DailyWorld News - The First International Newspaper From India https://dailyworld.in/ Fri, 02 Jan 2026 17:59:04 +0530 en https://dailyworld.in/society/kharsawan-firing-anniversary-jharkhand-cm-announces-judicial-panel-to-honour-martyrs-656551.html Ranchi Jan 1 While January 1 is celebrated across the world as the beginning of a new year the day remains a symbol of grief and sacrifice for Jharkhands Kharsawan Seventyseven years ago on January 1 1948 a few months after India attained independence the soil of Kharsawan was soaked in blood during a brutal firing on tribal protesters an incident often compared to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre On that fateful day thousands of tribals had gathered to oppose the proposal to merge the princely states of Kharsawan and Seraikela with the then Orissa The protest was triggered by the demand for a separate state and was met with indiscriminate police firing leaving scores deadAs every year large numbers of people assembled at the Martyrsâ Memorial in Kharsawan on Thursday to pay homage to those who laid down their livesJharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren former Chief Minister Arjun Munda Minister Deepak Birua Singhbhum MP Joba Majhi Chakradharpur MLA Sukhram Oraon Kharsawan MLA Dashrath Gagrai and Ichagarh MLA Sabita Mahato were among the leaders who visited the memorial on Thursday morning and paid floral tributes The Chief Minister announced the formation of a judicial panel to identify and honour those martyred during the massacreAfter paying tribute Soren said Today is Martyrsâ Day as well as the first day of the year For the world it is New Yearâs Day a day of celebration But for the tribals indigenous people farmers and labourers of Jharkhand January 1 is Martyrsâ Day Jharkhand is steeped in the history of sacrifice perhaps no other state has witnessed so many martyrsA draft has been prepared for this purpose A judicial inquiry commission will be constituted with retired judges as its members The martyrs of this firing will be honoured before the next Martyrsâ Day he saidThe firing was linked to the reorganisation of princely states following Independence A proposal to merge Kharsawan and Seraikela with Orissa had triggered strong opposition from the local tribal population who instead demanded a separate state To press their demand a massive public meeting was organised at the Kharsawan Haat ground on January 1 1948 under the leadership of renowned tribal leader Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh MundaTribal activists from Jamshedpur Ranchi Chaibasa Simdega Khunti Tamar and other areas had gathered in Kharsawan to participate in the meeting However Jaipal Singh Munda could not reach the venue for some reasonSubsequently the gathering decided to proceed towards the Kharsawan royal palace to convey their demands to the king Anticipating unrest the Orissa government had deployed a heavy police forceAs the crowd moved towards the palace police issued warnings to stop When these warnings went unheeded the police opened fire indiscriminately on the unarmed protestersThe Kharsawan firing is remembered as one of the most brutal episodes of repression in the history of Indiaâs tribal movementsIn a speech delivered on January 11 1948 Jaipal Singh Munda recounted that bodies were strewn across the Kharsawan market area while the wounded cried out for help and waterHe alleged that the administration sealed off the area preventing entry or exit and that by evening bodies were loaded onto trucks and disposed of in forests and riversEven after more than seven decades the exact number of those killed in the firing remains unknown The report of the tribunal constituted to investigate the massacre has also not been made public to date IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/kharsawan-firing-anniversary-jharkhand-cm-announces-judicial-panel-to-honour-martyrs-656551.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/senior-officials-in-rajasthan-arrested-in-separate-bribery-cases-656553.html Jaipur Jan 1 Acting on the instructions of the AntiCorruption Bureau ACB Headquarters the ACBs Sawai Madhopur unit on Thursday arrested Suryaprakash Nama Senior Assistant posted at the District Industries Centre redhanded while accepting a bribe of Rs 25000 from a complainant Director General of Police ACB Govind Gupta informed that the Sawai Madhopur outpost had received a complaint alleging that the accused was harassing the complainant by demanding a bribe of Rs 30000 in exchange for depositing subsidy and interest subsidy amounts for three shops under the Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Dalit Incentive Scheme in the name of the complainantâs father and brothersFollowing the complaint a confidential verification was conducted on December 24 2025 which confirmed that Senior Assistant Nama had demanded a bribe of Rs 30000 and had later agreed to accept Rs 25000Subsequently under the supervision of Rajesh Singh Inspector General of Police ACB Bharatpur Range and Gyan Singh Chaudhary Additional Superintendent of Police ACB Sawai Madhopur a trap was laid The accused was caught redhanded while accepting the bribe amountInterrogation and further investigation in the case are being carried out under the supervision of Smita Shrivastava Additional Director General of Police ACB A case has been registered against the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act and further investigation is underwayIn another incident following directions from the ACB Headquarters the Sikar unit of the AntiCorruption Bureau also arrested Rajesh Kumar Head Constable No 171 posted at Police Station Sadar Neemkathana redhanded while accepting a bribe of Rs 10000 from a complainant on ThursdayDGP ACB Govind Gupta said that the ACB Sikar outpost had received a complaint alleging that the accused had already taken Rs 10000 as a bribe on December 31 2025 and had subsequently demanded an additional Rs 10000The bribe was allegedly demanded in exchange for not naming the complainantâs brothers as accused in case number 4062025After verification of the complaint a trap was arranged on ThursdayUnder the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of PoliceIII ACB Jaipur and Vijay Kumar Additional Superintendent of Police ACB Sikar unit the team caught Head Constable Rajesh Kumar redhanded while accepting the remaining bribe amount of Rs 10000Interrogation and legal proceedings against the accused are being conducted under the supervision of Smita Shrivastava Additional Director General of Police ACB A case has been registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and further investigation is in progress IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/senior-officials-in-rajasthan-arrested-in-separate-bribery-cases-656553.