DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Sun, 21 Sep 2025 22:19:34 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/national/thousands-throng-river-ghats-in-bengal-to-offer-tarpan-on-mahalaya-639744.html Kolkata Sep 21 Thousands of people offered tarpan on the banks of the River Hooghly to pay obeisance to their forefathers on the occasion of Mahalaya which marks the beginning of the Durga puja festivities River traffic police kept a strict vigil along various ghats of the Hooghly to prevent any untoward incident Adequate security measures were taken at the 18 ghats in Kolkata where devotees offered tarpan Vehicular movements on the roads leading up to the ghats were also restricted police saidMahalaya is an auspicious day in the Hindu calendar marking the end of the Pitru Paksha ancestral worship period and the beginning of the Devi Paksha an auspicious fortnightlong period in the Hindu calendar that marks the beginning of Durga Puja celebrations starting with the Mahalaya observance signalling the ceremonial arrival of Goddess Durga for the annual Durga Puja festivalAlthough Durga Puja officially begins from Shasthi September 28 the festivities begin from MahalayaThe early morning rendition of Mahishasur Mardini a collection of shlokas and songs dedicated to Goddess Durga was aired on the All India Radio AIRMahishasur Mardini was first broadcast as a live programme on AIR in the early 1930s Since then it has become a Mahalaya morning ritualOn the occasion Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings to the people Wishing you all Shubho Mahalaya As the sacred days of Durga Puja draw near may our lives be filled with light and purpose May the divine blessings of Maa Durga bring unwavering strength lasting joy and wonderful health PM Modi said on XUnion Home Minister Amit Shah too extended his greetings on MahalayaShubho Mahalaya On the holy occasion of Mahalaya I extend my heartfelt greetings to all May the unbound affection of Maa Durga shower all the divine blessings of joy strength prosperity and good health on every home he wrote on XWest Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee released a Durga Puja song written and composed by her on her X handleWishing the people on Mahalaya she wrote Awake Durga awake bearer of ten weapons On the occasion of Tan Agomoni and Abahan I express my heartfelt Mahalaya greetings to all On this occasion I am sharing with all of you a new Puja song written and composed by meBharatiya Janata Party BJP leaders meanwhile offered tarpan at the Baghbazar ghat to all party workers who were killed in political violence in the state over the past few years State BJP president Samik Bhattacharya took a dip in the river Hooghly and offered prayers along with other party workers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/thousands-throng-river-ghats-in-bengal-to-offer-tarpan-on-mahalaya-639744.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-dycm-congratulate-mohanlal-on-dadasaheb-phalke-award-639746.html Amaravati Sep 21 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday congratulated Malayalam superstar Mohanlal on being conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Indias highest honour in cinema In a post on X the Chief Minister said that this welldeserved recognition celebrates his outstanding contributions as an actor director and producer that have profoundly enriched Indian cinema inspiring generations The CM also shared a picture of the actor on XEarlier Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also congratulated MohanlalPawan Kalyan who is a leading actor of the Telugu film industry stated that he was happy to learn that the Government of India has decided to confer the Phalke award on MohanlalThe Jana Sena leader said in a statement that Mohanlal gives priority to being natural in his acting As a protagonist he played a variety of characters Pawan Kalyan noted that the Malayalam actor received five national film awardsThe Deputy Chief Minister stated that though Mohanlal acted in a few Telugu movies he entertained the audience through dubbed movies Iddaru Company and Janatha Garaga became popular among the Telugu audiencePawan Kalyan expressed the wish that Mohanlal achieve many more honoursFormer Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy also congratulated Mohanlal on being awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award His contribution to Indian cinema is everlasting and his versatility as an actor is unparalleled Wishing him continued glory and good health Jagan Mohan Reddy posted on XMeanwhile Tollywood Megastar K Chiranjeevi also took to X to congratulate Mohanlal My dear Lalettan Mohanlal heartfelt congratulations on being honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award Your remarkable journey and iconic performances have enriched Indian cinema Truly a welldeserved recognition posted ChiranjeeviPopular actor Jr NTR also congratulated Mohnan Heartiest congratulations to the legendary Mohanlal sir on being honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award A true icon of Indian cinema this recognition is well deserved wrote Jr NTR IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-cm-dycm-congratulate-mohanlal-on-dadasaheb-phalke-award-639746.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/burn-effigy-of-injustice-corruption-addiction-on-vijayadashmi-cm-yogi-adityanath-639749.html Lucknow Sep 21 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that youths should burn the effigy of injustice corruption atrocity and addiction on the occasion of Vijayadashmi Addressing people on the occasion of Namo Yuva Run for drugfree India he raised slogans of Bharat Mata ki jai to encourage the youthsThe mega initiative held simultaneously at 75 locations is part of the Sewa Pakhwada campaign launched by the BJP to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthdayThe Namo Yuva Run began from Kalidas Marg and ended at 1090 Chauraha intersectionPointing out that youth power is an energy powerhouse he said that if the countrys youth follow the right path the nation will benefitSpecial events which began on September 17 will continue till October 2Highlighting the importance of discipline and calm he said a disciplined youth is the biggest power of the nationSharing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gifted the countrymen GST reforms as a Diwali gift he said the move will slash the cost of milk curd cheese clarified butter houses cars and at the same time impose heavy tax on the habitforming substancesThe GST Council had announced the reforms on September 3 which will come into effect from MondayThe Chief Minister expressed hope that the GST reforms will reduce inflation increase the purchasing capacity of people generate employment and strengthen the marketThe Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha BJYM which had announced the campaign on September 7 said the largescale run was focused on spreading awareness about fitness health and social responsibilityPrime Minister Modi began the Sewa Pakhwada from Madhya Pradeshs Dhar with the launch of Swasth Nari Sashakt SamajHe highlighted that if the women are healthy society and the nation will be healthyOn the occasion BJYM organised blood donation camps health camps and Swacch Bharat campaign among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/burn-effigy-of-injustice-corruption-addiction-on-vijayadashmi-cm-yogi-adityanath-639749.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-rate-cuts-375-items-to-get-cheaper-from-tomorrow-639755.html New Delhi Sep 21 From automobiles and electronics to food items and medicines as many as 375 goods and services will become cheaper from Monday September 22 as the new GST framework comes into effect The major rate rationalisation approved by the GST Council earlier this year reduces the tax structure from four slabs to just two 5 per cent and 18 per centA special 40 per cent rate will apply on a select list of luxury and sin goodsFinance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had described the reform as a Diwali gift for consumers saying the move will not only lower costs for the middle class but also make business operations smoother under GSTThis reform is not just about rationalising rates It is also about ease of living and structural reforms We have reduced slabs to just two and addressed issues related to compensation cess FM Sitharaman had saidEveryday food items such as milkbased beverages biscuits butter cereals dry fruits fruit juices ghee ice cream jam ketchup namkeen paneer pastry sausages and tender coconut water will now attract lower GSTDailyuse goods like shampoos soaps hair oil shaving cream talcum powder and face creams will also see price reductionsElectronics such as ACs washing machines TVs and dishwashers will become cheaper while GST on several medicines and medical devices has been cut to 5 per centThe government has directed pharma companies to revise their MRPs and pass on the benefits to consumersIn the services sector GST has been reduced for salons barbers gyms fitness centres and yoga servicesFor homebuyers the tax on cement has been slashed from 28 per cent to 18 per cent which is expected to make housing more affordableBig brands have already started passing on the benefits Hindustan Unilever has announced cuts across products such as Dove shampoo Lifebuoy soaps Horlicks and Kissan JamDairy giant Amul has reduced prices on over 700 products including butter ghee paneer cheese ice creams and bakery itemsThe Indian Railways has also cut prices of Rail Neer bottled water with a 1litre bottle now priced at Rs 14 instead of Rs 15The automobile sector will be one of the biggest beneficiaries with small hatchbacks now taxed at 18 per cent instead of 28 per cent and without any compensation cessCompanies like Maruti Suzuki India Tata Motors and Hyundai India have announced major price cuts on popular hatchbacks ranging from Rs 70000 to over Rs 13 lakh effective from September 22 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-rate-cuts-375-items-to-get-cheaper-from-tomorrow-639755.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/a-look-at-indias-7-natural-heritage-locations-picked-up-as-unescos-world-heritage-sites-639758.html New Delhi Sep 21 In a remarkable development Indias presence in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites has seen a spike with seven natural and picturesque locations making it to the tentative list thus paving the way for their formal inclusion in the final list With these additions the countrys count in the tentative list has risen from 62 to 69 properties The Ministry of Culture informed that after this inclusion India now has 49 cultural 17 natural and three mixed heritage properties listed on the UNESCO listThe newly listed sites include the Deccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra the geological heritage of St Marys Island in Karnataka Meghalayan Age caves Naga Hill Ophiolite in Nagaland Erra Matti Dibbalu in Andhra Pradesh the natural heritage of Tirumala Hills in Andhra Pradesh and the Varkala Cliffs in KeralaNotably the inclusion in the tentative list is a precursor to its nomination in the prestigious World Heritage ListThe addition of the new sites to the UNESCO list reaffirms Indias unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting its extraordinary natural and cultural legacy said a government statementNotably India recently hosted the 46th Session of the World Heritage Committee in New Delhi in July 2024 which saw the participation of more than 2000 delegates from over 140 countriesBrief details of Indias seven picturesque locationsDeccan Traps at Panchgani and Mahabaleshwar MaharashtraThey are home to some of the bestpreserved and among the worlds most studied lava flows These volcanic formations lie within the Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary already a UNESCO World Heritage site thereby showcasing Indias geological marvelsSt Marys Island Cluster KarnatakaThese island clusters are famous for striking columnar basalt formations and date back to 85 million years to the Late Cretaceous period making them a rare geological treasureMeghalayan Age Caves MeghalayaThe spectacular cave systems named Mawmluh Cave serve as the global reference point for the Meghalayan Age reflecting key climate and geological shiftsNaga Hill Ophiolite NagalandThese unique hills offer clear and detailed insight into plate tectonics ocean ridge dynamics and Earths deep geological pastTirumala hills Andhra PradeshThe famed Tirumala hills are home to Silathoranam natural arch and the Eparchaean Unconformity They represent rare geological formations depicting 15 billion years of Earths history IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/a-look-at-indias-7-natural-heritage-locations-picked-up-as-unescos-world-heritage-sites-639758.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/asia-cup-cricket-fans-excited-ahead-of-india-pakistan-super-four-clash-639759.html New Delhi Sep 21 Cricket fans and lovers are excited for the IndiaPakistan Super Four clash in the 2025 Asia Cup slated for Sunday evening This will be the second time that India and Pakistan will lock horns in the tournamentAhead of this epic clash reactions have started pouring in from across the countryIn Delhi many cricket fans speaking to IANS forecasted a clear victory for Team India and drubbing for PakistanThey said that Pakistani side looks in poor shape its famed bowling attack has flopped and therefore it is awaiting another humiliation by the Men in BlueIn Greater Noida the impassioned cricket fans and lovers expressed confidence for Indias impending victoryThey said India has professional players and we defeated Pakistan in the last match This time too India will thrash themThey said they are looking forward to watching the highvoltage clash and hoped that Pakistan offers some resistance and doesnt just crumble like last timeIn Andhra Pradeshs Vijayawada cricket fans were seen cheering for Team India at the Indira Gandhi Stadium ahead of Asia Cup clashThey said they expect a thrilling victory over PakistanFans said that Sundays match will showcase Indias talent again and expose Pakistans hollow boastingCricket fans in Maharashtras Vasai are also in high spirits They are confident that Team India will perform brilliantly and beat PakistanMany said that Sunday has become lively because of the epic clash and the cricket fans are excited to watch the matchIn Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi people performed puja and Ganga Aarti at the Assi Ghat to pray for Indias victory ahead of the Asia Cup SuperFour matchA local said We have sought blessings from Mother Ganga and Baba Vishwanath that India defeats Pakistan againFormer national cricketer Rashid Hussain from Uttar Pradeshs Gonda said This match will be a onesided affair We are confident that our Indian team will win Our cricket infrastructure is very strong The best players from all over the world come to play in the IPL and all our players are well prepared The team is very balanced IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/asia-cup-cricket-fans-excited-ahead-of-india-pakistan-super-four-clash-639759.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-5-000-join-namo-youth-marathon-for-fight-against-drugs-639763.html New Delhi Sep 21 Nearly 5000 youths took part in a Namo Youth Run on Sunday at the Delhi University Sports complex as part of the DrugFree India Campaign for spreading awareness against drug abuse Sharing details about the event organised by the Delhi BJP Yuva Morcha BJP MP Manoj Tiwari said On the occasion all youths were administered the pledge for a drugfree IndiaHe also posted a message on X and said Participated in the NamoYuvaRun marathon organized at the Delhi University rugby ground on the occasion of Prime Minister Shri narendramodi jis birthday under the Seva PakhwadaThrough this run all youth were administered the pledge for a drugfree India On this occasion State Organization General Secretary Shri PavanRanaRSSji State Coincharge Smt alkagurjarji Water Resources State Minister Shri drrajbhushanji State General Secretary visshnumittal ji Youth Front State President SagarTyagiBJP ji Incharge abhishektandonD ji Coincharge Sumit Seth ji were specially present he wroteBrand ambassador Padma Shri Sudha Singh led the marathon held at the Rugby Stadium Sports Complex Delhi University said a BJP leaderOn the Namo Yuva Run Union Minister Raj Bhushan Choudhary said Through this marathon our objective is to make India free from obesity and addiction so that the younger generation can contribute to building a Viksit Bharat in the futureA BJP leader said the run was being organised under the Seva Pakhwara being celebrated by the party from the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17 to the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2The Namo Yuva Run was being organised to educate the youth against drug addiction in the whole country she saidEarlier while announcing the run New Delhi MP Bansuri Swaraj said PM Modi is the source of inspiration for 140 crore Indians and he knows that the youth is the future of the countryShe said that the PM is laying a strong foundation to achieve a developed India and today we do not just talk about youth empowerment but we talk about strengthening the country under the leadership of the youthPadma Shri Gold Medallist athlete Sudha Singh earlier said that the Marathon is a special campaign to make the youth free from drug addictionWe would request everyone that if you have any child or youth in your home who is addicted to drugs then explain to him because if a young person in a family is an addict then his whole family becomes weak said Singh IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delhi-5-000-join-namo-youth-marathon-for-fight-against-drugs-639763.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-cm-delighted-over-skoch-golden-award-for-naravaripalli-project-639767.html Amaravati Sep 21 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday is delighted over the Swarn Naravaripalli Project bagging Skoch Golden Award Delighted that the Swarn Naravaripalli Project has been recognised with the Skoch Golden Award in its very first year I congratulate the team and every individual and household behind this remarkable achievement the Chief Minister posted on XAs part of the initiative solar panels were installed free of cost in 1600 households within just 45 days This initiative will contribute to reducing carbon emissions paving the way for a greener Swarna Andhra he saidThe project aims at integrated development in Chandragiri mandal covering Naravaripalli Rangampet and Ramireddipalli villages of Chandragiri Assembly constituency in Tirupati districtNaravaripalli is the native village of Chief Minister Chandrababu NaiduThe Skoch Golden Award was presented at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi where Tirupati District Collector S Venkateswar received it along with Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited APSPDCL Superintending Engineer Surendra Naidu on SaturdayUnder the project solar panels were installed free of cost in 1600 households at a total cost of Rs 2068 croreThe funding included Rs 1019 crore from the Union government under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana while the State government contributed Rs 1049 croreThe installed solar capacity of 3396 KW is generating 489 million units of electricity annually valued at Rs 379 croreThis is expected to reduce 192 lakh tonnes of carbon emissionsDistrict collector Venkateswar expressed happiness over the recognition and credited the achievement to the teamwork of officials and the support of the state and Central governmentsIn January 2025 Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu launched Swarna Naravaripalle Vision aimed at transforming the lives of residents within the Naravaripalle cluster which includes three villagesThis project is envisioned as a pilot to implement government programmes aimed at enhancing the quality of life across 33 habitations encompassing 2560 households and a population of 5300 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-cm-delighted-over-skoch-golden-award-for-naravaripalli-project-639767.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ciis-model-state-gcc-policy-aims-to-create-millions-of-high-quality-jobs-across-india-director-general-639768.html New Delhi Sep 21 The Confederation of Indian Industry CII on Sunday released its Model State Policy on Global Capability Centres GCCs offering a comprehensive roadmap for states to attract support and scale the next generation of global enterprise hubs The policy aims to create millions of highquality jobs expand innovation ecosystems beyond metropolitan areas and strengthen Indias position as a global destination for knowledge and digital servicesCII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said the rapid growth of GCCs over the past two decades has been a key driver of Indias economic journeyTo sustain leadership and deepen our integration into global value chains states must adopt clear competitive and innovationoriented policies This model policy provides a ready framework to guide states accelerate GCC growth beyond the metros and generate highquality employment he saidCurrently nearly 95 per cent of Indias 1800plus GCCs are concentrated in six Tier1 citiesThe CII policy seeks to change this by enabling Tier2 and Tier3 cities to become attractive destinations for global enterprisesIt provides actionable measures across infrastructure development fiscal incentives regulatory frameworks digital infrastructure talent development and sustainability allowing states to create seamless resilient and globally competitive GCC ecosystemsThe policy proposes the establishment of statelevel Facilitation Cells as single points of contact for investors along with targeted fiscal and regulatory incentives such as tax holidays customs duty exemptions for imported RampD equipment and viability gap funding for integrated infrastructure projectsIt also encourages investment in digital infrastructure including AIML computing support and edge data centres to ensure emerging hubs operate at global standardsIn addition the policy recommends collaboration between GCCs startups and research institutions to drive innovation in technologies like quantum computing ESGaligned solutions and enterprise softwareGreen infrastructure smart mobility affordable housing and civic amenities are highlighted as key factors to make statelevel hubs attractive for professionals and their familiesData security and IP facilitation frameworks tailored to local conditions are also emphasised to support dataintensive GCCsBanerjee said the model policy is designed to make GCC growth geographically inclusiveStates that act early and decisively will benefit from highquality employment stronger innovation ecosystems and deeper integration into global value chains Banerjee statedCII is ready to partner with states to operationalise these recommendations through task forces investment promotion campaigns and skill development initiatives he addedThe CII estimates that a wellexecuted GCC strategy across India could contribute nearly 200 billion in direct economic value by 2030 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ciis-model-state-gcc-policy-aims-to-create-millions-of-high-quality-jobs-across-india-director-general-639768.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/met-department-predicts-rain-on-durga-puja-days-639769.html Kolkata Sep 21 The Meteorological Office on Sunday predicted rain ahead of Durga puja with possibility of thunderstorms officials said According to the Meteorological Department there is a cyclonic circulation in the North Andaman Sea and the adjacent Myanmar coastThis cyclone will move north and northwestwards and reach the North Bay of Bengal by MondayAt the same time a low pressure is likely to form in the Northeast Bay of Bengal off the Myanmar and Bangladesh coast by September 25This will turn into a deep depression in the next two to three days As a result there is a possibility of rain at the beginning of the Durga Puja There is a possibility of heavy rain in the coastal areas In that case heavy rains will begin from Chaturthi September 25 If the conditions remain the same the rains will increase from September 30 to October 2 which is Ashtami to Dashami the main Puja days a senior Meteorological Department official saidThere is a possibility of light to moderate rains with thundershowers in all districts of south Bengal on MondayThere is a warning of one to two mm heavy rains in South 24 Parganas East Midnapore and West Midnapore districts on MondayOn Tuesday there is a warning of heavy rain in South 24 Parganas East Midnapore and West Midnapore and some parts of Bankura districtsOn the other hand north Bengal will experience rain as wellThere is a possibility of rain with thunderstorm and lightning in all districts on SundayThere is a possibility of rain with thundershowers and lightning in all districts from Darjeeling to MaldaGusty winds with a speed of 30 to 40 kmph may also be seen along with the rainThe city of Kolkata too will witness light to moderate rain from Monday onwards which is likely to dampen the festive spiritChief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already asked Durga puja organisers to take precaution and make all necessary preparations in view of the inclement weather IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/met-department-predicts-rain-on-durga-puja-days-639769.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tej-pratap-yadav-demands-fir-and-jail-for-those-who-abused-pm-modi-at-rjd-event--639770.html Patna Sep 21 IANS Tej Pratap Yadav RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs son and former Bihar minister on Sunday came down heavily on the abusers and hooligans who hurled expletives at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second time at a Rashtriya Janata Dal RJDs public event reportedly attended by brother Tejashwi YadavnbspSpeaking to the media Tej Pratap took a strong stance against the culture of namecalling at RJDs public rallies and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice and sent behind barsnbspIf this is not done my party Janshakti Janata Dal will launch a movement in Mahua he told scribesMinister of State MoS for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai shared a video after the incident which purportedly showed abusive language being used against the Prime Minister in the presence of TejashwinbspThe people of the country and Bihar are watching You will face a strong response Now the water is rising above the head Hurting the sentiments of 14 crore Biharis will cost you dearly he said sending a message to Tejashwi and RJDnbspTej Pratap demanded that strict action be initiated against those who used abusive language against the Prime Minister and his mother and they should be sent to jail immediatelynbspWe have said this before and we say it again abusing any mother is condemnable A mother is a mother She gives birth to her child and carries it in her womb for nine months An FIR should be filed against anyone who insults or points fingers at a mother and they should be sent directly to jail Tej Pratap told newsmennbspTej Pratap estranged from the RJD as well as the Lalu family further stated If the accused is not sent to jail we will protest Our party Janshakti Janata Dal will organise a demonstration in Mahua https://dailyworld.in/national/tej-pratap-yadav-demands-fir-and-jail-for-those-who-abused-pm-modi-at-rjd-event--639770.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-bjp-holds-aap-govt-responsible-for-floods-seeks-probe-by-ex-judge--639771.html Chandigarh Sep 21 IANS Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party BJP President Sunil Jakhar on Sunday held the Aam Aadmi Party AAPled government responsible for the floods in the statenbspHe also demanded an inquiry into the floods by a retired judgenbspBJP leader Jakhar told the media that a complaint has been lodged with the Chandigarh Police regarding the falsehoods being spread on social media blaming the Central government for the floodsnbspThe complaint has been lodged to expose the masterminds of the rumoursThe BJP leader said the Punjab government had convened the Assembly session merely as an attempt to divert the attention from the real issuenbspHe added that the investigation should focus on how much water was released from each dam during the floods when repairs of dams and headworks were carried out and which company was given the contract for headworks safety inspectionsnbspPresenting evidence State BJP Chief Jakhar said the major destruction was caused by the Ravi river and the water into the river flowed from the Ranjit Sagar damHe added that the Ranjit Sagar dam is entirely under the control of the state government and has no connection whatsoever with the Bhakra Beas Management Board BBMB or the Central governmentnbspHe said despite heavy rainfall warnings in the Ravi catchment area between August 20 and 26 little water was released from the dam and according to the governments own claims 275 lakh cusecs of water were released on August 27nbspOn this occasion he also shared a video of the Chief Engineers statement with the media in which the engineer claimed that 470 lakh cusecs of water entered through small rivulets downstream of Shahpur KandiBJP leader Jakhar however said that between the Ranjit Sagar dam and the Madhopur headworks there is no other river or rivulet that could bring such a huge volume of waternbspHe added that all of this water was in fact released from the Ranjit Sagar dam which is under the control of the state governmentnbspHe questioned why the gates at the Madhopur headworks were not opened in advance after issuing warnings before the water arrivednbspHe also said that during the floods 45 embankments were breached of which 42 were along the Ravi river and the dam on this river is fully under the jurisdiction of the state governmentRaising another issue he said that the company Level 9 which was given the contract to inspect the strength of the Madhopur headworks gates had no experience in hydrological sciences and was actually a firm dealing in research in social sciencesnbspHe said that the government cannot escape its own culpability by suspending a few lowerlevel officers when it was responsible for awarding such a contract in the first placenbspHe added that the state has riverside embankments stretching 1000 km and 800 km of drains drainage channels yet the Punjab government failed to clean the drains in time or strengthen the riverbanks https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-bjp-holds-aap-govt-responsible-for-floods-seeks-probe-by-ex-judge--639771.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modis-gst-reform-historic-diwali-gift-to-nation-cm-yogi--639772.html Lucknow Sep 21 IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday hailed the nextgeneration reforms in the Goods and Services GST Tax and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a historic Diwali gift to the nation including UP He lauded the move to forgo tax bracket on basic essentials like educational materials milk curd ghee cheese and other food products while imposing higher taxes on drugs and wasteful spendingnbspnbspSpeaking at the launch of the NaMo Yuva Run for drugfree India from his residence CM Yogi said the GST reforms will ease inflation for the poor make education more affordable and strengthen citizens purchasing power thereby boosting markets creating jobs and opening new avenues of progressHe stressed that the reform ensures welfare for traders relief for the poor and benefits for all consumers and urged that every resident of Uttar Pradesh be made aware of its significancenbspNoting that the BJP was observing Seva Pakhwada nationwide from September 17 to October 2 he said that the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha workers are adding a transformative dimension to Seva Pakhwada through blood donation drives cleanliness campaigns and health camps linking the initiative with the vision of Viksit IndianbspSpeaking about the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav CM Yogi recalled the Prime Ministers call to pledge towards building a Developed India by adopting five vows removing the vestiges of slavery respecting heritage honouring soldiers and uniformed forces promoting social equality and fulfilling civic duties with honestyThese vows will guide the nation towards development Inspired by this vision Uttar Pradesh has launched the Viksit India Viksit Uttar Pradesh campaign receiving overwhelming support from youth farmers workers entrepreneurs and intellectuals he remarkednbspHighlighting selfreliance as the foundation of progress the Chief Minister said that a selfreliant society emerges from a healthy society and events like the NaMo Marathon provide new direction and energy to youth Since 2014 Prime Minister Modi has accelerated several initiatives for health and youth empowermentnbspFurther addressing the youth he said that the youth power represents boundless energy when directed positively it can transform the nation When diverted towards drugs it leads only to ruinnbspHe noted that the NaMo Marathon serves as a strong call for the youth to stay away from addiction https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modis-gst-reform-historic-diwali-gift-to-nation-cm-yogi--639772.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 16:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/justice-thakur-and-his-contribution-to-indian-jurisprudence-639779.html DW Bureau Punjab and Haryana High Court retired Judge Sureshwar Thakur who recently took over as the Chairman of the Punjab NRI Commission has left behind a rich legacy of jurisprudence marked by clarity compassion and a commitment to constitutional values His judicial contribution continues to resonate with lawyers litigants and fellow judges across the regionnbspBelonging to a family steeped in judicial traditionhis father too served as a judge of the High CourtJustice Thakurs career spanning more than 11 years on the Bench reflects the continuity of a legal heritage defined by fairness and a deep sense of public duty Hailing from Himachal Pradesh Justice Thakur carved a niche for himself in multiple areas of law his pronouncements often transforming the way statutes were understood and appliedJasdev Singh Brar former President of the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Association says In an era where the law itself is couched in complex terminology and nuanced phrasing it takes a mind of extraordinary legal acumen to navigate and articulate such elaborate reasoning in judgments While the adept use of complex legal language has unfortunately exposed Justice Thakur to criticism and misunderstanding it is important to recognise that such brilliance inevitably challenges ordinary comprehensionAmong his most cited rulings is the landmark decision in Jaishree Bagga v State of Punjab amp Others where Justice Thakur struck down a government notification that denied electricity connections to residents of unauthorised colonies beyond a cutoff date Declaring that access to basic amenities like electricity was a fundamental right his judgment reinforced the judiciarys role as a guardian of the underprivilegednbspIn another significant case Ms Bedi Hospital v Chandigarh Administration he warned against the state reneging on contractual obligations The basis of a welfare state would become ineffective he observed making it clear that public authorities must be held to the same standards of constitutional morality as private citizens His reasoning offered a critical check on arbitrary state action safeguarding the integrity of public contractsIn House Owners Welfare Association v State of Haryana Justice Thakur refused to quash a layout plan that included a doctors clinic underscoring that timely access to medical facilities was a fundamental rightparticularly for senior citizens and the differentlyabled His sensitivity to vulnerable communities was further evident in cases involving street vendors where he stayed the arbitrary cancellation of their licenses in Chandigarh until due process under the Street Vendors Rules 2015 was followednbspHis ruling striking down a Haryana government notification that retrospectively amended the Dholidar Butimar Bhondedar and Muqararidar Vesting of Proprietary Rights Act reflected his keen constitutional insight Protecting the rights of occupancy tenants he found the retrospective changes unclothed with constitutional immunity thereby upholding security of tenure for thousands of rural familiesJustice Thakur also played a key role in ensuring smooth statutory transitions His judgment clarifying that trials appeals or investigations initiated before July 1 2024 would continue under the Code of Criminal Procedure CrPC instead of the newly introduced Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita BNSS reflected his commitment to legal certainty and procedural fairness during times of legislative changenbspIn Harsimran Kaur vs State of Punjab amp Others he championed the cause of Sikhya Providers under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan holding that denying them age relaxation in recruitment would undermine Article 21A which guarantees the right to education His empathy extended to urban consumers as wellhis judgments under the Real Estate Regulation and Development Act RERA broadened protections to even prospective allottees ensuring that once public funds were accepted developers could no longer evade accountabilityHis compassionate outlook was equally visible in cases involving armed forces personnel In Union of India v Jarnail Singh he upheld the Armed Forces Tribunals decision to grant disability pension to an officer who suffered hearing loss aggravated during service Echoing the Supreme Courts ruling in Sukhvinder Singh v Union of India he observed that soldiers invalided out of service must be provided disability benefits for any degree of impairment linked to their dutya reminder of the nations obligation to its protectorsnbspThe breadth of his judgments spanning land laws constitutional law family disputes contractual enforcement NDPS matters and service jurisprudence highlights the versatility and depth of Justice Thakurs legal mind His opinions combined sharp reasoning with a humane approach making his judgments not just technical documents but living instruments of justiceAs Chairman of the NRI Commission Justice Thakur now carries forward his judicial experience into a new role ensuring that overseas Indians continue to receive responsive and fair redressal of grievances in their homelandnbspJustice Thakurs retirement from the High Court may mark the close of a judicial chapter but his pronouncements will guide courts and lawyers for decades to come https://dailyworld.in/national/justice-thakur-and-his-contribution-to-indian-jurisprudence-639779.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nhrc-mea-to-host-6-day-rights-conclave-for-global-south-from-tomorrow-639783.html New Delhi Sep 21 Aiming to promote human rights protection in the Global South the NHRC has joined hands with the Ministry of External Affairs MEA for organising a sixday programme for representatives of 12 nations from Monday an official said The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ITEC Executive Capacity Building Programme will offer a platform to representatives of global rights institutions for discussions on advocacy enforcement and institutional strengthening said the officialSeniorlevel functionaries from 12 NHRIs from Mauritius Jordan Georgia the Philippines Qatar Fiji Uzbekistan Bolivia Nigeria Mali Morocco and Paraguay are likely to attend the programmeNational Human Rights Commission NHRC Chairman Justice V Ramasubramanian will inaugurate the Executive Capacity Building Programme on human rights for seniorlevel functionaries said the official in a statementThe programme aims to strengthen the capacities of National Human Rights Institutions NHRIs from the Global South it saidIt reflects NHRC Indias ongoing commitment to global human rights dialogue SouthSouth cooperation and the collective advancement of rightsbased governanceThis customised programme has been developed in accordance with the needs of NHRIs of participating countries and feedback provided during the three earlier ITEC capacitybuilding programmes organised by the Commission said the official statementDrawing from NHRC Indias experience of over three decades the programme seeks to promote deeper understanding mutual learning and meaningful collaboration among NHRIs for advocacy enforcement and institutional strengthening across the Global SouthEminent persons with domain knowledge and expertise in capacity building and imparting training will be the resource personsThe expected outcome includes developing a better understanding of international dimensions of human rights a deeper understanding of NHRC Indias work in the field of human rights protection and its best practices which can be adopted by the other NHRIs said the statementThe programme may also lead to improved networking among NHRIs fostering collaborations and partnerships at regional and international levels and enhanced capability to contribute towards the protection and promotion of human rights said the statementThe participants will engage in interactive sessions with eminent persons and practitioners in the field cultural immersion and field visits This programme stands as a testament to NHRC Indias enduring commitment to fostering a world where human rights are respected protected and celebrated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nhrc-mea-to-host-6-day-rights-conclave-for-global-south-from-tomorrow-639783.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ahead-of-festive-season-haryana-dgp-reviews-law-and-order-situation-639784.html Chandigarh Sep 21 IANS Ahead of the onset of the festive season Haryana Director General of Police DGP Shatrujeet Kapur on Sunday reviewed the law and order situation and discussed action against foreign nationals illegally residing in the state moneylenders criminals miscreants and traffic managementnbspnbspDGP Kapur directed all officers to review cases related to illegally residing foreign nationals every week and ensure strict action is takennbspHe directed that a separate cell be constituted in every district for this purpose and instructed that action be taken on received inputsnbspHe directed officers to send weekly reports on this matter to police headquartersAt the meeting DGP Kapur reviewed the ongoing intensive campaign against moneylendersnbspSonipat Police Commissioner Mamta Singh informed that the police are receiving full cooperation from the public and that complaints are being acted upon promptlynbspThe DGP clarified that the main objective of this campaign is to help needy and poor people He said those moneylenders who exploit the helplessness of the poor charge exorbitant interest and even seize their property will face strict actionHe instructed that strict surveillance be maintained on criminals and antisocial elementsnbspHe directed Station House Officers SHOs to personally monitor such individuals hear complaints against them themselves and ensure strict actionnbspThe DGP emphasised that criminals should be categorised into different groups so that monitoring and action can be carried out more effectivelynbspAdditional Director General of Police Traffic and Highways Hardeep Doon said during a special campaign conducted from September 5 to 14 a total of 30603 challans were issued These included actions against drunk driving noise pollution and other traffic violationsAwareness campaigns were also conducted during this periodnbspThe DGP directed that accidentprone areas be identified and necessary road safety measures be taken therenbspAlso DGP Kapur instructed to spread awareness among the public about compliance with lane driving rulesnbspHe said traffic police officers and personnel should explain to the public that vehicles must not be driven in the fast lane continuously as the fast lane is meant only for overtakingnbspKeeping the festival season in mind DGP Kapur directed officers to further strengthen security arrangementsHe said that in large fairs and temples where huge crowds gather highquality CCTV cameras must be installed to prevent accidents and criminal incidentsnbspIf the crowd exceeds the prescribed limit entry must be controlled at the main gate itself Special surveillance must also be maintained on suspicious and antisocial elements he added https://dailyworld.in/national/ahead-of-festive-season-haryana-dgp-reviews-law-and-order-situation-639784.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-utsav-from-tomorrow-will-be-a-festival-of-savings-for-all-countrymen-says-pm-modi-639788.html New Delhi Sep 21 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced the launch of a nationwide GST Utsav from the first day of Navratri on Monday calling it a festival of savings for the people of IndianbspIn his address to the nation the Prime Minister said that from September 22 people will be able to buy their favourite items at lower prices as the new GST rates come into effectnbspNext Gen GST reforms being implemented from tomorrow it is like GST saving festival PM Modi saidFrom tomorrow you will be able to buy your favourite items with ease This is like a GST saving festival for every Indian the Prime Minister addednbspPM Modi said that the poor and the new middle class are getting double benefits after the GST rate cutsnbspGreeting citizens on the occasion of Navratri he said that the new phase of GST reforms will directly benefit the common man farmers MSMEs middleclass families women and youthnbspThe government had earlier announced GST rate cuts on September 4 covering a wide range of products from automobiles to daily consumer itemsThis marks the biggest indirect tax reform since the Goods and Services Tax was rolled out in July 2017nbspThe new system often called GST 20 introduces a twoslab structure of 5 per cent and 18 per cent with an additional 40 per cent rate only for super luxury sin and demerit goodsnbspThe reforms were cleared by the GST Council at its 56th meeting where both the Union and state governments reached a consensusEarlier in the day the Prime Ministers Office had posted on X that PM Modi would address the nation at 5 pmnbspDuring his speech PM Modi underlined that the reforms symbolise the cooperative spirit between the Centre and the statesnbspThe Prime Minister said the decision to move forward with the new tax structure will make goods cheaper encourage industry and strengthen Indias economy https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-utsav-from-tomorrow-will-be-a-festival-of-savings-for-all-countrymen-says-pm-modi-639788.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/over-70-per-cent-h-1b-visas-go-to-indians-new-rules-a-low-congress-veteran-pawan-bansal-639790.html Chandigarh Sep 21 Congress leader and former Union Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal has strongly criticised the United States for introducing stricter conditions on H1B visas saying the move will hurt Indian professionals and students while also damaging its own economy Speaking to IANS Bansal noted that for decades the US had encouraged talented youth from across the worldparticularly from Indiato work study and contribute to its economyEarlier America invited skilled people in IT medicine architecture engineering and other fields to strengthen its economy Now by making education and work permits more expensive they are doing the opposite he remarkedBansal pointed out that over 70 per cent of H1B visas are issued to Indians who have played a key role in boosting the American economyOur people have gone there for years and strengthened their economy Now with these restrictions fewer Indians will be able to go This will hurt our youth and ultimately America too because they dont have enough skilled manpower of their own he saidHe also took aim at US President Donald Trump under whose policies the cost and conditions of the visas had tightenedTrump once called Prime Minister Modi a good friend and Modi too described him as such but the decisions taken were against Indian interests He imposed tariffs on almost 50 per cent of Indian goods creating huge problems for our manufacturers Bansal saidThe Congress leader cautioned against any agricultural concessions to Washington in upcoming trade talksThe US gives huge subsidies to its farmers If their subsidised produce like watermelons and melons comes here freely it will harm Indian agriculture We should not compromise our farm sector for them he warnedCalling for firm but fair negotiations Bansal said India must engage with America without yielding to pressureTalks must continue but India should not bend We must protect our skilled youth and our farmers from unfair policies he saidBansal also added that Trumps unpredictability had already hurt IndiaNo one can predict him On one hand he praises India and PM Modi and on the other hand he acts against Indian interests he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/over-70-per-cent-h-1b-visas-go-to-indians-new-rules-a-low-congress-veteran-pawan-bansal-639790.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/clean-plant-programme-to-strengthen-indias-horticulture-empower-farmers-639791.html New Delhi Sep 21 Nine Clean Plant Centres will be established across the country as part of the recently approved Rs 176567 crore Clean Plant Programme CPP the government said on Sunday The programme aims to boost Indias horticulture sector by providing virusfree planting material an official statement said A 98 million loan from the Asian Development Bank supports the initiative focused on key fruit crops including grapes oranges and pomegranatesOf the nine clean plant centres three will be set up in Maharashtra at a cost of Rs 300 crore Pune for grapes Nagpur for oranges and Solapur for pomegranates Large nurseries will receive up to Rs 3 crore each while medium units will get Rs 15 crore worth of assistance under the scheme collectively producing 8 crore diseasefree seedlings annuallyThe government said that the programme will increase yields enhance fruit quality and protect smallscale farmers from biotic and abiotic threatsThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research oversees technical progress and facilitates capacity building the statement said As of now 578 grapevine samples from seven states have been tested while 535 apple samples from Jammu and Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Uttarakhand and Punjab are under testing with hazard analysis in progressThe official CPP website has been launched as a central hub for resources updates and insights to revolutionise horticulture in India the statement saidFurther a nationallevel laboratory is to be set up in Pune for research on original plant species under CPP From January to March teams from ICAR NHB and ADB studied nursery ecosystems design operations and cost structures Then the team conducted lab assessments strengthened diagnostic and computational capabilitiesFurther they visited public and private labs for developing a bioinformatics pipeline for HTS data analysis under CPP This will help scientists more quickly and efficiently check for viruses in many types of crops and better test nursery plants to keep them safe and healthyIf acquired plant material tests negative it undergoes retesting before being used to propagate mother plants the release noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/clean-plant-programme-to-strengthen-indias-horticulture-empower-farmers-639791.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/have-gone-to-pakistan-people-there-want-good-relations-with-india-pawan-bansal-639792.html Chandigarh Sep 21 While the relations between India and Pakistan remained frayed and tense following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attacks Congress leader Pawan Bansal has blamed it on the latters antiIndia mindset as the main obstacle to normal ties Bansal however added that people and the public in general there unlike the Pakistani establishment want good relations with India and he sensed this sentiment during his previous visits to the neighbouring nationI have been there and I can say that talks have taken place and people on both sides want peace but the Pakistani government and system do not seem ready Their attitude is solely driven by antiIndia sentiments Therefore good relations will probably never be fully established the Congress leader saidPawan Bansals remarks on Pakistan citizens inclination for peace come amid a raging row over Indian Overseas Congress IOC chief Sam Pitrodas controversial statement where he drew parallels between people of India Pakistan and Bangladesh and stated that he felt at home whenever he went therePawan Bansal further told IANS that India always wanted good and progressive ties with its neighbours but Pakistan in particular has never respected Indias sentimentsPakistan has consistently promoted terrorism and unrest in our country by sending terrorists and fanning terror in India As long as this continues good relations cannot exist Pakistan establishments sole agenda is to spread antiIndia rhetoric and this also looks to be the basis of their existence he emphasisedThe former Union Minister also reacted sharply to the United States revised H1B visa fees and said that this move will rather have a selfinflicting impact on itEarlier America itself had been inviting young people to come and strengthen their economy but now they are doing the opposite After Trumps decision fewer people will go there America doesnt have many skilled people and this will likely harm America Increasing the rate will make it difficult for young people This decision will harm America the most as more than 70 per cent of H1B visas come from India he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/have-gone-to-pakistan-people-there-want-good-relations-with-india-pawan-bansal-639792.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 18:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/what-you-need-to-know-about-gst-20-as-tax-cuts-kick-in-on-monday-639799.html New Delhi Sept 21 Ahead of the beginning of GST rejig from Monday the Finance Ministry issued another detailed explanation of the cut in tax rates on goods and services announced as part of the reforms which aim to simplify rates remove anomalies and make the system easier for both businesses and consumers 1 Which life insurance policies are covered under the GST exemptionThe exemption applies to all individual life insurance policies including term plans endowment policies and ULIPs Reinsurance of these individual policies is also exempt2 Which health insurance policies are covered under the GST exemptionIndividual health insurance policies including family floater and senior citizen plans are exempt from GST Reinsurance of such individual policies is also exempt under this decision3 Will passenger transportation services be taxed at 18 per centNo Passenger transport by road will continue at 5 without ITC though operators may opt for 18 per cent with ITC In the case of air travel economy class is taxed at 5 per cent while other classes remain at 18 per cent4 What is the applicable GST rate on multimodal transport of goodsIf the multimodal transport does not include any air leg it is taxed at 5 per cent with limited ITC restricted to 5 per cent of the value If any portion involves air transport the applicable rate is 18 per cent with full ITC5 Who is liable to pay GST on local delivery services provided through an ECOIf local delivery services are provided through an ecommerce operator ECO by an unregistered person the ecommerce operator is responsible for paying GST If the service provider is registered then that provider is liable to pay the tax6 What is the GST rate applicable on local delivery servicesLocal delivery services are taxed at 18 per cent7 Is it necessary to recall and relabel the MRP on medicines already in the supply chain before September 22 2025 How will the relabelling be carried outNo recall of stock is required Manufacturers only need to issue revised price lists and share them with dealers retailers and regulators Stock already in the market can continue to be sold provided billing reflects the new prices8 Why havent all medicines been fully exempted from GSTExempting medicines would prevent manufacturers from claiming ITC on raw materials and inputs raising their production costs These costs would eventually be passed on to consumers Keeping medicines at a concessional 5 per cent rate except those specified at nil rate ensures affordability while allowing ITC to flow through the supply chain9 Why hasnt GST been removed on raw cottonCotton is taxed under reverse charge so farmers do not pay GST directly This system keeps the input tax credit chain intact for the textile industry which helps keep costs stable and benefits consumers10 What is the tax treatment for leasing or renting services without an operatorMajority of leasing or renting without operator is taxed at the same rate as the goods themselves For example if a car is taxed at 18 per cent then renting or leasing that car without a driver is also taxed at 18 per cent The same rule applies to other goods the tax on renting matches the tax on buying11 Will the revised GST rates also apply to imported goodsYes IGST on imports will be levied at the revised GST rates from 22nd September except where a specific exemption has been provided12 UHT Ultra High Temperature milk has been exempted Does this exemption also apply to plantbased milkNo The exemption is only for dairy UHT milk Plantbased milk drinks like almond milk earlier attracted 18 per cent GST and soya milk drinks 12 per cent Now all plantbased milk drinks including soya milk will be taxed at 513 Why has GST on face powders and shampoos been reduced and will this not also benefit MNCs and luxury brandsFace powders and shampoos are common household items used across all sections of society While premium or luxury brands will also see the benefit the main purpose of the rate cut is to simplify the GST system Having separate rates based on brand or price would make the tax structure complicated and difficult to administer IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/what-you-need-to-know-about-gst-20-as-tax-cuts-kick-in-on-monday-639799.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 18:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adopt-agricultural-diversification-haryana-cm-asks-farmers-639801.html Chandigarh Sep 21 IANS Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday called upon farmers to adopt agricultural diversification and give priority to the production of coarse grainsnbspHe said the government always stands firmly with farmers and is continuously taking concrete steps to make agriculture more profitable and sustainablenbspEncouraging farmers to embrace new opportunities the Chief Minister said that by adopting activities such as medicinal plant cultivation beekeeping mushroom production and vegetable flower and fruit farming farmers can multiply their income He assured the government will continue to provide all possible facilities incentives and support to farmers in this directionThe Chief Minister was addressing a large gathering after inaugurating the Rabi Agriculture Fair organised by Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University CCSHAU in HisarnbspOn this occasion he also launched the Har Ghar Chhaon Har Ghar Phal scheme under which 55000 fruit saplings will be distributed free of cost in 110 villages across 22 districts As part of this initiative saplings were distributed to farmers during the eventnbspThe Chief Minister also distributed dummy cheques of up to Rs 40000 to 50 cattle rearers under the Conservation and Development of Indigenous Cows and Murrah Development Scheme In addition he presented dairy establishment approval letters to 75 women entrepreneursHe inaugurated the Dattopant Thengadi Agricultural Entrepreneurship Centre on the university campus and also inaugurated the Kalpana Chawla Womens Hostel and Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Womens HostelnbspHighlighting the contribution of the university the Chief Minister said the CCSHAU is a centre of pride for the entire nation where scientists are working tirelessly on agricultural research and solutions to farmers problemsnbspHe emphasised that agricultural fairs serve as an important platform for dialogue between scientists and farmers providing valuable knowledge on new technologies crop diversification and natural resource management This he said will help farmers reduce costs and increase production He stressed the importance of harmony between agriculture and nature calling for collective efforts of the government scientists and farmers https://dailyworld.in/national/adopt-agricultural-diversification-haryana-cm-asks-farmers-639801.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 19:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sujalam-sufalam-scheme-gujarat-farmers-no-longer-dependent-on-rain-for-farming-639802.html Ahmedabad Sep 21 Gujarat has taken the lead in expanding the agricultural and irrigation landscape for farmers and also setting new benchmarks for other states Its success could be attributed to the Gujarat governments flagship Sujalam Sufalam scheme which played a crucial role in strengthening the irrigation network to large tracts of agricultural lands The Sujalam Sufalam Scheme was launched in 2003 by the then Chief Minister Narendra Modi and is said to be the backbone of the famed Gujarat model of improved irrigation and modern agricultural techniquesThe main objective of this scheme was to provide irrigation water to several districts of the state by diverting a canal from the Kadana Dam on the Mahi River in Mahisagar districtA water management expert Abhay Rawal praising the scheme said that it was a big success for 10 districtsThe Sujalam Sufalam spreading canal has also proven to be a lifesaver for areas with water scarcity While continuous water supply has increased farmers yields it has also improved their economic conditionThis scheme has transformed the fortunes of Gujarats farmers Previously farmers relied on rain for agriculture but now the yearround availability of water has enabled them to grow crops in every seasonKutch farmer Rajesh Bhai sharing his experience said Thanks to SujalamSufalam Yojana our fields have turned green and our incomes have increased Under this scheme we no longer have to depend on rain for water for our cropsUnder the leadership of current Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel Sujalam Sufalam 20 is being further expandedThis scheme is proving to be revolutionary in addressing water scarcity across the state through water management raising groundwater levels and building check dams and canals This initiative has not only turned into a boon for the farmers but also an inspiration for other states in the countryIt has not only made Gujarat selfreliant in agriculture but has also set a new benchmark in water management IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sujalam-sufalam-scheme-gujarat-farmers-no-longer-dependent-on-rain-for-farming-639802.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 19:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-seven-held-for-abducting-woman-practicing-garba-639807.html Mandsaur Madhya Pradesh Sep 21 Seven persons were apprehended within a short span of time after they abducted a woman forcibly late Saturday night while practicing Garba at Bhavsar Dharamshala in Khanpura Mandsaur the police said on Sunday The incident which occurred around 10 pm sent shockwaves through the community and raised serious concerns about womens safety during public eventsSuperintendent of Police Vinod Kumar Meena confirmed the details stating that the abduction was carried out by her relativesKotwali station incharge Pushpendra Singh Rathore identified the arrested individuals as Ramchandra Manisha aka Bunty Kamlesh aka Ghota Fakirachand Shambhulal Shyamabai all residents of Chachawada Sathiya under Garoth Police Station and Dinesh from Bhunki HatuniaA case has been registered under kidnapping the Arms Act and other relevant sectionsThe investigation is ongoingLocal residents expressed outrage over the incident especially given its timing during a cultural celebrationThis is not just a family matterits a public safety issue said one attendeeThe incident has reignited conversations around personal freedom family pressure and the urgent need for stronger protections for women in both private and public spacesEyewitnesses reported that the woman was participating in the Navratri celebration alongside other women and young girls when four men and two women arrived at the venueWithout warning they grabbed her and began dragging her away A young woman present tried to intervene but was pushed asideOne of the accused brandished a pistollike object causing panic among attendees Video footage shows people fleeing in fear as the woman was taken away Kotwali police station incharge Pushpendra Singh Rahtore saidPolice were alerted immediately and a districtwide blockade was imposed said the police Within two hours Kotwali police traced and apprehended all seven accused and safely recovered the womanThe vehicle used in the abduction and the pistol later confirmed to be a toy were also seized said the policeAccording to the womans statement she had previously been married but left her husband due to repeated physical abuse and filed for divorceShe had been living with a young man named Yash in Khanpura for the past four months Her family and inlaws reportedly angered by the relationship orchestrated the abduction to bring her back home IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-seven-held-for-abducting-woman-practicing-garba-639807.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-naidu-congratulates-pm-modi-on-launch-of-gst-reforms-639821.html Amaravati Sep 21 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the visionary launch of the nextgeneration GST reforms and the commencement of the GST Bachat Utsav saying the celebration truly puts the citizen at the centre of governance He said On behalf of my people of Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu extends heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for this bold and visionary reformCoinciding with the festive season the Next Gen GST truly marks a double celebration for the people who will directly benefit from lower prices simplified taxes and a stronger more inclusive economy Naidu posted on X after the Prime Ministers address to the nation ahead of the rollout of GST 20The number of tax slabs has been reduced to just two 5 per cent and 18 per cent Nearly 99 per cent of essential items now fall under the lower 5 per cent slab This reform will make daily life more affordable for our citizens especially the middle class poor farmers women and youth the Chief Minister said adding that the simpler tax system will lower costs help businesses grow and attract more investmentChandrababu Naidu whose Telugu Desam Party TDP is a key partner in the BJPled NDA government at the Centre urged everyone to embrace and purchase swadeshilocal products with pride to make every day a step towards selfreliance and national prideWith PMs Nagrik Devo Bhava as the guiding mantra this bold reform is a gift to both the present and future of every Indian Honble PMs call Garv se kaho ye Swadeshi hai stands tall as a renewed national movement inspiring every household to embrace and take pride in Indianmade products he saidHis call for states to become equal partners in growth and to boost local manufacturing is a powerful message of cooperative federalism I fully support these calls and remain devoted to Swarna Andhra aligned with the spirit of Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat Naidu added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chandrababu-naidu-congratulates-pm-modi-on-launch-of-gst-reforms-639821.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 20:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/4-day-visit-of-indian-navys-first-training-squadron-boosts-ties-with-mozambique-639825.html New Delhi Sep 21 Joint training to enhance operational interoperability remained the focus of Indian Navy 1TS fourday port call to Maputo Mozambique an official said on Sunday Demonstrating enduring maritime friendship the 1TS comprising INS Tir INS Shardul INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi concluded its port visit to Maputo on Friday the official saidDuring the deployment 1TS engaged in a series of joint training to enhance operational interoperability with the Mozambique NavyActivities included Joint Diving Operations Firefighting VBSS Ops and Bridge Machinery Control integration drills Crosstraining visit of Indian Navy trainees to Marine Commando School at Katembe Sargent School at Boane and the Army Practising School at Manhica fostered mutual understanding and cooperation Sea riders of the Mozambique Navy embarked onboard 1TS ships for joint EEZ surveillanceCapt Tijo K Joseph Senior Officer of 1TS along with Commanding Officers of visiting ships paid courtesy calls to Rear Admiral Eugenio Dias Da Silva Muatuca Chief of the Mozambique Navy Maj Gen Ezequiel Muianga Inspector of FADM Col Candido Jose Tirano Commandant of Maputo Air Force BaseThese highlevel interactions underscored the growing defence cooperation between the two nations said an official statementCommunity outreach formed a vital component of the deployment More than 1000 school children toured the ships gaining insights into operational capabilities of the Indian Navy it saidA medical camp was set up at Naval Headquarters Mozambique and local hospital at Maputo More than 100 patients were provided medical care and an awareness campaign on prevention of critical disease emergency response and first aid was conducted it saidJoint Yoga sessions and a friendly futsal match further strengthened camaraderie between the two Navies it saidAs 1TS sets sail for Mombasa the visit leaves behind strengthened bilateral ties and a renewed commitment to peace stability and shared prosperity in the Indian Ocean Region The port call reinforces Indias maritime partnership with African nationsThe port call reaffirmed the Indian Navys commitment to enhanced maritime partnership through joint training and capacity building guided by the vision of MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/4-day-visit-of-indian-navys-first-training-squadron-boosts-ties-with-mozambique-639825.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-businessman-falls-in-cbi-net-after-13-years-639827.html New Delhi Sep 21 Ending a 13yearlong chase the CBI arrested a Proclaimed Offender from Kollam in Kerala in connection with a Rs 15 crore bank fraud in Punjab an official said on Sunday The CBI arrested Surendran J a resident of Kulakkada Panchayat Kollam on September 18 after tracking him down using technical surveillance said the official in a statementSurendran the proprietor of the company Stich and Ship in Kollam and others were booked by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI in July 2010 on the allegations of availing foreign bill purchase credit facility to the tune of Rs 15 crore on the basis of forged and fake documents from Bank of India Ludhiana the CBI saidAccused Surendran J was a principal conspirator in the conspiracy and a charge sheet was earlier filed in a Special CBI Court in SAS Nagar Mohali Punjab against him and others said the CBISurendran earlier failed to join the trial and was declared a Proclaimed Offender by the court in 2012 The CBI said despite sustained efforts to trace him he remained abscondingRecently on the basis of technical intelligence and ground verification his location was pinpointed in Kollam district Kerala leading to his arrest said the federal probe agencyThe CBI said in a statement that soon after Surendran was arrested he was produced in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate Thiruvananthapuram on FridayThe court accepted the CBIs application for granting his transit remand so that he could be produced in the Special CBI Court in Mohali PunjabA CBI statement said that the Proclaimed Offender was produced in the Special CBI Court Mohali on Saturday and remanded to judicial custodySurendran managed to dupe the bank while using a credit facility often provided to exporters He gave forged documents for the Foreign Bill Purchase FBPlinked shortterm credit facility offered to exporters to help manage their cash flow needs while awaiting payment from foreign buyers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-businessman-falls-in-cbi-net-after-13-years-639827.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 21:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-signs-mous-for-rs-30-000-crore-ship-building-projects-639709.html Chennai Sep 20 Tamil Nadu took a significant leap in the maritime sector on Saturday with the signing of two ultra mega memoranda of understanding MoUs to establish worldclass commercial shipyards at a combined investment of Rs 30000 crore The projects expected to generate around 55000 jobs are seen as a transformative step in making the state a global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovationAccording to Industries Minister TRB Rajaa Cochin Shipyard Limited CSL and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited MDL will each invest Rs 15000 crore to set up greenfield commercial shipyards in Tamil Nadu The agreements were signed during the MoU exchange ceremony at the Transforming Maritime Sector eventCSLs project will generate over 10000 jobs in its first phase including 4000 direct and 6000 indirect positions MDLs shipyard meanwhile is projected to create employment for more than 45000 people with 5000 direct and 40000 indirect opportunitiesThese two ultra mega projects mark Tamil Nadus emergence as a global hub for shipbuilding and maritime innovation unlocking unprecedented opportunities for economic growth job creation and sustainability in the sector Rajaa saidChief Minister MK Stalin speaking at the TN Rising Thoothukudi Conclave earlier this year had announced the formation of a dedicated company to promote shipbuilding in the state In line with this vision the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu SIPCOT and VOC Port Thoothukudi signed an MoU earlier in September to create a special purpose vehicle to advance shipbuilding initiativesThe move comes ahead of the Tamil Nadu Maritime Transport Manufacturing Policy 2025 which will provide the framework for developing the sectorOfficials said the new shipyards would not only enhance Indias maritime infrastructure but also position Tamil Nadu at the forefront of technological capability in the global shipbuilding industry The projects are expected to attract allied industries strengthen the coastal economy and create a ripple effect of opportunities for small and medium enterprisesWith these developments Tamil Nadu aims to consolidate its place as a leader in maritime trade logistics and advanced shipbuilding signalling a new era of industrial growth for the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-signs-mous-for-rs-30-000-crore-ship-building-projects-639709.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/womans-half-burnt-body-found-in-tripura-4-held-639710.html Agartala Sep 20 Tripura police on Saturday arrested four people and suspended a police officer in connection with the recovery of a halfburnt body of a woman in Tripuras Gomati district officials said Superintendent of Police of Gomati district Kiran Kumar K said that four people were arrested in connection with the recovery of a halfburnt body of a woman on Saturday at Mirza in the Kakaraban police station area of the district We have suspended Assistant SubInspector Sanjay Sarkar for negligence of duties in the incident the district police chief told IANS on Saturday night Chief Minister Manik Saha who holds the home portfolio in a Facebook post on Saturday night said that a detailed enquiry has been ordered into the Mirza incident All those involved in this heinous crime will be brought to justice as per the law In this connection four accused persons have been arrested Saha saidAnother police official said that the victims husband Pankaj Sarkar claimed five youths first assaulted his wife on Friday night then poured petrol on her and set her on fire after which she succumbed to her injuries The police officer said they have registered a case in the incident and added that they will get the postmortem examination report on Sunday and after that the case would be modified with a clear position of the case So far the FIR was registered as an unnatural death the official said adding that the investigation has been going on along with the search to nab all the perpetrators More sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 will be added based on information received during the investigation and the inquest report the official said The womans husband alleged that one of the five accused is a nephew of a local BJP MLA Before the Fridays incident Pankaj Sarkar and his wife mother of two children went to Kakraban police station to lodge a complaint against three persons for threatening them and assaulted them while they were working in their shop at Mirza market on Thursday night over previous enmity Police refused to accept the complaint he alleged We returned home and went to sleep separately as we often do This morning my wifes halfburnt body was found on a nearby road Sarkar alleged The local MLA could not be reached for a comment The opposition Congress and the CPI M criticised the police over the incident alleging that they were trying to shield the accused Initially the police did not register the complaint of Pankaj Sarkar and his wife What is more worrying is that the couple was chased by the accused when they were returning home from the police station It seems that the police are trying to shield the accused district Congress president Titan Paul alleged Locals said that the couple was also known as BJP members in the area Leaders of the ruling BJP opposition Congress and CPI M have visited the deceaseds residence and assured strict action irrespective of rhe identify of the culprits IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/womans-half-burnt-body-found-in-tripura-4-held-639710.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rift-in-lalu-family-goes-public-as-rohini-acharya-unfollows-kin-tej-pratap-backs-her-639711.html Patna Sep 20 Family tensions within RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadavs household have spilt into the open after his Singaporebased daughter Rohini Acharya unfollowed all family members including former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav on social media and made her account private Following the move of Rohini Acharya her brother Tej Pratap Yadav comes in support of herThe MLA from Hasanpur Tej Pratap Yadav siding firmly with his sister praised Rohinis courageI played in her lap What she has done is a great achievement for any mother sister or daughter It requires courage and will be remembered in history Tej Pratap saidHe warned against any insult to her selfrespect declaring If anyone insults my sister I will use the Sudarshan Chakra Rohini is absolutely rightThe rift reportedly centres around Sanjay Yadav a close aide of Tejashwi whose proximity has drawn objections from RohiniIn recent days she posted a series of cryptic messages on X asserting her role as a responsible daughter and sister before locking her account Saturday morning and deleting earlier postsThe spat though personal comes at a politically sensitive time for the RJD as seatsharing negotiations within the INDIA bloc are in their final stages ahead of the 2025 Bihar Assembly electionsWhile the family has not issued any official statement the public nature of the dispute has sparked intense speculation in Bihars political circlesThe ongoing discord within RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadavs family has intensified after a seat controversy during the ongoing Bihar Adhikar Yatra of Tejashwi YadavThe flashpoint came when Sanjay Yadav Rajya Sabha MP and a trusted aide of former Deputy CM Tejashwi Yadav was spotted occupying the front seat of Tejashwis vanity van during the yatratraditionally considered the leaders seatRohini Acharya publicly objected posting sharp remarks on social media The front seat belongs to the leader of the partyDespite the controversy neither Sanjay Yadav nor Tejashwi Yadav has responded to Rohinis criticism fuelling further speculation about internal tensions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rift-in-lalu-family-goes-public-as-rohini-acharya-unfollows-kin-tej-pratap-backs-her-639711.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/namo-yuva-run-to-mobilise-over-10-lakh-youth-across-75-cities-today-639717.html New Delhi Sep 21 The Namo Yuva Run will be organised across the nation on Sunday where more than 10 lakh young participants are expected to run simultaneously The mega event will be held across 75 locations across the nationThe Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha BJYM announced on September 7 that this largescale initiative will focus on nationwide fitness and social awarenessThis initiative is part of the celebrations organised by the BJP to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday which was on September 17Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters BJYM President and MP Tejasvi Surya said the run is being organised under the theme Nasha Mukt Bharat DrugFree IndiaOver the last decade under the leadership of PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah India has waged a successful campaign against drugs This run is not just about fitness but also about strengthening our youth against the menace of addiction which weakens individuals and threatens national security he saidSurya highlighted that each location will see 10000 to 15000 participants making it the largest participative run in the countryActor and fitness icon Milind Soman who has been named the brand ambassador of the event will also join the campaignSince my high school days I have admired Milind Soman He remains the fittest Indian today and a role model for young India But above all Prime Minister Modi himself is the biggest inspiration for the youth Surya remarkedThe BJYM leader linked the drug problem to wider security challenges including narcoterrorism crossborder smuggling and Naxal financingHe pointed out that in the past 10 years India has significantly ramped up enforcement seizing over 24 lakh kg of narcotics between 2014 and 2024 compared to just 36 lakh kg in the previous decadeIn the last year alone 10 lakh kg of drugs have been seized and destroyed he saidThe Namo Yuva Run will be flagged off on Sunday bringing together lakhs of young Indians in a synchronised nationwide call for fitness discipline and a drugfree future IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/namo-yuva-run-to-mobilise-over-10-lakh-youth-across-75-cities-today-639717.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 07:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/may-our-lives-be-filled-with-light-and-purpose-pm-modi-wishes-people-on-mahalaya-639724.html New Delhi Sep 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday greeted people on the occasion of Mahalaya which is observed before the start of Durga Puja He said on X Wishing you all Shubho Mahalaya As the sacred days of Durga Puja draw near may our lives be filled with light and purpose May the divine blessings of Maa Durga bring unwavering strength lasting joy and wonderful healthMahalaya is observed at the conclusion of Shradh or Pitru Paksha a 16day period during which Hindus honour their ancestors and signifies the commencement of Durga Puja festivitiesWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also took to social media to wish the people She wrote Awake Durga awake bearer of ten weaponsOn the occasion of Tan Agomoni and Abahan I offer my heartfelt Mahalaya greetings to all On this occasion I am sharing with all of you a new Puja song written and composed by me she said in her postMahalaya ushers in Devi Paksha a 10day celebration of the Goddess Durga that culminates in Durga Puja It signals the arrival of Goddess Durga to Earth to defeat the demon king Mahishasura It is an auspicious day that symbolises the triumph of good over evilIn West Bengal the day is famously marked by the predawn broadcast of Mahishasura Mardini a programme of hymns and chants that invokes the Goddess and listening to it is a cherished tradition for allThousands of people in West Bengal perform tarpan signifying the start of the festive season with Durga Puja The day commenced with people paying their respects to their ancestors on the banks of the Hooghly River and other water bodies throughout the stateFollowing Mahalaya preparations for Durga Puja begin in earnest especially in West Bengal with the countdown to the festival officially starting On Mahalaya sculptors typically paint the eyes of Devi Durga in a ritual known as Chokhhu Daan IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/may-our-lives-be-filled-with-light-and-purpose-pm-modi-wishes-people-on-mahalaya-639724.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chennai-to-unveil-one-city-one-ticket-transport-app-on-monday-639725.html Chennai Sep 21 Chennai is set to make history by becoming the first city in the country to integrate all modes of public transport under a single digital platform On Monday Chief Minister MK Stalin will launch the muchawaited Chennai One app developed by the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority CUMTA at the authoritys second governing board meetingThe launch marks a major step in the state governments efforts to create an inclusive and sustainable transport ecosystem for the fastgrowing metropolis Alongside the app the Chief Minister will also approve the Comprehensive Mobility Plan CMP a longterm roadmap that will guide the citys transport strategies over the next 25 yearsThe CMP has been designed to ensure seamless connectivity improve commuter convenience and reduce carbon emissions by strengthening the share of public and nonmotorised transportAt the heart of this initiative is the One City One Ticket feature which will allow passengers to use a single QRenabled ticket across buses metro trains suburban rail cabs and autorickshaws This means commuters can switch between modes of transport without having to stand in multiple queues or buy separate tickets saving both time and effort In addition to ticketing integration the app offers realtime updates on the arrival and departure of buses and trains enabling passengers to better plan their journeysTickets can be purchased directly through UPI and other digital payment modes further encouraging cashless transactions and reducing congestion at ticket countersThe government has also placed emphasis on inclusivity by ensuring the app supports multiple languages including Tamil English Telugu Kannada and others making it accessible to a wide section of commutersOfficials believe the app will not only improve the commuter experience but also encourage a shift from private vehicles to public transport thereby easing road congestion and cutting emissionsFor a city that handles millions of daily trips this integration is expected to be a gamechanger in urban mobility With the dual launch of the Chennai One app and the CMP the state is signalling its commitment to modernising transport infrastructure while prioritising sustainability efficiency and commuter convenience IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chennai-to-unveil-one-city-one-ticket-transport-app-on-monday-639725.