked Incentive PLI and Make in India schemes that have transformed India from a net importer to a net exporter of smartphones Exports of smartphones alone crossed Rs 1 lakh crore in the first five months of FY26 a robust 55 per cent increase over the previous year the article further statesEngineering goods a mainstay of Indian exports climbed 586 per cent to 4924 billion The US the UAE and Germany remain top buyers with products ranging from industrial machinery to valves and ATMs Government schemes like EPCG Export Promotion Capital Goods and MAI Market Access Initiative continue to enhance competitivenessThe pharmaceutical sector another export powerhouse grew 73 per cent reaching 1276 billion Indias reputation for affordable highquality generics and specialty drugs ensures continued demand from major markets such as the US Brazil and France Regulatory reforms like the UCPMP 2024 and National Medical Devices Policy 2023 have strengthened compliance and expanded export potential according to the articleTextiles and apparel a labourintensive industry grew 578 per cent to 677 billion reaffirming Indias global standing as the sixthlargest textile exporterAmid shifting global food preferences Indias exports of other cereals including barley quinoa and oats grew 2195 per cent yearonyear These products are benefitting from the global trend toward healthy sustainable foods with Nepal Sri Lanka and the UAE among top buyersSupportive initiatives like the Agriculture Export Policy and APEDAs market development programmes have been instrumental in expanding Indias agriexport reachTea exports surged 182 per cent with India overtaking Sri Lanka as the worlds secondlargest tea exporter in 2024 Iconic varieties like Assam and Darjeeling continue to dominate markets in the UAE Iraq and the US the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-stays-resilient-with-diversified-export-basket-amid-global-uncertainty-644712.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-polls-samajwadi-party-names20-starcampaigners-azam-khan-in-list-644723.html Lucknow Oct 24 Akhilesh Yadavled Samajwadi Party SP released a list of 20 star campaigners on Friday for the upcoming Assembly elections in Bihar The list of party veterans who will add strength to the Mahagathbandhan CongressRJDLefts public outreach also includes Azam Khan the 10time MLA who walked out of jail recently Among the prominent names who will go to the hustings in the runup to the highstakes battle include SP supremo Akhilesh Yadav his wife and Parliamentarian Dimple Yadav party MPs Rajiv Rai Ikra Hasan Priya Saroj and othersThe SP star campaigners are set to hit the ground soon galvanising and mobilising public support for the candidates of the grand allianceThe other 20 leaders who will power the SPs election campaign in Bihar include Kiranmay Nanda Afzal Ansari Awadesh Prasad Babu Singh Kushwaha Naresh Uttam Patel Rama Shankar Vidyarthi Lalji Varma Chotelal Kharwaar Sanatan Pandey Pappu Nishad Tej Pratap Singh Yadav Om Prakash Singh Kashi Yadav and Dharmendra SolankiThe fielding of Azam Khan as the partys popular campaigner in Bihar is apparently aimed at wooing the support of minorities as he remains one of the most influential leaders of the Muslim community This also settles the speculations of his possible exit and tieup with any party outside the INDIA bloc as reports suggested that the SP stalwart was being wooed by parties like OP Rajbhars Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party SBSJThe SBSJ which failed to get any share in the NDA seatsharing formula has declared going solo in the Bihar elections and vowed to hurt the alliance by fielding candidates in the Western zoneWith the deadline for withdrawal of candidates over the fullfledged poll campaign has begun in Bihar Prime Minister Narendra Modis poll blitz marked a decisive and strong opener for the BJP while for the Mahagathbandhan its nominees for the posts of CM and deputy CM kickstarted the campaign from Patna on Friday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bihar-polls-samajwadi-party-names20-starcampaigners-azam-khan-in-list-644723.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-deputy-cm-demands-high-level-probe-into-andhra-pradesh-bus-tragedy-644728.html Bengaluru Oct 24 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar has demanded a highlevel probe into the bus fire tragedy in Andhra Pradeshs Kurnool district on Friday which claimed 19 lives Speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru Shivakumar said he suspects mischief or negligence in the bus tragedy in Andhra PradeshCiting an earlier incident he said Last week a similar incident occurred when a private operator was running a vehicle from Bengaluru to Hyderabad which caught fire in the Andhra Pradesh region I recently went to Raichur and people showed me the video One party cadre a District President from Raichur went to the driver shouted at him and held him by the neck to alert him All passengers got down on time About 20 medical students were on board and fortunately all of them escaped safely with minor injuries Their laptops were lost thoughHe alleged that even then precautions were not taken and the police did not take any actionShivakumar said that he has asked state Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy and Home Minister G Parameshwara to look into the incident as the transport operator is from BengaluruShivakumar urged the Andhra Pradesh government to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure proper precautionary measuresMeanwhile Venu a software professional from Bengaluru who was travelling in the illfated bus and managed to escape said My fellow passengers and I managed to break the emergency exit glass and escape However we could not save those who died in front of our eyes We could do nothingVenu who was returning to Bengaluru after visiting his sister was travelling in seat number L13 At 3 am the bus stopped and when it started moving again the fire engulfed it We could hardly breathe One passenger broke the emergency glass with his hand injuring himself but he helped 15 passengers to get out he recountedThe bus first collided with a twowheeler and then caught fire We witnessed copassengers burning alive inside the bus We stood about five metres away in a state of helplessness One hour later I got into another bus and reached Bengaluru Venu recounted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-deputy-cm-demands-high-level-probe-into-andhra-pradesh-bus-tragedy-644728.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-two-women-killed-in-road-accident-644732.html Ahmedabad Oct 24 Two elderly women were killed in a road accident on MahadevpuraGwada Road in Bijapur Mehsana district in Gujarat According to police sources an unidentified speeding vehicle rammed into the victims before fleeing the sceneThe collision was so severe that both women sustained fatal head injuries and died on the spotThe deceased have been identified as Puri Thakor and Mooli Thakor both residents of the local areaFollowing the incident Bijapur Police rushed to the location recovered the bodies and sent them for postmortem examinationA case of hitandrun and accidental death has been registered against the unidentified driverAuthorities have launched a manhunt to trace the vehicle and the driver scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas and recording witness statementsPolice officials said that every effort is being made to bring the accused to justice and provide closure to the victims familiesOver the three years from 202021 to 202223 the state recorded 4860 hitandrun cases which resulted in 3449 fatalities and 2720 injuries Furthermore data presented in the state Assembly revealed that from April 2022 to March 2023 a hitandrun death occurred roughly every eight hours across GujaratThe Gujarat government has stepped up its efforts to curb hitandrun incidents and broader traffic violations through a combination of technology enforcement and awareness campaigns For instance it has rolled out an echallan system at 86 toll plazas across the state which in just two months flagged over 77000 violations including missing insurance pollution under control certificates and vehicle fitness checksMeanwhile the Gujarat Road Safety Authority GRSA has set a target of achieving 75 per cent compliance with helmet and seatbelt rules by 2030 backed by crashbarrier installations driver eyecheck programmes and schoolbased awareness drivesOn the enforcement front specific campaigns in urban centres such as Ahmedabad and Rajkot have resulted in thousands of fines for wrongside driving overspeeding and helmet nonuse with espeed guns and interceptor vehicles now increasingly employedCollectively these measures are designed to detect offenders more quickly build a deterrence effect and reduce the number of anonymous fleeing vehicles in hitandrun cases IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-two-women-killed-in-road-accident-644732.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/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/national/kerala-hc-closes-schools-petition-over-headscarf-issue-644735.html Kochi Oct 24 The Kerala High Court on Friday closed a writ petition filed by St Ritas Public School against a directive from the Deputy Director of Education Ernakulam asking the school to allow a student to attend classes wearing a headscarf The move follows the decision by the parents of the student to discontinue her studies at the school and admit her to another institution that allowed her to wear a hijabDelivering the judgment Justice VG Arun observed After a detailed hearing there is a welcome submission that the 7th respondents parents have decided to discontinue her studies in the petitioners school and to admit her to another institution In view of such a decision I am of the opinion that the contentious issues raised need not be gone intoThe learned State Attorney has also stated that in view of this submission the state has decided not to precipitate the issue This Court is happy to note that better sense has prevailed and ultimately fraternity which is one of the foundational principles on which the edifice of our Constitution is built remains strong The writ petition is accordingly closedSt Ritas Public School a Central Board of Secondary Educationaffiliated institution managed by a minority community had earlier approached the Kerala High Court seeking police protection for its management staff and students citing alleged threats and mob intrusion by people of another minority community after it did not allow the girl student to wear a hijab with the school uniformFollowing this the Deputy Director of Education Ernakulam had issued a directive instructing the school to permit the student to attend classes wearing a headscarfThe school challenged the order arguing that state education officials have no authority over the internal regulations of Central Board of Secondary Educationaffiliated schools which come under the purview of the education BoardWith the parents decision to transfer the student the court deemed it unnecessary to examine the legal and administrative issues raised in the petition IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-hc-closes-schools-petition-over-headscarf-issue-644735.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-reforms-festive-season-drive-consumer-sentiment-by-14-pc-points-report-644738.html New Delhi Oct 24 Indias consumer sentiment saw an uptick of 14 percentage points in October 2025 driven by the onset of the festive season and recently introduced GST reforms aimed at easing the indirect tax burden The festive season coupled with governmentled GST reforms designed to reduce the cost of living seems to have enabled more household savings and increased capacity for discretionary spendingThese factors have collectively led to a positive movement in Indias National Index score reflecting broader optimism around jobs personal finances investments and the economy Ipsos a market research firm said in its reportAccording to the report regionally sentiment was largely positive across the AsiaPacific and Indonesia saw the highest gain with a rise of 65 percentage pointsThailand followed with an increase of 36 points South Korea with 26 points Malaysia with 21 points and India with 14 pointsFrom late September through October India has been in a celebratory mood with a host of festivals creating a feelgood atmosphere across the country The festive season seems to have spurred consumer spending reflecting the spirit of celebration said Suresh Ramalingam CEO Ipsos IndiaThe festive fervour combined with the governments recent GST reforms aimed at reducing the cost of living and enhancing household savings appears to have provided a further boost to consumer sentiment he addedIn contrast Australia and Japan experienced declines in consumer sentiment falling by 21 and 20 percentage points respectivelyAccording to the report in Latin America the picture was mixedArgentina showed the largest drop in sentiment globally with a decline of 35 percentage points followed by Colombia at 31 points Brazil however registered a significant increase of 22 points the report saidAmong the 30 countries surveyed Indonesia holds the highest National Index score at 588 reflecting a strong monthly gain of 65 percentage points in consumer sentimentIndia ranks second with a national index score of 584 marking an increase of 14 points over the previous monthFor the third consecutive month no country has reached or surpassed the 60point mark highlighting a general moderation in global consumer sentiment IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-reforms-festive-season-drive-consumer-sentiment-by-14-pc-points-report-644738.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-thunderstorms-forecast-across-gujarat-next-week-644739.html Ahmedabad Oct 24 The India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a weather alert for Gujarat predicting light to moderate rainfall over the next seven days with the intensity of showers expected to increase within the next 48 hours It has also forecast thunderstorms for the next four days particularly across the southern and coastal regions of the stateAccording to the IMD South Gujarat districts including Dang Tapi Navsari Valsad and adjoining parts of Maharashtra are likely to witness light to moderate rain or drizzle accompanied by thundershowersThe weather department further noted that this rainfall activity could extend to the Union Territories of Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli while most other districts in Gujarat are expected to experience dry conditions with no significant temperature fluctuationsWith rain and thunder predicted over Gujarat and Saurashtra the IMD has advised fishermen to avoid venturing into the sea due to potentially rough weather conditions In Ahmedabad the weather is expected to remain cloudy over the coming daysOn Saturday light to moderate rainfall is forecast in Surat Dang Tapi Navsari Valsad Chhota Udepur Narmada Bharuch and Daman as well as in Amreli Bhavnagar GirSomnath and Diu in Saurashtra The rainfall is expected to expand in coverage on Sunday affecting Panchmahal Dahod Vadodara and the surrounding districtsBy Monday several parts of central and southern Gujarat including Panchmahal Dahod Vadodara Chhota Udepur Narmada Bharuch Surat Dang Tapi and Navsari along with Junagadh Amreli Bhavnagar GirSomnath Diu Daman and Dadra and Nagar Haveli may experience light to moderate rain as the unseasonal weather spell continues across the stateGujarat has recorded close to 90 per cent of its longperiod average LPA rainfall by the end of August with the total seasonal rainfall at around 79293 mm against a normal of below 882 mm Across regions the percentages vary South Gujarat stands at 937 per cent of normal EastCentral at about 886 per cent Saurashtra at 843 per cent and Kutch at 851 per centBy early September some data suggest the statewide average had climbed above 100 per cent of LPA for example 10289 per cent as of a certain date with South Gujarat around 108 per cent North Gujarat at 107 per cent and Saurashtra at 91 per cent IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rain-thunderstorms-forecast-across-gujarat-next-week-644739.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission PMABHIM has in the last four years strengthened Indias pandemic preparedness with enhanced health surveillance systems to boost fight against pandemics the government said on Friday The PMABHIM programme was launched on October 25 2021 during the global wave of Covid19 infectionsWith an investment of Rs 64180 crore over the period 202126 the programme aimed to address gaps in infrastructure in health research and surveillance in the countryFour years after its launch PMABHIM has transformed Indias health infrastructure investing Rs 64180 crore to strengthen pandemic preparedness and emergency response capabilities the government said in an official statementBy upgrading facilities from primary to tertiary care levels and enhancing surveillance systems the scheme has built a more resilient healthcare system it addedPMABHIM prioritises pandemic and disaster preparedness by expanding an ITenabled realtime disease surveillance network that integrates laboratories at block district regional and national levels to detect investigate and prevent outbreaks effectivelyIn addition it promotes health research and innovation particularly on Covid and other infectious diseases by advancing the One Health approach which recognises the interdependence of human animal and environmental healthKey initiatives under PMABHIMs Centrally Sponsored Scheme CSS component include the approval of 17788 buildingless SubHealth Centres for upgradation into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs AAMs and 11024 Urban AAMs UAAMs to extend primary healthcare in slum and underserved urban areasIn addition 3382 Block Public Health Units BPHUs are being established to bolster blocklevel health administration and service delivery while 730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories IPHLs are being developed one in each district to enhance diagnostic and surveillance capabilitiesFurther to strengthen tertiary care 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks CCBs are being set up in districts with populations exceeding five lakhOverall administrative approvals worth Rs 3292882 crore have been accorded to States and Union Territories for these initiatives covering 9519 AAMs 5456 UAAMs 2151 BPHUs 744 IPHLs and 621 CCBsThese efforts mark a major step toward building a resilient decentralised and accessible public health network capable of delivering timely and quality healthcare across the country the government said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-abhim-enhanced-indias-health-surveillance-systems-to-boost-fight-against-pandemics-govt-644741.