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 03:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/emotional-farewell-in-mps-rewa-students-break-down-as-their-beloved-teacher-retires-656561.html Rewa Madhya Pradesh Jan 1 The bond between a teacher and a student is built not merely in classrooms but through years of care guidance and silent sacrifices Such a bond was clearly visible in Rewa where the retirement farewell of a teacher turned into an overwhelming emotional moment leaving students teachers and villagers in tearsA deeply moving farewell ceremony was held at Kararia Upper Primary School in the Sirmaur Assembly constituency around 37 km from the district headquarters What was meant to be a formal goodbye soon transformed into a poignant scene of love and gratitudeAs Ganga Prasad Pandey a respected teacher who dedicated 42 years 10 months and 4 days to the education department prepared to leave the school premises on December 30 emotions spilled over Students clung to him hugged him tightly and broke down crying uncontrollably The sight was so powerful that the retiring teacher himself could not hold back his tearsWitnessing the studentsâ grief and affection fellow teachers and villagers present at the ceremony also became emotional turning the entire atmosphere solemn and tearfulWe may have heard countless stories about the sacred teacherstudent relationship but this incident from a government school in Rewa stood as a living example of that tradition It reflected how a dedicated teacher can shape lives far beyond classrooms and textbooksThough words failed him at the moment of farewell Ganga Prasad Pandey gently consoled his students saying âDonât worry Be a good citizenâ Holding the children in his arms he showered them with affection one last time a gesture that spoke louder than any speechAs he walked away from the school gates eyes moist and heart heavy it was clear that while a chapter had ended the values discipline and love he imparted would continue to live on in the lives of his students IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/emotional-farewell-in-mps-rewa-students-break-down-as-their-beloved-teacher-retires-656561.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 04:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jal-shakti-ministry-expands-odf-net-in-rural-india-during-2025-656595.html New Delhi Jan 1 The Jal Shakti Ministry made significant strides in 2025 under the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen Phase II with over 83 per cent of villages declared as ODF Plus Model more than 527 lakh villages having arrangements for solid waste management and 541 lakh villages having arrangements for liquid waste management an official said on Thursday The Swachhata Hi Seva SHS 2025 campaign conducted during September and October witnessed mass participation and Jan Bhagidari from over 18 crore people including more than 13 crore individuals from rural IndiaInspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs nationwide call Union Minister for Jal Shakti CR Patil led a Shramdaan programme at Kalindi Kunj under Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 as part of the âEk Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saathâ initiativeThe Minister of State for Jal Shakti also engaged in a dialogue with more than 150 sarpanches ahead of the 79th Independence Day celebrations in 2025According to the official the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitationâs DDWS âHamara Shauchalay Hamara Bhavishyaâ campaign led to the repair and beautification of over one lakh Individual Household Latrines IHHLs and more than 550 Community Sanitary Complexes CSCsThe campaign also recorded over 49000 information education and communication IEC and behaviour change communication BCC events which saw participation from more than 32 lakh individuals the official saidSharing details on the Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen the official said it is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 2 2014âThe mission aimed to make India Open Defecation Free ODF by October 2 2019 the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi The focus of SBMG Phase I was to provide access to toilets for all rural households across the countryâ the official said in a statementAs a result by October 2019 all villages nationwide had declared themselves ODF with rural sanitation coverage increasing from 39 per cent in 2014 to 100 per cent in 2019SBMG Phase II was launched in 2020 after India was declared ODF with the objective of achieving Sampoorna Swachhata and ensuring that no one is left behind in gaining access to individual household toilets and proper waste management systems while progressing towards ODF Plus Model village statusThe key objective of SBMG Phase II is to ensure that all villages sustain their ODF status and move towards becoming ODF Plus Model villages The programme focuses on ODF sustainability solid waste management liquid waste management and visual cleanlinessIn 2025 the total programme outlay for SBMG Phase II stood at over Rs 140 lakh crore As per the SBMG IMIS portal as of December 16 2025 more than 12 crore Individual Household Latrines and 267 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes have been constructed since October 2 2014Over 489 lakh villages have been declared ODF Plus Model of which more than 415 lakh villages have been verified as ODF Plus Model More than 527 lakh villages have arrangements for solid waste management over 5300 blocks have arrangements for plastic waste management and more than 541 lakh villages have arrangements for liquid waste management the statement saidUnder the GOBARdhan initiative more than 970 community biogas plants are currently functional As many as 21306 training programmes have been conducted covering 115274 gram panchayats the official added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jal-shakti-ministry-expands-odf-net-in-rural-india-during-2025-656595.