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/weather-department-predicts-rain-across-tn-till-september-26-639726.html Chennai Sep 21 The Regional Meteorological Centre in Chennai has forecast that widespread rainfall will continue across Tamil Nadu as well as in Puducherry and Karaikal until September 26 The latest update comes after several districts in the state recorded significant showers in the past 24 hours According to the weather office the highest rainfall was recorded in Arakkonam in Ranipet district which received 7 cm Ambattur in Tiruvallur district along with Ayyappakkam and Korattur in Chennai each recorded 6 cm of rainfallOfficials noted that most northern districts along with some parts of the south experienced moderate to heavy rainMeteorologists attributed the prevailing wet conditions to a lowlevel atmospheric circulation over the southern parts of the State This system they said will continue to influence weather patterns for the next five days bringing intermittent rain thunderstorms and gusty winds across both northern and southern districtsPuducherry and Karaikal regions are also expected to experience similar conditions during this periodIn Chennai the forecast indicates light to moderate showers accompanied by thunder and lightning in certain areas Commuters have been advised to plan their travel accordingly as sudden spells of rain may disrupt road traffic in lowlying areasMeanwhile the southwest monsoon has been performing steadily over Tamil Nadu since its onset on June 1 From then until Saturday the state has received about 30 cm of rainfall 5 per cent higher than the longperiod averageWeather scientists have described this as a normal monsoon season with a slightly positive trendLooking ahead meteorologists are closely monitoring the Bay of Bengal where a new lowpressure system is likely to form near the MyanmarBangladesh coast on September 25 If it intensifies it could further enhance rainfall activity over Tamil Nadu and adjoining regions in the days to comeWith schools offices and agricultural activities all being affected by the continuing wet spell officials have urged residents to remain alert to weather bulletins Fishermen have also been advised to exercise caution while venturing into the sea during this period IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/weather-department-predicts-rain-across-tn-till-september-26-639726.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 09:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-illegal-bangladeshi-immigrants-detained-in-delhi-deportation-process-underway-639729.html New Delhi Sep 21 The Delhi Police have detained two Bangladeshi nationals residing illegally in the city and confirmed that the deportation process has been initiated Officials said the action was carried out by the Operations Cell of the South West District as part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigrantsThe detained individuals have been identified as 35yearold Shishir Hubert Rozario a resident of Ghazipur Bangladesh and 33yearold Mohd Tauhidur Rahman a native of Coxs Bazar BangladeshPolice revealed that Rahman had previously been involved in a case registered under FIR No 10820 Section 314 of the Foreigner Act at PS Sector40 Gurugram HaryanaFresh deportation process was initiated with the help of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office FRRO Delhi completing all codal formalities the police said in a statementOfficials explained that in order to prevent crime and keep track of foreigners living illegally in South West Delhi dedicated teams were directed to gather intelligence and take action against such individualsAccordingly a special team comprising SubInspector Vikram Head Constable Satpal Constable Sanjay Constable Ashutosh and Woman Constable Nirmala was formed under the leadership of Inspector Vijay Baliyan IC Special Staff South West and supervised by ACP Operations Vijaypal TomarThe police said the team had received secret information about some illegal Bangladeshi migrants seeking accommodation in Mahipalpur Acting swiftly on the input officers approached the suspects requested identification documents and carried out an inquiryBoth men failed to produce valid papers and admitted to being illegal migrants who had entered India 11 years ago and overstayed after their visas had expiredAfter verification and inquiry all legal procedures were completed and deportation proceedings were initiated through the FRROThis successful operation highlights the South West District Polices zerotolerance approach toward illegal immigration and their commitment to enforcing the rule of law the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-illegal-bangladeshi-immigrants-detained-in-delhi-deportation-process-underway-639729.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 10:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-joins-cleanliness-drive-in-srinagars-dal-lake-as-part-of-sewa-parv-639736.html Srinagar Sept 21 More than onethird of the famous Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmirs Srinagar city has been rejuvenated and the area of the Lake has grown to 203 sq km during the last five years LG Manoj Sinha said on Sunday The LG on Sunday joined the cleanliness campaign in the Dal Lake during which weeds and unwanted aquatic grasses were removedThe LG posted on X As part of Sewa Parv joined Dal Lake Cleanliness Drive During the last five years work for the preservation of DalNigeen Lake and in the catchment area has been undertaken in a mission mode Dal Lake is cleaner and attracting large numbers of domestic and international visitorsMore than onethird of Lake has been rejuvenated and vast areas were cleared of Lilies and an open expanse of Dal Lake has been increased for the first time to more than 203 sq km I called upon citizens to preserve lakes rivers and other water bodies through community involvement his post readKnown as the natural lungs of Srinagar city which is home to over 126 million people the Dal Lake is its main tourist attraction and a water body that sustains aquatic life and the livelihood of thousands of peopleIt is an urban lake the second largest lake in Jammu and Kashmir and the most visited place in Srinagar by tourists and locals It is integral to tourism and recreation in the Kashmir Valley and is variously known as the Lake of Flowers Jewel in the crown of Kashmir or Srinagars JewelThe lake is also an important source for commercial operations in fishing and water plant harvesting The shoreline of the lake about 155 kms long is encompassed by a boulevard lined with Mughal gardens parks houseboats and hotelsScenic views of the lake can be witnessed from the shoreline Mughal gardens such as Shalimar Bagh and Nishat Bagh built during the reign of Mughal Emperor Jahangir and from houseboats cruising along the lake in the colourful ShikarasDuring the winter season the temperature can sometimes reach as low as minus 11 degrees Celsius freezing the lake The lake covers an area of 18 square kilometres and is part of a natural wetland which covers 211 square kilometres including its floating gardensThe floating gardens known as Raad in Kashmiri blossom with lotus flowers during July and August The wetland is divided by causeways into four basins Gagribal Lokut Dal Bod Dal and Nigeen although Nigeen is also considered as an independent lakeLokut Dal and Bod Dal each have an island in the centre known as Rupa Lank or Char Chinari and Sona Lank respectivelyAt present the Dal and the Mughal gardens on its periphery are undergoing intensive restoration measures to fully address the serious eutrophication problems experienced by the lakeThe union government is making massive investments of approximately Rs 11 billion to restore the lake to its original splendour IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-l-g-joins-cleanliness-drive-in-srinagars-dal-lake-as-part-of-sewa-parv-639736.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-pays-tributes-to-bihars-first-sc-cm-bhola-paswan-shastri-639738.html New Delhi Sep 21 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday paid tributes to Bihars former Chief Minister Bhola Paswan Shastri on his birth anniversary Shastri was a freedom fighter and later served as the Chief Minister of Bihar on three separate occasions between 1968 and 1971Known for his simplicity and honesty he was the first person from the Scheduled Castes to become the Chief Minister of BiharRahul Gandhi took to X to pay homage Salutations on the birth anniversary of Bihars former Chief Minister and great freedom fighter Bhola Paswan Shastri JiThe Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition said that Shastri was a true Congressman who raised his voice for social justice and equal opportunities Coming from the Dalit community Bhola Paswan Ji was a true Congressman an honest politician and a dedicated Gandhian who always raised his voice for social justice education and equal opportunities His life and spirit of public service are an inspiration for all of us wrote Rahul Gandhi in his X postBorn on September 21 1914 in the village of Bairgacchi in Bihar Bhola Paswan Shastri came from a poor family but he pursued his education and earned the title Shastri after graduating from Kashi Vidyapith in VaranasiHe was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi and became an active participant in the Indian independence movement Shastri was imprisoned multiple times for his role in the freedom struggleShastri was elected to the Bihar Legislative Assembly in 1952 Shastris first term as CM was from March to June 1968 the second term as CM was an even shorter term from June to July 1969 the third term as CM was from June 1971 to January 1972He was elected to the Rajya Sabha and served as a Union Minister for Urban Development In 1978 he became the first Chairman of the newly founded Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes CommissionShastri was renowned for his integrity and lack of interest in amassing personal wealth He passed away on September 10 1984 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-pays-tributes-to-bihars-first-sc-cm-bhola-paswan-shastri-639738.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hydraa-undertakes-demolition-on-encroached-government-land-in-hyderabad-639740.html Hyderabad Sep 21 In another operation to remove encroachment on government land HYDRAA on Sunday undertook demolition of unauthorised structures at Gajularamaram in Greater Hyderabad Hyderabad Disaster Response and Asset Protection Agency HYDRAA began the demolition early Sunday morning on 100 acres of land in Qutbullapur constituency in Medchal Malkajgiri districtThe value of the encroached land is said to be Rs 4500 crore The agency took up demolition after receiving a complaint that the encroachers are constructing houses on 6070 square yards and selling them for Rs 10 lakh eachHYDRAA officials demolished the structures in survey number 397 Local people staged a protest against the agencys action They tried to resist the demolition by standing in front of the bulldozers However the police removed the protestersThe locals argued that they spent money to buy the houses and that action should be taken against those who sold the landOut of 300 acres of government land 100 acres were encroached The value of the entire government land is estimated to be Rs 15000 croreThe land located about 10 km from the IT corridor was allotted by the government in the past to State Finance Corporation Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation TGIIC Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority HMDA and Housing Board With these institutions not utilising the allotted land some people encroached the land in recent years and constructed houses on itSome local leaders allegedly encroached on about 103 acres of land over the last 34 years The market value of the land in the area is Rs 4050 crore per acreThe singlebedroom houses built on the encroached land were sold to people working in Qutbullapur Gajularamaram Chintal and surrounding areas With the collusion of some officials in the Revenue and Electricity departments the construction on the encroached land was given electricity and water connectionsHYDRAA removed several encroachments in and around the city over the last yearChief Minister A Revanth Reddy last month termed HYDRAA a great system to protect Hyderabad by taking action against encroachments on water bodies and parksHe claimed that HYDRAA has so far protected government lands worth Rs 30000 crores and freed 13 parks and 20 lakes from encroachmentsRevanth Reddy said HYDRAA was constituted to make Hyderabad a safe destination for living and to curb encroachment of water bodies Stating that cities like Bengaluru Mumbai and Chennai are facing flood problems he said Hyderabad should not witness such a plight IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hydraa-undertakes-demolition-on-encroached-government-land-in-hyderabad-639740.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-address-nation-at-5-pm-today-639741.html New Delhi Sep 21 Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 5 pm on Sunday according to sources While the exact subject of his address has not been confirmed speculation is strong that he may speak on the Goods and Services Tax GST 20 reforms which are scheduled to come into effect on Monday September 22The timing of the Prime Ministers address is significant as it comes just a day before the rollout of GST 20 leading many to believe that this will be the focus of his message to the countryOn August 15 while addressing the nation from the Red Fort PM Modi had already announced that the government would bring in nextgeneration GST reforms by Diwali calling it a move that would reduce the burden on households through lower taxes on essential itemsThe government will bring Next Generation GST reforms which will bring down the tax burden on the common man It will be a Diwali gift for you PM Modi had said stressing that these reforms are designed to provide direct relief to citizens while giving a boost to economic activitySubsequently on September 4 Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had stated that the GST Council had given its nod to the new reform packageShe highlighted that the reforms aim at easing the lives of ordinary citizens while also ensuring a more businessfriendly framework for traders and entrepreneurs particularly small businessesThe GST Councils decision included reducing taxes on a wide range of items from packaged foods to consumer electronics thereby bringing the indirect tax regime closer to a simplified tworate structure This move was aimed at making the tax system more straightforward and stimulating demand in the economyApart from GST reforms there is also speculation that the Prime Minister may touch upon other pressing issues such as the recent crackdown in the United States on H1B visa holders which directly impacts a large number of Indian professionals working in the American tech sector Another possible topic could be Indias ongoing tariff disagreements with Washington The Prime Minister might also reiterate the governments call to use Swadeshi and build a Atmanirbhar BharatThe Prime Ministers most recent such address to the nation was on May 12 when he briefed the people on Operation Sindoor Indias retaliatory action after the terror attack in Pahalgam IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-address-nation-at-5-pm-today-639741.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/singers-final-journey-thousands-bid-adieu-to-zubeen-garg-in-assam-639743.html Guwahati Sep 21 The mortal remains of Assams most loved singer Zubeen Garg reached his hometown on Sunday morning triggering an outpouring of grief as thousands lined the streets to catch a last glimpse of their icon The body flown in from Delhi on a commercial flight arrived at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport around 7 amIt had been brought to the national capital from Singapore shortly after midnight where Garg tragically passed away on Friday following a swimming accident His wife Garima Saikia Garg broke down as the coffin was lowered near the runwayShe placed a traditional Assamese gamosa and flowers on the casket before accompanying it in a flowerbedecked ambulanceChief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma Union Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita along with senior state officials were also present at the airport to receive the body and pay their respectsIt was CM Sarma who received the mortal remains of the late singer in Delhi airport on Saturday late at night From the airport the convoy began its slow journey towards Gargs Kahilipara residence barely 25 km away But with roads choked by tens of thousands of mourners the passage was painfully slowPeople showered petals on the ambulance sang his songs in unison and held aloft banners cutouts and gamosas emblazoned with the words Zubeen Garg ForeverMany were in tears crying out Why Zubeen da why did you leave us so soonLeading the procession on foot were Assam Director General of Police Harmeet Singh and Guwahati Police Commissioner Parthasarathi Mahanta clearing the path for the ambulance Behind it followed Gargs favourite open jeep carrying his portrait and members of his music troupeThe singers body was first taken to his Kahilipara home where family members including his 85yearold ailing father were given time in privacy to bid farewellEntry to the lane was restricted to ensure the familys wish for solitude was respected Later in the day the mortal remains will be kept at the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex to allow the public to pay homageThe Assam Cabinet is expected to decide on the cremation venue later this evening Markets remained shut across parts of Assam as the state grappled with the loss of an artiste who over three decades gave voice to more than 38000 songs in 40 languages and dialectsFor millions Zubeen Garg was not just a singer but an emotion one whose final journey home was marked by a sea of humanity united in grief IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/singers-final-journey-thousands-bid-adieu-to-zubeen-garg-in-assam-639743.html Sun, 21 Sep 2025 12:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-police-arrest-7-more-in-cm-relief-fund-fraud-case-639529.html Hyderabad Sep 19 Hyderabad police have arrested seven more persons for misappropriation of Rs 871 lakh from the Telangana Chief Ministers Relief Fund CMRF According to police the accused were fake beneficiaries who posed as genuine and defrauded the government as well as genuine beneficiaries who were entitled to the reliefThe accused fraudulently caused the sanctioned CMRF cheques to be deposited into their personal accounts and subsequently withdrew the funds They also misappropriated the amountJubilee Hills Police Station SHO K Venkateshwara Reddy said on Friday that all seven accused including two women are natives of Godavarikhani in Pedapally districtThe accused are Potla Ravi 46 Janagama Nagaraju 40 Mateti Bhasker 33 Dharmaram Raju 50 Kampalli Santhosh 35 Chityala Laxmi 65 and Asampelli Laxmi They were all arrested on Thursday and produced before the court for judicial remandThe arrests were made in connection with five cases booked since last year The accused were booked under sections 409 417 419 467 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code IPC and Section 66C of the Information Technology ActAccording to police the arrested individuals voluntarily admitted and confessed to their involvement in the commission of the above offencesThe SHO said that other accused persons have been identified but are currently absconding The police are also making efforts to recover the misappropriated fundsIn July the police arrested four accused in the same case Jogula Naresh Kumar 42 Balagoni Venkatesh 37 Korlapati Vamshi 24 and Pulipaka Omkar 34 had criminally conspired and misappropriated funds sanctioned under the CMRFThe police officer said that after the 2023 Assembly elections and the defeat of the BRS government Naresh Kumar who was working in the office of one of the then ministers took possession of 230 sanctioned but undistributed chequesNineteen of those cheques issued to applicants who had not followed up were allegedly deposited in forged bank accounts with similar names at the SBI branch on Road No 5 in Jubilee Hills HyderabadThe main accused identified 19 cheques issued to applicants who had not followed up and deposited them into bank accounts at theSBIs Jubilee Hills branch with similar names using forged details IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hyderabad-police-arrest-7-more-in-cm-relief-fund-fraud-case-639529.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jagan-condemns-suppression-of-protest-against-privatisation-of-medical-colleges--639530.html Amaravati Sep 19 YSR Congress Party President and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday strongly condemned what he called the coalition governments brutal suppression of peaceful protests held across Andhra Pradesh against the privatisation of government medical colleges Jagan Mohan Reddy took to X to question Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidus intent in unleashing lathi charges arrests house detentions and police excesses on students youth and YSRCP cadres who were voicing the concerns of the people under the leadership of the partys Youth and Student wings He wanted to know whether democracy still exists in the state when the constitutionally guaranteed right to dissent is being trampled uponWhy is the government so intolerant of people raising their voice in defence of public health and medical education Selling away governmentbuilt medical colleges assets belonging to generations of people to cronies and private interests is nothing short of betrayal And when questioned the government responds with brute force even going so far as to allow attacks on media covering these protests This is nothing but tyranny Jagan Mohan Reddy saidHe also highlighted that YSRCP MLCs who staged protests outside the Assembly against privatisation were subjected to police highhandedness At the same time YSRCP legislators youth and student leaders successfully organised peaceful agitations both inside the Legislative Council and at medical college campuses despite repressionOur fight is for the health security of the poor and the rights of students Until the government withdraws its decision to privatise medical colleges our struggle will only intensify he declaredYS Jagan appreciated all those who participated in the protests reaffirming the partys unwavering stand to safeguard public health and educational opportunities for the poor and marginalisedEarlier YSRCP claimed that the statewide Chalo medical colleges programme was a grand successFormer minister Vidadala Rajini said despite all the police restrictions people responded in large numbers and gathered at the 17 medical colleges five fully functional and the rest at various stages of completionThey visited all the places where the medical colleges were initiated by the previous government led by YS Jagan to tell the people loud and clear about the privatisation move of the coalition governmentShe said that Chandrababu could not bring even a single medical college in all his terms put together while YS Jagan in his fiveyear term initiated 17 government medical collegesPeople gathered in large numbers to protest and demanded the rollback of the privatisation movePolice placed heavy restrictions and put leaders under house arrest and in Palnadu their highhandedness was in the open she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jagan-condemns-suppression-of-protest-against-privatisation-of-medical-colleges--639530.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-announces-candidate-for-mizorams-dampa-assembly-seat-bypoll-639531.html New DelhiAizawl Sep 19 The Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday announced its candidate for the upcoming bypoll to the Dampa assembly constituency in Mizoram BJPs National General Secretary and Headquarters incharge Arun Singh in a statement said that the Central Election Committee of the party has selected Lalhmingthanga as the candidate for the ensuing byelection to the Dampa assembly constituency in MizoramLalhmingthanga recently joined the BJPDampa seat in western Mizorams Mamit district fell vacant after its incumbent Mizo National Front MNF legislator Lalrintluanga died on July 21However the Election Commission is yet to announce the schedule for the bypoll Political observers said that the forthcoming byelection to the Dampa Assembly seat is likely to be a fourcorner contestState Congress President Lal Thanzara earlier said that the party is hopeful it will win the bypoll to Dampa constituency The Congress leader claimed that the people of Dampa have strong faith in the Congress which governed Mizoram for many yearsThanzara said if the Congress wins the Dampa bypoll it would brighten the partys prospects for the 2028 state Assembly electionsHe added that the Congress is also preparing for the 2026 Aizawl Municipal Corporation elections which would serve as a stepping stone to regaining power in the 2028 assembly pollsLal Thanzara who is the younger brother of former Chief Minister and former long term state party chief Lal Thanhawla a father figure of the Congress in Mizoram claimed that huge number of people felt upset after Congress failed to return to power in the 2023 assembly pollsThe Congress leader asserted that the ruling Zoram Peoples Movement ZPM is gradually paving the way for the Congress to return to power in the northeastern stateThe ruling ZPM and main opposition party Mizo National Front MNF have already named their candidates for the bypollThe MNF and ZPM have already announced their candidates Former health minister R Lalthangliana will be MNF candidate while ZPM nominated wellknown Mizo singer VanlalsailovaThe Dampa constituency bordering Bangladesh has a significant minority population including Chakmas and Reang tribals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-announces-candidate-for-mizorams-dampa-assembly-seat-bypoll-639531.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anti-terrorist-operation-in-jampks-kishtwar-war-like-stores-recovered-in-poonch-639543.html Jammu Sep 20 An antiterrorist operation continued on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmirs JampK Kishtwar district while warlike stores of armsammunition were recovered by the joint forces in another operation in Poonch district Nagrota headquartered White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said on its official handle Contact with Terrorists In an Intelligencebased operation in the general area of Kishtwar alert troops of WhiteKnightCorps established contact with terrorists at around 8 PM on 19 Sep 25 Exchange of fire took place Operations are currently in progressIn another joint operation in Poonch district warlike stores of arms and ammunition were recoveredJointOperation Recovery of War Like Stores Alert WhiteKnightCorps troops while carrying out an Intelligence based joint search operation with JKP recovered one weapon AK Series four AK magazines 20 Hand Grenades and other war like stores in Poonch Sector SearchOperation in progress White Knight Corps said in another post on XJoint forces have been carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists their over ground workers OGWs and sympathisers in JampKDrug smugglers and peddlers are also on the radar of the joint forces as it is believed by the Intelligence agencies that funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala money rackets are finally used to sustain terrorists in the UTThe targeting of terrorists their OGWs and sympathisers together with drug smugglers and hawala money racketeers is part of the revised strategy of the joint forces to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terror in JampKIn majority of drug smuggling and hawala money operations the Intelligence agencies have been able to trace the roots to across the Line of Control LoC and the International Border IBJampK has an International Border of 240Km length spread over Jammu Kathua and Samba districts and a 740Kmlong LoC in Baramulla Kupwara Bandipora in the Valley and Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu divisionThe BSF guards the International Border while the Army guards the LoC IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anti-terrorist-operation-in-jampks-kishtwar-war-like-stores-recovered-in-poonch-639543.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 08:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-to-visit-gaya-today-for-ancestral-rituals-639544.html New Delhi Sep 20 President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to visit Gaya on Saturday to perform ancestral rituals at the sacred Vishnupad Temple The President will offer Pind Daan and Tarpan Hindu rituals performed for the peace of departed souls seeking salvation for her ancestorsThis visit marks an important moment as Gaya is considered one of the holiest places in Hindu tradition especially for performing ancestral ritesThe Vishnupad Temple situated on the banks of the Falgu River holds immense religious significance and attracts devotees from across the country during the ongoing Pitru Paksha periodAccording to an official statement released by Rashtrapati Bhavan The President of India Smt Droupadi Murmu will visit Gaya Bihar tomorrow September 20 2025 to perform puja at the Shri Vishnupad TempleThe President will travel from Gaya Airport to the temple via a speciallydesignated route passing through Gate No 5 a bypass Narayani Bridge and Bengali AshramShe will return to the airport using the same route To facilitate her visit the Gaya district administration and local police have put in place an extensive security and traffic management planSeveral roads around the temple and throughout the city have been temporarily closed to regular traffic These include routes from Domuhan to Sikariya Mod Gate No 5 to City Public School and Chand Chaura to Bengali AshramHowever alternate routes have been arranged for the public including the Bodh GayaFour Lane route connecting Gulharia Chak Mod Chakand railway crossing Kandi Nawada Kukra Mod Mehta Petrol Pump and City Public SchoolIn areas close to the temple drop gates have been installed and visitors will be allowed to proceed on foot from those pointsAuthorities have assured that full precautions are in place with a not even a bird can fly level of security to ensure the safety of the President and smooth flow for pilgrims IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/president-murmu-to-visit-gaya-today-for-ancestral-rituals-639544.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 09:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/multiple-delhi-schools-receive-bomb-threat-students-evacuated-639546.html New Delhi Sep 20 Several schools in Delhi received bomb threats on Saturday forcing authorities to evacuate students and staff as precautionary measures Officials confirmed that Delhi Public School Dwarka Krishna Model Public School and Sarvodaya Vidyalaya were among the institutions that received threats according to the Delhi Fire Services DFSSome schools in Najafgarh also received similar threats around the same time when examinations were underway heightening panic among students and parentsTeams from the Delhi Police Fire Services bomb disposal squads and dog squads were swiftly deployed Students and staff were evacuated but no suspicious items have been recovered so farSearches are still underway according to the officialsThe repeated nature of such incidents has triggered concerns across the city disrupting classes and exams Authorities said they are investigating the origin of the threats and whether there is a coordinated pattern behind themSaturdays bomb threats follow a string of similar hoaxes that have plagued Delhi in recent weeksOn September 13 a threatening email claimed that 16 Improvised Explosive Devices IEDs had been planted at the Taj Palace Hotel in Chanakyapuri Security agencies combed the premises thoroughly but the threat was declared a hoaxJust four days earlier on September 9 bomb threats were issued to the Delhi Chief Ministers Secretariat and Maulana Azad Medical College accompanied by warnings that explosives would detonate at 245 PM and 330 PM respectively Both threats proved to be a hoax after exhaustive searchesLast month too the city faced multiple similar scaresOn August 28 over 20 colleges were put on high alert after receiving bomb threats while on August 21 six schools received warnings of impending dangerIn both instances premises were evacuated and scanned with sniffer dogs but all turned out to be fake threatsThe growing frequency of such false alarms has raised concerns among the parents and staff regarding the safety of students IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/multiple-delhi-schools-receive-bomb-threat-students-evacuated-639546.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 09:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/anti-terrorist-operation-in-jampks-kishtwar-war-like-stores-recovered-in-poonch-639547.html Jammu Sep 20 An antiterrorist operation continued on Saturday in Jammu and Kashmirs JampK Kishtwar district while warlike stores of armsammunition were recovered by the joint forces in another operation in Poonch district Nagrota headquartered White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said on its official handle Contact with Terrorists In an Intelligencebased operation in the general area of Kishtwar alert troops of WhiteKnightCorps established contact with terrorists at around 8 PM on 19 Sep 25 Exchange of fire took place Operations are currently in progressIn another joint operation in Poonch district warlike stores of arms and ammunition were recoveredJointOperation Recovery of War Like Stores Alert WhiteKnightCorps troops while carrying out an Intelligence based joint search operation with JKP recovered one weapon AK Series four AK magazines 20 Hand Grenades and other war like stores in Poonch Sector SearchOperation in progress White Knight Corps said in another post on XJoint forces have been carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists their over ground workers OGWs and sympathisers in JampKDrug smugglers and peddlers are also on the radar of the joint forces as it is believed by the Intelligence agencies that funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala money rackets are finally used to sustain terrorists in the UTThe targeting of terrorists their OGWs and sympathisers together with drug smugglers and hawala money racketeers is part of the revised strategy of the joint forces to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terror in JampKIn majority of drug smuggling and hawala money operations the Intelligence agencies have been able to trace the roots to across the Line of Control LoC and the International Border IBJampK has an International Border of 240Km length spread over Jammu Kathua and Samba districts and a 740Kmlong LoC in Baramulla Kupwara Bandipora in the Valley and Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu divisionThe BSF guards the International Border while the Army guards the LoC IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/anti-terrorist-operation-in-jampks-kishtwar-war-like-stores-recovered-in-poonch-639547.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 09:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bail-hearing-of-gaganpreet-kaur-in-delhi-bmw-accident-case-to-be-held-today-639552.html New Delhi Sep 20 The bail application of Gaganpreet Kaur the main accused in the Delhi BMW accident case will be heard on Saturday at the Patiala House Court The case has drawn widespread attention following the tragic death of Navjot Singh Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and the serious injury to his wife Sandeep Kaur in a hitandrun incident that occurred on September 14 near Dhaula KuanThe Delhi Police which arrested Gaganpreet Kaur earlier this week has filed its response opposing the bail application Her legal counsel is expected to present arguments before the court on SaturdayOn Wednesday the court granted the police additional time to respond to the bail pleaIn a parallel development the court has also issued notice to Delhi Police on a separate application filed by the accused requesting preservation of CCTV footage from the accident siteAccording to investigators the fatal accident occurred around 1 PM on Sunday September 14 near the Delhi Cantt Metro Station The couple was returning from Bangla Sahib Gurdwara on a motorcycle when they were hit by a BMW allegedly driven by Gaganpreet Kaur Her husband Parikshit was seated in the passenger seat at the time of the crashWhat has further escalated public outrage is the accuseds decision to transport the injured victims nearly 17 to 19 kms away to Nulife MultiSpeciality Hospital in GTB Nagar bypassing several nearby medical facilitiesThe hospitals Director Dr Shakuntala Kumar confirmed that Singh was brought in already deceased while his wife had sustained multiple injuries She added that both Gaganpreet and her husband were also treated briefly in the emergency departmentFollowing her discharge from the hospital Gaganpreet was taken into custody by the police and later formally arrestedA case has been registered under various Sections of the IPC including culpable homicide not amounting to murder and rash and negligent driving The investigation continues with the police probing all angles including possible attempts to tamper with evidence or evade accountability IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bail-hearing-of-gaganpreet-kaur-in-delhi-bmw-accident-case-to-be-held-today-639552.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-to-launch-real-time-project-monitoring-platform-for-mega-infrastructure-works-639556.html Chennai Sep 20 In a bid to cut bureaucratic delays and boost investor confidence the Tamil Nadu government is preparing to roll out a technologydriven platform to monitor largescale infrastructure projects in real time Developed by the Tamil Nadu eGovernance Agency TNeGA the new system will cover 370 projects valued at over Rs 100 crore each spread across 14 key departmentsThe initiative discussed at a highlevel meeting chaired by Chief Secretary N Muruganandam aims to centralise information on both physical and financial progress of projectsIt will also allow bottlenecks to be flagged quickly and resolved through better interdepartmental coordinationOfficials said the portal is designed as a singlewindow dashboard featuring pendency tracking automated alerts to nodal officers and regular status reviewsThe move follows a push from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade DPIIT which has urged states to adopt the Centres Project Monitoring Group PMG portalHowever Tamil Nadu has chosen to develop its own system tailored to statelevel requirementsThe focus is on accountability and timely execution so that iconic and highvalue projects do not get stuck in procedural deadlock a senior official notedDepartments will be required to update project data every month enabling early intervention where timelines risk slippingTo support this nodal officers data entry operators and data approvers are being nominated by each department with TNeGA tasked to train themCentral government projects implemented in Tamil Nadu including railway and NHAI works will also be tracked giving both Chennai and New Delhi a common view of progressDepartments may additionally include projects below Rs 100 crore if they are considered strategically importantThe government expects the platform to improve predictability for contractors financiers and developers making Tamil Nadu a more attractive destination for bigticket investmentsOfficials said sectors such as industrial corridors port logistics and electric mobility would particularly benefit as project monitoring will be faster and more transparentBy adopting realtime monitoring the state hopes to reduce delays improve coordination and demonstrate strong execution capacity to investorsThis tool is designed to transform the way projects are managed ensuring efficiency and accountability at every stage sources said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-to-launch-real-time-project-monitoring-platform-for-mega-infrastructure-works-639556.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/army-soldier-injured-as-another-encounter-breaks-out-in-jampk-639557.html Jammu Sep 20 An Army soldier was injured on Saturday as a gunfight broke out in Jammu and Kashmirs JampKs Udhampur district even as another antiterror operation is ongoing in Kishtwar Officials said that in the encounter that broke out between the joint forces and terrorists in Udhampur district today an Indian Army soldier was injuredActing on specific information joint forces started an operation in the Dudu area bordering the Seoj Dhar highaltitude area between Doda and UdhampurWhen joint forces closed in on the terrorists an encounter started which is now going onEncounter is in progress Joint teams of SOG police and Indian Army on ground Jammu IGP said in a post on XOn June 26 this year Haider a terrorist was killed in an encounter in the DuduBasantgarh forest who was a top commander of Pakistanbased JaisheMohammad JeM He had been active in the area for the past four yearsOn April 25 an Army soldier was killed in the gunfight with hiding terrorists in the Basantgarh areaElsewhere an antiterrorist operation continued on Saturday in Kishtwar district while warlike stores of armsammunition were recovered by the joint forces in another operation in Poonch districtNagrota headquartered White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said on its official handle Contact with Terrorists In an Intelligencebased operation in the general area of Kishtwar alert troops of WhiteKnightCorps established contact with terrorists at around 8 PM on 19 Sep 25 Exchange of fire took place Operations are currently in progressIn another joint operation in Poonch district warlike stores of arms and ammunition were recovered JointOperation Recovery of War Like Stores Alert WhiteKnightCorps troops while carrying out an Intelligence based joint search operation with JKP recovered one weapon AK Series four AK magazines 20 Hand Grenades and other war like stores in Poonch Sector SearchOperation in progress White Knight Corps said in another post on XJoint forces have been carrying out aggressive operations against terrorists their over ground workers OGWs and sympathisers in JampKDrug smugglers and peddlers are also on the radar of the joint forces as it is believed by the Intelligence agencies that funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala money rackets are finally used to sustain terrorists in the UTThe targeting of terrorists their OGWs and sympathisers together with drug smugglers and hawala money racketeers is part of the revised strategy of the joint forces to dismantle the entire ecosystem of terror in JampKIn majority of drug smuggling and hawala money operations the Intelligence agencies have been able to trace the roots to across the Line of Control LoC and the International Border IBJampK has an International Border of 240Km length spread over Jammu Kathua and Samba districts and a 740Kmlong LoC in Baramulla Kupwara Bandipora in the Valley and Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu divisionThe BSF guards the International Border while the Army guards the LoC IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/army-soldier-injured-as-another-encounter-breaks-out-in-jampk-639557.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/three-nigerian-nationals-living-illegally-in-delhi-detained-to-be-deported-639562.html New Delhi Sep 20 The Delhi Police has detained three Nigerian nationals found to be living illegally in India officials said on Saturday Deportation proceedings have been initiated through the Foreigners Regional Registration Office FRRO after completing necessary legal formalities the Operations Cell of Delhi Polices South West District added The Nigerian individuals have been identified as 29yearold Eloumuno Gabriel a resident of Amambra 33yearold Chinedu Paulinus a resident of Asaba and 26yearold Sunusi Sani a resident of LagosAccording to police the trio initially insisted that they possessed valid visas deposited with the Nigerian mission However verification carried out with the High Commission of Nigeria and the Immigration Department revealed that they had overstayed in India and had not returned to their country despite the expiry of their visasAuthorities had received Intelligence inputs regarding illegal African migrants residing in Sagarpur and Palam village areasActing on the tipoff a police team intercepted the three suspects and sought identification documents When they failed to produce valid visas they admitted to living in India illegallyA search of their mobile phones led to the recovery of digital copies of their passports and Nigerian national ID cardsThe police said that during questioning the men revealed that they had been doing housekeeping jobs along with some African acquaintances in Shahpura Gurugram and NoidaThey were residing in Dwarka Sector01 near Palam village at the time of their detention and were looking for work when apprehended officials confirmedPolice have said the trio will remain in custody until the deportation process is completed in coordination with immigration authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/three-nigerian-nationals-living-illegally-in-delhi-detained-to-be-deported-639562.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 10:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-to-unveil-25-year-mobility-plan-qr-based-ticketing-for-chennai-639565.html Chennai Sep 20 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin will unveil a landmark 25year Comprehensive Mobility Plan CMP for the Chennai Metropolitan Area next week along with the launch of a single QRcodebased ticketing system that will unify all major modes of public transport in the city The announcements will be made during the second governing board meeting of the Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority CUMTA at the State Secretariat according to an official releaseThe CMP covering 5904 sq km lays out a roadmap up to 2048 aiming to build what officials describe as an integrated seamless safe and sustainable transport ecosystem for ChennaiThe plan seeks to increase the share of public transport ensure affordable fares fully integrate bus metro and paratransit services and reduce emissions through greater emphasis on nonmotorised and ecofriendly mobility optionsAlongside this longterm plan CM Stalin will also introduce the Chennai One Mobility App available on iOS and Android platformsThe app allows commuters to plan journeys track services in realtime and purchase digital tickets using UPI or card paymentsIts flagship feature One City One Ticket will enable passengers to switch between buses metro trains and suburban rail using a single QR code the first such facility in any Indian cityOfficials explained that the app available in Tamil English Telugu and Hindi is expected to cut queues at ticket counters and make transfers between different transport modes more convenientWith just a few taps passengers can plan pay and travel across modes a landmark reform for Chennais public transport said CUMTA special officer I JayakumarTransport planners believe that the CMP combined with the unified ticketing system could become a template for other metros seeking to integrate services and improve commuter experienceBy offering a common platform and a longterm vision the State government hopes to enhance mobility ease congestion and reduce pollutionWith these initiatives Chennai is placing itself at the forefront of mobility reforms in India seeking to create a modern commuterfriendly and sustainable transport system for the decades ahead IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-stalin-to-unveil-25-year-mobility-plan-qr-based-ticketing-for-chennai-639565.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/vd-satheesan-faces-heat-within-congress-party-in-kerala-639571.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 20 Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan once projected as the face of a generational shift in the Congress party in Kerala is finding the political ground beneath him increasingly shaky not because of attacks from the ruling CPIM but due to growing dissent within his own party When Satheesan was elevated to the LoP post in 2021 bypassing senior figures like Ramesh Chennithala it was seen as the high commands attempt to break away from the entrenched factional politics that had gripped the party since the 1970sFrom the bitter KarunakaranAntony rivalry to the ChandyChennithala years group wars have shaped Congress politics in Kerala Satheesans assertive leadership initially helped rein in veterans such as Chennithala and state party chief K SudhakaranHowever the tables appear to have turned with younger leaders Shafi Parambil PC Vishnunath and VT Balram challenging himMatters worsened when firsttime MLA Rahul Mamkootathil was hit by allegations of sexual misconductSatheesans tough stand against the legislator drew criticism from social media networks sympathetic to the young turks who accused him of isolating a colleagueObservers note the irony During Oommen Chandys tenure as Chief Minister 201116 Satheesan along with then KPCC president VM Sudheeran gave Chandy one of his hardest times Now Satheesan is experiencing similar resistance remarked a political analystBeyond internal rumblings Satheesan is also reportedly losing the confidence of influential community organisations like the Nair Service Society NSS and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana SNDP Yogam both crucial players in Keralas electoral landscapeThese shifts could weaken the traditional support base of CongressAmid these pressures Satheesan who has represented Paravur since 2001 after his initial defeat in 1996 is said to be weighing a shift to the Congress stronghold of ThrikkakaraThe constituency considered loyal to the party is seen as a safer betFor now Satheesan has maintained a combative front in the AssemblyBut insiders say the upcoming local body elections will be a decisive test of his leadership Any setback could not only dent his credibility but also embolden internal rivals furtherAt a time when the Congress is struggling to regain lost ground in Kerala Satheesans ability to navigate this storm may well determine both his own political survival and the partys future trajectory in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/vd-satheesan-faces-heat-within-congress-party-in-kerala-639571.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-initiates-underwater-archaeological-exploration-at-poompuhar-in-myladuthurai-639573.html Chennai Sep 20 The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology in collaboration with the Indian Maritime University has launched an underwater archaeological exploration at Poompuhar in Mayiladuthurai district historically known as Kaveripoompattinam The project aims to uncover material evidence of one of the most celebrated ancient port cities in Tamil historyPoompuhar occupies a prominent place in Sangam literature postSangam epics and inscriptions as a thriving hub of maritime trade under the Chola Chera and Pandya dynastiesThe port city is often described in ancient texts as a gateway for overseas commerce cultural exchange and maritime expansionDespite its frequent mention in Tamil literary sources large parts of its historical landscape remain buried beneath the sea following centuries of coastal erosion and submergenceThe new initiative guided by archaeologist K Rajan will focus on conducting systematic underwater surveys and explorations to identify remnants of ancient settlements port structures and traderelated activity in the regionThe team includes TNSDA Joint Director R Sivanantham along with technical specialists from both archaeology and maritime studies bringing an interdisciplinary approach to the workAnnouncing the project Tamil Nadu Minister for Finance and Archaeology Thangam Thennarasu said the state government is committed to documenting and showcasing Tamil history through rigorous scientific methodsThis initiative is a step towards bringing to light the cultural heritage of the Tamils and placing it firmly on the global map he saidHe added that under the leadership of Chief Minister MK Stalin the government has made it a priority to support projects that explore the antiquity and continuity of Tamil civilisationOfficials explained that the findings from the underwater studies are expected to yield crucial insights into the socioeconomic and cultural dimensions of ancient Tamil societyThe exploration will also help piece together the regions role in international maritime trade particularly its connections with Southeast Asia the Mediterranean and beyondBy marrying literary traditions with archaeological evidence the project seeks to provide a more comprehensive picture of Tamil civilisations maritime legacyScholars believe that the results could not only deepen historical understanding but also reaffirm Poompuhars significance as one of the ancient worlds great port cities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-initiates-underwater-archaeological-exploration-at-poompuhar-in-myladuthurai-639573.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-receives-rousing-welcome-in-gujarats-bhavnagar-639576.html Bhavnagar Sep 20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi conducted a roadshow in Bhavnagar Gujarat on Saturday where a large number of people gathered to welcome him Citizens lined both sides of the road as the Prime Minister waved while people showered him with flowers amid chants of Modi Modi and Bharat Mata ki Jai holding the Tricolour in their handsStudents dressed in costumes held dance performances along the road with the theme of Operation Sindoor as a show of gratitude to the Prime Minister Traditional dance performances were also presented during the roadshowThe Prime Minister will launch a series of transformative development projects across multiple sectors during a highprofile event held at Jawahar Maidan in BhavnagarHe will participate in the Samudra se Samriddhi programme and he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several development projects worth more than Rs 34200 croreAhead of participating in the Samudra se Samriddhi programme PM Modi said that the development projects which will be inaugurated during the event will benefit people from across the nation calling it an important day for the maritime sectorIn a post on X PM Modi stated Today 20th September is an important day for Indias maritime sector and our quest towards selfreliance At around 1030 AM will take part in the Samudra se Samriddhi programme in BhavnagarWorks worth over Rs 34200 crore will be inaugurated or their foundation stones laid These will benefit people across India Key policies relating to the shipping sector will also be our focus he addedA major focus of the event is the maritime sector with PM Modi inaugurating and launching projects worth more than Rs 7870 crore These initiatives span critical infrastructure upgrades across key Indian portsAmong the highlights is the inauguration of the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal at Indira Dock and the laying of the foundation stone for a new container terminal at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in KolkataAdditional maritime developments include a new cargo berth and container handling facilities at Paradip Port Odisha Tuna Tekra MultiCargo Terminal in Gujarat and modernisation projects at Kamarajar Port Ennore Tamil Nadu Chennai Port Car Nicobar Island Deendayal Port Kandla and inland waterway facilities at Patna and VaranasiThe Prime Minister will also unveil a substantial portfolio of projects worth Rs 26354 crore in Gujarat alone focussing on sectors like renewable energy port infrastructure roadways healthcare and urban transportKey Gujaratbased initiatives will be inaugurated including the HPLNG Regasification Terminal at Chhara Port the Acrylics and Oxo Alcohol Project at the Gujarat IOCL Refinery the 600 MW Green Shoe Initiative and the 475 MW PMKUSUM solar feeder for farmersThe Badeli 45 MW Solar PV Project and the complete solarisation of Dhordo village will also be inauguratedIn the healthcare and urban infrastructure sectors foundation stones will be laid for expansions at Sir T General Hospital in Bhavnagar and Guru Govind Singh Government Hospital in JamnagarPM Modi will also launch the fourlaning of 70 kilometres of national highways improving connectivity and trade routes in the stateSeveral MoUs will be signed between government bodies and private players reinforcing publicprivate partnerships and accelerating regional developmentThe Prime Minister will also undertake an aerial survey of the Dholera Special Investment Region envisioned as a greenfield industrial city built around sustainable industrialisation smart infrastructure and global investment IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-receives-rousing-welcome-in-gujarats-bhavnagar-639576.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 11:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mauritius-it-minister-lauds-indias-c-dot-lab-urges-deeper-bilateral-collaboration-639577.html New Delhi Sep 20 Mauritiuss Minister for Information Technology Communication and Innovation Dr Avinash Ramtohul who visited the Centre for Development of Telematics CDOT here has urged the need for deeper collaboration between the two countries in emergency alerting and telecom innovation the Ministry of Communications said The minister commended the centres disastermanagement and cybersecurity initiatives Ramtohul assessed CDOTs Early Warning System and Cell Broadcast solution and commented on its implementation nationwide to notify citizens including fishing communities of impending natural hazardsCDOTs cybersecurity stack includes a realtime Security Operations Centre Quantum Key Distribution PostQuantum Cryptography and SAMVADa a secure chat and calling application the Ministry saidCDOT CEO Dr Rajkumar Upadhyay introduced the Mauritius delegation to diverse telecom product portfoliossolutions in the areas of key applications such as Disaster management solution using ITU CAP protocol and Cell Broadcast solutionThe CEO also demonstrated new telecom innovations including 4G and 5G core and RAN networks switching and routing platformsThe solution is highly beneficial and would help in saving the lives of citizens including the fishermen community This engagement has set the stage for deeper forwardlooking collaboration in emergency alerting and telecom innovation Ramtohul saidHe also appreciated the RampD efforts of CDOTs research community and stressed the need for a larger collaboration for the development of futuristic and cuttingedge telecom solutions for mutual benefitsCDOT the RampD arm of the Department of Telecommunications has led Indias rural connectivity efforts and is currently exploring 6G use cases the Ministry notedOver the past four decades CDoT has been at the forefront of Indias telecom revolution bringing connectivity to rural areas powering the ambitious BharatNet NOFN project and delivering cuttingedge solutions in cyber security disaster management 4G5G next generation networks AI Network Management Systems IoTM2M applications among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/mauritius-it-minister-lauds-indias-c-dot-lab-urges-deeper-bilateral-collaboration-639577.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/potholes-not-created-develop-due-to-natural-causes-says-dk-shivakumar-639578.html Bengaluru Sep 20 Responding to criticism regarding the pothole menace in Bengaluru Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister stated on Saturday that potholes are not created but develop because of natural causes and heavy rain Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru Shivakumar said We are here to sort out the problem The BJP is doing politics let them do whatever they want This evening Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is also conducting a meeting Potholes are caused by nature no one wants to create themHe added that the increase in vehicles heavy traffic and excessive rain in Bengaluru had led to more potholesWe have already filled more than 7000 potholes and there are still over 5000 left on Bengalurus roads We have asked the Police Commissioner to submit a report on the condition of potholes Shivakumar statedEven common citizens are reporting them We cannot stop the BJP from doing politics Let them block roads or do whatever they want We are here to find solutions In all BJP Assembly constituencies I have released grants for BJP MLAs without discrimination even though the discretion was mine he addedShivakumar further questioned After giving them money why did the BJP MLAs not fill the potholes Even now we are releasing Rs 25 crore for BJP MLAs Let them do their jobEarlier while facing criticism over IT companies leaving Bengaluru due to its poor road infrastructure Shivakumar had said on Thursday No one can threaten or blackmail the government I will not stop anyone from leavingSlamming the Deputy Chief Minister for his remarks the Karnataka BJP stated that seeking accountability does not amount to a threat or blackmailThe BJP has announced that the party will stage a onehour roadblock in all Assembly constituencies across Karnataka including Bengaluru on September 24 in protest against the states poor road infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/potholes-not-created-develop-due-to-natural-causes-says-dk-shivakumar-639578.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-for-hiking-service-fees-in-14-temples-of-karnataka-639584.html Bengaluru Sep 20 Karnataka BJP has slammed the Congressled Siddaramaiah government for hiking the service fees for devotees at 14 major temples in the state which come under the Muzrai Department Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka stated on Saturday I dont understand what kind of perverse joy Chief Minister Siddaramaiah gets by creating obstacles for Hindu temples festivals and celebrations And now by increasing the service fees in 14 major Muzrai temples across the state including famous Kukke Subrahmanya he has dealt another blow to HindusCM Siddaramaiah stubbornly insisted on having people of other religions who have no faith in goddess Chamundeshwari goddess Bhuvaneshwari or in the cultural symbols of turmeric and vermilion inaugurate the Dussehra festivities Ashoka statedBy citing the excuse of expensive passes he has made it difficult for common people to witness the Dussehra celebrations CM Siddaramaiah why do you harbour such hatred and contempt for Hindus In Rahul Gandhis Constitution book are Hindus considered secondclass citizens Ashoka questionedThe Muzrai Department has issued an order increasing service fees in 14 temples including the famous Kukke Subramanya Temple Melukote Cheluvanarayana Swamy Temple Soutadka Mahaganapathi Temple Mandarthi Durga Parameshwari Temple and others The revised fees will come into effect from October 1Other major temples where service fees have been hiked include the Yoga Narasimhaswamy Temple Nandi Teertha and Mahaganapathi Temples in Bengaluru and the Vidurashwatha Narayanaswamy Temple in ChikkaballapuraHowever Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy has clarified that the decision to increase service fees was taken by the respective temple managements and the government order was issued based on their recommendationsAt the Kukke Subramanya Swamy Temple the fee for the popular Ashlesha Pooja and Nagara Pratishte rituals has been raised from Rs 400 to Rs 500 The fees for all other rituals have also been increased IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-slams-siddaramaiah-govt-for-hiking-service-fees-in-14-temples-of-karnataka-639584.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-people-dead-over-75-hospitalised-in-diarrhoea-outbreak-in-bihars-darbhanga-639593.html Patna Sep 20 A sudden outbreak of diarrhoea in Mohanpur village under Sadar block has left two dead and over 75 residents hospitalised most of them children during the ongoing monsoon season The deceased have been identified as Deeplal Yadav and Laxmi Devi both residents of MohanpurInfected villagers have been admitted to Darbhanga Sadar Hospital and Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital DMCH for treatmentRanjana Devi whose son is undergoing treatment at DMCH described how the illness spread rapidly in her householdFirst one of my children showed symptoms of diarrhoea and later the entire family including me developed the same symptoms We first went to the primary health centre but doctors referred us to DMCH for treatment she saidDarbhanga Civil Surgeon Dr Arun Kumar confirmed the diarrhoea outbreakWe have taken all precautionary measures in the village and established a makeshift medical camp with expert doctors Medical teams are conducting doortodoor checks and distributing antibiotics glucose ORS and other medicines among villagers The doctors are closely monitoring the situation in the village Dr Kumar saidSo far over 75 people are hospitalised though most have only mild symptoms The situation is being closely monitored by specialist doctors at DMCH and Sadar Hospital he addedHealth officials suspect contaminated water and poor sanitation as possible causes a common concern during the monsoonAuthorities have urged residents to drink only boiled or filtered water and to report symptoms immediatelyDuring the monsoon when lowlying areas of Darbhanga are affected by floods outbreaks of diarrhoea and other vectorborne diseases are commonOfficials have urged villagers to sanitise their houses and maintain hygiene while the district administration has begun sprinkling bleaching powder across the village to curb infectionsHealth authorities have also advised residents to drink only boiled or filtered water use ORS in case of loose motions and seek medical attention immediately if symptoms appear IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-people-dead-over-75-hospitalised-in-diarrhoea-outbreak-in-bihars-darbhanga-639593.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-two-inmates-escape-from-jaipur-central-jail-raising-fresh-security-concerns-639594.html Jaipur Sep 20 Security at Jaipur Central Jail has once again come under question after two inmates escaped in the early hours of Saturday The jailbreak which occurred around 3 am has sparked serious concerns as the same jail had previously been the source of threats to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal SharmaAccording to officials the two inmates managed to escape by scaling the main boundary wall using a rubber pipe connected inside the jail likely from the bathroom areaThe jail administration discovered the escape during routine checks and immediately alerted the police An investigation has been launchedADG Prisons Roopendra Singh confirmed the incident and identified the two escapees One inmate is from Karauli district and the other from Uttar PradeshAnas Kumar son of Nafish Khan is a native of Talawali Bagiya Firozabad UP and was living in Pratap Nagar Jaipur He was arrested in a theft case and had been in jail since September 15Nawal Kishore Mahawar son of Sohan Lal is a resident of Karauli He has been jailed since September 17 after being arrested by the Sanganer police in a theft casePolice have launched a search operation to track down the fugitives The ongoing security concerns have once again been highlighted as this is not the first time Jaipur Central Jail has faced questions over its securityRecently prisoners accused of murder were found to have uploaded a threatening reel on Instagram from inside the jail suggesting access to mobile phones and a lack of surveillanceNotably Chief Minister Bhajan Lal has received threats twice from within this jail On both occasions inmates allegedly used smuggled mobile phones to issue threats raising alarms at the highest level of state governanceThe latest escape has intensified demands for a thorough review of prison security protocols and accountability from jail staff IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-two-inmates-escape-from-jaipur-central-jail-raising-fresh-security-concerns-639594.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 12:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-school-job-scam-kolkata-court-to-rule-on-minister-sinhas-fate-today-639595.html Kolkata Sep 20 A key hearing in the multicrore cashforschooljobs scam in West Bengal is set to take place today at a special PMLA court in Kolkata The court will decide whether Enforcement Directorate ED officials will be granted custody of Bengal Minister Chandranath Sinha for custodial interrogation over his alleged role in the scamAccording to sources the fate of Sinha West Bengals Minister for Correction Services as well as Micro Small amp Medium Enterprises and Textiles will largely depend on how effectively his counsel can counter the money laundering charges brought against him by the EDThe ED has accused Sinha of engaging in fictitious financial transactions worth Rs 1273 crore through bank accounts held by him and his family members He has also been charged with failing to justify the sources of large cash deposits made in phases into his accounts as well as misreporting or underreporting his income in subsequent tax filingsOn September 6 Sinha surrendered before the same PMLA court in connection with the EDs probe into the alleged recruitment scam The court later granted him interim bail on a personal bond of Rs 10000 with certain conditions attachedSoon after the ED submitted its sixth supplementary chargesheet to the special court detailing financial irregularities in the accounts of Sinha and his family membersThe document highlighted a series of large phased cash deposits made into a joint account held by the minister and his wife Kuntala Sinha at a Kolkata branch of a public sector bankAccording to the sixth supplementary chargesheet a total of Rs 118 crore in cash was deposited into the joint account between January 2016 and November 2019 identified as the peak period of the alleged school recruitment scamEarlier this week ED counsel pressed for Sinhas custody to enable further interrogation citing documents submitted to the court that they claim substantiate the charges against himThe outcome now hinges on the special PMLA courts decision later today which will determine whether the agency succeeds in securing the ministers custody IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-school-job-scam-kolkata-court-to-rule-on-minister-sinhas-fate-today-639595.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kurmi-agitators-demanding-tribal-status-block-railway-tracks-at-over-15-locations-in-jharkhand-639600.html Ranchi Sep 20 Thousands of members of the Kurmi community held protests on railway tracks at more than 15 locations across Jharkhand on Saturday They are demanding Scheduled Tribe ST status The agitation has badly hit train movement on the HowrahNew Delhi main line forcing the railways to cancel divert or reschedule several trainsProtesters squatted on tracks at Rai Muri Tatisilwai and Mesra railway stations in Ranchi while similar demonstrations were reported from Giridih Chakradharpur Jamtara Dhanbad and BokaroClashes broke out at Pradhankhunta railway station in Dhanbad when security forces tried to clear the tracksDressed in traditional attire and carrying drums protesters began assembling at stations as early as 4 am despite barricades put up by the police administrationThe Kurmi outfits spearheading the agitation had already announced plans to disrupt train services at 100 stations across Jharkhand West Bengal and Odisha including 40 in Jharkhand alone on September 20Railway operations have already been hit The Dhanbad division canceled the HatiaBardhaman MEMU 13504 and HatiaKharagpur MEMU 18036 while the DhanbadAlappuzha Express 13351 was rescheduled from 1135 am to 635 pmSimilarly the RanchiChhapra Express 18613 was diverted via the RanchiTori route Traffic was severely disrupted at Parasnath Giridih Chandrapura Bokaro and Rai Ranchi railway stationsCalling the agitation a historic demonstration organisers said they mobilised support through villagetovillage campaignsSecurity has been tightened with the deployment of RPF GRP state police CCTV surveillance and drone monitoringAuthorities have warned of strict action against those damaging railway property adding that any losses will be recoveredMLA Jairam Mahato who heads the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha extended support to the Kurmi movementIn a video message he said the struggle was not just about tribal status but also about recognition for the Kurmali language and protection of land rightsAJSU MP from Giridih Chandra Prakash Choudhary led a protest at Hesalong railway station in Ramgarh district blocking the railway tracks IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kurmi-agitators-demanding-tribal-status-block-railway-tracks-at-over-15-locations-in-jharkhand-639600.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-enables-gst-grievance-redressal-on-national-consumer-helpline-639604.html New Delhi Sep 20 The Department of Consumer Affairs on Saturday launched a dedicated GST grievance category on the National Consumer Helpline to address queries and complaints related to the GST 20 reforms The National Consumer Helpline can be accessed at the tollfree number 1915 or online in 16 Indian languages and in English functioning as a single prelitigation point of access for consumers across the country to register grievances at the prelitigation stageConsumers can also register GSTrelated complaints through the Integrated Grievance Redressal Mechanism INGRAM portal covering key sectors such as automobiles banking consumer durables ecommerce and fastmoving consumer goods The GST reforms will take effect from September 22To address the expected consumer queries and complaints on National Consumer Helpline following the implementation of revised GST charges rates and exemptions a dedicated category has been enabled on the INGRAM portal the Ministry of Consumer Affairs Food amp Public Distribution saidOn September 11 officials from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs conducted an inaugural training session to equip National Consumer Helpline counsellors to handle GSTrelated queries and grievances effectivelyConsumer complaint data and insights will be shared with affected companies the CBIC and other authorities to enable prompt action under relevant laws enhance GST compliance and support a participatory governance model the Ministry saidThe omnichannel platform supports multiple registrations via WhatsApp SMS email a dedicated app web portal and the Umang app the ministry saidThe technological transformation of the National Consumer Helpline has significantly boosted its callhandling capacity the government informed Call volumes grew from 12553 in December 2015 to 155138 in December 2024Similarly the average number of complaints registered per month has surged from 37062 in 2017 to 170585 in 2025Around 65 per cent of grievances are now filed digitally Each complaint is assigned a unique docket number for transparent tracking and resolution the ministry noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-enables-gst-grievance-redressal-on-national-consumer-helpline-639604.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/second-nuclear-plant-coming-up-in-banswara-to-boost-rajasthans-energy-capacity-639605.html Jaipur Sep 20 After a gap of nearly 52 years Rajasthan is gearing up for its second nuclear power plant in Banswara following the success of the Rawatbhata Nuclear Power Plant in Chittorgarh Once operational and with further capacity expansion at Rawatbhata the states total nuclear power generation is expected to reach 6680 MW marking a major milestone in Rajasthans journey towards becoming a nuclear energy hubRajasthans energy sector continues to chart an impressive growth trajectoryAlready holding the distinction of being ranked number one in the country for renewable energy the state is now poised to make significant strides in the nuclear energy sector as wellAfter a gap of nearly 52 years Rajasthan is set to establish its second nuclear power plant in Banswara following the successful operation of the Rawatbhata Nuclear Power Plant in ChittorgarhOnce the Banswara project is operational and planned expansions at Rawatbhata are complete the states total nuclear power generation capacity will rise to an estimated 6680 MW positioning Rajasthan as a major hub for nuclear energy in India This expansion aligns with the states longterm vision of enhancing its role in Indias clean energy mission said officialsTo support the growing nuclear sector uranium exploration activities have gained momentumUranium reserves have been discovered in Khandela Sikar district where the Atomic Minerals Directorate is actively workingFurther exploration is also underway in regions of Udaipur Dausa and other parts of Sikar which is expected to reduce the states future dependency on external sources of nuclear fuelIn terms of projectspecific developments the Rawatbhata Nuclear Power Plant established in 1963 in collaboration with Canada currently has seven operational units with a total capacity of 1780 MWThe eighth unit 700 MW is nearing commissioning while plans for the ninth and tenth units 700 MW each are in progress taking the total planned capacity to 3880 MWNationally India operates 24 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 8080 MW With the addition of Rajasthans new units this figure will rise to 10180 MW making Rawatbhata the largest nuclear facility in the country surpassing even Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu which currently has a capacity of 2000 MWThe upcoming Banswara Nuclear Power Project will add another 2800 MW with an estimated investment of Rs 50000 crore This project is a joint venture between NTPC and NPCIL and will significantly boost Rajasthans nuclear infrastructureExperts emphasise that the development of nuclear energy in Rajasthan particularly through the Rawatbhata and Banswara projects will play a crucial role in enhancing Indias energy security while contributing significantly to the nations green energy goals over the next decade IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/second-nuclear-plant-coming-up-in-banswara-to-boost-rajasthans-energy-capacity-639605.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-canadian-nsas-discuss-counterterrorism-security-cooperation-mea-639609.html New Delhi Sep 20 National Security Advisor NSA Ajit Doval and his Canadian counterpart Nathalie G Drouin discussed strengthening the bilateral relationship in areas such as counterterrorism combating transnational organised crime and Intelligence exchanges the Ministry of External Affairs MEA said on Saturday Doval and Drouin met on Thursday September 18 in New Delhi as part of the regular bilateral security dialogue between the two sidesAccording to the MEA it was also an opportunity to follow up on the discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Kananaskis in Alberta Canada earlier this yearBoth sides acknowledged the clear momentum for rebuilding trust and expanding cooperation at the highest levels of political leadership They had productive discussions on advancing the bilateral relationship including in areas such as counterterrorism combating transnational organised crime and Intelligence exchanges the MEA saidBoth sides also agreed to work closely on the way forward and adopt a collaborative approach towards a new chapter in bilateral relations it addedThey agreed to strengthen security cooperation and further reinforce existing mechanisms of engagement The two NSAs also deliberated on the priority areas for future cooperation and exchanged views on regional and global developments the MEA statement readEarlier on Friday reacting strongly to the reports of growing Khalistani threats to Indian diplomatic missions in Canada including the Indian Consulate in Vancouver the MEA made it clear that it is the responsibility of the Canadian government to provide security as and when there is a concernIt is the responsibility of the Canadian government or the host government wherever we are wherever we have diplomatic establishments to provide security as and when there is a concern we do take it up with the concerned side in this case Canada to ensure that there is adequate security of our diplomatic premises MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated during a weekly media briefing in New Delhi while responding to a question on the threats being issued to the Indian Consulates in CanadaThe reaction came after the NSAs of both countries held talks on Thursday as part of the regular bilateral security consultations between Ottawa and New DelhiThe NSA of Canada held talks with our National Security Advisor I think it happened yesterday the 18th This is part of the regular bilateral security consultations that happen between the two countries It was also an opportunity and an occasion for them to follow up on the discussions that happened between Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney in Kananaskis on the sidelines of the G7 in Alberta Canada stated JaiswalIt was on the sidelines of the G7 Summit that PM Modi and Carney held a meeting aimed at reviving the strained ties between both nations The June 18 discussions were described as very positive and constructive by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri As an initial move both leaders had agreed to restore High Commissioners to each others capitals at the earliest opportunityFurther the two nations resolved to revive senior and workinglevel mechanisms on various fronts They also agreed to resume senior and workinglevel mechanisms and discussions in a host of areas related to trade peopletopeople contact and connectivity all of them intended to bring greater momentum to the relationshipThe ties between India and Canada had soured after former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged in the Canadian Parliament that he had credible allegations of Indias hand in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh NijjarA major diplomatic row had erupted when Canada labelled Indias High Commissioner and other diplomats as persons of interest in the investigation of Nijjars deathIndia denied all the allegations calling them absurd and motivated accusing Ottawa of giving space to extremist and antiIndia elements in the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-canadian-nsas-discuss-counterterrorism-security-cooperation-mea-639609.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/last-solar-eclipse-of-2025-to-grace-skies-on-sunday-night-639610.html New Delhi Sep 20 After witnessing a Total Lunar Eclipse or Blood Moon skygazers across the globe are in for a treat today as the last solar eclipse of 2025 will grace the skies on Sunday night The last solar eclipse of 2025 scheduled for September 21 will be partial and will not be visible from India People living in parts of Australia Antarctica the Pacific Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean may be able to witness the celestial eventA solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes directly between the Sun and Earth and the Moon casts a shadow on the Earth and blocks sunlight completely But during a partial eclipse only 85 per cent of the Sun will be obscured in some places by the MoonIn a partial eclipse Earths shadow appears very dark on the side of the Moon facing Earth What people see from Earth during a partial lunar eclipse depends on how the Sun Earth and Moon alignThe event will begin at 1059 pm IST on Sunday night reach its peak at 111 am IST early on Monday and end at 323 am ISTThe year 2025 had four eclipses two partial solar eclipses and two total lunar eclipses The partial eclipse on Sunday night is the second and last eclipse of 2025It will also occur a day before the autumnal equinox or the official start of fall in the northern hemisphere marked on September 22Astronomically this is the time when the Sun finds itself exactly above the equatorOn this day Earth isnt tilted toward or away from the Sun and both day and night are almost exactly 12 hours with a few small exceptionsMeanwhile the next solar eclipse is slated for February 17 and August 12 2026 While these will again not be visible from India the country will get to witness a solar eclipse in August 2027 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/last-solar-eclipse-of-2025-to-grace-skies-on-sunday-night-639610.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-swept-by-thundershowers-more-rain-on-sunday-and-during-durga-puja-predicted-639616.html Kolkata Sep 20 Kolkata woke up to thundershowers and heavy rain on Saturday morning disrupting daily commuters and adding to the concerns of Durga Puja organisers The Met Office has warned of more thunderstorms later in the day with rainfall expected to intensify from Sunday coinciding with Mahalaya While Durga Puja officially begins with Shasthi on September 28 the festivities start from Mahalaya September 21 which marks the end of Pitru Paksha and the beginning of Devi Paksha the fortnightlong auspicious period leading up to the festivalAccording to the weather department a fresh lowpressure area is likely to form over the Bay of Bengal next week raising the possibility of rain during the Puja daysA lowpressure system may form in the Bay of Bengal which could impact the weather during Durga Puja Thundershowers are expected in several South Bengal districts on Saturday and Sunday with heavy rainfall also likely in North Bengal said a Met officialCurrently a lowpressure trough is active from Uttar Pradesh to Bangladesh causing rainfall in North Bengal and pulling in moisture from the Bay of Bengal creating favourable conditions for showersOn Saturday thundershowers are expected in North 24 Parganas South 24 Parganas East and West Midnapore Jhargram Purulia Birbhum Murshidabad and Nadia On Sunday the forecast extends to Kolkata along with these districts Rain is also likely across all of South Bengal including the city on Monday and Tuesday for which a yellow alert has been issuedIn North Bengal heavy rain is forecast across all eight districts on Monday particularly in Darjeeling Kalimpong Cooch Behar Jalpaiguri and AlipurduarMeanwhile Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 284 degrees Celsius on Saturday 21 degrees C above normal while Fridays maximum stood at 324 degrees C 04 degrees C below normal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kolkata-swept-by-thundershowers-more-rain-on-sunday-and-during-durga-puja-predicted-639616.