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/biggest-fan-of-pm-modi-begusarai-resident-attends-160-rallies-across-india-dressed-as-lord-hanuman-644742.html Begusarai Oct 24 Shravan Shah a devoted fan of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has attended 160 rallies across India He is a familiar face at public meetings in Bihar where he appears dressed as Lord Hanuman symbolising his unwavering admiration for the Prime Minister Shravan Shah a young man from Begusarai arrives at political gatherings wearing saffron attire holding a mace in one hand emblazoned with NaMo BJP On his head he sports an inflatable hat shaped like a lotus the BJPs symbol In his other hand he carries a banner featuring photographs of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi togetherSpeaking to IANS Shravan said This is the 160th rally of Prime Minister Modi that I have attended PM Modi has done a lot of development work in Bihar and launched numerous schemes for the states progressI walk barefoot across the country for him he told IANSI do it for PM Modi The Prime Minister has worked tirelessly for everyone including the poor and women PM Modi is the first Prime Minister who was born into a poor family and he truly understands the struggles of common peopleShravan also praised Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying Not only PM Modi but CM Nitish Kumar has also done a lot for Bihars development When he came to power the situation was dire but things have changed completely now PM Modi and CM Nitish Kumar have transformed Bihar This time too the NDA will win with a huge majority I want to congratulate Nitish Kumar in advance as he will become the Chief Minister againMeanwhile Prime Minister Modi is currently visiting Bihar Earlier in the day he took a swipe at the Rashtriya Janata Dal RJD and the Congress saying that the leaders of the jungle raj era cared only about their families and ruined the lives of Bihars youth He asserted that the National Democratic Alliance NDA led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made the state prosperousAddressing his second rally of the day in pollbound Begusarai the Prime Minister said that people in Bihar no longer need the lanternthe RJDs election symbolas they now have the flashlights on their mobile phones He also blamed the RJD for the migration of Bihars youth IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/biggest-fan-of-pm-modi-begusarai-resident-attends-160-rallies-across-india-dressed-as-lord-hanuman-644742.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-hc-orders-bar-council-to-approve-two-seats-for-transgender-students-644743.html Kochi Oct 24 The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Bar Council of India BCI to approve two seats for transgender students in all law colleges across the state Justice VG Arun issued the interim order while hearing a petition seeking to expedite the decision on the proposal which had been pending before the BCIThe court observed that the matter could not be kept waiting indefinitely for the Council to actDuring the hearing the petitioners counsel informed the court that at an earlier session the BCI had been directed to finalise a date for holding its General Council meeting to decide on the matterHowever the BCIs standing counsel told the court that the proposal was placed before the Standing Committee for Legal Education which after deliberation decided that the final call must be taken by the General CouncilThe standing counsel added that it was not possible to say when the next meeting of the General Council would be heldTaking note of this delay Justice Arun remarked In my opinion the issue cannot wait endlessly for the General Council of the Bar Council to meetAccordingly the court issued an interim direction to the BCI to approve the Kerala Governments request communicated through a letter dated August 6 for the creation of two seats for transgender students across all law colleges in the stateThe court also instructed that the approval should be given within ten days of receiving a copy of the orderThe directive came while hearing a petition filed by a transgender woman who was denied admission to Government Law College Kozhikode despite qualifying in the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations Kerala Law Entrance Examination KLEE 2025The petitioner also cited the landmark NALSA v Union of India judgment and the Transgender Persons Protection of Rights Act 2019 in support of her claim IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-hc-orders-bar-council-to-approve-two-seats-for-transgender-students-644743.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-a-strategic-long-term-partner-for-us-airbus-chairman-rene-obermann-644745.html New Delhi Oct 24 Rene Obermann Chairman of the Board of Directors at Airbus has said that India is a strategic longterm partner for them and he is very bullish on India Speaking at a panel discussion on Growing Together Trade and Alliances in a Changing World at the Berlin Global Dialogue in Germany in the presence of Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal Obermann said he was recently in India for about a week and was completely blown away by the level of engineering and quality excellence thereFor Airbus India is a strategic longterm partner The part of the discussion was not just how can you make things cheaper for us but how can we make things better by leveraging the capabilities of Indian technologies and the tech talent there Obermann told the gatheringThe discussions were also on how to further evolve the partnership with IndiaThe situation offers unique opportunity for Europe I am very bullish on India On the entrepreneurial level India offers excellent education and superb engineering talent said ObermannGoyal said he was delighted to participate in the panel discussionEmphasised on how India continues to look at its trade partnerships from the prism of longterm mutual growth Highlighted the vast opportunities that are opening up in the country for global companies to participate in and build for the future the minister posted on X social media platformTrade deals are about trust Indias strong demographic dividend sets it apart Goyal addedFollowing his highlevel engagements at the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy and the Federal Chancellery Goyal met Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Luxembourg Xavier BettelBoth leaders reviewed the progress in economic relations and explored further avenues to strengthen bilateral trade and business relationsThey also discussed the upcoming State Visit to India as well as regional and global developmentsGoyal also held oneonone discussions with CEOs of leading German companies The discussions focused on synergies and prospects for increased collaborations between Indian and German companies especially in critical sectors like defence energy emerging technologies and mobility IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-a-strategic-long-term-partner-for-us-airbus-chairman-rene-obermann-644745.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/national-biodiversity-authority-releases-rs-136-crore-to-up-maharashtra-644750.html New Delhi Oct 24 In a move promoting fair and equitable benefitsharing as well as the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity the National Biodiversity Authority NBA has released Rs 136 crore channeling the benefits of commercial use to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh an official said on Friday This significant financial support will be routed through the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees BMCs Sakharwadi village Phaltan Taluk Satara District Maharashtra Kunjirwadi village Haveli Taluk Pune Maharashtra and the Kasganj area Etah District Uttar Pradesh according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeEach BMC will receive Rs 4550 lakh This initiative underscores the governments unwavering commitment to the principles of equity sustainability and conservationThe released funds represent a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing ABS payment following the commercial use of microorganisms sourced from soil and industrial effluent samples for producing fructooligosaccharide products These funds will be utilized for activities outlined under Section 44 of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 and the relevant State Biodiversity Rules the statement saidThis financial initiative highlights the NBAs proactive role in recognising and rewarding local communities who serve as the custodians of Indias rich biological heritageBy channeling accrued benefits back to the local level the NBA strengthens Indias model for an inclusive governance framework where conservation and community prosperity advance together the statement addedIt also fulfills the National Biodiversity Target 13 of Indias updated NBSAP 20242030 which aligns with the KunmingMontreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at CoP15 of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity CBD the statement notedEstablished in 2003 to implement the provisions of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 the National Biodiversity Authority NBA is a statutory autonomous body under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeHeadquartered in Chennai it functions as a facilitating regulating and advisory body to the Central government on matters related to the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources as well as the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their useIn addition the NBA provides guidance to state governments in identifying areas of significant biodiversity biodiversity hotspots for designation as heritage sites IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/national-biodiversity-authority-releases-rs-136-crore-to-up-maharashtra-644750.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-centre-sanctions-rs-300-crore-for-palakkad-industrial-smart-city-project-644752.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 24 The Central government has sanctioned the third instalment of Rs 3002 crore for the Palakkad Industrial Smart City Project a key component of the KochiBengaluru Industrial Corridor The funds have been allocated to the Kerala Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Ltd KICDC even as the State government transferred an additional 316 acres of land to the corporationWith this the Centre has released a total of Rs 6137 crore in three instalments while Kerala has handed over 646 acres of land accounting for nearly 45 per cent of the total project cost and land requirementThe KICDC a Special Purpose Vehicle SPV jointly formed by Keralas KINFRA and the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust NICDIT with equal equity participation is implementing and coordinating the projectA highlevel review meeting was recently held in Kochi to fasttrack infrastructure developmentIt was attended by APM Mohammed Hanish Principal Secretary Department of Industries Government of Kerala Rajit Saini MD amp CEO NICDIT and Santosh Koshi Thomas MD KICDC Representatives from Dilip BuildconPSP Projects joint venture awarded the infrastructure development contract and the Project Management Consultant team also participatedThe meeting decided to sign the project agreement within this month and begin groundwork immediately with a collective emphasis on completing the infrastructure ahead of schedule Kerala has emerged as the first state among the 12 proposed Industrial Smart Cities in India to complete the tendering process for infrastructure developmentTwo years ago the state through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board KIIFB spent Rs 1489 crore to acquire 1450 acres of land for the projectThe Centres latest fund release follows Kerala Industries Minister P Rajeevs briefing to Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in June 2024As the project progresses the remaining central assistance and land transfer are expected to be completed in phases IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-centre-sanctions-rs-300-crore-for-palakkad-industrial-smart-city-project-644752.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mecos-4-to-spotlight-seafood-industry-challenges-and-opportunities-644754.html Kochi Oct 24 The fourth edition of the International Symposium on Marine Ecosystem MECOS4 scheduled from November 46 in Kochi will feature a dedicated industry meet aimed at addressing critical issues in seafood production and allied sectors Organised jointly by the Marine Biological Association of India MBAI and the ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI MECOS4 will serve as a platform to discuss both challenges and emerging opportunities in Indias marine fisheries sectorThe industry meet a key session within the symposium will bring together leading stakeholders from the seafood trade aquaculture hatcheries feed industries ornamental fish trade marine ecotourism and environmental educationThe session scheduled for 10 am on November 5 will focus on experience sharing identifying operational gaps and formulating a roadmap for sustainable growth across the sectorCMFRI Director Grinson George highlighted that the session aims to strengthen collaboration between farmers exporters and input suppliers bridging the gap between production and market requirementsWith global seafood markets becoming more competitive and sustainability standards tightening these discussions are expected to enhance Indias export resilience boost aquaculture output drive technological adoption and promote climatesmart practices he saidThe deliberations will specifically address pressing issues such as the impact of US tariffs on seafood exports and the absence of comprehensive policies in maricultureRepresentatives from major export houses the Seafood Exporters Association of India SEAI aquaculture feed and fish meal industries pet feed manufacturers marine sports and ecotourism operators and government agencies are expected to participateIn addition MECOS4 will host an exhibition showcasing cuttingedge technologies in farming hatchery production feed management value addition and processing equipmentThe exhibition aims to provide stakeholders across the value chain with valuable insights and practical solutions to enhance efficiency and competitivenessBy combining scientific insights with industry perspectives MECOS4 is positioned to strengthen Indias marine ecosystem knowledge base while supporting the sustainable growth of the countrys seafood sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mecos-4-to-spotlight-seafood-industry-challenges-and-opportunities-644754.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-aims-to-become-model-state-in-combating-human-trafficking-dgp-khurania-644755.html Bhubaneswar Oct 24 Director General of Police DGP Odisha YB Khurania on Friday said that the primary objective of the Odisha Police in the coming days is to dismantle the human trafficking network in the state through the advanced use of information technology digital tracking data analytics and monitoring While inaugurating a statelevel workshop on human trafficking DGP Khurania said In the current scenario human trafficking is a very serious and worrisome issue not only for Odisha but for the entire country With the coordinated efforts of the judiciary police women and child safety units Labour Department voluntary organisations and all individuals in society we will be successful in controlling this shameful actKhurania also urged all stakeholders to work together to transform Odisha into a model state in the fight against human trafficking He stated that human trafficking is not merely a crime but also a violation of basic human rightsHuman trafficking is not merely a crime it is a grave violation of human rights It particularly deprives women children and youth of their dignity freedom and future In Odisha instances of human trafficking are seen in the form of sexual exploitation forced labour domestic child labour and the trafficking of young women under the pretext of providing jobs or marriage Khurania addedThe DGP emphasised that the role of Integrated AntiHuman Trafficking Units IAHTUs and District Labour Officers is crucial in combating human trafficking He described IAHTU officials as the backbone of efforts related to investigation and victim rescueKhurania said that the Odisha Police plan to further strengthen the IAHTUs by augmenting human resources providing specialised training and enhancing technical knowledge and professional skillsIn addition the State Police are maintaining close coordination with other states to implement effective measures for curbing human traffickingIt is worth noting that the Odisha Police under its special drive Operation Anweshan has rescued 1209 children including 131 boys and 1078 girls IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-aims-to-become-model-state-in-combating-human-trafficking-dgp-khurania-644755.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cpi-m-firm-on-pm-shri-pact-despite-cpi-opposition-644757.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 24 The Communist Party of India Marxist on Friday reaffirmed its decision to move ahead with the Central Governments PM SHRI scheme even as its Left ally the CPI raised strong objections over the signing of the agreement CPIM State Secretary MV Govindan said there was no change in the partys position and that the issues raised by allies could be amicably resolved through discussionsKerala is entitled to receive Rs 8000 crore under the PM SHRI project The Centre must release the funds without imposing conditions that undermine the states fiscal autonomy he saidAccusing the Union Government of adopting policies detrimental to states like Kerala Govindan said the Centre was placing stringent terms that could adversely impact economic growthWe oppose policy conditions that amount to an economic blockade on States he addedGovindan however clarified that the Left Democratic Front LDF government cannot implement every policy decision of the FrontThe government has its own limitations It cannot carry out every LDF policy decision he saidThe CPIM State Secretariat which met under Govindans chairmanship decided not to withdraw from the project despite the CPIs strong oppositionThe CPIM leader pointed out that Congressruled states were the first to sign the PM SHRI agreement in the countryHowever he reiterated that the Centres scheme imposes fiscal restrictions that effectively act as an economic blockade against states such as KeralaWe oppose such policydriven conditionalities he assertedThe CPI has accused the government of violating front discipline by signing the agreement unilaterally ignoring an earlier assurance from CPIM leader MA Baby that the issue would first be discussed within the LDFThe party contends that the move undermines Left unity and has resolved to convey its dissatisfaction to the CPIM national leadershipDespite internal dissent the CPIM leadership remains firm on proceeding with the PM SHRI initiative maintaining that the financial benefits due to Kerala cannot be forfeited over policy disagreements IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-cpi-m-firm-on-pm-shri-pact-despite-cpi-opposition-644757.