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 08:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/grand-celebration-marks-fifth-sannyasa-initiation-birth-anniversary-of-swami-kailashanand-giri-in-haridwar-656616.html Haridwar Jan 1 The spiritual city of Haridwar witnessed a magnificent celebration as the fifth Sannyasa initiation and birth anniversary of Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Niranjan Peethadheeshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara unfolded with profound devotion and grandeur at âShri Dakshin Kali Templeâ The ceremony presided over by Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Rajrajeshwarashram Maharaj brought together an illustrious gathering of spiritual luminaries including Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad President Mahant Ravindrapuri Juna Peethadheeshwar Swami Avdheshanand Giri Patanjali Yogpeeth General Secretary Acharya Balkrishna Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Balakanand Giri Acharya Lokesh Muni Parmarth Niketan head Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Swami Brahmaswaroop BrahmachariProminent figures from politics administration education and social service joined thousands of devotees from across India and abroad creating an atmosphere charged with reverence and unityTributes poured in for Swami Kailashanand Giri with Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Rajrajeshwarashram describing him as a profoundly learned saint whose life inspires all and whose efforts significantly advance the propagation of Sanatan Dharma and culture globallyShri Mahant Ravindrapuri emphasised the resurgence of Sanatan Dharma in the modern era crediting great saints for raising its flag worldwide and highlighting Swami Kailashanand Giris pivotal role in this movementAcharya Balkrishna praised his leadership in spreading spiritual knowledge guiding devotees toward welfare and upholding religious traditionsEchoing these sentiments Swami Avdheshanand Giri Swami Chidanand Saraswati and Swami Balakanand Giri lauded his extraordinary penance and spiritual discipline as a miraculous example noting that only dedicated disciples like him truly perpetuate a gurus legacyUttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri extended warm congratulations affirming that the companionship of saints illuminates the path to true welfare and humbly sought their blessingsIn a heartfelt response Swami Kailashanand Giri expressed deep gratitude to the assembled saints and guests proclaiming that the Guru represents the second form of GodHe shared his immense fortune in receiving guidance from his revered guru Jagadguru Shankaracharya Swami Rajrajeshwarashram and pledged to dedicate his life to preserving Niranjani Akharas traditions while leading society toward righteousness and spiritualityAdding to the occasions prestige Bharatiya Janata Party National General Secretary BL Santosh and Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari personally called to offer congratulations and seek the revered Gurudevs blessingsThe events gracious touches included garlanding of honoured guests by Swami Kailashanand Giris disciple Swami Avantikanand Brahmachari and former MLA Sangeet Som with Acharya Pawandutt Mishra skillfully managing the stage proceedingsAmong the distinguished attendees were Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vedavyasanand from America various mahants and swamis Uttar Pradesh ministers media incharge Shantanu Shukla and countless devoted followersThe celebration not only honoured Swami Kailashanand Giris milestones but also symbolised the vibrant enduring spirit of Sanatan Dharma inspiring all present with its message of devotion unity and spiritual upliftment IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/grand-celebration-marks-fifth-sannyasa-initiation-birth-anniversary-of-swami-kailashanand-giri-in-haridwar-656616.html Fri, 02 Jan 2026 10:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/iskp-emerges-as-pakistans-new-deniable-proxy-against-india-656416.html New Delhi Dec 31 The alliance that the ISI stitched between the Islamic State Khorasan Province ISKP and the LashkareTaiba could turn out to be a security headache for India Intelligence agencies have warned The primary aim of the ISI was to have these two groups fight together against the TehreekeTaliban Pakistan TTP and Balochistan Nationalist Army BLA The Pakistan army has been facing severe losses at the hands of these two outfits The alliance with the ISKP was also formed in the wake of the rising tensions with the Afghan Taliban While the ISKP is still in the process of setting up the squads to target Baloch nationals Indian Intelligence agencies have warned of a spillover which could affect the security situation in Jammu and KashmirAn Intelligence Bureau official said that plans are already afoot to expand the footprint of the ISKP into India with the main focus being Jammu and Kashmir This is a dangerous game that Pakistan is playing as the final goal is to infiltrate India While the ISKP has immense capabilities for carrying out largescale strikes the benefit Pakistan would gain is the deniability factor The ISKP is not a Pakistanbased group It is headquartered in Afghanistan and hence if an attack is carried out in India the trail would not lead back to Islamabad officials sayWhen the ISKP was formed the main intention was to control Afghanistan and then gradually infiltrate into India At that time the outfit was at loggerheads with Pakistan as it considered the nation to be unIslamic and a slave of the Western powers Now the two appear to have ironed out their differences as they share a common enemy in the Afghan Taliban The ISI would help the ISKP with the logistics as well as the finances The ISI would also create channels whereby the ISKP can receive the arms and ammunition that it requiresOfficials say that the ISI got the LashkareTaiba and ISKP together only to fight against the TTP and BLA The Kashmir battle would be handled alone by the ISKP as it would offer Pakistan the deniability factor This is important