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-school-job-scam-hearing-begins-at-special-pmla-court-ed-seeks-7-days-custody-for-minister-639618.html Kolkata Sep 20 The key hearing in the multicrore cashforschooljobs scam in West Bengal has started at a PMLA court in Kolkata on Saturday afternoon The Enforcement Directorate ED has sought seven days of custody for West Bengal minister for Correction Services as well as Micro Small amp Medium Enterprises and Textiles Chandranath Sinha an accused in the caseThe hearing has started with the ED counsel given the first opportunity to present the argument in the matter and substantiate the charges brought by the central agency against SinhaLater Sinhas counsel would present his counterarguments in the matter and finally the court would decide whether EDs plea for custody for Sinha would be granted or the latters interim bail would be extendedOn September 6 Sinha surrendered before the same PMLA court in connection with the EDs probe into the alleged recruitment scam The court later granted him interim bail on a personal bond of Rs 10000 with certain conditions attachedIn his opening argument the ED counsel argued that their officials could have arrested Sinha last year only when Rs 41 lakh of unaccounted cash and other supporting documents relating to his involvement in the school job case were foundHowever our officials did not arrest him then since they were waiting for further clues against him in the matter Previously we had sent notices to him seeking certain documents He did not submit those documents then However he submitted the same documents within a day when pressure started mounting on him the ED counsel claimedThe ED counsel further said that Sinha is an influential person and can influence the process of investigation and hence his ED custody was essentialEarlier this month the ED submitted its sixth supplementary chargesheet to the special court detailing financial irregularities in the accounts of Sinha and his family membersThe document highlighted a series of large phased cash deposits made into a joint account held by the Minister and his wife Kuntala Sinha at a branch of a public sector bank in KolkataAccording to the sixth supplementary chargesheet a total of Rs 118 crore in cash was deposited into the joint account between January 2016 and November 2019 identified as the peak period of the alleged school recruitment scam IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengal-school-job-scam-hearing-begins-at-special-pmla-court-ed-seeks-7-days-custody-for-minister-639618.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 14:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-droupadi-murmu-performs-pind-daan-at-gayaji-639620.html Patna Sep 20 President Droupadi Murmu performed the sacred pind daan and shraaddh rituals for her ancestors at the Vishnupad Temple and Phalgu Akshayavat in the worldfamous Pitru Paksha Mela in Gayaji on Saturday This marks the first time in Indian history that a sitting President has performed pind daan a ritual believed to ensure salvation for the souls of departed forefathersThe President whose ancestral village is Upar Beda in Odishas Mayurganj region offered the rituals under the guidance of Rajesh Lal Katariar the keeper of ancestral records for families of Upar BedaDuring the occasion Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan Gayaji DM Shashank Shubhankar SSP Anand Kumar and other senior officers were presentSecurity in Gayaji was heightened for the occasion with heavy police deployment strict traffic control and constant surveillance along the Presidents routeEyewitnesses reported that the President carried out the rituals in strict accordance with traditional customs accompanied by senior administrative and religious officialsDuring the fortnightlong Pitru Paksha thousands of devotees from across India and the world visit Gayaji to perform pind daan for the peace of their ancestors soulsPresident Murmus participation not only enhanced the spiritual significance of this years mela but also drew national attention adding a moment of pride and reverence for Bihars religious heritagePresident Murmu arrived at Gaya International Airport around 11 am on a special Indian Air Force flight before travelling by road to the temple via the PatnaGayaDobhi fourlane highwayThe district administration and police had put in place multilayered security measures along the entire route from the airport to the temple with heavy deployment of forces and tight traffic control to ensure a smooth passageAccording to the route map President Murmu travelled from Gaya Airport via the DobhiGaya main road passing through Gate No 5 Bypass Ghughri Tad Bypass Narayani Bridge and Bengali Ashram before reaching Vishnupad Temple The return journey followed the same routeThe restrictions were in place during her visit to Domuhan to Sikaria Mor Gate No 5 to City Public School Chand Chaura Crossing Bengali Ashram and Ghughri Tad BypassNo vehicle movement was permitted during the presidents visitBarricading has been placed at multiple points along the convoy route and alternative transportation arrangements are being made for the public IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/president-droupadi-murmu-performs-pind-daan-at-gayaji-639620.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/president-appoints-justice-pb-bajanthri-as-patna-high-courts-chief-justice--639622.html New Delhi Sep 20 President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday appointed Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court an official said The 62yearold Chief Justice Bajanthri had taken oath as a Judge of Patna High Court on October 20 2021 Recently he was named as the Acting Chief Justice of the High Court after the elevation of Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi to the Supreme CourtBajanthri was appointed as an Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court on January 2 2015 and transferred as a Judge of High Court of Punjab and Haryana on March 16 2015 He took oath as Judge of Karnataka High Court on November 17 2018He enrolled as advocate in 1990 and practiced in Karnataka High Court KAT CAT and Educational Authorities During 199394 he appeared as a KPSC Standing Counsel He was appointed as Notary by the Government of India in May 2006CJ Bajanthri studied in Vidyavardhaka Sangha KLE Society and SJRC Law College BengaluruEarlier this month Advocate Arun Kumar was appointed as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court according to a Law and Justice Ministry statementJustice Johnson John Justice GU Girish and Justice C Pratheep Kumar who were functioning as Additional Judges were appointed as Permanent Judges of the Kerala High Court it saidLast month the Centre cleared the elevation of Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Patna High Court Chief Justice Pancholi to the Supreme CourtIn a post on X Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal had announced that the President after consultation with the Chief Justice of India CJI was pleased to appoint Justices Aradhe and Pancholi as Supreme Court judgesWith the appointment of the two judges the strength of the Supreme Court reached the sanctioned strength of 34 judges including the Chief Justice of IndiaThe Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on August 25 2025 has recommended elevation of the following Chief Justices of the High Courts as Judges in the Supreme Court i Justice Alok Aradhe Chief Justice High Court of Bombay PHC High Court of Madhya Pradesh ii Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi Chief Justice High Court of Judicature at Patna PHC High Court of Gujarat read a statement uploaded on the apex courts website IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/president-appoints-justice-pb-bajanthri-as-patna-high-courts-chief-justice--639622.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 15:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-visit-jampk-next-week-to-assess-damage-caused-by-recent-floods-bjp-leader-639630.html Jammu Sep 20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Jammu and Kashmir next week on a oneday schedule to assess the damage caused by recent floods a BJP leader here said Jammu and Kashmir BJP General Secretary Organisation Ashok Koul has confirmed the planned visit saying that PM Modi will visit the union territory during Navratras and the dates are currently being finalisedThe Prime Ministers visit to the floodaffected areas of both the Jammu division and the Valley is expected to take place during the Navratra festival beginning on September 22 although the exact date is yet to be decidedPM Modi will visit floodhit areas in both Jammu and KashmirSources also said that during his visit PM Modi is expected to announce a major relief package for the affected population of the Union TerritoryThe Prime Ministers visit is expected to be a oneday trip during which he will take stock of the destruction caused by cloudbursts landslides and floods triggered by heavy rainHe is also likely to meet with residents affected by the natural disastersA highlevel Central government team will accompany the Prime Minister to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the damage particularly in the worsthit areas of the Jammu regionAn aerial survey of the floodaffected regions is also on the Prime Ministers itinerary sources revealedBased on the findings of the visit and assessment the Centre is expected to announce a substantial relief package for the UTEarlier Union Home Minister Amit Shah had also visited Jammu to review the flood situation A central team has already completed a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the relentless rains across Jammu and KashmirJammu and Kashmir was ravaged by an unprecedented flood that adversely affected both the Jammu division and the Valley with the Jammu division bearing the brunt of the vagaries of natureA cloudburst on August 14 killed 67 people mostly pilgrims of Mata Machail Devi Yatra and injured over 100 others in Kishtwar districtOn August 26 32 pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine were killed when a landslide hit a shelter space on the route of the shrineThe landslide hit the shelter space when the Yatra was officially suspended and most of the pilgrims had returned to Katra base camp but many pilgrims had taken shelter which was hit by the landslide IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-visit-jampk-next-week-to-assess-damage-caused-by-recent-floods-bjp-leader-639630.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/be-it-chips-or-ships-they-must-be-made-in-india-pm-modi-in-gujarat-639632.html Bhavnagar Sep 20 Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Saturday that India advances with the spirit of Vishwabandhu however the dependency on foreign nations poses a significant challenge to the country He highlighted that Made in India products are crucial for achieving Atmanirbhar selfreliant status He reiterated that whether it concerns chips or ships they must be manufactured in IndiaHe said this during the Samudra se Samriddhi programme on Saturday in Gujarats Bhavnagar where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several development projects across multiple sectors worth more than Rs 34200 croreAddressing the large gathering at Jawahar Maidan in Bhavnagar India is moving forward with the spirit of Vishwabandhu global brotherhood and India has no major enemy in the world today but in true terms our biggest adversary is dependence on other nations This dependency must be collectively defeatedGreater foreign dependence leads to greater national failure For global peace stability and prosperity the worlds most populous country must become Atmanirbhar Reliance on others compromises national selfrespect We cannot leave the future of 140 crore citizens to others We cannot base the countrys development on dependence on others We cannot put the future of the coming generations at stake The remedy for all difficulties is an Aatmanirbhar Bharat he addedHe also mentioned that to achieve this India will have to confront challenges reduce external dependence and demonstrate true AtmanirbhartaUnderscoring that India has never lacked capability PM Modi launched a scathing attack on the then Congressled UPA government and said that after Independence the then ruling party consistently ignored the countrys inherent strengthsAs a result even after six to seven decades of freedom India could not achieve the success it truly deserved Two major reasons for this were prolonged entanglement in the licensequota regime and isolation from global markets at the hands of Congress he saidWhen the era of globalisation arrived Congress focused solely on imports which led to scams worth thousands of crores These policies caused significant harm to Indias youth and prevented the nations true potential from emerging he addedCiting Indias shipping sector as a major example of the damage caused by flawed policies PM Modi stated India was historically a leading maritime power and one of the worlds largest shipbuilding hubs Ships built in Indias coastal states once powered domestic and global trade Even 50 years ago India used domestically built ships with over 40 per cent of importexport conducted through themThe Prime Minister slammed Congress stating that the shipping sector later fell victim to their misguided policies and instead of strengthening domestic shipbuilding they preferred paying freight to foreign vesselsThis led to the collapse of Indias shipbuilding ecosystem and forced dependence on foreign ships As a result the share of Indian ships in trade dropped from 40 per cent to just 5 per cent Today 95 per cent of Indias trade relies on foreign ships a dependency that has caused significant loss to the nation he addedPresenting statistics before the nation PM Modi mentioned that citizens will be shocked to know that India pays nearly 75 billion approximately Rs 6 lakh crore every year to foreign shipping companies for shipping services He highlighted that this amount is nearly equivalent to Indias current defence budgetIf even a small portion of this expenditure had been invested by earlier governments in Indias shipping industry the world today would be using Indian ships and India would be earning lakhs of crores in shipping services he saidStressing the idea of Atmanirbhar Bharat PM Modi added If we have to achieve a Viksit Bharat by 2047 it must become selfreliant there is no alternative to selfreliance and all 140 crore citizens must commit to the same resolve be it chips or ships they must be Made in India With this vision Indias maritime sector is now moving towards nextgeneration reformsHe announced that from today all major ports in the country will be freed from multiple documents and fragmented processes The implementation of the One Nation One Document and One Nation One Port processes will simplify trade and commercePM Modi highlighted that during the recent Monsoon Session several outdated laws from the colonial era were amendedA series of reforms has been initiated in the maritime sector and five maritime laws have been introduced in a new form These laws will bring major changes in shipping and port governance he saidThe Prime Minister highlighted that in the past decade more than 40 ships and submarines have been inducted into the Navy and barring one or two all have been built in India He noted that the massive INS Vikrant was also constructed domestically including the highquality steel used in its productionIndia possesses the capability and lacks no skill The political will required to build large ships is firmly in place PM Modi asserted IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/be-it-chips-or-ships-they-must-be-made-in-india-pm-modi-in-gujarat-639632.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-cm-vishnu-deo-sai-condemns-attack-on-assam-rifles-in-manipur-639633.html New Delhi Sep 20 Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Saturday strongly condemned the attack on Assam Rifles personnel in Manipur At least two Assam Rifles personnel including a NaibSubedar were killed and at least five others injured when a group of unidentified armed cadres attacked a vehicle of the paramilitary force in Manipurs Bishnupur district on Friday eveningTaking to social media platform X he said The attack on the Assam Rifles in Manipur is condemnable Rifleman GD Kashaw a brave son of Chhattisgarh and two other soldiers made the supreme sacrificeI pay my deepest respects to the martyrs and offer my condolences to their bereaved families Their sacrifice strengthens our resolve to protect and unite the nation he addedA police official in Imphal said that the incident took place along the ImphalDimapur National Highway NH2 in Bishnupur districts Nambol Sabal Leikai areaA defence spokesman said that a column of troops of 33 Assam Rifles was moving from its Patsoi Company Operating Base to Nambol Company Operating Base when it was ambushed in the general area of Nambol Sabal Leikai by unidentified terrorists on the highway in the denotified area of Manipur In the ensuing action two personnel of Assam Rifles were killed and five were injured and have since been evacuated to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences RIMS in Imphal the spokesman had saidThe slain Assam Rifles jawans are NaibSubedar Shyam Gurung and Rifleman Ranjit Singh Kashyap As of now no group has claimed responsibility for the attackAssam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera condoled the death In a post on Friday on the Assam Rifles X handle he had said Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera AVSM SM Director General Assam Rifles and All Ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to Nb Sub Shyam Gurung and Rfn Ranjit Singh Kashyap who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Manipur today and offer deep condolences to the families of our Brave Soldiers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-cm-vishnu-deo-sai-condemns-attack-on-assam-rifles-in-manipur-639633.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 16:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-moving-ahead-with-courage-and-confidence-in-amrit-kaal-pms-principal-secretary-pk-mishra-639638.html New Delhi Sep 20 Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister PK Mishra on Saturday said that India is advancing with courage and confidence during the Amrit Kaal and stressed that institutions like the Indian Institute of Management IIMs will play a vital role in building capacity for the nations growth commerce and governance Addressing the second annual convocation of IIM Mumbai Mishra said In the midst of complexities and challenges India is moving ahead with courage and confidence We are in Amrit Kaal Our Prime Minister envisioned a grand vision for India in 2047 Farreaching changes will be taking place in India and the world in the coming decades PM Modi wants all of us to take the country to the next level through the process of reform perform and transformHe emphasised that the graduating students have a critical role in ensuring India becomes a developed country by 2047Mishra highlighted the rapid pace of technological transformation saying smartphones big data analytics augmented reality robotics blockchain and artificial intelligence are fundamentally transforming our world and the way we engage in it from how we interact to the way we move from one place to anotherReflecting on the changes of the past decades he said Nowadays one cannot imagine life without a mobile phone But for many years we lived without it and without realtime connectivity He underlined that capacity building remains central to Indias progressCapacity building is the process that brings lifelong change IIMs stand with the youth and we must combine ethics and technology to transform everything he later told reportersMishra lauded the contribution of IIM alumni in industry commerce and governance calling their role hugely relevant in Amrit KaalHe said resilience in times of global uncertainty requires not only professional competence but also adherence to moral and ethical principles urging graduates to adopt the spirit of a Karma YogiPointing to Indias efforts to attract talent back from abroad Mishra cited examples of academics like Dr Balasubramanian who returned from the US to contribute to capacitybuilding initiatives We have used the best possible talent from government and the private sector he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-moving-ahead-with-courage-and-confidence-in-amrit-kaal-pms-principal-secretary-pk-mishra-639638.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyan-benefits-over-42-000-women-in-gujarats-dahod-639640.html Dahod Gujarat Sep 20 Under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan more than 42000 women in Gujarats Dahod district have already benefited with the numbers expected to rise further in the coming days The campaign launched on September 17 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday and will go on till October 2 focuses on improving the health and nutrition of women and children across IndiaAs part of the initiative over 1 lakh health camps are being conducted at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and Community Health Centres nationwideIn Dahod alone 7755 health camps are being organised across District Hospitals SubDistrict Hospitals Community Health Centres Primary Health Centres Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and SubCentre Ayushman Arogya Mandirs where women are receiving free diagnosis and treatmentSpeaking to IANS Assistant District Health Officer ADHO Girwar Baria said On the occasion of PM Modis birthday the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan was launched which is running across the country and a part of it has been started in our Dahod districtIf the women of our homes are healthy the entire family will be healthy and happy These camps will benefit the women and they will get free checkups during this he addedAlongside the Nikshay Mitra Registration Campaign is also being implemented encouraging individuals institutions and organisations to adopt TB patients and contribute to the nationwide movement for a TBfree IndiaPrivate hospitals PMJAY specialists and clinics are also participating in womens health camps during this campaignDr Bhumika Thakkar from Zydus Hospital told IANS Our camp has been started from PM Modis birthday until October 2 under the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan where we conduct free checkups for the women who visit our camp in Zydus HospitalA beneficiary expressed gratitude for the initiative saying Under this ongoing camp I have brought my mother here for a checkup We have been called again after two days for further treatmentThe campaign coincides with the Ministry of Women and Child Developments annual Poshan Maah observed in September amplifying its impact by jointly focusing on maternal adolescent and child nutritionThe Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan embodies the vision of a healthy and empowered India integrating screening nutrition awareness and community participation to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047It promotes preventive and promotive healthcare services nutrition awareness and healthy lifestyles while expanding access to screenings at the community levelIt also addresses specific health challenges such as anaemia tuberculosis sickle cell disease noncommunicable diseases and various cancersWith a primary focus on women and children the initiative ensures antenatal care immunisation menstrual hygiene and adolescent health The campaign also mobilises ASHA and Anganwadi workers selfhelp groups youth volunteers and private healthcare providersDigital technology is being integrated into the programme to strengthen awareness campaigns and healthcare delivery making the initiative a comprehensive step towards advancing womens and childrens healthcare in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyan-benefits-over-42-000-women-in-gujarats-dahod-639640.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/another-student-found-dead-at-iit-kharagpur-in-west-bengal-suicide-suspected-639641.html Kolkata Sep 20 The death of another student allegedly by committing suicide was reported at IIT Kharagpur in West Bengal on Saturday police said The body of a researcher student was recovered from the BR Ambedkar Hall at IIT KharagpurThe police of Hijli outpost under Kharagpur Town police station recovered the bodyAccording to police sources the name of the deceased is Harsh Kumar Pandey 24He was pursuing PhD in Mechanical Engineering from the instituteHe hailed from JharkhandThe police have started an investigation into the matter trying to ascertain how it happened and what is the reason behind itA hanging body of a student was recovered from the institute It has been sent for an autopsy Prima facie it looks like a case of suicide But the cause of death will only be ascertained after we get the autopsy report and whether any foul play was involved a senior officer of Kharagpur Town police saidThe family members of the student have been informed about the tragic deathAccording to sources the institute will soon issue a statement in this regardThis is the sixth death reported from IIT Kharagpur this year a premier institute of excellence in the countryOut of the six five were found hangingIn January a thirdyear student of electrical engineering Shaon Malik died in an apparent death by suicideIn April a finalyear student of Ocean Engineering Aniket Walker was found dead in similar conditionsIn May 22yearold thirdyear civil engineering student named Mohammad Asif Qamar was found hangingIn July a fourthyear Mechanical Engineering student named Ritam Mondal 21 was found hanging in his hostel room He was a resident of Regent Park in south KolkataIn the same month Chandradeep Pawar a 19yearold Electrical Engineering student had choked on a normal cough and cold tablet he tried to gulp after dinner in the Nehru Hall messThis was only instance in the last five deaths which was not a suicide case IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/another-student-found-dead-at-iit-kharagpur-in-west-bengal-suicide-suspected-639641.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-army-conducts-integrated-fire-power-exercise-amogh-fury-in-thar-desert-639643.html New Delhi Sep 20 The Sapta Shakti Command of the Indian Army conducted a major Integrated Fire Power Exercise codenamed Amogh Fury at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges MFFR in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan The highintensity firepower cum exercise showcased the seamless integration of a wide array of firing platforms through coordinated combat manoeuvresDemonstrating the Indian Armys preparedness in a multidomain operational environment the drill involved insertion of troops and offensive ground actions highlighting synergy among various combat arms support arms and servicesThe aim of Amogh Fury was testing our combat power coordination and operational readiness in realtime battle scenarios said an officialThe integrated firing witnessed participation of multiple platforms including battle tanks Infantry combat vehicles attack helicopters longrange vectors of artillery and drones he addedApart from these modern technologies and equipment including networkcentric communication command and control architecture and realtime surveillance and targeting systems were also employed in these exercises to achieve pragmatic training of all ranksThe exercise placed significant emphasis on the use of contemporary technologies realtime communication and the creation of a common operating picture seamlessly shared with all stakeholdersThese capabilities were tested and refined to effectively counter emerging threats on the modern battlefieldThis exercise is a testament to the Indian Armys focus on jointmanship operational readiness and technological integration in Multi Domain Warfare ScenariosThis exercise comes in the backdrop of Operation Sindoor in which Pakistan tried to damage the defence infrastructure and harm the civilian areas by shelling and using drones in the bordering areas of Jammu Kashmir Rajasthan and Punjab which were all intercepted and neutralised by our security forces IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-army-conducts-integrated-fire-power-exercise-amogh-fury-in-thar-desert-639643.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-beneficiaries-receive-extensive-health-services-in-kutch-navsari-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-639644.html Gandhinagar Sep 20 Beneficiaries in Gujarats Kutch and Navsari districts are receiving a wide range of health services under the ongoing Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan The campaign aims to improve maternal and child health promote preventive care and ensure access to essential medical services particularly for women and children In Kutch over 13000 beneficiaries have availed health services at 539 medical camps organised across the district as part of the fortnightlong initiative These camps held at Community Health Centres CHCs Primary Health Centres PHCs and Ayushman Arogya Mandirs focused on comprehensive health checkups for women children and adolescent girlsServices included blood tests vaccinations antenatal checkups for pregnant women screenings for high blood pressure diabetes tuberculosis TB sickle cell anaemia cervical and breast cancer and other diseases Health awareness activities were also conducted to encourage healthy lifestyle choicessuch as reducing sugar and oil intake promoting local foods and practising good nutrition and menstrual hygieneMedical specialists including gynaecologists paediatricians ophthalmologists ENT specialists dermatologists and psychiatrists provided consultations and treatment during the camps Telemedicine services were also made availableBeneficiaries were informed about and assisted with registration for health schemes such as the Mother and Child Protection MCP card Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Ayushman Vay Vandana Card Nutritionrelated schemes like the Poshan Tracker and distribution of Take Home Ration THR were also implementedActive community participation was seen through blood donation drives organ donation pledges and volunteer registration under the Nishchay Mitra initiative Camps were inaugurated by local officials across several towns and villages including Bhuj Mandvi Nakhatrana Gandhidham and BhachauAlpa Mishra a beneficiary in Kutch told IANS I am getting good medical treatment here I want to thank PM Modi for thisIn Navsari district similar camps are being held as part of the statewide campaign which will continue until October 2 Rural and urban families are accessing healthcare through the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana PMJAY cards Health department staff are guiding beneficiaries issuing cards and offering free treatment under the schemeIn addition to medical care financial and nutritional support are being provided This includes food kits and Rs 3000 in cash assistance to TB patients Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the governments help especially those from economically weaker and workingclass familiesPriyashi Patel a 7month pregnant beneficiary in Navsari said I am getting treatment I want to thank PM Modi for this IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-beneficiaries-receive-extensive-health-services-in-kutch-navsari-under-swasth-nari-sashakt-parivar-abhiyaan-639644.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nitish-kumar-flags-off-science-exhibition-bus-inaugurates-virtual-reality-theatre-in-patna-639649.html Patna Sep 20 Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday launched a series of ambitious science and technology initiatives at a programme held at the Indira Gandhi Science Complex Planetarium in Patna The highlight of the event was the flagging off of the Science Exhibition Bus a mobile science service that will travel across Bihar to spread scientific knowledge among students and the general publicThe Chief Minister also inaugurated several key projects of the Science Technology and Technical Education Department by remotely unveiling plaquesThese included the commencement of construction for the Astra Park at the Planetarium and the inauguration of a souvenir sales centreIn a major step for technical education an MTech programme in Civil Engineering was launched at the Bihar Remote Sensing Application Centre Patna under the joint aegis of the Bihar Council of Science and Technology and Bihar Engineering UniversityThe programme also witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding MoU between the Bihar Council of Science and Technology and the National Science Museum campus for the construction of an observatory dome with a telescope at the Patna PlanetariumAn Internship Portal to provide research and training opportunities for students was also unveiledAdding to the list of attractions the Chief Minister inaugurated a stateoftheart Virtual Reality VR Theatre built at a cost of Rs 56 crore within the Planetariums main buildingAfter the formal launch CM Nitish personally experienced the VR setup and praised its design stating that it would provide students and visitors with a unique opportunity to explore science and technology in an engaging and immersive wayThese initiatives will inspire curiosity and innovation among students and strengthen Bihars scientific environment the Chief Minister said while interacting with officials and visitorsThe event marks a significant step in Bihars ongoing efforts to promote scientific awareness and technological education bringing interactive learning experiences to students across the stateCM Nitish also awarded degrees and honours to engineering graduates of Bihar Engineering University at a grand convocation ceremony in PatnaThe event celebrated academic excellence across various branches of engineering with topperforming students receiving medals certificates and special prizesThe Chief Minister felicitated Suman Kumar of Motihari College of Engineering Mechanical Engineering who secured the highest rank overall in the university with a cheque of Rs 50001 a gold medal a laptop a certificate and a BTech degreeBranchwise toppers were also honoured with a gold medal a laptop a certificate and a BTech degreeThe awardees included Vaishnavi Priya BCE Bhagalpur Civil Engineering topper Saloni Kumari GEC Nawada Electrical Engineering topper Hrithik Raj BCE Bhagalpur Electronics amp Communication Engineering topper Pramit Kumar BCE Bhagalpur Computer Science amp Engineering topper and Rani Kumari MIT Muzaffarpur Information Technology topperDeputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary Science Technology and Technical Education Minister Sumit Kumar Singh Education Minister Sunil Kumar Chief Ministers Principal Secretary Deepak Kumar Development Commissioner S Siddharth and Secretary of the Science Technology and Technical Department Pratima S Verma were among the dignitaries present on the occasionCongratulating the graduates the Chief Minister emphasised the governments commitment to promoting technical education and creating opportunities for young engineers to contribute to Bihars development IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nitish-kumar-flags-off-science-exhibition-bus-inaugurates-virtual-reality-theatre-in-patna-639649.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/aim-to-make-universities-in-delhi-world-class-cm-rekha-gupta-639650.html New Delhi Sep 20 Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday said that the government aims to develop all universities in Delhi including Dr BR Ambedkar University as centres of worldclass education and excellence so that not only students from the country but also from abroad prioritise studying here Inaugurating the newly constructed Swami Vivekan Bhawan at the Karampura campus of Dr BR Ambedkar University CM Gupta said Every resource modern infrastructure qualified faculty and stateoftheart facilities will be provided so that every student can experience a best university and stand confidently on the global stageShe said the new building of the University was being opened as part of the fortnightlong Seva Pakhwada from September 17 to October 2 to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthdayEducation Minister Ashish Sood highlighted that the birthday of PM Modi is being celebrated across the country as Seva PakhwadaPM Modis entire life has been dedicated to the service of the nation the welfare of society and public wellbeing For him every day and every moment has been solely and exclusively for the welfare of the country he saidThat is why the most appropriate way to celebrate his birthday is not through grand festivities but through service activities so that smiles can be brought to the faces of the needy and positive changes can be brought about in society he saidEarlier on the fourth day of the fortnightlong Seva Pakhwada the Chief Minister inaugurated a biogas plant in West DelhiCM Gupta hit out at former Chief Minister and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal for blocking Centrefunded projects in the city over the past decade highlighting that a biogas plant opened on Saturday in West Delhi was delayed since 2018Inaugurating the national capitals first largescale compressed biogas plant of the MCD at Nangli Dairy she said Kejriwal had failed to execute development projects funded by the PM Narendra Modi government Sometimes he used to say he could not sign the file sometimes he claimed that he was not being given a free handNow the governance of excuses has ended with the construction of this plant which will not only make energy out of cow dung but also prevent the waste from flowing into the Yamuna said the Chief MinisterShe said that work on the biogas plant began in 2018 but was never completed under the AAP governmentAfter the BJP government came to power it was swiftly completed in 2025 and handed over to the MCD When people asked Kejriwal about the delay he would blame Modi for not allowing it But the truth is they lacked the intent to work she saidCalling the new plant a dream project of Prime Minister Narendra Modi CM Gupta said the city generates 2500 tonnes of cow dung daily and the government plans to build similar biogas plants in all 11 districts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/aim-to-make-universities-in-delhi-world-class-cm-rekha-gupta-639650.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/caste-census-survey-not-possible-to-complete-in-15-days-says-union-minister-karandlaje-lop-ashoka-to-ktaka-govt-639654.html Bengaluru Sept 20 Union Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje and Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Saturday appealed to the Congressled state government to extend the 15day time frame fixed for conducting the socioeconomic and academic survey popularly known as the caste census The survey is scheduled to begin across Karnataka on September 22The leaders spoke to the media after attending a meeting of Vokkaliga community leaders in Bengaluru chaired by Adichunchanagiri mutt seer Nirmalanandanatha SwamiUnion Minister Karandlaje said The meeting has decided that the caste census cannot be completed in 15 days especially since the state will be celebrating the Navratri festival More time should be given for the survey To ensure the survey is conducted properly people should also be given time to verify that their data is accurate This facility should be made available onlineShe added It has also been decided that members of the Vokkaliga community should mention their religion as Hindu and caste as VokkaligaLeader of the Opposition R Ashoka said Under no circumstances should our community be divided The caste census cannot be completed within 15 days During this time the Dussehra festival will be celebrated and in north Karnataka several festivals will also be observed People will be travelling during this periodHe also added It has been decided to appeal to the government to extend the 15day time frame for the caste census All subcastes of the Vokkaliga community should declare in the census that their religion is Hindu and caste is Vokkaliga A decision has also been taken to oppose any attempt to divide the Vokkaliga community into subcastes The government is also urged to remove the VokkaligaChristian column If the government does not respond we will take to the streetsBJP MLC CT Ravi also alleged The Congress while speaking about vote theft is itself indulging in caste theft in Karnataka Initially there were 877 castes in the state That number was later increased to 1511 and now 211 new castes have been added Who gave the government the authority to increase the number of castes By tagging Hindu castes with the Christian religion this government is indulging in caste theftHe also said We will not allow this caste theft to take place We do not want an unscientific caste survey it must be conducted scientifically Why do they want to conduct the caste census during Hindu festivals Tomorrow is Mahalaya Amavasya when Hindus observe fasting and perform rituals for their family deities The government expects them to abandon these practices for the census If the Congressled government had scheduled the survey during the festivals of other religions there would have been largescale violenceHindu castes are being wrongly attached to the Christian religion A Brahmin cannot be a Christian but the government has created a BrahminChristian column Similarly members of the Vokkaliga community cannot be classified as VokkaligaChristian If injustice is done to our community we will take to the streetsNirmalanandanatha Swami said that the mobile number of every person should be collected during the caste census and the data gathered must be made available in the public domain IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/caste-census-survey-not-possible-to-complete-in-15-days-says-union-minister-karandlaje-lop-ashoka-to-ktaka-govt-639654.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/caste-census-survey-not-possible-to-complete-in-15-days-union-minister-karandlaje-lop-ashoka-to-ktaka-govt-639655.html Bengaluru Sept 20 Union Minister of State for Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje and Leader of the Opposition in Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Saturday appealed to the Congressled state government to extend the 15day time frame fixed for conducting the socioeconomic and academic survey popularly known as the caste census The survey is scheduled to begin across Karnataka on September 22The leaders spoke to the media after attending a meeting of Vokkaliga community leaders in Bengaluru chaired by Adichunchanagiri mutt seer Nirmalanandanatha SwamiUnion Minister Karandlaje said The meeting has decided that the caste census cannot be completed in 15 days especially since the state will be celebrating the Navratri festival More time should be given for the survey To ensure the survey is conducted properly people should also be given time to verify that their data is accurate This facility should be made available onlineShe added It has also been decided that members of the Vokkaliga community should mention their religion as Hindu and caste as VokkaligaLeader of the Opposition R Ashoka said Under no circumstances should our community be divided The caste census cannot be completed within 15 days During this time the Dussehra festival will be celebrated and in north Karnataka several festivals will also be observed People will be travelling during this periodHe also added It has been decided to appeal to the government to extend the 15day time frame for the caste census All subcastes of the Vokkaliga community should declare in the census that their religion is Hindu and caste is Vokkaliga A decision has also been taken to oppose any attempt to divide the Vokkaliga community into subcastes The government is also urged to remove the VokkaligaChristian column If the government does not respond we will take to the streetsBJP MLC CT Ravi also alleged The Congress while speaking about vote theft is itself indulging in caste theft in Karnataka Initially there were 877 castes in the state That number was later increased to 1511 and now 211 new castes have been added Who gave the government the authority to increase the number of castes By tagging Hindu castes with the Christian religion this government is indulging in caste theftHe also said We will not allow this caste theft to take place We do not want an unscientific caste survey it must be conducted scientifically Why do they want to conduct the caste census during Hindu festivals Tomorrow is Mahalaya Amavasya when Hindus observe fasting and perform rituals for their family deities The government expects them to abandon these practices for the census If the Congressled government had scheduled the survey during the festivals of other religions there would have been largescale violenceHindu castes are being wrongly attached to the Christian religion A Brahmin cannot be a Christian but the government has created a BrahminChristian column Similarly members of the Vokkaliga community cannot be classified as VokkaligaChristian If injustice is done to our community we will take to the streetsNirmalanandanatha Swami said that the mobile number of every person should be collected during the caste census and the data gathered must be made available in the public domain IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/caste-census-survey-not-possible-to-complete-in-15-days-union-minister-karandlaje-lop-ashoka-to-ktaka-govt-639655.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-attaches-rs-45-crore-assets-in-pmla-case-linked-to-mps-education-scam-639664.html Indore Sep 20 In a significant crackdown under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA 2002 the Directorate of Enforcement ED Indore SubZonal Office has provisionally attached 14 immovable properties worth Rs 45 crore The assets are linked to a massive financial fraud involving the Block Education Office BEO in Katthiwada District Alirajpur Madhya PradeshThe action stems from an FIR filed by Katthiwada Police which claimed widespread misappropriation of government funds between 2018 and 2023Officials and employees of the BEO allegedly cleared fraudulent bills via the Integrated Financial Management System IFMS siphoning off public money meant for educational developmentEarlier ED had conducted search operations under Section 17 of PMLA resulting in the seizure of incriminating documents and the freezing of substantial bank balancesThe main accused Kamal Rathore was arrested on August 7 2025 and remains in judicial custodyAccording to ED findings approximately Rs 2047 crore was embezzled through 917 fake bills and funnelled into 134 bank accountsThe accused reportedly laundered the funds by withdrawing large sums in cash transferring money among relatives and investing in real estate across Alirajpur and Panna districtsProperties were acquired in the names of family members and later sold to obscure the illicit origins of the fundsThe attached properties are believed to be part of the laundering network used to conceal the proceeds of crimeED officials confirmed that the investigation is ongoing with efforts focused on tracing additional assets and mapping the full extent of the money trail This case highlights the growing use of digital financial systems in orchestrating complex frauds and underscores the importance of vigilant oversight in public sector transactionsThe EDs swift action sends a strong message about accountability and the consequences of financial misconduct in government institutionsFurther developments are expected as the probe deepens into one of Madhya Pradeshs most significant educationrelated financial scams in recent years IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-attaches-rs-45-crore-assets-in-pmla-case-linked-to-mps-education-scam-639664.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-pm-jan-aushadhi-yojana-providing-affordable-medicines-to-poor-in-guna-639669.html Guna Sep 20 The Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Pariyojana PMBJP launched by the Central Government is playing a vital role in providing affordable and quality medicines to economically weaker sections in Madhya Pradeshs Guna district Under this scheme Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened near the district hospital offering generic medicines at lower prices The initiative aims to reduce the financial burden on patients by providing essential medicines at highly subsidised rates Citizens of Guna have welcomed the scheme saying it has eased the financial pressure of healthcare especially for families with multiple members suffering from chronic or serious illnessesLocals said that the Kendras have become a boon for lowincome families as a large portion of their earnings previously went towards costly medicines With the availability of generic drugs the economic burden on these families has significantly reducedSo far over 850 Jan Aushadhi Kendras have been opened across the country and the government plans to increase this number to 25000 Apart from making affordable medicines accessible the initiative is also generating employment opportunitiesOne beneficiary told IANS Its a very good scheme by the central government for the betterment of the poor My father is a BP patient and I am also a patient This scheme provides affordable medicines and I want to thank the government for thisAnother beneficiary said This is a great scheme Im receiving 90 per cent benefit We are getting medicines at very low prices I thank PM Modi for launching this schemeA third beneficiary added This scheme by PM Modi is a gift for the poor Im receiving 100 per cent benefit through lowcost medicinesThe Centre launched the PMBJP scheme to make quality generic medicines available at affordable prices to all Under the scheme dedicated outlets known as Jan Aushadhi Kendras are opened across the country to provide medicines at rates that are about 5080 per cent cheaper than those of branded medicines resulting in savings of about Rs 38000 crore to citizens in comparison to the prices of branded medicines 2110 medicines and 315 surgicals medical consumables and devices are available under the scheme product basket covering all major therapeutic groups such as cardiovascular anticancer antidiabetic antiinfectives antiallergic and gastrointestinal medicines and nutraceuticals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/madhya-pradesh-pm-jan-aushadhi-yojana-providing-affordable-medicines-to-poor-in-guna-639669.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ujjwala-yojana-brings-relief-empowerment-to-women-in-chhattisgarhs-kondagaon-639670.html New Delhi Sep 20 The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana PMUY launched in 2016 to provide free LPG connections to women from poor households continues to transform lives in rural India bringing both relief and empowerment In the Kondagaon district of Chhattisgarh women beneficiaries say the scheme has freed them from the drudgery of cooking on traditional mud stoves and spared them the health hazards caused by smokeThe central government scheme aimed at promoting LPG use in place of firewood and other fossil fuels has also reduced the time spent on daily chores giving women greater opportunity to focus on other activitiesSharing her experience Roshni Sori a resident of Bade Rajpur village said that Ujjwala Yojana has been a turning point in her lifeDue to Prime Minister Modis initiatives such as Jan Dhan Yojana Ayushman Bharat Yojana and Ujjwala Yojana I have received huge benefits If Ujjwala Yojana had not been there I would still be cooking on a traditional chulha spending so much time and suffering from the smoke Now cooking has become much easier she told IANSSori pointed out that access to LPG cylinders at subsidised rates has helped save both money and timeEarlier we had breathing problems due to the smoke from chulhas Now with LPG those health issues are gone This scheme has brought real relief she addedShe also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for driving womens empowerment through such welfare programmesBecause of PM Modi women like us have become selfreliant He has thought so much about the poor and we hope he will continue to work for everyones welfare she saidThe Ujjwala scheme besides addressing health concerns is widely seen as a tool for social change in rural India giving women dignity and independence in their everyday livesWith millions of connections distributed across the country the initiative remains one of the key flagship programmes of the central government in its effort to empower women and improve rural living conditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ujjwala-yojana-brings-relief-empowerment-to-women-in-chhattisgarhs-kondagaon-639670.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nearly-85-pc-of-oral-problems-are-preventable-experts-639671.html New Delhi Sep 20 With proper awareness and technology nearly 85 per cent of oral problems are preventable said health experts on Saturday Speaking at the threeday 35th Annual Conference of the Indian Society for Dental Research ISDR held here over 30 national and international keynote speakers emphasised the need for researchdriven collaboration across oral and craniofacial sciencesOral diseases may not always be lifethreatening but they silently erode the quality of life Nearly 85 per cent of oral problems are preventable if addressed through awareness preventive research and the use of affordable technologies Prof Dr Mahesh Verma Vice Chancellor Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University GGSIPU told IANSOur challenge is big Millions across rural and urban India either cannot access or cannot afford dental care Technology and innovation must bridge this gap Today as lifestyles change and the standard of living rises wellness cannot be achieved without oral health added Verma organising Chairman of the conferenceHe also urged the need to give attention to oral health in the national health agendaVerma said that dental research can be conducted in 36 categories including regenerative therapies revitalising dead tissues material sciences and public health approachesThe experts also noted how alcohol begins to silently erode oral health from the very first sipDr Aswini YB from the Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences stated that although it is commonly known that alcohol is harmful to the liver and body the damage begins much earlier right inside the mouthOur mouth has a delicate protective lining called the mucosa Alcohol dries it out almost instantly This dryness weakens the lining triggers painful blisters and makes the mouth far more vulnerable to infections Aswini saidAlcohol also reduces the flow of saliva the mouths natural cleansing system Without enough saliva harmful bacteria thrive infections spread faster and over time the risk of developing oral cancer increases the doctor addedAshwini also issued a stark warning about mixing alcohol with tobaccoThis deadly combination multiplies the risk of serious oral diseases including cancers Unfortunately its a habit far too common especially in India the dentist saidOther experts at the conference urged the public to recognise early warning signs such as persistent mouth dryness sores or discomfort and to take them seriously They stressed that protecting oral health is not just about brushing twice a day but also about making smarter lifestyle choicesThe threeday conclave has drawn more than 600 delegates including 150 international participants from 20 countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nearly-85-pc-of-oral-problems-are-preventable-experts-639671.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/smokescreen-or-strategy-why-isi-is-unlikely-to-shift-terror-bases-to-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-639672.html New Delhi Sep 20 Over the past week there have been many reports relating to the damage caused to the terror infrastructure in Pakistan following Operation Sindoor Terrorists on their own have been posting videos about the damage caused to the Muridke training camp of the LashkareTaiba Further terrorists of the JaisheMohammad have openly spoken about how their chief Masood Azhars family was blown to pieces due the operation that India undertook to avenge the Pahalgam attack that claimed 26 innocent livesAmidst this there was also news that terror groups are shifting out of Bahawalpur and Murdike and setting up their camps and headquarters in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPWhile outfits such as the LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammad have terror bases in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Indian Intelligence agencies however have doubts on this claimOfficials say that given the current equation that Pakistan has with the Afghan Taliban the ISI would not risk moving major operations of its top two terror outfits to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa The Afghan Taliban would be breathing down their neck and to add to the misery of the ISI would be the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTPThe TTP is very active in Pakistans northwest province Khyber PakhtunkhwaThere are operations that are carried out on a regular basis by the Pakistan Army against the TTP and this has made the place extremely volatile Hence the ISI may not take the gamble and shift the major bases of the two terror groups to KPThis week the security forces in Pakistan gunned down three terrorists including an Afghan national in KP The three were said to be involved in a bombing in Peshawar which led to the death of a subinspector and constableLast weeks raids by the Pakistan security forces in KP led to the death of 19 soldiers and 45 terrorists Pakistan has repeatedly said that the TTP with the help of the Afghan Taliban carries out attacks on Pakistani soldiersKhyber Pakhtunkhwas proximity to the Afghan border also makes the place a high risk zoneThe TTP has been accused of using the Afghan border to launch attacks against the Pakistan ArmyTaking all these aspects into mind the ISI may not want the terrorists of the LashkareTaiba or the JaisheMohammad to be caught in a cross fire Intelligence Bureau officials say that putting out news stating that operations are being moved to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to escape from the radar of the Indian forces could be a smoke screen to divert attentionPutting out such material gives the ISI the breathing space to create new infrastructure for the terror groups Pakistan may not have expected in its wildest dreams that India could carry out an operation of such a scale The precision strikes and the depth is what hit Pakistan the most and caused it major embarrassmentOfficials say that despite Operation Sindoor Pakistan will not change its policy regarding terror However this time it does know that any terror attack will be treated as an act of war and India will hit harderIn such an event it would want to ensure that even if there is a hit there is no major damage to terror infrastructure Operation Sindoor was a huge setback for terror groups especially the JaisheMohammad and LashkareTaiba There is panic among the ranks the ISI knows thisGiven the circumstances and taking into consideration the might of the Indian armed forces and also the rising tensions with the Afghan Taliban Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would not be the best option for the ISI to set up terror operationsIn the aftermath of Operation Sindoor the ISI started to pull terror camps and related infrastructure from known places It was decided that the main facilities such as the headquarters and the training camps will be set up close to army installations This decision was taken keeping in mind that in case of an operation by the Indian armed forces the Pakistan Army would be able to protect the terror infrastructure IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/smokescreen-or-strategy-why-isi-is-unlikely-to-shift-terror-bases-to-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-639672.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-bjp-councilor-k-anilkumar-suicide-note-blames-isolation-financial-crisis-639680.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 20 Thirumala ward councilor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and BJP leader K Anilkumar was found hanging in his office on Saturday A suicide note recovered from the spot reveals that he felt abandoned during a severe financial crisis despite having helped many during his lifetimeAnilkumar who also headed the Valyashala Farm Tour Society wrote that the cooperative had debts of around Rs 6 crore but assets worth Rs 11 croreHe urged that these assets be used to repay investors and appealed that his family not be blamedHe also thanked everyone who had supported himThe note reportedly contained criticism of BJP leadership alleging that the party did not stand by him when the society faced financial difficultiesHe clarified that neither he nor his family had taken any money for personal useA prominent BJP face in the capital Anilkumar had led several agitations at the corporation and district levelsHis sudden death has shocked the local political sceneHowever BJP city president Karamana Jayan admitted that the cooperative society was under stress but denied any misappropriation and the party was with the deceasedMeanwhile trouble broke out when the local BJP supporters got into a tiff with the media personnel who had come to report the incidentObjections were raised by the local BJP workers and seen engaged in a tiff with the media personnelThe media people came under duress and their equipment was also targeted by the BJP workersThe suicide incident has shocked the BJP leadership as in the 101 member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation the BJP is the leading opposition party and with the soon to be held local body polls in the state the state leadership is expecting that they will be able to gain control of the Thiruvananthapuram CorporationThe BJP has been accusing the ruling CPIM in the Corporation of indulging in widespread alleged corrupt deals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-bjp-councilor-k-anilkumar-suicide-note-blames-isolation-financial-crisis-639680.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-bjp-councilor-k-anilkumars-suicide-note-blames-isolation-financial-crisis-639681.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 20 Thirumala ward councilor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation and BJP leader K Anilkumar was found hanging in his office on Saturday A suicide note recovered from the spot reveals that he felt abandoned during a severe financial crisis despite having helped many during his lifetimeAnilkumar who also headed the Valyashala Farm Tour Society wrote that the cooperative had debts of around Rs 6 crore but assets worth Rs 11 croreHe urged that these assets be used to repay investors and appealed that his family not be blamedHe also thanked everyone who had supported himThe note reportedly contained criticism of BJP leadership alleging that the party did not stand by him when the society faced financial difficultiesHe clarified that neither he nor his family had taken any money for personal useA prominent BJP face in the capital Anilkumar had led several agitations at the corporation and district levelsHis sudden death has shocked the local political sceneHowever BJP city president Karamana Jayan admitted that the cooperative society was under stress but denied any misappropriation and the party was with the deceasedMeanwhile trouble broke out when the local BJP supporters got into a tiff with the media personnel who had come to report the incidentObjections were raised by the local BJP workers and seen engaged in a tiff with the media personnelThe media people came under duress and their equipment was also targeted by the BJP workersThe suicide incident has shocked the BJP leadership as in the 101 member Thiruvananthapuram Corporation the BJP is the leading opposition party and with the soon to be held local body polls in the state the state leadership is expecting that they will be able to gain control of the Thiruvananthapuram CorporationThe BJP has been accusing the ruling CPIM in the Corporation of indulging in widespread alleged corrupt deals IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-bjp-councilor-k-anilkumars-suicide-note-blames-isolation-financial-crisis-639681.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 19:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nanotech-ai-robotics-shaping-up-healthcare-as-much-as-space-exploration-isro-chairman-639683.html New Delhi Sep 20 Advanced technologies such as nanotechnology Artificial Intelligence and robotics are playing a similar role in shaping healthcare and space exploration said ISRO chairman Dr V Narayanan Speaking at the IADR Asia Pacific Regional amp 35th ISDR Annual Conference 2025 here he elucidated ISROs advancement in the field of spaceNarayanan Chairman Space Commission and Secretary Department of Space ISRO also spoke of Indias rise on the global stage and the importance of scientific convergenceIndia has put itself firmly on the global map Chandrayaan made us the only country to achieve a successful soft landing Engineering and medicine cannot remain apart he saidNanotechnology AI and robotics are transforming healthcare as much as they are shaping space exploration he addedThe noted cryogenic engineer and rocket scientist shared about his hobby of reading medical books He also urged for a collaboration between ISRO and medical institutes to boost innovationReading medical books has always been my hobby and I strongly believe that collaboration between ISRO and medical institutes will take innovation further Narayanan saidThe expert also lauded medical science for increasing longevity among humansToday Indias literacy has reached 79 per cent and the average healthy lifespan of Indians has increased because of medical progress We have made significant advances across all fields he addedAt the event Prof Abhijat Sheth Chairman National Medical Commission emphasised the need to strengthen the foundations of medical educationTwo critical areas often overlooked in medical training are clinical research and communication These must be made an integral part of the basic curriculum Sheth saidEmbedding them early will help nurture a culture of research innovation and discovery he addedThe threeday conclave drew more than 600 delegates including 150 international participants from 20 countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nanotech-ai-robotics-shaping-up-healthcare-as-much-as-space-exploration-isro-chairman-639683.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-skill-india-empowers-kondagaon-youth-through-pm-kaushal-vikas-yojana-639685.html New Delhi Sep 20 The Prime Minister Kaushal Vikas Yojana PMKVY popularly known as the Prime Minister Youth Training Programme is transforming the lives of young people in Kondagaon Chhattisgarh by equipping them with marketrelevant skills and boosting their employment prospects Launched in July 2015 PMKVY was envisioned as a flagship scheme of the Central Government to provide training to 1 crore youth by 2020Its objective is to offer job opportunities to those with limited formal education or who dropped out of schoolUnder the programme candidates can register for training courses of three months six months or one year On successful completion trainees receive certificates that are valid across the countryThe scheme has since grown into one of the largest skill development initiatives in India According to government data PMKVY has trained nearly 137 crore people preparing them for employment in a rapidly changing job marketTo support this effort over 720 Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras PMKKs have been set up nationwide These centres serve as stateoftheart hubs of vocational education using modern pedagogy and technology to polish skills across diverse sectorsHighlighting the impact of the scheme Vidya Thakur a student in Kondagaon told IANS Because of PM Modis Kaushal Vikas Yojana I am able to undergo computer training free of cost Along with this I have benefited from schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana and Ayushman Bharat Without these initiatives I would not have been able to polish my skills This training will help me get a job in the futureShe added that such schemes are not only creating employment opportunities but are also empowering people from economically weaker sections especially womenBecause of these programmes poverty has reduced and women are becoming socially and financially independent she saidWith its growing reach the Skill India mission under PMKVY continues to play a critical role in shaping a workforce ready for the vision of a New India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/chhattisgarh-skill-india-empowers-kondagaon-youth-through-pm-kaushal-vikas-yojana-639685.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-attaches-properties-valued-at-rs-115-crore-in-zoom-developers-money-laundering-case-639686.html Bhopal Sep 20 In a decisive move under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA 2002 the Bhopal Zonal Office of the Enforcement Directorate ED on Saturday has provisionally attached three immovable properties worth Rs 115 crore in Maharashtra The action carried out on September 19 2025 is part of an ongoing investigation into financial irregularities involving Ms Zoom Developers Private Limited ZDPLThe probe was initiated based on FIRs and charge sheets filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBIs Bank Security and Fraud Cell in New Delhi and the Economic Offences Wing EOW in MumbaiThese documents revealed that ZDPL fraudulently obtained funds from Punjab National Bank PNB and other consortium banksAccording to the ED findings the embezzled funds classified as proceeds of crime were routed through joint ventures such as Zoom Hindustan Peter Oates Joint VentureThe money was ultimately diverted to entities including Ms Hindustan Mortar Lining Limited Liability Partnership and its associates who used the funds to acquire immovable assetsThis latest attachment adds to a growing list of enforcement actions in the caseThe ED has previously issued five provisional attachment orders seizing movable and immovable properties valued at Rs 13134 croreAdditionally one prosecution complaint and two supplementary prosecution complaints have been filed signalling the agencys commitment to pursuing legal accountabilityThe attached properties are believed to be part of a complex laundering network designed to obscure the origins of the defrauded fundsThe ED officials emphasised that the investigation is still underway with efforts focused on tracing additional assets and identifying all beneficiaries involved in the schemeThis case underscores the scale and sophistication of financial frauds targeting Indias banking system and highlights the role of joint ventures and shell entities in laundering illicit fundsThe EDs continued action reflects its resolve to dismantle such networks and recover public moneyFurther developments are expected as the investigation progresses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-attaches-properties-valued-at-rs-115-crore-in-zoom-developers-money-laundering-case-639686.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 20:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-unveils-comprehensive-logistics-cost-assessment-to-boost-global-competitiveness-639691.html New Delhi Sep 20 For the first time India will have a comprehensive and scientifically derived estimate of logistics costs using a hybrid methodology that combines secondary data with nationwide surveys the government said on Saturday The initiative follows the mandate of the National Logistics Policy 2022 to establish a uniform framework for measuring logistics costs and benchmarking them against global practicesOn the occasion of marking a decade of Make in India Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal launched a report on Assessment of Logistics Cost in India at an event hereHe highlighted that the government has undertaken multiple initiatives to make logistics more competitive and reduce the cost of doing business in IndiaThe minister noted that studies and reports prepared by the Industry and Commerce Departments are helping identify key issues in logistics costsEfforts such as mapping each Harmonised System of Nomenclature HSN code to the respective line ministry streamline coordination and strengthen Indias position in free trade agreement FTA negotiationsHe further emphasised that the creation of a logistics data bank the implementation of integrated state and city logistics plans under the SMILE programme in collaboration with the ADB and infrastructure projects spearheaded by NICDC and other agencies aim to assess available facilities improve transport and connectivity and reduce inefficienciesThese measures along with reforms such as GST implementation and rationalisation are central to ongoing efforts to reduce logistics costs enhance ease of doing business and boost competitivenessUntil now logistics costs in India were often misrepresented with commonly cited figures of 1314 per cent of GDP derived from external studies or partial datasetsThis led to inconsistent estimates causing confusion among policymakers and global stakeholders As per the current assessment prepared by NCAER for DPIIT logistics costs in India are estimated at about 797 per cent of total GDPThe report provides a comprehensive framework by capturing logistics costs across different transport modes product categories and firm sizesIt also presents estimates of freight cost per tonnekilometre and highlights the role of multimodality in enhancing efficiency By providing evidencebased guidance the study strengthens Indias efforts to improve competitiveness and supports the broader vision of positioning the country as a global logistics hub IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-unveils-comprehensive-logistics-cost-assessment-to-boost-global-competitiveness-639691.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 21:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/west-bengal-man-handed-20-year-ri-for-raping-minor-daughter-639699.html Kolkata Sep 20 A fasttrack district court in Alipurduar district of West Bengal on Saturday sentenced a convict of raping his own minor daughter multiple times in 2023 to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years The fasttrack court even imposed a financial penalty of Rs 10000 on the convicted father In case of nonpayment of the penalty amount he will be subjected to rigorous imprisonment for another two monthsThe police complaint against the convicted father a resident of the Shamuktala area in Alipurduar district of West Bengal was filed by his own minor daughter at the local station in January 2023 accusing her father of raping her multiple timesIn her complaint she said that after her mothers death a few months before she and her minor daughter stayed at their ancestral residence with their father As per the complaint after some time after her mothers death she was raped for the first time by her own father and thereafter he committed the crime many more timesAlthough she remained silent initially after some time she decided to bring the matter to the notice of the police The police after an initial investigation arrested the accused father and registered a case against himDuring the investigation it was also revealed that he used to physically torture his deceased wife when the latter was alive In the same year the police filed the charegsheet against the accused at the fasttrack court at Alipurduar and thereafter the trial process startedThe statements of a total of 15 witnesses were recorded during the trial process and finally the accused father was first convicted and then sentenced to 20 years of rigorous imprisonmentThe court has also directed the state government to pay a compensation of Rs 3 lakh to the victimWest Bengal had been in the national headlines for the last one year over reports of ghastly rapes and rapemurder instances with many cases involving minors The most talked about case on this count was the ghastly rape amp murder of a lady junior doctor of RG Kar Medical College amp Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises last year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/west-bengal-man-handed-20-year-ri-for-raping-minor-daughter-639699.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 22:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-pressure-demands-national-unity-not-partisan-blame-639702.html New Delhi Sep 20 At a time when global diplomacy is being tested by unpredictable leadership in major powers India must rise above internal divisions to defend its sovereignty and national interest The recent antagonistic posturing by US President Donald Trump is not unique to India he has bullied longstanding allies such as Europe Japan South Korea Canada and Mexico His transactional worldview treats foreign relations like business deals demanding concessions while offering little in return Indias refusal to bow to such pressure should be a point of national pride not domestic criticism Unfortunately some voices in the opposition have chosen to blame the Indian government for Trumps antagonism say political observers This approach weakens our united front at a time when national solidarity is most crucial Unlike certain countries India has not pandered to the Trump administration through backdoor business deals or personal connections with his inner circle added the analysts We have charted an independent path that prioritises national interest over political expediency or superficial personal rapport say expertsAccording to diplomatic analysts India has made significant strides in its relationship with the US over the past two decades under governments of different political leanings Defence cooperation technology transfers and strategic alignment in the IndoPacific have deepened If Trump seeks to unravel these gains to appeal to his domestic MAGA Make America Great Again base it reflects his erratic diplomacynot a failure of Indian statecraft say expertsThis is not the moment to mock the government or score political points The question being asked is whether the opposition would prefer that India concede to American demands on GMO crops or dairy market access at the cost of farmer livelihoods and food sovereignty Strong democracies thrive on debate but when it comes to foreign bullying unity sends a stronger signal than divisionWe can and must continue with robust domestic political contestation But on matters of external pressure and safeguarding Indias strategic autonomy closing ranks and showing a united face is not just wiseit is essential Let domestic politics remain vibrant but let our national interest remain sacred say analysts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/foreign-pressure-demands-national-unity-not-partisan-blame-639702.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cops-disguised-as-fishermen-arrest-man-accused-of-sexually-abusing-minor-639704.html Kolkata Sep 20 The West Bengal Police on Saturday arrested a person accused of sexually abusing a minor from middle of the sea after disguising themselves as fishermen The accused has been absconding for a year and had escaped previous attempts by the police to catch him The police had chased him in 20 states before finally catching him from Bay of Bengal where he was hiding in a fishing boatAccording to the police he was arrested in a raid in the middle of the sea between KakdwipNamkhana in South 24 Parganas districtRanaghat police district superintendent Aashish Kumar Maurya said This accused had been absconding for the last one year The accused may be involved in women and child trafficking Finally our team work was successful Everyone involved in this operation showed their skills Arresting the accused in the middle of the sea is one of the successesThe arrest was made based on a missing complaint of a minor girl in October 2024 at Haringhata police station of Ranaghat police district in Nadia district Searches were conducted at multiple places in search of the minor girlThe name of a person associated with a child and women trafficking gang came upIn July this year the missing minor girl was rescued from Kalyani in Nadia district After the girls medical examination the police came to know that she was pregnantFollowing this the police started an investigation by linking the POCSO Act with the missing person case which was then converted into a kidnapping caseThe police said the search for the accused was going on under the supervision of an officer of the rank of DSP The Special Operations Group SOG of the police and the Special Investigation Team were keeping an eye on the accused Tracking the tower location on his mobile showed that he was changing his location repeatedly The accused had been roaming between Namkhana and Kakdwip areas of South 24 Parganas for the past one month It was learnt that he was hiding in a fishing boat in the middle of the seaIn the sea operation two subinspectors and two constables of Ranaghat police district disguised themselves as fishermen and approached the boat which was more than 10 km deep in the sea Finally the accused was arrested from that fishing boat and brought to the land IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cops-disguised-as-fishermen-arrest-man-accused-of-sexually-abusing-minor-639704.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-mamata-begins-durga-puja-inauguration-highlights-harassment-of-bengali-migrant-workers-639705.html Kolkata Sep 20 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday inaugurated several Durga puja mandaps and used the occasion to send the message of unity in diversity While inaugurating a Durga puja mandap in Kolkata Chief Minister Banerjee once again highlighted the issue of alleged harassment of Bengalispeaking migrant workers across the countryIn Bengal different communities celebrate the festival of Durga Puja together All of them come together on the occasion of Durga Puja which defines the unique spirit of Bengal Someone may call his mother Maa and another may say Amma But the love respect bonding remains the same the Chief Minister said after inaugurating the mandap at Sreebhumi Durga PujaI respect my mother tongue I also respect the mother tongues of other people They should also respect Bengali Bengalispeaking migrant workers should not be harassed in any way We must remain united against all conspiracies to divide us Otherwise the country will split One has to remember that Bengal is a part of India and we must be respectful about Bengal its culture songs and creative works she addedThe Chief Minister also urged people to stay safe in view of the inclement weather and asked people not to get wet in the rainWe have to be alert We are keeping a watch on the situation If there is rain in Jharkhand Bihar and our state gets affected Similarly if neighbouring states experience heavy rainfall it often results in floods here due to overflowing reservoirs Given Bengals geographic location we face such challenges Lets hope for a rainfree Durga Puja as lakhs of people eagerly await the festivities she saidThe Chief Minister told that she will inaugurate 3000 Durga pujas most of these virtually ahead of the fiveday festivalShe added that 17 songs written by her will be released on Mahalaya Sunday marking the beginning of Devi PakshaOn Saturday afternoon the Chief Minister also inaugurated the Hatibagan Durga Puja and the Tala Prottoy PujaI am not unveiling the deities that can be done only from Mahalaya marking the advent of Devi Paksha I am only inaugurating the pandals having beautiful interiors reflecting the heritage and aesthetics of Bengal she added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-mamata-begins-durga-puja-inauguration-highlights-harassment-of-bengali-migrant-workers-639705.