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 18:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/resolve-burning-issues-discuss-cms-successor-later-bjp-to-karnataka-govt-644758.html Bengaluru Oct 24 BJP MLC N Ravi Kumar on Friday asked the Karnataka government to resolve the states pressing issues first and discuss the successor of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah later Speaking to the media at the BJP State Office Opposition Chief Whip in the state Legislative Council Ravi Kumar said Anyone can become the next Chief Minister or successor that is not our concernAlleging that a female foeticide racket is being operated from the Chief Ministers home district Mysuru he asked What does Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao have to say about this Referring to a rape case of a nomadic Hakki Pikki community child Ravi Kumar asked Why has no action been taken in that caseHe claimed Drugs are being sold openly in Mysuru 2300 farmers have died by suicide along with seven government employees A librarian in Kalaburagi and a waterman in Chamarajanagar ended their lives because they were not paid their salariesRavi Kumar slammed the state government for deteriorating law and order saying Rape and murder cases are being reported in Bengaluru Where is Home Minister G Parameshwara Please find him for usFifteen contractors have died by suicide and the Chief Minister has received letters stating that Rs 33000 crore in pending payments is yet to be released Even as the contractors have mentioned a 60 per cent commission in their letter instead of taking action the Chief Minister is questioning the evidence he allegedHe also took on the government for losing the AI Hub to Andhra Pradesh saying If the government had focused on such matters instead of succession politics thousands of unemployed youth in Karnataka could have found jobs Give answers to these issues first and then think about the CMs successor IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/resolve-burning-issues-discuss-cms-successor-later-bjp-to-karnataka-govt-644758.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/amrut-20-helps-indores-historic-surajkund-stepwell-regain-its-ancient-splendour-644763.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/signing-of-pm-shri-a-strategic-decision-kerala-education-minister-644766.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 24 State Education Minister V Sivankutty on Friday clarified that Keralas decision to sign the PM SHRI agreement was a strategic move aimed at securing funds rightfully due to the state while ensuring that Keralas public education policies rooted in secular democratic and scientific principles remain unaffected The clarification came amid strong objections from the CPI the secondlargest ally in the ruling Pinarayi Vijayanled LDF government which said the decision had not been discussed within the Left Democratic Front LDFThousands of crores in central funds owed to Kerala were being withheld putting pressure on the state and affecting our childrens education Sivankutty saidKerala will not permit any action that undermines our public education system nor will it allow even a single rupee entitled to our children to be lost he assertedThe minister explained that delays in signing the PM SHRI agreement had led the Centre to withhold substantial funds under the Comprehensive Education SchemeBetween 202324 and 202526 Kerala lost nearly Rs 2897 crore With the new agreement including arrears and two years of PM SHRI funds the state expects to receive about Rs 1476 crore of which Rs 701 crore has already been approved under the Comprehensive Education ProgrammeSivankutty said the funds would directly benefit nearly four million children especially those from marginalised communities including 561 lakh Scheduled CasteScheduled Tribe students and 11 lakh children with disabilitiesThe scheme will also support preprimary education teacher training midday meals uniforms textbooks and other essential services under the Right to Education ActResponding to criticism the minister clarified that signing the PM SHRI scheme does not mean Kerala has accepted the National Education Policy NEP 2020 in its entiretyKerala implements the scheme in line with its own priorities and values Many NEP provisionssuch as preprimary education teacher empowerment 100 per cent enrolment and the threelanguage policyhave been part of our education model for decades he saidHe dismissed concerns that the move would centralise the curriculum or undermine federal principles stressing that Kerala alone determines its curriculum which emphasises secularism scientific thinking and constitutional valuesSivankutty also refuted claims that smaller schools would be shut down to create complexes stating that the funds would instead be used to strengthen existing institutionsOn objections to the scheme carrying the Prime Ministers name he said it was a technical formality that had no bearing on the delivery of benefitsEven in challenging financial circumstances Kerala will ensure that funds owed to our childrenover Rs 1400 croreare secured without compromising the integrity of our public education system the minister said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/signing-of-pm-shri-a-strategic-decision-kerala-education-minister-644766.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-forex-reserves-surge-by-45-bn-to-cross-702-bn-mark-644768.html Mumbai Oct 24 Indias foreign exchange reserves rose by 45 billion to 7023 billion for the week ended October 17 mainly driven by an increase in the value of gold reserves according to data released by the Reserve Bank of India RBI on Friday Indias gold reserves held by the RBI as part of the countrys foreign exchange reserves surged by 62 billion to surpass the 1085 mark for the first time on the back of a sharp rise in the price of the precious metal and increased purchases by the central bankForeign currency assets the largest part of the reserves fell by 17 billion to 5704 billion during the week These assets are affected by changes in the value of currencies such as the euro pound and yen Indias reserve position with the International Monetary Fund IMF declined by 30 million to 462 billion during the week RBI data showedThe share of gold in Indias foreign exchange reserves has almost doubled over the past decade from below 7 per cent to nearly 15 per cent reflecting both steady central bank accumulation and a surge in global bullion prices This is the highest proportion of gold in the countrys total reserves since 199697 according to market analystsGold prices have shot up by as much as 65 per cent in 2025 due to the increased demand for the precious metal as a safe haven asset amid rising geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and the trade wars triggered by the US tariff hikesCentral banks worldwide have accumulated substantial amounts of gold as a safehaven asset in their foreign exchange reserves amid uncertainty created by geopolitical tensions The share of gold maintained by the Reserve Bank of India as part of its foreign exchange reserves has almost doubled since 2021The RBI has added approximately 75 tonnes to its gold reserves since 2024 bringing its total holdings to 880 tonnes which now constitute about 14 per cent of Indias total foreign exchange reserves according to a Morgan Stanley reportIndia is the worlds secondlargest consumer of gold next only to China and relies on imports to meet demand Buying gold is deeply rooted in Indian culture and is used in large quantities in the form of jewellery gifts for the bride and bridegroom during wedding ceremonies It also constitutes an important channel of safehaven investment and a status symbol for families and individuals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-forex-reserves-surge-by-45-bn-to-cross-702-bn-mark-644768.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dri-seizes-drugs-valued-at-rs-108-crore-arrests-26-foreigners-644769.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI has busted a major narcotics manufacturing and distribution network operating across the National Capital Region arresting 26 foreign nationals and seizing large quantities of heroin cocaine and amphetamine valued at Rs 10881 crore in the illicit international market according to an official statement issued on Friday In total 1627 kg of amphetamine 79 kg of cocaine 18 kg of heroin 213 kg of ganja and 11542 kg of precursor chemicals collectively valued at approximately Rs 10881 crore were seized during the course of the operationThe coordinated multiday operation was conducted between October 21 and 23 Acting on specific intelligence inputs DRI officers raided a clandestine methamphetamine manufacturing facility located on an isolated farm near highrise residential buildings in Greater Noida The search led to the seizure of 1140 kg of amphetamine and 110923 kg of precursor chemicals used for its manufacture the statement saidSimultaneously the main handler of the syndicate was apprehended from his residence in Gurugram and 133 kg of amphetamine was recovered from his possessionIn a swift followup operation DRI officers identified additional premises in West Delhi suspected to be used for storing and distributing contraband The premises situated in a densely populated area with narrow lanes posed significant logistical and security challengesDuring the raid officers encountered a large number of individuals who attempted to obstruct official proceedings Despite the hostile environment and the risk of evidence destruction the DRI team assisted by Delhi Police displayed restraint and tactical acumen successfully securing the premises and completing the search the statement addedThe operation resulted in multiple arrests and the recovery of 779 kg of cocaine 187 kg of heroin 354 kg of amphetamine 2 kg of ganja 015 kg of methaqualone and 450 kg of precursor chemicals used in drug production along with Rs 37 lakh in cash suspected to be proceeds from drug traffickingFurther investigation is underway to identify the wider network and possible international links of the syndicateThis complex operation executed across multiple jurisdictions and under challenging field conditions exemplifies the DRIs commitment to intelligenceled enforcement interagency coordination and its unwavering resolve to combat the threat of narcotics smuggling and synthetic drug manufacture the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dri-seizes-drugs-valued-at-rs-108-crore-arrests-26-foreigners-644769.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/leadership-row-no-one-indispensable-for-congress-says-ktaka-minister-mahadevappa-644770.html Bengaluru Oct 24 Amid the ongoing leadership row in Karnataka Social Welfare Minister HC Mahadevappa on Friday said that no one is indispensable to the Congress asserting that the party and its leadership will take appropriate decisions when required Speaking to the media in Bengaluru Mahadevappa a close confidant of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah made remarks that have assumed political significance He had earlier strongly advocated for a Dalit Chief Minister in the event of a change in leadership in the stateResponding to a question on Chief Minister Siddaramaiahs son and Congress MLA Yathindra Siddaramaiah projecting Minister Satish Jarkiholi as his fathers successor despite continuing demands for a Dalit CM with both Home Minister G Parameshwara and Mahadevappa himself having earlier expressed interest in the post the Social Welfare Minister said that the statement did not come from the party high commandHas this statement been made by the high command Why are you bothered There are many people in the party who are ideologically committed plenty of them in fact The Congress party exists because of its ideology No one is indispensable When former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi passed away people wondered about the future of leadership but many leaders emerged Hence no one is inevitable in the Congress Mahadevappa assertedHe further said that the AICC and the state leadership will decide the partys course of action in Karnataka Apart from the decisions of the Chief Minister the State Congress President and the AICC no other statements hold significance There is no meaning if people draw their own conclusions he addedCommenting on Yathindras remarks Mahadevappa said Whoever made the statement should explain the background of their comments We are not aware of itThe Chief Minister knows what should and should not happen The high command and our party president are also aware of the developments We have not been called or informed about this issue so far he saidIn a major development CM Siddaramaiahs son Yathindra had recently stated that his father is at the fag end of his political career and that at this crucial juncture PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi would take the lead in guiding those who follow scientific and progressive thoughtYathindra said Today my father is at the end of his political career He is in the final stage of his political life At this hour for those who embrace scientific and progressive ideas Minister for PWD Satish Jarkiholi will take responsibility and provide leadershipThe comments have assumed significance amid ongoing rumours of a leadership change and discussions over a possible powersharing arrangement in KarnatakaMeanwhile Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar refusing to comment on Yathindras statement said he would convey the message to the appropriate quartersSpeaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Friday Shivakumar said when asked whether he would issue a notice to Yathindra I wont talk about the matter now I will convey the message where it should reachI stand by discipline Discipline is the priority of my party Shivakumar underlined IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/leadership-row-no-one-indispensable-for-congress-says-ktaka-minister-mahadevappa-644770.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/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/national/10-favourite-indian-destinations-to-welcome-2026-644771.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rs-4-300-crore-loan-fraud-ed-seizes-rs-67-crore-assets-of-power-company-officials-644773.html Nagpur Oct 24 The ED attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 6779 crore in the form of bank balances lands buildings and flats linked to a businessman and a coalbased power project company involved in a Rs 4300 crore bank loan fraud said an official on Friday The Nagpur zonal unit of the ED took action against properties situated across Maharashtra Kolkata Delhi and Andhra Pradesh in the name of Manoj Jayaswal his family members and othersThe operation on October 16 was conducted under the provisions of PMLA 2002 in the case against Corporate Power Limited and others The total attachmentsseizurefrozen bank assets in this case now stand at Rs 571 croreThe money laundering case against the company and its officials is linked to a proposed coalbased power plant in Jharkhand of 1080 MW power for which a loan was taken from a consortium of 20 banks led by the Union Bank of IndiaThe ED initiated its PMLA investigation based on an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI against Corporate Power Limited its promoters directors and others for criminal conspiracy cheating and forgeryThe federal agency probe revealed that the accused created a network of 800 shell companies and 5000 bank accounts to misappropriate the loan funds that were declared nonperforming assets NPA in 201314Earlier the agency had conducted searches in Kolkata Nagpur and Visakhapatnam in the case and recovered cash documents and seized movable assets like mutual funds securities and term depositsThe CBI after registering an FIR said in a statement in 2022 that the Union Bank of India the lead lender of the consortium declared the account as nonperforming assets NPA on September 30 2013 and subsequently the other member consortium banks also classified the said account as NPAThe accounts of the said borrower company were declared as fraudulent on October 25 2019 the CBI said in a statementShedding light on the modus operandi used in the Rs 430787 crore loan fraud the CBI said It was further alleged that between the years 2009 to 2013 the said borrower had submitted manipulated project cost statements and also diverted the bank fundsIt was also alleged that the trade receivables mainly including transactions to related parties and funds were diverted to a web of various companies that were dummy accounts accordingly the borrower was able to siphon off the funds the CBI statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rs-4-300-crore-loan-fraud-ed-seizes-rs-67-crore-assets-of-power-company-officials-644773.