for Pakistan since it is being closely watched by international organisations such as the Financial Action Task Force FATFThe ISKP also made its Kashmir plans clear in an article that was published in its propaganda magazine Yalgaar The outfit speaks extensively about its expansion plan into India and this is a disturbing trend officials sayIntelligence Bureau officials say that the ISKP would be backed by Pakistans deep state It would also coordinate and encourage attacks to be carried out by the ISKP The expansion attempts are just around the corner another official saidFor now the focus would be entirely on Balochistan as the Pakistan army wants the BLA and TTP out of its way Bringing in the ISKP and setting aside differences of the past is a clear sign that the Pakistan army is unable to fight against groups such as the TTP and BLAThe ISKP which is in alliance with the LashkareTaiba in Balochistan is currently setting up death squads The idea is to target the Baloch nationals and also those groups that defy Pakistan One could expect increased violence in the region as the fights between these groups would be bloody in natureWhen leaders of the two outfits met recently they formalised their alliance by gifting each other pistols They even pledged to eliminate everyone who is opposed to Pakistan and that includes India as well While Indian agencies are closely watching the developments in Balochistan they are also keeping a very close eye on the ambitious expansion plans by the ISKP IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/iskp-emerges-as-pakistans-new-deniable-proxy-against-india-656416.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 13:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/kolkata-police-tighten-security-for-new-year-celebrations-656426.html Kolkata Dec 31 A day after recovering arms and ammunition from two locations in the city Kolkata Police have stepped up security and surveillance ahead of New Yearâs celebrations A Kolkata Police official said on Wednesday that officers will remain extra vigilant throughout the day as well as for the midnight celebrations The Standard Operating Procedure SOP which was issued ahead of Christmas celebrations will remain in place till SundayAccording to police this has been done to ensure the festivities conclude without any untoward incident Special focus will be laid on checking drunk and rash driving especially by motorbikesApproximately 2000 police personnel will be deployed on the streets of Kolkata during the New Year celebrations Senior officers including Deputy Commissioner Assistant Commissioner and Inspector rank officials will be stationed at various locationsPark Street in central Kolkata is beautifully decorated with lights during the New Year celebrations It draws a huge crowd every year The city police are taking precautions to prevent any disorder during the celebrations this year tooIn addition to plainclothes police officers a special team of women police officers called Winners will be on duty there Four to five watchtowers have been installed in the Park Street area Quick Response Teams QRT and Heavy Radio Flying Squads HRFS will also be present at Park StreetSecurity will also be reinforced at the Zoological Garden in Alipore Victoria Memorial Indian Museum Maidan Prinsep Ghat and Millennium Park Surveillance will be monitored from Lalbazar and Naka checks will be conducted at various places to prevent drunk driving Surveillance will also be maintained in the metro servicesOn Tuesday the Kolkata Polices Special Task Force STF recovered multiple firearms and arrested two persons in this connection According to the police acting on a tipoff STF officers detained two young men from Strand Road in Central Kolkata The recovered firearms included a singleshot pistol a 7mm pistol and improvised firearmsAdditionally 20 to 22 rounds of ammunition were recovered Meanwhile another person was arrested in connection with a similar incident in the Alipore area in south Kolkata Around 11 firearms were recovered from him IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/kolkata-police-tighten-security-for-new-year-celebrations-656426.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 14:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/education-key-to-tribal-and-regional-development-prez-murmu-in-gumla-656292.html Gumla Jharkhand Dec 30 President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday called upon the tribal community especially the youth to remain rooted in their cultural heritage while embracing modern education science and technology for overall development Addressing the interstate sociocultural gathering âKartik Jatraâ at Raidih block in Jharkhandâs Gumla district the President emphasised that preserving tribal identity and traditions is essential even as society progressesEducation is the greatest asset for development The holistic progress of society and the state is possible only through its expansion and dissemination she saidPaying tributes to eminent tribal leader Pankhraj Saheb Kartik Oraon a native of Gumla President Murmu described him as a source of inspirationDespite receiving education abroad he devoted his life and thoughts to his land and people viewing education as the most powerful instrument of social change she said adding that the Kartik Jatra reflects the same spirit even todayShe noted that Kartik Oraonâs dream of establishing a university in Gumla would soon be realisedHighlighting the regionâs significance the President said the area connecting Jharkhand Chhattisgarh and Odisha is rich in rivers forests plateaus and mountains and has preserved some of the countryâs oldest traditionsCalling her visit to Jharkhand a pilgrimage she said it was the birthplace and workplace of Lord Birsa Munda who is revered nationwide as a symbol of social justice and tribal prideShe also recalled renowned social reformer and freedom fighter Jatra Tana Bhagat who was born in Gumla and led a nonviolent movement against British rule inspired by Mahatma Gandhiâs idealsRemembering Param Vir Chakra awardee Shaheed Albert Ekka she said his unparalleled bravery during the 1971 IndiaPakistan war remains a matter of national pridePresident Murmu praised the rich cultural heritage of the tribal community noting that its music dance drama and art traditions are exceptionally vibrantThis richness is reflected in the fact that more than 100 tribal artistes from across the country have been honoured with the Padma Shri she saidThe programme featured colourful performances by tribal dance troupes from various states creating a festive atmosphereA large gathering attended the event held at Pankhraj Saheb Kartik Oraon Chowk Barrier Bagicha Manjhatoli in GumlaThe event was attended by Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on SCST Affairs Faggan Singh Kulaste and Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/education-key-to-tribal-and-regional-development-prez-murmu-in-gumla-656292.