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/akali-dal-chief-flags-off-100-trucks-of-maize-silage-for-flood-hit-areas-of-punjab-639706.html Chandigarh Sep 20 Shiromani Akali Dal SAD President Sukhbir Badal on Saturday flagged off 100 trucks of maize silage for distribution in Gurdaspur and Jalandhar districts to serve as fodder for livestock He said the party would distribute wheat to 50000 poor floodaffected families for the next one month Addressing the media after flagging off trucks at the grain market here the SAD president said party observers who had visited floodhit areas reported severe shortage of fodder for livestock and accordingly the party had decided to procure maize silage for distributionHe said simultaneously poor people had reported that they were short of rations due to loss of livelihood for one month Accordingly we have decided to provide wheat to 50000 families Badal also announced that the party and the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee SGPC would each distribute certified seed for 1 lakh acres of landWith the SAD and the SGPC taking on the responsibility of distributing certified seed for 2 lakh acres of land I appeal to the Punjab government to distribute seed in the remaining two lakh acres of land affected by the floods to cover the entire affected area He said the state government should also take on the responsibility of distributing DAP free of cost to all farmers across the affected 4 lakh acres of land besides contributing to clearing the land of sand by deputing tractors for this purposeBadal said the Akali Dal on its part would also initiate the tractor sewa soon during the course of which it would provide diesel free of cost for clearing sand from flooded agricultural land Saying that the party had established a monitoring committee for regulating the entire flood relief operation Badal said We are committed to assisting the farmers and the khet mazdoor farm labourers stand back on their feet Akali volunteers will work side by side with them to bring their fields back to normalHe also appealed to other political parties and countrymen to help the floodstricken farmers of Punjab The Khalsa Panth and Punjabis have reached out to help countrymen afflicted by natural calamities across the country Now is the time to help Punjabis in their hour of crisis he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/akali-dal-chief-flags-off-100-trucks-of-maize-silage-for-flood-hit-areas-of-punjab-639706.html Sat, 20 Sep 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-govt-approves-25-industrial-projects-valued-at-rs-4-739-crore-in-13-sectors-639491.html Bhubaneswar Sep 19 The Odisha government on Friday approved 25 industrial projects worth Rs 4739 crore investment in 13 key sectors in different districts of the state As per an official statement released the approval was given during the 140th meeting of the State Level Single Window Clearance Authority SLSWCAThe SLSWCA meeting was chaired by Odisha Chief Secretary Manoj AhujaThese industrial projects are poised to create 25200 employment opportunities across several districts including Khordha Jajpur Cuttack Sambalpur Jharsuguda Ganjam Mayurbhanj Angul and GajapatiThe latest approvals cover a total of 13 key sectors including textiles steel chemicals IT infrastructure logistics renewable energy tourism metal downstream circular economy cold storage capital goods The projects embody the states commitment to fostering sustainable industrialisation and economic growth across diverse regions the official statement saidThe SLSWCA has cleared the greatest number of investment proposals in the textile apparel and technical textile sectors in the meetingA private company has proposed to invest Rs 70029 crore in Khordha to set up an integrated textile facility generating 1010 jobsMeanwhile another private firm will set up a knitted fabric and garment unit in Khordha with Rs 20936 crore investment generating 1080 jobsAmong the other major investment proposals cleared on Friday a private firm will expand its operations with a rolling mill pellet plant DRI billet plant and captive power plant in Jharsuguda with an investment of Rs 990 crore creating 2000 jobsAnother private company has proposed to invest Rs 32070 crore to establish a treatment storage and disposal facility in Ganjam district generating 145 jobsSimilarly a private company will invest Rs 20544 crore in Jajpur to establish a carbon electrode paste manufacturing plant generating 600 jobsDriven by dynamic governance strategic foresight and a robust policy framework that champions ease of doing business Odisha is fast emerging as the preferred investment destination in India the state government saidThe state government also claimed that Odisha is on a steady path toward building a prosperous futureready economy in line with the vision of Samrudha Odisha 2036 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-govt-approves-25-industrial-projects-valued-at-rs-4-739-crore-in-13-sectors-639491.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-eu-partnership-to-bolster-global-stability-639492.html New Delhi Sep 19 The new EUIndia Strategic Agenda unveiled in September aims to strengthen mutual prosperity security and global stability as the world navigates shifting geopolitical realities With the current realignment of global power a rising India is seen by Europe as a vital partner for diversifying supply chains mitigating security threats and fostering an open rulesbased international order In turn the EU as Indias largest trading partner provides access to advanced technologies investments and stable markets according to an article in India NarrativeExpansion of security ties is a top priority The agenda outlines cooperation in crisis management maritime security particularly in the Indian Ocean cyber defence intelligence sharing and counterterrorismThe new agenda was jointly announced by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas following intensive dialogue between the Commission and the Indian government Ratification by all 27 EU member states is required with formal adoption scheduled at the EUIndia Summit in early 2026The FTA negotiations are targeted to conclude by the end of 2025 though complex issues remain Ongoing work includes setting up new dialogues on space cooperation mobility and cyber issuesThe agenda strengthens Indias global standing as a key interlocutor for Europe balancing Indias relations with Russia and China For the EU it signifies deeper Asian engagement beyond traditional partners the article statesThe launch of negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement will facilitate classified information exchange There will also be enhanced engagement in the IndoPacific with joint responses to hybrid threats and a focus on countering malign activitiesBesides India is invited to participate in EU defence initiatives including the Permanent Structured Cooperation PESCO mechanism and a new EUIndia Security and Defence Partnership modelled on those with Japan and South KoreaOn the economic front tariff removal regulatory harmonisation and investment facilitation are set to expand bilateral commerce innovation and industrial collaboration especially in hightech and green sectorsA centrepiece is finalising a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement FTAaiming to become the worlds largest such deal The FTA negotiations which have intensified in 2025 seek to lower tariffs improve market access for services and products harmonise standards and secure sustainable development commitmentsAddressing nontariff barriers and regulatory cooperation are core objectives while the EU also encourages investment in strategic sectors infrastructure and innovation with joint business forums and startup initiatives the article added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-eu-partnership-to-bolster-global-stability-639492.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 21:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-market-cap-soars-rs-69-000-crore-in-single-day-639493.html New Delhi Sep 19 Adani Group companies added more than Rs 69000 crore to their market capitalisation in a single trading session on Friday as investors rushed to buy shares following the SEBIs clean chit in the Hindenburg case The market regulators order which dismissed allegations of stock manipulation and relatedparty misuse boosted investor confidence and triggered a sharp rally across Adani stocksAdani Power led the surge with a jump of 1240 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange BSE hitting its 52week highAdani Total Gas rose 735 per cent while Adani Green Energy and Adani Enterprises climbed 533 per cent and 504 per cent respectivelyAdani Energy Solutions also advanced 470 per cent on the BSEThe rally came just a day after the SEBI wrapped up its probe concluding that there was no evidence to support the accusations made by US shortseller Hindenburg Research in January 2023The latest gains have brought huge relief to investors and are being seen as a turning point for the Adani GroupThe total market valuation of the conglomerates listed companies now stands at Rs 1396 lakh crore as per the exchange dataBrokerages also signalled fresh confidence in the group Global firm Morgan Stanley initiated coverage on Adani Power for the first time in over a decade a move that analysts say reflects renewed interest from institutional investors who had largely stayed away after the Hindenburg reportOther group companies also posted gains with Sanghi Industries rising 141 per cent ACC up 121 per cent Adani Ports adding 109 per cent and Ambuja Cements edging higher by 028 per centAdani group stocks surged after SEBI cleared the group in the Hindenburg probe triggering renewed investor confidence and strong buying interest across the conglomerate Bajaj Broking Research said in a noteThe surge was particularly strong in energyrelated stocks but spread across the groups portfolio underscoring the markets optimism after months of uncertainty IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-groups-market-cap-soars-rs-69-000-crore-in-single-day-639493.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 21:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/after-operation-sindoor-jem-and-hizbul-begins-relocation-to-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-jem-to-hold-a-big-event-on-sep-25-in-peshawar-639503.html New Delhi Sep 19 Four months after the Operation Sindoor which brought down Pakistans terror infrastructure to its knees sources and visuals confirm that Pakistansponsored terrorist groups particularly JaisheMohammed JeM and Hizbul Mujahideen HM have begun a deliberate strategic relocation into Pakistans restive region Khyber Pakhtunkhwa KPK province The decision reflects a significant tactical adaptation by these groups which now view Pakistanoccupied Kashmir PoK as vulnerable to Indian precision strikes while KPK offers greater depth due to its geography proximity to the Afghan frontier and existing terror safe havens dating back to the Afghan warTop sources told IANS that this movement is being conducted with full awareness and direct facilitation of Pakistans state structures as evidenced by overt JeM gatherings held under police protection and the tacit involvement of political religious outfits like Jamiat UlemaeIslam JUIThe most significant development uncovered occurred in Garhi Habibullah town of Mansehra district KPK where JeM staged a public recruitment driveVisuals and graphics shared on social media and a few other footage accessed by IANS confirm that the event ostensibly organised as part of a Deobandi religious gathering was in fact a coordinated mobilisation effort led jointly by JeM and JUI in the presence of Mulana Mufti Masood Ilyas Kashmiri alias Abu Mohammad JeMs Amir for KPK and Kashmir who personally addressed the gatheringIlyas Kashmiri is a highvalue target wanted in India closely connected to JeM founder Maulana Masood Azhar and one of the principal figures in JeMs operational restructuring after Operation SindoorHis presence at a public rally guarded by both JeM cadres armed with M4 rifles and local police officers including Inspector Liaqat Shah of Garhi Habibullah Police Station reflects both state complicity and the boldness of JeMs revivalist strategy a source saidIn his speech which lasted for over 30 minutes he glorified Osama bin Laden calling him the ShohadaeIslam and Prince of Arab directly linking JeMs ideological line with AlQaedas legacyHe reminded the audience that following the Kandahar hijack of IC814 in 1999 when Masood Azhar was freed from Indias Tihar Jail and returned to Pakistan it was Balakot in KPK that became his headquarters portraying KPK as an eternal sanctuary for the mujahideenHe then recounted in detail the events following the 7 May Indian strike on JeMs Marakaz Subhanallah which killed members of Masood Azhars familyIlyas Kashmiri claimed that the bodies were turned to mince by Indian bombs and that this incident provoked the Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir to personally order GHQ to direct military commanders to attend the funerals of JeM terrorists the Pakistan Air Force to provide overhead security and soldiers to salute dead JeM operativesHe narrated these details to frame the Pakistan Army and government as not only protectors but also participants in jihad which accesses the dangerous narrative with strong resonance among Deobandi radical youthAssessment indicates that the rallys true purpose was recruitment for JeMs training facility at Mansehra known as Marakaz ShohadaeIslam which has been undergoing expansion since Operation Sindoor sources saidSources inside Mansehra confirm construction activity and an increase in logistical inflows at the site They link this facility directly to Kashmiris speech and recruitment appeals as attendees were urged to join JeM and physically enrol in jihad The timing and location of the rally coupled with JUIs cover role reveal a calculated attempt to normalise recruitment under the guise of religiouspolitical gatheringsImportantly sources also confirm JeMs plans to hold another major event on September 25 in Peshawars Marakaz Shaheed Maksudabad to commemorate Yusuf Azhar Masood Azhars brother killed in Operation SindoorPamphlets distributed in KPK confirm that the event will be staged under JeMs alias AlMurabitun Senior JeM leaders are expected to attend and sources expect this gathering to double as both a memorial rally and a mass recruitment campaignSimilarly Hizbul Mujahideen HM under exPakistani commando Khalid Khan is constructing a new training facility named HM 313 in the Bandaai area of Lower Dir KPK Notably this land was discreetly purchased in August 2024 and construction resumed Post Operation SindoorThis facility is intended as a replacement for destroyed PoK camps and a platform for indoctrination and crossborder planning into KashmirThe strategic implication as per analysis is that JeM and HM are deliberately moving their infrastructure to KPK because the Indian military struck targets inside PoK and Punjab during Operation Sindoor leaving JeMs Mansehra and LeTs Ghari Habibullah camp untouchedTerror groups calculate that positioning themselves deeper inside KPK reduces their exposure to future Indian strikes while simultaneously bringing them closer to Afghan networksSources indicate that KPK is now being repositioned as a rear command zone for JeM while PoK continues to serve as a forward operating platform for infiltrationHowever such a shifting might be to deceive intelligence agencies as wellThe fact that Pakistan currently chairs the UN Security Council as well as at SCO while JeM rallies occur under official protection exposes a glaring contradiction in its international posture IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/after-operation-sindoor-jem-and-hizbul-begins-relocation-to-khyber-pakhtunkhwa-jem-to-hold-a-big-event-on-sep-25-in-peshawar-639503.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/wanted-to-highlight-shared-history-people-to-people-bonds-sam-pitrodas-clarification-on-pak-remarks-639504.html New Delhi Sep 19 Indian Overseas Congress IOC chief Satyanarayan Pitroda popularly known as Sam Pitroda on Friday clarified his homelike feeling and praise for Pakistan as an attempt to highlight shared history adding that his aim was never to belittle anyones suffering Within hours of drawing strong reactions from the BJP which slammed his and the Congress partys alleged undying love for the terrorsponsoring nation Pitroda said on X In light of recent discussions I wish to clarify my remarks and put them in the full context of my IANS interview My intention has always been to call attention to the realities we face concerns about the electoral process the importance of civil society and youth and Indias role both in its neighbourhood and globallyIssuing a clarification he said If my words have caused confusion or hurt I want to clarify that my aim was never to belittle anyones suffering or undermine legitimate concerns but to foster honest conversation empathy and a more grounded and responsible approach to how India sees itself and is seen by othersPitroda said When I said that I often felt at home visiting neighbouring countries or that culturally and socially we share roots I meant to emphasise shared history and peopletopeople bonds not to ignore pain conflict or the grave challenges we face from terror and geopolitical tensionsLikewise when I challenged the Vishwaguru narrative and said that its a myth that India is always on everyones mind I was cautioning against overconfidence in image over substance Foreign policy must be based on real influence mutual trust peace and regional stability not bravado or optics he saidPitroda a Gandhi family loyalist said We need to defend democracy ensuring free fair elections strengthening institutions empowering youth protecting minority rights resisting polarisation These are not partisan issues they go to the heart of what and who we are as a nationReflecting on the future the Congress leader said Moving forward I remain committed to transparency respectful dialogue and working towards a future where we strengthen institutions civil society safety and security so our actions truly live up to our idealsIn a conversation with IANS Sam Pitroda said Our foreign policy according to me must first focus on our neighbourhood Can we really substantially improve relationships with our neighbours They are all small They are going through difficult timesOf course there is the problem of violence there is the problem of terrorism But all that is there At the end of the day in the neighbourhood there is a common gene pool Ive been to Pakistan and I must tell you I felt at home Ive been to Bangladesh Ive been to Nepal and I feel at home I dont feel like Im in a foreign country They look like me they talk like me They like my songs and they eat my food I must learn to live with them in peace and harmony he further told IANS IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/wanted-to-highlight-shared-history-people-to-people-bonds-sam-pitrodas-clarification-on-pak-remarks-639504.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-pact-with-iskp-will-come-at-a-cost-expansion-into-india-639505.html New Delhi Sep 19 The recent strikes in Balochistan have raised questions about the ISIs support to the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP The Afghan Taliban has been accusing Pakistan of supporting the ISKP for some years now a charge that Islamabad strongly denies However the role of the ISKP in the recent strikes in Balochistan make amply clear that it had the complete backing of the Pakistan Army and ISI Indian agencies have stated for long that there is a nexus between the two However recent Intelligence inputs suggest that the ISI will use the ISKP more in BalochistanInitially the ISKP was used to fight against the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP which Islamabad claims is backed by the Afghan Taliban Now there is a change in strategy and the ISI has asked the ISKP to go all out against the Baloch peopleProof of this development came in the form of a video released by ISKPs AlAzaim Media In this a man speaking in Pashto language says that the ISKP has declared a war on the armed Balochistan nationalist groups as well as political organisations and rights groupsWhile the ISKP claims that this war is declared because the Balochistan insurgents attacked its training camps killing 30 people in reality it is Pakistan which is pushing this terror groupIn the last couple of months Pakistan has signed mineral deals with the United States It has also inked an agreement with Afghanistan and China relating to the China Pakistan Economic Corridor Project 20 CPEC During the meeting in China Pakistan was told clearly that it would have to raise funds for the project It once again reminded Pakistan about the pathetic security situation in Balochistan and Islamabad must urgently fix itFurther the US is also pressuring Pakistan to restore order in Balochistan as it would be essential for the minerals deal to go through The US even did the Pakistanis a favour by declaring the Balochistan Nationalist Army BLA a terror organisation While this would give the Pakistan Army more power and accountability to fight against the BLA in reality it is having a hard timeThe Pakistan Army is facing intense heat from both the TTP and BLA and hence needs the support of the ISKP to battle these groups While the ISKPISI partnership has been in the works for sometime now this renewed push to go all out in Balochistan is a worrying development for the regionThis renewed push gives the ISKP a free hand to go about its business While this would create chaos in Balochistan one must be mindful that the biggest target for the ISKP is IndiaWhen the ISKP was first formed it made Afghanistan its base Gradually it expanded deeper into Pakistan and over a period of time won over the establishment However one must bear in mind the primary target for the ISKP is IndiaThis was the same outfit which was recruiting Indians and training them in Pakistan The ISKPs plans was to train Indians and send them back to India It had managed to recruit 21 persons from Kerala and was planning on moreThis bonhomie is worrying from another stand point also Now the ISI would give the ISKP a free hand to undertake attacks anywhere in IndiaEarlier it had ensured that the ISKP would not meddle in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab since this is the turf of the JaisheMohammad LashkareTaiba and Khalistani terrorist groupsSecurity officials say that now that the ISI is seeking so many favours from the ISKP in return the terror outfit would seek more turf in India IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pakistans-pact-with-iskp-will-come-at-a-cost-expansion-into-india-639505.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-new-jersey-agree-to-cooperate-in-life-sciences-urban-transit-639506.html Hyderabad Sep 19 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy have agreed to cooperate in areas like software technology life sciences urban transit and movies The Chief Minister had a detailed discussion with the New Jersey Governor on the sidelines of the 12th annual conference of the Public Affairs Forum of India in New Delhi on FridayAccording to the Chief Ministers Office here the two leaders agreed to create a systemic cooperation and bilateral exchange in the areas of software and technology life sciences Urban Transit and moviesAgreeing to totally support Telangana Rising vision of CM Revanth Reddy Governor Phil Murphy said There are lots of similarities between New Jersey and Telangana states Together we can make a huge difference for each others economiesThe two leaders agreed to proactively bring trade delegations to each others states and augment the investments in both states for maximising the potential for wealth and job creationGovernor Murphy also promised to give great support to Hyderabads urban and public transport sectors through the NJ Trains Authority From Metro to MMTS Hyderabad public transport has received a big support from the New Jersey government I thank Governor Murphy for this friendship said CM Revanth ReddyInviting the great educational institutions of New Jersey including NJIT Princeton Rutgers and others to Telangana Chief Minister Reddy promised them all support if they establish offshore campuses in HyderabadThe two leaders also agreed to facilitate and promote film industry tourismCM Revanth Reddy posted on X that they discussed matters related to education green energy Musi Riverfront Development Project and other subjectsShared Telangana Vision 2047 the governments plan and ideas with them Explained the achievements and priorities of Telangana state in the IT and pharma sectors he saidGovernor Murphys wife along with New Jersey representatives participated in this meeting IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-new-jersey-agree-to-cooperate-in-life-sciences-urban-transit-639506.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-five-govt-officers-accused-in-the-ongoing-cgpsc-recruitment-scam-639507.html New Delhi Sep 19 The Central Bureau of Investigation CBI has arrested five accused to unearth the larger conspiracy in the selection of candidates in the Chhattisgarh Public Service Commission 2020 amp 2021 exams The arrested accused include Chhattisgarh Public Service Commissions CGPSC then Secretary Jeevan Kishore Dhruv the CGPSCs then Controller of Examination Arti Wasnik Deputy Collector Sumit Dhruv son of the then CGPSC Secretary Deputy Collector Misha Kosle daughterinlaw of the brother of the then CGPSC Chairman and District Excise Officer Deepa Adil also a daughterinlaw of the brother of the then CGPSC ChairmanThe CBI registered the case RC1242024A0004 on February 16 2024 on the basis of the notifications dated February 16 2024 and April 10 2024 issued by the Chhattisgarh governmentIt is alleged in FIR that the then Chairman CGPSC the then Secretary CGPSC and other persons of Public Service Commission Chhattisgarh while holding various posts in the CGPSC conducted examination and interview during the year 2020 to 2022 and got their son daughter and relatives selected the CBI said in a statementAccording to the CBI for the various posts in CGPSC for the year 2021 a total of 129206 candidates appeared in the Preliminary Examination out of which 2548 candidates cleared the Preliminary examinationA total of 509 cleared the main examination and were selected to appear for interviews while 170 candidates were selected for various posts in CGPSC 2021In the said case the then Chairman of CGPSC the then Deputy Controller of Examinations CGPSC along with four selected candidates and one private person have already been arrested All of them are in judicial custody All five accused are to be produced before the Honble court for taking police remand in the case it saidFurther Investigation is underway to investigate the role of other suspect candidates who were selected in the CGPSC examination IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-arrests-five-govt-officers-accused-in-the-ongoing-cgpsc-recruitment-scam-639507.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-election-to-interpol-asian-committee-underscores-commitment-to-jointly-address-common-challenges-mea-639508.html SingaporeNew Delhi Sep 19 India on Friday said that its election as a member of Interpol Asian Committee underscores the countrys commitment for regional cooperation to address common challenges like drug trafficking cyber crime terrorism and human trafficking Committed to address shared challenges India has been elected as a member of INTERPOL Asian Committee for the term 202529 in 25th Interpol Asian Conference in Singapore Indias membership underscores its commitment for regional cooperation to address common challenges like drug trafficking cyber crime terrorism and human trafficking Ministry of External Affairs MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on XThe election took place through a multistage voting process marking an important milestone in Indias engagement with international law enforcement cooperation emphasised the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI the National Central Bureau NCB for Interpol in India which serves as the national focal point for all Interpolrelated matters and facilitating international cooperation among law enforcement agenciesThe federal probe agency coordinates and processes requests for Interpol notices such as Red Notices and manages the Bharatpol portal for seamless interaction between Indian agencies and Interpol channelsThe statement said that the Interpol Asian Committee shall advise the Asian Regional Conference in the execution of its mandate and facilitate the deliberations at the session of the Asian Regional Conference by providing a clear understanding of the strategic and operational issues at stakeThe Committee shall identify regional strategic priorities in the fight against crime and police cooperation issues specific to the region said the statementIndias membership will further enhance regional cooperation particularly in addressing pressing challenges such as organised crime cybercrime human trafficking terrorism and drug trafficking it saidThis achievement underscores Indias proactive participation in international policing initiatives its commitment to the Global Policing Goals and its efforts to reinforce security cooperation in the AsiaPacific region the CBI saidIt follows a history of Indian representation at the highest levels of Interpol and demonstrates Indias growing global leadership in law enforcement and transnational security mattersThe Committee will meet annually to deliberate on regional security issues and provide guidance for coordinated actions among member countriesIndia was represented in the Asian Regional Conference by a delegation from CBI Indias victory is attributed to an intensive and coordinated campaign by Indian diplomats EmbassiesHigh Commissions and National Central Bureau NCBIndia which sought crucial support from friendly nations through bilateral and multilateral engagements said the statement IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indias-election-to-interpol-asian-committee-underscores-commitment-to-jointly-address-common-challenges-mea-639508.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-assam-rifles-jawans-killed-five-injured-by-unidentified-gunmen-in-manipur--639509.html Imphal Sep 19 IANS At least two Assam Rifles jawans were killed and at least five others injured when a group of unidentified armed cadres attacked a vehicle of the paramilitary force in Manipurs Bishnupur district on Friday evening officials saidnbspnbspA police official in Imphal said that the incident took place in Bishnupur districts Nambol Sabal Leikai areanbspA defence spokesman said that a column of troops of 33 Assam Rifles was moving from its Patsoi Company Operating Base to Nambol Company Operating Base when it was ambushed in the general area of Nambol Sabal Leikai by unidentified terrorists on the highway in the denotified area of ManipurIn the ensuing action two personnel of Assam Rifles were martyred and five were injured and have since been evacuated to the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences RIMS in Imphal the spokesman said adding that they are currently stablenbspAs of now no group has claimed responsibility for the attacknbspMassive search operations are ongoing to apprehend the terrorists involved in the incident the defence spokesman saidnbspA police official earlier said that a group of heavily armed gunmen ambushed the vehicle in which Assam Rifles personnel were travelling towards Bishnupur district from the capital Imphal claiming the lives of two jawans and injuring fiveAfter the incident a huge contingent of Assam Rifles and Manipur Police led by senior officials rushed to the areas and launched a massive combing operation to nab the assailants the official saidnbspAnother police official said that the heavily armed attackers opened fire on the vehicle carrying Assam Rifles personnel from Imphal towards Bishnupur In the sudden assault two personnel were killed on the spot while five others sustained bullet injuriesnbspSecurity forces have cordoned off the area and a search operation is currently underway to trace the attackersnbspFurther details are awaitednbspMeanwhile security forces have arrested six militants belonging to different banned militant outfits from three Imphal Valley districts during the past 24 hoursThree hardcore cadres of the proscribed Kangleipak Communist Party PWG outfit were arrested from their respective residences in Imphal West district They were identified as Leishangthem Tondon Singh 34 Leishangthem Anand Singh 34 and Heikham Hemchandra Singh 41 a police statement said Two SelfLoading Rifles two modified 303 rifles an INSAS rifle nine magazines of different types and 99 cartridges were seized from their possessionnbspAnother cadre of the same outfit was arrested from Andro in Imphal East district He was identified as Taorem Tomchou Meitei alias Pena 45nbspAn active cadre of the proscribed Peoples Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak PREPAK outfit was arrested from Ichan Khunou in Thoubal district Police also arrested an active cadre of the banned Socialist Revolutionary Party of Kangleipak SOREPA outfit from Samaram Mayai Leikai in Thoubal district He was identified as Khoinaijam Bhumeshwor Singh 24 A dummy gun and three cartridges were seized from his possession it said https://dailyworld.in/national/two-assam-rifles-jawans-killed-five-injured-by-unidentified-gunmen-in-manipur--639509.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-launch-rs-34-200-crore-projects-in-gujarat-tomorrow-focus-on-maritime-led-growth-639510.html Ahmedabad Sep 19 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Saturday to participate in the Samudra se Samriddhi event in Bhavnagar where he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several development projects worth more than Rs 34200 crorenbspnbspThe projects span key sectors including maritime infrastructure renewable energy highways healthcare and urban transportnbspMeanwhile the Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for multiple development projects related to the maritime sector worth more than Rs 7870 croreHe will inaugurate the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal at Indira DocknbspHe will lay the foundation stone of a new container terminal and associated facilities at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata new container berth cargo handling facilities and associated developments at Paradip Port in Odisha the Tuna Tekra MultiCargo Terminal in Gujarat firefighting facilities and modern road connectivity at Kamarajar Port in Ennore Tamil Nadu coastal protection works including seawalls and revetments at Chennai Port seawall construction at Car Nicobar Island a multipurpose cargo berth and Green biomethanol plant at Deendayal Port in Kandla and ship repair facilities at Patna and VaranasiThe Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of multiple projects of the Central and state government worth more than Rs 26354 crore catering to various sectors in GujaratnbspHe will inaugurate HPLNG Regasification Terminal at Chhara Port Acrylics and Oxo Alcohol Project at Gujarat IOCL Refinery the 600 MW Green Shoe Initiative PMKUSUM 475 MW Component solar feeder for farmers the 45 MW Badeli Solar PV Project complete solarisation of Dhordo village among othersnbspHe will lay the foundation stone of LNG infrastructure additional renewable energy projects coastal protection works highways and healthcare and urban transport projects including expansions at Sir T General Hospital in Bhavnagar Guru Govind Sinh Government Hospital at Jamnagar and the fourlaning of 70 km of national highwaysThe Prime Minister will also undertake an aerial survey of the Dholera Special Investment Region envisioned as a greenfield industrial city built around sustainable industrialisation smart infrastructure and global investmentnbspHe will also visit and review the progress of National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal being developed at a cost of around Rs 4500 crore to celebrate and preserve Indias ancient maritime traditions and serve as a centre for tourism research education and skill development https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-launch-rs-34-200-crore-projects-in-gujarat-tomorrow-focus-on-maritime-led-growth-639510.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 22:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-arrests-bank-official-for-swindling-rs-16-crore-of-127-account-holders-639518.html Mumbai Sep 19 A suspended official of Bank of India was arrested by the ED for illegally closing 127 dormant Savings and Current Accounts Term Deposits TDs and Senior Citizen Savings Scheme SCSS accounts and shifting Rs 1610 crore to his personal account over the past two years an official said on Friday The Enforcement Directorate ED Mumbai arrested Hitesh Kumar Singla Staff Officer of Bank of India under suspension on September 17 from Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002 the official said in a statementThe official said Singla was produced before the Special PMLA Court Greater Bombay which sent him to ED custody for seven daysThe ED initiated investigation into the matter based on an FIR registered by Central Bureau of Investigation ACB Mumbai against Singla and others under Section 409 of IPC criminal breach of trust Section 3165 of BNS and Section 132 read with Section 131a of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988The ED investigation revealed that during May 2023 and July 2025 Singla with mala fide and criminal intent fraudulently closed Term Deposits TDs Public Provident Funds PPFs Senior Citizen Savings Scheme SCSS accounts Savings Bank SB accounts and Current Accounts CAs without authorisationThe proceeds were credited into his personal savings accounts maintained with the State Bank of India the ED saidThe accused targeted vulnerable customers such as senior citizens minors deceased customers and inoperativedormant accounts in order to avoid detection it saidThe diverted funds were layered and transferred in a piecemeal and concealed manner By this modus operandi Singla defrauded the Bank of India and its customers to the tune of Rs1610 crore thereby causing loss to the bank damaging its reputation and eroding public trust by misusing his official position the statement saidSince the detection of the fraud Singla had been absconding and failed to report to the Bank of India it saidActing on specific intelligence supported by technical surveillance the ED successfully intercepted and arrested him at Ahmedabad Junction despite his repeated attempts to evade detection by frequently changing seats and coaches while travelling on board the Mahamana Express from Ujjain to VeravalAfter his arrest searches under Section 17 of PMLA were conducted at the premises of one of his associates the ED said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ed-arrests-bank-official-for-swindling-rs-16-crore-of-127-account-holders-639518.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/piyush-goyal-expects-uae-to-step-up-investments-in-india-639521.html New Delhi Sep 19 Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that investments from the cashrich United Arab Emirates UAE into India are likely to shoot up both as FDI in business ventures and FII in the capital markets My sense is we can look at a larger investment flow from the UAE Given where the Indian economy is today we will look at much larger pools of capital coming into India both as FDI and FII the Minister who is on a twoday trip to the UAE on Thursday and Friday during which he cochaired the 13th IndiaUAE High Level Task Force on Investments along with Abu Dhabi Investment Authority ADIA Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and reviewed progress on the IndiaUAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement CEPA the Double Taxation Treaty and UAEIndia Central Bank mattersHe pointed out that the UAE has emerged as a hub of activities for Africa the Middle East and Central EuropeIndia would like to leverage on the hub of investment that the UAE has been successful in creating the minister remarkedGoyal highlighted the complementarity between the UAEs large capital base and Indias skilled talent pool which could lead to a beneficial partnership between the two countriesThere are many thirdcountry requirements where large pools of capital can be deployed It can become a winwin for the third country for the UAE as a provider of large capital and India as a provider of skill and talent We are trying to encourage the private sectors of both countries to work in that direction he saidBusinesses on both sides have used the FTA between India and the UAE to their advantage allowing us to reset our ambitions to a higher level and look at a nonoil and nonprecious metal bilateral trade of 100 billion in the next 3 to 4 years he addedOn Friday Goyal held a series of meetings focused on strengthening bilateral trade deepening investment ties and exploring new avenues of cooperation to further enhance relations a Commerce Ministry statement saidHe engaged with CEOs of prominent Indian and UAE companies during the UAEIndia Business Council UIBC Roundtable which he cochaired alongside the UAEs Minister of Foreign Trade Dr Thani bin Ahmed Al ZeyoudiBoth leaders expressed deep satisfaction over the evergrowing economic partnership between India and the UAE and highlighted the significant role played by the business community in furthering the relationship between the two countriesThere were discussions around the exchange of views on enhancing bilateral trade and investment flows strengthening business partnerships and identifying new areas of economic collaborationProgress on key cornerstone projects like Bharat Mart and India UAE Friendship Hospital was also discussed and the role they would play in enhancing bilateral trade and investments as well as their impact on the wider Indian diaspora in the UAE was also outlinedBoth ministers also noted the increasing role of business leaders in philanthropic initiatives and further commented on the constructive role of these initiatives for the wider community They invited businesses to not just explore opportunities in India and in the UAE but also widen their scope and ambition to other regions such as Africa Europe and Central AsiaAn interaction session between Goyal and prominent UAE business leaders was coordinated by Apparel Group Chairman Nilesh Ved with discussions focused on expanding the investment outreach and highlighting Indias potential to support UAE companies regional and global ambitions The minister outlined the recent progress made by the Indian economy in terms of macroeconomic growth infrastructure development and social inclusion and further emphasised Indias growth path towards Viksit Bharat He invited UAE businesses to leverage the upcoming growth opportunities in India the statement saidDuring these engagements UAE investors shared constructive perspectives on further enhancing the investment environment including issues related to market access regulatory processes and dispute resolution it addedMatters such as arbitration frameworks and predictability of enforcement were also discussed in a forwardlooking manner The minister reiterated Indias commitment to providing a transparent and facilitative business environment and highlighted the governments sustained focus on reforms to strengthen investor confidence and the countrys recent economic performanceGoyal also held focused discussions with First Abu Dhabi Bank CEO Hana Al Rostamani IFFCO Groups Irfan Allana and Sharaf Groups Sharafuddin Sharaf These discussions focused on growth pathways for the companies to enhance their India presence and deepen financial and economic partnerships between businesses of both countries the statement saidHe also interacted with representatives of the India Peoples Forum reflecting the continued engagement with the Indian diaspora and its integral role in strengthening the cultural and economic bonds between India and the UAE He highlighted the significant contributions made by the Indian diaspora in the UAE and its role in driving economic partnership between both countries IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/piyush-goyal-expects-uae-to-step-up-investments-in-india-639521.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-liquor-scam-ed-seizes-incriminating-material-during-searches-639526.html Hyderabad Sep 19 The searches conducted by the Directorate of Enforcement ED at various places in the country in connection with the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam led to the recovery and seizure of incriminating material evidencing bogusinflated transactions leading to the generation and movement of Proceeds of Crime the agency said in a statement on Friday Searches also led to the seizure of bogus invoices and transport challans containing nontransport vehicle details parallel invoices evidencing differential and inflated prices chats evidencing involvement of certain accused persons who are absconding and believed to be in Dubai and transfer of Proceeds of Crime POC to them the agency statement saidUnaccounted cash of Rs 38 lakh was seized from one of the premises Ledgers indicating remittance abroad of POC worth several crores were also seized it saidThe EDs Hyderabad Zonal Office conducted searches on Thursday at 20 locations in Hyderabad Bengaluru Chennai Thanjavur Surat Raipur Delhi NCR and Andhra Pradesh under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA in connection with the liquor scamSearches were conducted at the premises of entitiesindividuals who facilitated payment of kickbacks through bogusinflated transactionsThe agency initiated an investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by AP CID under various sections of the IPC for loss to the government exchequer to the tune of Rs 4000 crore On February 5 the Andhra Pradesh Government constituted a Special Investigation Team SIT to investigate the caseThe FIR alleged that the in new liquor policy from October 2019 to March 2024 the accused persons indulged in brand killing and new brand promotion which involved sidelining popular liquor brands like McDowells Royal Stag Imperial Blue etc that refused to pay kickbacks and instead promoting new or spurious brands in exchange for huge payments from distilleries and suppliers The procurement system was shifted from automated to manual giving scope for manipulation in the Order for Supply OFSThe SIT has filed a charge sheet and supplementary charge sheets inter alia alleging replacement of automated system with manual approvals allowing manipulation of brandwise indenting and supply volumes favouring select group of distilleries and marketing firms coercing suppliers into paying 1520 per cent of their invoice value as kickbacks failing which their brands were suppressed or delisted creating shell distilleries to channel funds and secure inflated OFS volumes appointing key officials who facilitated brand approvals manipulated eligibility norms and suppressed dissenting suppliersThe charge sheets also allege that kickbacks were generated through procurement manipulation fake vendor payments shell companies and were used for election purposes personal benefit and transfer of funds abroadThe ED investigation revealed that certain accused persons deliberately discouraged the placement of orders for established brands withheld legitimate payments owed to the distilleries and exerted pressure on distilleries amp demanded illicit paymentskickbacks in lieu of OFSMoney trail investigation by the ED revealed that part of the payments given by Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited APSBCL to the suppliers were transferred to various entities on the pretext of the supply of goods or services However these transactions were found to be bogus and the recipients of these funds were either nonexistent shell entities or unrelated personsentitiesIn several cases where the entities were related to their line of business the transactions were found to be inflated Funds were also transferred by the suppliers to jewellers to acquire goldcash which were handed over to the accused persons as kickbacks Thus bogusinflated transactions were used to siphon off funds under the guise of business transactions thereby facilitating the generation and movement of illicit funds in the form of kickbacks to the accused persons IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-liquor-scam-ed-seizes-incriminating-material-during-searches-639526.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/food-inflation-for-farm-and-rural-labourers-stays-in-negative-zone-during-august-639527.html New Delhi Sep 19 The yearonyear inflation rates based on the allIndia consumer price index for agricultural labourers CPIAL and rural labourers CPIRL for August this year were estimated at 107 per cent and 126 per cent respectively figures released by the Ministry of Labour amp Employment on Thursday showed The food inflation for agricultural and rural labourers stayed in the negative zone at 055 per cent and 028 per cent respectively as prices of food items fell during the month due to increased productionThe inflation rate for agricultural and rural labourers was marginally higher than the 077 per cent and 101 per cent in July The inflation rate declined for 9 consecutive months till July coming as a welcome relief for these vulnerable segments that are hit hardest by spiralling prices It also leaves more money in their hands to buy a wider range of goods leading to a better lifestyleThe Labour Bureau under the Ministry of Labour amp Employment has revised the base year of the Consumer Price Index Numbers for Agricultural Labourers and Rural Labourers to 2019100 since June this year These indices are based on data collected from a set of 787 sample villages across 34 States and UTsThe newly constructed CPI AL amp RL series Base 2019100 replaces the earlier 198687100 seriesThe revised series has significantly enhanced the scope and coverage and incorporated many methodological changes in order to make the indices more robustCalculation of prices of PDS items has been done using the admissibility concept instead of availability as in the old series the revised series covers 34 states and UTs as against 20 states in the old series prices are collected from 787 sample villages as against 600 villages in the old series and cover 150200 items as against 65106 items in the old series IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/food-inflation-for-farm-and-rural-labourers-stays-in-negative-zone-during-august-639527.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 23:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/nishikant-dubey-slams-rahul-gandhi-says-gen-z-rejects-dynasty-and-corruption-639326.html New Delhi Sep 18 Parliamentarian Nishikant Dubey BJP ignited controversy on social media with a blistering response to Congress MP Rahul Gandhis recent praise of Gen Z In a sharply worded post Dubey accused Gandhi of misrepresenting the values of Indias youth claiming that Gen Z stands firmly against nepotism corruption and ideological ambiguity Gen Z is against nepotism and dynastic rule Why will Gen Z tolerate Rahul ji after Nehru ji Indira ji Rajiv ji Sonia ji It is against corruption why wont they drive you away Dubey wrote directly challenging the legacy of the GandhiNehru political dynasty Dubeys remarks come in response to Gandhis earlier post celebrating Gen Z as defenders of democracy and the constitution While Rahul Gandhi positioned himself as a supporter of youthled change Dubey countered with a narrative that casts Gen Z as disillusioned with dynastic politics and eager for ideological clarity In a twist Dubey added He wants to make Bangladesh an Islamic nation and Nepal a Hindu nation why wont he make India a Hindu nation You should prepare to leave the country he is coming The statement widely interpreted as inflammatory drew criticism for its communal undertones and aggressive tone Political observers note that Dubeys post reflects a broader BJP strategy to appeal to nationalist sentiments among young voters By framing Gen Z as ideologically assertive and intolerant of corruption Dubey seeks to align them with the BJPs vision of governance and cultural identity The post sparked intense debate online with supporters praising Dubeys candour and critics accusing him of fearmongering Hashtags like GenZAgainstDynasty and YouthForChange began trending indicating the emotional resonance of the exchange Dubeys comments also underscore the growing importance of Gen Z in Indias political landscape As digital natives they are not only consuming political content but actively shaping itthrough memes reels and viral commentary Whether Dubeys message galvanises support or alienates moderate youth remains uncertain But one thing is clear the battle for Gen Zs allegiance is heating up and both sides are pulling no punches IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/nishikant-dubey-slams-rahul-gandhi-says-gen-z-rejects-dynasty-and-corruption-639326.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-calls-special-assembly-session-for-relief-to-flood-victims-639327.html Chandigarh Sep 18 In a major citizencentric move the Punjab government on Thursday decided to convene a special session of the Assembly from September 26 to 29 to provide relief to flood victims in the state In a statement here Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the special session would focus on introducing several peopleoriented amendments to rules related to the damage caused by the floods Additionally he stated the new laws concerning compensation for flood victims will also be introduced and approved during the session Mann highlighted the scale of the destruction caused due to floods stating that they have submerged over 2300 villages affected more than 2 million people and destroyed crops across five lakh acres Tragically the Chief Minister said 56 lives were lost and around seven lakh people were rendered homeless He further noted that 3200 government schools were damaged 19 colleges were reduced to rubble 1400 clinics and hospitals were ruined 8500 km of roads were destroyed and 2500 bridges collapsed Mann said that as per initial estimates the total damage amounts to approximately Rs 13800 crore though the actual figure can be even higher The Chief Minister emphasised that the decisions taken during this special session will provide substantial relief to floodaffected citizens He reiterated the governments commitment to supporting the people of Punjab especially those impacted by the floods during this time of severe crisis Mann added that his government is leaving no stone unturned to ensure relief rehabilitation and recovery for the affected population A day earlier Mann launched Mission Chardi Kala a global fundraising campaign to raise funds for the governments rehabilitation efforts for 2025 flood victims In a video message the Chief Minister said that in the past days the state witnessed a scene that our generations will never forget He said the floods didnt just bring water but rather washed away millions of dreams However he said that even during the floods he saw how the youth risked their lives to save others how gurdwaras and temples opened their doors and served food to distressed people and how entire Punjab stood together like one big family which is the greatest strength IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-calls-special-assembly-session-for-relief-to-flood-victims-639327.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/businessman-samir-modi-arrested-in-rape-case-lawyer-terms-allegations-false-and-concocted-639328.html New Delhi Sep 18 Businessman Samir Modi was arrested at the airport on Thursday following a LookOut Circular LOC issued by the Delhi Police Modi was returning to India after a business trip to Europe when he was taken into custody Samir Modi brother of Lalit Modi was presented before a Delhi court which remanded him to one day of police custody A First Information Report FIR was registered last week at the New Friends Colony Police Station following a complaint by a woman who alleged she had been in a longterm relationship with Modi since 2019 In a press statement Modis lawyer described the allegations as false and concocted and claimed they were motivated by attempts to extort money from him Significantly on August 8 and August 13 2025 Samir Modi had filed complaints before various police officers for extortion and blackmail by the same lady supported by WhatsApp chats in which she demanded an amount of 50 crores the statement said It further criticized the police action as hasty stating This is a clear case of abuse of the provisions of law and also hasty acts of the police in making an arrest without verifying the facts Samir Modi had met with the investigating officer on this old case before his visit abroad and he was arrested on his return to India arbitrarily The statement stressed the allegedly fabricated nature of the complaint saying A detailed perusal of the alleged complaint will immediately show these claims of extremely serious and grave offenses to be wild and scurrilous stories Accusations refer to events alleged to have begun four years ago and continued thereon which in itself speaks volumes about the nature and origin of this complaint and the complainants motives By the complainants own version of events alleged meetings were in public places restaurants commercial office premises and residences The intent of the complainant cannot be ruled out to be anything but malafide and devoid of any truth of said allegations it added Modi who is involved in several businessrelated litigations is described in the statement as a respectable businessman who has full faith in the judiciary of our country and agencies who will not only investigate but immediately bring closure to this matter IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/businessman-samir-modi-arrested-in-rape-case-lawyer-terms-allegations-false-and-concocted-639328.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-ministers-inspect-desilting-works-in-satluj-river-639330.html Chandigarh Sep 19 Punjab Water Resources Minister Barinder Kumar Goyal along with Revenue Minister Hardeep Singh Mundian on Thursday inspected the ongoing desilting works in the Satluj river at Sasrali Colony in Ludhiana district The duo directed immediate deployment of additional resources including specialised floating excavators poclains and JCBs to expedite removal of silt deposits and restore the river to its original course Notably the state government has already deployed advanced floating excavators to divert the flow of the river back to its natural routeThe ministers further instructed the mobilisation of all available resources and machinery to ensure the speedy restoration of the river flow and prevent further silt accumulation The ministers said all Cabinet Ministers MLAs and officers are working for the relief and rehabilitation of floodaffected people They reaffirmed that the government remains fully committed to providing timely support for their resettlement They assured that compensation to all affected families will be disbursed within 45 days adding that special girdawari is already being carried out on a war footing to assess the losses in the affected areasLater Revenue Minister Mundian visited village Sahibana and handed over Rs 50000 from his salary to Balbir Singh for the repair of his flooddamaged roof He also announced that the government would release additional funds to further assist Balbir Singh Water Resources Minister Goyal visited Mandala Chhana village to review the strengthening of the Dhussi Bundh where largescale relief operations are underway with support from the Drainage Department He was accompanied by Member of Parliament Balbir Singh Seechewal and Additional Deputy Commissioner Jasbir Singh The Water Resources Minister said to secure this crucial bundh along the Satluj dedicated teams of the Jalandhar administration the Drainage Department and Army units are working round the clock under the supervision of Rajya Sabha MP Seechewal He said there is no shortage of resources as the government has ensured an uninterrupted supply of material and manpower Lauding the relentless efforts of the administration the Army the SDRF and volunteers he said further strengthening work will be undertaken once the water level recedes IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-ministers-inspect-desilting-works-in-satluj-river-639330.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ncds-mental-health-silent-killers-more-cost-effective-solutions-imperative-who-chief-639331.html New Delhi Sep 18 Noncommunicable diseases NCDs such as diabetes hypertension and cancers as well as mental health conditions like anxiety and depression are a silent killer World Health Organisation WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Thursday He urged countries to strengthen costeffective solutions to tackle the rising burden of NCDs and mental healthNoncommunicable diseases and mental health conditions are silent killers robbing us of lives and innovation said GhebreyesusIn a new report titled Saving lives spending less the WHO revealed that an additional investment of just 3 per person annually in tackling NCDs could yield economic benefits of up to 1 trillion by 2030Interestingly the report showed 82 per cent of countries achieved reductions in NCD mortality between 2010 and 2019However the rate of progress slowed significantly 60 per cent across most regions with some countries even experiencing a resurgence in NCDrelated deathsNCDs are responsible for most global deaths while more than one billion people live with mental health conditions Alarmingly nearly 75 per cent of deaths related to NCDs and mental health conditions occur in low and middleincome countries accounting for 32 million lives lost each yearWe have the tools to save lives and reduce suffering Countries like Denmark South Korea and Moldova are leading the way while others are stalling Investing in the fight against NCDs isnt just smart economics its an urgent necessity for thriving societies the WHO DirectorGeneral saidWithout urgent and sustained action to tackle the conditions millions more lives will be lost prematurelyThe solutions to tackle NCDs and promote mental health and wellbeing are both affordable and highly costeffective the report saidThe WHO urged actions by governments against powerful industries whose products contribute to disease These include tobacco alcohol and ultraprocessed food companies who frequently attempt to block weaken or delay lifesaving policies ranging from health taxes to marketing restrictions aimed at protecting childrenIt is unacceptable that commercial interests are profiting from increasing deaths and disease said Dr Etienne Krug Director of WHOs Department of Health Determinants Promotion and PreventionGovernments must put people before profits and ensure evidencebased policy is not derailed by corporate pressure Krug said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ncds-mental-health-silent-killers-more-cost-effective-solutions-imperative-who-chief-639331.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:27:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-cm-stalin-condoles-death-of-tamil-actor-robo-shankar-639335.html Chennai Sep 19 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday expressed his grief over the death of popular comedian and actor Robo Shankar calling him a versatile talent who brought joy to audiences across stage television and cinema In a statement issued the Chief Minister said I am saddened to hear about the passing away of actor Robo Shankar He was a talented artist who entertained the people of Tamil Nadu through his performances on stage television and film I offer my deepest condolences and sympathies to his family and the film fraternity who have lost a gifted performerRobo Shankar whose real name was Shankar began his career as a mimicry and stage artist before rising to prominence through comedy shows on televisionHis spontaneous humour distinctive style of mimicry and ability to connect with audiences made him a household nameHe later transitioned into Tamil cinema carving a niche for himself in comic and character rolesHis breakthrough in films came with Idharkuthane Aasaipattai Balakumara 2013 where his quirky performance earned wide appreciationOver the years he appeared in several successful films including Maari Vaagai Sooda Vaa Tharai Thappattai showcasing his flair not only for comedy but also for playing layered supporting charactersHis role in Viswasam alongside Ajith Kumar further cemented his popularity with mainstream audiencesApart from films Robo Shankar was also a familiar face on Tamil television where he served as a judge and performer in comedy showsHis energetic presence and improvisational skills made him a favorite among younger audiences as wellIndustry colleagues and fans have flooded social media with tributes recalling his warmth humility and ability to make people laugh even offscreenMany described him as a natural entertainer whose loss leaves a major void in Tamil cinemas comedy landscapeAs condolences poured in Chief Minister Stalins message reflected the mood of mourning across Tamil Nadus cultural circles highlighting the affection the late actor commandedRobo Shankar is survived by his wife and daughter IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tn-cm-stalin-condoles-death-of-tamil-actor-robo-shankar-639335.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-govt-sets-deadline-to-fill-potholes-in-bengaluru-amid-backlash-by-it-industry-639336.html Bengaluru Sep 18 After the backlash by IT industry leaders over poor condition of roads in Bengaluru the Congressled government in Karnataka has set a deadline to fill potholes in the IT city Responding to the development of CoFounder and CEO of a wellknown company moving out of Bengaluru over poor road infrastructure the leaders of the IT industry on Wednesday had raised concern and appealed the Congressled government in Karnataka to address the situation with proactive measuresStating that a deadline has been set to fill the potholes in Bengaluru Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar while speaking to reporters at Vidhana Soudha said on Thursday that he would not evade responsibilityShivakumar said It is natural for roads to have potholes during rainy season and we have given a deadline to fill them We have also instructed MLAs to use the grants to fill the potholesAsked why pothole issue persists even after spending thousands of crores he said We have given a deadline and allocated responsibilities to officials There have been many potholes around Vidhana Soudha due to overnight rains yesterday and it is natural We are working to fix this issue The issue will not be resolved just because some people tweet about it and some people issue media statementsAsked about union Minister HD Kumaraswamys social media post that the Deputy Chief Minister is scaring IT companies and startups from Bengaluru due to potholes Shivakumar said What is Kumaraswamys contribution to Bengaluru as a Union Minister The UPA government had given a lot of funds to Bengaluru under the Jawaharalal urban renewal mission He is the righthand man of the PM why cant he get Rs 10000 crores for Bengaluru cityUnion Minister Kumaraswamy had said that he would get approvals for Mekedatu project in five minutes what happened to it Why hasnt he got approval for Mahadayi project He calls himself son of the soil why is he not commenting against Maharashtras threat that it would move Supreme Court opposing Upper Krishna Project Issues wont be resolved by tweetingReplying to a query on Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh writing a letter to invite companies to Andhra Pradesh Shivakumar said They dont have businesses there and hence they are calling Why did the PM call Bengaluru a global city All those who benefit from Bengaluru will stay here Why are global companies in Bengaluru Bengaluru has 25 lakh engineers while California has 13 lakh engineers More than two lakh foreigners are working in Bengaluru Bengaluru offers excellent talent and systemAsked if the Union government was deliberately neglecting Bengaluru he said Certainly the Union government has not given a single rupee for Bengalurus developmentAsked if departments would face funds crunch due to allocation of funds to Upper Krishna project he said This is completely false there is no such proposal We are committed to complete this project The Centre should not succumb to pressure from any state on Upper Krishna project IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ktaka-govt-sets-deadline-to-fill-potholes-in-bengaluru-amid-backlash-by-it-industry-639336.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-police-issue-advisory-warning-citizens-against-malware-attacks-cyber-fraud-639337.html Jaipur Sep 19 In response to rising cases of malware hacking and online fraud the Cybercrime Branch of Rajasthan Police has released an advisory urging citizens to stay alert against fake websites phishing links and malicious apps Superintendent of police Cybercrime Shantanu Kumar Singh advised people to regularly scan their devices using the eScan Bot Removal App to prevent malware infections and safeguard personal and financial data The advisory aims to safeguard citizens from potential cyberattacks and guide them with preventive measuresSP Cybercrime Shantanu Kumar Singh further said that cybercriminals are increasingly targeting people using fake websites malware and phishing attacks These attacks are usually carried out by sending malicious links through smartphones laptops banking apps or social mediaOnce a user clicks on such links malware infiltrates the device putting personal and financial data at risk To avoid such attacks the advisory suggests a simple and effective method scanning devices regularly using the eScan Bot Removal AppSteps recommended in advisory say that first app should be opened on your mobile or computer and Scan should be selected on the main screen Choose the Full Scan option Once completed the app will generate a report highlighting any bots malware or suspicious filesUsers can then delete harmful files by selecting the RemoveDelete option Repeating this process regularly will help keep devices safe from malware threats said SinghIn a recent case in Hyderabad digital arrest by cyber fraudsters claimed the life of a 76yearold retired government doctor who died of a heart attack allegedly after three days of harassmentPolice said conmen posing as police and enforcement officials extorted Rs 66 lakh after accusing her of involvement in human trafficking and continued sending threats even after her deathThe scammers subjected her to 70hour digital arrest by using forged documents bearing the logos of the Supreme Court the Enforcement Directorate ED and the Reserve Bank of India RBIEven after coercing her into transferring the money from her pension account the fraudsters continued harassing her through video calls and fake court noticesThe victim who was in severe distress due to the harassment collapsed with chest pain on September 8 and succumbed the next dayThe elderly woman who served as the chief senior resident medical officer at Area Hospital in Malakpet was first contacted by fraudsters from a WhatsApp number on September 5 They allegedly used the Bengaluru police logo on the profile and after accusing her of human trafficking threatened to arrest her under the National Security Act if she failed to transfer the money IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-police-issue-advisory-warning-citizens-against-malware-attacks-cyber-fraud-639337.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/six-arrested-for-assaulting-policeman-in-kolkatas-netaji-nagar-area-639339.html Kolkata Sep 19 A policeman was beaten up while trying to stop a chaos in Netaji Nagar area in South Kolkata A subinspector of the local police station on Thursday reached the said area after receiving information about a gathering of miscreants with weapons in front of a lawyers house When he tried to bring the situation under control the miscreants attacked him The police on Thursday arrested six people in connection with the incidentAccording to the police the local police station last on Wednesday night received information that about 8 to 10 miscreants had gathered in front of the house of lawyer named Dipayan Ghosh a resident of Netaji Nagar The miscreants were reportedly carrying knives and other weapons They were allegedly threatening the lawyer who is also the Trinamool Youth President of Ward 99 in Kolkata Municipal Corporation KMC area On receiving the news of the commotion local police station subinspector Dinabandhu Kesh along with constables reached the spot When he tried to bring the situation under control the miscreants allegedly attacked the policemanThe injured subinspector was left bleeding in the attack by the miscreants According to police sources the miscreant group was led by a man named Jayanta Ghosh Apart from this several women were also in the group When the police tried to arrest the miscreants it is alleged that the women obstructed the police personnelFollowing the scuffle three miscreants were arrested at the spot while Jayanta Ghosh fled A few minutes later Ghosh and his associates created a ruckus inside Bagha Jatin State General Hospital assaulting the medical staff and the onduty doctorThe police rushed to the hospital and during this second round of scuffle the miscreants attempted to attack the officers with a surgical instrument before being overpowered Three more persons including Jayanta Ghosh were arrested from the hospital taking the total number of arrests in the incident to six Total six persons have been arrested for assaulting a policeman and also threatening a lawyer We are investigating the matter said a senior officer of Kolkata Police A suo motu case has been registered at Netaji Nagar Police Station against the arrested and an investigation has started IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/six-arrested-for-assaulting-policeman-in-kolkatas-netaji-nagar-area-639339.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/world-bamboo-day-marked-across-northeast-showcasing-bamboo-as-regions-green-gold-639340.html KohimaAgartala Sep 19 World Bamboo Day 2025 was celebrated across the Northeastern states highlighting bamboo as the regions green gold and stressing the need for its better utilisation The World Bamboo Day 2025 was celebrated at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre at Chumoukedima under the theme Next Generation Bamboo Solution Innovation and Design Gracing the event Development Commissioner Temsunaro Aier described bamboo as the green gold of Nagaland and other states of the region highlighting its deep cultural ecological and economic significance She urged stakeholders to sustain this legacy with pride and responsibility noting bamboos role in food shelter craft art and livelihood Aier also stressed the need for sustainable practices citing bamboos rapid growth carbon absorption and soil conservation benefits making it a strong ally in the fight against climate change The official also commended the Nagaland Bamboo Development Agency NBDA for promoting bamboobased enterprises training artisans and supporting selfhelp groups She noted that products such as handicrafts furniture incense sticks blinds mats and bamboo shoots are gaining recognition turning Nagaland into a hub for bamboo industries As part of the celebration Aier announced the upcoming stateoftheart Cane and Bamboo Technology Park at the Nagaland Bamboo Resource Centre which will serve as a Centre for research training and production A weeklong training programme was also launched for 26 artisans to enhance their skills in bamboo design manufacturing and value addition Certificates and machineries were distributed to the trainees and the Bamboo Entrepreneur Award was presented to Bukhaio Khiamniungan On the occasion a special publication titled Facilitating Ease of Doing Business in the Bamboo Sector in Northeast India Removal of Compliance Burdens was also released in collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry CII The event featured a bamboo theme song by MusikA School and a keynote address by Kuko Mero State Mission Director NBDA who noted that with over 43 species of bamboo Nagaland has immense potential in bamboobased sustainable development He informed that NBDA has carried out block plantations covering 1506 hectares trained over 200 entrepreneurs and artisans and set up two Common Facility Centres generating employment for more than 500 people The Agency has also established processing units nurseries with 15 lakh saplings rural haats bamboo bazaars and upgraded the Nagaland Handicrafts Emporium in New Delhi and Kolkata under the brand Naturally Nagaland In Tripura at a discussion on the World Bamboo Day states Industries and Commerce Minister Santana Chakma and Forest and Environment Minister Animesh Debbarma interacted with the investors and industrialists over the significance of the bamboo resources According to Forest officials nearly 44 per cent of Tripuras geographical area is under bamboo coverage and the state government is exploring avenues for highvalue addition of bamboo including its use in renewable energy and bioethanol production Shailesh Kumar Yadav Mission Director of the Tripura Bamboo Mission said We are exploring potential investors interested in bioethanol One metric ton of good quality bamboo can produce around 200300 litres of bioethanol The central government already has a bioethanol policy for blending with fossil fuels like petrol and diesel and recently a bioethanol plant has been set up at Numaligarh Refinery in Assam He said that several private sector players along with local entrepreneurs are showing interest in bioethanol and biochar projects and the government is extending full support Yadav who is also Director of Industries and Commerce highlighting the market potential said that the global bamboo market stood at USD 67 billion in 2024 while Indias bamboo economy was valued at Rs 1300 crore in exports with the rest consumed domestically Notably incense sticks alone had a market worth Rs 13500 crore last year with a majority of round sticks imported from abroad China is currently the largest global producer and exporter of bamboo while India ranks third in production but tops as an importer because value addition in the sector is still limited Tripura probably has one of the largest bamboo resources in the country but we have lagged behind in engineered bamboo products mechanized largescale production of ply veneer and other valueadded items he admitted The official noted that while 2500030000 people are currently engaged in Tripuras bamboo sector it has the potential to provide livelihoods to at least one lakh individuals A master plan supported by the Asian Development Bank is already in place to systematically and sustainably exploit Tripuras bamboo resources for enhanced livelihoods and better financial returns The states bamboo sector presently has an annual turnover of Rs 8590 crore with handicrafts accounting for 2530 per cent of the share The World Bamboo Day 2025 was also celebrated in Mizoram and other Northeastern states IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/world-bamboo-day-marked-across-northeast-showcasing-bamboo-as-regions-green-gold-639340.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 01:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dusu-election-results-2025-to-be-declared-today-639345.html New Delhi Sep 19 The muchanticipated results of the Delhi University Students Union DUSU Election 2025 will be declared on Friday marking the culmination of a highstakes student political contest that witnessed a turnout of over 155 lakh voters The Delhi High Court ahead of the announcement has imposed a strict ban on any victory rallies by the winning candidates The court has directed the Delhi Police university authorities and local administration to ensure stringent measures are in place to prevent any untoward incidentsThis years DUSU election was held on Thursday drawing participation from over 275 lakh eligible voters across more than 50 colleges affiliated with Delhi University Voting took place across 52 centres and 195 booths utilizing 711 Electronic Voting Machines EVMs The overall voter turnout was recorded at 3945 percentA total of 21 candidates are contesting for the four key positions in the student union President Vice President Secretary and Joint Secretary Notably nine candidates are vying for the Presidents post alone while 12 others are in the race for the remaining positionsThe polling was conducted in two phases The morning phase began at 830 am and concluded at 1 pm while the evening session was held from 3 pm to 730 pm in eight colleges Although the morning witnessed a slow start voting picked up momentum later in the dayThe elections however were marred by allegations of violence and malpractice The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ABVP the student wing of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS accused incumbent DUSU President and National Students Union of India NSUI leader Raunak Khatri of being involved in a scuffle at North CampusABVP Delhi State Secretary Sarthak Sharma alleged that Khatris supporters manhandled a female student outside Kirori Mal College causing her injuryDespite the tensions both the ABVP and NSUI have claimed they are headed for victory The ABVP asserted that it is on track to sweep all four union posts dismissing NSUIs allegations as baseless and indicative of political panicSecurity has been heightened across university campuses to ensure law and order during and after the result announcement IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dusu-election-results-2025-to-be-declared-today-639345.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 07:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-nh-disruption-special-train-service-for-15-days-between-katra-banihal-639351.html Jammu Sep 19 To mitigate the hardships faced by people due to the disruption of the JammuSrinagar highway the Northern Railways is starting a special train service on Friday for 15 days between Katra and Banihal Officials said the train will operate between Katra and Banihal stations for 15 days starting from September 19 as an alternative to ensure safe and efficient travel for the public following the disruption of traffic due to the closure of the JammuSrinagar highwayEarlier on September 8 a special local train service was started between Katra and Sangaldan to facilitate stranded passengers in the wake of the closure of the JammuSrinagar national highway in Udhampur districtThis train will run from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to Banihal for 15 days from September 19 to September 30The train will depart from Banihal at 11 am and arrive at Katra at 130 pm It will stop at Reasi Bakkal Dugga Sawalkot Sangaldan Sumber and Khari stations along the routeSimilarly the train will run between Katra and Banihal departing from Katra at 145 pm and arriving at Banihal at 410 pm Both trains will have stoppages at the same stationsThe safety and convenience of passengers is our top priority in the division With road services suspended in the Banihal and Katra areas this special train will provide an important alternative to ensure safe and efficient travel for the public railway officials saidNear the Tharad bridge in Udhampur district of the JammuSrinagar highway 5060 metres of the highway had sunk and men and machinery of the BRO have laid an alternative stretch at Tharad During the last two days over 4800 fruitladen trucks used this alternative stretch to carry apples to outside markets from the ValleyApple growers and traders in the Valley have suffered huge losses due to the continued disruption of the highway Fruit laden in stranded trucks at different points of the highway had rotted forcing growers to dispose of the rotten fruitThe Railways also ran parcel trains to carry fruit from Kashmir to Adarsh Nagar in Delhi to support the fruit growersChief Minister Omar Abdullah has requested that more parcel trains be operated to ensure that the horticulture industry of Kashmir is saved from suffering further losses IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/jampk-nh-disruption-special-train-service-for-15-days-between-katra-banihal-639351.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cloudburst-triggers-massive-destruction-in-himachals-kinnaur-vehicles-swept-away-639352.html New Delhi Sep 19 A devastating cloudburst struck Himachal Pradeshs Kinnaur district causing severe flooding and destruction in Thach village The incident which occurred around 1210 AM on Friday led to a sudden surge in three adjoining mountain streams sweeping away two vehicles and damaging fields orchards and homesLocals reported that residents fled their houses in panic and rushed towards nearby forested areas for safety as the torrents surged through the villageVehicles belonging to Praveen Moyan and Hari Bisht were among those washed away in the deluge In Mastan village parts of homes and a cowshed were swept into the floodwatersSeveral orchards were destroyed and the houses of villagers Ranveer and three others are reportedly on the verge of collapseIn the state capital Shimla a landslide near Edward School disrupted traffic and forced the closure of the citys vital Circular Road Meanwhile a threestorey house collapsed in the Karevathi area of Kumarsain further highlighting the widespread impact of heavy rainfall across the stateSo far the monsoonrelated disasters have claimed 424 lives in Himachal Pradesh with damages across the state mounting each dayEarlier this week on September 17 four people were killed and six went missing as flash floods and landslides struck various parts of the state Over 650 roads including three National Highways remain blocked crippling connectivity and access to essential services like electricity and drinking waterChief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has declared Himachal Pradesh a disasterhit state estimating cumulative damages at over Rs 20000 crore over the past three years The state has appealed to the Centre for urgent financial assistance and comprehensive relief supportJust days earlier on September 16 another cloudburst in Mandi district wreaked havoc in Dharampur washing away several HRTC buses private vehicles and submerging homes and shops Locals described the scene as worse than the 2015 floods with the Saun rivulet overflowing and inundating vast areasRelentless rains continue to batter the hill state leaving a trail of destruction in their wake and pushing both the administration and residents to the brink IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cloudburst-triggers-massive-destruction-in-himachals-kinnaur-vehicles-swept-away-639352.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/drugs-worth-over-rs-5-crore-seized-at-lucknow-airport-two-arrested-639356.html New Delhi Sep 19 In a major drug bust Customs officials at Lucknows Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport arrested two Mumbai men with drugs worth Rs five crore The arrests were made on Thursday said the Customs Department in a press release issued by the Office of the DeputyAssistant Commissioner Air Customs at the airportThe operation was held after getting specific intelligence inputs and conducting further analysis Two passengers arrived at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport Lucknow on September 17 from Bangkok on flight number FD146The passengers were intercepted and sent to the green channel for Xray examination of their personal belongings and baggage by Customs officials deployed at the bus standSubsequently upon checking the black baggage being carried by the passengers eight green polythene packets containing NDPS substance suspected to be GanjaMarijuana Hydroponic Seeds with a net weight of 4917 kg were recoveredWhen the green substance was tested it prima facie appeared to be ganjamarijuana hydroponic seedsThe Customs officials have registered a case of smuggling of NDPS substances packed in eight packets suspected to be GanjaMarijuana Hydroponic Seeds These eight packets were vacuumpacked plastic bags containing NDPS substances The value of the substance is approximately Rs 4917 croreThe press statement said In view of the above it is clear that the passengers have violated the provisions of Section 8 of the NDPS Act 1985 and have committed offences punishable under Sections 20 and 23 of the NDPS Act 1985Accordingly the passengers were arrested under Section 43 of the NDPS Act 1985 said the officials The green substance suspected to be ganjamarijuana hydroponic seeds was seized along with the packaging material under Section 43 of the NDPS Act 1985Further investigation is ongoing in the matter said the officialsEarlier in the month the Narcotics Control Bureau Chennai arrested three persons including a Nigerian after busting a major cocaine syndicate at the airport At the time of the arrest the accused were carrying 5618 kilograms of cocaine worth at least Rs 60 crore which was seized by the authorities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/drugs-worth-over-rs-5-crore-seized-at-lucknow-airport-two-arrested-639356.