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-office-leasing-touches-a-record-high-outperforms-asian-peers-644774.html New Delhi Oct 24 Indias office market outperformed the AsiaPacific region in Q3 2025 with 88 million square feet of leasing activity defying broader slowdown trends a report said on Friday Fullyear leasing volumes of Bengaluru NCR and Mumbai together are expected to touch 50 million sq ft surpassing the previous record of 41 million sq ft set in 2024 the report from real estate services firm Knight Frank saidThis increase in leasing has driven prime rents higher increasing 43 per cent YoY across major cities despite the arrival of new supply it notedDespite a supply influx of nearly 9 mn square feet during the quarter prime office rents across Indias three largest office markets Bengaluru NCR and Mumbai rose an average of 43 per cent YoY highlighting the markets enduring strength the report saidAcross the APAC region prime office rents fell 14 per cent YoY with rental growth flatlining at 00 per cent QoQ down from 02 per cent in Q2 2025The surge in leasing volumes in India was also driven by commitments from global capability centres and a revival in thirdparty IT servicesBengaluru led in performance with prime rents increasing 88 per cent yearoveryear and 2 per cent quarteroverquarter driven by demand in areas like Outer Ring Road and Whitefield DelhiNCR and Mumbai posted 2 per cent QoQ growth with YoY increases of 3 per cent and 39 per cent respectivelyIn comparison several AsiaPacific markets saw muted rental growth as landlords prioritised occupancy amid elevated vacancies Indias strong performance reflects a resilient occupier base a diversified tenant profile and a stable economic outlook the report notedVacancy rates edged up marginally due to the new completions but remain in check at approximately 115 per cent in Bengaluru 125 per cent in Delhi and 173 per cent in MumbaiKnight Frank forecasted that Indias office market will maintain steady rental growth through 2026 supported by sustained economic fundamentals governmentled digital initiatives and the expansion of GCCs across TierI and emerging TierII cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-office-leasing-touches-a-record-high-outperforms-asian-peers-644774.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 19:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/termination-of-arbitration-for-default-not-an-award-delhi-hc-644775.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Delhi High Court has ruled that an order closing arbitral proceedings due to a claimants default does not and cannot amount to an award since it does not determine the rights or obligations of the parties A singlejudge Bench of Justice Jasmeet Singh observed while allowing petitions filed by Mecwel Constructions Pvt Ltd against GE Power Systems India Pvt Ltd seeking continuation of arbitration proceedings that had been terminated for nonfiling of claims and nonpayment of arbitral fees The dispute arose from subcontracting agreements for the erection testing and commissioning of turbine and generator auxiliaries at multiple thermal power projects GE Power had terminated Mecwels contracts in 2022 and 2023 following which the matter was referred to arbitration pursuant to a prior Delhi High Court order However the arbitrator had closed the proceedings under Section 25a of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act after Mecwel failed to submit its statement of claims and pay its share of fees Although the arbitrator left a window of opportunity for compliance the proceedings were later deemed terminated GE Power argued that the termination order amounted to an arbitral award which could be challenged only under Section 34 of the Act Rejecting that contention Justice Singh observed An order closing the proceedings for default does not and cannot amount to an award as it does not deal with the rights of the parties before the Arbitrator Such an order merely terminates the arbitral proceedings on account of the claimants default in filing the statement of claim and does not involve any adjudication or determination of the rights or obligations of the parties The Delhi High Court added that for an order to qualify as an award it must adjudicate an issue forming part of the substantive dispute between the parties either finally or on an interim basis It said An order under Section 25a being procedural in nature and not addressing the substantive lis between the parties lacks the essential attributes of an arbitral award While allowing the petitions the Justice directed that arbitration proceedings between Mecwel and GE Power shall continue before the Arbitrator appointed by this Court vide order dated 08012024 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/termination-of-arbitration-for-default-not-an-award-delhi-hc-644775.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nhai-to-display-monthly-annual-pass-details-at-toll-plazas-to-raise-user-awareness-644776.html New Delhi Oct 24 The National Highways Authority of India has directed its field offices to prominently display information regarding the availability of the Local Monthly Pass and the Annual Pass at all fee plazas to enhance transparency and raise user awareness the government informed on Friday The initiative aims to ensure that users are wellinformed about the availability rates and procedures for availing of the Local Monthly Pass and Annual Pass facility an official statement saidThe information will be displayed on signage boards at visible locations including fee plaza approaches customer service areas and entry or exit points in English Hindi and the local regional language the Ministry of Road Transport amp Highways saidNHAI has directed field offices under its jurisdiction to place these boards at fee plazas for 30 days and ensure that all signboards are clearly visible during the day and night as per applicable fee rules For wider dissemination the information will also be uploaded on the Rajmargyatra mobile application and corresponding NHAI project websitesLocal Monthly Pass can be availed by commuters with private vehicles residing within a 20 km or as applicable radius of a fee plaza by submitting an Aadhar card a Vehicle Registration Certificate and proof of residential address etcThe monthly pass is issued at the fee plaza helpdesk after verification of documents the ministry informedSimilarly the Annual Pass facility with a validity of one year or 200 fee plaza crossings is applicable only for private vehicles including cars jeeps or vansThe annual pass can be purchased through the Rajmargyatra application and is digitally activated on the valid FASTag attached to the vehicle after paying a onetime fee of Rs 3000 The annual pass is valid at around 1150 fee plazas on national highways and expressways across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nhai-to-display-monthly-annual-pass-details-at-toll-plazas-to-raise-user-awareness-644776.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hanging-in-room-kota-student-commits-suicide-after-failing-exams--644777.html Jaipur Oct 24 A 21yearold MBBS student of Kota Medical College died by suicide after reportedly falling into depression over failing in her exams The incident took place in Akashvani Colony which falls under the Nayapura police station area of Kota said officials on Friday According to SHO Vinod Kumar the deceased Prachi Meena 21 was a thirdyear MBBS studentHe said that she lived with her father Kamal Prasad and three siblings in a government quarterHer mother had passed away a few years ago and since then Prachi had been living with her family in Kota while pursuing her studies SHO Kumar saidHe said that Prachi had been deeply upset ever since she failed her medical exams adding that her father Kamal Prasad stated that she had been depressed for the past few daysOn Thursday while her elder sister was at home in another room Prachi ended her life by hanging herself from the ceiling fan in her room he saidSHO Kumar added that her sister upon discovering the tragic scene screamed for helpHearing her cries neighbours rushed in untied the noose and immediately took Prachi to a nearby private hospital Doctors there referred her to MBS Hospital where medical staff declared her dead after examination he saidSHO Kumar said that preliminary investigations suggest the cause of the suicide was depression related to academic failureNo suicide note was recovered from the spot However statements from family members and neighbours indicate that she had been mentally disturbed over her exam results he saidHe said that Prachis father Kamal Prasad works at All India Radio Jhalawar and commutes daily from Kota for his job adding that on learning about the tragedy he rushed home immediatelyPolice later conducted a postmortem at MBS Hospital and handed over the body to the family for the last rites he saidThe incident has once again highlighted the growing pressure and mental health challenges faced by students in Kota which is known as the countrys coaching hubThe police have registered a case under Section 174 of the CrPC and initiated further investigation said officials IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hanging-in-room-kota-student-commits-suicide-after-failing-exams--644777.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-administrators-appointed-for-municipal-corporations-644778.html Jaipur Oct 24 The Bhajan Lal government in Rajasthan has issued orders appointing administrators for the municipal corporations of Jaipur Jodhpur and Kota According to a notification from the Department of Local SelfGovernance the tenure of the municipal corporations in these three cities will end on November 9Following the expiry of the term the respective Divisional Commissioners will take charge as administrators until a new elected board is constituted The move aims to ensure continuity in urban administration though officials anticipate that several public services could face disruption Jaipur Divisional Commissioner has been appointed as the administrator for both the Jaipur Heritage and Jaipur Greater Municipal Corporations Likewise the divisional commissioners of Jodhpur and Kota have been designated as administrators of their respective city corporations The government has also decided to integrate the administrative functions of the municipal corporations in these cities to enhance efficiency and coordination This arrangement will continue until fresh elections and the formation of new municipal boards With the end of the municipal boards tenure the terms of the mayors and councillors will also conclude Consequently important public services such as ration card amendments domicile and caste certificates income certificates RTE verifications and police verifications are likely to be impacted Previously these services were processed smoothly through local councillorsIn their absence citizens may now need to seek endorsements from MPs MLAs or gazetted officers potentially leading to delays and additional procedural hurdles Officials said that the state government is planning to conduct elections under the One State One Election policy Under this initiative administrators are currently employed in several urban bodies in the state By February 2026 the term of the boards in all urban bodies in the state will expire Elections will likely be held simultaneously in all bodies According to sources in the Directorate of Autonomous Governance the term of 50 urban bodies will expire in December this year Next year the term of 90 will expire in January and one body in February IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-administrators-appointed-for-municipal-corporations-644778.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dengue-outbreak-continues-in-manipur-77-more-test-positive-644779.html Imphal Oct 24 With 77 more people testing positive in eight of the 16 Manipur districts on Friday the outbreak of dengue has continued to hit the Northeastern state for the past 10 months officials said A report of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that at least 3114 people have tested positive for dengue in the state so far this year while one patient suffering from the vectorborne disease has died in the states Bishnupur district According to a report of the National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control under the Union Health and Family Welfare Minister last year 2024 2463 cases of dengue were reported last year and five people died due to the viral disease The Health and Family Welfare Department report stated that the 3114 positive cases were detected between January 1 and October 23 this year out of 7054 people tested for the disease Of the states 16 administrative districts comprising valley and hilly regions Imphal West reported the highest number of cases at 2186 followed by Imphal East 556 Bishnupur 88 Thoubal 74 Senapati 61 Kakching 38 and Ukhrul 35 Among the most affected areas Imphal West Imphal East Bishnupur and Thoubal districts fall within the crowded Imphal Valley region while Senapati Kakching and Ukhrul districts are located in the hill regions The mixedpopulated district of Jiribam along southern Assam reported only one positive dengue case so far The lone denguerelated death was reported in Bishnupur district in the Manipur valley region the report said The official of the Health and Family Welfare Department said that as per the guidelines of the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme NVBDCP the department in collaboration with other departments has been trying to spread the disease Rising number of dengue cases especially in the Imphal valley region highlights growing concerns over the spread of the disease the official said and attributed the surge to prolonged monsoon rains and stagnant water accumulation that led to create ideal breeding conditions for the Aedes mosquito The Health and Family Welfare Department has intensified vector control measures including fogging operations and public awareness campaigns across affected areas Various authorities including the Municipal bodies and Urban Development Department have urged people to keep their surroundings clean remove stagnant water and use mosquito repellents and nets to curb further transmission Officials have also advised people showing symptoms such as high fever body aches and rashes to seek immediate medical advice to prevent complications IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dengue-outbreak-continues-in-manipur-77-more-test-positive-644779.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 20:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/leader-is-shaped-by-values-not-circumstances-maha-cm-on-modis-mission-book--644780.html Mumbai Oct 24 A new book titled Modis Mission authored by Berjis Desai was launched at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Friday evening The event witnessed the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Governor Acharya Devvrat Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and author Berjis Desai who hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader defined by conviction discipline and selfless serviceChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the book stands apart from other writings on Modi as it explores how a persons values and character are forged amid hardshipHe noted that the author has beautifully portrayed PM Modis journey from a humble childhood to becoming Indias most transformative leaderModi jis early life was full of struggle He understood sacrifice at a very young age he would eat less so that his family could have more From the age of nine he grasped what selflessness meant Fadnavis saidHe devoted his life to a mission No one imagined that an RSS pracharak would one day become the Prime Minister of India The author has captured how PM Modi addressed ideological challenges from Article 370 to Ram Mandir Triple Talaq and judicial reforms with deep consciousness and clarity he addedGovernor Acharya Devvrat in his address called PM Modi a man of destiny who chose his own path and showed others the right wayHe lauded the Prime Ministers courage in abrogating Article 370 an issue that many feared could trigger unrestIt was said rivers of blood would flow if Article 370 was removed but Modi ji proved the world wrong not a single bird fluttered He achieved this without bloodshed the Governor saidHe further highlighted PM Modis decisiveness in matters of national interestWhether it is buying oil from Russia or standing firm before President Trump every decision was taken for Indias farmers and people Modi ji thinks only of the nation he remarkedDeputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde praised the book as an honest portrayal of PM Modis life calling it a mirror of his struggles and truthHe said the transformation of India in the past 11 years has been phenomenalModi ji is the definition of hard work He could have been a saint a soldier or a pracharak destiny made him the latter and through him India found its strength Shinde saidHe added that parts of the book should be included in school education so the next generation can learn from his journey IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/leader-is-shaped-by-values-not-circumstances-maha-cm-on-modis-mission-book--644780.