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/as-new-year-dawns-hope-of-snow-in-himachal-brings-cheers-656302.html ShimlaManali Dec 30 After an extremely wet southwest monsoon in Himachal Pradesh that claimed several lives and damaged infrastructures this winter has been bereft of precipitation since October 9 turning mountains brown due to the lack of a âblanket of snowâ and rains As the New Year dawns a hope of widespread snow and rain has cheered both the tourists and local farmers As per the India Meteorological Department IMD Himachal Pradesh may receive rain and snow on December 31 âLight rain or snow likely at isolated places on December 30 and January 2 with light to moderate rain and snow likely at many places on December 31 and at a few places on January 1 over the stateâ said the IMDâDry weather is likely to prevail during the remaining days of the weekâ it addedMembers of the hospitality industry say the long spell of snowless days has so far spoiled the plans of tourists to holiday in the hills âNow with the IMD predicting snow just ahead of the New Year dawn we expect a good footfall of the holidaymakersâ a Shimlabased hotelier told IANSHe said they were getting so many queries from tourists about the possibility of snow in and around Shimla âWe are asking them to visit hill destinations to enjoy a snowy landscapeâ he addedNarkanda the heart of the apple belt some 65 km from the state capital and the popular tourist resorts Manali and Dalhousie are bereft of snow cover However hills overlooking Manali have plenty of snow âWe are really enjoying basking in the sun for the past many days in Shimla We are desperately awaiting the onset of snow the seasonâs first hereâ Jagdeep Ghuman a tourist from Delhi told IANSExperts at the Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry in Nauni in Solan district say traditionally October to December are dry months in the state and longterm observations 19802024 indicate that November receives belownormal rainfall in nearly 682 per cent of the years In subhumid midhill regions nearly 3050 per cent of soil moisture is lost through evaporation a figure likely to increase under the current conditions The recurrence of drought during these months has become common and with nearly 70 per cent of the stateâs area being rainfed the adoption of moistureconservation agronomic practices has become essential they sayInsufficient soil moisture during the dry spell may adversely affect fruit plant saplings by hampering root development restricting nutrient uptake and increasing susceptibility to diseases The experts advised that new plantations of deciduous fruit crops such as apple peach plum apricot persimmon walnut and kiwifruit should be postponed until moisture conditions improveFor a small pea grower Jeet Singh Negi in mountainous Lahaul Valley it has been an almost snowless NovemberDecember âOur fields are totally devoid of snow cover We are worried as winter precipitation ensures water security in these remote villages during summer when we sow the crop of peas and barleyâ he saidIn the state capital around 7000 feet above sea level the minimum temperature on Tuesday was 10 degrees Celsius six degrees above normal Tabo an ancient seat of Buddhist religion and culture in picturesque Spiti Valley was the coldest habitat in the state with bonechilling cold wind of 39 km per hourThe police have been advising the public not to go to high mountains as these places can be risky due to black ice formation early morning where motorists canât see it their tyres canât grip it and their brakes donât work properly on it Keeping in mind to set cash registers ringing several private hoteliers in prominent destinations have hiked room tariffsInformation suggests a room fetching Rs 3000 from October to midDecember is sold off at Rs 8000 a day in most of the hotels in Shimla Kufri Chail Narkanda and Kasauli Also government officials warned to get an advance booking of a hotel or a homestay unit before travelling as most of the hotels in the state capital Shimla Manali Kasauli and Dharamsala have 90 to 98 per cent occupancy till January 4âThe occupancy in most of our properties is close to 80 per cent We are expecting to do good business this weekâ the HPTDC official told IANSHimachal Pradesh has no highend hotels and restaurants in faroff areas The trend of rural homestays that was started in 2008 has been driving tourists to the interiors and they are the best option to stay and enjoy the pristine nature and snowy landscapeThe stateâs economy is highly dependent on tourism besides hydroelectric power and horticultureVishal Gulati can be contacted at vishalgianscom IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/as-new-year-dawns-hope-of-snow-in-himachal-brings-cheers-656302.