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-techie-shot-by-us-cops-family-seeks-meas-help-to-bring-body-back-to-india-639364.html HyderabadNew Delhi Sep 19 An Indian man was shot by the police in California after he allegedly stabbed his roommate with a knife earlier this month officials said However his family has alleged racial discrimination and demanded a thorough probe into the circumstances leading to his death According to an NDTV report they have also sought the assistance of the Ministry of External Affairs MEA to transport his mortal remains to India In a statement police said Mohammed Nizamuddin from Mahabubnagar in Telangana was shot after he was found inside his residence in Santa Clara with a knife on September 3 pinning down his roommate who had sustained several injuries in a scuffleThe police said they had reached the residence in response to a 911 call about a stabbing incident A purported altercation between Nizamuddin and his roommate had gone out of control leading to the attackSCPD officers arrived encountered the suspect and were involved in an Officer Involved Shooting The suspect was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased The victim was transported to a local hospital and is being treated for their injuries NDTV reported quoting the police statementThe Santa Clara County District Attorneys Office and the Santa Clara Police Department are conducting a joint investigation This remains an active and open investigation As the investigation progresses we expect to provide an update tomorrow afternoon it addedThe Indian mans family however said it was Nizamuddin who called the police for help before being shot by themNizamuddin had pursued a Masters in Computer Science at a Florida college and was working at a technology company in CaliforniaThe family said that the youth was a quiet and religious person and had even publicly raised complaints of racial harassment wage fraud and wrongful termination from his jobAccording to NDTV his family also pointed out a LinkedIn post by him that said I have been a victim of racial hatred racial discrimination racial harassment torture wagefraud wrongful termination and obstruction of Justice Enough is enough white supremacyracist white American mentality has to endHe also detailed allegations of poisoning of his food eviction and what he described as continued surveillance and intimidation by a purported detectiveThe family has sought a thorough probe into the allegations made by Nizamuddin and the circumstances that led to his deathAccording to NDTV Majlis Bachao Tehreek spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan who met Nizamuddins father Mohammed Hasnuddin said he has written to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urging him to request the Embassy of India in Washington DC and the Consulate General in San Francisco to provide a detailed report on the matter and help with repatriation of the remains of the young man and related formalities IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-techie-shot-by-us-cops-family-seeks-meas-help-to-bring-body-back-to-india-639364.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-power-a-turnaround-in-indias-corporate-history-says-morgan-stanley-with-29-pc-stock-upside-639366.html Mumbai Sep 19 Shares of Adani Power Ltd APL surged in the morning trade on Friday after global brokerage Morgan Stanley initiated Overweight on the company with a target price of Rs 818 projecting an upside of 29 per cent from its previous closing price The brokerage said in a note that Adani Power is a good illustration of turnaround in Indias corporate history with resolution on most regulatory issues and multiple valueaccretive acquisitionsAPL will deliver strong earnings growth driven by timely completion of projects and more PPA wins medium term Initiate at OW Overweight and Top Pick said the brokerageNew coal power purchase agreements PPAs should improve investor confidence in earnings power Morgan Stanley addedIt also forecast that the companys capacity and earnings before interest taxes depreciation and amortisation EBITDA will rise 25 times and 3 times by the financial year 2033 respectivelyWe believe coal holds the key to Indias energy security with nuclear being a driver in the next decade India is looking to add 80GW of coal by F32 there is currently a large power purchase agreement PPA pipeline of 20GW according to the noteThe stock was trading about 78 per cent up in the morning trade Shares of Adani Power ended the previous session 05 per cent upAdani Ports is Indias largest independent power producer and secondlargest power producer after NTPC with 8 per cent share in both coal and generationWe forecast its market share to reach 15 per cent by F32e with a 419GW portfolio 25x vs F25 APL has seen favourable resolution of most regulatory issues and has a strong balance sheet F25 net debtEBITDA 15x We expect 6065 per cent of its US27 billion capex for a 237GW addition to be met through internal accruals said the brokerageIncrementally timely project completions land acquired boiler turbinegenerator orders placed construction execution by Adani Group and lower external debt combined with PPAs getting signed would drive earningsWe see upside to our estimates if APLs merchant portfolio declines from 20 per cent currently and profitability in recently acquired 29GW power plants improves the brokerage note said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-power-a-turnaround-in-indias-corporate-history-says-morgan-stanley-with-29-pc-stock-upside-639366.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 10:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/udta-punjab-no-more-youth-high-on-spirit-of-sewa-chardi-kala-helping-in-survival-revival-of-flood-ravaged-state-639376.html Chandigarh Sep 19 As Punjab is grappling with unprecedented riverine flooding leading to the loss of 56 precious lives inundation of 2300 plus villages loss of property livelihoods and infrastructure worth a whopping Rs 13800 crore its the indomitable attitude of the young people that keeps alive the spirit of sewa and Chardi Kala resilience to fight it out despite the most challenging times in four decades and to rebuild the state together A notable trend has come to the fore that the youth of Punjab who has been branded as idle and druggy in the past is now turning out to be the saviour of the peopleYoung men and women are fulfilling their humanitarian duties by reaching out to marooned villagers with daily utilities and strengthening river embankments to prevent further flooding of fields and human habitationsAs water levels are finally starting to recede after weeks displaced families have begun returning home to find their houses crops and livelihoods almost wiped out even as the Punjab government promised to compensate all victimsNow rural communities led by celebrities influencers and community and faith leaders are seen in transformative roles with focus on reconstruction of homes schools and health facilities besides strengthening embankments and drainage to prevent a delugeFlooding triggered by heavy monsoon rains and water from swollen rivers since August has inundated large parts of Punjab the countrys food basket where over 2 million people have been impacted and five lakh acres of crops destroyed after the release of water from upstream dams leading to rivers bursting their banksOctogenarian Vijay Khanna a doctor based in Zira a rural town in Ferozepur one of the worst ravaged districts told IANS over phone that youngsters in almost every village have been assigned duties to carry out rehabilitation work in floodprone areasThe work ranges from strengthening the river embankments to setting up floodpreparedness committees to mobilise resources and to clearing silt and muck left behind by the floodwater from houses streets and fieldsEvery youngster who has been assigned a duty has been using his or her tractortrailer through community networks to do community work he saidKhanna said its wrong to project the youth of Punjab as drug addicts In fact they are the ones who first braved the floods then helped in saving others and now they are helping in the revival of rural livelihoodsSet against the backdrop of rampant drug abuse among the youth in Punjab the crime drama Udta Punjab highlighted the states drug crisis and its dark realitiesIn a role reversal from Udta Punjab these floods the worst in living memory showcased the survivaltorevival spirit of the youth that is based on the Sikh belief of Sarbat da Bhala meaning welfare of allA volunteer with an international charity told IANS It is wrong to project the youth of Punjab as drug addicts They are addicted to sewa Wherever you see building of embankments it is the local youth that is workingCan a drug addict do labourintensive jobs only a Punjabi can do that with the strength of the youth who is strong adamant and always in Chardi KalaChardi Kala means the concept of high spirits in all conditions including adversitiesInterestingly the youth are doing more mitti di seva for flood relief Mitti di seva means a community effort to contribute earth to rebuild embankmentsBJP leader Sukhminderpal Singh Grewal wrote on X on Friday This sacred land Punjab of Gurus carries the true voice of every Punjabi Punjab must rise togetherHe demanded a white paper on floods to fix accountability as he believed its a manmade disaster and alleged that it was government failureIn Gurdaspur Amritsar Fazilka and Tarn Taran districts global charities along with local youth are taking volunteerism into their own hands and providing relief to villagers for longterm economic stability beyond twothree monthsChief Minister Bhagwant Mann this week launched Mission Chardi Kala a global fundraising campaign to raise funds for the rehabilitation efforts for flood victimsChief Minister Mann said now is the time to move beyond relief and begin rehabilitation as the farmers need to sow their fields again children need to return to school and families need to rebuild their homesVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgiansin IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/udta-punjab-no-more-youth-high-on-spirit-of-sewa-chardi-kala-helping-in-survival-revival-of-flood-ravaged-state-639376.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/dusu-polls-counting-underway-abvp-ahead-in-key-posts-639377.html New Delhi Sep 19 Counting for the Delhi University Students Union DUSU elections 2025 is underway on Friday at the Multipurpose Hall in the University Sports Stadium of North Campus After the first round of counting ABVP DUSU presidential candidate Aryan Maan is ahead with 1196 votes ABVPs candidate for the post of DUSU secretary Kunal Chaudhary is leading with 1410 votes and its Joint Secretary candidate Deepika Jha is ahead with 1315 votesHowever the NSUI DUSU vice presidential candidate Rahul Jhansla is ahead with 1606 votesThe counting of votes began at 8 am and the results are expected later in the dayOver 600 police personnel including 160 officers have been deployed and CCTV surveillance is in place to ensure a smooth and secure polling processThe DUSU election was held on Thursday in two phases recording a voter turnout of 3945 per cent Voting was held across 52 centres and 195 boothsA total of 21 candidates are contesting for the four key positions in the student union president vicepresident secretary and joint secretaryNotably nine candidates are vying for the Presidents post alone while 12 others are in the race for the remaining positionsRashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSSaffiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ABVP and the Congressbacked National Students Union of India NSUI are locked in a direct contest with the Left alliance AISASFI also playing a significant roleAryan Maan from ABVP Joslyn Nandita Choudhary from NSUI and Anjali from the SFIAISA alliance are in the fray for the DUSU Presidents post The poll campaign focused on affordable travel fee hikes and better facilities for students among othersAllegations of violence and malpractice marred the electionsThe ABVP the student wing of the RSS accused DUSU President and NSUI leader Raunak Khatri of being involved in a scuffle at North CampusABVP Delhi State Secretary Sarthak Sharma alleged that Khatris supporters manhandled a female student outside Kirori Mal College causing her injury Both the ABVP and NSUI have claimed that they will emerge victoriousNotably the Delhi High Court has imposed a strict ban on any victory rallies by the winning candidates The court has directed the Delhi Police university authorities and local administration to ensure stringent measures are in place to prevent any untoward incidents IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/dusu-polls-counting-underway-abvp-ahead-in-key-posts-639377.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rashtra-and-ram-must-move-together-dhirendra-shastri-calls-for-bundelkhand-statehood-cow-protection-639379.html New Delhi Sep 19 The high priest of Bageshwar Dham Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri has voiced strong support for Bundelkhands statehood and urged the government to take immediate action on stray cattle demanding shelters for them Speaking to reporters in Chhatarpur Madhya Pradesh Pandit Dhirendra Shastri remarked If Bundelkhand were to become a separate state it would certainly bring great development progress and momentum to the region However for such a decision the country has its government and laws and wise people in authority will take the call accordinglyThe spiritual leader also expressed deep concern over the condition of cows in Madhya Pradesh and Bundelkhand calling it a matter of misfortune for Hindus and Indian society at largeThis is the greatest misfortune for Bundelkhand Madhya Pradesh and for Hindus that the cow whom we revere as mother is seen wandering in the streets he saidHe urged the government to build 510 large cowsheds per district to house stray cattle and prevent both societal inconvenience and religious sinIf each cowshed can house 40005000 cattle nearly 4000050000 cows could be accommodated This would clear the streets of cows provide them shelter and also prevent sin Shastri saidIn a strong message on national unity and patriotism he emphasised It is essential for Rashtra and Ram to move together It is the duty of every Indian to show patriotism We believe that the National Anthem should be sung in Indias temples churches mosques and shrines at least once a week so that we remain united in our duty towards the nation and keep patriotism alive in our heartsHe also extended best wishes to the Annapurna Ramlila Committee which is celebrating its 75th Amrit Mahotsav this yearAnnouncing a major upcoming religious event Shastri said From November 7 to 16 a padyatra will be held from Delhis Adya Katyayani Mata Mandir to Banke Bihari in Vrindavan Covering over 140 kms in 10 days this spiritual yatra will pass through Delhi Haryana and Uttar PradeshHe added that lakhs of devotees from across India including Bihar Jharkhand Maharashtra Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh are expected to join the yatra making it one of the largest spiritual gatherings of the year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rashtra-and-ram-must-move-together-dhirendra-shastri-calls-for-bundelkhand-statehood-cow-protection-639379.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-meeting-today-ahead-of-pm-modis-rajasthan-visit-on-september-25-639380.html Jaipur Sep 19 Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma will chair a cabinet meeting on Friday in Jaipur a few days before Prime Minister Narendra Modis scheduled visit to Rajasthan The meeting is expected to focus on reviewing preparations for PM Modis visit and finalising several key agendasOfficial sources said the cabinet will take up proposals from important departments including Revenue Personnel Energy Urban Development and Rural DevelopmentAlong with this discussions on the organisation of urban and rural service camps are also likely to be heldPrime Minister Modi is scheduled to visit Banswara on September 25 where he will lay the foundation stone for the MahiBanswara Nuclear Power Plant and launch projects worth Rs 121 lakh crore for Rajasthan and other statesPM Modi will lay the foundation stone for the countrys largest nuclear power project estimated at around Rs 45000 croreThe mega project planned near the Mahi Dam on the RajasthanMadhya Pradesh border will be developed under the Nuclear Energy Mission and is expected to mark a significant step forward in Indias energy security and clean energy initiativesOn Thursday CM Sharma had already chaired a highlevel meeting at the CMO to review preparationsTodays cabinet meeting is also expected to discuss the Prime Ministers visit in detail ensuring smooth coordination among departments said officialsOfficials said that another important issue that may find a place on the agenda is the MLA salary hike bill In the previous cabinet meeting the proposal to increase legislators salaries was discussed but deferred at the last momentCM Sharma had directed officials to study salary structures of MLAs in other states before taking a final callWith that report now likely available the bill could come up for discussion again todayAlong with decisions on infrastructure governance and public welfare initiatives the meeting is expected to underline the governments commitment to making PM Modis Rajasthan visit a grand successOfficials have been instructed to ensure interdepartmental coordination and smooth arrangements ahead of the highprofile event IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cabinet-meeting-today-ahead-of-pm-modis-rajasthan-visit-on-september-25-639380.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 11:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/retired-soldier-arrested-for-objectionable-post-on-karnataka-cm-639390.html Bengaluru Sep 19 The Bengaluru Police on Friday arrested a retired soldier on charges of posting an objectionable message against Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah The arrested person has been identified as 40yearold Vasanth Kumar a resident of Sakaleshpura in Hassan districtThe Cyber Wing of the Central Crime Branch CCB carried out the arrestAfter retirement Kumar has been engaged in agriculture in his native placePolice said Kumar had posted an objectionable message against Siddaramaiah on his Facebook page named Hanuma BhaktaHe had taken exception to Siddaramaiah questioning President Droupadi Murmu at a recent event in Mysuru where the Chief Minister had asked if she knew the Kannada language In response the accused allegedly used abusive language against the Chief MinisterThe police registered a suo motu case in this regard and arrested himSiddaramaiah while delivering his speech at the inaugural address at the All India Institute of Speech and Hearing AIISHs Diamond Jubilee Celebrations in Mysuru city in Karnataka on September 1 questioned President Droupadi Murmu whether she knew the Kannada languageAfterwards in her inaugural address President Murmu also conveyed to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Kannada is not my mother tongue however I respect all languages cultures and heritage Everyone should strive to preserve language and culture and take steps toward their promotionOn August 30 the Kengeri Police in Bengaluru arrested an assistant priest of a temple for uploading an abusive post on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over the Mysuru Dusshera row He was dismissed from service hours after his arrestGururajachar was arrested based on a complaint by the Bengaluru West Division Congress Committee after the video clip went viralOn May 6 a warder at the Mysuru Central Jail was arrested for allegedly recording an abusive video against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and sharing it on social mediaThe accused warder Madhu Kumar was arrested by Bettadapura Police in Mysuru district The warder was also suspended pending a departmental inquiry IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/retired-soldier-arrested-for-objectionable-post-on-karnataka-cm-639390.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-yogi-to-review-preparations-for-up-international-trade-show-in-greater-noida-today-639391.html Greater Noida Sep 19 Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will review preparations for the UP International Trade Show in Greater Noida on Friday The administration and organising committee have completed all preparations for the international trade show which begins on September 25 at the India Expo Mart in Greater NoidaChief Minister Yogi Adityanath will personally visit Greater Noida to review these preparations and hold a review meeting with officialsCM Yogis visit is scheduled for this afternoon where he will inspect the exhibition site and thoroughly review security and arrangements This International Trade Show is considered very special for Uttar Pradesh as approximately 2500 exhibitors are participating These exhibitors representing various industries businesses and enterprises will showcase their products and servicesSignificantly Russia has been selected as the country partner which is expected to further strengthen trade relations between India and RussiaThe administration has made strict security arrangements Police personnel have been deployed in Greater Noida and the surrounding areasAccording to reports more than 1000 police personnel have been called in from other districts to strengthen security Additionally several PAC companies have been deployed The Expo Mart complex and surrounding areas are under strict surveillanceThe administration has issued instructions to maintain special vigilance A review meeting this afternoon will review security traffic parking exhibition arrangements guest reception and preparations for foreign delegatesOrganisers said this years trade show will be a great opportunity to showcase Uttar Pradeshs industrial and business potential to the world Entrepreneurs from handicrafts textiles agriculture IT startups and many other sectors will participateIt is hoped that this event will not only strengthen the states image but also create new investment and business opportunitiesThis is one of several recent visits by the Chief Minister to the Noida and Greater Noida region He also visited in August to inaugurate a manufacturing unit with Defence Minister Rajnath SinghThe UP International Trade Show 2025 is the flagship B2B and B2C event of the Uttar Pradesh government highlighting the states industrial progress entrepreneurial spirit and global business potentialThis mega trade show the third edition of its International Trade Show UPITS from September 2529 serves as a platform for industries startups exporters and business leaders to showcase their innovations build partnerships and explore new market opportunities on both national and international levels IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-yogi-to-review-preparations-for-up-international-trade-show-in-greater-noida-today-639391.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sabarimala-gold-row-uproar-in-kerala-assembly-cong-stages-walkout-639393.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 19 The Kerala Assembly on Friday turned stormy after the Congressled UDFs attempt to raise the Sabarimala gold plating controversy through an adjournment motion was blocked by the Speaker prompting a dramatic walkout The controversy centres on reports that the gold covering on the sanctum sanctorums idol had been removed without authorisation and that nearly four kilograms of the plating were found missingCiting the deep anguish of devotees the Opposition pressed for an urgent debateSpeaker AN Shamseer rejected the motion ruling that the matter is already before the Kerala High Court Since the issue is sub judice the House cannot take it up he saidIncidentally on Wednesday the Kerala High Court raised serious concerns over discrepancies in the weight of gold plates used in the sanctum Sannidhanam of the Sabarimala temple and ordered a detailed probe into what it termed a strange and worrying matterDuring the hearing on Wednesday the court questioned how the plates which weighed 42 kg when taken in 2019 for gold plating work showed a shortage of four kg on being returnedFollowing the Speakers refusal to take up the motion to be placed for discussion Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan shot back that similar motions had been allowed in the past despite court proceedingsThe government is hiding behind procedure to avoid accountability he allegedMinister of Excise MB Rajesh accused the Opposition of trying to stir unrest among Ayyappa devotees This is nothing but frustration They are deliberately dragging in a matter under court consideration to create a commotion he saidUndeterred the Opposition charged the government with continuing neglect of Sabarimala and insisted the issue warranted a full debateCongress veteran Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had submitted the notice which was turned down leading the Opposition benches to stage a walkoutMinister P Rajeeve later ridiculed the move pointing out that the High Court will take up the case again on September 30Had the Opposition forced a debate today they would have walked out looking even more ridiculous than in the past three days he saidThe missing gold plating at Sabarimala has already fuelled disquiet among devotees and sparked political sparring outside the House as well with the government under pressure to reassure the public about the security of temple assets IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sabarimala-gold-row-uproar-in-kerala-assembly-cong-stages-walkout-639393.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/poshan-maah-initiative-significantly-advanced-indias-fight-against-malnutrition-govt-639394.html New Delhi Sep 19 The Poshan Maah initiative under the Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly advanced Indias fight against malnutrition the Union government said Launched in March 2018 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Rajasthans Jhunjhunu Poshan Abhiyaan is a flagship multiministerial convergence mission designed to place nutrition at the forefront of Indias national development agendaThe Poshan Maah initiative has played a key role in building a healthier and stronger nation through nutrition reducing stunting among childrenThe National Family Health Survey NFHS5 201921 reports reduced stunting among children under five from 384 per cent to 355 per cent As per the NFHS5 report underweight prevalence in children dropped from 358 per cent to 321 per centThe Poshan Maah initiative a cornerstone of the Poshan Abhiyaan has significantly advanced Indias fight against malnutrition by promoting dietary diversity community engagement and technologydriven solutions the government saidPoshan Maah empowers communities and schools to foster sustainable nutritional practices for a healthier stronger nation it addedOn Wednesday PM Modi launched the 8th Rashtriya Poshan Maah along with the Swasth Nari Sashakt Parivar Abhiyan aligning strongly with his vision of Sashakt Nari and Suposhit BharatThis years edition highlights innovative and inclusive approaches to address malnutrition and promote sustainable health It aims to create awareness on obesity by reducing sugar and oil consumption to build a healthier IndiaObesity is becoming a big problem for our country In the coming years every third person will be a victim to it We must save ourselves from obesity Therefore I would like to give you a small suggestion use 10 per cent less oil in cooking PM Modi said during his Independence Day speech in AugustThe Poshan Maah will focus on early childhood care and education ECCEPoshan Bhi Padhai Bhi PBPBFurther with the EK Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative it aims to integrate environmental sustainability with nutrition awareness encouraging tree plantation and ecofriendly practices to support longterm health and wellbeingThe campaign also aims to enhance feeding practices for children under two years to improve nutrition outcomes emphasising optimal breastfeeding and complementary feeding In addition it will promote active male participation in nutrition awareness and caregiving roles to foster shared responsibility in family and community healthPoshan Maah is a nationwide initiative to promote nutrition and healthy living and everyone can play a vital role in making it a success by educating the community planting nutrition gardens and promoting kitchen gardens supporting Anganwadi Centres and ASHA Workers by volunteering at local Anganwadi centres IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/poshan-maah-initiative-significantly-advanced-indias-fight-against-malnutrition-govt-639394.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/2-nabbed-for-stock-market-fraud-aiding-cyber-syndicates-in-duping-victims-of-rs-6-crore-639397.html New Delhi Sep 19 In a major crackdown on cyberenabled financial fraud the Cyber Cell of Delhi Police Crime Branch on Friday apprehended two key accused in a multicrore stock market scam The victims were cheated of nearly Rs 6 crore through fake IPO funding and stock market schemes The two accused named Kulwant Singh and Devender Singh were arrested by the cyber cell for acting as account holders for organised cyber fraud syndicatesThey provided victims bank accounts to interstate cyber syndicates enabling diversion and laundering of victims funds through multiple channelsThe syndicates lured the investors with false promises of IPO funding and highreturn stock market schemesThe accused facilitated fraudulent transactions of 20 lakh part of 6 crore via their Bank of Baroda account in the name of Akhil Bhartiya Gareeb Jan Seva Trust The Trust was registered before the SubRegistrar as an NGOTrust and a Current Account was opened in the Trusts name for banking operations This account was found to be linked with 10 complaints on the National Cybercrime Reporting PortalTheir modus operandi involved enticing investors with fake trading applications and persuading them to join these groups in hope of monetary gains The investors were contacted by the syndicates via social media and WhatsAppWhen victims wanted to withdraw they were coerced and threatened that if they left the group they would have to forgo their money Also funds were layered through multiple bank accounts to conceal the sourceUpon interrogation the Crime Branch found 30 firstlayer bank accounts including the Akhil Bhartiya Gareeb Jan Seva Trust Bank of Baroda The Trust account was being used as a primary laundering conduit and 20 lakh was traced into this account so farBoth accused repeatedly provided TrustCurrent Accounts and full banking access to handlers for commissions despite being linked to multiple NCRP complaintsThe accused provided the registered Trusts Current Account to the fraud syndicate in exchange for monetary consideration 30000 per month for the accounts availability and 5 per cent commission on each transaction routed through the accountThese arrests expose the deep nexus of organised cyber fraud and disrupt crucial financial pipelines misused to cheat citizens across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/2-nabbed-for-stock-market-fraud-aiding-cyber-syndicates-in-duping-victims-of-rs-6-crore-639397.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-assembly-witnesses-ruckus-over-fertiliser-issue-house-adjourned-till-4-pm-639400.html Bhubaneswar Sep 19 The Odisha Assembly on Friday witnessed a massive ruckus by opposition Biju Janata Dal BJD leaders over the fertiliser crisis in the state As soon as the Question Hour began BJD members holding placards and banners gathered near Speaker Surama Padhys podium and started sloganeering demanding that all House activities be suspended to allow a discussion on the fertiliser crisisThe pandemonium prompted Speaker Padhy to adjourn the House until 4 pm after just four minutes of the Question Hour had passed It is worth noting that the opposition Congress party has also submitted an adjournment motion seeking discussions over the issue of the fertiliser crisis in the stateSpeaking to media persons senior BJD leader and partys chief whip Pramila Mallik said There is a severe shortage of fertilisers currently in the state The farmers are holding protests at many places as they are not getting adequate amounts of fertiliser The crops are on the verge of being ruined due to the severe shortage of fertiliser We have requested the Speaker to hold a discussion on the issue by suspending all the activities of the House for the benefit of farmers who constitute 60 per cent of the states populationWhile answering a query on the adjournment motion moved by the Congress Mallik further stated that a discussion lasting only 10 to 15 minutes is insufficient to address such a pressing issueShe said that the BJD has requested the Speaker to suspend all other business of the House and allow for a focused and extended discussion on the fertiliser crisisThe opposition BJD and Congress leaders do not believe in democracy in Odisha If they had faith in democratic principles they would not have created a ruckus during Question Hour Both Congress and BJD members were deliberately trying to disrupt the proceedings of the House We were ready to respond to the adjournment motion moved by the opposition on the issue so why did they back out said a senior BJP MLA IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-assembly-witnesses-ruckus-over-fertiliser-issue-house-adjourned-till-4-pm-639400.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 12:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/technology-has-become-indias-greatest-equaliser-pm-modi-639405.html New Delhi Sep 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted that technology has become Indias greatest equaliser empowering everyone from street vendors to corporate executives Through initiatives such as India Stack UPI JAM trinity and CoWIN innovation and inclusion have transformed lives improved governance and strengthened Indias role on the global stage PM Modi statedThe Prime Minister was responding on X to an article by Minister of Electronics amp IT Ashwini Vaishnaw which points out that while earlier getting a government document was a whole saga involving multiple trips long queues and random fees now its literally in your mobile phone due to the revolution in technology that has taken place during PM Modis regimePrime Minister Narendra Modi turned technology into Indias greatest equalizer A street vendor in Mumbai uses the same UPI payment system as a corporate executive Technology in his vision knows no hierarchyThis transformation reflects his core philosophy of antyodaya reaching the last person in the queue Every digital initiative aims to democratise technology for all What began as experiments in Gujarat became the foundation for Indias digital revolution Viashnaw statedThe article states that as Chief Minister PM Modi transformed Gujarat through the use of technology and innovation The Jyotigram scheme launched in 2003 used feeder separation technology Rural industries revived with 24x7 power while groundwater depletion slowed through scheduled farm electricityHe also decided to install solar panels on the Narmada canal in 2012 This project generated 16 million units annually enough for 16000 households It also slowed the rate of evaporation which ultimately increased the availability of waterThis dualbenefit approach showcases PM Modis vision for technology Through a single intervention it solved multiple problems Generating clean energy while conserving water It demonstrated efficiency and impact far beyond standalone solutionsGlobal adoption by the US and Spain adds credibility to the innovations effectivenessThe article also points out that the eDhara system digitised land records in the state SWAGAT allowed citizens to meet the Chief Minister through video conferencing and online tenders eliminated corruptionVaishnaw states that in 2014 PM Modi brought the experience and learning of Gujarat to Delhi But the scale was differentUnder his leadership India Stack the worlds most inclusive digital public infrastructure began to take shape The JAM trinity formed its foundationJan Dhan accounts brought more than 53 crore people into the banking system This brought the hitherto financially excluded into the formal economy for the first timeStreet vendors daily wage workers and rural families who lived entirely on cash now have bank accounts This enabled them to save securely receive government benefits directly and access creditAadhaar gave the citizens a digital identity with 142 crore registrations done so far Accessing government services became easier instead of requiring multiple document verificationsDirect Benefit Transfer eliminated middlemen and reduced leakages The savings from the usage of DBT have been over Rs 43 lakh crore so far The savings are used for building more schools hospitals and infrastructure projects IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/technology-has-become-indias-greatest-equaliser-pm-modi-639405.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/manmohan-singh-thanked-yasin-malik-on-meeting-hafiz-saeed-amit-malviya-flags-affidavit-639407.html Srinagar Sep 19 Yasin Malik the incarcerated chief of the banned terror outfit Jammu amp Kashmir Liberation Front JKLF has made some shocking claims in his affidavit to the Delhi high court Malik is serving a life sentence in a terror funding caseAmit Malviya BJP leader in charge of the partys IT cell said on X on Friday Jammu amp Kashmir Liberation Front JKLF terrorist Yasin Malik serving a life sentence in a terrorfunding case has made a shocking claim In an affidavit filed in the Delhi High Court on August 25 Malik says He met LashkareTaiba founder and 2611 mastermind Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan in 2006 The meeting was not his independent initiative but was arranged at the request of senior Indian intelligence officials as part of a backchannel peace processAfter the meeting thenPM Manmohan Singh personally thanked and expressed gratitude to him Yasin Malik is a hardened terrorist who is guilty of gunning down three Air Force personnel in uniform This amounts to waging war against the state and he must be subjected to the full force of the law the BJP leader said in his postIf these new claims are true they raise grave questions about the UPAs handling of national security and backchannel diplomacy he addedIn an affidavit filed before the Delhi High Court Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik has painted a startling picture of his decadeslong involvement in Indias backchannel diplomacy from intimate dinners with ministers and intelligence chiefs to a phone call with industrialist Dhirubhai Ambani The JKLF chief was convicted and sentenced to a life term by the National Investigation Agency NIA court for receiving foreign funding and links with militant outfitsThe NIA has now appealed to the Delhi High Court for enhancing the life term to a death sentenceMalik says he accepts his fate gleefully but insists his journey was shaped not in isolation but through deep statesanctioned engagementMalik opens with a note of fatalism I understand the balance of scales isnt tipped in my favour and a statement is to be made out for Kashmir using me as a precedent being a diehard romantic I would accept it as the ultimate endgame of my fate gleefullyHe situates his current trial in the aftermath of Article 370 and 35As abrogation which he says unleashed fear intimidation and arrests of thousands of political leaders activists teachers lawyers and journalistsIn the early 1990s Malik recalls being taken from Mehrauli subjail to a bungalow in Maharani Bagh where the then Home Minister Rajesh Pilot IAS officer Wajahat Habibullah and senior IB officers pressed him to surrender his armsMalik claims PV Narasimha Rao then prime minister had given specific orders to bring him back into democratic politicsAfter three years of negotiations he was released in May 1994 announcing a unilateral ceasefire in Srinagar and declaring he would pursue a nonviolent democratic peaceful struggle come what mayThe government followed through Bail was granted in all 32 pending TADA cases and none were pursued Malik insists this truce was honoured for 25 years across the tenures of Rao Vajpayee Gujral Manmohan Singh and even PM Modis first termAt one such meeting RK Mishra trusted aide of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee once handed him a phone On the other end was Dhirubhai Ambani Malik says Ambani spoke warmly about his humble and nimble beginnings and stressed that sheer hard work often results in rewarding results The call Malik suggests symbolised the unusual breadth of his contacts from ministers to tycoons IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/manmohan-singh-thanked-yasin-malik-on-meeting-hafiz-saeed-amit-malviya-flags-affidavit-639407.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/six-months-after-quitting-ysrcp-mlc-rajasekhar-to-join-tdp-639409.html Amaravati Sep 19 A member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Marri Rajasekhar who quit the YSR Congress Party YSRCP in March has decided to join the Telugu Desam Party TDP Rajasekhar will be formally admitted into the TDP by party president and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Friday eveningOn the last day of the previous legislature session in March Rajasekhar had announced his resignation from both YSRCP and the Legislative CouncilHe had requested Council Chairman Koyye Moshenu Raju to accept his resignation immediately However his resignation from the Council has not yet been acceptedRajasekhar was elected to the Legislative Council through the MLA quota in 2023 and has four years left for his term to endHe was the fifth MLC to quit YSRCP since the party lost power to the TDPled NDA last yearJayamangala Venkataramana Pothula Sunitha Balli Kalyan Chakravarthy and Karri Padmashree are the other MLCs who have quit YSRCPHailing from Guntur district Rajasekhar was elected to the Assembly from Chilakaluripet in 2004 as an independent candidate defeating TDPs Prattipati Pulla Rao by a waferthin majority of 212 votes He later joined the Congress party but lost to Pulla Rao from the same constituency in the 2009 elections He contested the 2014 Assembly elections as YSRCP candidate but suffered defeat once again at the hands of Pulla RaoIn 2019 the YSRCP fielded Vidadala Rajani from Chilakaluripet constituency She was elected with a huge majority and became a minister in Jagan Mohan Reddyled CabinetThe YSRCP shifted Rajani to the Guntur West constituency in the 2024 elections which she lostRajasekhar was unhappy over the appointment of former Minister Vidadala Rajini as the partys incharge for Chilakaluripet even after her defeat in last years electionWhile leaving YSRCP he had alleged that he was not given due recognition in the party He also accused the party president and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy of not keeping his promises IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/six-months-after-quitting-ysrcp-mlc-rajasekhar-to-join-tdp-639409.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-dismisses-plea-against-banu-mushtaq-inaugurating-mysuru-dussehra-639410.html New Delhi Sep 19 IANS The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a petition seeking a stay on the Congressled Karnataka governments decision to have Booker Prize winner Banu Mushtaq inaugurate the historic and worldfamous Dussehra festival in Mysuru citynbspnbspA Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta remained unimpressed with the submission that a nonHindu person cannot be allowed to perform pujas particularly when the invitee Banu Mushtaq had in the past made certain objectionable remarks hurting religious sentimentsEarlier on Thursday Chief Justice of India CJI BR Gavai agreed to list the special leave petition SLP on September 19 after it was mentioned for urgent hearingnbspThe SLP before the apex court challenged the Karnataka High Courts dismissal of the public interest litigations PILs that questioned the Congressled state governments decision to invite Banu Mushtaq to inaugurate DussehranbspThere is a tradition of offering floral tributes to Goddess Chamundeshwari during the inauguration of Dussehra and opposition has arisen to Banu Mushtaq inaugurating the festivalIn its decision delivered on September 15 a bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice CM Joshi of the Karnataka High Court observed that no rights had been violated It added that the Vijaya Dashami festival is celebrated across the country and it signifies the victory of good over evilnbspTerming the decision of the Congressled state government to invite Banu Mushtaq for the inauguration of Dussehra incorrect the petitioners claimed that she has issued antiHindu statements and made remarks against the Kannada languageBanu Mushtaq had reportedly made objectionable statements against Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and the Kannada flagnbspShe also reportedly objected to the Kannada flag which consists of haldi yellow and red sindoor colours One of the PILs filed by a Bengalurubased resident HS Gourav pleaded that the act of inaugurating Dussehra should be declared an integral part of Hindu tradition and must be performed by Hindu dignitariesHowever the Karnataka government has reiterated its stance to have the Dussehra festival inaugurated by Banu MushtaqnbspThe government has maintained that Dussehra is a Nada Habba festival of the land and not strictly a religious event Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress President DK Shivakumars statement that Chamundi Hills is not exclusive to Hindus added to the furore https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-dismisses-plea-against-banu-mushtaq-inaugurating-mysuru-dussehra-639410.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/inciting-them-against-nation-bjp-leaders-slam-rahul-gandhis-gen-z-remarks-639411.html New Delhi Sep 19 IANS Top NDA leaders on Friday lashed out at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent remarks portraying Gen Z as defenders of democracy and accusers of electoral malpractice accusing him of trying to incite unrest among Indias youthBJP leader Syed Shahnawaz Hussain strongly criticised Gandhi for allegedly provoking young citizens Rahul Gandhi is inciting the youth students and Gen Zs of the country He is provoking them against the nation This is completely unacceptable The youth of this country admire PM Modi They know that this government works for them and for the poorUttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also took aim at Gandhi invoking a sharp contrast between past and present governancenbspThose who have looted the country should focus on defending themselves When his father late Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi said that out of every one rupee sent 85 paise were lost to corruption people were stunned Today under Prime Minister Modi even if Rs one lakh crore is sent under government schemes the entire amount reaches the people directly he saidJDU national spokesperson Rajeev Ranjan Prasad echoed the criticism and dismissed any claims of a political wave among Indian youth Indias youth are aligning themselves with Prime Minister Narendra Modis Vision 2047 There is no antiestablishment wave here In India people are focused on jobs technology and development not regime changenbspEarlier on Thursday Rahul Gandhi posted on X The youth of the country the students of the country the Gen Z will save the Constitution protect democracy and stop vote theft I always stand with them Jai HindBy invoking Gen Z as defenders of democracy Gandhi attempted to tap into global youthled political movements such as those in Nepal and Bangladesh where protests led to major governmental shakeupsnbspWith Gen Z comprising a significant portion of firsttime voters their support could prove decisive in upcoming elections His emphasis on vote theft echoes his previous allegations of electoral malpractice a theme the Congress party has repeatedly raised https://dailyworld.in/national/inciting-them-against-nation-bjp-leaders-slam-rahul-gandhis-gen-z-remarks-639411.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kc-venugopal-slams-vijayan-govts-hypocrisy-over-ayyappa-congregation-639415.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 19 Congress General Secretary and Rajya Sabha member KC Venugopal on Friday launched a scathing attack on the Kerala government over its decision to organise the Ayyappa Congregation accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of exploiting Lord Ayyappa sentiment for political gain This comes at a time when the Vijayan government is organising the Global Ayyappa Congregation on the banks of the famous river Pampa on Saturday where 3500 participants have registeredIn an open letter addressed to the Chief Minister Venugopal termed the move sheer hypocrisy and alleged that the government was attempting to cover up its past failures with theatricsThe same Chief Minister who once spearheaded the violation of Sabarimala traditions is now pretending to protect faith by leading the Ayyappa Congregation The people of Kerala clearly see through the lack of sincerity and political motives behind this Venugopal wroteHe warned that without addressing the questions raised by society Vijayan would find it difficult to face the devotees at PampaReferring to the womens entry issue the Congress leader said the governments unilateral decision to enforce the Supreme Court verdict without dialogue with devotees had left deep woundsThe unrest created then still lingers in the minds of the faithful and it is ironic that the very person responsible is now parading as a guardian of tradition he saidVenugopal also hit out at the governments neglect of Sabarimalas infrastructureIn the past nine years there has been no meaningful development whether in drinking water facilities cleaning of the Pampa River crowd management or transportation A government that cannot even safeguard the gold offerings made by devotees to Lord Ayyappa has no moral right to seek the trust of believers he chargedHe further accused CPIM Devaswom Ministers of insulting faith by refusing to bow before the deityDemanding clarity Venugopal asked whether the LDF government would withdraw the controversial affidavit it had filed in the Supreme Court which he claimed facilitated the violation of temple traditionsAt the very least he urged the government should withdraw cases against those who had participated in nama japa protest marchesTaking a swipe at the ruling partys ideological contradictions Venugopal questioned whether the Ayyappa Congregation signalled a deviation from the CPIMs atheistic roots only to be abandoned after the Assembly electionsHe also demanded that the Chief Minister apologise to the Sabarimala Thantri whom he had allegedly insulted during the womens entry agitationEarlier in the day Devasom Minister VN Vasavan said in the Kerala Assembly that all arrangements for the upcoming Global Ayyappa Congregation including participation from foreign delegates had been completedThe Opposition is trying to obstruct the Global Ayyappa Congregation out of frustration after repeated failures They first said along with the RSS that the congregation would be blocked Then they went to the High Court and Supreme Court but failed there as well Now with no RSS presence in the Assembly they are trying to act on its behalf said Vasavan IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kc-venugopal-slams-vijayan-govts-hypocrisy-over-ayyappa-congregation-639415.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-to-submit-yet-another-status-report-on-rg-kar-rape-amp-murder-case-next-month-639416.html Kolkata Sep 19 The CBI will submit yet another status report next month on the progress of its investigation into the ghastly rape and murder of a woman junior doctor of staterun RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August last year Sources said that this would be the seventh status report to be filed by the central agency to the trial court in the matterIncidentally the trial court at Sealdah in Kolkata where the CBI will submit its seventh status report on November 14 is the same court that last year sentenced the sole convict in the case Sanjay Roy to life imprisonmentThe sources said that in the report the investigating officials of the central agency are expected to give details about the suspicious role of certain cops of Kolkata Police in the initial investigation of the caseIn fact the counsels of the victims parents have again and again raised questions on the role of these officials of Kolkata Police while the latter were carrying out the initial investigationRecently the victims parents have even accused the CBI of allegedly conducting a lackadaisical probe into the issue of the larger conspiracy behind the crime of rape and murderIn the fresh and seventh report the CBI officials are also expected to highlight the allegations of the victims parents that on the morning of August 9 last year when their daughters body was recovered from the seminar room within the hospital premises one RG Kar official called them up and allegedly tried to mislead them by describing the rape and murder as a case of suicideOn September 12 CBI submitted its sixth status report in the matter to the court On that day the counsel of the victims parents raised the question at the trial court whether CBI had been able to track on whose instructions such nefarious attempts to mislead the victims parents were madeThe judge of the trial court then observed that the CBI should at least track the RG Kar staff who tried to mislead the victims parents by describing the rape and murder as a case of suicideCurrently the matter is being heard at three courts namely the Supreme Court the Calcutta High Court and the trial court at Sealdah in Kolkata IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cbi-to-submit-yet-another-status-report-on-rg-kar-rape-amp-murder-case-next-month-639416.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-raising-voice-to-defend-democracy-pappu-yadav-after-lops-fresh-allegations-against-eci-639417.html New Delhi Sep 19 IANS Purnia MP Pappu Yadav on Friday came out in strong support of Leader of Opposition LoP in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over his allegations against the Election Commission of India ECI saying the Congress leader is fighting to protect the Constitution defend democracy and safeguard voting rights of the common mannbspSpeaking to IANS Pappu Yadav said Rahul Gandhi is raising his voice for the common man to protect the Constitution ensure voting rights and defend democracy He has clearly highlighted how the Election Commission is facilitating voter suppression in various waysCiting specific concerns the MP alleged In one Assembly segment over 6000 names were removed from the voter list This is not about Rahul Gandhi alone his party is in power in Karnataka but its about protecting democratic institutions The pattern of voter manipulation by the ECI is alarming The CID is repeatedly asking for proof from the ECI but they remain silentnbspPappu Yadav further slammed the ECI claiming This isnt about being proBJP or proRSS The issue is the Election Commissioners stance which is antiConstitution antiDalit antiOBC antiminority and ultimately antinational Such forces shouldnt hold office even for a minuteWhen asked about the Congress absence from RJD leader Tejashwi Yadavs Bihar Adhikar Yatra Yadav defended the partys decision saying The Congress has its own strategy built around five guarantees Under Rahul Gandhis leadership we launched the Vote Adhikar Yatra that brought common citizens to the streets Every party has its own manifesto we dont need to invite Tejashwi Yadav to the CWCReacting to spiritual leader Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastris call to play the national anthem weekly in all places of worship Yadav said These marketingdriven ignorant people like Dhirendra have no understanding of spirituality Sanatan Dharma science or Indian culture Nobody takes him seriously Such antinational elements should be sent to Pakistan Bangladesh or Nepal where democracy must be protected and Sanatan Dharma kept alivenbspEarlier in the day speaking to reporters in Chhatarpur Madhya Pradesh Pandit Dhirendra Shastri said It is essential for Rashtra and Ram to move together It is the duty of every Indian to show patriotism We believe that the National Anthem should be sung in Indias temples churches mosques and shrines at least once a week so that we remain united in our duty towards the nation and keep patriotism alive in our hearts https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-raising-voice-to-defend-democracy-pappu-yadav-after-lops-fresh-allegations-against-eci-639417.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/boy-dies-of-hepatitis-in-jampks-kulgam-authorities-depute-teams-to-check-spread-639420.html Srinagar Sep 19 A boy died of hepatitis infection on Friday in Jammu and Kashmirs Kulgam district as the health department deputed teams to the area to prevent the spread of the disease Officials said that a 13yearold boy died while his sibling was hospitalised after contracting Hepatitis in Katrasoo village of Kulgam districtThree siblings of a family in Katrasoo village of Kulgam district were infected with Hepatitis They were first taken to a nearby hospital and later referred to the District Hospital KulgamTwo of them were shifted to the Childrens Hospital Bemina Srinagar One boy died while a girl is under observation at the Childrens Hospital Bemina The third sibling has recovered officials saidMeanwhile Showkat Hussain Chief Medical Officer CMO of Kulgam said that health teams have been deputed to the area The CMO said the infection is likely Hepatitis A or E which spreads through contaminated water and poor sanitationThere is no need to panic everything is under control We appeal to people to boil water before drinking and maintain proper hand hygiene the CMO saidIt must be mentioned that after the recent floods contaminated water from overflowing streams and rivers is likely to have flown into many drinking water reservoirs and filtration plants resulting in contamination of the drinking water sourcesHealth department officials throughout the Valley have advised people to use sufficiently boiled water for drinking after receiving it from taps springs etcIt is common for contagious diseases to spread after floods in the Valley Before vaccines were developed for cholera and other waterborne diseases Kashmir used to suffer hundreds of deaths in the aftermath of floods especially in lowlying areas due to unsafe drinking waterHistorical records bear witness to the fact that Kashmiris used to abandon travel and sit in large numbers at the graveyards to mourn the hundreds of dead killed by waterborne epidemics Thanks to advances in medical science and the presence of primary secondary and tertiary medical facilities in the Valley epidemics of waterborne diseases have become nightmares of the pastHealth department teams fan out immediately to areas reporting waterborne illnesses and bring them under control before these could assume epidemic proportions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/boy-dies-of-hepatitis-in-jampks-kulgam-authorities-depute-teams-to-check-spread-639420.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 14:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-plants-kadamb-sapling-gifted-by-king-charles-at-his-residence-639424.html New Delhi Sep 19 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday planted a Kadamb sapling at his official residence 7 Lok Kalyan Marg Interestingly this Kadamb sapling was given to him by King Charles III of the United Kingdom as a birthday gift on turning 75 on September 17nbspnbspThe planation of the sapling at the Prime Ministers residence not only reaffirms his vision of building a greener and healthier planet but also symbolises friendship and shared commitment to environmental sustainabilityBritish Monarch King Charles who has been strongly inspired by PM Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative sent the Kadamb tree sapling while extending birthday greetings to himnbspThe British High Commission in India also posted a picture of the Kadamb tree on X and wrote His Majesty The King has been graciously pleased to send a Kadamb tree to Indias Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his birthdaynbspThe gesture inspired by PM Modis Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative reflects their shared commitment to environmental conservation it further saidThe British High Commission also recalled PM Modis gift to King Charles during the formers visit to the United Kingdom in July this yearnbspDuring his visit to the UK in July PM Modi gifted His Majesty The King a Sonoma tree as part of the same initiative Collaboration on climate and clean energy is a key pillar of the Commonwealth and the UKIndia partnership as set out by the two PMs in Vision 2035 the British High Commission saidnbspPM Modis birthday also marked the beginning of the 15daylong Sewa Pakhwada under which various public welfare programs are being organised across the country which include blood donation camps plantation drives and othersOdisha took the lead in the plantation drive as it saw more than 149 crore saplings sowed in a single day marking a special tribute to Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaignnbspWhile the nationwide target stood at 75 lakh saplings Odishas exceptional contribution stood out as special salute to the Prime Ministers vision and focus on combating climate change https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-plants-kadamb-sapling-gifted-by-king-charles-at-his-residence-639424.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/mehbooba-mufti-writes-to-amit-shah-view-yasin-maliks-case-through-humanitarian-lens-639426.html Srinagar Sep 19 IANS Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said on Friday that she has written a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to review the case of incarcerated JKLF chief Yasin Malik through a humanitarian lensnbspnbspInterestingly Mehbooba Muftis appeal to Amit Shah has come at a time when media reports quoting Yasin Maliks affidavit to the Delhi High Court said that he had given up arms and met terrorist leader Hafiz Saeed at the behest of the then Prime Minister Manmohan SinghMalik also said in his affidavit that Manmohan Singh had thanked him for meeting Hafiz Saeed and for giving up arms to wage a nonviolent separatist strugglenbspMehbooba Mufti said on X Ive written to Shri Amit Shah ji to view Yasin Maliks case through a humanitarian lens While I differ with his political ideology one cannot ignore the courage it took him to renounce violence and choose the path of political engagement and non violent dissentnbspIn her long letter to make a mercy appeal to Amit Shah Mehbooba Mufti wrote I earnestly appeal to your esteemed office for a compassionate and urgent review of the case of Yasin Malik a name that once symbolised resistance later chose restraint and now remains silenced behind prison wallsHis story is not simple as no story born out of conflict ever is Yet what matters most is the profound transformation he undertook and the trust he placed in the state when he renounced violence and chose the path of political engagement and nonviolent dissent Yasin Maliks journey is no secret to the Indian state 1994 he took a courageous and rare decision to lay down arms and embrace political nonviolent means to pursue change her letter readsYasin Malik is presently serving a life sentence in a terror funding case after he was convicted by the NIA courtnbspNIA has appealed to the high court to award a death sentence to Malik in the terror funding casenbspHe is also on trial for shooting and killing four IAF officials in Srinagars Rawalpora area on January 25 1990 The victims included Squadron Leader Ravi Khanna In 2024 an eyewitness identified Yasin Malik as the shooter in this 1990 IAF officers murder case before a special courtnbspThis incident is a significant part of the multiple charges Yasin Malik faces including his involvement in the kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed the daughter of former Union Home Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed https://dailyworld.in/national/mehbooba-mufti-writes-to-amit-shah-view-yasin-maliks-case-through-humanitarian-lens-639426.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-farmers-to-receive-major-boost-for-tractor-and-farm-machinery-purchases-639427.html Gandhinagar Sep 19 The Gujarat government has issued preapproval orders for over 192 lakh farmers for the purchase of tractors and other farm machinery Starting this year farmers are eligible for financial assistance of up to Rs 1 lakh on tractor purchases The state budget has allocated Rs 800 crore for tractors double last years provision and Rs 59098 crore for other machinery more than twice the previous allocationOver the past decade the Gujarat government has supported 324 lakh farmers with Rs 1542 crore for tractors and 379 lakh farmers with Rs 1238 crore for other machinery amounting to a total of over Rs 2780 crore in assistanceAgriculture remains a key driver of Indias economy and modern machinery such as tractors rotavators power tillers combine harvesters ploughs and threshers has largely replaced traditional animaldriven tools While these tools reduce manual labour high market prices have often put them out of reach for many farmersUnder Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the state government has implemented multiple schemes to provide financial aid to farmers across all categories for machinery purchases This year the Gujarat budget has seen the highestever increase in allocations for tractor purchases aiming to assist 80000 farmers with Rs 800 crore double last years allocationIn addition funding for other tractoroperated machinery including combine harvesters power tillers rotavators automatic ornis ploughs and threshers stands at Rs 59098 crore more than twice the previous years provisionSo far preapproval orders for tractor purchases have been issued to around 76000 farmers with 116700 farmers receiving preapprovals for other farm tools In total the state has provided preapprovals for over 192 lakh farmers for the purchase of tractors and other machinerySince 201112 the Union government has provided financial support for tractor purchases up to 40 PTO horsepower covering 25 per cent of the tractor cost or Rs 45000 and for tractors from 40 to 60 PTO horsepower 25 per cent of the cost or Rs 60000 whichever is lowerFrom 202526 this support has been increased allowing farmers to receive 25 per cent of the tractor cost or Rs 1 lakh whichever is lessWith these measures the Gujarat government continues to incentivise modern mechanised farming ensuring that farmers have access to advanced tools to improve productivity and efficiency while reducing manual labour IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gujarat-farmers-to-receive-major-boost-for-tractor-and-farm-machinery-purchases-639427.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/protests-erupt-in-goa-over-brutal-attack-on-activist-rama-kankonkar-bjp-office-vandalised-639437.html Panaji Sep 19 Protests broke out in Goa on Friday a day after social activist Rama Kankonkar was brutally attacked in broad daylight Thousands gathered outside the Director General of Polices office in Panaji accusing the state government and police of failing to maintain law and orderThe agitating mob reportedly vandalised the office of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party here BJP and also attempted to storm the premisesAlthough the Goa Police arrested five of the six attackers on Thursday itself the situation has continued to worsen as protesters intensified their agitation against the governmentThe incident took place on Thursday afternoon in the Karanjale area of Panaji where Rama Kankonkar a vocal critic of the BJPled Goa government was fatally assaulted by six men armed with wires and knivesCCTV footage that has since emerged shows five to six men assaulting the activist leaving him seriously injured and crying out for help One of the assailants was seen recording the attack on his mobile phone before the group fled on a twowheeler leaving Kankonkar lying on the groundChief Minister Pramod Sawant condemned the attack saying such incidents would not be tolerated He also ordered a probe into the incident and instructed the police to take swift actionIn a swift response the Goa Police arrested five of the six attackers all of whom have criminal records within hours of the incident North Goa SP Rahul Gupta said The sixth suspect remains at large and a manhunt is underwayThe assault has sparked a political storm with opposition leaders and social activists visiting Kankonkar at Goa Medical College and raising questions over the states law and orderOpposition Leader Yuri Alemayehu Goa Forward president Vijay Sardesai and AAP president Amit Palekar were among those who called on himThe attack coming after Kankonkars sustained campaign against alleged corruption has fuelled suspicions in political and social circles about the motive behind the assault IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/protests-erupt-in-goa-over-brutal-attack-on-activist-rama-kankonkar-bjp-office-vandalised-639437.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/blue-economy-is-central-to-indias-growth-pm-modi-639438.html New Delhi Sep 19 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday highlighted that the Blue Economy is central to Indias growth combining prosperity sustainability and national strength Initiatives like Sagarmala Deep Ocean Mission and Harit Sagar Guidelines to harness ocean resources are empowering communities driving innovation and strengthening Indias leadership in global ocean governance PM Modi statedThe Prime Minister was responding on X to a post by Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh who wrote the articleThe article states that with a revised coastline stretching now over 11098 kms and a vast Exclusive Economic Zone spanning 24 square million kms India is exceptionally wellplaced to build a 100 billion growth engine through a sustainable use of ocean resources creating jobs supporting coastal communities protecting marine ecosystems and strengthening our global maritime presenceWe are now in Blue Economy 20 focusing just not on traditional sectors but also the emerging Highpotential areas that will define our future growth For example the Deep Ocean Mission is helping our scientists explore the deep sea using the Matsya submersible Aiming to find strategic resources and create new technologies for the future The Sagarmala Programme is modernising our ports to make our trade more efficient and our business more competitive For our coastal communities the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana PMMSY is a flagship scheme to bring a blue revolution to our fisheries sector Singh saidBut our vision goes far beyond this It empowers people and protects our planet It includes creation of new opportunities for the empowerment of women by encouraging them to lead in sustainable fields like seaweed farming and ecofriendly tourism providing them new income streams and a greater voice in their communities he addedThe PMMSY scheme completed five years of its launch on September 10 2020 as a landmark initiative that has ushered in the Blue Revolution in Indias fisheries sector with the country becoming the second largest fish producer in the worldThe scheme has enabled India to achieve record fish production of 195 lakh tonnes in 202425 a sharp rise from 14164 lakh tonnes in 201920 contributing nearly 8 per cent of global fish productionIndias fisheries exports have shown robust growth increasing from Rs 4666285 crore in 201920 to Rs 6052489 crore in 202324 strengthening the countrys position in the global seafood marketPMMSY has also succeeded in creating 58 lakh employment opportunities as of December 2024 surpassing the target of 55 lakh It has also led to the empowerment of 99018 women through an outlay of Rs 406196 crore sanctioned from 202021 to 202425 the statement saidThe scheme has been working towards making the fisheries sector ecologically healthy economically viable and socially inclusive by addressing critical gaps in production and productivity quality technology infusion and postharvest infrastructurePMMSY promotes womens participation in fisheries by providing up to 60 per cent of total project cost as financial assistance up to Rs 15 crore per project under beneficiaryoriented activities and the entrepreneur model IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/blue-economy-is-central-to-indias-growth-pm-modi-639438.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bhima-koregaon-case-sc-declines-to-relax-varavara-raos-bail-condition-639440.html New Delhi Sep 19 The Supreme Court on Friday refused to entertain an application filed by 85yearold poet and activist P Varavara Rao an accused in the Bhima Koregaon case seeking relaxation of his bail condition requiring prior permission from the trial court before leaving the Greater Mumbai area Appearing before a Bench of Justices JK Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi senior advocate Anand Grover representing Rao submitted that his client has been on bail for four years and is currently without family support in Mumbai after his wife moved to HyderabadEven today he collapsed due to dizziness Grover told the apex court adding that while Rao avails free healthcare in Telangana his medical expenses in Mumbai exceed his monthly pensionThe government will take care of his healthwe are not interested in entertaining the application remarked the Justice Maheshwariled BenchSensing the apex courts disinclination to entertain the matter Grover sought permission to withdraw the application which the Justice Maheshwariled Bench allowed without granting express liberty to renew the plea at a later stageIn August 2022 the Supreme Court granted Rao permanent bail on medical grounds rejecting NIAs opposition that neither age nor medical condition can become a factor for bail for a UAPA Unlawful Activities Prevention Act accusedThe court had ordered that the appellant must remain within Greater Mumbai unless permitted otherwise by the trial court avoid contacting witnesses and refrain from influencing the investigationAny infraction of the conditions shall entail cancellation of bail granted to the appellant the top court had clarified adding that bail was granted solely on health grounds and its observations did not reflect on the merits of the caseIt said The appellant shall be entitled to have the medical attention of his choice but shall keep the respondent authorities in touch with any such development including the medical attention received by him IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bhima-koregaon-case-sc-declines-to-relax-varavara-raos-bail-condition-639440.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 15:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/use-of-ai-and-cutting-edge-tech-vital-for-armed-forces-cds-chauhan-639443.html Ranchi Sep 19 IANS Chief of Defence Staff CDS General Anil Chauhan on Friday said that adopting modern technologies particularly artificial intelligence AI is of critical importance in strengthening Indias defence preparednessnbspFuture wars would not only be fought with conventional weapons but also on new frontiers such as cyber and space and India must remain fully prepared for these challenges the CDS notednbspIn his address at the East Tech Symposium 2025 organised by the armys Eastern Command at the Khelgaon complex in Ranchi General Chauhan said We need to strengthen the foundation of defence manufacturing keeping in mind the rapidly changing technology AI and other innovations will play a decisive role in future battlesHe stressed that the selection and use of weapons in modern warfare must be guided by strategic thinking and foresight For this research and development RampampD should be aligned with evolving geopolitical and technological scenariosnbspAcknowledging that Indias journey towards selfreliance in defence manufacturing began late General Chauhan said the country is now taking firm and systematic steps in the right directionnbspHe pointed out that the government is consistently working to develop indigenous capabilities to counter emerging challenges especially in the domains of cyber and space warfareLinking technological advancement to national policy the CDS also referred to the central governments Act East Policy He said its objectives could only be achieved if eastern states like Jharkhand and West Bengal actively contribute to building a robust defence ecosystemnbspTalking about the evolving nature of warfare he remarked Warfare is both a science and an art In todays times a warrior must be creative and innovativenbspHe urged defence experts technologists and entrepreneurs present at the symposium to prioritise innovation so that India can become selfreliant in defence and emerge as a global competitorThe threeday East Tech Symposium aimed at fostering collaboration between the armed forces defence industry startups and academia was jointly inaugurated by Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant SorennbspThe Chief Minister underlined that Jharkhand endowed with mineral wealth including uranium could play a pivotal role in contributing to defence and nuclear developmentnbspMinister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth attended the event as the special guestnbspThis is the fourth edition of the East Tech Symposium organised by the Armys Eastern Command The first edition was held in Kolkata in 2022 followed by Guwahati in 2023 and Kolkata again in 2024 https://dailyworld.in/national/use-of-ai-and-cutting-edge-tech-vital-for-armed-forces-cds-chauhan-639443.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-misleading-people-instigating-anarchism-in-country-ravi-shankar-prasad-639444.html Patna Sep 19 IANS Senior BJP leader and Patna Sahib MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Friday slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accusing him of misleading the public and instigating anarchism in the name of GenZnbspAddressing a press conference in Patna the former minister accused Gandhi of spreading lies about the Election Commission of India ECInbspHis remarks came after Gandhi on the social media platform X posted Desh ke yuva desh ke students and desh ke Gen Z will save the Constitution democracy and vote theft I always stand with them Jai HindnbspCondemning Gandhis statement the BJP leader said What does Rahul Gandhi want to convey by such posts Is he trying to incite violence and create anarchy in the country His act is against democracy the Constitution and the nation I strongly condemn this unfortunate and unacceptable statementPrasad further accused Gandhi of spreading lies about the ECInbspRahul Gandhi has levelled serious allegations against the Election Commission without doing his homework Gandhi made allegations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar who was appointed only a few months ago for a case dating back to 2023 How can he be responsible Rahul Gandhi is misleading the people he saidnbspCiting an example from Karnatakas Aland Assembly constituency Ravi Shankar Prasad pointed out that the seat was won by Congress in 2023 after the BJPs 2018 victory and the High Court had ordered repollingnbspGandhi is questioning the same election where his partys candidate won by 248 votes Does he even realise he is putting a question mark on his own victory Prasad saidThe BJP leader said that Gandhi has lost all sense of propriety and purpose and asked him to stop cheating people with false claimsnbspPrasad said the Election Commission has already clarified that an FIR registered in 2023 is being investigated by the state CID in Karnataka a state currently governed by the CongressnbspPrasad asked why Rahul had not questioned his own party government if the probe remains incompleteHe rejected Gandhis claim that a thirdparty digital link deleted votes noting the FIR and ongoing investigationnbspHe also questioned Gandhis credibility saying the Congress leader makes statements without doing his homework and suggested his advisers be changednbspWho is his tutor Please change his tutor Prasad insisted saying Gandhis charges were irresponsible and asked him to direct questions at his own state government if there were lapses in the investigation https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-misleading-people-instigating-anarchism-in-country-ravi-shankar-prasad-639444.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-re-elected-to-key-posts-of-universal-postal-union-639445.html New Delhi Sep 19 India has been reelected to the Council of Administration and the Postal Operations Council of the Universal Postal Union UPU during the 28th UPU Congress held in Dubai according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Communications on Friday The Universal Postal Union a specialised agency of the United Nations is the primary forum for cooperation among postal sector stakeholders The Council of Administration CA is responsible for policy regulatory and governance matters while the Postal Operations Council POC is the technical and operational body that drives the modernisation of postal services worldwideIndias reelection reflects the confidence of the international community in India Posts leadership reforms and innovative digital initiatives India has been a member of the UPU since 1876 and has consistently contributed to strengthening the global postal network the statement saidOver the past Congress cycle India has championed digital transformation initiatives such as DigiPIN digital addressing UPIenabled crossborder remittances and ecommerce facilitation through Dak Ghar Niryat Kendras extended strong support for capacitybuilding and SouthSouth cooperation under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation ITEC programme by providing specialised training to postal officials from Asia Africa and other regions and contributed significantly to the financial sustainability of the Union through its membership contributions and voluntary funding Building on these initiatives launched in the previous cycle India will continue to deepen and expand these efforts during the Dubai cycle with renewed commitment to innovation inclusivity and global cooperationWith this reelection India will continue to play a proactive role in shaping the future of the global postal sector driving innovation inclusivity and development India has also expressed its intent to take on a leadership role within the Council of Administration during the forthcoming cycle the statement addedCommenting on the development Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia said Honoured to share that Bharat has been elected to both the Postal Operations Council and the Council of Administration at the 28th Universal Postal Congress in Dubai This milestone reflects Indias growing global leadership under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra ModiAt the heart of this is the steadfast guidance of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar whose relentless efforts and expertise were instrumental in securing this achievement Together we continue to drive innovation advance financial inclusion and champion sustainability in the postal sector Scindia saidWith the worlds largest postal network serving 145 billion people Bharat stands uniquely positioned to contribute to the UPUs mission of a modern inclusive and resilient global postal system My deep gratitude to all member nations for their trust he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-re-elected-to-key-posts-of-universal-postal-union-639445.