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-bus-fire-claims-19-lives-16-teams-formed-for-probe-644782.html Kurnool Andhra Pradesh Oct 24 The Andhra Pradesh government has announced 16 teams for a thorough investigation into Fridays ghastly bus fire accident in Kurnool district which claimed 19 lives Home Minister V Anitha told media persons after a visit to the accident site near Chinnatekur village on the outskirts of Kurnool that 27 people including both drivers came out safely from the private bus which caught fire after hitting a twowheeler that got stuck under the bus bellyThe bus belonging to V Kaveri Travels was on its way to Bengaluru from HyderabadNine passengers were injured Six were undergoing treatment at Government General Hospital in Kurnool while three others were admitted to a private hospital All the injured were in stable conditionTwo children are among 19 passengers charred to death in the accident which occurred between 3 and 315 amSix of the deceased each are from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana two each from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and one each from Odisha and Bihar Another deceased is yet to be identifiedSince the bodies were charred beyond recognition the remains will be handed over to the families after DNA test said Anitha who was accompanied by Transport Minister Ramprasad ReddyThe Home Minister said that a total of 39 adults four children and an unidentified person were aboard the bus She said 23 adult passengers two children and both the drivers survived the mishapShe said the preliminary investigation revealed that the bus hit a motorbike and dragged it for a few feet The bike got stuck under the bus and the spark due to the collision and fuel leakage from the bike triggered the fire and engulfed the entire busThe bike rider was also killed in the accident He was identified as B Shivshankar 24 a resident of KurnoolThe Home Minister said the police received information at 321 am and the police along with firefighting personnel reached the spot to launch rescue operation The second driver of the bus forced open the rear exit door to help trapped passengers come outThe investigation also revealed that two unidentified passengers boarded the bus at Aramghar in Hyderabad and one of them later deboarded The other person is suspected to have diedShe announced Rs 5 lakh exgratia each to the families of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh each to the injured This exgratia is for the victims who belong to Andhra PradeshPolice have registered a case and took up investigation The driver who was at the wheel at the time of the accident is being questioned by the police to ascertain the cause of the mishapKurnool Superintendent of Police Vikrant Patil said the bus driver told police that the bus hit the bike which was already lying on the road The driver believes that the bike rider had already met with an accident and the bus ran over the bike which was lying on the roadThe Home Minister said 16 teams of police and forensic departments have been constituted to conduct the investigations from all angles Ten teams comprise forensic experts to conduct DNA testsFour teams have been formed for physical examination and investigation into the nature of the blast Two teams have been constituted for chemical analysisDirector General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta also visited the accident siteThe deceased have been identified as J Philomen Baby 64 Kishore 64 Prashanth 32 Arga Bandyopadhyay 23 Yuvan Shankar Raja 22 Meghnath 25 Dhatri 27 Amrit Kumar 18 Chandana Manga 23 Anusha 22 Giri Rao 48 Kenugu Deepak Kumar 24 G Ramesh 35 G Anusha 30 Manitha 10 Keshanath Manish 12 Sandhya Rani 43 Srinivasa Reddy and Panchala Sivashankar twowheeler riderThe name of one deceased bus passenger is yet to be knownThree young women techies from the Telugu states were among the deceased They were all employed at IT firms in BengaluruA family of four from Nellore district of Andhra Pradesh also perished in the tragedyEarlier Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed deep shock over the accident and directed the ministers and officials to rush immediately to the spot and take up relief measuresThe Chief Minister who is on a visit to the UAE conducted a teleconference with ministers and officials and asked them to rush immediately to the accident spot He spoke to Ministers Chief Secretary DGP and Kurnool district Collector and asked them to take immediate measures to identify the bodies and hand them over to their relatives He ordered an inquiry into the incidentTelanganas Excise Minister Jupally Krishna Rao also visited the accident site along with some senior officials He said six of the deceased are from Telangana Ten passengers from the state are among the survivorsHe said that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has announced an exgratia of Rs 5 lakh to the deceased from Telangana state and Rs 2 lakh to the injuredHe said that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the bus driver and the Telangana state government will take special steps to prevent such accidents in futureKrishna Rao said that orders will be issued to ensure that private bus owners hire welltrained drivers and strictly follow the rules and regulations of the Transport Department IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-bus-fire-claims-19-lives-16-teams-formed-for-probe-644782.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sahiti-infratec-case-ed-attaches-rs-12-crore-assets-for-duping-homebuyers-644783.html Hyderabad Oct 24 The ED attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 1265 crore belonging to Sahiti Infratec Ventures India Pvt Ltd SIVIPL its former director Sandu Purnachandra Rao and his family members in a PMLA case related to fraud with homebuyers an official said on Friday The Hyderabad Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate attached the movable and immovable properties under PMLA 2002 taking the value of seized assets in this case so far to Rs 17415 crore said the official in a statementBoodati Lakshminarayan Managing Director of SIVIPL was arrested by the ED in September last year under provisions for money laundering involving over Rs 1000 croreIn December 2023 the ED had attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 16150 crore belonging to SIVIPL its Managing Director its former director S Purnachandra Rao their family members and related entities and Omics International LtdIn January 2024 the Hyderabad Police registered a case against Lakshminarayana and 21 others for allegedly conspiring to dupe 1752 customers The accused had collected Rs 111993 crore from the customersDuring the investigation into the complaint filed by M Yashwanth Kumar and 240 others police found that Lakshminarayana along with other directors authorised signatories and the marketing team lured the victims with the promise of providing highrise apartments at the Sahiti Sarvani Elite project in Ameenpur village of Sangareddy districtThey were booked for alleged fraudulent activities carried out from June 2019 to 2022According to the complaint the accused made a prelaunch offer even before acquiring land for the project and obtaining necessary permissions and started collecting deposits from customers in June 2019Investigations revealed that the accused applied to the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority HMDA for permission in May and June 2022 and approval was granted on August 1 2022The investigators said that after collecting Rs 504 crore for the Sarvani Elite project the accused initiated several other projects but failed to complete them The total amount collected from customers for nine projects including Sarvani Elite is approximately Rs 1119 croreIn May another case was registered against Sahiti Infra and Lakshminarayana following a complaint by a victimVictims of Sahiti Sarvani Elite had also staged a protest in May demanding that the police expedite the investigation into what they called the biggest real estate scam in Telangana IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sahiti-infratec-case-ed-attaches-rs-12-crore-assets-for-duping-homebuyers-644783.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/law-and-order-completely-collapsed-in-karnataka-claims-bjp-644784.html Bengaluru Oct 24 Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy on Friday alleged that the law and order situation in Karnataka has completely collapsed under the Congressled government Addressing the media at the BJP office here he said Yesterday seven men broke into a house and raped a woman they were arrested later If there were any fear of the law or the police would such a thing have happenedHe referred to other incidents alleging a pattern of administrative failure During Dussehra a nomadic woman came to Mysuru to sell balloons An 89yearold girl was raped and killed no one has been punished They were from Kalaburagi but the minister in charge hasnt even enquired about the incident he said targeting Minister Priyank KhargeHe further said In Vijayapura an 11yearold Dalit girl was raped and killed Yet no one has raised their voice The Congress government is turning a blind eyeNarayanaswamy also criticised the government over unpaid staff Anganwadi workers havent been paid for three months Librarians havent received salaries for 20 months A mother in Sedam unable to run her household took her own life In Chamarajanagar a waterman died by suicide after not getting his salary for 27 monthsHe claimed citizens have lost faith in the administration Ever since the Congress government came to power misfortune has befallen the state People are angry and disheartened he remarkedHe also slammed the condition of roads Theres not a single road in Bengaluru without potholes Pregnant women cant reach hospitals and end up giving birth on the way he said adding that even hospital staff are frustratedAccusing Congress of deflecting public attention he said You won 136 seats Where is the vote theft you talk about You raise different issues just to cover up your failuresNarayanaswamy also mocked Chief Minister Siddaramaiah saying The Chief Minister doesnt even know the difference between a new moon and a full moon For this government it seems Amavasya has covered the state in darkness IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/law-and-order-completely-collapsed-in-karnataka-claims-bjp-644784.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anyone-attacking-the-police-will-get-appropriate-response-warns-haryana-dgp-644787.html Chandigarh Oct 24 Haryana Director General of Police DGP OP Singh on Friday said the working style of the police would be completely transformed but also underlined that indiscipline or misconduct would not be tolerated and warned that if anyone retaliates or attacks the police they will receive an immediate and appropriate response The police must now become proactive solutionoriented coordinated and citizencentric Simultaneously the living and working conditions of police personnel will also be improved the DGP said while chairing a meeting with all Commissioners of Police CPs Superintendents of Police SPs and Station House Officers SHOs in Panchkula near hereThe DGP directed officers of the Haryana Police Housing Corporation HPHC to ensure that within two weeks all police stations and posts are upgradedKitchens washrooms electrical wiring and safety systems should be repaired and improved He emphasized that every police station should appear clean safe and organisedMy foremost objective is to keep Haryana Police fighting fit and in working order an official statement quoting DGP Singh saidMistakes during duty are natural but indiscipline or misconduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances He added that Haryana Police remains on duty 247 365 days a year in service of the public I cannot see any of my police personnel in harms way we are here not to die but to serve and protect the peopleIf any criminal breaks the law they will be sent behind bars as per legal procedure but if anyone retaliates or attacks the police they will receive an immediate and appropriate response Haryana Police stands as a strong shield between the citizens and criminalsThe DGP directed that the families of martyred police personnel must receive immediate help as per rulesNo delays should occur and a report on their status should be submitted every 15 days No work related to martyr families should be left pendingThe DGP instructed all district officers to conduct regular field visits interact with police personnel and boost their morale He emphasized that polite behaviour with the public is crucialPolice officials should use simple courteous words like Please Sorry Thank You this will improve the image of the police and strengthen public trustThe DGP said the police must now remain active on social media Officers should monitor those spreading rumours or misinformation against the police right from the initial stage All police stations and posts must work together and formulate joint strategies to reduce crime in their surrounding areasDirector of Haryana Police Academy Arshinder Chawla has been directed to provide practical training to new subinspectors so that they learn reallife policing instead of adopting a filmy approach The DGP instructed that officers posted in sensitive areas must not take leave without prior intimationThe SHOs must inform the IG before taking leave and SPs must inform the ADG Law and Order DGP Singh concluded by saying that the goal of Haryana Police is clear every policeman must remain safe every citizen must live without fear and every police station must stand as a symbol of public trust IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anyone-attacking-the-police-will-get-appropriate-response-warns-haryana-dgp-644787.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/foiled-is-terror-bid-2-suspects-sent-to-delhi-police-custody-till-oct-27-644789.html New Delhi Oct 24 Two suspected IS operatives arrested before they could plant a bomb in Delhi were on Friday sent to three days police custody till October 27 by a city court an official said Md Adnan Khan alias Abu Muharib 19 a resident of Sadiq Nagar in south Delhi and Adnan Khan alias Abu Mohammad 20 a resident of Karond Bhopal MP were arrested on October 16 and 18 respectivelyOn Friday the Delhi court sent the two to police custody to pave the way for their interrogation on the data recovered from their mobile phones and pen drives seized from themThe Delhi Police through the public prosecutor had sought an extension in the two accuseds custody by four days but the court at Patiala House complex allowed only a threeday extension in their custodyWhile seeking their custody the police said the gadgets seized from the two had been sent for lab analysis and they wanted to interrogate the two over their social media accountsThe police also informed the court that they were yet to question some other suspects involved in the foiled attempt to strike terror in the national CapitalBoth suspects allegedly communicated with a Syriabased IS handler identified as Abu Ibrahim alQureshi according to the policeThe defence lawyer told the court that they had not yet been given a copy of the first information report FIRPramod Singh Kushwah Additional Commissioner of Police Special Cell said the interstate module of IS was disseminating jihadi videos on social media and had progressed to an advanced stage of planning attacks at crowded locations in Delhi during the festive seasonThey had started procuring materials for improvised explosive devices IEDs he saidAfter their arrest the Delhi Police have recovered a pen drive containing the video of Md Adnan Delhi taking the Bayʿah while dressed in IS attire black clothing and scarf an IS flag mobile phones containing radical videos and related material hard disks and a laptopEarlier surveillance showed that Md Adnan Delhi and Adnan Khan Bhopal were active on multiple social platforms using them to spread extremist content recruit followers and coordinate activities the police saidDuring a search of Md Adnans Delhi residence investigators recovered three mobile phones containing incriminating IS material images and manuals detailing remote detonation systems instructions on making plastic bombs and Molotov cocktails a pen drive hard disks an IS flag the clothing used during the Bayah and a timer clock intended for use in an IEDThe suspect from Bhopal had previously been arrested by Uttar Pradesh ATS under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and after obtaining bail in 2024 he resumed terroristrelated activity chiefly through online recruitment and propaganda dissemination In June 2024 he was arrested by UP ATS for threatening an Additional Session Judge in connection with the videographic survey of GyanvapiThe police said Md Adnan from Delhi admitted to taking the Bayah pledge of allegiance to the current IS Caliph Abu Hafs alHashimi alQurayshi through a Syriabased handlerThe Bayah was recorded on video while the suspect was dressed in IS attire said a police statementThe investigators said the Bhopalbased suspect regularly sent radical jihadi videos and instructed Md Adnan is in Delhi to edit and disseminate them IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/foiled-is-terror-bid-2-suspects-sent-to-delhi-police-custody-till-oct-27-644789.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-hails-itbps-unwavering-resolve-and-devotion-to-duty-on-raising-day-644791.html New Delhi Oct 24 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday greeted the IndoTibetan Border Police ITBP on the 64th foundation day of the force hailing the forces sacrifice and humanitarian service Taking it to X the PM Modi said Warm greetings to all ITBP Himveers and their families on their Raising Day The Force embodies unmatched courage discipline and devotion to dutyServing amid the harshest climates and most difficult terrains they safeguard the nation with unwavering resolve Their compassion and readiness during disaster relief and rescue missions reflect the finest traditions of service and humanity he addedEarlier in the day Vice President C P Radhakrishnan also greeted the ITBP on its foundation dayIn a message Radhakrishnan said On ITBP Raising Day I salute the brave heroes of the IndoTibetan Border Police who stand as the first line of defence along our Himalayan frontiersSince its inception ITBP has exemplified courage discipline and unwavering commitment to safeguarding our nations borders and people Their tireless vigilance humanitarian service and dedication inspire pride and confidence in the strength and security of India he said in a message on XThe ITBP was raised on October 24 1962 Currently the Force guards a 3488 kmlong IndiaChina border ranging from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal PradeshApart from this the Force also plays an important role in various internal security duties and operations against LeftWing Extremism in the state of ChhattisgarhMost of the ITBPs Border Out Posts BOPs are located at altitudes ranging from 9000 ft to 18800 ft where temperatures drop to minus 45 degrees Celsius in extreme winters according to the Home MinistryThe ITBP is a specialised armed police force of the nation that trains its personnel in various disciplines including mountaineering and skiing apart from intensive tactical training thereby creating a distinctive image of the ForceThe Force also conducts relief and rescue operations as First Responders for natural calamities in the Himalayan region The Force has responded in hundreds of search rescue and relief operations over the years to provide succour to citizens in distress due to various calamities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-hails-itbps-unwavering-resolve-and-devotion-to-duty-on-raising-day-644791.