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ians-year-ender-2025-tribal-politics-shapes-tripura-as-bjp-consolidates-indigenous-base-656317.html Agartala Dec 30 Tribal politics which has traditionally played a decisive role in Tripuraâs electoral process continued to shape the stateâs political landscape in the outgoing year with the ruling BJP focusing on consolidating its organisational base among indigenous communities while gradually reducing its dependence on tribalbased allies particularly the Tipra Motha Party TMP Ahead of early next yearâs elections to the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council TTAADC the most important constitutional body after the Tripura Legislative Assembly tribalbased politics has intensified across the stateSince 2021 the TMP has been governing the politically significant 30member TTAADC which covers nearly twothirds of Tripuraâs 10491 sq km geographical area and is home to over 1216 lakh people about 84 per cent of whom belong to indigenous communitiesIn the runup to the TTAADC polls all major political parties including the ruling BJP its allies TMP and the Indigenous Peopleâs Front of Tripura IPFT and opposition CPI M and Congress have intensified efforts to consolidate their support among tribals who constitute nearly onethird of Tripuras 42 million populationTo lessen its reliance on tribalbased parties TMP and IPFT the BJP has since early this year stepped up organisational activities in tribaldominated areas Both TMP and IPFT are currently allies of the BJPAs part of this strategy the BJP on July 17 organised a key meeting titled Janajati Chintan Shivir bringing together elected representatives and organisational leaders from indigenous communitiesChief Minister Manik Saha state BJP president Rajib Bhattacharjee Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma former MP Rebati Tripura all tribal MLAs TTAADC members and other tribal leaders attended the daylong conclaveSenior tribal leader and BJP state general secretary Bipin Debbarma claimed that around 14000 people mostly from indigenous communities had joined the BJP over the past three to four monthsHowever as the BJP intensified public outreach programmes tensions escalated between the party and its ally TMP BJP leaders alleged that TMP workers attacked BJP karyakartas functionaries in several areasAt least 23 BJP karyakartas were injured in more than 10 attacks by TMP activists across different districts Debbarma told IANSIn one of the major incidents on July 27 at least seven BJP Janajati Morcha members were seriously injured when TMP supporters allegedly attacked them at Asharambari in Khowai district while they were gathered at a residence to listen to Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs monthly radio programme âMann Ki BaatâSimilar incidents were reported later at Takarjala in Sepahijala district and other parts of the state resulting in injuries to several BJP workersMeanwhile the TMP Congress and CPI M also claimed that several thousand people had joined their respective parties during the yearAfter prolonged negotiations the tribalbased TMP then in the opposition signed a tripartite agreement with the Centre and the Tripura government on March 2 last year 2024 in the presence of Home Minister Amit ShahSubsequently the party which has 13 MLAs joined the BJPled coalition government on March 7 adding a new dimension to the states political dynamicsTwo TMP MLAs Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma were inducted into the Chief Minister Manik Sahaled ministryDespite being part of the government the TMP led by Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma continued to press its demands organising demonstrations in Delhi on September 9 and staging a series of agitations in TripuraThe party has been demanding âGreater Tipralandâ a separate state for tribals under Articles 2 and 3 of the Constitution early conduct of the longpending Village Committee elections in TTAADC areas deportation of illegal migrants implementation of the Inner Line Permit ILP and execution of the tripartite agreementAmid what observers describe as a âsweetandsourâ relationship between the BJP and TMP the opposition Congress announced its willingness to support all âlegitimate demandsâ of the tribalbased party if it withdrew from the ruling coalitionThe TMP however did not respond to the appealPradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma a former state Congress President had quit the party in September 2019 primarily over differences related to filing a petition in the Supreme Court seeking implementation of the National Register of Citizens NRC in Tripura to safeguard indigenous rightsIn a surprising political turn Chief Minister Manik Saha launched sharp attacks on the BJPâs ally TMP warning that politics based on blackmail and threats would no longer be tolerated in TripuraAddressing a party programme at Baijal Bari in Khowai district last week CM Saha asserted that no force could prevent the BJP from working in tribal areasâOur guardians are Prime Minister Narendra Modi BJP national president JP Nadda and Union Home Minister Amit Shah We believe in dialogue and peace not unrest Law and order will be maintained strictly through constitutional meansâ the Chief Minister had saidReferring to TMPâs demands CM Saha remarked âFirst it was Tipraland then Greater Tipraland and now One Northeast Anyone can raise demands but they must follow democratic processesâHe also highlighted increased budgetary allocations and infrastructure development in TTAADC areas under the BJP governmentOn the Kokborok language script issue Saha accused parties of hypocrisy saying earlier committees had discussed multiple script options but failed to reach a decisionâNow they selectively raise the issue to create confusion and provoke peopleâ he allegedCiting examples of the BJPâs tribal affinity the Chief Minister said that seven eminent personalities mostly tribal scholars and artists from Tripura received Padma Shri awards while senior tribal leader Jishnu Dev Varma was appointed Governor of TelanganaDevelopments in neighbouring Bangladesh also impacted TripuraPolitical turmoil and violence there triggered heightened security along the international border with the Border Security Force BSF intensifying vigil since JuneâJuly last year particularly after the fall of the Sheikh Hasinaled Awami League government on August 5 2024Reports of attacks on minorities especially Hindus in Bangladesh prompted widespread protests across Tripura by political parties civil society and nongovernment organisationsIn a major boost to religious tourism Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 22 inaugurated the redeveloped 524yearold Mata Tripura Sundari temple at Udaipur 54 km south of AgartalaThe redevelopment carried out under the PRASHAD Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive scheme at a cost of over Rs 54 crore enhanced facilities at one of the 51 Hindu Shakti PeethasAdditionally replicas of all 51 Shakti Peethas are being constructed at the underconstruction 51 Shakti Peethas Park at Banduar in Gomati district at a cost of Rs 9770 croreThe original 51 Shakti Peethas are spread across various states in India and also in Pakistan Nepal and BangladeshChief Minister Manik Saha laid the foundation stone for the park project on July 13Like other northeastern states Tripura intensified its war against drugs during the yearThe Tripura Police in coordination with central forces and intelligence agencies including Assam Rifles seized narcotics worth over Rs 500 crore mostly smuggled from Myanmar and arrested around 200 drug peddlersChief Minister Saha who also holds the Home portfolio reiterated the governments zerotolerance policy towards drugs stating that the administration remains committed to securing a drugfree future for Tripuraâs youthSujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortynegmailcom IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ians-year-ender-2025-tribal-politics-shapes-tripura-as-bjp-consolidates-indigenous-base-656317.