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/real-face-of-atm-govt-ktaka-bjp-hits-out-at-shivakumar-639451.html Bengaluru Sep 19 Slamming Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who is also the Bengaluru Development Minister for saying that he or his government should not be blackmailed over poor road infrastructure by the IT companies the Karnataka BJP unit on Friday stated that demanding basic accountability does not amount to a threat or blackmail Shivakumar facing criticism over IT companies leaving Bengaluru due to its poor road infrastructure stated on Thursday No one can threaten or blackmail the government I will not stop anyone from goingThe Leader of Opposition R Ashoka said on his social media handle X Rahul Gandhis pocket Constitution asking for potholefree roads amounts to blackmailing Demanding basic accountability is threatening and citizens raising their voice is as good as committing a crime Mr Dy CM DK Shivakumar if asking for safe roads is blackmail then what will you do when lakhs of frustrated citizens come out on the streets Will you declare emergency in Bengaluru to silence the people Ashoka questionedWill you brand ordinary taxpayers as criminals just because they demand what is rightfully theirs Ashoka askedThis is the real face of ATM government in the state A government that sees citizens not as stakeholders but as obstacles The Congressled government feeds Rahul Gandhis politics instead of fixing Bengalurus roads Bengaluru doesnt need drama And empty slogans What Bengaluru needs is roads without potholes governance without corruption and leaders without arrogance he statedIf the Congress government still refuses to listen the people are ready to give their verdict not just on the streets but also at the poll booth Ashoka slammedFormer Deputy Chief Minister and MLA C N Ashwath Narayan criticised the state government stating that when a company which has faced hardships for many years points out Bengalurus shortcomings and failures the government is unable to tolerate itSpeaking to reporters Narayan asked If the government tells such companies If you want stay otherwise leave what kind of culture is this Are these the words of a peoplefriendly governmentHe demanded that instead of making such arrogant statements the government should work in a propeople manner and build confidenceThe former Deputy Chief Minister said that a government must always be propeople Governance should reflect courtesy and public concern But in the case of the Congress government power has gone to their heads and they are speaking arrogantly When people point out their failures they do not have the courtesy or the culture to accept it he saidBengaluru is a proud city recognised across the world known for entrepreneurship technology and startups All Prime Ministers respected Presidents and world leaders view India through Bengaluru But when the citys failures and shortcomings are highlighted this government cannot tolerate it he allegedBJP MLA CK Rammurthy speaking to the media said that when many software giants in Bengaluru including Mohandas Pai and several companies raised concerns about potholeridden roads in the city they should have been called for talks and assured of action But instead of speaking with them the statement given by Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has caused great disappointment to the entire software industry he lamented He appealed to DK Shivakumar to focus on the development of BengaluruHe further stated that software companies are already preparing to move out of the state while several other states are actively inviting them In this situation the government must act wisely and give priority to the development of Bengaluru he demandedAt present all the ring roads and various other roads in Bengaluru are filled with potholes and in disarray The government talks of allocating Rs 25 or 50 crore for road development but not a single tender has been called for road repairs he allegedIt has been two and a half years since the Congress government came to power Last year rains caused major problems yet in the past year no action has been taken and roads have not been asphalted Rammurthy said He accused DK Shivakumar of failing to carry out any development work for two and a half years thereby pushing Bengaluru back by ten yearsPeople in Bengaluru are contributing about 60 per cent of the states tax revenue Instead of making statements that cause distress the government should engage with all the software companies and persuade them to stay in the state The government must focus on the development of Bengaluru he underlinedFormer minister and BJP leader DN Jeevaraj while taking a swipe at the Congress government said When we come to Bengaluru from our hometowns we console ourselves that even the capital city has deteriorated this badly But if we question the Congressled government about this they boast that they have treated the entire state equally potholes everywhere and roads left in such a way that people cannot even walk This they claim is their achievementIn my own constituency we witnessed two people losing their lives when a car ran over them while trying to avoid potholes on the road Four others fell from twowheelers due to potholes and suffered broken legs They did not even have money for treatment Jeevaraj stated with concern IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/real-face-of-atm-govt-ktaka-bjp-hits-out-at-shivakumar-639451.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 16:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/iconic-assamese-singer-zubeen-garg-passes-away-at-52-639453.html Guwahati Sep 19 Celebrated Assamese singer and music legend Zubeen Garg whose soulful voice made him a household name across the country passed away in a tragic accident in Singapore He was 52 According to sources the acclaimed singer met with an accident while scuba diving off the coast of Singapore on Thursday night Police divers managed to pull him out of the water and rushed him to a nearby hospitalDespite being placed under intensive medical care doctors could not revive himGarg had travelled to Singapore to participate in the North East Festival where he was scheduled to perform on Friday His sudden demise has cast a pall of gloom over the event and across the Assamese community worldwideKnown as the cultural icon of Assam Zubeen Garg was not just a singer but also a composer music director actor and filmmaker With a career spanning over three decades he lent his voice to thousands of songs in Assamese Hindi Bengali and several other Indian languagesHis versatility and ability to bridge regional and mainstream music earned him immense popularity and respect From the romantic ballad Ya Ali which catapulted him to panIndia fame to countless Assamese hits that defined the soundtrack of the region for decades Gargs contribution to music was unparalleledHe also played a key role in promoting Assamese culture and the identity of the Northeast on the national stageTributes and condolences have been pouring in from all quarters Political leaders fellow musicians film personalities and fans have expressed their grief at the untimely death of the singer who was widely regarded as the voice of modern AssamCongress leader Ripun Bora said Deeply shocked and saddened by the untimely demise of our cultural icon Zubeen Garg His voice music and indomitable spirit inspired generations across Assam and beyond My heartfelt condolences to his family fans and loved ones Rest in peace LegendSocial media platforms have been flooded with emotional messages with many describing Gargs passing as an irreparable loss to Indias music industry For millions of fans in Assam and beyond Zubeen Garg was more than a singer he was a cultural ambassador a voice of identity and a symbol of pride for the Northeast His death leaves behind a deep void that will be hard to fill IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/iconic-assamese-singer-zubeen-garg-passes-away-at-52-639453.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/stock-market-snaps-three-day-rally-it-stocks-fall-adani-groups-shares-rise-639458.html Mumbai Sep 19 Indian equity indices snapped the threeday winning streak to end the session on a negative note on Friday Profit booking in IT and banking heavyweights dragged the market However a rally in Adani group stocks post the SEBIs clean chit on US shortseller Hindenburgs allegations restricted a sharp decline in the marketSensex ended the session at 8262623 down 38773 points or 047 per cent The index started the trade a bit lower at 8294604 against last sessions closing of 8301396 The index extended the downward trend further amid selling in IT and banking heavyweights It touched an intraday low at 8248592Nifty settled at 2532705 down 9655 or 038 per centAdani Total Gas Limiteds stock rose 755 per cent to close at Rs 65280 Adani Power shares surged 1342 per cent Adani Enterprises rose 525 per cent to Rs 2528 and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limiteds stock rose 115 per cent to Rs 1429HCL Tech ICICI Bank Trent Titan Mahindra and Mahindra HDFC Bank Kotak Bank PowerGrid Ultratech Cement Hindustan Unilever Tata Motors and ITC were the top losers from the Sensex basket Adani Ports SBI NTPC Bharti Airtel Asian Paints Axis Bank and Maruti Suzuki settled in greenThe majority of sectoral indices ended the session lower amid subdued interest from investors Nifty Fin Services fell 171 points or 064 per cent Nifty Bank slipped 26860 points or 048 per cent Nifty Auto dragged 109 points or 040 per cent Nifty FMCG dipped 249 points or 044 per cent and Nifty IT ended the session 172 points or 047 per centThe broader market remained relatively firm amid some uptick in smallcap stocks Nifty Small Cap 100 rose 2760 or 015 per cent Nifty Midcap 100 jumped 21 points while Nifty 100 fell 56 points or 021 per centIndian rupee ended marginally higher at 8810 per dollar on Friday compared to the last days closing of 8813 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/stock-market-snaps-three-day-rally-it-stocks-fall-adani-groups-shares-rise-639458.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/we-are-not-vishwaguru-its-a-myth-that-india-is-on-everybodys-mind-sam-pitroda--639461.html New Delhi Sep 19 Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda has voiced strong concerns about Indias electoral process foreign policy and global perception Backing Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhis recent remarks on vote theft and the role of youth in safeguarding democracy Pitroda in an exclusive interview with IANS urged civil society political parties and the younger generation to unite in protecting Indias democratic valuesHe also dismissed the ruling BJPs narrative of India as Vishwaguru calling it mere propaganda and warned about rising global challenges to democracyThe following are excerpts from the interviewIANS Rahul Gandhi has been attacking the Election Commission for vote theft How do you view his statementsSam Pitroda You must have seen Rahul Gandhis press conference on Thursday People like us have been saying for years that something is wrong Who is doing it we dont know but many people have stopped trusting the election process I raised the issue 34 years back saying something was wrong with EVMs but no one paid attention Now Rahul Gandhi is raising the right issues we must back him and amplify his voiceIANS Rahul Gandhi has appealed to Gen Z to save democracy Do you think he is inspired by youth protests in Nepal and BangladeshSam Pitroda No its not about copying protests Elections affect future generations more than people like us who have little time left The youths future is at stake Democracy is designed to empower all and Rahul Gandhi is right he cannot do it alone Political parties civil society youth leaders lawyers and others must lend their voicesIANS Why are the INDIA bloc leaders hesitant to rally behind Rahul GandhiSam Pitroda I would urge all INDIA bloc leaders to walk shouldertoshoulder with him The people of India deserve free and fair electionsIANS How do you see tariffs imposed on India by US President TrumpSam Pitroda The US has imposed 50 per cent tariffs and this is a matter of huge concern This will lead to a lot of problems from effects on the Indian business jobs export and it will take time to find new customers This is not a good thing for IndiaIANS How do you see the vote chori issueSam Pitroda The key question is whether we can ensure free and fair elections The way things are happening it is clear that vote theft exists This should not be seen through a HinduMuslim or partisan lensit is about fundamental rights The Election Commission must be held accountable and the Supreme Court must intervene if necessaryIANS We have seen that whenever Congress has announced its CM candidate it has benefited them We have seen it in Karnataka or in Himachal Pradesh Why is it taking so long to announce a CM face in Bihar Or do you think that in a state election Congress remains at the backend of the state party Do you think Congress needs to come to the frontSam Pitroda Look this is their internal matter Congress selects leaders based on who brings more to the table Congresss tradition is that they dont declare the candidates Because that is what true democracy and a parliamentary system are all about We dont have a Presidential system We have now distorted the system with the control of media a huge amount of spending on PR lies misinformation and we have changed the public opinionWe have created a public opinion that unless or until a strong leader is projected then you will not win This is not good for democracyIt doesnt matter who wins or who loses What matters is that our election system should be properly guardedIANS BJP projects PM Modi as the face of every election Has it become difficult to challenge himSam Pitroda Individuals come and go but India must continue Thats why Rahul Gandhi talks about the youth who have the next 7075 years ahead of them The real issue is not personalities but protecting the future of the next generationIANS BJP often invokes George Soros to attack Congress Your responseSam Pitroda This is a lie Congress has nothing to do with George Soros I have never met him never spoken to him These are baseless allegationsIANS Do you think Rahul Gandhi can lead Gen Z in IndiaSam Pitroda Theres no need for systematic planning Rahul has rightly identified vote chori as a key issue but there are otherseconomy unemployment poverty minorities Dalits OBCs and violence Youth must understand these Their energy can change governments and systems but protests must remain constructive not destructiveIANS Critics say the BJP is polarising Hindu votes by targeting minorities Do you agreeSam Pitroda There are 200 million Muslims in Indiathey are Indians and we must live together Look at our neighbourhoodNepal Bangladesh Pakistan Sri Lankaall are in turmoil India must take leadership for peace and prosperity in South AsiaIANS You talked about saving the minorities CM Mamta Banerjee has been saying that in the name of targeting illegal Bangladeshis Muslims are being targeted The same thing is happening in Assam where Himanta Sarma is the CM Do you think that the BJP wants to target minorities and polarise Hindu votesSam Pitroda Thats what the BJP has to decide That is their issue I am not interested in dividing people There are 200 million Muslims in the country They are Indians and we must learn to live together Look at what is going on in our neighbourhood Nepal Bangladesh Sri Lanka and Pakistan are burning and we are a country of 15 billion How could we have a foreign policy when all our neighbours are in turmoil What kind of vision do we have We must be responsible for peace and prosperity in South Asia We must take leadership We must really sacrifice to some extent because it is good for all of usIANS How do you view Indias foreign policy under PM ModiSam Pitroda Our foreign policy should first focus on our neighbourhood We cannot prosper if our region is unstable We must sacrifice and work for peace rather than chase global opticsIANS Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi has praised Rahul Gandhi How do you see Rahuls global imageSam Pitroda Rahul Gandhi is bright energetic wellread and speaks from a moral high ground Propaganda against him is fading and people worldwide are beginning to recognise him Today the world lacks a young leader who stands for democracy human rights and equality Rahul fills that vacuumIANS How do you view the recent deal with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan Under the deal if Pakistan is attacked it would consider an attack on both In our neighbourhood we have seen the situation in Nepal or in Sri Lanka Is PM Modis foreign diplomacy unable to coordinate with friendly countriesSam Pitroda We need to have a foreign policy that really gives comfort to our neighbours Because we are the largest country in the region We have a moral responsibility to bring peace and prosperity to the region We cant be fighting with our neighboursIt does not make sense for India not to have a peaceful stable South Asia You can always blame somebody but lets fix it togetherIANS What about the abrogation of Jammu amp Kashmirs special status and ties with PakistanSam Pitroda Our foreign policy must improve relations with neighbours Violence and terrorism exist but culturally and socially we share the same roots Ive visited Pakistan Bangladesh Nepal I always felt at home We must learn to live in peaceIANS Do you believe that Gen Z in India can topple the government as happened in NepalSam Pitroda The power of the young has been tested everywhere in the world I was here during the Vietnam War in the 1960s and I know the kind of demonstrations we all had I was also party to that I know that youth energy can do anything They can change the system change the government bring about a generational change but it cant be destructive it should be constructiveWhen I see young people throwing things and burning things thats not the way to show your solidarity It must be constructive meaningful Young people can bring about generational changeI would request the youth of India to add their voice to the line voice of Rahul GandhiIANS Global leaders wished PM Modi on his birthday Has Indias global image changedSam Pitroda This is propaganda We are not Vishwaguru If I ask my neighbours here they dont know about Modi or India It is a myth that India is on everyones mind International coverage of India is limited to the economy population and opportunities This Vishwaguru narrative is overblown IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/we-are-not-vishwaguru-its-a-myth-that-india-is-on-everybodys-mind-sam-pitroda--639461.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/net-direct-tax-revenue-jumps-92-pc-to-cross-rs-1082-lakh-crore-639463.html New Delhi Sep 19 Indias net direct tax collection recorded 918 per cent growth to cross Rs 1082 lakh crore till September 17 during the current financial year 202526 compared to the same period of the previous financial year as there was a sharp decline of 2387 per cent in refunds data released by the Central Board of Direct Taxes on Friday showed Of the total amount noncorporate tax revenue grew by 1367 per cent to Rs 583 lakh crore The tax is paid by a specific set of entities that are not registered as companies under the Companies ActNet corporate tax collections grew by 493 per cent to Rs 472 lakh crore while securities transactions tax STT increased marginally by 057 per cent to Rs 2630572 crore according to the official figuresGross direct tax collections increased by 339 per cent to Rs 1243 lakh crore while refunds dipped by 2387 per cent to Rs 160 lakh crore Corporate refunds the majority of total refunds grew by 1313 per cent to Rs 123 lakh crore while refunds issued to noncorporate taxpayers decreased by 6339 per cent to Rs 3730672 croreOf the total gross direct tax collected corporate tax was Rs 595 lakh crore noncorporate tax stood at Rs 620 lakh crore while STT was Rs 2630572 crore and other taxes stood at Rs 29713 croreMeanwhile Indias GST collections rose by 65 per cent to Rs 186 lakh in August according to government data released earlier this monthGST collections have been rising steadily to remain above the Rs 18 lakh crore mark for the eighth month in a row reflecting the growing economic activity in the countryThe gross domestic revenue grew 96 per cent to Rs 137 lakh crore while tax from imports dipped 12 per cent to Rs 49354 crore in August GST refunds were down 20 per cent yearonyear to Rs 19359 croreNet GST revenue stood at Rs 167 lakh crore in August 2025 recording a robust 107 per cent yearonyear growthBuoyant tax collections in recent months have helped to strengthen the countrys fiscal position and the macroeconomic fundamentals which help to ensure stable growthIndias fiscal deficit in AprilJuly was Rs 468 lakh crore or 299 per cent of the estimate for the financial year ending March 31 with next tax receipts for this period working out to Rs 66 lakh crore which shows that the country is in a strong fiscal position IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/net-direct-tax-revenue-jumps-92-pc-to-cross-rs-1082-lakh-crore-639463.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/if-trump-doesnt-allow-indian-students-us-varsities-will-come-to-india-cm-revanth-reddy-639469.html Hyderabad Sep 19 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday said that if the US President Donald Trump does not allow Indian students in the US universities those institutes will come to India He revealed that he spoke to Harvard and Stanford for an initiative in this regard He also claimed that the London School of Economics wants to come to TelanganaThe Chief Minister was addressing the 12th annual conference of the Public Affairs Forum of India in New DelhiIf Trump does not want to allow Indians those universities are going to come We have a place for the best of the best American universities and manufacturing he saidCriticising Trump for imposing a 50 per cent tariff and his other decisions Revanth Reddy said these decisions would affect the US economy and not the Indian economyOne day he says Modiji is my friend and the next day he says I will impose 50 per cent taxes on India Such arbitrary decisions dont work he saidTelangana too had a Trump but he was removed by the people he remarked in a veiled attack on his predecessor K Chandrasekhar Rao KCRThe Chief Minister stated Trump dreams something and the next day he tries to implement it This doesnt work The problem may be there for a few daysHe remarked that governance cannot be based on impulsive decisions but requires vision planning and sustained effortThe Chief Minister stressed that political will is essential for effective governance and emphasised the governments responsibility to create opportunities for future generationsHe said to ensure allround progress of Telangana his government has prepared the Telangana Vision Document 2047 which will be formally released on December 9 2025Elaborating on the governments developmental roadmap he stated that Telangana has been classified into core urban semiurban and rural regions for balanced developmentNearly one crore people live in core urban areas where polluting industries are being shifted outside the city Semiurban zones are being designated as manufacturing hubsCM Revanth Reddy said that Hyderabad Metro Rail will be expanded from 70 km to 150 km with daily ridership targeted to grow from 5 lakh to 15 lakh He exuded confidence that the Musi River Rejuvenation Project will transform the riverfront on the lines of the Sabarmati Riverfront Elevated corridors are under construction to ease urban mobility By 2027 Hyderabad will be dominated by electric vehicles supported by government incentives he saidThe Regional Ring Road and Bharat Future City projects will shape longterm infrastructure needs with connectivity planned to the airport and to Machilipatnam Port through a Greenfield Expressway and parallel railway lineHe mentioned that Telangana produces 40 per cent of Indias bulk drugs and Hyderabad is a global leader in vaccine production Telangana stands first in the country in its efforts to eradicate the drug menace The government is committed to promoting organic farming and extending full support and security to investorsHe invited global and domestic investors not only to invest in Telangana but also to become brand ambassadors of the StateOn human capital development CM Revanth Reddy said the government has announced the establishment of the Young India Skill University to equip youth with industryready skills inspired by Mahatma Gandhis Young India spirit Young India Sports University is being launched with the vision of enabling Indian athletes to achieve success at the Olympics drawing inspiration from countries like South Korea IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/if-trump-doesnt-allow-indian-students-us-varsities-will-come-to-india-cm-revanth-reddy-639469.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-examining-implications-of-us-decision-to-impose-sanctions-on-chabahar-port-project-639471.html New Delhi Sep 19 India is examining the implications of the Trump administrations decision to revoke the US sanctions waiver linked to the Chabahar port project in Iran in which India is a partner We have seen the US press statement regarding the revocation of the sanctions waiver for Chabahar Port We are presently examining its implications for India MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told journalists at a media briefing on FridayThe United States has declared its intention to withdraw the sanctions exemption for activities at Irans Chabahar Port which was initially granted in 2018 According to a statement from the US Department of State this action will subject parties involved in port operations to potential penalties under the Iran Freedom and CounterProliferation Act IFCA The move is part of the Trump administrations move to crack down on Iran amidst the rising hostilities in the Middle EastThe US decision to revoke sanctions exemptions for the Chabahar Port which India is developing as a strategic connectivity project has come as a setback for New Delhi The development of the Chabahar port in Iran was aimed at building a route that would bypass Pakistan to reach out to Afghanistan and Central Asia for trade and humanitarian aid The port also serves as a crucial counter to Chinas influence being exercised in the region through the development of the Gwadar port in the Balochistan province of PakistanStarting September 29 entities operating the Chabahar Port and engaging in other related activities will face sanctions under the US IFCAIn 2018 America agreed to provide a sanctions waiver that allowed India to develop Chabahar given the key role it could play in the economic development of Afghanistan However there has been a change in the geopolitical situation after the fall of the USsupported Afghan government in 2021 and the Taliban coming to powerEarlier in May India and Iran formalised a decadelong contract concerning Chabahar Port operations Under this arrangement India committed to providing 250 million in credit facilities to support infrastructure development at the strategic port located on the Gulf of OmanIndia and Iran were planning to link the Chabahar port to the broader Iranian railway network through a 700 km rail line to the city of Zahedan The projects were expected to be completed by mid2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-examining-implications-of-us-decision-to-impose-sanctions-on-chabahar-port-project-639471.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 18:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hundreds-of-languages-dialects-built-indias-cohesive-society-jampk-l-g-639477.html Srinagar Sep 19 Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said on Friday that hundreds of languages and dialects have built Indias cohesive society that is driving transformation and development of the country The LG was speaking at a national seminar on integration in Indian languages organised by the National Institute of Technology NIT Srinagar and Bharatiya Bhasha SamitiWith the peace and stability with the spirit of unity and common goals and fostering a strong collective identity India will achieve robust development the LG saidLG Sinha said that Indias rich linguistic landscape is a source of strengthHe said hundreds of languages and dialects have helped in building a cohesive society which is driving transformation and developmentDespite diverse background languages dialects and ideas a common national identity and shared consciousness unite us all We must harness the power of unity in diversity for nationbuildingOur effort should be to ensure that Hindi continues to serve as an essential bridge connecting people from different linguistic backgrounds motivate people to learn other languages enhancing mutual cooperation and economic integration he saidHe added that all the sections of the society must also strive to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage inherent in all Indian languagesThe LG called upon youth to transcend linguistic differences and unite the nation to transform India into Viksit BharatYou have to create a glorious and developed India by completely eliminating every trace of colonial mindset the saidHe emphasised the entire world is looking towards India with hope for future prospectsThe 21st century is Indias century It is written in stone Consistent growth and productivity will make India a dominant global power the LG saidHe also encouraged the young students to learn new languages broaden perspectives and drive innovationThe LG commended the NIT Srinagar for establishing the Official Language Cell and organising numerous activities for promotion of Hindi languageOn the occasion the LG felicitated writers scholars and researchers for their important contribution to the promotion of diverse languagesAtul Bhai Kothari National Secretary Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas Prof Binod Kumar Kanojia Director National Institute of Technology Srinagar Anshul Garg Divisional Commissioner Kashmir GV Sundeep Chakravarthy SSP Srinagar members of Shiksha Sanskriti Utthan Nyas prominent literary personalities scholars faculty and students were present during the LGs address IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hundreds-of-languages-dialects-built-indias-cohesive-society-jampk-l-g-639477.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/hydrogen-offers-immense-potential-for-space-missions-transport-clean-energy-isro-chairman-639479.html Bengaluru Sep 19 Hydrogen is set to play a transformative role in Indias space missions transportation and clean energy future said Dr V Narayanan Chairman ISRO on Friday Speaking at a National Workshop on Hydrogen Fuel Technologies and Future Trends at Alliance University Bengaluru in association with the Indian Institute of Science he highlighted the applications of hydrogen in engines and turbines beyond rocketsNarayanan also pointed out Indias advancements in hydrogen technology and the global need to use clean fuelThe world today faces twin challenges the growing demand for energy and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions In this context hydrogen one of the greenest and cleanest fuels available to us is a beacon of hope It remains key in many of our breakthroughs at ISRO the ISRO chief saidHe noted the successful launch of the GSLV Mk III rocket marking its 100th successful mission in JanuaryIt was powered by a cryogenic stage using liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen a technology once denied to India but now mastered by the country Last year we demonstrated a 100watt oxygenbased fuel cell in space with a 20kilowatt version under testing Narayanan saidBeyond rockets hydrogen has applications in aircraft trains automobiles and fuel cells he addedHe noted how in 201011 ISRO and Tata Motors collaborated to build a hydrogen fuel cellpowered bus which was safely tested despite concerns proving our confidence in the technologyIn June 2025 five hydrogenpowered buses began commercial operations Companies like BHEL and NTPC are now working on hydrogen systems and gas turbine engines Narayanan saidHe also cautioned against ignoring safety risks as hydrogen flames are colourless and dangerous and stressed the urgent need for better hydrogen sensors to millisecondlevel detectionOn the achievements of ISRO in cryogenic engines Narayanan stated that we now have three cryogenic propulsion systems flyingDr Vijay Kumar Saraswat Chairman CIIS and Member NITI Aayog reinforced the call for a robust hydrogen economyIndia must accelerate its journey towards a hydrogen economy if we are to achieve our netzero ambitions Hydrogen offers immense potential across mobility industrial heating and energy generation he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/hydrogen-offers-immense-potential-for-space-missions-transport-clean-energy-isro-chairman-639479.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-shares-rally-as-investors-gain-rs-46-000-crore-in-a-single-day-639480.html Mumbai Sep 19 The shares of Adani Group companies staged a strong rally on Friday after market regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI gave the conglomerate a clean chit in the Hindenburg case adding over Rs 46000 crore to investors wealth in a single day With this the groups combined market capitalisation jumped to Rs 138 lakh crore marking a major turnaround in sentiment nearly 33 months after the controversy first eruptedThe rally was led by Adani Power which surged 1342 per cent to close at Rs 71610 followed by Adani Total Gas which gained 755 per cent to end at Rs 65280Adani Enterprises Ltd advanced 525 per cent to Rs 2528 while Adani Green Energy climbed 548 per cent to Rs 103250Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone also followed suit and closed higher by 115 per cent at Rs 1429The surge came after SEBI dismissed Hindenburg Researchs allegations ruling that the transactions involving Milestone Tradelinks Rehvar Infrastructure and Adicorp Enterprises did not amount to violations of market regulationsThe regulator clarified that these deals did not fall under relatedparty transactions and complied with listing and disclosure normsReacting to the verdict Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said on social media platform X that SEBIs detailed probe had reaffirmed what the company had always maintained that Hindenburgs claims were baselessAfter an exhaustive investigation SEBI has reaffirmed what we have always maintained that the Hindenburg claims were baseless Gautam Adani wroteWe deeply feel the pain of the investors who lost money because of this fraudulent and motivated report Those who spread false narratives owe the nation an apology the billionaire industrialist addedHe emphasised that transparency and integrity had been the Groups core values and called for accountability from those who spread misinformationTransparency and integrity have always defined the Adani Group Gautam Adani statedOur commitment to Indias institutions to Indias people and to nation building remains unwavering Adani Group Chairman addedA Supreme Courtappointed expert panel had also earlier found no prima facie evidence of wrongdoing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/adani-shares-rally-as-investors-gain-rs-46-000-crore-in-a-single-day-639480.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/workshop-focuses-on-ministries-fully-using-funds-for-tribals-development-639481.html New Delhi Sep 19 Discussions on challenges related to effective utilisation of funds topped the agenda as the Ministry of Tribal Affairs sensitised different ministries on schemes for the development and empowerment of tribal communities an official said on Friday A oneday workshop organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs on the framework of the Development Action Plan for Scheduled Tribes DAPST focused on efforts to bridge the persistent development gaps despite an increase in allocation the official said in a statementUnder the DAPST framework 41 MinistriesDepartments spanning various sectors relating to education health agriculture irrigation roads housing electrification employment generation and skill development are mandated to allocate a specified percentage ranging from 43 per cent to 175 per cent of their total scheme budget as prescribed by NITI Aayog guidelines for the socioeconomic development and upliftment of Scheduled Tribes STsThe workshop organised on September 16 provided a platform for indepth discussions on various challenges related to the implementation and effective utilisation of funds under these schemes and programmes said the statementThe workshop was inaugurated by Joint Secretary and Financial Advisor Ministry of Tribal Affairs who explained why a dialogue on the outcome orientation of DAPST allocation is crucialGanesh Nagrajan Deputy Secretary MoTA explained the significance of the Adi Karmyogi Abhiyaan and its potential to transform tribal governance through bottomup planning the statement saidThe MoTA emphasised the critical need for efficient and outcomeoriented utilisation of DAPST funds to ensure that the intended benefits reach tribal populations across the countryThe schemes of the participating MinistriesDepartments were discussed in detail through clusterwise breakout sessions focusing on expanding the outreach and enhancing the scope to cover a larger tribal population it saidIn the context of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh declared by the Government of India spanning November 15 2024 to November 15 2025 the Ministry has launched the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan a pioneering responsive governance mission aimed at developing the worlds largest grassroots tribal leadership programmeThis flagship initiative launched under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also introduced to the participating ministries to sensitise them about its objectives and expected impact IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/workshop-focuses-on-ministries-fully-using-funds-for-tribals-development-639481.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-bjp-chief-blames-congress-aap-for-flood-crisis-639483.html Chandigarh Sep 19 Bharatiya Janata Partys Punjab President Sunil Jakhar on Friday said in order to benefit at the national level the Congress has mortgaged states interests to the Aam Aadmi Party He said now when it has become clear that floods in Punjab were the result of the state governments failures even then during his visit Congress leader Rahul Gandhi did not utter a word against the governmentEven the state leadership of Congress is not fulfilling its responsibility as an Opposition Jakhar said in a statementHe said this is proof that both parties are the same and their partnership is now out in the openHe said despite the state governments claims of spending Rs 230 crore on floodprevention measures the way embankments were washed away in the floods proves that the government did not act sincerelyIts Punjab governments failure that is writ large on this devastation yet the Congress remains completely silent on this issue the BJP leader saidHe said convening of the assembly session by the government is nothing but a timewasting exerciseIf they really intended to act they already have Rs 12000 crore available from the SDRF State Disaster Response Fund and people are demanding immediate assistanceJakhar added the Congress would also have to pay the price for betraying Punjab while the AAP government which was responsible for drowning the people has to face peoples courtA day earlier BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh launched a blistering attack on the government holding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal directly responsible for turning a natural calamity into a Mannmade disasterChugh said In Punjab AAP governments incompetence delay and surrender before vested interests converted a seasonal challenge into a human tragedy This was not just a flood it is a Mannmade disaster IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/punjab-bjp-chief-blames-congress-aap-for-flood-crisis-639483.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 19:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/third-round-of-india-new-zealand-fta-concludes-successfully-centre-639486.html New Delhi Sep 19 The government on Friday said that the third round of negotiations for the IndiaNew Zealand Free Trade Agreement FTA has concluded successfully in Queenstown The discussions reaffirmed the shared commitment of both nations to strengthen economic ties and work towards the early conclusion of a balanced and mutually beneficial agreement according to a statement by the Ministry of Commerce and IndustryThe third round held from September 1519 witnessed constructive discussions across all areas of the agreement Several chapters were concluded and significant progress was achieved in other key domainsGuided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon the negotiations reflected a common resolve to deepen bilateral trade investment and economic cooperationThe FTA was formally launched on March 16 during the meeting between Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and New Zealands Minister for Trade and Investment Todd McClayIndias bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand stood at 13 billion in FY202425 registering a growth of nearly 49 per cent over the previous yearThe proposed FTA is expected to further boost trade flows promote investment linkages strengthen supply chain resilience and create a predictable framework for businesses in both countriesBoth sides agreed to maintain momentum through intersessional engagementsThe next round of inperson negotiations is scheduled to be held in New Delhi on October 1314According to Goyal Indias exports have recorded a 6 per cent growth in the first five months of the current financial year and exuded confidence that the year would end on a positive noteAs far as exports are concerned I have consistently said that Indias exports are growing every year and this year too I expect exports to grow Currently we are seeing a growth of about six per cent compared to the corresponding five months of last year I am very confident that we will end the year on a positive note the minister saidAt the same time trade talks are ongoing with the United States the European Union New Zealand Chile Peru Oman and several other countries he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/third-round-of-india-new-zealand-fta-concludes-successfully-centre-639486.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-assembly-speaker-directs-bmc-to-take-up-only-road-projects-in-october-sets-december-deadline-for-completion-639487.html Mumbai Sep 19 In a bid to fasttracking road development in Mumbai Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar on Friday directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC to take up only those road development works in October that are partially complete He said that all such works must be completed by December adding that no new roads will be dug up unless there is a specific local demand and the issue must be discussed with local elected representativesHe gave these directives during a highlevel meeting which was attended by Mumbai BJP President and MLA Ameet Satam BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhijeet Bangar and other senior civic officialsClear instructions have been issued that no fresh road digging will be undertaken unless there is specific local insistence and only after discussions with the respective local elected representatives Also moving forward footpaths will no longer be constructed using paver blocks but with stamped concrete to ensure better durability said Satam after the meetingHe also said that roads measuring less than 9 metres in width will be constructed using mastic asphalt a proposal he had originally made during a previous review meeting held in MarchThis recommendation has now been formally accepted by the BMC he addedRaising concerns about road quality BJP leader Satam said the BMC has been directed to refer all complaints regarding substandard road works to the Indian Institute of Technology IIT for technical evaluation and necessary action to be taken by BMC on suggestions of IITSo far 50 per cent of the total road works have been completed To bring greater transparency the BMC will now create zonewise dashboards to track the progress of road development for public viewing he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maha-assembly-speaker-directs-bmc-to-take-up-only-road-projects-in-october-sets-december-deadline-for-completion-639487.html Fri, 19 Sep 2025 20:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-invites-british-companies-to-participate-in-musi-project-639234.html Hyderabad Sep 18 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has invited British companies to participate in the Musi Riverfront Development Project He also invited British investments in Global Capability Centres GCCs the pharmaceutical knowledge and academic sectorsBritish High Commissioner Lindy Cameron on Thursday met Chief Minister Revanth Reddy at his residence in Jubilee Hills hereDuring the meeting the British High Commissioner conveyed that the UK Government has agreed to extend the prestigious Chevening Scholarship to meritorious students from Telangana on a cofunding basis She also expressed readiness to enhance cooperation in the fields of education and technologyLindy Cameron expressed willingness to support the training of government teachers and professors in TelanganaThe Chief Minister requested facilitation for UK universities to operate from Hyderabad to benefit Telangana students pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom He also presented the draft of the new Education Policy of Telangana highlighting key reforms and opportunities for collaborationAccording to the Chief Ministers Office CMO the British High Commissioner responded positively to all the proposals and assured cooperation in strengthening bilateral relations between Telangana and the United KingdomRevival of the Musi River which flows through Hyderabad is an ambitious project and the brainchild of CM Revanth ReddyDuring his visit to London early last year the Chief Minister detailed discussions with experts who helped revive the River ThamesHe had discussions with officials and experts from the principal governing body of the River Thames the Port of London AuthorityThe Chief Minister believes that the Musi Riverfront Development Project will transform the face of Hyderabad and foster developmentAccording to him there is no other state capital in the country blessed with a river flowing through the middle of the town The 300kmlong Musi has a long and special historyIn October last year he announced that a consortium of five companies had been selected to prepare a project report for the Musi project The consortium will prepare plans for the revival of Musi project cost estimations and mobilisation of funds from different agencies IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-cm-invites-british-companies-to-participate-in-musi-project-639234.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/monsoon-session-of-odisha-assembly-commences-house-pays-tributes-to-deceased-leaders-639235.html Bhubaneswar Sep 18 The Monsoon Session of Odisha Assembly commenced on Thursday with the House adjourning for the day following the passage of a condolence motion for the leaders who passed away recently The condolence motion was moved by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on the first day of the fourth session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly on ThursdayThe motion was moved to pay homage to former minister and sitting Nuapada MLA late Rajendra Dholakia former Deputy Speaker and Minister late Bibhuti Bhushan Singh Mardaraj former members of the House late Prasanna Pattnaik Karendra Majhi Niranjan Hembram Prafulla Kumar Bhanja and Mohammad RafiqueThe House also condoled the death of deceased members of the Odisha Police and IR BattalionPaying homage to Dholakia CM Majhi said He was a sweetspoken sociable altruistic and popular person He always worked for the development of farmers labourers Dalit and downtrodden people in the society The veteran leader passed away at the age of 69 on September 8 2025On the other hand the Chief Minister described Mardaraj as a popular and respected leader in state politics while paying tributes to himThe Deputy Leader of the Opposition Prasanna Acharya and Leader of the Congress Legislative Party Rama Chandra Kadam among others seconded the condolence motionThey expressed grief and extended condolences to the bereaved families in the HouseSpeaker Surama Padhy also participated in the discussions on the condolence motion recalling the good deeds and service rendered by the departed members during their lifetimesShe assured that the condolences of the House would be formally conveyed to the bereaved familiesThe proceedings for the first day of the Odisha Assemblys Monsoon Session concluded with a moment of silent prayer in memory of the departed soulsIt is pertinent here to mention that the fourth session of the 17th Odisha Legislative Assembly which commenced on Thursday will conclude on September 25 after seven working days IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/monsoon-session-of-odisha-assembly-commences-house-pays-tributes-to-deceased-leaders-639235.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-governor-to-inaugurate-special-event-for-persons-with-disabilities-639236.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 18 When the Different Art Centre DAC opens its doors on September 27 the stage will belong to artists who have long defied odds to express themselves through music dance and theatre Nearly 200 performers from across the country will converge for the event which will be inaugurated by Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath ArlekarThe second edition of Sammohan a national festival dedicated to celebrating the talents of persons with disabilities promises two days of inspiration and artistic brilliance in Keralas capitalFor many it is not just a festival but a rare national platform where ability takes precedence over disabilityThis year Sammohan brings together diverse institutions and groups the National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities Divyangjan Kolkata the Composite Regional Centre for Skill Development Rehabilitation and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities CRCNagpur SATYA Art amp Culture Dance Studio from Odisha and Chayanit The Chosen Ones a neurodivergent music collective from Delhi The fivemember band Chayanit is set to be a highlightCofounded by 22yearold drummer Chayan Taneja of Delhi and 29yearold pianist Devanga Bidrum Kalita of Assam the group has been breaking barriers with its performances showing how music can transcend labels and limitationsSammohan is not just a cultural event it is a national platform said Alendra Tripathi of NILD Kolkata It inspires confidence builds skills and gives individuals with disabilities the chance to present their talents before the countryFor DAC the festival reflects a larger mission Its upcoming International Institute for People with Disability IIPD in Kasaragod aims to weave healthcare education therapies arts sports and livelihood into one holistic ecosystemAt DAC we believe in dignified artistic platforms that empower said Gopinath Muthukad Founder and Executive Director Sammohan is our call to society to celebrate diversity and recognise every individuals potentialMuthukad is the first Keralite to be honoured as a celebrity supporter by UNICEF for promoting child rights activities in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-governor-to-inaugurate-special-event-for-persons-with-disabilities-639236.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-surpasses-national-target-by-planting-over-149-crore-saplings-in-single-day-under-pm-modis-ek-ped-maa-ke-naam-initiative-639239.html Bhubaneswar Sep 18 On Prime Minister Narendra Modis 75th birthday Odisha has set a national benchmark by planting over 149 crore saplings in a single day as part of the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign While the nationwide target stood at 75 lakh saplings Odishas exceptional contribution nearly double the total national goal stood out as a green salute to both the environment and the Prime Ministers visionThe campaign witnessed participation from nearly 4 lakh volunteers across the state including government departments local bodies environmental groups and enthusiastic citizensForest and Environment Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia hailed the initiative as a milestone in environmental conservationSpeaking to IANS Khuntia said We are grateful to both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for guiding and supporting this remarkable campaign Its not just about planting trees its about securing the future for generations to comeThe Minister also announced the implementation of special monitoring mechanisms to ensure sapling survival with panchayats tasked with longterm care and protectionWe expect that within 18 months most of the planted saplings will be wellrooted making maintenance easier and more efficient he addedKhuntia reaffirmed the states commitment to combating climate change global warming and ecological imbalance stating that plantation drives will continue as part of Odishas broader sustainability agendaPrime Minister Modi born on September 17 1950 in Vadnagar Gujarat has become one of the most influential global leaders of our time Coming from humble beginnings his father Damodardas Modi ran a tea stall while his mother Heeraben was a homemaker PM Modis rise is a story of grit and determinationHe left home at the age of 17 to travel across India later joining the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS where discipline and service became central to his life Inspired by Swami Vivekananda PM Modis early years were shaped by spiritual pursuit and activism including participation in the movement against the EmergencyJoining the BJP in 1985 PM Modi went on to serve four terms as Gujarats Chief Minister from 2001 to 2014 He was sworn in as Indias 14th Prime Minister on May 26 2014 and is currently serving his third consecutive term IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/odisha-surpasses-national-target-by-planting-over-149-crore-saplings-in-single-day-under-pm-modis-ek-ped-maa-ke-naam-initiative-639239.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maruti-suzuki-reduces-car-prices-up-to-rs-129-lakh-post-gst-reforms-639241.html New Delhi Sep 18 Passing on the full benefit from the recent decrease in the GST rates on cars to customers Maruti Suzuki announced a significant reduction in car prices across its portfolio on Thursday The largest reduction will be seen in entrylevel models with the Alto K10 and SPresso going down by up to Rs 107 lakh and Rs 129 lakh respectivelyOther hatchbacks such as the Celerio WagonR and Ignis will also see significant savings of between Rs 71300 and Rs 129 lakhAdditionally prices of small SUVs will also go downThe automaker reduced the prices of wellknown models like the Brezza and Fronx by more than Rs 1 lakh improving its standing in the fiercely competitive SUV marketThe timing of Maruti Suzukis price cuts is critical for the Indian auto industry which has witnessed a fourmonth decline in passenger vehicle sales as automakers controlled dealer dispatches before the announcement of the updated goods and services tax GST ratesAccording to several reports steep discounts due to GST reforms will boost demand especially in the compact and entrylevel segments that serve firsttime purchasers and city commutersEarlier the GST Council approved the 5 and 18 per cent tax structure scrapping the earlier four slab 512181nd 28 per cent This reform eliminates the previous compensation cess and streamlines the tax structure by primarily setting GST rates at 18 per cent for small cars and 40 per cent for larger or luxury vehicles EVs continue to be taxed at a favourable 5 per cent GST rateSmall massmarket cars including petrol vehicles with engines up to 1200cc and diesel vehicles up to 1500cc both under 4 meters in length receive the most significant tax cutMajor Automobile companies including Mahindra and Mahindra Tata Motors Hyundai Toyota Kia Renault and other automakers have already announced price cuts across the models passing on full benefits to the end consumers IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maruti-suzuki-reduces-car-prices-up-to-rs-129-lakh-post-gst-reforms-639241.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/ashok-gehlot-criticises-raj-govt-on-removal-of-tribal-history-from-school-textbook-639242.html Jaipur Sep 18 Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has condemned the Rajasthan government for its continued attempts to erase the rich legacy and contributions of tribal communities from the academic syllabus Speaking on the removal of the Mangarh Dham chapter from the syllabus he said that it was unfortunate and shameful that the BJP has once again shown its disregard for tribal identity and historyThe removal of the chapter on Mangarh Dham a sacred site of tribal resistance from the Class 4 textbook is not just an academic omission it is a deliberate act of historical erasure said Gehlot in a statement issued on ThursdayEver since coming to power the BJP has consistently attempted to diminish the contributions of Indias tribal communities Its disregard for tribal identity is once again visible in the removal of the history of Mangarh Dham from the fourthgrade syllabus said Gehlot on his X HandleHe also pointed out that this is not the first such incident Earlier the BJP removed the story of Kalibai a young tribal girl who sacrificed her life for the cause of education Previously the story of Kalibai a brave young woman who championed education and awakened awareness among marginalised communities was also erased from textbooks These acts are not isolated they reflect a larger deliberate effort to erase the sacrifices valour and legacy of tribal communities from public memory But let it be clear the sacrifices of our tribal heroes are not so fragile that they can be wiped out with a stroke of a penGehlot emphasised that the contributions of tribal communities to Indias freedom struggle and social progress are profound and indelibleTheir sacrifices are part of the nations soul No political party no government has the right to tamper with that legacy for political convenienceHe demanded an apology from the BJP to the tribal communities and called for the immediate reinstatement of the chapters on Mangarh Dham Kalibai and other tribal icons in school textbooksThe BJP must apologise to the tribal communities for this unacceptable act and take immediate steps to restore the stories of Mangarh Dham Kalibai and other tribal icons in the school curriculum Gehlot concluded IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/ashok-gehlot-criticises-raj-govt-on-removal-of-tribal-history-from-school-textbook-639242.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-directs-states-uts-to-notify-rules-for-registration-of-sikh-marriages-through-anand-karaj-639243.html New Delhi Sep 18 The Supreme Court has directed all states and Union Territories UTs that have not yet notified rules under the Anand Marriage Act 1909 to do so within four months ensuring the timebound implementation of the law that provides for registration of Sikh marriages performed through Anand KarajIn its order a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta noted that while Parliament amended the Act in 2012 to enable state governments to frame rules for registration several states and UTs have not yet done so resulting in uneven access to a uniform statutory facilityThe Justice Vikram Nathled Bench was hearing a writ petition seeking directions for operationalising the statutory mechanism and ensuring that the rulemaking duty is discharged within a reasonable time so that access to certification and the attendant civil consequences are secured Highlighting the importance of registration the apex court said A marriage certificate enables proof of status for residence maintenance inheritance insurance succession and the enforcement of monogamy and it particularly safeguards the interests of women and children who depend on documentary proof to claim legal protectionsThe order cautioned that uneven access to registration across states and UTs produces unequal outcomes for similarly situated citizens and withholds the very evidentiary and administrative benefits that Parliament has conferred The Supreme Court while issuing a slew of directions to all states and UTs ordered that rules under Section 6 be framed and notified within four months Every respondent states and UTs that has not yet notified rules under Section 6 of the Act shall do so within four months from today The rules shall be published in the Official Gazette and laid before the State Legislature in terms of Section 64 of the Act it directednbspIn the interim the apex court ordered authorities to accept applications for registration of Anand Karaj marriages with immediate effect and until such rules are notified ensuring that no application for registration of an Anand Karaj marriage or for a certified extract shall be refused on the sole ground that rules under Section 6 of the Act have not yet been notified Further it directed the appointment of Secretarylevel nodal officers in each state and UT to monitor compliance and address grievances regarding the receipt and certification of Anand Karaj marriagesnbspThe Union government has been designated as the coordinating authority Within six months it must file a consolidated status report before the Supreme Court and publish a copy of the status report on the Union Ministry of Law and Justice websiteThe apex court issued specific directions for Goa and Sikkim directing interim facilitation under existing civil registration frameworks and asked the Centre to consider extending the Anand Marriage Act to these two states within four monthsnbspNo authority shall insist on an additional or duplicative registration under any other law once registration under the Act is granted in view of Section 65 the order clarified https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-directs-states-uts-to-notify-rules-for-registration-of-sikh-marriages-through-anand-karaj-639243.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-patel-leads-statewide-campaign-to-fight-malnutrition-in-gujarat-639245.html Ahmedabad Sep 18 Gujarat will observe the 8th edition of Nutrition Week from September 17 to October 16 with a series of awareness activities across the state focused on six key nutrition themes The monthlong drive aims to improve nutrition levels among children women and adolescents as part of the governments mission to build a wellnourished GujaratLaunched nationally in 2018 Nutrition Week has grown into a peoples movement with government departments institutions and citizens working together to fight malnutritionGuided by the theme Sahi Poshan Desh Roshan championed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi Gujarats programme this year is being led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and state Women and Child Development Minister Bhanu Babariya with support from multiple departments and community organisationsThe six focus areas for this years campaign are awareness on obesity and reducing sugar salt and oil intake early childhood care and education through the Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi initiative digitisation and convergence of efforts across departments promotion of breastfeeding and complementary feeding practices encouraging mens involvement in childcare and nutrition and Vocal for Local by highlighting local traditional foodsDuring the month Anganwadi centres schools health workers and community groups will conduct activities ranging from workshops and nutrition drives to awareness sessions on healthy diets The state government emphasised that collective efforts are critical in tackling malnutrition ensuring balanced diets and fostering healthier familiesOfficials said the campaign underlines Gujarats commitment to strengthening child and maternal health while promoting sustainable food habitsWith coordinated participation Nutrition Week 2025 is expected to give a fresh push towards the vision of a Healthy and Nourished GujaratMalnutrition continues to pose a major public health challenge in GujaratRecent data October 2024 shows that 408 per cent of children under five are stunted 78 per cent are wasted and 21 per cent are underweightAnaemia remains widespread affecting nearly 65 per cent of women aged 1549 This is despite higher budget allocations and initiatives such as Mission Poshan 20 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cm-patel-leads-statewide-campaign-to-fight-malnutrition-in-gujarat-639245.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-focusing-on-raising-share-of-natural-gas-in-indias-energy-mix-639246.html New Delhi Sep 18 The government plans to accelerate the use of piped natural gas PNG complementing renewables through gasbased power and scaling opportunities in CBG hydrogen and LNG mobility Addressing the ASSOCHAM India Gas Infrastructure Conference Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board PNGRB Secretary Anjan Kumar Mishra said With industry collaboration and policy support we can raise the share of natural gas in Indias energy mix well beyond 15 per cent and make clean affordable energy a reality for every householdLauding the sectors achievements in promoting the ease of doing business including efforts to transition households from LPG to PNG he noted the progress made in laying the groundwork in rural areas and stressed the importance of scaling access and boosting power generation through natural gas A collective commitment is required to build a resilient futureready gas infrastructure aligned with Indias vision for sustainable growth and carbon neutrality he addedMishra said that over the past few years the government has laid the foundation authorising more than 300 geographical areas advancing rural access and fostering ease of doing businessASSOCHAM Task Force on Hydrocarbons CoChairman amp Pipeline Infrastructure Limited MD Akhil Mehrotra emphasised the need for a faster rollout of city gas networks supported by a robust gas to power strategy He called for greater integration of renewables expanded energy storage solutions and a strong mobility ecosystem to drive adoptionIndraprastha Gas Ltds Director Commercial Mohit Bhatia emphasised that the nations vision to achieve a 15 per cent share of natural gas in the energy mix by 2030 is not merely an aspirational figure but a collective mission anchored in actionHighlighting the transformative role of the City Gas Distribution CGD sector he underlined how every new pipeline CNG station and household connection brings the country closer to cleaner air healthier communities and globally competitive industriesBhatia reflected on the growing strength of the global LNG landscape where India has already emerged as the fourthlargest importer and outlined how expanded regasification capacity innovative solutions like SSLNG hubs and transparent gas exchanges will shape the future Stressing natural gas as the bridge fuel for decarbonization he spoke of its pivotal role in reducing industrial emissions modernising logistics and balancing renewable power IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/govt-focusing-on-raising-share-of-natural-gas-in-indias-energy-mix-639246.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/lalu-yadav-rabri-devi-tejashwi-yadav-cannot-develop-bihar-amit-shah-639252.html Patna Sep 18 Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday targeted the RJD national President Lalu Prasad Yadav and said he or the other leaders in his family cannot develop Bihar Lalu Yadav Rabri Devi and Tejashwi Yadav cannot develop Bihar he said Adding that the stronger the NDA the more prosperous Bihar will benbspAttacking the opposition over corruption Shah said Lalu Prasad Yadav cannot do in his entire life what the NDA has delivered for Bihar in these years They gave scams fodder scam landforjobs scam jail scam On one side is their corrupt government when they were in power and on the other side is the Modi government which has no stain of corruptionAddressing a meeting of selected party workers from 10 districts in Dehri Rohtas the Union Home Minister asserted that unlike other parties where leaders win elections in the BJP it is the workers who ensure victory He said that people of Bihar had already seen the rule of the RJD and its allies but prosperity never comes from a reign of extortion and murdernbspUrging youth to support the NDA he said If todays youth want to move forward and walk on the path of development there is only one way strengthen the NDA government in the upcoming electionsShah asked party workers to work towards securing victory for 80 per cent of NDA candidates in the region Targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhis Voter Adhikar Yatra Shah dubbed it a Save the Infiltrators campaign He questioned Should infiltrators get ration cards Ayushman cards or voting rights Highlighting the achievements of the Nitish Kumar government he said 125 units of electricity are now being provided free of cost and social pension amounts have been increasednbspShah urged workers to take the NDAs message to every household asserting that the future of Bihar lies with the NDAAmit Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modis dedication saying that in his 24 years as Prime Minister and Chief Minister he has not taken a single day of leavenbspIn a veiled dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Shah added On the other hand there is a person who goes abroad every six months for vacationnbspShah highlighted the NDA governments achievementsnbspOur government launched Operation Sindoor carried out airstrikes to teach lessons to the enemy country things that never happened before We have built the Ram temple in Ayodhya and a grand Goddess Sita temple is coming up in Sitamarhi The slabs of GST have been reduced which will immensely benefit the common people of Bihar he saidAcknowledging setbacks in the Shahabad region Shah admitted that the BJPNDA did not perform well in the 2020 Assembly polls but urged party workers to work harder this time Go to every doorstep and inform people about the doubleengine governments measures We need better performance in Shahabad and Magadh regions to win 80 per cent of Bihars seats and form a majority government in the state he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/lalu-yadav-rabri-devi-tejashwi-yadav-cannot-develop-bihar-amit-shah-639252.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 16:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/stock-market-rises-for-3rd-consecutive-day-on-us-fed-rate-cut-buying-in-it-sector-639255.html Mumbai Sep 18 The Indian equity indices extended the gaining momentum for the third consecutive session on Thursday amid buying in IT stocks after the US Fed announced a rate cutSensex closed at 8301396 up 32025 points or 039 per cent The 30share index opened with a decent gapup at 8310892 against the last sessions closing of 8269371 after the US Fed announced a rate cut However the index remained rangebound throughout the session amid a mixed approach across sectors except IT Nifty ended the session at 2542360 up 9335 points or 037 per centGlobal equities traded in the green after the US Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 bps to 4425 per cent and signalled two more reductions this year to cushion rising job market risks Mirroring the upbeat global sentiment Indian markets opened with a positive gapup and maintained a sideways trajectory through the first half of the session Ashika Institutional Equities said in a note Eternal Sun Pharma Infosys HDFC Bank PowerGrid HCL Tech ITC Hindustan Unilever Tata Steel Axis Bank and Bajaj FinServ settled high amid the Sensex stocks Bajaj Finance Tata Motors Trent Ultratech Cement and Asian Paints ended the session in negative territoryThe majority of sectoral indices remained in green amid value buying Nifty Fin Services jumped 135 points or 051 per cent Nifty Bank rose 234 points or 042 per cent Nifty Auto moved up 34 points or 013 per cent Nifty FMCG jumped up 201 points or 036 per cent and Nifty IT surged 303 points or 083 per cent Broader indices continued their bullish run amid buying in midcap and smallcap stocks Nifty Small Cap 100 jumped 53 points or 029 per cent Nifty Midcap 100 increased 224 points or 038 per cent and Nifty 100 ended the session 91 points or 035 per cent highRupee closed weaker by 026 at 8809 despite the dollar index staying soft postFed policy where a rate cut was announced but forward guidance remained mixed as the roadmap for further cuts was unclear and datadependent on jobs said Jateen Trivedi of LKP SecuritiesnbspThe rupee failed to gain as FII sentiment remained cautious while ongoing IndiaUS trade talks will be the next key trigger Support for the rupee lies near 8775 while resistance is seen at 8825 he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/stock-market-rises-for-3rd-consecutive-day-on-us-fed-rate-cut-buying-in-it-sector-639255.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-assembly-session-to-continue-till-september-30-639256.html Amaravati Sep 18 The Andhra Pradesh Assembly session which began on Thursday will continue till September 30 There will be holidays for the House on September 20 21 and 28 Every day the House will function from 10 am to 5 pmThe decision was taken at the meeting of the Business Advisory Committee BAC chaired by Speaker Ayyanna PatruduChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu Legislative Affairs Minister Pyyavula Keshav and Civil Supplies Minister Nadendla Manohar who represent Jana Sena and BJP attended the meetingThe Telugu Desam Party TDP which is heading the coalition government proposed 18 issues for discussion in the House The BJP proposed nine issuesThe Chief Minister directed the ministers to be present in the House during question hour and zero hourAs per the decisions taken in the BAC the Assembly will take up discussion on Goods and Services Tax GST reforms later in the dayThere will be a debate on water resources on September 19 and on law and order on September 22The BAC decided to have a discussion on public health on September 23 industry on September 24 Super6 on September 25 Quantum Valley on September 26 logistics on September 27 Swarnandhra on September 29 and on the development of Rayalaseema coastal region and north Andhra on September 30YSR Congress Party the only opposition party did not attend the BAC meeting as the party continues to stay away from the Assembly session over its demand for Leader of Opposition status to its leader and former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan ReddyJagan Mohan Reddy said last week that there is no point in attending the Assembly session unless he is given Leader of Opposition LoP statusHe reiterated that unless proper status is given there is no point in attending the Assembly session He said the party would get adequate time to raise peoples issues only if it got the status of the main oppositionPeoples voice should be raised by the opposition party and if they do not respect democracy it is their lack of wisdom he remarkedThe YSRCP chief also mentioned that the matter relating to LoP status is pending in the High CourtJagan had filed a petition in July last year seeking direction to the state government to designate him as the LoPThe Legislative Council session also began on Thursday IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-assembly-session-to-continue-till-september-30-639256.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/global-confidence-in-india-is-rising-amid-next-gen-reforms-ashwini-vaishnaw-639258.html New Delhi Sep 18 IANS Global confidence in India is rising and nextgeneration reforms such as the recent GST restructuring and the rapid expansion of Indias digital infrastructure are enabling stronger domestic and international partnerships essential for achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047 Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on ThursdaynbspAddressing the Public Affairs Forum of India PAFI event here the minister underscored Indias growing role and aspirations in the evolving multipolar world ordernbspIndias growth story is not just consistent it is accelerating with greater confidence We are moving from a 95 per cent to a 98 per cent confidence interval on growth with inflation under control and a nominal growth trajectory of 913 per cent Vaishnaw told the gatheringIndias achievements in semiconductors from producing Made in India chips to designing worldclass 2 nanometre technology demonstrate global confidence in our capabilities he mentionednbspSimultaneously reforms in income tax and GST coupled with strong capex and talent development are driving a virtuous cycle of consumption investment and employmentnbspThese foundations ensure that Indias growth story is both resilient and transformative the minister notednbspVaishnaw further highlighted Indias continued rise as a trusted global partner attributing this momentum to sweeping policy reforms in deregulation digitisation and investment facilitationHe mentioned that two more semiconductor plants will soon start operating further solidifying Indias position in the global chip manufacturing ecosystem including the production of machines and materials for chipsnbspThis comprehensive approach he stated is a complete product endtoend validation of Indias capabilities attracting global confidencenbspHe also highlighted the ambitious Telecom 100 labs initiative and the expansion of the semiconductor talent development program mentioning the 28 studentdesigned chips presented to Prime Minister Narendra Modi recentlyAddressing the critical role of infrastructure Vaishnaw who is also the Railways Minister further detailed the three major areas of capital expenditure in railwaysnbspHe highlighted a significant improvement in safety wherein accidents reduced from 170 to 31 per year backed by an annual investment of Rs 34000 crorenbspThe minister showcased the new generation of railway rolling stock including AMRIT Bharat trains for lowincome families costing just Rs 400 and the progress on the bullet train project with 300 km of viaduct completed and operations on track for 2027He also spoke about Indias prospects and innovation in emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence AI clean energy and digital public infrastructure The session concluded with the unveiling of PAFIs first book titled The Policy Pivot Inside Indias Strategic Shift an anthology featuring 25 essays by public policy and public affairs experts https://dailyworld.in/national/global-confidence-in-india-is-rising-amid-next-gen-reforms-ashwini-vaishnaw-639258.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/moil-dispatches-its-1st-shipment-of-54-600-tonnes-manganese-ore-to-indonesia-639260.html New Delhi Sep 18 Indias largest manganese ore producer MOIL on Thursday said it has marked a significant milestone in exports from India with the dispatch of its first shipment of 54600 tonnes of manganese ore fines from Visakhapatnam to Indonesia as a state trading enterprise STE The government has appointed MOIL as a STE for export of Manganese Mn ore below 46 per cent Mn grade from IndiaAccording to Steel Ministry MOIL had put in place a mechanism in FY20242025 for export of Mn ore as per the Trade Policy through which any exports of Mn ore from India are required to be routed through MOILThe first consignment of the offered 54600 tonnes Mn ore from Vizag was shipped on August 22 2025 to Indonesia by MOIL Material is exported to foreign buyers by MOIL with a backtoback arrangement with the domestic suppliers said the ministry in a statementExport of lowgrade manganese ore Mn 25 per cent from the country assumes major significance as India has surplus Mn ore of lowgrade fines in excess of domestic demand and hence export of lowgrade ore enhances Indias global footprint and boosts foreign earningAjit Kumar Saxena CMD congratulated the MOIL team for its firstever export consignment of manganese ore as a State Trading Enterprise and emphasised on efficient operations and wellinformed strategies to facilitate international tradeMOIL recorded its highestever August production of 145 lakh tonnes during the month registering an impressive 17 per cent growth over the same month last yearOn the sales front the company also delivered strongly with 113 lakh tonnes of sales in August reflecting a remarkable 256 per cent growth yearonyear compared to the same month of the previous yearFurther during AprilAugust 2025 MOIL recorded its bestever performance with 792 lakh tonnes of production which represents a 93 per cent yearonyear increaseThe governmentowned company which supplies manganese ore as an input for making steel also achieved its bestever exploratory core drilling of 50621 metres during AprilAugust of the current financial year which represents an 86 per cent increase over the same period of the previous year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/moil-dispatches-its-1st-shipment-of-54-600-tonnes-manganese-ore-to-indonesia-639260.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhis-team-yet-to-pack-the-h-bomb-but-salvos-continue-639262.html New Delhi Sep 18 Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has fired a fresh round of salvo against the Election Commission for allegedly being involved in systematically targeting voters and deleting or adding elector names But it was not his promised hydrogen bomb as the Leader of the Opposition had himself pointed out because he is still waiting for enough proof to come from his teamAt an event on the conclusion of his Voter Adhikar Yatra on September 1 Gandhi had said his party would soon come out with a hydrogen bomb He was referring to revelations on alleged vote chori theftTill then he pledged to continue to pull up the poll body and yet not seek legal recourseAs the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha my role in normal situations is that of the Opposition to build up pressure on the government My job is not to protect Indias democracy Gandhi said answering a question posed by IANSIncidentally like earlier instances in Parliament and outside the Congress leader pulled out a copy of the Constitution during Thursdays press conference He also raised the issue of defending the democratic process in the countryIANS wanted to know if his party would go to the courts if the poll body did not provide a direct answerHe had earlier said that he is giving a oneweek time to the Election CommissionIn Karnatakas Aland constituency the Gandhi scion alleged someone made an attempt to delete 6018 votes ahead of the 2023 Assembly elections and that the Election Commission refused to hand over evidence sought by the state CID in the matterInterestingly the Congress managed to wrest Aland from the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP in 2023 The Grand Old Party candidate won by a margin of over 10000 votes and cornered some 51 per cent of the votes polledIn contrast it lost to the BJP in the 2018 Assembly election by less than 700 votes and had managed about 47 per cent of the mandateThe claimed deletion if any seems to have gone in favour of the Congress nomineeIn Maharashtras Rajura constituency the Congress leader claimed someone had added 6850 voters to the electoral rollsIn this constituency the BJP gained the seat from Congress in the 2024 Assembly election with about a 3000vote margin while in 2019 Congress had won by about 2500 votes This was when voter turnout had increased by over 6 per cent over that of 2019 with respect to total voters in the constituency respectivelyMeanwhile while Gandhi wanted institutions to take suo motu initiative for a probe and subsequent action he referred to the Karnataka CID having initiated an inquiry over the alleged voter deletion in AlandMeanwhile the Election Commission has issued a rebuttal Dismissing his claims as incorrect and baseless it said that deletion can not be done online by any member of the public Also the affected person gets an opportunity to place his pointIn 2023 there were attempts at the deletion of electors in the Aland Assembly Constituency but it was unsuccessful and an FIR was filed by the poll body itselfLast month Rahul raised questions on the electoral outcome of the Bangalore Central Lok Sabha seat In a similar claim he alleged stealing of one lakh votes in the Mahadevapura Assembly constituency during the 2024 polls IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhis-team-yet-to-pack-the-h-bomb-but-salvos-continue-639262.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/wont-remain-silent-if-voting-rights-are-stolen-warns-tn-congress-chief-639267.html Chennai Sep 18 Tamil Nadu Congress Committee president K Selvaperunthagai on Thursday issued a strong warning to the Election Commission of India ECI declaring that the Congress will not remain a mute spectator if peoples right to vote is stolen through manipulation of electoral rolls In a sharply worded statement Selvaperunthagai said that free and fair elections form the foundation of Indian democracy and the right to vote is a fundamental right of every citizenThe denial of that right and irregularities in voter rolls are among the gravest threats to democracy he saidPointing to examples from across the country he alleged that voter names had been mysteriously deleted without their knowledgeIn Uttar Pradesh Bihar Karnataka and Maharashtra thousands of voters found their names missing In one constituency in Maharashtra alone 9850 voters were removed from the rolls which raises serious questions about the credibility of the Election Commission the statement notedSelvaperunthagai also referred to the remarks of Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi who had recently accused officials in Delhi of tampering with Tamil Nadus electoral rollsThis charge is deeply shocking he addedDespite such warnings Selvaperunthagai said the Election Commission had failed to launch a transparent investigationHe also cited former Chief Election Commissioner SY Quraishi who publicly cautioned that ignoring allegations of malpractice without inquiry would erode the credibility of the ECI This is a matter of national disgrace he saidThe Election Commission is neglecting its duties thereby denying citizens their right to vote At a time when public confidence must be upheld its continued inaction amounts to a direct attack on democracy itself the TNCC president chargedHe demanded immediate and transparent inquiries into voter list irregularities and alleged electoral fraudThose who attempted to deprive people of their voting rights must face strict legal action and negligent officials should be dismissed he urgedSelvaperunthagai concluded with a firm warning The Congress Party will never remain silent when citizens voting rights are stolen Our struggle to safeguard democracy will only intensify IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/wont-remain-silent-if-voting-rights-are-stolen-warns-tn-congress-chief-639267.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 17:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-accuses-mp-govt-of-forcing-farmers-to-buy-nano-fertilisers-639269.html Shahdol Madhya Pradesh Sep 18 Amid allegations about fertiliser shortage discrepancies in distribution and black marketing from various parts in Madhya Pradesh a fresh controversy has emerged over nano fertilisers The Congress on Thursday alleged that farmers are being forced to purchase nano fertiliser along with packet of solid DAP DiAmmonium Phosphate and urea fertilisers and farmers who refused to buy nano fertiliser would be denied solid DAP and urea at governmentrun distribution centresNano a liquid form of fertiliser which is an alternative of solid or traditional form of DAP and urea costs around Rs 500 to 600 per bottleNano fertilisers have been included under monthly supply plan issued by the Department of Fertilisers regularlyDuring an inspection at a distribution centre in Umaria district State Congress President Jitu Patwari was told by farmers that they are being forced to purchase nano fertilisersFarmers also alleged a shortage of DAP and ureaHowever the State Congress President inquired that the government employee responsible to look after the distribution of fertilisers said Farmers are being advised to use this liquid fertiliser as it is being promoted But it is up to farmers to buy it or notLater talking to media persons Patwari alleged that solid DAP and urea fertilisers are being supplied to private venders and farmers are being forced to buy liquid nano fertiliserDespite Chief Minister Mohan Yadavs clear instructions the BJP government failed to control blackmarketing of fertilisers he claimedRecently Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had instructed district collectors to ensure that farmers get adequate fertiliser from the governmentrun distribution centresHe had also said that collectors would be held fully responsible if there is any unavailability of fertilisers or unrest due to irregularity in its distribution systemIANS went through a press release issued by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers in July this year which revealed that nano fertilisers are being promoted through different activities such as awareness camps webinars field demonstrations Kisan sammelans and films in regional languages etcNano urea and nano DAP are made available at Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras PMKSKs by concerned companies Nano urea has been included under the monthly supply plan issued by the Department of Fertilisers regularly the Ministrys press note saidHowever it is not the first time when confusion over usage of liquid form of fertilisers has created controversy in Madhya PradeshCongress has been relentlessly raising questions on distribution of nano fertilisers at different occasions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-accuses-mp-govt-of-forcing-farmers-to-buy-nano-fertilisers-639269.