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-upholds-divorce-over-repeated-verbal-abuse-by-wife-644792.html New Delhi Oct 24 The Delhi High Court has upheld a decree of divorce granted to an advocate against his wife holding that her repeated verbal abuse and derogatory messages amounted to grave mental cruelty A Bench of Justices Anil Kshetrapal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar dismissed the wifes appeal against the Family Courts 2023 judgment that had dissolved the couples marriage under Section 131ia of the Hindu Marriage Act 1955The Justice Kshetrapalled Bench said that the wifes conduct including sending abusive messages that questioned her husbands legitimacy and insulted his mother caused grave mental agony The most compelling evidence comprises the series of text messages sent from the Appellants mobile number which contained vile derogatory and scandalous language it observedSpecific messages dated 09052011 15052011 and 27062011 which included terms such as bastard son of a bitch and suggestions that his mother should earn through prostitution are by themselves sufficient to constitute mental cruelty of the gravest kind added the Delhi High CourtRejecting the wifes argument that the husband must have sent those messages to himself from her wifes phone the Justice Kshetrapalled Bench held that the explanation was inherently improbable and an afterthoughtIt said The appellants explanation that the respondent husband must have sent these messages to himself from her phone is inherently improbable and was rightly rejected by the learned Family Court as an afterthought particularly since this defence was never pleaded in the written statement and no corroborative evidence was adduced to support itWords and communications of the sort proved in this case are not innocuous observed the Delhi High Court adding that the Family Court had correctly regarded them as causing grave mental agony to the respondent husband The appellant wife habitually used derogatory epithets such as janwar son of a bitch haramzada kutta and kamina in daily interactions the Justice Kshetrapalled Bench recordedShe slapped the respondent husband for merely expressing a desire to accompany her to Mumbai and from the inception of the marriage refused conjugal relations it added The Delhi High Court agreed with the Family Court that the marriage had irretrievably broken down noting that the parties had been living separately for over 14 yearsWhile it acknowledged that the husbands conduct in filing multiple complaints was not entirely desirable the Delhi High Court held that two wrongs do not make a right Such conduct by the Respondent husband could not justify or erase the independently established cruelty inflicted by the appellant wife through her unabashed verbal and textual abuse the Justice Kshetrapalled Bench statedRejecting the wifes appeal the Delhi High Court said We find no merit in the present appeal The Family Courts decision to grant a decree of divorce on the ground of cruelty is based on a cogent and balanced appreciation of the evidence and a correct application of legal principles IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-hc-upholds-divorce-over-repeated-verbal-abuse-by-wife-644792.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/berjis-desai-hails-pm-modis-journey-from-gujarat-to-global-leadership-at-modis-mission-book-launch-644793.html New Delhi Oct 24 A new book titled Modis Mission authored by Berjis Desai was launched at the Raj Bhavan in Mumbai on Friday evening The event was graced by Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Addressing the gathering author Berjis Desai lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a leader defined by conviction discipline and selfless serviceRecalling a past interaction Desai said Once when I met Narendra Modi I told him You will become the Prime Minister of India one day Today that statement stands trueDesai reflected on Indias political journey noting that during earlier governments terror attacks often went unansweredHe said that when PM Modi became Gujarats Chief Minister in 2001 many Congress leaders could not accept that a man from the humble soil of Gujarat could rise to such a stature He proved them wrong Desai remarkedHighlighting PM Modis 2014 electoral rise Desai said the elites were fearful of the momentum and even threatened to migrate if he became Prime Minister but none did Drawing historical parallels he added that leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Morarji Desai faced similar prejudice from Indias elite circlesDesai criticised the selective narratives of historians and the appeasement politics of past regimes He emphasised that PM Modis welfare model from direct benefit transfers to inclusive social schemes represents true secularism Minorities now realise that welfare reaches both Salma and Radha alike he saidHe praised PM Modi for historic decisions like the abrogation of Article 370 the construction of the Ram Mandir Indias digital revolution through UPI and effective pandemic managementRecounting PM Modis humble beginnings Desai said the Prime Ministers values stem from his mothers teachingsHe had three choices during his early days to become a monk an Army man or an RSS Pracharak Despite struggles PM Modi chose a life of service His mission reflects his mothers sanskar he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/berjis-desai-hails-pm-modis-journey-from-gujarat-to-global-leadership-at-modis-mission-book-launch-644793.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/58-candidates-in-fray-for-jubilee-hills-by-election-644794.html Hyderabad Oct 24 A total of 58 candidates have remained in the fray for the November 11 byelection to the Jubilee Hills Assembly constituency Election officials said 23 candidates withdrew their nominations during the last two days leaving 58 candidates in the frayThe deadline for withdrawal of nominations ended FridayAs many as 211 candidates had filed their nominations for the byelection Nominations of 130 candidates were rejected while the papers of 81 candidates were found in orderThe nominations of the main contestants were accepted The byelection is likely to see a triangular fight among the ruling Congress the opposition Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS and the Bharatiya Janata Party BJPBRS leader Maganti Gopinath who had won the Jubilee Hills seat for the third consecutive term in 2023 died in June necessitating the byelection The BRS has fielded his wife Maganti SunithaThe Congress party has given the ticket to Naveen Yadav while the BJP has once again fielded Lankala Deepak ReddyIn the 2023 elections Gopinath had defeated former Indian cricket captain and Congress candidate Mohammed Azharuddin by 16337 votes to winIn a multicornered contest Gopinath had secured 80549 votes while Azharuddin had polled 64212 votes Deepak Reddy of the BJP was at the third position with 25866 votesThe All India MajliseIttehadul Muslimeen AIMIM whose candidate had finished fourth in the 2023 elections is not contesting this time The party led by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi has declared support for the Congress candidateMeanwhile Hyderabad District Election Officer R V Karnan on Friday announced the final electoral rolls The constituency has a total of 401365 voters They include 208561 men and 192779 women He said 2383 new voters were enrolled after the election notification was issuedHe said since 58 candidates are in the fray four ballot units and one VVPAT will be used in each of the polling boothsThe election officer said the authorities concerned have so far seized Rs 284 crore cash and 512 litres of liquor worth Rs 369 lakh IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/58-candidates-in-fray-for-jubilee-hills-by-election-644794.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/reliance-to-comply-with-us-eu-sanctions-on-russian-oil-644795.html New Delhi Oct 24 Reliance Industries announced on Friday that it will comply with the EU guidelines on the import of refined products into Europe linked to the fresh sanctions that have been imposed on Russias crude oil exports The company also said that whenever there is any guidance from the Indian Government in this respect as always we will be complying fullyReliance is the largest importer of Russian crude oil in India which it processes into petroleum products such as petrol and diesel at the companys giant refinery in Jamnagar on the Gujarat coast for export and domestic use A large percentage of the crude throughput at the 35 million tonnes per annum refinery comprises Russian crudeThe Indian company has indicated that it will be diversifying its sources for crude imports to fill this gap and adjust the operations at the refinery accordingly to cater to the domestic and EU marketWe have noted the recent restrictions announced by the EU UK and the US on crude oil imports from Russia and export of refined products to Europe Reliance is currently assessing the implications including the new compliance requirements We will comply with the EUs guidelines on the import of refined products into Europe Whenever there is any guidance from the Indian Government in this respect as always we will be complying fully Reliance has consistently aligned itself with the objectives of ensuring Indias energy security the Reliance spokesperson saidThe Company remains fully committed to maintaining its longstanding and impeccable record of adherence to applicable sanctions and regulatory frameworks and will be adapting the refinery operations to meet the compliance requirements the spokesperson further statedAs is customary in the industry supply contracts evolve to reflect changing market and regulatory conditions Reliance will address these conditions while maintaining the relationships with its suppliers Reliance is confident that its timetested diversified crude sourcing strategy will continue to ensure stability and reliability in its refinery operations for meeting the domestic and export requirements including to Europe the spokesperson addedThe supply of Russian crude to major Indian refineries is likely to decline considerably following sanctions announced by the US against Rosneft and Lukoil Russias two biggest oil companiesAccording to a Bloomberg report Reliance has large quantities of crude from the US and the Middle East after the US imposed sanctions on the Russian oil companies These consignments are expected to arrive at Jamnagar in December or January IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/reliance-to-comply-with-us-eu-sanctions-on-russian-oil-644795.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 21:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-seven-ips-officers-transferred-four-districts-get-new-sps-644799.html Raipur Oct 24 The Chhattisgarh government has ordered the transfer of seven Indian Police Service IPS officers effecting leadership changes in four sensitive districts The directive issued on 24 October 2025 from the Home Police Department at Mahanadi Bhawan underscores the Vishnu Deo Sailed BJP administrations commitment to recalibrating security deployments amid escalating Naxal activities industrial disputes and cyber threats At the core of the reshuffle there are four Superintendent of Police SP rotations injecting fresh vigour into districts grappling with multifaceted challenges Ankita Sharma IPS 2018 batch previously SP Sakti has been appointed SP Rajnandgaon a Naxalprone frontier district abutting Maharashtra Sharmas prior successes in community outreach and antiextortion drives in coalrich zones make her a strategic fit for Rajnandgaons volatile border dynamics where recent intelligence flags intensified Maoist forays In a reciprocal shift Prabhull Thakur IPS 2015 batch steps into the SP Sakti role bringing his expertise from antitrafficking operations in Bilaspur to bolster the districts mining belt security ManendragarhChirimiBharatpur a Surguja subdivision notorious for timber smuggling and tribal unrest welcomes Ratna Singh IPS 2017 batch as its new SP succeeding Chandra Mohan Singh IPS 2014 batch who transitions to Director TrainingOperations Fire Services and Emergency Response alongside Civil Defence Headquarters in Raipur Singhs tenure in Dantewadas counterinsurgency units equips her to address the areas ecological and enforcement flashpoints Rounding out the district cadre Pankaj Chandra IPS batch unspecified in the order moves from Commandant 13th Battalion Chhattisgarh Armed Force CAF in Korba to SP Kondagaon a Bastar redoubt where Naxal ambushes remain a perennial peril Chandras CAF command experience in highmobility ops positions him to fortify the districts forward lines The remaining three transfers bolster statelevel apparatuses Yaduvalli Akshay Kumar IPS 2018 batch shifts from SP Kondagaon to Assistant Inspector General AIG Police Headquarters Nava Raipur enhancing strategic oversight Mohit Garg erstwhile SP Rajnandgaon earns promotion to Deputy Inspector General DIG PHQ acknowledging his role in quelling industrial unrest in Bhilai IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-seven-ips-officers-transferred-four-districts-get-new-sps-644799.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/surprise-inspections-at-hyderabad-gyms-to-check-steroid-abuse-644802.html Hyderabad Oct 24 Drugs Control Administration of Telangana carried out surprise inspections of gyms on Friday under a special drive to detect illegal stocking and sale of anabolicandrogenic steroids and cardiac stimulants such as Mephentermine Sulphate injections to gymgoers for abuse in bodybuilding The Drug Control Administration DCA said that abuse of prescription medicines such as anabolicandrogenic steroids and Mephentermine Sulphate Injections for bodybuilding can lead to various adverse effects including cardiovascular disorders and may even result in death if misusedAs part of the special drive the DCA conducted surprise inspections at 20 gyms across Hyderabad in coordination with the local police authoritiesThe inspections were carried out at gyms located in Secunderabad Mehdipatnam Tolichowki Malakpet Punjagutta Narsingi Banjara Hills Jubilee Hills Madhapur Kothapet Kukatpally and Suraram said Shahnawaz Qasim Director General DCAAccording to the DCA the abuse of anabolicandrogenic steroids poses significant health risks These drugs often misused by bodybuilders to enhance muscle growth can lead to a range of adverse effects including cardiovascular issues liver damage mood swings and hormonal imbalances Moreover longterm abuse can result in severe health complications such as infertility kidney failure and psychiatric disordersMephentermine Sulphate Injection is a cardiac stimulant primarily used to normalise decreased blood pressure hypotension that may arise from administering anaesthesia in spinal procedures during surgery Only a doctor should determine the appropriate dose and duration of this medicine for each individualHowever Mephentermine Sulphate injection with its cardiac stimulatory action is being misused to enhance endurance in bodybuilders The DCA said that certain gyms are illegally selling Mephentermine Injection to gymgoers who misuse it to improve physical performance in competitive sports or bodybuildingAny gym found illegally stocking or selling prescription medicines will face strict legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 Gym owners and staff are warned to refrain from such illegal practices and ensure full compliance with the lawThe illegal stocking and sale of such prescription drugs to gymgoers constitute a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and individuals involved are liable for imprisonment of up to five years said Shahnawaz Qasim IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/surprise-inspections-at-hyderabad-gyms-to-check-steroid-abuse-644802.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-court-directs-social-media-platforms-to-remove-videos-targeting-cm-mann-644803.html Chandigarh Oct 24 A Mohali court in Punjab on Friday directed major social media platforms including Meta platforms Facebook and Instagram YouTube X Corp and Telegram to remove objectionable videos targeting Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann within 24 hours of the receipt of the court order The court attached a list of 166 specific URLs from these platforms Judicial Magistrate 1st Class Manpreet Kaur in her order directed the platforms to remove the content with respect to the specific URLs as mentioned The alleged offensive material is directed to be removed forthwith and in any event within 24 hours of the receipt of the court order The court acted on an application filed by the State Cyber Crime Department Mohali which argued that the fabricated content potentially AIgenerated was vulgar and had the tendency to disturb public order The court also issued a specific direction to Google search engine to ensure the offensive content becomes nonsearchable by deindexing and dereferencing it Furthermore all platforms have been directed to preserve all information and records associated with the offending material to prevent the destruction of evidence The fake video was reportedly circulated from the account of Jagman Samra a Canadian resident After the videos went viral a case was registered against Samra Meanwhile the content was initially taken down from the account of Samra the court noted that certain mischievous persons have started reuploading or circulating the same or substantially similar objectionable content across various other platforms leading to the comprehensive list of 166 links submitted to the court The order warned the intermediaries that failure to comply with the directions would lead them to forfeit their exemption from liability under the IT Act paving the way for legal action against them IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-court-directs-social-media-platforms-to-remove-videos-targeting-cm-mann-644803.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 22:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-arrested-for-attack-on-gau-rakshak-dal-activist-in-hyderabad-644574.html Hyderabad Oct 23 Rachakonda Police on Thursday arrested three accused for the attack on a Gau Rakshak Dal activist on the outskirts of Hyderabad Bidla Prashanth Kumar alias Sonu Singh 28 was injured when a man who is into the cattle transport business opened fire on him near Yamnampet Ghatkesar on the outskirts of Hyderabad on Wednesday eveningMohammad Ibrahim Qureshi 24 who had opened fire Kuruva Srinivas 29 and Hassanbin Mosin 22 were arrested in the early hours of Thursday at Shamshabad Another accused Mohammad Haneef Qureshi 34 is abscondingWhile Ibrahim and Mosin are in the cattle transport business Srinivas is a farmerRachakonda Police Commissioner G Sudheer Babu told media persons that they arrested the accused within 12 hoursPolice seized one countrymade pistol a car and three cell phones from the accused Two cartridges 5 mm diameter were recovered from the crime scene A pellet removed from the injured mans body at a hospital was also recoveredA case under sections 109 612 rw 35 BNS and section 251a 27 of the Arms Act has been registered at Pocharam IT Corridor Police StationPrashanth told police that he was called to the location by his friend Srinivas Prasant said he met Srinivas along with Ibrahim Haneef Qureshi and Hassan bin MosinThe accused confronted him for exposing their illegal cattle transportation and in the ensuing argument Ibrahim took out a gun from his car and shot Prashanth in the right side of the chest before fleeingInvestigation revealed the motive was dual retaliation against the victim who caused an estimated Rs 1 crore loss to Ibrahim by intercepting his cattletransporting vehicles and potential conflict arising from the victims alleged demand for Rs 5 lakh to cease his activitiesThe swift action by the police in shifting the injuredvictim to the hospital by the Patrol Mobile and Blue Colt officers has helped the injured person save his life and also the accused were arrested within no time by the formation of special teams in coordination with all the wings the Police Commissioner saidDue to Prashanths intervention five cases were registered against the accused previously which led to the seizure of vehiclesThe cases were registered at different police stations under the Telangana State Prohibition of Cow Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act and the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ActAn extortion case was also registered against Ibrahim in 2022 at Kamatipura Police StationMeanwhile BJP leaders led by the partys state unit president were detained by police when they staged a protest outside the office of the Director General of Police The BJP staged a protest against the firing on a Gau Rakshak Dal activistThe police whisked away the BJP leaders and workers in vehicles IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-arrested-for-attack-on-gau-rakshak-dal-activist-in-hyderabad-644574.