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:32:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/l-g-sinha-unveils-jampk-bank-wall-and-table-calendars-for-2026-656329.html Jammu Dec 30 JampK Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday unveiled the JampK Bank wall and table calendars for the year 2026 at the Lok Bhawan The Wall Calendar for 2026 is themed âRivers of JampK and Ladakhâ while the Table Calendar showcases the regionâs âHistoric Placesâ reflecting the diversity of human heritage and natural wonders of Jammu amp Kashmir and of LadakhThe Lieutenant Governor appreciated the JampK Bank for selecting unique themes which will raise awareness about preserving ancient monuments archaeological sites and traditions for future generationsHe said society must come together to safeguard these priceless treasures The Lieutenant Governor also emphasised protecting Earthâs vital ecosystemsHe said rivers in JampK are a source of fresh water and they are also ensuring food security and supporting biodiversity conservationThe Lieutenant Governor called for community efforts to protect rivers and water bodies to build resilience against climate impacts in the futureAmitava Chatterjee Managing Director and CEO Jammu amp Kashmir Bank Limited said that the 2026 edition of JampK Bankâs calendars honours the rivers that sustain life across the regions and the historic sites that define their shared legacyThe calendar also features important public welfare initiatives such as Mission YUVA and PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana alongside JampK Bankâs key products including Housing Loan Car Loan Personal Consumption Loan and Online Account Opening reinforcing the Bankâs role as a development partner and facilitator of peopleâs aspirations IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/l-g-sinha-unveils-jampk-bank-wall-and-table-calendars-for-2026-656329.html Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/undeterred-by-protests-eci-special-roll-observer-murugan-vows-to-complete-assigned-task-656165.html Kolkata Dec 29 Election Commission of Indiaâs ECI Special Roll Observer SRO C Murugan on Monday appeared undeterred by repeated attacks on his vehicle and vowed to complete the task entrusted to him by the poll panel Speaking to media persons after facing another round of protests in South 24 Parganas district the Special Roll Observer said âThe Election Commission has entrusted me with a specific responsibility I came here to work and I will finish that work regardless of these actionsâThe statement from the senior ECI officer came after his vehicle was attacked when an agitating crowd gheraoed him during his visit to a Special Intensive Revision SIR hearing centre at Magrahat in South 24 Parganas districtThe protesters mostly women blocked the exit route of the SROâs vehicle and banged on the car bonnet and window panes while police personnel attempted to clear the mob During the protest the door handle on the driverâs side of the vehicle was damagedMurugan was first gheraoed when he reached Shirakol High School the venue for the ongoing hearing where protesters alleged improper planning in the implementation of the SIR exercise claiming that sick elderly and pregnant voters were being asked to appear in person for hearing sessionsIt was learnt that a group of local protesters led by Trinamool Congressrun Zilla Parishad president Mujibar Rahaman Mollah gheraoed the Special Roll Observer and demanded that the partyâs Booth Level Agents2 BLA2 be allowed entry into the hearing sessions Subsequently Murugan faced further protests during which his vehicle was damaged while he was attempting to leave the venueâI am here to do a job assigned to me by the Election Commission and I will complete that task no matter the attempted disruptionsâ the IAS officer saidThis was not the first time that the Special Roll Observer faced public anger while overseeing the ongoing SIR exercise On two earlier occasions in Falta in South 24 Parganas district and at Haldarpara in Howrah district he encountered protests from local residentsA senior official at the office of the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer CEO said a detailed report on Mondayâs incident would be sought from the SRO and forwarded to the Election Commission IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/undeterred-by-protests-eci-special-roll-observer-murugan-vows-to-complete-assigned-task-656165.