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/epfo-rolls-out-passbook-lite-for-easy-access-to-all-pf-details-via-single-login-639270.html New Delhi Sep 18 Union Minister for Labour and Employment Dr Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Thursday that EPFO has introduced a new facility called Passbook Lite which will enable members to easily check their passbook and related summarised view of their contributions withdrawals and balance in a simple and convenient format through the member portal itself without having to go to the passbook portal The new Passbook Lite facility has been introduced within the EPFOs member portal as part of the reforms that have been undertaken to ensure provision of efficient transparent and userfriendly services to membersThis initiative is expected to improve user experience by providing all key services including passbook access through one login However for a comprehensive view of passbook details including graphical display members can continue to access the existing Passbook Portal as wellThis approach ensures greater ease of access for members while simultaneously enhancing the operational efficiency by reducing the load on the existing Passbook Portal and simplifying the architecture through integration of existing APIs within the member portal The focus of this reform is on providing all key services through a single login for greater ease of access The initiative is expected to reduce grievances improve transparency and enhance member satisfactionAt present when employees change jobs their PF accounts are transferred to the new employers PF office through Form 13 online After transfer a Transfer Certificate Annexure K is generated by the previous PF office and sent to the new PF office Until now Annexure K was only shared between PF offices and was made available to members only on their requestA reform has been introduced that now enables members to directly download Annexure K in PDF format from the Member Portal itself This will enable members to track status of transfer applications online ensuring full transparency and allowing members to easily verify their PF transfers It will enable them to confirm that the PF balance and service period are correctly updated in the new account promoting ease of living transparency and trust in EPFO processes according to the governmentThe is facility will also allow members to maintain a permanent digital record for future reference which is especially important for calculating EPS benefitsAt present any EPFO services such as PF transfers settlements advances and refunds require approvals from higherlevel officers RPFCOfficerinCharge This multilayered approval process often led to delays and longer processing times for members claimsThe scope of this reform will include PF transfers and settlements advances and past accumulations refunds chequeECSNEFT returns and interest adjustmentsThis will hold several benefits for users including faster claim settlements and reduced processing time simplified approval layers for smoother service delivery improved accountability at field office level and enhanced transparency and member satisfaction through quicker seamless services IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/epfo-rolls-out-passbook-lite-for-easy-access-to-all-pf-details-via-single-login-639270.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fairs-help-preserve-folk-art-strengthen-rural-economy-too-says-himachal-governor-639275.html Shimla Sep 18 Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla on Thursday said fairs not only help preserve folk art and culture but also strengthen the rural economy by reflecting the states rich cultural heritage The Governor was speaking while presiding over the closing ceremony of the threeday districtlevel Sair fair organised at Jukhala in Bilaspur districtHe said such fairs are a powerful medium to bind the younger generation with their roots and to promote harmony and fraternity in societyAppreciating the cultural performances presented by womens groups he said If they are given regular encouragement they can present attractive and highquality cultural programmes at minimal cost This will give new life to rural culture and help preserve traditionsThe Governor said the Sair fair offers an opportunity to the people from nearby villages to participate in large numbers and make their purchasesThe local products handicrafts and traditional foods exhibited also serve as a platform for income for the villagersHe directed the district administration to set up stalls of agriculture horticulture animal husbandry and banking sectors at the fair so that villagers could get information about banking facilities as well as state and central government schemesReferring to the contribution of the Indian Armed Forces the Governor said they have always played a vital role in maintaining the dignity of the nationHe mentioned Operation Sindoor which showcased Indias strength and commitment to rooting out terrorism from Indian soilThe Governor said instead of criticising one should be involved in constructive politics so that meaningful suggestions can guide developmental initiativesHe encouraged officials to carry out their duties sincerely and said that since the officers and officials play an important role in implementing policies of the government they should be respectedThe Governor honoured participants of various sports and cultural activities organised during the fairEarlier he also visited the exhibitions set up by different departments IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fairs-help-preserve-folk-art-strengthen-rural-economy-too-says-himachal-governor-639275.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-army-accelerates-drone-transformation-eagle-in-the-arm-concept-at-core-of-modernisation-639277.html Itanagar Sep 18 The Indian Army is rapidly scaling up the induction of drones and counterdrone systems with many units already operationalised officials said on Thursday Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that drone centres were established at premier training academies including at the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun Infantry School in Mhow and Officers Training Academy in Chennai He said that the move is aimed at embedding drone operations as a standard capability for soldiers across all arms of the Army On Thursday the Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi visited one such facility at Likabali in Arunachal Pradesh underscoring the Indian Armys focus on operationalising drone capabilities Officials said that the Indian Armys approach is captured in the concept of Eagle in the Arm the idea that every soldier should be capable of operating a drone just as he carries his weapon Depending on the task of the unit or soldier drones will be employed for combat surveillance logistics or even medical evacuation Counterdrone measures are also being inducted in parallel creating a layered system to both exploit and neutralise unmanned platforms the spokesman said The emphasis on transformation was also reflected in the Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedis speech during the 26th Kargil Vijay Diwas at Dras on July 26 He had announced that every infantry battalion will have a drone platoon artillery regiments will be equipped with counterdrone systems and loiter munitions and composite Divyastra batteries will be created to enhance precision and survivability Our firepower will increase manifold in the coming days the Army Chief had declared underlining that the Army is moving rapidly towards becoming a modern and futureready force The defence spokesman said that this dual thrust arming soldiers with drones while strengthening counterdrone defences reflects Indian Armys recognition that unmanned systems are no longer niche but essential elements of the battlefield By institutionalising training operationalising units and aligning force structures the Indian Army is ensuring that the soldier of tomorrow will not only carry a weapon but also an eagle a drone that extends his vision reach and power on the battlefield the defence PRO said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/indian-army-accelerates-drone-transformation-eagle-in-the-arm-concept-at-core-of-modernisation-639277.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/know-all-about-brain-eating-amoeba-infection-that-claimed-19-lives-in-kerala-639278.html New Delhi Sep 18 Exposure to contaminated water is a major reason for infection from a braineating amoeba that has claimed the lives of 19 people including children as young as three years old in Kerala said doctors calling for avoiding swimming in lakes and other water bodies Amoebic meningitisis a rare but fatal central nervous system infection caused by freeliving amoebae Naegleria fowleri also known as the braineating amoeba found in freshwater lakes and riversKerala has recorded 61 confirmed cases of the brain infection and 19 deaths among patients ranging from a threemonthold infant to a 91yearoldThe amoebiosis or amoebic meningitis is a rare disease which is very difficult to diagnose It is one of the Acute Encephalitis Syndrome AES where the diagnosis is very difficult There are no dedicated diagnostic techniques used almost all over the world to detect the condition Dr TS Anish Professor and nodal officer Kerala One Health Centre for Nipah Research and Resilience in Kozhikode Government Medical College told IANSHowever the Nipah outbreak led to the development of a dedicated system that can diagnose as many AES cases as possible It demonstrated an increase in the cases of amoebic meningitis the expert saidHe blamed global warming and climate change for the rise in the number of infectionsThermophilic organisms will definitely grow when the temperature of water bodies increases And there are pollution issues in our water bodies Anish saidThe expert also informed that the death rate due to the disease is low in Kerala it is one of the lowest rates in amoebic meningitis reported all over the worldAmoebic meningitis caused by Naegleria fowleri amoeba has a global death rate of somewhere around 97 to 98 per cent Any type of amoebic meningitis has a high death rate maybe up to 60 to 70 per cent but in Kerala it is almost only 20 per cent That may be because of the early detection Anish saidNeurologist Dr Anshu Rohatgi from a leading citybased hospital linked the outbreak of the disease to rapid urbanisation swimming in water which has not been disinfected or not been chlorinatedThis Naegleria fowleri amoeba enters through the nasal spaces nasal airways and it goes into the brain and it causes an amoebic meningoencephalitis he saidAccording to the health experts the condition is completely treatable and curable if detected earlyThis meningoencephalitis if it is not treated has a 100 per cent fatality But in Kerala because there is a high index of suspicion more and more cases are being diagnosed early added RohatgiRohatgi noted that the important point in identifying the infection is to do a lumbar puncture or a CSF Cerebrospinal Fluid examination a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted into the spinal canalFurther Anish said that the disease is not that rare but it is very rarely diagnosed in most parts of IndiaHe cited a study conducted at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research PGIMER in Chandigarh between 2014 and 2022 which investigated amoebic meningitis in a sample of 156 patients with suspected meningoencephalitisFreeliving amoebae FLA were detected by PCR in 11 of the 156 patient samplesAnish explained that people with a history of CSF rhinorrhoea where fluid that normally surrounds the brain leaks through the nose could be vulnerable to the disease People who underwent some surgical procedures in the brain or skull could also be at riskThe experts noted that the infection does not spread from person to person Swallowing water containing the amoeba does not lead to it either They urged people to avoid swimming in ponds or in rivers that are likely to be polluted They also suggested avoiding rinsing the nostrils with water which is not boiled IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/know-all-about-brain-eating-amoeba-infection-that-claimed-19-lives-in-kerala-639278.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 18:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-moves-no-confidence-motion-against-bjp-led-odisha-govt-639283.html Bhubaneswar Sep 18 The Congress on Thursday formally moved a noconfidence motion against the BJPled government in Odisha The Congress leaders have submitted a letter to the Speaker Surama Padhy through the Assembly Secretary Satyabrata RoutSpeaking to media persons senior Congress leader Taraprasad Bahinipati said We have submitted a letter with the signatures of 15 MLAs 14 Congress MLAs and one from the Communist Party of IndiaMarxist to the Speaker through the Assembly Secretary to bring in a noconfidence motion against the Odisha government We have submitted the letter for the noconfidence motion under the leadership of our Congress Legislature Party CLP leader Rama Chandra Kadam We demand that the state government accept our motion and ensure that a discussion is held on it in the HouseMeanwhile the Congress CLP leader Rama Chandra Kadam said that the party will hold discussions with the principal opposition Biju Janata Dal BJD seeking their support for the noconfidence motionHe added that earlier the Odisha Congress President Bhakta Charan Das had offered the partys support if BJD brought a noconfidence motionOur State party president had also urged the BJD to support the motion if moved by the Congress Today we will also go to their BJD office and hold discussions on the issue seeking their support Kadam addedThe BJD chief whip Pramila Mallik said that Congress has not discussed the issue of noconfidence with the partyShe said the BJD President Naveen Patnaik will take a stand on the issue after discussionMeanwhile senior BJP leader Jay Narayan Mishra said that the noconfidence motion moved by Congress will have no effect on the state governmentThe Congress on Wednesday announced to bring a noconfidence motion against the BJPled state government claiming that the latter has not lived up to the peoples expectations and failed to address various issues like violence against women farmer woes corruption in the education sector etc IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-moves-no-confidence-motion-against-bjp-led-odisha-govt-639283.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/probe-ordered-into-death-of-delhi-zoos-african-elephant-639284.html New Delhi Sep 18 Wildlife experts from Bareilly on Thursday joined a highlevel probe into the mysterious death of Delhi zoos African elephant Shankar an official of National Zoo Park said The 29yearold male African elephant showing signs of loss of appetite for a few days collapsed suddenly in its shed around 8 pm on Wednesday said the officialAn official statement said The postmortem is being conducted by a team of experts from IVRI Bareilly the health advisory committee and a representative of the Ministry for further investigation After the postmortem examination and taking required samples the carcass will be disposed of following due procedureZoo Director Sanjeet Kumar said Shankar was a symbol of strength wisdom and love and many members of the zoo community were emotionally attached to him The void left by his loss will be deeply felt by the zoo team visitors and the entire conservation communityShankar had been a valued member of the National Zoological Park family for 27 years having arrived in November 1998 from ZimbabweThe African elephant was admired by visitors and cherished by the zoo staff for its gentle nature and majestic presenceOn Wednesday morning it was observed that Shankar was consuming fewer leaves and grasses with slight loose motion but was taking concentrates fruits and vegetables normally The veterinary team of NZP provided treatment and animalkeeping staff maintained close observation said the statementAt approximately 725 pm on the same day Shankar collapsed and despite emergency treatment died No sickness or abnormal behaviour was reported until Tuesday said the statementThe Delhi zoo administered by the Central governments Environment Ministry has over 1300 animals from 130 different speciesOver 20 lakh nature lovers visit the premises spread over 176 acres every year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/probe-ordered-into-death-of-delhi-zoos-african-elephant-639284.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/army-chief-discusses-security-highway-amp-development-projects-with-arunachal-governor-639289.html Itanagar Sep 18 Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Thursday called on Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General KT Parnaik retd at Raj Bhavan here and discussed security the frontier highway and developmental projects in the state officials said A Raj Bhavan official said that the Governor underscored the importance of a collaborative and peoplecentric approach in implementing the Vibrant Village Programme highlighting that its success depends on the joint efforts of the government local communities and security forcesHe appreciated the collaboration being extended by the army to play an active role noting that their strong presence discipline and close connection with border residents can significantly contribute to transforming remote villages into hubs of growth opportunity and national prideThe Governor conveyed to the Army chief his deep sense of appreciation for the army units serving in Arunachal Pradesh the official saidLt Gen Parnaik retd highlighted the armys meaningful contribution beyond security duties providing prerecruitment training that prepares local youth for careers in the armed forces extending support for admissions to Sainik Schools and implementing numerous Sadbhavana projects He noted that these initiatives are nurturing discipline and selfreliance among the younger generation and are also bringing tangible benefits to local communities strengthening the bond between the people and the ArmyThe Governor lauded the army units for their unwavering professionalism high standards of operational preparedness and exceptional elan He also commended their dedication to fulfilling their military duties with distinction and also in consistently standing by the people of the state through humanitarian initiatives and developmental supportA Raj Bhavan official said that the army chief discussed the issue of land acquisition with the Governor emphasising the need to expedite the process so that essential defence infrastructure projects could move forward without delayGen Dwivedi also discussed the importance of establishing Zilla Sainik Boards in the State which would serve as vital support systems for exservicemen and their familiesHe shared his concern with the Governor regarding the relatively low participation of Arunachal Pradeshs youth in applying for vacancies in the Armed Forces He requested more awareness guidance and encouragement to inspire more young people from the state to pursue this noble and prestigious career path the Raj Bhavan official said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/army-chief-discusses-security-highway-amp-development-projects-with-arunachal-governor-639289.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 19:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sebi-clears-adani-group-and-its-entities-of-all-allegations-in-hindenburg-case-639294.html Mumbai Sep 18 Capital markets regulator SEBI on Thursday cleared the Adani Group and its associated entities of all allegations in the Hindenburg case The SEBI order states that the matter has been considered holistically and the allegations made against the Adani Group are not establishedConsidering the above the question of devolvement of any liability on Noticees Adani Group and associated companies does not arise and hence the question of determination of quantum of penalty also does not require any deliberation the order further statesThe proceedings were disposed of without directionsThe alleged transactions were deemed genuine business dealings and not fraudulent or violative of RPT disclosure norms given the legal framework applicable during the investigation period RPT disclosures under the SEBI refer to the mandatory transparency requirements for related party transactions entered into by listed companies to prevent conflicts of interest and ensure fair dealingsThe order also states that there was no violation of Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements LODR The SEBIs LODR norms mandate companies to disclose detailed information about these transactions to their audit committees and shareholders including valuation reports for material transactions and have a defined process for obtaining independent approvalsThe SEBI rejected the contention that the Adani Group had engaged in a scheme to conceal related party transactions pointing out that the widened definition covering indirect transactions was only introduced prospectively via the 2021 amendment to the LODR rules Applying it retrospectively the regulator said would be legally impermissibleThe SEBI probe also found that alleged loans and fund movements were fully repaid and did not qualify as undisclosed related party transactions or fraudulent market practicesIn January 2023 Hindenburg Research published a report accusing the Adani Group of accounting irregularities stock manipulation and hiding relatedparty transactions through layers of shell companiesThe report triggered a sharp selloff in Adani stocks erasing over 100 billion in the Groups market value following which the Supreme Court directed the SEBI to investigate the matterInterestingly USbased Hindenburg Research later came under a cloud due to its controversial shortselling practices and shut down its operations amid widespread criticism in the Western press IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sebi-clears-adani-group-and-its-entities-of-all-allegations-in-hindenburg-case-639294.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 21:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-eu-blue-economy-conclave-opens-with-delegates-hailing-states-coastal-heritage-639299.html Thiruvananthapuram Sep 18 The twoday KeralaEU Blue Economy Conclave titled Blue Tides Two Shores One Vision opened here with ambassadors and delegates from European Union EU nations lauding Keralas vibrant coastal traditions and sustainable fishing practices Organised by the state Department of Fisheries in partnership with the Central government and the European Union the conclave seeks to strengthen collaborations for sustainable oceanbased growthAhead of the formal sessions EU envoys and diplomats embarked on a field trip to experience Keralas marine and cultural landscapeLed by the Ambassador of the European Union to India Herve Delphin the delegation began its visit at Hawa Beach in Kovalam where they interacted with local fishermenMany delegates expressed admiration for the communitys resilience and even joined in hauling nets to witness the strenuous efforts behind the earlymorning catchThe team later visited the Adani Vizhinjam International Seaport where AVPPL CEO Pradeep Jayaraman and Managing Director Divya S Iyer presented an overview of the ports operationsDelegates toured the facility noting its strategic location and modern infrastructureThe group also stopped at the Kerala Arts and Crafts Village in Vellar where they commended the craftsmanship showcased through traditional curios and handicraftsThe EU contingent comprised senior diplomats including Robert Maxian Slovakia Juan Antonio March Pujol Spain Antonio Enrico Bartoli Italy Reuben Gauci Malta Rasmus Abildgaard Kristensen Denmark Dr Piotr Switalski Poland Yankov Bulgaria Kimmo Lahdevirta Finland Sena Latif Romania Simon H Preker Germany and Irma Sincovek SloveniaThe formal inauguration of the conclave will be held on Friday at Leela Kovalam when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will deliver the keynote addressMinister for Fisheries Culture and Youth Affairs Saji Cherian will preside with Union Minister for Fisheries Animal Husbandry Dairying and Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Minister of State George Kurian attending as guests of honourThe conclave brings together policymakers investors academics trade union representatives and fisherfolk to explore Keralas potential as Indias leading blue economy hub with a focus on sustainable practices and EUIndia cooperation IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kerala-eu-blue-economy-conclave-opens-with-delegates-hailing-states-coastal-heritage-639299.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/resounding-victory-adani-group-gets-clean-chit-from-sebi-in-landmark-order-639302.html Mumbai Sep 18 In a resounding victory for the Adani Group the Securities and Exchange Board of India SEBI has closed its investigation into the allegations made by US shortseller Hindenburg Research In a final order that exposes the falsity of the claims widely amplified by the shortseller Indias market regulator concluded that the Adani Group did not violate any rules by routing funds through two private firms effectively dismissing claims of hidden relatedparty transactions and fraudThe probe which was prompted by a Supreme Court directive following the Hindenburg report in January 2023 centred on transactions between publicly listed Adani companies Adani Ports amp Special Economic Zone Adani Power and Adani Enterprises and two private unlisted entities Milestone Tradelinks and Rehvar InfrastructureHindenburg had alleged that these private firms were used as a facade to conceal transactions that should have been disclosed to shareholders as related party transactions RPTsHowever the SEBIs exhaustive inquiry detailed in its final order found no substance to these allegations The regulators key finding rested on the effect of the LODR Regulations as they existed during the investigation period 20182023The SEBI said that the law at the time defined related party transactions only for direct dealings between a company and its related parties Milestone and Rehvar while having business ties were not legally defined as related parties to the Adani companies under the regulations in forceThe order further emphasised that the 2021 amendment to the LODR Regulations which was introduced specifically to include such indirect transactions was given a prospective not retrospective effect The SEBI ruled that applying this new stricter definition to transactions that occurred years earlier would be legally impermissibleThis conclusion is a major relief for the Adani Group which had its market value plummet severely in the wake of the Hindenburg report The SEBI also meticulously examined the financial aspect of the transactionsIt was noted that all loans which amounted to several thousand crores were repaid in full along with interest well before the SEBIs investigation commencedThere was no evidence of fund diversion siphoning of money or loss to shareholders the order stated effectively dismantling the fraud allegations under SEBIs PFUTP RegulationsWith the allegations not established the SEBI has cleared all parties involved including group Chairman Gautam Adani and his brother Rajesh Adani of any liability IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/resounding-victory-adani-group-gets-clean-chit-from-sebi-in-landmark-order-639302.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/delay-in-home-delivery-ed-attaches-gurugram-developers-assets-worth-rs-255-crore-639304.html New Delhi Sep 18 A township developers properties worth Rs 25528 crore were attached by the ED in connection with cheating and fraud with home buyers who were not delivered the promised houses and plots on time said an official on Thursday The action by Directorate of Enforcement ED Gurugram Zonal Office against Ramprastha Promoters and Developers Pvt Ltd RPDPL on Wednesday was taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA 2002 the official said in a statementTh investigation agency revealed that RPDPL had collected Rs 1100 crore from more than 2600 homebuyers for various projectsThe provisionally attached properties include plots lands and residential flats commercial buildings of RPDPL its group companies and Directors relative of Directors key managerial persons said the statementThe official said that the ED initiated investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by Economic Offences Wing EOW New Delhi and Haryana PoliceIt was alleged in the FIRs that RPDPL and its promoters have cheateddefrauded various home buyersplot buyers for failing to deliver the promised flats and plots within the promised timeframes which ended 1014 years agoThe ED investigation revealed that RPDPL launched various projects such as Project Edge Project Skyz Project Rise and Ramprastha City plotted colony project in Sectors 37D 92 93 and 95 Gurugram in 20082011 and possessions of flatsplotted lands was promised within 34 years of launch However the company failed to meet the deadlinesTh ED investigation revealed that RPDPL had collected Rs 1100 crore from more than 2600 homebuyers for the said projectsThe PromotersDirectors of RPDPL diverted hundreds of crores collected from homebuyers to its group companies as advances for purchase of land parcels instead of using the same for completion of promised homes which ultimately led to failure to deliver the flats and plots till date said the EDEarlier in this case the ED had arrested Arvind Walia and Sandeep Yadav both Directors and majority shareholders of RPDPL on July 21 under the provisions of PMLA 2002 Both the arrested persons are in judicial custodyMoreover the ED had conducted search operations and issued a Provisional Attachment Order resulting into attachmentfreezing of various bank balances movable assets immovable properties of RPDPL its group companies and directorsrelative of Directors amounting to Rs 57221 crore The total attachmentseizure in this case till date stands at Rs 82749 crore the ED said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/delay-in-home-delivery-ed-attaches-gurugram-developers-assets-worth-rs-255-crore-639304.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/military-civil-fusion-joint-earthquake-response-exercise-conducted-in-arunachal-pradesh-639305.html New Delhi Sep 18 In a significant demonstration of preparedness and unity the Indian Army State Disaster Response Force Police IndoTibetan Border Police and Civil Administration jointly conducted a largescale earthquake response mock drill in Along West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday The exercise simulated a powerful 78 magnitude earthquake across five different sites designed to test the speed coordination and efficiency of multiple responding agencies under realistic conditionsSearch and rescue teams along with specialized medical units were swiftly deployed while the Incident Response System framework was thoroughly evaluated in action said a defence officialThe mock drill highlighted key aspects of disaster readiness improved communication networks stronger logistical support and seamless coordination between military and civil agenciesBy working side by side the participating forces demonstrated how collective action can minimize casualties ensure rapid relief and restore normalcy in the aftermath of a natural disaster the official addedThis exercise was not only a test of operational capability but also a reaffirmation of the bond between the armed forces and the civil administrationIt emphasized that disaster management is not the responsibility of a single agency but a shared duty that requires synergy trust and mutual supportSimilarly NCC Directorate Northeastern region also conducted an earthquake response mock drill 215 SDSW Cadets from 2 AP Bn NCC actively participated in a Mega Mock Drill on Earthquake organized by NDRF in Tawang West Kemang amp Bichom Districts of Arunachal PradeshThe exercise aimed at enhancing preparedness response amp rescue skills to save lives during emergency and natural disaster situations said NCC Directorate Northeastern region official account on XThe success of the drill underlines the commitment of all stakeholders to safeguard communities strengthen resilience and build confidence among the people of Arunachal PradeshTogether these coordinated efforts reinforce the message that in times of crisis the strength of unity becomes the strongest shield for society IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/military-civil-fusion-joint-earthquake-response-exercise-conducted-in-arunachal-pradesh-639305.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/madras-hc-seeks-uniform-guidelines-for-political-events-639307.html Chennai Sep 18 The Madras High Court on Thursday underscored the need for the Tamil Nadu government to frame uniform guidelines requiring political parties and organisations to make monetary deposits before conducting public meetings or rallies The measure the court said would ensure accountability and enable recovery of costs if public property is damaged during such eventsA bench of Justice N Sathish Kumar directed Additional Public Prosecutor E Raj Thilak to file a report by September 24 on the proposed guidelines making them applicable to all political parties and associations without discrimination The direction was issued while hearing a writ petition filed by Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam TVK led by actor Vijay which accused the police of imposing onerous and impractical conditions for permission to hold a campaign in Tiruchi on September 13 Senior counsel V Raghavachari appearing for the TVK argued that the police had stipulated 23 conditions including one that barred pregnant women the elderly and persons with disabilities from attending How can a party prevent anyone from exercising their democratic right to attend he asked In an affidavit TVK Deputy General Secretary CTR Nirmal Kumar said the party was registered on principles of secularism social justice equality and linguistic harmony and had quickly grown into a major political force attracting women youth and students He alleged that the partys rapid rise had triggered hostility from a dominant political family resulting in discriminatory treatment from the police The affidavit stated that TVK General Secretary N Anand alias Bussy Anand applied on September 6 for permission to hold a campaign at policenotified venues Permission was granted only on September 10 with conditions the party described as arbitrary and unreasonable Despite the restrictions Vijays campaign went ahead peacefully on September 13 with a large turnout it said The TVK claimed that unlike other ruling and opposition parties it was consistently subjected to unfair restrictions To prove its point the party submitted a copy of the permission granted to another political party with much more liberal terms The party urged the court to direct the Director General of Police to ensure fair and nondiscriminatory permission for Vijays campaigns scheduled across the state between September 20 and December 20 Meanwhile the APP produced photographs in court showing damage to public property when large crowds gathered for the event IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/madras-hc-seeks-uniform-guidelines-for-political-events-639307.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-rs-45-000cr-nuclear-power-project-in-rajasthans-banswara-on-sep-25-639311.html Jaipur Sep 18 IANS Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate a Rs 45000 crore nuclear power project in Rajasthans Banswara on September 25 The power plant is set to generate 2800 MW of energynbspBJP State President Madan Rathore said the project would mark a historic milestone for Rajasthan and the nation strengthening energy security infrastructure and regional developmentnbspRathore currently on a stay in DungarpurBanswara addressed the media on Thursday and made these announcementsnbspnbspHe also spoke on key initiatives including Seva Pakhwada Atmanirbhar Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan and the upcoming GST Next ReformsSpeaking to the press in Banswara Rathore announced that the Rs 45000 crore nuclear power project will generate 2800 MW of energy and will emerge as a historic milestone for both Rajasthan and the nation significantly strengthening regional infrastructure energy security employment opportunities and investmentsnbspRathore said that senior leadership from the Centre and the state Union Ministers Ministers of State public representatives and local dignitaries will join the Prime Ministers programmenbspHe described the project as a decisive step for the allround development of Banswara and nearby districtsEmphasising national unity Rathore cautioned that fragmentation forces that disrupt development and nationbuilding should never be encouraged Political differences may exist but any effort to divide society damage culture or weaken brotherhood must be strongly opposed both socially and legally so that the path of development remains smoothnbspAddressing the media in Dungarpur Rathore highlighted Indias growing industrial competitiveness saying that foreign tariff barriers cannot harm Indias strengthnbspHe noted that Indias cottage industries and entrepreneurs are capable of producing highquality affordable goods for the global market and that even tariff hikes by foreign nations would only increase costs for their own citizensHe credited Prime Minister Narendra Modiled governments GST reforms and income tax relief for reducing the burden on ordinary citizens and small industries making essential items lifesaving medicines agricultural tools and cottage industry raw materials more affordablenbspThese reforms he said have boosted local production and employmentnbspReferring to Indias resilience during the Covid19 pandemic Rathore said India not only secured its citizens through the production of PPE kits medicines and vaccines but also extended help to many countriesnbspHe said that today India is advancing in defense production mobile manufacturing toys and other domestic industries making the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat a reality https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-rs-45-000cr-nuclear-power-project-in-rajasthans-banswara-on-sep-25-639311.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 22:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/online-gaming-acts-rules-to-come-into-effect-from-oct-1-minister-639312.html New Delhi Sep 18 Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Thursday said that the rules under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Games Act 2025 will take effect on October 1 After the bill was passed by the Parliament the government resumed talks with stakeholders such as banks gaming companies and other organisations the minister said Vaishnaw said that the government had been in talks with industry stakeholders for almost three years He emphasised that the government is willing to give additional time if the industry requests it and mentioned that a final round of consultations will take place before implementation startsFor almost everything we do our government believes in a highly consultative process he statedThe act which was notified on August 22 outlaws online realmoney games in India whether they are categorised as skill or chance gamesIt is now illegal to offer or take part in such games and there is no bailA major change from previous regulations which were primarily influenced by state laws and court rulings that distinguished skillbased games from gambling the legislation was introduced in the Lok Sabha on August 20 and passed in two daysEarlier on Thursday the Minister at a preevent of the AI Impact Summit 2026 announced that the government will establish over 500 data labs nationwide as part of the India AI Mission to increase artificial intelligence AI talent and infrastructureHe said the initiative is part of the larger IndiaAI mission and eight new companies including Tech Mahindra Fractal Analytics and IIT Bombay consortium Bharatgen have been selected to build large language models LLMsUnder the IndiaAI mission the government has allocated Rs 9886 crore to an IIT Bombayled consortium to build a 1 trillion parameter LLM In LLMs that extract linguistic relations and patterns from training data internal variables are called parametersThe IndiaAI Mission is the Centres initiative to develop autonomous AI capabilities through sectorspecific AI applications sovereign LLMs GPUs and capacity projects 10300 crore was approved earlier this year IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/online-gaming-acts-rules-to-come-into-effect-from-oct-1-minister-639312.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-shri-scheme-transforms-government-school-in-chhindwara-639313.html Chhindwara Madhya Pradesh Sep 18 The launch of the PM SHRI Schools Scheme has sparked a wave of positive change in the infrastructure and quality of education in schools across the country One such example is the Bhaisadand Government School in Chhindwara district now recognised under the PM SHRI PM Schools for Rising India initiative The school is affiliated with the Madhya Pradesh Board of Secondary Education It has undergone a transformation leading to empowerment of students and teachers alikeThe PM SHRI Scheme a centrally sponsored initiative of the Government of India aims to develop over 14500 schools across the nation into model institutions aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy NEP 2020 The scheme focuses on providing holistic education improved infrastructure and skill development that equips students to meet future challenges with confidenceTaruna Kayande Principal of Bhaisadand Government School soke about importance of the school under PM SHRI scheme She told IANS The school has undergone significant improvements in both educational standards and facilities We are now better equipped to shape responsible and skilled citizensEchoing her thoughts Manisha Rajput a teacher at the school said With updated resources and new teaching methodologies we can now offer a more engaging and modern learning environment Another teacher Vinay Kumar Mandloi added We are seeing real growth in students participation confidence and performance thanks to the PM SHRI upgradesStudents too are feeling the impact Sonali Chandrawanshi a student said Earlier we didnt have access to proper career guidance But now subject experts and guest faculty are helping us explore career paths with clarity Monika Vanshkar another student highlighted the increased access to resources We now have the support we need to dream bigThe PM SHRI Scheme has also introduced advanced sports equipment and infrastructure encouraging participation in extracurricular activities A male student summed it up best Now learning isnt just confined to bookswere growing in every directionThrough such initiatives the PM SHRI Scheme is not just enhancing education but building a foundation for innovation leadership and holistic development in government schools like Bhaisadand IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/pm-shri-scheme-transforms-government-school-in-chhindwara-639313.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sulabh-toilets-transform-sanitation-landscape-in-ayodhya-with-over-100-high-tech-facilities-639315.html Ayodhya Sep 18 In a remarkable push towards modern and hygienic public sanitation Sulabh International has established stateoftheart toilet facilities at more than 100 locations in Uttar Pradeshs Ayodhya From the Dharampath to Rampath these modern restrooms are setting a new benchmark in cleanliness and convenience Equipped with air conditioners CCTV surveillance hand dryers and sanitary pad dispensers these public toilets are making a significant impact on the experience of both tourists and locals visiting the holy city The initiative is being praised for its innovation maintenance and alignment with national cleanliness goalsParveen Kumar Singh a local user said These Sulabh International toilets are really good The cleanliness is commendable There are two cleaners stationed here and all necessary facilities are availableCaretakers like Mukesh Kumar Singh are on the ground every day to ensure smooth functioningWe manage 90 toilets in Ayodhya Each one is equipped with ACs CCTV cameras and hand dryers Cleanliness is our top priority he saidAnother caretaker Sunil Kumar Jha said These toilets are wellmaintained If anyone faces any issues assistance is readily available Hygiene and service are both excellentThis initiative is part of the broader Swachh Bharat Abhiyan the countrys largest cleanliness drive led by the Narendra Modiled Union government Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014 the campaign gained momentum when he led a historic cleanliness pledge at the India Gate in Delhi joined by nearly 30 lakh government employees nationwideAs part of the ongoing Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 a nationwide voluntary campaign titled Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath will be held on September 25 encouraging citizens across the country to contribute an hour of shramdaan towards cleanlinessThe Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen launched on October 2 2014 aimed to eliminate open defecation in rural India By October 2 2019 sanitation coverage increased from 39 per cent to 100 per cent with more than 10 crore individual household toilets built All villages had declared themselves Open Defecation FreeWith the success of Phase I Phase II of SBMG began in April 2020 This phase focuses on sustainability and solid and liquid waste management to transition from ODF to ODF Plus villages As of March 17 2025 out of 586788 villages nationwide 564096 have declared themselves ODF Plus with more than five lakh villages now equipped with proper solid and liquid waste management systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sulabh-toilets-transform-sanitation-landscape-in-ayodhya-with-over-100-high-tech-facilities-639315.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-assembly-passes-resolution-hailing-gst-reforms-639316.html Amaravati Sep 18 The Andhra Pradesh Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the nextgen GST reforms Andhra Pradesh has become the first state in the country to pass such a resolutionSpeaking on the resolution Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu contended the reform would simplify the tax structure reduce compliance burden on businesses increase transparency and directly benefit the common manThe Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly conveys its warm appreciation and heartfelt congratulations to the Honble Prime Minister of India Sri Narendra Modi ji on the landmark decisions taken by the 56th GST Council regarding GST rate rationalisation This visionary step in simplifying and rationalising the GST structure will directly benefit the common man reduce the compliance burden on businesses and enhance transparency in the tax system The reforms carried out in the last 11 years under the leadership of the Prime Minister gave a tremendous boost to welfare and development and now we have embarked on the next generation reforms the resolution readsThis historic reform will further strengthen cooperative federalism promote ease of doing business speed of doing business and support labourintensive sectors It will boost consumption drive investment and contribute to the sustained growth trajectory of our nations economy These reforms will usher in the growth of Indian companies leading to a Swadeshi consumption pattern In the future this will make Indian brands become global Naidu saidWe also thank the Honble Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Seetharaman ji for her exemplary leadership in securing unanimity in the GST council for these reforms The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly warmly welcomes this reform and extends its full support in its successful implementation for the greater good of the people and economy he addedNaidu opined that the GST reforms will benefit all sections of people in the country and help to achieve doubledigit growth in the countryHe believes that the GST reforms will boost the Indian economy to the tune of Rs 2 lakh croreHe said the GST reforms provided an opportunity to people to celebrate the coming Dasara Diwali and other festivals in a true spirit with reduced prices of essential commodities He said the 5tier GST reforms will remove complications in the tax structure and there will be no harassment of officials as they are framed in a more transparent mannerThe Chief Minister said that he is going to form a cabinet subcommittee and prepare an action plan to take forward the GST reforms and to bring awareness among peopleHe said that the GST reforms should be visualised and the opportunity should be utilised to achieve a 15 per cent growth rate in Andhra Pradesh He also called for organising a GST awareness programme from September 22 to October 20 in the state Explaining the benefits of GST reforms to members through a PowerPoint presentation the Chief Minister said that he will always be at the forefront in introducing reforms either in technology or the economyHe said the cut in GST from 28 per cent to 12 per cent and from 18 per cent to 0 per cent on some essential commodities indicates the Prime Ministers commitment to protect the interests of the common man He said the GST reforms will benefit all 140 crore peopleHe said the bold reforms introduced by PM Modi will leave their impact on every household with reduced prices and at the same time win the confidence of businessmen with an increase in business and increased purchasing powerNaidu said the GST cut will pave the way for growth in health agricultural dairy education and several other sectors He said that despite apprehensions of the Finance Department on GST reforms he welcomed the reforms with a motive of one nationone vision for the development of the countryExpressing concern over the absence of YSRCP MLAs in the Assembly session the Chief Minister said that political parties should extend cooperation for the benefit of society The absence of YSRCP MLAs to welcome the GST reforms is unfortunate MLAs should attend the Assembly session as it represents 5 crore people He said all the MLAs should bring awareness among people on the benefits of the GST reforms IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/andhra-pradesh-assembly-passes-resolution-hailing-gst-reforms-639316.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-cm-reviews-preparations-for-pm-modis-likely-sep-25-banswara-visit-639317.html Jaipur Sep 18 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate and launch projects worth more than Rs 121 lakh crore of the Central and state governments from Banswara on September 25 coinciding with the birth anniversary of Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay During this historic event the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the MahiBanswara Nuclear Power Plant a milestone that will establish Rajasthan as a pioneer in the energy sector Prime Minister Modi will also dedicate several clean energy projects of different states including Rajasthan to the nationThe Chief Minister chaired a high level review meeting at the CMO on Thursday to oversee preparations for the Prime Ministers proposed visit He instructed officials of all concerned departments to ensure timely completion of arrangements with seamless interdepartmental coordination CM Sharma said that the Prime Minister will also inaugurate three major express train services BikanerDelhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express JodhpurDelhi Cantt Vande Bharat Express and Udaipur CityChandigarh ExpressHe directed that necessary coordination with railway authorities be ensured at Bikaner Jodhpur and Udaipur stations Guidelines were also issued to the Energy Department regarding the dialogue programme between PM Modi and beneficiaries of the PM Kusum Yojana The Chief Minister emphasised that all facilities including seating drinking water and traffic management should be arranged at the venue to ensure smooth conduct of the programmeHe instructed the Home and Transport Departments to make proper arrangements for traffic control and parking and to deploy officers for effective management CM Sharma directed that the programme be connected via live telecast from district headquarters down to gram panchayats ensuring maximum public participation He also gave necessary instructions to the PHED Tourism PWD IT Communications and IPR Departments for coordinated execution The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary DGP Rajiv Kumar Sharma and senior officers of various departments Divisional Commissioner Udaipur and District Collector Banswara joined through video conferencing IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rajasthan-cm-reviews-preparations-for-pm-modis-likely-sep-25-banswara-visit-639317.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-orders-cbi-probe-into-advocates-forged-degree-639319.html New Delhi Sep 18 The Supreme Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI to probe the authenticity of a bachelors degree held by an advocate following allegations that it was forged The direction was passed by a bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Ujjal Bhuyan after the pleadings challenging the Bar Council of India Disciplinary Committees order included a letter from Magadh Universitys Controller of Examinations stating that the advocates mark sheet and degree certificate were forged and not issued from the University Annexure A3 is a letter issued by Controller of Examination Magadh University Bodh Gaya wherein it is stated that copy of Marksheet and Degree certificate in favour of Naresh Dilawari RollPAT16335 Regd No 287088 BCom Accounts Hons Examination 1991 upon verification was found forged and not issued from the University noted the order passed by the apex court on Monday On the other hand the petitioneradvocate placed on record a photocopy of the degree claimed to have been issued to him for passing the Bachelor of Commerce Honours threeyear course held in August 1991 by Magadh University He further argued that the records at Magadh University had been torn and therefore the authenticity of the degree could not be verified from the available files After hearing the submissions the Supreme Court opined that the matter required an independent probe Be that as it may as an issue regarding veracity of a degree has arisen we deem it appropriate to require the Central Bureau of Investigation Delhi to do the investigation and ascertain whether the degree set up by the petitioner of having passed the BCom examination from Magadh University in the year 1991 is genuine or forged said the order passed by the Justice Misraled Bench The apex court directed that a copy of its order be sent to the CBI Director in Delhi who must depute an officer to investigate the matter and submit a report by November 30 The case will be heard next on December 9 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/sc-orders-cbi-probe-into-advocates-forged-degree-639319.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-hails-gen-z-as-guardians-of-democracy-639322.html New Delhi Sep 18 In a stirring message posted on X Congress leader Rahul Gandhi praised Indias Gen Z as the vanguard of democratic values and constitutional integrity His statement comes amid growing youthled activism across South Asia and signals a strategic alignment with younger voters ahead of the 2026 general electionsThe youth of the country the students of the country the Gen Z will save the constitution protect democracy and stop vote theft I always stand with them Rahul Gandhi wrote positioning himself as an ally of Indias digitally native generationThe post reflects the Congress MPs ongoing effort to connect with younger demographics who are increasingly vocal on issues ranging from electoral transparency to social justiceBy invoking Gen Zs role in saving the Constitution the LoP Lok Sabha taps into a broader narrative of youth empowerment and civic responsibility Political analysts suggest that Rahul Gandhis message is not just symbolic its tacticalWith Gen Z comprising a significant portion of firsttime voters their support could prove decisive in upcoming elections His emphasis on vote theft also echoes past allegations of electoral malpractice a theme the Congress party has repeatedly raisedThe timing of the post is notableAcross the region youth movements have gained momentumIn Nepal Gen Zled protests recently forced political resignations while in Bangladesh studentled campaigns have challenged government policiesRahul Gandhis post appears to draw inspiration from these uprisings framing Indian youth as agents of democratic renewalSupporters of the Congress MP lauded the message calling it a clarion call for youth engagementCritics however dismissed it as political posturing questioning the Congress partys track record on youth inclusionStill the post has sparked widespread discussion online with hashtags like GenZForDemocracy trending brieflyWhether the former Congress chiefs outreach translates into electoral gains remains to be seen but one thing is clear Indias youth are no longer passive observersthey are emerging as a potent political force IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-hails-gen-z-as-guardians-of-democracy-639322.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 23:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-panchayat-member-caught-on-video-assaulting-school-headmaster-in-bengals-kakdwip-639117.html Kolkata Sep 17 A video has gone viral showing a Trinamool Congress leader allegedly assaulting and humiliating the acting headmaster of a staterun school inside the campus in Kakdwip South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal The incident took place at Birendra Vidyaniketan on Tuesday The accused Trinamool leader said he only put up resistance as the headmaster was trying to beat himThe clash reportedly broke out over the collection of money from students for school trips The CCTV footage shared by the school showed the acting headmaster Milankanti Pal being attacked by the president of the schools management committee and local Trinamool panchayat member Tridib Barui asking why money was being collected from students for trips without informing the management committeeIn the video the Trinamool leader is seen pushing and shoving the headmaster in front of the studentsThe Trinamool leader brought a paper where several false accusations were made against me He wanted me to sign that document He said I was collecting money from students without informing the management committee After I refused to sign the paper he hit me on the neck He pushed me outside my office and continued to shove me and hit me said the headmasterHe said he sustained an injury to his hand and neck He has been admitted to Kakdwip Superspecialty Hospital for treatmentThe Trinamool leader meanwhile accused the acting headmaster of the attack and said he acted in selfdefence Tridib Barui said He was taking money without informing the management committee When I went inside his office to show him a receipt he folded the paper and threw it away When I picked up the paper and asked him to sign it he pushed me He was going to beat me I was stopping himBJP state president Samik Bhattacharya has condemned the incident This terrorism in the states education sector is exposing the true face of the Trinamool Congress he wrote on his X handle while sharing the CCTV footage that went viralAfter the matter came to light Kakdwip Trinamool MLA Manturam Pakhira said The matter has come to our attention Everything is being investigated If the allegations against the president of the management committee Tridib Barui are proven the party will take strong action The role of the acting headmaster of the school will also be investigated IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/trinamool-panchayat-member-caught-on-video-assaulting-school-headmaster-in-bengals-kakdwip-639117.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-reform-a-historic-step-towards-viksit-bharat-2047-piyush-goyal-639119.html Mumbai Sep 17 Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday that GST reform is an important milestone in the journey of selfreliant India and Viksit Bharat 2047 Minister Goyal credited the Prime Minister for the transformative and historic reforms in GST saying that he always prioritises the positive politics of development while the people do not accept the negative politics and ideology of the oppositionPrime Minister Modi gave two big gifts to improve the living standards of the middle class and lower middle class namely income tax exemption and GST reforms PM had promised GST reforms on August 15 and it was implemented before the Navratri festival giving relief to the common people and strengthening the economy said the minister at a press conference hereHe expressed that the GST reforms will give momentum to the economy and increase the purchasing power of consumers increase the pace of trade increase the production of industries and investment and promote employment generation These reforms will provide relief to farmers micro small and medium enterprises women youth small traders and the middle classGoyal added that health services will also become more affordable He also appealed to the industries to pass on the full benefits of these reforms to the consumersHe pointed out that the visionary leadership of our beloved Prime Minister Narendra Modi a selfreliant strong India has been created The country needs decisive leadership like Prime Minister Narendra Modi to build a Viksit Bharat by 2047PM Modi who dedicated 24 years to public service worked selflessly He is a popular leader all over the world raised the prestige of India and Indians in the world and he is the most honoured person in the world and has received more than 27 highest honours from different countries said Minister GoyalA sensitive leader like PM Modi consistently gave priority to the welfare of four groups the poor youth women and farmers He worked day and night for the empowerment of the deprived and poor sections and took many schemes and decisions for the welfare of the poor Today on his birthday the Prime Minister dedicated the monthlong Swasth Nari Sasakth Parivar programme to the nation from the holy land of Madhya Pradesh with the aim of providing quality health care for women and children across the country he addedGiving priority to the comprehensive development of the country the Prime Minister preserved the rich heritage of the country and promoted the development of the NorthEastern regions by adopting the Act East policy he saidMinister Goyal also said that the BJP is implementing a Seva Pandharvada initiative across the country on the occasion of PMs birthday Under this campaign which will continue till October 2 BJP will organise many public service programmes like blood donation camps cleanliness drives health checkup camps tree plantation and exhibitions across the country he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-reform-a-historic-step-towards-viksit-bharat-2047-piyush-goyal-639119.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/virat-kohli-wishes-pm-narendra-modi-on-his-75th-birthday-639121.html New Delhi Sep 17 Former India captain and talismanic batter Virat Kohli has extended his best wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday In his social media post Kohli also praised the Prime Minister for his efforts for the nation that PM Modi has put in which have put India on a very high pedestal among all the countries of the world Wishing our honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji a very happy birthday with the warmest wishes May God bless you with good health and happiness always Your efforts for our beautiful nation have put us on a very high pedestal among all the countries of the world Jai Hind Sir narendramod Kohli wrote in his post on X formerly TwitterEarlier in the day former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag also extended heartfelt wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his 75th birthday He praised the efforts that the Prime Minister has taken towards developing Indias sporting industry while wishing him a healthy and long lifeEver since Shri Narendra Modi ji assumed the role of Prime Minister he has placed a strong focus on sports He envisioned that India would excel at the Olympics and win multiple medals Under his leadership significant support has been provided to athletes and the budget for the Ministry of Sports has been substantially increased which has proven to be highly beneficial Theres something special about his approachwhether its Olympic or Paralympic athletes he personally calls meets and motivates every medal winner Sehwag saidWhen he was Gujarats chief minister he gave prime importance to sports in the state As Indias Prime Minister hes trying his best to make sure that India earns a big name in sports globally I extend my birthday wishes to Shri Narendra Modi Ji as he turns 75 and hope that he remains healthy while continuing to lead the country the former India opener addedWhen he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat Narendra Modi ji gave top priority to sports in the state As the Prime Minister of India he is doing his utmost to ensure that the country earns global recognition in the field of sports On the occasion of his 75th birthday I extend my heartfelt wishes to Narendra Modi ji and pray for his good health and continued leadership of the nation he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/virat-kohli-wishes-pm-narendra-modi-on-his-75th-birthday-639121.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/senior-separatist-leader-and-ex-chairman-of-hurriyat-conference-abdul-gani-bhat-dead-639122.html Srinagar Sep 17 Former Chairman of Hurriyat conference and senior separatist leader Abdul Gani Bhat passed away on Wednesday at his home in Botingoo village of Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir Family sources confirmed that Prof Bhat a resident of Botingoo village in Sopore area of Baramulla district breathed his last at his residence after a brief illness today eveningA prominent political figure he remained active in Kashmirs separatist politics for several decades According to the family details regarding his funeral prayers will be announced laterBorn in 1935 in Botingoo a village near Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir Bhat grew up in a household that valued education He studied at Srinagars historic SP College before moving on to postgraduate studies in Persian and later acquiring a law degree from Aligarh Muslim UniversityReturning to his home state he began teaching Persian at the Government Degree College in Poonch a career he cherished and pursued for over two decades before politics pulled him into a different callingHe cofounded the Muslim United Front MUF in 1986 later served as chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference APHC a coalition of separatist groups formed in 1993 and was president of the Muslim Conference Jammu and Kashmir MCJK a banned political faction by the government of IndiaHe was a teacher in a government college in Sopore when the then governor Jagmohan terminated his services for antinational activitiesBhat later actively participated in separatist politics and was a pioneering leader of the Muslim united front MuF that was a coming together of different separatist parties who fought the 1987 elections in coalition against the NC headed by Farooq AbdullahThe 1987 elections were believed to have been largely rigged to keep the MuF leaders out of the state assemblyIt is generally believed that after getting disgruntled with the democratic process young election agents and supporters of separatist leaders in 1987 elections were the first to cross the border and return with weapons to start an armed insurgency in Kashmir in 1989 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/senior-separatist-leader-and-ex-chairman-of-hurriyat-conference-abdul-gani-bhat-dead-639122.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/army-launches-2-week-yoga-training-programme-in-arunachal-for-soldiers-639123.html Itanagar Sep 17 The Military authorities under Spear Corps have commenced a twoweek long Yoga training programme for combat soldiers in Arunachal Pradeshs Along officials said on Wednesday Defence spokesman Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said that the Yoga training programme September 15 to 27 was initiated with an aim to strengthen the holistic wellbeing of troops by enhancing endurance concentration and resilience through the ancient discipline of YogaHe said that the structured sessions led by trained instructors are specifically tailored to meet the physical and mental demands of combatants operating in the challenging terrain and weather conditions of Arunachal PradeshAccording to the official the programme focuses not only on physical fitness but also on mental calmness emotional stability and spiritual balance qualities vital for effective soldiering under adversity Yoga rooted in Indias indigenous tradition resonates with the ethos of discipline and selfcontrolIts practices harmonise body mind and spirit enabling soldiers to maintain composure under operational stress recover quickly from fatigue and build inner strength for demanding military tasks an army statement saidTraining modules include posturebased exercises meditation techniques and breathing practices to help combatants manage stress sharpen focus and sustain high readinessThe statement said that this initiative also reflects the Indian Armys commitment to holistic fitness aligned with the national vision of promoting Yoga as a way of lifeThe enthusiastic participation of troops at Along underscores the relevance of this ancient practice in contemporary military lifeLt Col Rawat said that the twoweek programme is expected to leave a lasting impact on participants equipping them with enhanced physical robustness and psychological resilienceIt reaffirms the Indian Armys dedication to nurturing its soldiers not only as warriors but as balanced individuals capable of meeting every challenge with composure and strength he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/army-launches-2-week-yoga-training-programme-in-arunachal-for-soldiers-639123.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/maharashtra-cm-fadnavis-inaugurates-new-amalner-beed-railway-line-639124.html Beed Sep 17 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday inaugurated the new AmalnerBeed railway line at Beed and flagged off the Beed to Ahilyanagar train The commencement of the railway in Beed after decades of anticipation is a moment of dream fulfilment for the people The late Gopinathrao Munde and former MP Kesharkaku Kshirsagar had envisioned this railway In particular the late Gopinathrao Munde struggled greatly to realise the dream of Beeds railway Today the late Gopinathrao Mundes dream has been realised and this railway is a true tribute to him he said at a functionThe programme was attended by Deputy CM Ajit Pawar who is the Beed district guardian minister and environment minister Pankaja Munde among othersSeptember 17 is Marathwada Liberation Day and on this day which also marks Prime Minister Narendra Modis birthday this historic railway project is being dedicated to the service of citizens of Beed making today a special day he expressedAfter 2014 the central and state governments jointly provided funds to accelerate this project In the last 10 years the Modi government allocated Rs 21000 crore for railway projects in Marathwada whereas in the previous 10 years only Rs 450 crore was received Today due to this strategic support the railway dream of the people of Beed and Marathwada is being fulfilled The arrival of the railway is not just about the train arriving it is a channel through which development flows said the chief ministerCM Fadnavis said that 23 TMC of water allocated to Marathwada has been brought to Ashti Now work will begin to bring 36 TMC of floodwater from the Krishna basin to Ujani and from there to Marathwada Additionally 54 TMC of water from the Ulhas basin will be brought to the Godavari basin to create a water network in Marathwada Through this he expressed his resolve to make drought in Marathwada a thing of the past IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/maharashtra-cm-fadnavis-inaugurates-new-amalner-beed-railway-line-639124.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-observes-ex-speaker-srinivas-tiwaris-100th-birth-anniversary-in-rewa-639126.html Rewa Sep 17 The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday observed the 100th birth anniversary of former Assembly Speaker late Srinivas Tiwari during an event organised in Rewa district Senior Congress leaders including former CM Digvijaya Singh party state president Jitu Patwari LoP Umang Singhar exLoP Ajay Singh and several legislators and former ministers attend the event On this occasion a lifesize statue of Srinivas Tiwari was unveiled in the city and the Congress leaders shared their views about exSpeaker whom his supporters used to call dada or white tiger of Rewa There has been a tugofwar between BJP and Congress over installing Tiwaris statue in Rewa which however resolved at a day before the event was organised and it was finally unveiled The resolution of the dispute comes after days of tension with police earlier stalling the pedestal construction citing the land as their property Armed personnel were even deployed at the site Interestingly Srinivas Tiwaris grandson and exMP late Sundarlal Tiwaris son Siddharth Tiwari is a BJP MLA from Rewas Teonthar Assembly seat Siddharth had shifted into the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections 2023 Addressing the gathering of Congress workers on this occasion Jitu Patwari said Srinivas Tiwari and his son and exMP Sundarlal Tiwari were strong leaders of Congress and they never compromised with the partys ideology Srinivas Tiwari who was borne on September 17 1926 in Rewa district was the Assembly Speaker during Digvijaya Singhled Congress government between 1993 and 2003 He ruled in Rewa and in fact in entire Vindhya region in his own way There have been several controversies related with him including mysterious death of a tribal child but the appointment of 36 members of family and relatives in the state government jobs had granted the national headlines Tiwaris political career ended after he lost against BJPs Girish Gautam in 2003 from Mangavan Assembly seat Gautam a senior most sitting BJP MLA from Devtalab seat has also previously served as the Assembly speaker during the last tenure of exCM Shivraj Singh Chouhan Tiwari died at the age of 91 at a hospital in New Delhi in 2018 After his death Congress gradually lost its ground in Rewa once used to partys strong base In 2023 Assembly elections Congress could win only one out of eight seats in the district bordering Uttar Pradeshs MirzapurVaranasi and Prayagraj previously known as Allahabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/congress-observes-ex-speaker-srinivas-tiwaris-100th-birth-anniversary-in-rewa-639126.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-observes-ex-mp-assembly-speaker-srinivas-tiwaris-100th-birth-anniversary-in-rewa-639127.html Rewa Sep 18 The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday observed the 100th birth anniversary of former Assembly Speaker late Srinivas Tiwari during an event organised in Rewa district Senior Congress leaders including former CM Digvijaya Singh party state president Jitu Patwari LoP Umang Singhar exLoP Ajay Singh and several legislators and former ministers attend the eventOn this occasion a lifesize statue of Srinivas Tiwari was unveiled in the city and the Congress leaders shared their views about exSpeaker whom his supporters used to call dada or white tiger of RewaThere has been a tugofwar between BJP and Congress over installing Tiwaris statue in Rewa which however resolved at a day before the event was organised and it was finally unveiledThe resolution of the dispute comes after days of tension with police earlier stalling the pedestal construction citing the land as their propertyArmed personnel were even deployed at the site Interestingly Srinivas Tiwaris grandson and exMP late Sundarlal Tiwaris son Siddharth Tiwari is a BJP MLA from Rewas Teonthar Assembly seatSiddharth had shifted into the BJP ahead of the Assembly elections 2023 Addressing the gathering of Congress workers on this occasion Jitu Patwari said Srinivas Tiwari and his son and exMP Sundarlal Tiwari were strong leaders of Congress and they never compromised with the partys ideologySrinivas Tiwari who was borne on September 17 1926 in Rewa district was the Assembly Speaker during Digvijaya Singhled Congress government between 1993 and 2003He ruled in Rewa and in fact in entire Vindhya region in his own way There have been several controversies related with him including mysterious death of a tribal child but the appointment of 36 members of family and relatives in the state government jobs had granted the national headlinesTiwaris political career ended after he lost against BJPs Girish Gautam in 2003 from Mangavan Assembly seat Gautam a senior most sitting BJP MLA from Devtalab seat has also previously served as the Assembly speaker during the last tenure of exCM Shivraj Singh ChouhanTiwari died at the age of 91 at a hospital in New Delhi in 2018 After his death Congress gradually lost its ground in Rewa once used to partys strong baseIn 2023 Assembly elections Congress could win only one out of eight seats in the district bordering Uttar Pradeshs MirzapurVaranasi and Prayagraj previously known as Allahabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cong-observes-ex-mp-assembly-speaker-srinivas-tiwaris-100th-birth-anniversary-in-rewa-639127.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/manipur-guv-urges-people-to-help-build-a-model-state-of-development-harmony-amp-progress-639128.html Imphal Sep 18 Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Wednesday called on all people to embrace the spirit of Nation First and contribute their ideas energy and enthusiasm towards building a Manipur that stands as a model of development harmony and progress Launching theNation First 75 Campaign under Viksit Bharat Viksit Manipur in Imphal appealing to the people of Manipur especially the youth and women Governor urged active participation in these initiatives On the occasion the Governor also launched five major initiatives and services GovConnect Manipur Grievance Redressal Portal Initiatives to strengthen the Manipur Milk Union Migration Support Centres at Delhi Bangalore and Hyderabad Residential Skill Development Program for Cabin Crew Placement and four digital services and portals of the Transport Department Regarding the Migration Support Centres the Governor noted their importance in helping Manipurs skilled youth secure suitable employment in major cities through partnerships with stakeholders On the Residential Skill Development Program for Cabin Crew Placement he described it as a specialised program in collaboration with leading airlines designed to provide worldclass training and open global career opportunities for Manipuri youth He further added that the launch of four new services and portals of the Transport Department will modernise citizen experience and enhance efficiency Highlighting the transformative nature of the initiatives on GovConnect Manipur Bhalla said it will serve as a comprehensive public grievance portal that enhances citizengovernment interaction bringing transparency accountability and swift resolution With respect to strengthening the Manipur Milk Union he emphasised its role in boosting rural livelihoods and nutritional security through enhanced milk procurement infrastructure farmer training and new dairy products while underlining the central role of women in Manipurs dairy sector As part of the National Dairy Development Board initiative to boost dairy production in Manipur the Governor handed over a cheque of Rs 5 crore to Manipur Milk Union and inaugurated a 2 KL Bulk Milk Cooling Centre at Kakching He also distributed certificates to three selected cabin crew trainees The Governor said as India celebrates 75 years as a Republic the program embodies the nations unwavering commitment to placing progress and citizen welfare at the forefront of governance Drawing inspiration from the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi he added that the Manipur government is launching activities in synergy with the Swasth Nari Sashakt Pariwar Abhiyan SNSPA Campaign launched by the Prime Minister on Wednesday From September 17 to October 2 while the SNSPA Campaign will focus on womens health across more than 350 public health facilities The Nation First 75 Campaign will implement activities in rural development environment skilling fitness entrepreneurship Atmanirbhar Bharat Fit India PMJANMAN aspirational districts and Vocal for LocalMake in India A special focus will be placed on womens empowerment in alignment with the SNSPA campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/manipur-guv-urges-people-to-help-build-a-model-state-of-development-harmony-amp-progress-639128.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 01:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/cloudburst-in-uttarakhands-chamoli-leaves-5-missing-washes-away-six-houses-639133.html Chamoli Sep 18 At least five people have been reported missing after a cloudburst triggered by torrential rains struck Uttarakhands Chamoli district leaving behind a trail of destruction The sudden downpour late Wednesday night caused heavy debris flow in Nanda Nagar reducing six buildings to rubbleTeams from the SDRF NDRF and the Public Works Department have been deployed with JCB machines and other equipment pressed into service to clear debris and aid relief effortsTwo people were pulled out alive from the debris while search and rescue operations continue despite extremely adverse conditionsA medical team accompanied by three ambulances has been rushed to the site officials confirmedHowever relentless rain and difficult terrain are severely hampering rescue effortsThe weather department has also issued a warning of more heavy rainfall in the coming days across ChamoliLocals reported that several residents are still believed to be trapped inside their homes following the cloudburstAuthorities have deployed teams on the ground to locate the missing even as the threat of further landslides looms largeThe incident comes just four days after a devastating cloudburst in Dehraduns Sahastradhara which killed at least 13 people swept away roads damaged shops and homes and destroyed two major bridgesThat disaster had cut off multiple routes linking the state capital with surrounding regionsDuring this the Tapkeshwar Mahadev Temple in Dehradun also suffered extensive damage after the Tamsa River swollen by torrential rains and a cloudburst in Sahastradhara inundated the temple premisesSeveral feet of sand and debris entered the temple complex submerging the Shivling and leaving deep cracks in the wallsIn response to the worsening situation the state government has issued a red alert for Dehradun Champawat Udham Singh Nagar Tehri Garhwal Pauri Garhwal Ptihoragarh and Chamoli cautioning residents about the possibility of extremely heavy rainfall further landslides infrastructure collapse and rising fatalities through September 20 IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/cloudburst-in-uttarakhands-chamoli-leaves-5-missing-washes-away-six-houses-639133.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 08:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-likely-in-21-districts-of-tamil-nadu-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-639135.html Chennai Sep 18 The India Meteorological Department IMD has forecast widespread rain across Tamil Nadu warning of heavy rainfall in at least 21 districts due to atmospheric circulation and other weather conditions The IMD has also issued an advisory for coastal regions and fishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into these waters until conditions improve According to the bulletin Sriperumbudur in Kanchipuram district recorded the highest rainfall of 18 cm during the 24hour period ending Tuesday morning This was followed by 13 cm in Manali New Town in Chennai 10 cm in Guruvaadi in Ariyalur district and 9 cm each in Korattur Parimunai and Ennore in ChennaiThe IMD explained that the present weather is influenced by an upperlevel cyclonic circulation along with lowerlevel convergence across southern IndiaThis pattern is expected to bring moderate rain accompanied by thunderstorms across most parts of Tamil Nadu Puducherry and KaraikalStrong winds reaching speeds of up to 40 kmph are also likely Officials further noted that until September 20 thunderstorms with moderate rain are likely to persist in many parts of the stateDistricts including Nilgiris Erode Krishnagiri Dharmapuri Salem Tiruvannamalai Tirupattur Vellore Ranipet Chengalpattu Kanchipuram Kallakurichi Villupuram Cuddalore Perambalur Ariyalur Tiruchirapalli Mayiladuthurai Nagapattinam Tiruvarur and Thanjavur are likely to receive heavy showers at isolated placesIn addition heavy rainfall is forecast for one or two locations in Tiruvallur Ranipet Vellore and Kanchipuram districts on ThursdayChennai and its suburban areas are expected to experience cloudy skies with spells of moderate rain accompanied by lightning and thunderThe IMD has also issued an advisory for coastal regions Squally winds reaching speeds of 4050 kmph gusting up to 60 kmph are expected over the Gulf of Mannar Comorin Sea and adjoining coastal areas of southern Tamil NaduFishermen have been strictly warned not to venture into these waters until conditions improve Authorities urged the public to remain cautious in lowlying areas prone to waterlogging and advised district administrations to be on high alert for possible flooding and traffic disruptions IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/heavy-rain-likely-in-21-districts-of-tamil-nadu-fishermen-warned-against-venturing-into-sea-639135.