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-duplicity-on-palestine-taliban-breeds-a-new-ttp-like-headache-in-bangladesh-644575.html New Delhi Oct 23 Bangladesh which is headed by the JamaateIslami backed Muhammad Yunus is in bad shape today thanks to the takeover by the radical Islamic groups Once Yunus took over the entire foreign policy shifted towards Pakistan and this has been a worry for India Today with free access to Bangladesh the ISI has set up terror camps where scores of radicalised youth are being trained While most terror groups in Bangladesh toe the line of the ISI there is one group that is creating a problemThe HizbutTahrir HuT which is no doubt a radical Islamic group has a problem with Pakistan Islamabads stance Israel and its war against the Taliban have not gone down too well with the HuTThe HuT has not been part of any activity that the ISI has conducted in Bangladesh Intelligence Bureau officials sayIt has remained independent and is focusing only on the establishing the Caliphate in BangladeshWith the Yunus government the HuT has had a blow hot blow cold relationshipIn the aftermath of Sheikh Hasinas ouster and the installation of Yunus its activities were conducted more in the open It even held a seminar where the discussion was centred around Indias dominance in BangladeshIt also spoke about the need to establish a CaliphateHowever the HuT was not happy with the manner in which Pakistan was trying to dominate Bangladesh under YunusIt felt that Pakistan is more of a West sponsored force and did not feel truly about the cause A lot however began to change for the HuT after Israel hit back after the Hamas attack the country Pakistan has of late largely toed the line of the United StatesThe thinking of the HuT was centred around the double standards of PakistanOn one hand the ISI facilitated many Hamas operatives to share the stage with terrorists of the Hizbul Mujahideen JaisheMohammad and LashkareTaiba On the other hand when Israel intensified its attacks on the Hamas Pakistan toed the line that the US did It was natural for the HuT to feel strongly about the stance that Pakistan was taking where Israel was concernedThe HuT is a panIslamist organisation that was founded in Jerusalem in 1953 with the sole intention of establishing the Islamic CaliphateIt was in the year 2000 that the HuT first made its entry into Bangladesh It wanted to part of the region to further its causeApart from the IsraeliPalestine issue the HuT also frowned upon Pakistans stance where the Afghan Taliban was concernedTensions between the Taliban and Pakistan are at an all time high and although the fighting may have stopped the truce is very delicate in natureWhen Pakistan attacked the Taliban with its Air Force the HuT issued a stern warning and even condemned the actionsThe HuT in a statement said that the action by Pakistan is audacious in nature and stems from the temporary proximity of Pakistans leadership with the United StatesWhile the HuT may have rejoiced when the Sheikh Hasina government fell it soon realised that Yunus was only a puppet of IslamabadAt the insistence of Pakistan the Yunus government has been taking strict action against the HuT The interim government has at the insistence of Pakistan arrested a top HuT leader Imtiaz SelimAnalysts say that going forward the HuT may create a big problem for both the establishment in Bangladesh as well as Pakistan This HuT could clearly end up become the next TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP for the ISI when it comes to its plans in Bangladesh officials also say IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-duplicity-on-palestine-taliban-breeds-a-new-ttp-like-headache-in-bangladesh-644575.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-cinema-looking-at-kannada-film-industry-with-admiration-kumaraswamy-644577.html Bengaluru Oct 23 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy claimed on Thursday that Indian cinema is looking at the Kannada film industry with admiration Kannada film industry is achieving great heights and producing quality films The Indian film fraternity is looking at us with admiration Yet Kannada cinema must achieve even greater success and producers should get more opportunities to make good films said Kumaraswamy while addressing an event celebrating senior director S V Rajendra Singh Babus 50 years as a filmmaker in the Kannada film industryThe Union Minister said that for the Kannada film industry to grow and flourish lead actors should act in more films and more heroes should come into the industryHe said that the Kannada film industry has a rich history and a strong foundation adding that Dr Rajkumar Dr Vishnuvardhan and Ambarish elevated Kannada cinema to great heights For this legacy to continue strongly more films need to be made We must carry forward the tradition set by those legendary actors he saidHe expressed concern that fewer Kannadalanguage films are being made nowadays which is why audiences are turning to dubbed movies We have excellent directors and great stories here My wish is that more and more Kannada films should be produced the Minister remarkedSpeaking highly of Rajendra Singh Babu he said that completing five decades as a director and producer is no easy task His entire family has been devoted to the film industry As someone who has worked as a film exhibitor distributor and producer myself I remember distributing and screening Rajendra Singh Babus filmsHe also praised the director comparing him to legends like late Puttanna Kanagal and late Siddalingaiah who were known for making films based on strong literary storiesFormer Deputy Chief Minister and BJP MLA C N Ashwath Narayan former Minister and BJP MLA Munirathna actor Kiccha Sudeep Brahmanda Guruji producer Rockline Venkatesh Basanth Kumar Patil Chamber of Commerce President Krishnegowda veteran filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli and publisher Veerakaputra Srinivas were among those present at the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-cinema-looking-at-kannada-film-industry-with-admiration-kumaraswamy-644577.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-aims-to-transform-youth-from-employment-seekers-to-job-givers-says-punjab-cm-644578.html Chandigarh Oct 23 Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday said the government is making efforts to transform the youth from job seekers to job givers Interacting with students of Shaheed Subedar Mewa Singh School of Eminence in Morinda town the Chief Minister said the government has heralded a new era of education revolution in PunjabHe said this revolution is giving desired results by grooming students for futuristic competitions and enabling them to excel in lifeCM Mann said on one hand unprecedented steps have been taken to provide jobs to the youth and on the other several endeavours have been made to channelise their unbounded energy in the stateThe Chief Minister said that as runways at the airports facilitate an aeroplane in a smooth take off in the same manner the state government is helping the youth to realise their dreamsHe said to help the children of Punjab turn their dreams into reality and reach new heights in life the state launched an education revolution in 2022CM Mann said that looking back at the past it is truly disheartening to see how flawed policies once deprived poor children of their right to educationHe said 118 Schools of Eminence are being established in the state with an investment of Rs 23174 crore These schools are considered a remarkable beginning toward a bright future for underprivileged childrenThe Chief Minister said students in these schools are being provided free uniforms and in particular free bus services have been arranged for girls so that not a single girl is left behind in accessing educationHe envisioned that these schools would serve as temples of the modern era illuminating the lives of thousands of studentsCM Mann said it is a matter of immense pride and satisfaction that students from private schools are now seeking admission into these Schools of Eminence reflecting the success of this modelLikewise the Chief Minister said that the concept of parentteacher meetings has also been introduced and has received overwhelming support from parentsHe said Punjab currently has 19200 government schools and nearly 25 lakh parents have participated in parentteacher meetings IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-aims-to-transform-youth-from-employment-seekers-to-job-givers-says-punjab-cm-644578.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/northeast-frontier-railway-cancels-short-terminates-several-trains-in-tripura-due-to-blockade-644581.html Agartala Oct 23 The Northeast Frontier Railway NFR on Thursday cancelled shortterminated or controlled nine trains including four express trains in Tripura due to the blockade of railway tracks at several points by activists of the Tipra Motha Party TMPaffiliated civil society The Tiprasa Civil Society TCS led by TMP MLA Ranjit Debbarma observed a 24hour shutdown in Tripura in support of its eightpoint demands including the deportation of illegal migrantsNFR Chief Public Relations Officer CPRO Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said four Express trains including Sabroom Tripura Sealdah Kanchanjungha Express Charlapalli Hyderabad Agartala Silchar Agartala Express and AgartalaSilchar Express along with five other local trains were shortterminated or controlled or cancelledDue to the sudden cancellation and shorttermination of several important express and local trains thousands of passengers were left in a difficult situationSharma said that bandh supporters and picketers blocked railway tracks in several places in Tripura since Thursday morning forcing the NFR to take these stepsA senior police official said that to make the shutdown successful picketers carrying national flags organised sitin demonstrations at more than 52 key locations and highways across the state and in a few places along the railway tracks in West Tripura and Khowai districtsThere is no report of any untoward incident from anywhere in the state The situation is quite under the control of the police and administration the official said adding that large contingents of security forces including the Tripura State Rifles TSR and Central Reserve Police Force CRPF were deployed across the stateThe Tiprasa Civil Society TCS led by TMP MLA Ranjit Debbarma called the 24hour shutdown on Thursday to highlight its eightpoint charter of demands The demands include the immediate implementation of the Tiprasa Accord identification and deportation of all illegal immigrants setting up of detention camps in each district for illegal immigrants holding of elections to the Village Committees under the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council TTAADC and introduction of the Inner Line Permit system to prevent infiltrationDebbarma who is also a senior TMP leader said that several BJPruled states including Assam Gujarat Maharashtra and Delhi have taken steps against illegal migrants but the Tripura government has yet to act despite directives from the Ministry of Home Affairs MHAThe BJP government holds elections in all urban and rural bodies but is not holding the elections to the Village Committees under the TTAADC the tribal leader told the media IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/northeast-frontier-railway-cancels-short-terminates-several-trains-in-tripura-due-to-blockade-644581.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bsf-apprehends-minor-with-11-gold-biscuits-along-india-bangladesh-border-644584.html Kolkata Oct 23 The Border Security Force BSF has apprehended a minor boy with 11 gold biscuits along the IndoBangladesh Border IBB in the North 24Parganas district of West Bengal The incident has brought to light how smugglers are now using minors as couriers to evade arrest Troops of the 143 Bn BSF South Bengal Frontier deployed at the Bithari Border Outpost had received intelligence inputs of an attempt to smuggle gold in their area of jurisdiction During checks they came across an Indian minor carrying a briefcase During a search a black packet with the 11 gold biscuits were found in his possession a senior BSF official said According to an official the weight of the seized gold is 128617 grams It is valued at around Rs 164 crore During questioning the boy said that he is a resident of Daharkanda village in the Swarupnagar police station area of North 24Parganas He also said that he had been sent by his mother to deliver the packet to a designated point The boy has been handed over to concerned authorities along with the gold for further legal processing A search has been launched for the boys mother and others involved in the racket This recovery once again underscores the alertness professionalism and commitment of BSF troops in curbing crossborder smuggling along the IndiaBangladesh border despite attempts by criminal networks to exploit minors for such illegal activities the official said While stating that the BSF personnel are fully capable of preventing all kinds of illegal activities along the border he urged the border population to report any information regarding gold smuggling or other crimes to ensure peace in the area They can call the Seema Sathi Helpline Number 14419 or send a WhatsApp text or voice message to 9903472227 Those providing credible information would be suitably rewarded and their identities kept confidential he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bsf-apprehends-minor-with-11-gold-biscuits-along-india-bangladesh-border-644584.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-three-killed-in-elephant-attacks-in-last-24-hours-644586.html Kolkata Oct 23 Three persons including one woman and a child have been killed in two separate incidents of elephant attack in West Bengal during the last 24 hours The deaths have been reported from the Alipurduar district in North BengalAccording to state forest department officials the first casualty because of the elephant attack took place at Madarihat area in Alipurduar district when a person returning home was suddenly attacked by an elephant on the road adjacent to the Jaldapara National Park The person killed in the attack has been identified as Kader Ali a resident of the Chekamari areaHe was severely injured in the elephant attack and was immediately rushed to Madarihat Rural Hospital by the local villagers where he died soon afterThe second incident took place early Thursday morning Thursday morning at Madhya Khayerbari area also in Alipurduar district One lady Sonia Munda was sitting in front of her house along with her 18monthold daughter Lakshmi Munda when suddenly an elephant came out of the jungle there and attacked them Both of them died on the spotThe local people claimed that for quite some time now the elephants have been coming to the localities adjacent to the jungle and often attacking the people At the time they were even destroying the residential huts of the local people which had left the people in the regionThe local people have also complained that although they have approached the state forest department officials several times for action to prevent the elephants from coming to the localities from the jungles their pleas have been ignored by the department officialsAs per the data of the Union Ministry of Environment Forest amp Climate Change a total of 436 individuals were killed in West Bengal during the period from 2019 to 2024 the latest availableShrinking forest areas coupled with an increase in elephant population are considered the most important factors behind frequent humanelephant conflict in West BengalA number of mitigation initiatives including building elephant corridors using physical barriers like fencing and forming committees to coordinate elephant movement have been taken to bring down instances of such conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-three-killed-in-elephant-attacks-in-last-24-hours-644586.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-rains-cm-stalins-tenkasi-visit-rescheduled-to-oct-28--644588.html Chennai Oct 23 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalins visit to Tenkasi district has been rescheduled to October 28 after the earlier plan for October 24 and 25 was postponed due to heavy rains across southern Tamil Nadu According to official sources Stalin will now arrive in Thoothukudi on October 28 and proceed by road to Tenkasi where he will participate in various administrative and welfare programmes The visit will include inspection of development projects distribution of government benefits and meetings with district officials to review ongoing works The Chief Ministers southern tour was originally part of a twoday plan but incessant monsoon rains had forced the government to defer the schedule Officials have since revised the itinerary to accommodate all events that were previously cancelled After completing his engagements in Tenkasi on October 29 Stalin will travel by road to Madurai where he will stay overnight On the morning of October 30 he will garland the idol of the goddess at Koripalayam in Madurai before leaving for Ramanathapuram district to participate in the annual Thevar Guru Pooja at Pasumpon At Pasumpon the Chief Minister will pay floral tributes at the memorial of freedom fighter and revered community leader Pasumpon Muthuramalinga Thevar This visit continues the longstanding tradition of Tamil Nadu chief ministers paying homage to Thevar on his birth anniversary and Guru Pooja day Following the ceremony Stalin is expected to return to Chennai in the evening Officials from the Chief Ministers Office confirmed that elaborate security and logistical arrangements have been made across Thoothukudi Tenkasi Madurai and Ramanathapuram districts in view of the revised tour schedule The upcoming trip marks Stalins resumed southern district tour after the earlier postponement due to the northeast monsoon rains IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-rains-cm-stalins-tenkasi-visit-rescheduled-to-oct-28--644588.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-announces-free-meals-for-sanitation-workers-644589.html Chennai Oct 23 In a welfare initiative aimed at improving the lives of sanitation workers the Tamil Nadu government has announced a series of new measures including a free daily meal scheme According to an official release the Stalin government has approved providing free breakfast lunch and dinner to sanitation workers every dayThe scheme will be implemented in the first phase under the Greater Chennai Corporation with plans to gradually expand it to other urban and local bodiesThe initiative will be overseen by the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department which has issued a formal government order to this effectThe announcement comes as part of a larger set of welfare decisions made during a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Stalin in midAugustAmong the other measures is a new special programme to address skinrelated health issues faced by sanitation workers due to constant exposure to waste materialsTo ensure social security and financial support the government has introduced a compensation scheme offering Rs 10 lakh to the families of sanitation workers who die while on dutyAdditionally workers who wish to take up selfemployment will be eligible for a subsidy of up to Rs 35 lakh for which Rs 10 crore has been allocatedRecognising the importance of education the state will also introduce a new higher education scholarship scheme for the children of sanitation workersFor housing needs the government plans to construct 30000 new homes for sanitation workers who do not own houses in urban areas In rural regions priority will be given to sanitation workers under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam housing schemeFurther a free insurance scheme worth Rs 5 lakh will be rolled out to cover sanitation workersLocal bodies have been instructed to provide free breakfast for sanitation workers regularly as part of this comprehensive welfare initiative Through these wideranging programmes the Tamil Nadu government aims to ensure the safety dignity and longterm welfare of sanitation workers who form the backbone of the states public health and hygiene system IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-announces-free-meals-for-sanitation-workers-644589.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-slams-cm-vijayan-lop-satheesan-for-disrespecting-former-president-kr-narayanan-644591.html Thiruvananthapuram Oct 23 Former Union Minister and top BJP leader V Muraleedharan on Thursday strongly criticised the absence of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan from the ceremony unveiling the statue of former President KR Narayanan The statue of Narayanan was unveiled by President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday at the Kerala Raj Bhavan the official residence of Governor hereMuraleedharan said that their nonparticipation was not only a sign of disrespect to the former President and the current President but also an insult to the Dalit communityThe Presidents visit to Kerala was scheduled well in advance and the Chief Minister could have adjusted his foreign trip accordingly Satheesan despite being in Thiruvananthapuram and invited deliberately chose not to attend said MuraleedharanThe Congress has always been opposed to the backward classes The country has not forgotten Sonia Gandhis insult to President Droupadi Murmu Is the Chief Minister and opposition leaders stand towards the nations first citizens because they hail from the Dalit community asked MuraleedharanMuraleedharan further demanded that the Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition apologise to the Dalit community for this regrettable incident emphasising that it was a matter of both national and social respectNarayanan 19202005 was Indias 10th President and the first Dalit to hold the nations highest Constitutional officeBorn in Kerala he rose from humble beginnings to become a distinguished diplomat serving in Indias Foreign Service including ambassadorial postings to the US and ChinaElected Vice President in 1992 Narayanan assumed the presidency in 1997 gaining respect for his integrity humility and commitment to social justiceKnown for his moral courage he frequently spoke out on issues of inequality human rights and government accountability upholding Constitutional values with authority and empathy IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-slams-cm-vijayan-lop-satheesan-for-disrespecting-former-president-kr-narayanan-644591.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/write-down-rules-specify-how-to-sit-and-wear-clothes-shradha-sharma-hits-back-at-taj-hotels-644592.html New Delhi Oct 23 Taj Hotels must write down rules specify how to sit and wear clothes said YourStory Founder and CEO Shradha Sharma on Thursday after being reprimanded for sitting in regular padmasana style at the fivestar hotels fine dining restaurant House of Ming in the national capital Speaking to IANS Sharma said that she still cant comprehend what was wrong with her choice of clothes footwear and the way she was sittingThis is like a general question in terms of how do we define etiquette and manners and if it was if you have rules and regulations which I dont think anyone was breaking then you write it down specify that you have to sit like this you have to wear clothes like this Sharma saidShe pointed out that people dont get questioned for being offensive being loud wearing but she was insulted while being properly dressed and wearing proper footwearFor the unversed Sharma who went to the Tajs fine dining House of Ming to have dinner along with her sister during Diwali was humiliated by the manager and asked to sit properly as other guests raised objections to her sitting crosslegged on the chairThe manager also insulted her for the choice of clothes traditional salwar kameez and footwear kolhapuri chappalsTaj Hotels declined to immediately comment on the matterWhoever was the guest where was I offending Who could see my foot Where was it visible Sharma told IANSShe also stated that had it been a big celebrity or political leader in her place they would have been saluted for being so humble and down to earthIf there was a big man in my place and especially if there was a man then he would say how authentic how groundedBut Im just a common person So this is wrong for me And people say shes being a gawar illiterate and she should go to dhaba and all thatOn the social media rants on her viral post that sitting crossedlegged on a chair at a fine dining is unhygienic she said My question is what is unhygienic about thisThe larger question is who fits in and who doesnt and why is it that the middle class never fits in Sharma said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/write-down-rules-specify-how-to-sit-and-wear-clothes-shradha-sharma-hits-back-at-taj-hotels-644592.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/security-cooperation-integrated-check-posts-top-agenda-at-india-bhutan-border-talks-644594.html New Delhi Oct 23 A roadmap for integrated check posts and capacity building for security personnel were discussed during a review meeting between India and Bhutan on bilateral security cooperation and border management an official said on Thursday Both delegations expressed satisfaction at the cordial and constructive discussions and reiterated their resolve to work together towards ensuring a safe secure and prosperous border region the official said in a statementThe discussions also covered capacity building for Bhutans police it said adding that both the sides reviewed bilateral security cooperation and border management issues including mobile signal spill over future roadmap for Integrated Check Posts maintenance of boundary pillars and crossborder movementThe 14th IndiaBhutan Meeting on Border Management and Security was held in Thimphu Bhutan from October 1617The Indian delegation was led by Rajendra Kumar Secretary Department of Border Management Ministry of Home Affairs while the Bhutanese side was headed by Sonam Wangyel Secretary Ministry of Home AffairsThe Indian delegation included officials from the Sashastra Seema Bal Land Ports Authority of India Department of Telecommunications Narcotics Control Bureau Survey of India Customs and representatives from Assam West Bengal Sikkim and Arunachal PradeshEarlier on the occasion of Diwali Bhutans Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay on Monday shared greetings and wished harmony and new beginningsIn a post on X the Bhutanese PM said Wishing everyone a bright and joyful Diwali filled with love laughter and togetherness May the light of this festival guide us towards hope harmony and new beginningsIn July a delegation of Indian foreign ministry held wideranging discussions in Thimpu on all aspects of bilateral cooperation including development partnership energy trade and investment connectivity and trade infrastructure technology peopletopeople ties as well as other regional issues of mutual importanceDuring the official visit the Indian Foreign Secretary received an audience with Bhutans King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and also called on the countrys Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay besides Minister of Foreign Affairs D N DhungyelThe Foreign Secretary along with his Bhutanese counterpart Pema Choden cochaired the 3rd India Bhutan Development Cooperation Talks for the 13th Five Year Plan FYP of BhutanPrime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Bhutan in March this year had announced the Indian governments development support of Nu 100 billion INR 10000 crore for Bhutans 13th FiveYear Plan period IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/security-cooperation-integrated-check-posts-top-agenda-at-india-bhutan-border-talks-644594.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/aid-and-abuse-the-forgotten-girls-of-pakistan-644595.html New Delhi Oct 23 In Pakistan the abduction forced conversion and marriage of minor Hindu and Christian girls has emerged as one of South Asias most persistent human rights crises Beneath the political narratives of reform and international cooperation lies a grim reality minority girls continue to disappear their identities erased and their families silenced This ongoing tragedy challenges the very credibility of global commitments to gender equality and human rightsDatabacked realityA recent report titled Pakistan Genderbased Violence against minor girls of Hindus Sikhs and Christians published by the Global Hindu Temple Network presents verified data on hundreds of cases involving abduction and forced conversion of minor girls between 2021 and 2025 The report highlights how religious identity compounds gender vulnerability in Pakistan where girls from Hindu and Christian communities are often abducted from their homes converted under coercion and married to much older menThe data indicate that the majority of victims are below 16 years of age and in over 70 per cent of documented cases the police either refused to register First Information Reports FIRs or later diluted them under pressure In many instances victims were presented in court claiming to have willingly converted a narrative often extracted under duressIn Sindh and Punjab the two provinces with the highest number of recorded cases the nexus between religious extremism and patriarchal dominance sustains a climate of fearThe report also notes a concerning institutional apathy where state and law enforcement agencies not only fail to protect victims but in some cases facilitate the perpetrators This impunity perpetuates a cycle of fear forcing minority families into silence or migrationRaising issue at global platformsDrawing from these findings the President of the Global Hindu Temple Network America Mohinder Gulati recently raised the issue during the World Bank Civil Society Organisation CSO Forum and in communication with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund IMF He questioned how Pakistan continues to receive billions in development funding while ignoring gross violations of its minority girls fundamental rightsThis reality even brings into question Pakistans commitments to international conventions on womens and childrens rights including CEDAW and the Convention on the Rights of the ChildMohinder Gulatis intervention highlighted a stark contradiction while international institutions publicly champion gender equality their funding practices often fail to account for structural discrimination in recipient countries If gender justice remains confined to metrics and not moral accountability the very essence of inclusive development loses meaningSilence becomes complicityPakistans treatment of its minorities is not an isolated domestic issue It is an indicator of systemic gender injustice The absence of global outrage reflects a troubling hierarchy in human rights advocacy where the faith of victims determines the urgency of response International institutions cannot claim moral leadership while turning away from the abduction and violation of young girls based on their religionDevelopment aid that overlooks such abuse does not empower it enables Funds allocated for womens empowerment and education cannot absolve a state that denies its minorities the right to dignity and protection As the report underscores until justice for these girls becomes part of the gender dialogue every statement on equity and inclusion will ring hollowCall for moral and institutional accountabilityThis issue demands more than diplomatic caution it requires moral clarity The World Bank and IMF must review their gender policy enforcement in countries like Pakistan ensuring that funding aligns with tangible progress on human rights benchmarks Monitoring must go beyond token representation and include independent audits of genderlinked violations especially those affecting minoritiesThe silence surrounding abducted Hindu and Christian girls is not just Pakistans failure it is a failure of global conscience As long as institutions measure progress through numbers and not through justice aid will remain complicit in oppressionDr Vinay Nalwa is the coauthor of the report Pakistan Genderbased Violence against minor girls of Hindus Sikhs and Christians published by the Global Hindu Temple Network IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/aid-and-abuse-the-forgotten-girls-of-pakistan-644595.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-plans-to-nearly-double-number-of-airports-to-350-in-indias-aviation-vision-2047-644597.html New Delhi Oct 23 Indias civil aviation sector has emerged as one of the fastestgrowing sectors making the country the thirdlargest domestic aviation market in the world The number of airports in the country has increased from 74 in 2014 to 163 in 2025As India moves toward its centenary year of independence the government is charting an ambitious growth path for the aviation sector which targets expanding the number of airports in the country from 163 in 2025 to over 350 by 2047 and passenger traffic is expected to cross one billion according to an official statement issued on ThursdayWith 25 million jobs projected by 2047 and expanding opportunities in MRO drone manufacturing and pilot training aviation will become a vital pillar of Indias 10 trillion economy the statement saidThe UDAN Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik scheme launched in October 2016 has now completed nine years of a success story that has revolutionised regional connectivity with 323 lakh flights carrying 156 crore passengers to smaller airportsUDAN has operationalised 649 routes and connected 93 aerodromes including 2 water aerodromes and 15 heliports across the country among which 12 airportsheliports are in the NorthEast region It has also integrated the Andaman Nicobar and Lakshadweep Islands into the national aviation networkAccording to the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO investments in aviation have a strong ripple effect on the economy For every rupee spent the sector generates more than three times that value in economic activity and supports over six times as many jobs in connected industriesToday the sector supports over 77 million jobs indirectly including 369000 jobs directly The demand for skilled personnelpilots engineers ground staff and logistics professionalsis expected to rise sharply With over 116 bilateral Air Service Agreements India is deepening global connectivity as Indian carriers expand internationally reinforcing the countrys position as an aviation hub in Asia Civil aviation is also driving FDI inflows technology transfer and Make in India initiatives in aircraft manufacturing ground handling and Maintenance Repair and Operations MRO servicesOver the past decade domestic air passenger traffic has grown 1012 per cent annually By 2040 the passenger traffic is expected to grow sixfold to around 11 billion Indias commercial airline fleet is predicted to grow from 400 aircraft in 2014 to around 2359 aircraft in March 2040 The total employment due to the aviation sector in 2040 is expected to be around 25 million emerging as a core engine of Indias journey towards becoming a developed economyAccording to NITI Aayog domestic travellers accounted for over 83 per cent of total tourism spending in 2019 a figure expected to rise to nearly 89 per cent by 2028 This shift shows how government initiatives like UDAN have bridged the infrastructure gap and made air travel accessible for millions connecting remote regions and making air travel affordable and accessibleThis reflects the governments efforts to make air travel affordable and inclusive supported by initiatives like UDAN This transformation has also reshaped Indias travel map Once remote destinations Kullu Darbhanga Hubballi and Shillongare now directly connected by air boosting local economies and regional tourism the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-plans-to-nearly-double-number-of-airports-to-350-in-indias-aviation-vision-2047-644597.html Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:22:00 +0530