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-calls-on-international-community-to-ensure-let-jem-dont-use-afghan-territory-639136.html United Nations Sep 18 India has called on the international community to ensure that LashkareTaiba LeT JaisheMohammed JeM and other terrorist organisations do not exploit Afghanistans territory India is closely monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan Indias Permanent Representative P Harish told the Security Council on WednesdayThe international community must coordinate efforts towards ensuring that entities and individuals designated by the UN Security Council the ISIL Islamic State group and AlQaeda and their affiliates including LashkareTaiba and JaisheMohammed along with those who facilitate their operations no longer exploit the Afghan territory for terrorist activities he saidHarish said that India welcomed the strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terrorist attack by LeT affiliate The Resistance Front which killed 26 civilians based on their religionThe SecretaryGenerals Special Representative for Afghanistan Roza Otunbayeva who spoke earlier during the Council discussion on the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan UNAMA warned that the presence of extremist groups posed a problem for Afghanistan despite a notable decline in largescale armed conflict and violenceThe Taliban regime which took over Afghanistan after the US withdrew its troops in 2021 has not been recognised by the UN which refers to it as the de facto authorities and by most countries including IndiaHarish however said a fresh approach was needed towards AfghanistanAny coherent policy to address a postconflict situation must combine incentivising positive behaviour and disincentivising harmful actions he saidFocusing only on punitive measures is unlikely to meet desired results he saidHe pointed out that the UN and the international community have adopted more nuanced approaches in other postconflict contexts and added that similarly Afghanistan needs a fresh approach with hitherto unused policy instruments to support its people who are in such a dire needMaintaining the status quo is not good for Afghanistan and unlikely to meet international community expectations for Afghanistans people he addedHe said that India will continue engaging with all relevant stakeholdersOn the political front Indias External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken twice with Afghanistans Acting Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi he saidMuttaqi was expected to visit New Delhi this month but his trip was cancelled because he is under UN sanctions which restrict his travelHowever Deputy Medicine and Food Minister Hamdullah Zahid and a top Taliban official handling security and strategic affairs whose identity could not be disclosed visited India recently IANS has revealedHarish said I would like to reiterate that our commitment to meeting the developmental needs of the people of Afghanistan is nonnegotiableHe listed the various humanitarian aid India has sent to AfghanistanSpeaking through a video link Otunbayeva said that she hoped a pathway can be agreed for engagement with Afghanistan to continue and for it to begin yielding more positive results especially for women and girls in AfghanistanShe said that there were different trends vying for influence within the de facto authorities one that is more pragmatic and oriented to the needs of Afghan people and the other more focused on the creation of what is described as a pure Islamic systemThe Islamic systemoriented faction has placed increasing restrictions on the Afghan people especially women whose education and ability to work have been severely curtailed she saidOtunbayeva recounted how women have been denied assistance during the recent earthquake and women UN employees have been prevented from accessing their officesIn view of the lack of pragmatism members of the international community increasingly ask how much they should support a country whose leaders undermine their population she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-calls-on-international-community-to-ensure-let-jem-dont-use-afghan-territory-639136.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/recruitment-delay-leaves-nearly-8-000-guest-lecturers-running-tn-colleges-639137.html Chennai Sep 18 The recruitment of Assistant Professors in government Arts and Science colleges across Tamil Nadu has remained stalled for more than seven years creating a vacuum of nearly 4000 sanctioned posts The prolonged delay caused by legal hurdles has forced the Higher Education Department to rely heavily on guest lecturers to meet classroom requirementsAt present close to 8000 guest lecturers are working in 171 government Arts Science and Education collegesTheir numbers have steadily risen as the state has been unable to appoint permanent facultyThe recent sanctioning of 15 new government Arts and Science colleges added to the demand prompting the appointment of more than 570 new guest lecturers of whom over 560 have already joined dutyThe issue can be traced back to a 2010 commitment by the Higher Education Department to regularise the services of existing honorary lecturers a promise that remains unfulfilledAlthough the department has completed all formalities for fresh recruitment including the conduct of the State Eligibility Test the results are still pending before the courts preventing appointmentsPay disparity is another major concern Guest lecturers in Tamil Nadu draw the lowest remuneration in the country far below the standards ensured in neighbouring and northern statesWhile states such as Kerala Puducherry Punjab Haryana and Delhi offer salaries between 40000 and 57700 a month in line with University Grants Commission norms Tamil Nadus lecturers continue to receive significantly lessThe prolonged uncertainty has pushed more than 500 lecturers to file about 54 cases in the Madras High Court and its Madurai Bench seeking regularisationThough several favourable rulings have been delivered the state has continued to file appeals leaving the matter unresolvedEducation experts caution that excessive reliance on temporary staff may eventually affect the quality of teaching and research in higher education institutionsThey stress the need for immediate recruitment to fill the sanctioned Assistant Professor posts regularisation of qualified lecturers already in service and longterm measures to prevent such disputes from recurring IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/recruitment-delay-leaves-nearly-8-000-guest-lecturers-running-tn-colleges-639137.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/man-dies-after-being-hit-by-police-vehicle-near-metro-station-in-delhi-639142.html New Delhi Sep 18 A man died after allegedly being hit by a Delhi Police vehicle near the Ram Krishna Ashram Marg metro station on Thursday The crime team and Delhi Police are currently investigating the incidentThe body has been sent to a nearby hospital for a postmortem The accident happened near Pillar 10 behind the Municipal Palace and near the Police Station Mandir MargAs per preliminary police reports the tragic accident happened when the driver of the police control room PCR van accidentally pressed the accelerator and mounted a roadside ramp causing the vehicle to hit and run over the man He died on the spotThe accident created panic in the area and people rushed to the spot Police teams reached the spot immediately to assess the situation and began inquiriesFurther details were awaitedAs per reports the name of the deceased is said to be Ganga Ram who used to run a tea stall The incident took place around 5 am and it is being alleged that the police personnel involved were under the influence of alcoholCCTVs will be checked for more details said a police officer adding that further investigation is underwayThe incident comes days after a senior official of the Union Ministry of Finance Navjot Singh died and three people including his wife were injured after a BMW hit his motorcycle near Delhi Cantonment metro station on Ring RoadThe tragic accident happened on Sunday September 14 police said Gaganpreet Kaur whose BMW crashed into the bike was arrested from a hospital and a case of culpable homicide destruction of evidence and rash driving was slapped on herNavjot Singh 52 was working as a deputy secretary in the Union Finance Ministry He visited Bangla Sahib Gurdwara with his wife Sandeep Kaur and the two then had lunch at Karnataka Bhavan in RK Puram and were on their way home when the crash occurred IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/man-dies-after-being-hit-by-police-vehicle-near-metro-station-in-delhi-639142.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-to-have-74-000-polling-booths-for-upcoming-elections-639146.html Chennai Sep 18 In a major move aimed at improving accessibility and easing the voting process the Election Commission of India has announced an increase in the number of polling booths across Tamil Nadu The total count will rise from 68000 to 74000 in line with the rule that a single polling booth should not cater to more than 1200 votersThe decision comes as part of a broader effort to ensure smoother conduct of elections and reduce overcrowding at polling stationsOfficials confirmed that nearly 6000 new polling booths have been created across the state District election officers have been instructed to hold consultations with political parties within a week to finalise the locations of these additional stationsThe Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu Archana Patnaik said the Commission has also approved the deployment of additional categories of staff for election dutyWhile Central and state government employees along with teachers are traditionally appointed as polling officers the Commission has now permitted the use of Anganwadi workers village assistants and staff under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission as reserve polling personnelThis provision is meant to ensure that sufficient manpower is available even if regular appointees are unable to attend dutyIn a circular issued to all district officials Patnaik explained that the inclusion of these employees was necessary to plug potential staff shortages and to maintain the integrity of the election processShe added that the measure would also help in managing the large voter population in the state without disruptionPolitical parties are expected to raise their views on the distribution and accessibility of the new booths during the consultation processOnce the discussions conclude the Election Commission will finalise the full list of polling stationsThe expansion of polling infrastructure is seen as an important step in boosting voter participation and ensuring that every eligible citizen can cast their vote in a convenient and secure environmentWith Tamil Nadu being one of the largest states in terms of electorate size the increase in polling booths and manpower is likely to play a significant role in the smooth conduct of the upcoming Assembly elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/tamil-nadu-to-have-74-000-polling-booths-for-upcoming-elections-639146.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/fugitive-wanted-in-sensational-murder-in-sarita-vihar-two-years-ago-arrested-639150.html New Delhi Sep 18 A fugitive wanted in a sensational murder case in Sarita Vihar Police Station area was arrested by the police on Thursday after bring apprehended from Gurugram after two years of being on the run The 27yearold man Somnath Patro was the prime accused in the sensational murder of a man in 2023 in Sarita Vihar and had been evading arrest since thenSomnath Patro was declared a Proclaimed Offender by a Delhi court in the case and had been a wanted man since thenOn September 15 2023 a 39yearold man Ardhendu Mandal residing at House No C143 Gali No 9 Aali Vihar in Sarita Vihar was brutally murdered by the accused person and his accomplices using a knifeThe crime led to the registration of FIR No 4912023 on September 16 2023 under Sections 147148149174A30232334 IPC at Police Station Sarita Vihar in SouthEast DelhiFive accused persons were caught by the police in connection with the murder but one of the prime accused Somnath had been deliberately evading arrest for the past two years since the registration of the case The trial court had also declared Somnath a Proclaimed Offender in connection with the crimeThe AntiNarcotics Squad of the Delhi Police had been on the lookout for Somnath in order to being him to justiceThe AntiNarcotics Squad mounted technical and manual surveillance on the movement of the accused and ultimately Head Constable Mohit Vashisth of the squad traced the fugitive in Gurgaon where he had been hiding under an assumed identityThrough a wellcoordinated operation a team of the AntiNarcotics Squad comprising SI Sudhir ASI Upender Head Constables Mohit Karamveer Kuldeep Pradeep among others led by Inspector Vishnu Dutt successfully raided and apprehended Somnath Patro from near the Lohiya Farms in Bhondsi area of Gurugram HaryanaOn sustained interrogation accused Somnath Patro revealed that he had been living under the police radar for the last two years by working as a delivery boy and changing mobile numbers frequently by using a different mobile phone each time to avoid detectionAt the time of the crime Somnath Patro used to reside at Jhuggi No02 New Priyank Camp Near Kali Mandir Sarita Vihar in Delhi and worked as a delivery boy He was previously involved in another case and an FIR had been filed against him in the CR Park Police Station in Delhi IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/fugitive-wanted-in-sensational-murder-in-sarita-vihar-two-years-ago-arrested-639150.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/uttarakhand-mp-anil-baluni-narrowly-escapes-landslide-on-badrinath-highway-639151.html Devprayag Sep 18 Garhwal BJP MP Anil Baluni narrowly escaped a landslide on the Badrinath National Highway near Devprayag when heavy debris suddenly flowed in front of his convoy during his visit to inspect disasterhit areas The incident occurred while Baluni was on his way to Rishikesh after visiting affected regions in Chamoli and RudraprayagWhile travelling back he stopped after noticing a landslide He stepped out of his vehicle and was urging others to follow him when within moments a massive portion of the mountain gave way forcing even the MP to panic and run back for safetySharing the frightening experience on X the Garhwal MP wrote The severe cloudburst and landslides in Uttarakhand this year have left such deep wounds that it will take a long time to heal them Yesterday evening I am sharing with you all a terrifying scene of a landslide in the disasteraffected area This scene itself speaks volumes about the severe natural calamity that our Uttarakhand is going through at this timeI pray to Baba Kedarnath for the safe life good health and prosperity of all people In this hour of disaster I appreciate the dedication of all the officials NDRFSDRF personnel administration and the workers clearing debris from the roads even in challenging circumstances he addedA video of the incident shows a huge portion of the mountainside collapsing right in front of Balunis convoy sending rocks and debris crashing down The MP and his team can be seen running back quickly to avoid a major tragedyUttarakhand has been facing a series of natural disasters this monsoon with torrential rainfall and repeated cloudbursts causing widespread damage landslides and loss of life across several districtsMeanwhile a total of 10 people have been reported missing as heavy debris flowed in Nanda Nagars Kuntari Lagafali area and Dhurma following the cloudburst on ThursdayTeams from the SDRF NDRF and the Public Works Department have been deployed with JCB machines and other equipment pressed into service to clear debris and aid relief efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/uttarakhand-mp-anil-baluni-narrowly-escapes-landslide-on-badrinath-highway-639151.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 10:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/two-women-buried-as-dilapidated-house-collapses-in-jaipur-elderly-lady-dies-on-spot-639155.html Jaipur Sep 18 A dilapidated house in Jaipurs old city collapsed early on Thursday morning burying two women under the rubble One of the women Dhannibai 60 tragically died at the scene The second woman Sunita 35 suffered a leg fracture and facial injuries The incident occurred at 7 AM in the Subhash Chowk Police Station area and help arrived two hours late According to family members the rescue team despite being informed of the mishap immediately after the collapse only arrived at around 9 AM two hours after the accidentLocals called Tarun Mahawar a relative of the injured women to inform him about the incidentFortunately the two children living in the house were outside playing at the time of the collapse and were unharmedThe area is a hub of unsafe dilapidated buildings A few days ago a mansion in Subhash Chowk collapsed resulting in the deaths of a father and daughterFollowing the tragic accident a list of 48 dilapidated buildings was compiled by the Jaipur Municipal Corporation and action was taken to seal eight buildings in the Kishanpol areaHowever these recent deaths have raised serious concerns about the municipalitys response to the safety of old buildings The house where the collapse occurred was inhabited by the two women and a housekeeperThe owner who lives nearby was reportedly aware of the buildings poor condition but failed to take any action Local residents Pratap Singh and Ghanshyam Soni mentioned that after being trapped under the debris Sunita was screaming for help but no immediate assistance cameDeputy Commissioner Seema Chaudhary of the Hawamahal Zone stated that notices have been issued to all owners of dilapidated buildings in the area and surveys are being conductedAnnouncements have been made for people to vacate unsafe structures with some being relocated to governmentdesignated buildingsThe delay in rescue operations and the ongoing neglect of unsafe buildings have sparked outrage among locals who are calling for greater accountability from the Jaipur Municipal Corporation and building owners to prevent further tragedies IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/two-women-buried-as-dilapidated-house-collapses-in-jaipur-elderly-lady-dies-on-spot-639155.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/haryanas-seven-time-mla-anil-vij-removes-minister-from-his-social-media-bio-639157.html Chandigarh Sep 18 Haryanas seniormost minister and seventime lawmaker BJP leader Anil Vij has removed minister from his name on his social media handle X creating a buzz in ruling circles The minister edited his bio on early Thursday and changed it from Anil Vij Minister Haryana India to Anil Vij Ambala Cantt Haryana IndiaFor quite some time Transport Minister Vij who seems upset with Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini over his style of working has been blaming party leaders on social media platforms for internal squabbles particularly in his Ambala Cantonment Assembly constituencyTaking a dig without referring to anyone last week he wrote on social media In Ambala Cantonment some people are running a parallel BJP with the blessings of those above What we should do The party is suffering a lot of damageIn the post he seeks public opinion on how to deal with his detractors within the partyWidely known as Gabbar Singh of Haryana politics Vij started his career as a banker and later began his political career as an Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad ABVP leaderHes the seventime legislator from Ambala Cantonment and has lost only once in 2005 He won his first Assembly election in 1990When he won the last Assembly elections in October 2024 his supporters danced with slogans of Gabbar is BackOutspoken Vij was issued a showcause notice by the BJP in February for making public statements against the Chief Minister and the state president of the partyIt cited concerns over damage to the partys image during election campaignsAt that time Vij 71 had claimed that no action was taken against those who played a role in trying to defeat him in the 2024 Assembly elections from the Ambala Cantonment seatHe had alleged that he suspected that with the blessings of a big political leader an attempt was made to defeat him He had also expressed displeasure over officials not complying with his orders saying for the sake of his Ambala Cantonment constituents he is prepared to go on a fast unto death like farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/haryanas-seven-time-mla-anil-vij-removes-minister-from-his-social-media-bio-639157.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/driver-arrested-after-delhi-police-van-mows-down-man-639176.html New Delhi Sep 18 Delhi Police have arrested PCR van driver Constable Khimesh Singh after the vehicle ran over a man near the Ramakrishna Ashram Marg metro station on Thursday An FIR has been lodged and police officials confirmed he along with others in the van at the time of the incident are being interrogatedThe victim Ganga Ram who ran a small tea stall to support his family died instantly after Constable Khimesh allegedly pressed the accelerator by mistakeThe van mounted a roadside ramp and crushed Ganga Ram Locals said he has around four to five daughters and the family depended entirely on the tea stall for survivalResidents accused the local police of running an illegal outpost in the area where liquor bottles were also allegedly recoveredThey claimed that the constables and other officers who inspected the area in the PCR vans were often drunk which ultimately led to this fatal incident The AntiCorruption Branch has also been deployed to investigateAt around 510 am the 112 PCR van struck and killed the physically challenged man in his 50sA Delhi Police PCR van comes and kills this man who is a very poor person with small children These police officials used to come here to a nearby spot where they used to drink and spend the night They have constructed an illegal structure there where they used to drink every day People could not stop them a local told IANSThe driver was drunk and killed this man The van was speeding and rammed into a man who used to run a tea stall These police officials came here daily and got drunk Today they killed an innocent person another resident allegedNew Delhi Additional DCP Hukma Ram reached the scene soon after the incidentHe said that all government funding and assistance available will be provided and the police personnel are currently being held accountableThe DCP said that a case has been registered against the accused and strict action will followThe Delhi Police Crime team took the body into custody and sent it for a postmortem to Lady Harding Hospital IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/driver-arrested-after-delhi-police-van-mows-down-man-639176.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/minor-rape-case-yoga-instructor-arrested-in-bengaluru-639177.html Bengaluru Sep 18 A yoga instructor has been arrested on the charges of raping a minor girl in Bengaluru police said on Thursday The 17yearold girl has filed a police complaint alleging rapeDCP West S Girish said police have filed a case against the accused who ran a yoga centre in the RR Nagar area under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act POCSOThe accused used his position to sexually assault the minor promising to help her win an international medalAfter the complaint was lodged police began a manhunt for the accused and arrested himPolice investigation revealed that the yoga instructor was also involved in the rape of 10 to 15 women who attended classes at his yoga centreThe police have seized his mobile phone and are urging other victims to come forward and file a complaint A video related to the crime was also recovered and more women are expected to file complaints against him according to police sourcesMore details are yet to emerge regarding the incidentEarlier on August 6 a 22yearold Moulvi was arrested by Karnataka Police in connection with the alleged rape of a fiveyearold girl in the states Belagavi district The police stated that the incident which took place in 2023 came to light after CCTV footage went viral on social mediaIn May a selfproclaimed pontiff from Karnatakas Belagavi was arrested for allegedly kidnapping and raping a minor girlAccording to reports the incident occurred on May 13 when the minor girl was returning from a relatives house The accused claiming he would safely drop her home instead lured her to a lodge in Raichur There he allegedly held her for two days and raped her He later took her to another lodge in Bagalkot where he continued to abuse her sexually the reports said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/minor-rape-case-yoga-instructor-arrested-in-bengaluru-639177.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-to-help-itis-become-ai-driven-training-centres-fm-sitharaman-639180.html New Delhi Sep 18 The Union government plans to transform Industrial Training Institutes ITIs across the country into Artificial Intelligence AIdriven training centres Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday Addressing the Indian Foundation for Quality Managements IFQM second annual symposium in the national capital Sitharaman said that the government has been focussed on skilling and upskilling for the last two to three years and has made provisions for it in the annual budgetsShe noted that as the ITIs were not adding to the rapidly changing production environment the central government launched a hubandspoke model to upgrade themSo if these ITIs were to adopt the hub and spoke model within the state we will be able to provide them the entire money required for upgrading these places for AIdriven training centres the FM saidThe government has identified some institutes of excellence such as the IITs or the Indian Institute of Science for setting up institutions of excellence for AIrelated RampD and also training she addedFM Sitharaman explained that the budget aimed to ensure that AIdriven skills are given to youngsters at the ground level even if they are school dropouts or pass outs or had finished some kind of a qualification and have some degree but today want to acquire the AIrelated skillsAll such people will be entertained in the ITIbased formulation that will come up These hubs will provide handson AI training to students she said adding that many states are keen to develop the modelPointing out the need to urgently upskill Indias youth to make them ready for quick and direct employment after completing their education the finance minister sought the private sectors participation in itHow to bridge the human resource insufficiencies not adequately trained not the kind of degree I want The rounding off of the personalities is missing The degree is there but the individual is not groomed adequately enough to be a part of the large multinationals or Indian companies that you are talking about That element has to be done by all of us I would want private sector participation together with the government in readying youth to be fit for quick and direct employment Sitharaman said IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/centre-to-help-itis-become-ai-driven-training-centres-fm-sitharaman-639180.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/man-swept-away-in-floodwaters-in-hyderabad-fourth-death-this-week-639184.html Hyderabad Sep 18 A 27yearold man was swept away in floodwaters in Hyderabad late on Wednesday night while returning home on his motorcycle The incident occurred under Balkampet bridge underpass in the heart of the city after another spell of heavy rains lashed the city Mohammed Sharfuddin who was returning home to Kavadiguda on his scooter fell into the water that had stagnated under the bridge and was washed awayAccording to police some local youth later retrieved his body The deceased was an employee at a company that manufactures artificial limbs in Balanagar Like every day he was returning home from his workplaceOn a complaint by Sharfuddins family SR Nagar Police registered a case and took up investigationSharfuddin was the fourth person to be washed away in floodwaters in the city this week Three persons were swept away in overflowing drains in two separate incidents on Sunday night following heavy downpour Their bodies have not yet been tracedArjun 26 and his relative Ramu 25 were washed away in the flood water in Afzalsagar nala in Mallepally while Dinesh 24 who got washed away into a nala in Vinobha Nagar in Musheerabad area of Secunderabad also remained untracedHeavy rains once again lashed the city on Wednesday night inundating roads and lowlying areas Rain water entered houses in a few colonies in the city while vehicular traffic was disrupted Motorists were caught in traffic jams for 34 hours due to severe waterloggingMotilal Nehru Nagar colony in Begumpet was inundated and people could not step out as rainwater filled the cellars of apartment buildings and houses Residents in old CBI quarters in Khairatabad also spent a sleepless night as water entered their homesFollowing heavy rains in Hyderabad Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed authorities to remain alert All the department heads were ordered to work in coordination and ensure people do not face hardshipsThe Chief Minister instructed the police HYDRAA and city Traffic wings to deploy teams to the areas which were flooded GHMC and Energy departments were also ordered to take immediate relief operations in the flood affected habitationsThe Chief Minister advised people to be alert in lowlying areas and not to venture out of their houses unless there is an emergency IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/man-swept-away-in-floodwaters-in-hyderabad-fourth-death-this-week-639184.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/13-bangladeshi-fishermen-arrested-in-bengals-sunderbans-area-boat-seized-639189.html Kolkata Sep 18 At least 13 Bangladeshi fishermen were apprehended by the Indian Coast Guard and their fishing trawler seized after entering Indian waters without authorisation in the Sundarbans area in West Bengal The arrests were earlier this week and the fishermen have been handed over to the state coast police authoritiesFollowing this the coastal security agencies both central and state have beefed up patrolling and surveillance along the coastal border with Bangladesh especially in the sensitive Sundarbans area scattered over South 24 Parganas and North 24 Parganas districtsCalling it a swift Mission Maritime Security operation the Indian Coast Guard in a post on X on Thursday said Apprehended one Bangladeshi fishing boat for illegal fishing activities in Indian waters The boat has been handed over to Marine Police Frazerganj for legal proceedings The apprehension reflects the ICGs unwavering commitment towards safeguarding Indias maritime bordersNow sources from the state police station said that in the wake of the development patrolling and surveillance activities have been increased in the coastal areas of Sundarbans both by the central agencies like the Indian Coast Guard and Border Security Force as well as by the state agencies like coastal police stations under the state policeAll these agencies need greater coordination between them for better surveillance Sources aware of the development said that especially under focus are the narrow creeks in between the remote islands in the area which are often used by the illegal Bangladeshi infiltrators for crossing the international watersSecurity agencies central and state have recently identified some of these islands The most vulnerable islands identified on this count are the 13 in the Gosaba block in the district considering the lack of security arrangements there because of the remote nature of such islandsAs per reports the Border Security Force BSF has its camp in just one of these 13 islands which are often used as temporary shelters by the fishermen from the district frequently venturing to the deep seas for the purpose of fishingIt is learnt that the 13 Bangladeshi fishermen arrested this week are residents of Purba Chandipur in Bagerhat district of Bangladesh Some of them are from Pirojpur and Zianagar The Bangladeshis will be produced before the Kakdwip Subdistrict Court on Thursday The police will seek their custody to investigate further into the caseDue to the porous and riverine international border between India and Bangladesh the Bangladeshi boats and trawlers often venture into Indian waters However both the central and state police are keeping a close watch on the movement of such fishing boats IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/13-bangladeshi-fishermen-arrested-in-bengals-sunderbans-area-boat-seized-639189.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/no-moral-right-to-tell-pm-modi-to-stop-after-75-i-am-85-says-sharad-pawar-639190.html Kolhapur Sep 18 Former Union Minister and NCPSP chief Sharad Pawar on Thursday said that he has no moral right to tell Prime Minister Narendra Modi to stop from active politics as he has completed 75 years of age adding that he Pawar did not stop either and is still working despite being 85 years old He told reporters I wished PM Modi on his 75th birthday yesterday In politics there should be no bitterness on such occasions We are people who act according to the values of Yashwantrao Chavan I dont understand the talk of terming Narendra Modi an avatar incarnation Narendra Modi himself came on my 75th birthday Narendra Modi did not bring politics we are not bringing it eitherAmid the Congress partys move to renew the retirement age issue to target PM Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat Pawar said Even after 75 years of age I did not stop I am currently 85 years of age and I am still working So I cannot tell Narendra Modi to stop after 75 years of age I have no moral rightHe said that everyone has the freedom to release advertisements wishing PM Modi on his birthdayHowever commenting on the full frontpage DevaBhau advertisement in multiple newspapers showing Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis paying tribute to Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Pawar said the chief minister should now also focus on conducting panchanamas assessment of damage to agriculture caused by heavy rains and flooding and immediately provide the financial assistanceWe all express our respect for Shivaji Once Shivaji ploughed a golden plough during the rains after a drought Using the golden plough Shivaji gave a message that he is with the farmers and he will help them Currently agriculture has suffered losses Heavy rain has hit many places in Maharashtra causing damage to agriculture Lands have been washed away and soybeans have been destroyed Lets see when the government is conducting Panchnama and when the aid will arrive Devabhau should pay attention to Panchnama and aid said PawarSpeaking on the ongoing protests over Maratha and OBC reservations especially after the state governments notification on providing Kunbi certificates to Marathas Pawar admitted that the bitterness has increased but added that he is of the view that the bond of unity should not break instead harmony should increase The government formed two cabinet subcommittees on Marathas and OBCs Both committees have members from the same caste If we want to create unity why have people from the same caste in the committees he askedHe pointed out that the bitterness between Marathas and OBCs has increased especially in Parbhani Beed and Dharashiv from the Marathwada region He added that he wants to contribute to avoiding bitterness among the communitiesThe bitterness has increased to the point that people do not even want to go to each others hotels The 1994 government resolution issued by the state government laid down guidelines for OBC reservation in government jobs and public services following recommendations of the Mandal Commission It was taken after holding discussions with everyone including Chhagan Bhujbal and the late Gopinath Munde The idea of reservation in the country originated from Kolhapur In my opinion the broad intention of Shahu Maharaj should be maintained even today he remarkedTo a question on Maha Vikas Aghadi together fighting civic and local body elections in the state Pawar said the decision will be taken in due course of time MVA will fight together in some places and separately in others It is good if the Thackeray brothers come together and increase their strength Thackeray is strong in Mumbai and Thane There is nothing wrong with Uddhav Thackeray demanding more seats in Mumbai and Thane he addedAmid the allegations of vote rigging Pawar said that there is discontent in the country over some decisions of the Election Commission For the first time 300 MPs took out a march against the Election Commission The fact that 300 MPs are taking to the streets is not something to ignore The Election Commission should change its approach he observedHe further stated that it is also not right on the part of the poll body to impose conditions on its meetings with MPs Rahul Gandhi is telling what went wrong constituencywise The Election Commission should increase its credibility after Rahul Gandhis allegations Even after Rahul Gandhis allegations the Election Commission is not seen taking precautions It should increase peoples trust in the election process I am also waiting for Rahul Gandhis hydrogen bomb he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/no-moral-right-to-tell-pm-modi-to-stop-after-75-i-am-85-says-sharad-pawar-639190.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-mla-cancels-sons-wedding-reception-to-donate-rs-2-crore-for-farmers-639191.html Hyderabad Sep 18 A Congress MLA in Telangana cancelled the wedding reception of his son to donate Rs 2 crore to the government for distributing urea to farmers Bathula Laxma Reddy the MLA from Miryalaguda met Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for giving him the cheque on ThursdayThe MLA requested that the money be spent to give a bag of urea to one lakh farmers in his constituencyThe MLA was accompanied by his son Sai Prasanna and other family members Prasannas wedding took place recently and the family had planned a grand receptionHowever considering the problems faced by farmers due to urea shortage the MLA decided to cancel the lavish reception and instead use the same money to help farmersAccording to the Chief Ministers Office CM Revanth Reddy lauded this selfless act appreciating the MLA and his family for turning a personal celebration into a collective blessing for the farming communityThe MLAs gesture came days after his gunman allegedly diverted a full lorryload of urea allocated for farmers in Miryalaguda Assembly constituency There were allegations that the urea was being blackmarketedThe gunman allegedly impersonated MLAs personal assistant and pressured officials He claimed the shipment was needed for official use and redirected the lorry bound for the Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society concernedThis came to light when officials crosschecked records after the MLA enquired about supplies for his constituency The officials complained to the MLA about their gunmans unauthorised calls and bullying tacticsSuperintendent of Police Sharatchandra Pawar took serious note of the issue and ordered an immediate probeFollowing the incident Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president K T Rama Rao had accused Congress leaders of involvement in black marketing of urea He remarked that when an MLAs gunman takes away a lorry of urea the MLA may be diverting the entire warehouse of urea IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/telangana-mla-cancels-sons-wedding-reception-to-donate-rs-2-crore-for-farmers-639191.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-a-miracle-success-story-were-capable-of-overcoming-all-challenges-cea-nageswaran-639193.html New Delhi Sep 18 Indias Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran on Thursday hailed the countrys growth story saying nowhere in the world a nation of this sheer size and diversity is attempting an economic and social transformation at a massive scale and we are capable of overcoming all kinds of challenges Speaking to IANS Nageswaran said that India has always been an exciting storyNowhere in the world a country of this size and diversity is attempting an economic and social transformation within a democratic framework and having succeeded so far in coming from the poor income status to low middle income status the CEA stressedHe further stated that we need to learn not just from our failures but also from our successesWhat did we get right We got many things right So I think its a good thing especially in this time of uncertainty to focus on some of the success stories the miracles that we talk about and that would be an inspiration and reminder to us that we are capable of overcoming our challenges Nageswaran told IANS on the sidelines of an event organised by the Bharat Chamber of CommerceThe CEA also congratulated the Chamber which has been around for 125 years saying I would like to wish the Bharat Chamber of Commerce many more years and decades of distinguished service to its members and the nationEstablished in 1900 Bharat Chamber of Commerce is one of the oldest largest and leading Chambers of Commerce in the Eastern regionOn a question regarding the resumption of IndiaUS trade talks and the call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on PM Modis 75th birthday Nageswaran said he hoped the trade stalemate would be resolved soonI think the conversations are going on and as I said earlier I have nothing more to add I hope that this will be resolved soon he addedNageswaran has earlier said that in spite of tariff disputes and geopolitical uncertainty affecting global trade the Indian economy is better placed for good news rather than shocksIndias economy remains on a firm footing he affirmed Nageswaran credited this resilience to a decade of reforms that included digital and physical infrastructure upgrades with the gradual formalisation of small and medium enterprises IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-a-miracle-success-story-were-capable-of-overcoming-all-challenges-cea-nageswaran-639193.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/kite-distributes-robotics-kits-to-lakshadweep-schools-639194.html Kochi Sep 18 In a major step towards strengthening education in the island territory the Kerala Infrastructure and Technology for Education KITE the technology arm of Keralas Department of General Education has distributed robotics kits to schools across the nine islands of Lakshadweep The initiative aims to enhance robotics learning and provide handson experience for Class 10 students following the Kerala curriculumThese kits will help students learn science technology engineering and maths STEM in a fun and practical wayA total of 100 robotics kits have been supplied with one kit allocated for every three students to enable practical and interactive learningAlongside the distribution KITE has launched a fiveday training programme for high school ICT teachers and District Institute of Education and Training DIET faculty from LakshadweepThe sessions commenced on Thursday at KITEs Regional Resource Centre here Keralas Minister for General Education V Sivankutty inaugurated the programme online and reaffirmed the governments commitment to bridging educational gaps in the islandsThe Kerala government is committed to providing all necessary resources including the latest technology to ensure the students of Lakshadweep receive the best possible education he saidKITE CEO K Anvar Sadath formally handed over the robotics kits to school representativesThe kits are designed to support the new World of Robots chapter in the Class 10 ICT textbook allowing students to explore concepts such as circuit building sensors actuators and programming to control devicesThe initiative follows KITEs recent AI training programme for postgraduate teachers in LakshadweepSadath also announced that the next phase will focus on training primary and upper primary teachers Within Kerala KITE has already distributed 29000 robotics kits with arrangements in place for schools requiring additional kits to purchase them directlyFrom this year robotics has become a subject in the ICT curriculum for more than four lakh Class 10 students in KeralaThe new kits are powered by an ESP32 Devkit v1 microcontroller IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/kite-distributes-robotics-kits-to-lakshadweep-schools-639194.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/liquor-scam-case-ed-searches-multiple-locations-in-hyderabad-639197.html Hyderabad Sep 18 The Enforcement Directorate ED conducted searches at multiple locations in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad on Thursday The ED officials were carrying out searches at the premises linked to some businessmen as part of the investigation into money laundering allegationsThe central agency conducted searches at a couple of villas in Wellington Enclave in West Maredpally of Secunderabad Searches were also on at some premises in Mahindra HillsThis is said to be part of nationwide searches by the ED in connection with moneylaundering intermediaries allegedly involved in the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam The intermediaries are alleged to have played a key role in routing nearly Rs 3500 crore through benami firms shell entities and hawala networks The Special Investigation Team SIT probing the alleged liquor scam that took place during the previous YSR Congress Party rule filed its second supplementary charge sheet before the ACB Court in Vijayawada on MondayThe SIT outlined the alleged involvement of Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy Venkatesh Naidu Balaji Kumar Yadav and Naveen Krishna stating that illicit proceeds were laundered through them The accused allegedly acted as conduits diverting the funds into shell companies and benami accountsThe SIT has named 48 persons in the case of whom 12 have been arrested Four of them were recently granted bail by the ACB CourtMeanwhile the SIT will be producing the accused including YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy before the ACB Court to request a further extension of their judicial custodyLast month the SIT filed the first supplementary charge sheet highlighting the alleged role played by then Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan ReddyThe SIT has not named Jagan Mohan Reddy as an accused in the case but alleged that he took decisions to modify the excise policy to use the liquor business for illegally amassing wealthIt is alleged that lowprofile individuals including office employees were used to launder kickbacks from liquor companies Employees including office boys working in the companies owned by the accused were used as couriers to deposit illicit cash into a network of bank accounts linked to the syndicate IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/liquor-scam-case-ed-searches-multiple-locations-in-hyderabad-639197.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/yoga-instructor-sexually-assaulted-me-during-thailand-competition-teenager-tells-police-639198.html Bengaluru Sep 18 A teenager has stated in her complaint against a yoga instructor that he sexually harassed her when she went to Thailand in 2023 to participate in a yoga competition police said Police said the accused who is from Assam is the Secretary of the Karnataka Yogasana Sports Association KYSAAccording to the police complaint The victim had known the accused since 2019 She started participating in yoga competitions in 2021 The girl went to Thailand with the accused to participate in a competition when she was 17 years old and the accused sexually harassed her After this incident the victim stopped participating in yoga competitionsIn 2024 the victim joined a yoga institute in Bengaluru which was run by the accused Since then the accused has been sexually harassing her The accused also promised that he would help her win a medal in a national yoga competition and get her a job placement He then sexually exploited her on the premises of the yoga institute in August 2025 according to the complaintThe accused also attempted to get physically intimate with her on August 22 telling her that he would get her a placement in a statelevel competition it saidThe police have booked an FIR under relevant sections of the BNS Act and Section 12 of the POCSO ActThe victim had filed the police complaint on August 30Police investigation revealed that the yoga instructor was also involved in the rape of 10 to 15 women who attended classes at his yoga centreThe police have seized his mobile phone and are urging other victims to come forward and file a complaintA video related to the crime was also recovered and more women are expected to file complaints against him according to police sourcesFurther investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/yoga-instructor-sexually-assaulted-me-during-thailand-competition-teenager-tells-police-639198.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 13:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-police-arrest-two-for-slaughtering-cows-dumping-carcasses-in-forest-639201.html Karwar Karnataka Sep 18 The Karnataka police have arrested two individuals for allegedly slaughtering cows and dumping their carcasses in a forest area in Bhatkal town of Karwar district officials said on Thursday The arrested duo identified as Mohammad Saman 19 and Mohammad Raheen 20 both residents of Bhatkal were apprehended based on a complaint filed by a forest officerAccordingly an offence was registered at the Bhatkal Shahar Police Station under the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act 2020The police have seized the vehicle used in the crime Both the accused have been produced before the court and remanded in judicial custodyThe action was taken following a complaint lodged by Forest Officer Maruti of the Bhatkal Sub DivisionIn his complaint the forest officer stated that on September 11 around 2 pm the accused entered the restricted Mugdum Colony Gudde forest area and allegedly dumped cow carcass parts including skin horns and bones after slaughtering the animalBased on the complaint the Bhatkal Shahar Police registered an offence under Section 412 of the Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act 2020 as well as Section 3293 of the BNS ActPolice teams were constituted to trace the accused who were later arrested The Karwar Superintendent of Police commended the cops for solving the case and apprehending the accusedOfficials and citizens in the state are making continued efforts to prevent the slaughter of cowsAs many as 49 cows were rescued from slaughter near the Bengaluru border in August 2025 and later shifted to a goshalaIn June 2024 over 100 cows and bulls were rescued from slaughter in Bengaluru during Bakrid in operations supported by organisations such as the Gau Gyan FoundationThe Kankanady police in Mangaluru district have arrested three persons in connection with a cattle theft reported from Adyar on September 13Commissioner of Police Sudheer Kumar Reddy said a cow was stolen from the house of one Umesh Alva in Tajipodi Adyar The Kankanady Town Police traced the stolen cow and arrested three persons identified as Shabaz Ahmed of Adyar Mohammad Suhan of Arkula and Valachil Khader Mohammad alias Koli Monakka of Adyar in this connection IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/karnataka-police-arrest-two-for-slaughtering-cows-dumping-carcasses-in-forest-639201.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-slams-rahul-gandhi-over-vote-deletion-charge-says-cong-trying-to-destabilise-democracy-639208.html New Delhi Sep 18 IANS Hours after Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP and the Election Commission of vote deletion in Karnatakas Aland constituency during the 2023 Assembly elections senior BJP leader and former Union Minister Anurag Thakur launched a sharp counterattack on Thursday calling the Congress leaders charges habitual baseless allegationsnbspAddressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi Thakur said the Congress has repeatedly been rejected by the people under Rahul Gandhis leadershipnbspCongress has lost nearly 90 elections under his leadership His frustration has grown so much that he has made the politics of allegations his only ornament Thakur remarkedHe further said Gandhi refuses to authenticate his claims when asked for evidencenbspWhenever he is told to submit a written oath or file an official complaint he turns his back and runs away he said adding that Gandhis track record of allegations from Rafale and chowkidar chor hai to Pegasus had only ended in humiliation and apologies in courtsnbspOn Gandhis fresh allegation regarding voter deletions in Aland Thakur cited the Election Commissions statement that no voters name can be deleted online without due process and opportunity of hearingnbspHe noted that the Congress candidate had in fact won the seat by over 10000 votes in 2023Does it mean Congress indulged in vote theft to win he asked Referring to the Karnataka High Courts recent decision setting aside Congress leader KY Nanje Gowdas victory in Malur and ordering a recount Thakur questioned Does that mean Congress did vote chori in MalurnbspThakur accused the Congress of attempting to undermine democratic institutions and destabilise the countrynbspAre they trying to protect infiltrators and give them voting rights at the cost of SCSTOBC communities Rahul Gandhis statement makes it seem he stands with infiltrators he allegednbspRejecting any claims of bias in the functioning of the Election Commission Thakur said Congress itself had a history of misusing the ECnbspToday the EC is working with integrity he assertednbspThe BJP will take every step to strengthen democracy and expose infiltrators whom Congress wants to empower Thakur declared https://dailyworld.in/national/bjp-slams-rahul-gandhi-over-vote-deletion-charge-says-cong-trying-to-destabilise-democracy-639208.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/baseless-and-incorrect-eci-rejects-rahul-gandhis-allegations-of-vote-deletions-639210.html New Delhi Sep 18 The Election Commission of India ECI on Thursday rejected Rahul Gandhis allegations of mass voter deletions in Karnatakas Aland Assembly constituency as baseless and incorrect It also questioned Rahul Gandhi and Congress understanding of the electoral process and said that the latters claims of vote deletion by any online tool were a mere misconceptionEarlier in the day Rahul Gandhi in a special press conference claimed mass vote deletions particularly in Congress strongholds through fake logins and using phone numbers from outside the state Claiming a systematised and organised style of voter deletions he alleged that 6018 votes were deleted in Karnatakas Aland constituencyThe ECI in a quick rebuttal to Rahul Gandhis charge of vote deletions said that no deletion of votes could be done by any member of the public and it couldnt be done online as misconceived by Shri Rahul GandhiNo deletion can take place without giving an opportunity of being heard to the affected person said ECIThe poll panel also informed that in 2023 certain unsuccessful attempts were made for the deletion of electors in the Aland Assembly constituency and an FIR was also filed by the authority of ECI itself to investigate the matterFor the unversed the Aland constituency in Karnataka which Rahul Gandhi purportedly described as a Congress stronghold was won by Subhadh Guttedar BJP in 2018 and BR Patil INC in 2023Gandhis fresh charges of vote deletions in Karnatakas Aland constituency are set to heat the political space The poll panel is expected to formally dismiss his charges while the BJP will dub the allegations as Congress another attempt to obfuscate the electoral atmosphere ahead of the Bihar electionsNotably Rahul Gandhi in another special press conference a month ago claimed that one lakh votes were added in Karnatakas Mahadevpura constituency IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/baseless-and-incorrect-eci-rejects-rahul-gandhis-allegations-of-vote-deletions-639210.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengaluru-has-gained-infamy-as-city-of-potholes-union-minister-flays-ktaka-govt-over-it-firms-plan-to-shift-out-of-orr-area-639211.html Bengaluru Sep 18 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday lambasted the Karnataka government over the poor condition of infrastructure leading to the decision by an IT company to shift from the Outer Ring Road ORR area of Bengaluru Taking to X on Thursday Kumaraswamy stated The proud city of Bengaluru built by Nadaprabhu Kempegowda has suffered a severe blow to its reputation It is tragic that Bengaluru is now gaining infamy as the City of PotholesIndustries are losing faith in Karnataka and migrating to neighbouring states Those states have been waiting for this very moment offering one concession after another to attract them This government cannot even understand the gravity of the situation its senses have gone numbTo the industries my only appeal is this Do not leave Bengaluru This city carries a great legacy and rich heritage We will teach this government a lesson We the people of Karnataka stand firmly with you Remove the thought of leaving from your minds Together we will rebuild Bengaluru Kumaraswamy appealedWe will make Bengaluru great again he underlinedChief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are responsible for this disgrace Today Bengaluru and Karnataka are trapped in the hands of the incompetent and the corrupt At every step there is a death trap of potholes everywhere one looks heaps of garbage Is this what they call Greater Bengaluru What is BBMP doing swallowing taxpayers money while doing nothingHe further attacked Industrialists are right in calling this an utter failure of governance You dont need a mirror to see a festering wound For the first time in history industries themselves have so strongly exposed the governments failuresWhen it comes to levying taxes this government shows rocket speed But when it comes to filling potholes it doesnt even have the speed of a tortoise It shows utter neglect towards development State development has been sacrificed at the altar of election guarantees while Greater Bengaluru is collapsing Kumaraswamy statedA government that claims it has no funds to fill potholes must answer Where is the taxpayers money going The people deserve an answer Kumaraswamy demandedResponding to the development of CoFounder and CEO of BlackBuck company stating that they were planning to move out of Bengalurus ORR area over poor road infrastructure the leaders of the IT industry on Wednesday raised concern and appealed to the Karnataka government to address the situation with proactive measuresPadma Shree awardee Mohandas Pai and Biocon Founder Kiran MazumdarShaw reacted on Wednesday to this development and in a social media post Pai tagged Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who is also Bengaluru Development Minister and expressed displeasure and appealed to him to find solutions to improve Bengaluru roadsBig big failure of governance in Bengaluru Please see cos are moving out of ORR Situation beyond hope Please intervene said former Infosys CFO PaiReposting Pais post MazumdarShaw said This is serious Emergency measures needed to fix these issuesRajesh Yabaji CoFounder and CEO of BlackBuck Company operating from the Bellandur ORR stretch in Bengaluru expressing disappointment over the condition of the roads in the ORR stretch announced on Tuesday that his company will move out of the area Yabaji however did not disclose where the office would be relocatedTaking to X Rajesh Yabaji stated ORR Bellandur has been our office and home for the last 9 years But now it has become veryvery hard to continue here We have decided to move outProviding the reason for his decision he stated Background average commute for my colleagues shot up to 15 hours for one way Roads full of potholes and dust coupled with lowest intent to get them rectified Dont see any of this changing in next 5 yearsIn his post lambasting the government over the development on Wednesday Pai also tagged the Commissioner of Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge and BJP MP PC MohanSpeaking to the media on Wednesday he stated On the stretch of ORR road a 95 crore square feet campus has been built and 8 lakh people work in companies located along this road All the major global companies are situated here Any government in the world would have taken measures to improve roads and provide adequate facilities for this important stretch However the state government is deliberately ignoring BengaluruI had met the Bengaluru Development Minister oneandahalf months ago and submitted a list of works to be done in Bengaluru to which he had agreed I emphasised that the ORR stretch is important as lakhs of people work there They have also spoken to stakeholders regarding this matter However only minor works are being taken up and no proper planning has been done Pai statedThe state government has a Rs 4 lakh crore budget so why is this stretch of road still in poor condition I appeal to Shivakumar to hold meetings with senior officials and obtain reports on a weekly basis We need to give hope Every day people are spending hours stuck in traffic Representatives from abroad are hesitant to come to Bengaluru and are instead moving to Noida and other places he statedDy CM Shivakumar responding on the poor condition of roads in Bengaluru stated Deadline is given to fill potholes and submit a report to me in writing Commissioners are instructed to share the information on their morning rounds in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengaluru-has-gained-infamy-as-city-of-potholes-union-minister-flays-ktaka-govt-over-it-firms-plan-to-shift-out-of-orr-area-639211.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/bengaluru-has-gained-infamy-as-city-of-potholes-union-minister-flays-govt-over-it-firms-plan-to-shift-out-of-orr-area-639212.html Bengaluru Sep 18 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday lambasted the Karnataka government over the poor condition of infrastructure leading to the decision by an IT company to shift from the Outer Ring Road ORR area of Bengaluru Taking to X on Thursday Kumaraswamy stated The proud city of Bengaluru built by Nadaprabhu Kempegowda has suffered a severe blow to its reputation It is tragic that Bengaluru is now gaining infamy as the City of PotholesIndustries are losing faith in Karnataka and migrating to neighbouring states Those states have been waiting for this very moment offering one concession after another to attract them This government cannot even understand the gravity of the situation its senses have gone numbTo the industries my only appeal is this Do not leave Bengaluru This city carries a great legacy and rich heritage We will teach this government a lesson We the people of Karnataka stand firmly with you Remove the thought of leaving from your minds Together we will rebuild Bengaluru Kumaraswamy appealedWe will make Bengaluru great again he underlinedChief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar are responsible for this disgrace Today Bengaluru and Karnataka are trapped in the hands of the incompetent and the corrupt At every step there is a death trap of potholes everywhere one looks heaps of garbage Is this what they call Greater Bengaluru What is BBMP doing swallowing taxpayers money while doing nothingHe further attacked Industrialists are right in calling this an utter failure of governance You dont need a mirror to see a festering wound For the first time in history industries themselves have so strongly exposed the governments failuresWhen it comes to levying taxes this government shows rocket speed But when it comes to filling potholes it doesnt even have the speed of a tortoise It shows utter neglect towards development State development has been sacrificed at the altar of election guarantees while Greater Bengaluru is collapsing Kumaraswamy statedA government that claims it has no funds to fill potholes must answer Where is the taxpayers money going The people deserve an answer Kumaraswamy demandedResponding to the development of CoFounder and CEO of BlackBuck company stating that they were planning to move out of Bengalurus ORR area over poor road infrastructure the leaders of the IT industry on Wednesday raised concern and appealed to the Karnataka government to address the situation with proactive measuresPadma Shree awardee Mohandas Pai and Biocon Founder Kiran MazumdarShaw reacted on Wednesday to this development and in a social media post Pai tagged Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar who is also Bengaluru Development Minister and expressed displeasure and appealed to him to find solutions to improve Bengaluru roadsBig big failure of governance in Bengaluru Please see cos are moving out of ORR Situation beyond hope Please intervene said former Infosys CFO PaiReposting Pais post MazumdarShaw said This is serious Emergency measures needed to fix these issuesRajesh Yabaji CoFounder and CEO of BlackBuck Company operating from the Bellandur ORR stretch in Bengaluru expressing disappointment over the condition of the roads in the ORR stretch announced on Tuesday that his company will move out of the area Yabaji however did not disclose where the office would be relocatedTaking to X Rajesh Yabaji stated ORR Bellandur has been our office and home for the last 9 years But now it has become veryvery hard to continue here We have decided to move outProviding the reason for his decision he stated Background average commute for my colleagues shot up to 15 hours for one way Roads full of potholes and dust coupled with lowest intent to get them rectified Dont see any of this changing in next 5 yearsIn his post lambasting the government over the development on Wednesday Pai also tagged the Commissioner of Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Minister for IT and BT Priyank Kharge and BJP MP PC MohanSpeaking to the media on Wednesday he stated On the stretch of ORR road a 95 crore square feet campus has been built and 8 lakh people work in companies located along this road All the major global companies are situated here Any government in the world would have taken measures to improve roads and provide adequate facilities for this important stretch However the state government is deliberately ignoring BengaluruI had met the Bengaluru Development Minister oneandahalf months ago and submitted a list of works to be done in Bengaluru to which he had agreed I emphasised that the ORR stretch is important as lakhs of people work there They have also spoken to stakeholders regarding this matter However only minor works are being taken up and no proper planning has been done Pai statedThe state government has a Rs 4 lakh crore budget so why is this stretch of road still in poor condition I appeal to Shivakumar to hold meetings with senior officials and obtain reports on a weekly basis We need to give hope Every day people are spending hours stuck in traffic Representatives from abroad are hesitant to come to Bengaluru and are instead moving to Noida and other places he statedDy CM Shivakumar responding on the poor condition of roads in Bengaluru stated Deadline is given to fill potholes and submit a report to me in writing Commissioners are instructed to share the information on their morning rounds in the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/bengaluru-has-gained-infamy-as-city-of-potholes-union-minister-flays-govt-over-it-firms-plan-to-shift-out-of-orr-area-639212.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/india-us-tariff-stalemate-likely-to-be-resolved-in-8-10-weeks-chief-economic-advisor-639213.html Kolkata Sep 18 In a ray of optimism for Indian exporters Chief Economic Advisor CEA V Anantha Nageswaran on Thursday said a solution to the IndiaUS tariff issues is likely to be arrived in the next 810 weeks Addressing a session organised by the Bharat Chamber of Commerce here Nageswaran said that conversations are already going on between the two governments to end the deadlockMy hunch is that in the next eight to 10 weeks we will likely see a solution to the penal tariff imposed by the US on Indian goods he told the gatheringNageswaran indicated that the IndiaUS talks are underway to also reduce the reciprocal tariffs from 25 per cent to about 15 per centThe additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports came into effect from August 27 owing to New Delhi purchasing Russian oil taking the total tariffs on the Indian goods entering the US to 50 per centOn a question regarding the call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump on PM Modis 75th birthday Nageswaran said he hoped the trade stalemate would be resolved soonI think the conversations are going on and as I said earlier I hope that this will be resolved soon he told IANS on the sidelines of the eventMeanwhile India and the US have decided to intensify efforts to achieve an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement BTAA team of officials from the office of the United States Trade Representative led by Chief Negotiator IndiaUS Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations Brendan Lynch arrived in India this weekThey held discussions on IndiaUS trade ties including the IndiaUS Bilateral Trade Agreement with a team of Indian officials led by Special Secretary Commerce Rajesh AgrawalAccording to a statement issued by the Commerce and Industry Ministry Acknowledging the enduring importance of bilateral trade between India and the US the discussions were positive and forward looking covering various aspects of the trade deal It was decided to intensify efforts to achieve an early conclusion of a mutually beneficial Trade AgreementAccording to Commerce Ministry sources trade discussions are going on at several levels There is a positive frame of mind on both sides while approaching trade issuesLynchs visit came as expectations of a trade deal were boosted by positive messages from Trump and PM Modi IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/india-us-tariff-stalemate-likely-to-be-resolved-in-8-10-weeks-chief-economic-advisor-639213.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/teachers-job-scam-bengal-minister-faces-ed-heat-over-rs-1273-cr-fictitious-transactions-639216.html Kolkata Sep 18 The fate of West Bengal Minister Chandranath Sinha will hinge on his clarifications regarding the alleged fictitious financial transactions of Rs 1273 crore identified by the Enforcement Directorate ED in connection with the states primary teacher recruitment irregularities The matter is set for a crucial hearing at a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act PMLA court in Kolkata this SaturdaySinha through his counsel is expected to respond to the Enforcement Directorates earlier submission regarding the disputed transactions in bank accounts held by him individually or jointly with his family membersSources aware of the development said that depending on the clarifications provided by Sinha through his counsel at the special court later this week the Enforcement Directorate is likely to seek the ministers custody for interrogationThey added that the investigating officials are primarily seeking two clarifications from the minister regarding the fictitious transactions the first being the source of funds behind a series of inward remittances mostly in cash made to these bank accounts during a specified periodSources said the ED officials are seeking two clarifications from the minister regarding the fictitious transactionsThe first clarification relates to the source of funds behind a series of phased inward remittances largely in cash credited to the bank accounts during a particular periodThe second concerns the omission of these transactions from the tax declarations of the minister and his family membersThe ED has already told the special court that during questioning the minister failed to provide satisfactory answers on either pointThe ED officials have traced illegal transactions worth Rs 1273 crore allegedly linked to irregularities in the recruitment of primary teachers in the state to bank accounts held by the minister and his family membersDetails of these fictitious transactions were included in the EDs sixth supplementary charge sheet filed at the special court earlier this monthOn September 6 Sinha had surrendered before the same court in connection with the agencys probe into the alleged recruitment scam The court granted him interim bail on a personal bond of Rs 10000 with certain conditionsIn its charge sheet the ED highlighted a series of large cash deposits made in phases into a joint bank account held by the minister and his wife Kuntala Sinha at a Kolkata branch of a public sector bankAccording to the sixth supplementary chargesheet a total of Rs 118 crore was deposited in cash into this account between January 2016 and November 2019 identified as the peak period of the alleged school recruitment scam IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/teachers-job-scam-bengal-minister-faces-ed-heat-over-rs-1273-cr-fictitious-transactions-639216.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 14:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-claims-systemic-vote-deletions-in-congress-booths-sidesteps-question-on-legal-course-639217.html New Delhi Sep 18 IANS Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition LoP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday launched a fresh offensive on the Election Commission of India claiming that votes were being deleted from the Congress booths through fake logins done through a centralised system However he remained evasive on questions of following it up with the ECI or taking legal recourse for the irregularities and wrongdoings under the watch of the poll panelnbspOn an IANS question whether the party will move court over illegal deletion of votes the Congress leader averted a direct reply and said he was a committed soldier of democracy and would always strive to uphold the constitutional valuesNotably this was Rahul Gandhis second special press conference in recent months where he questioned the sanctity of the electoral process and claimed voter deletions in Congress booths in Karnatakas Aland A month ago he claimed votes were stolen in the Mahadevpura Assembly constituencynbspIn Thursdays press conference titled Democracy cant be deleted Rahul Gandhi alleged that Congress stronghold in Karnataka has seen largescale voter deletions and this was done through fake logins and phone numbers from outside the state He also claimed that software instead of individuals was being deployed to delete voters from the listLaunching a frontal charge at the CEC he accused the latter of protecting vote chors by not providing details sought by the Karnataka CID to investigate voter deletionsnbspWith chronology samajhiye in the backdrop the Congress leader demanded that the ECI release the data of these phone numbers and the OTPs within a week and said CEC Gyanesh Kumar must stop protecting people who are destroying and attacking the constitutionnbspGandhi claimed that such vote deletions were happening everywhere and named Karnatakas Aland constituency in particular where he claimed that 6018 voters were deleted He said that the votes of the Scheduled Caste the Scheduled Tribes and marginalised communities were being targeted with a motive to benefit a certain partyHe said that there is solid and absolute proof of voter deletions by means of fake logins claiming that a centralised model was deleting votes in Congress booths by using call centresnbspHe claimed that the crime came to light after a BLO in Karnatakas Aland found that the name of one of her relatives was deleted from the electoral rollsnbspHe said that the deletion of 6018 votes in Karantaka is currently under investigationnbspKarnataka EC started an enquiry into alleged vote deletions and wrote at least 18 letters demanding clarification on it and also the reason for such deletions In February 2023 the investigations began In March Karnataka CID demanded details including OTP and call record details which it got in August 2023 but were incomplete and inadequate Karnataka EC also sought details on IP addresses and information about the framework engaged in the vote deletion he told the mediaHe further claimed that the CEC is in the know of everything but deliberately stays silent on the issuenbspHe further said that a similar technique was used for voter additions in Maharashtras Rajoura constituencynbspOn his previous threats of a Hydrogen bomb that would expose the government he said that preparations for it are underway and very soon it will be made public once his team gathers all the proof and evidence of electoral malpractices https://dailyworld.in/national/rahul-gandhi-claims-systemic-vote-deletions-in-congress-booths-sidesteps-question-on-legal-course-639217.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/drugs-valued-at-over-rs-143-crore-seized-in-mizoram-amp-manipur-3-held-639219.html AizawlImphal Sep 18 In a major haul the security forces have seized drugs valued over Rs 143 crore and arrested three persons in Mizoram and Manipur over the past 24 hours officials said on Thursday A defence spokesman said that in a major strike against crossborder narcotrafficking Assam Rifles based on specific intelligence conducted a search operation on Wednesday night near Zote village in Mizorams Champhai District which shares an unfenced border with MyanmarDuring the operation troops intercepted a suspected individual carrying a consignment On being challenged the person abandoned the load and fled into the nearby deep jungle taking advantage of the terrain A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of 34218 kg of highly addictive and banned methamphetamine tablets valued at over Rs 10265 croreThe spokesman said that in another operation Assam Rifles seized 12 grams of heroin valued at approximately Rs 84 lakh at Zemabawk in Mizorams Aizawl district on Wednesday nightActing on specific intelligence about the trafficking of narcotics a joint operation of Assam Rifles with the Territorial Army Aizawl was launched at the Zemabawk areas and during the operation one suspected drug peddler was intercepted and searchedDuring the search of the individual 12 grams of heroin were recovered from him The apprehended individual was identified as Lalchchuanmawia 25 a resident of Zote in Champhai DistrictThe seized narcotics along with the apprehended individual have been handed over to the Excise and Narcotics Department Aizawl for further investigation This successful operation underscores Assam Rifles unwavering resolve to combat narconetwork along the IndiaMyanmar border while safeguarding the youth of the Nation from the scourge of drugs an Assam Rifles statement saidIn Manipur security forces arrested two suspected drug smugglers and recovered brown sugar and methamphetamine tablets worth around Rs 40 croreA police official in Imphal said that the seizure of drugs and the arrests took place in Tengnoupal district bordering Myanmar during two separate operations conducted during the past 24 hoursIn the first operation the security forces intercepted a van at the Naka Check Post in the Tengnoupal police station areaThe driver Md Nousad 21 a resident of Kakching district was arrested Around 50 packets of methamphetamine tablets weighing 108 kg the van and a mobile phone were seized from himThe estimated value of the drugs is over Rs 30 crore Subsequently security forces intercepted another van at the same checkpostThe driver Hengougin Haokip 23 a resident of Kangpokpi district was arrested Seized from him were 11 soap cases containing 125 grams of brown Sugar the vehicle and a mobile phone The estimated value of the drugs is over Rs 10 croreMeanwhile Assam Rifles seized heroin valued at approximately Rs 2010 crore in MizoramAccording to a defence spokesman acting on specific intelligence about the trafficking of narcotics an operation was launched on Tuesday night at Thingluang Kai in the Melbuk Road area in Mizorams Champhai district and seized 2462 kg of heroin valued at Rs 2010 croreThe latest seizure of drugs was the biggest haul of narcotics after the Mizoram government on September 1 launched a fourmonthlong special campaign and antidrug operation to curb the illegal trade of drugs and their menaceA variety of drugs especially highly addictive methamphetamine tablets and heroin and different types of contraband including exotic animals are often illegally traded through six districts in Mizoram Champhai Siaha Lawngtlai Hnahthial Saitual and Serchhip These six districts share unfenced borders of 510 km with Myanmar From Mizoram these drugs are ferried to other parts of the country and abroad including Bangladesh through Assam and Tripura IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/drugs-valued-at-over-rs-143-crore-seized-in-mizoram-amp-manipur-3-held-639219.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/abvp-nsui-accuse-each-other-of-rigging-in-dusu-elections-both-claim-victory-639221.html New Delhi Sep 18 Voting for the Delhi University Students Union DUSU elections was underway on Thursday but the polling process has been marred by allegations of violence and rigging Both students unions ABVP and NSUI have accused each other of rigging Reports of minor scuffles and pushing were received from some polling venues in the North CampusThe Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad ABVP accused incumbent DUSU President and NSUI leader Raunak Khatri of involvement in a scuffle that allegedly left a student injured in North CampusABVP Delhi State Secretary Sarthak Sharma alleged that Khatris supporters manhandled a student outside Kirori Mal College causing her to fall and get injuredThe ABVP has also claimed it is poised to sweep all four union posts dismissing the NSUIs charges as signs of panicJust as the Congress blames EVMs for its defeat in every election the NSUI is following the same pattern Sharma saidABVP National General Secretary Virendra Solanki added that NSUI is fighting for third place and is resorting to baseless allegationsThe NSUI on the other hand has demanded the cancellation of ABVPs presidential candidates nomination accusing its rival of rigging and vote manipulationNSUI National President Varun Chaudhary alleged that incidents of malpractice had been reported from Kirori Mal College Hindu College and Hansraj CollegeCalling the developments an attempt to undermine democracy he said These undemocratic practices will not be tolerated Students will respond to ABVPs dishonesty through their votesPolling is being held in two shifts for over 275 lakh eligible students from more than 50 colleges of Delhi University The first phase began at 830 am for morning colleges while students of evening colleges will cast their votes in the second shiftVoting will continue till 730 pm Counting will start at 9 am on Friday and results are expected by late evening IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/abvp-nsui-accuse-each-other-of-rigging-in-dusu-elections-both-claim-victory-639221.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-20-gives-booster-shot-to-textiles-logistics-sectors-639222.html New Delhi Sep 18 The rationalisation of Goods and Services Tax under GST 20 marks a significant reform aimed at removing structural anomalies reducing costs and boosting demand in the textile and logistics industries both of which are vital for domestic growth employment and export competitiveness according to an official statement on Thursday By aligning tax rates across the value chain the GST reform ensures affordability for consumers sustains jobs in labourintensive sectors and enhances Indias ability to compete globally In the textile sector the rationalisation strengthens the entire value chain from fibre to garment by reducing distortions improving garment affordability reviving retail demand and supporting export competitiveness the statement explainedThe reduction in GST will lead to making apparel more affordable for middle and lowincome households which will stimulating domestic demand with significant impact in small towns and rural regionsGST on readymade garments up to Rs 2500 per piece is now 5 per cent making apparel more affordable and boosting domestic demandGST on manmade fibres and yarns cut from 12 per cent and 18 per cent to 5 per cent removes inverted duty structure and strengthens Small and Medium Enterprises while the reduction in GST on carpets and other textile floor coverings from 12 per cent to 5 per cent will enhance global competitiveness according to the statementSimilarly cut in GST on commercial goods vehicles from 28 per cent to 18 per cent will bring down logistics costs and support exportsThe GST reforms also extend to the transport sector which plays a crucial role in reducing logistics costs and supporting industrial growth Trucks and delivery vans which carry nearly 6570 per cent of Indias goods traffic benefit significantly from tax rationalisation Cheaper freight movement reduced cost per tonnekm benefits the transport of textile FMCG and ecommerce deliveriesThe cascading effect of lower logistics cost helps reduce overall price pressures and bring down inflation Besides lower logistics costs make Indian textiles more competitive abroadThe GST rationalisation across textiles and logistics sectors is a decisive step towards strengthening Indias manufacturing base improving affordability and boosting exports By reducing structural anomalies and easing cost pressures these reforms directly benefit consumers small businesses and exporters alike They reinforce the vision of a globally competitive India powered by resilient supply chains and a thriving textile sector the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/national/gst-20-gives-booster-shot-to-textiles-logistics-sectors-639222.html Thu, 18 Sep 2025 15:12:00 +0530