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/daily-wage-workers-porters-in-pakistan-facing-financial-problems-due-to-torkham-border-closure-656282.html Islamabad Dec 30 Hundreds of dailywage workers and porters in Pakistan are facing financial problems due to the continued closure of the Torkham border as they have lost their parttime jobs local media reported on Monday As the Torkham border remains shut due to tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan the majority of these labourers are looking for jobs in Punjab and Sindh while others have borrowed money from relatives and friends to manage their daily expenses They have even stopped sending children to schools as they do not have money to pay fees the Dawn reported Reportedly some jobless dailywagers and porters have started taking drugs as they are facing mental stressSpeaking to Dawn Mansoor Ali stated that he abandoned his FSc computer science course midway due to poverty and started carrying the luggage of Afghan and Pakistani nationals between the border point and the taxi stand for little moneyThe 24yearold who has been married for only eight months said he was having sleepless nights due to mental stress after losing his job following the border closure He said he has already borrowed money from his relatives to manage the expenses of his familyTorkham Labourers and Porters Association leader Ali Shinwari expressed fear that the young jobless labourers could join proscribed terrorist groups which want to exploit the distressing conditions of such frustrated youth We also fear that some young tribesmen will be employed as drug peddlers as narcotics dealers offer them good wages he saidThe problems for these daily wagers the majority of them unskilled people started in 2016 when Pakistan announced a visa policy for Afghan and Pakistani nationals commuting between Afghanistan and Pakistan via the Torkham borderEarlier in October Pakistan shut all trade routes with Afghanistan after Pakistani forces conducted attacks near the Durand Line In response to Pakistans attacks Afghan forces also carried out attacks After the closure of the trade route Afghanistans Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund urged industrialists and traders to use alternative trade routes instead of Pakistan IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/daily-wage-workers-porters-in-pakistan-facing-financial-problems-due-to-torkham-border-closure-656282.html Tue, 30 Dec 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-residentsrejoicepm-modis-praise-for-kannadalanguage-655981.html New Delhi Dec 28 Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 129th radio programme Mann Ki Baat spoke at length about importance of preserving Indias linguistic and cultural heritage and praised efforts to promote the Kannada language PM Modi said that the efforts to remain rooted in culture is not confined to India alone and that Indians living abroad are also playing an active role in preserving their heritageCiting the example of Kannadaspeaking families living in Dubai he said The families living there asked themselves an important question Our children are moving ahead in the tech world but arent they moving away from their language This is where Kannada Pathshale was born An initiative where children are taught to read write learn and speak Kannada Today more than a thousand children are associated with it Truly Kannada Nadu Nudi Namma Hemme roughly translated as The land and language of Kannada are our prideThe Prime Ministers praise for Kannada and Kannadigas in preserving their heritage has left the residents of state ecstatic and overjoyed who called it a moraleboosterBidarbased professor Siddarampappa Mahashimade and former President of Kannada Sahitya Parishat said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat address spoke about the richness and heritage of the Kannada language which is a matter of great pride for all Kannadigas His emphasis on giving international recognition to a regional language like Kannada reflects his respect for Indias linguistic and cultural diversityKannada was accorded Classical Language status in 2008 and has a literary history of more than 2000 years The language has been nurtured by great poets saints and scholars and has received the highest number of Jnanpith Awards The Prime Ministerâs reference to Kannada education and cultural activities among Kannadigas living abroad further highlights its global presence His practice of beginning speeches in Kannada during visits to Karnataka reflects his commitment to promoting the language the retired professor of Kannada at Bomaradi College addedMG Deshpande a resident of Karnatakas Bidar district said I felt proud and happy listening to Prime Minister Narendra Modi speak about the Kannada language in DubaiWith a history of nearly 2000 years and eight Jnanpith Awards Kannada is one of the finest languages in the world When Prime Minister highlights Kannada on an international platform it brings great pride and confidence to all Kannadigas he addedPrime Minister Narendra Modis appreciation for Karnataka brought happiness to the people of the state said Vidyananda a research student at Karnataka UniversityHe also told IANS there was a feeling among the people that regional languages were not getting priority in Central governments administrative system and there was a concern among the people about whether Kannada language would get a chance or not but Prime Minister has dispelled this concernSaadhvi Amma reacting to PM Modis praise for Kannada language said Its really a honour that where PM Modi mentioned our Kannada languageIn Karnatakaâs Kalaburagi BJP leader Ambaray Ashtagi said Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his happiness about Karnataka and our Kannada language I congratulate him and also thank him for his praise of Kannada language and Kannada culture IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-residentsrejoicepm-modis-praise-for-kannadalanguage-655981.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/beekeeping-promises-stable-income-to-unemployed-youth-in-haryanas-nuh-655986.html New Delhi Dec 28 Beekeeping the practice of managing honeybee colonies in manmade hives for honey and wax is turning out to be good source of employment as well as incomegeneration opportunity for the unemployed youth in Haryanas Nuh district Many youths devoid of education and adequate skills for white collar jobs are turning to the beekeeping businessWith adequate training and government assistance they are getting engaged in the business leading to their selfsustenance and also adding to the honey outputDistrict Horticulture Officer Abdul Razzaq speaking to IANS explained how beekeeping can become a good source of income for unemployed youth and also how the landless farmers can benefit from the horticulture departments schemeRazzaq told that 13 training centres have been opened across the state including institutions like KVK Mandkola and KVK Bhupani where accommodation food and transportation are provided free of cost to the youth participating in this fiveday training programmeAssistance with bank loans is also available after the training Each young person is given 50 wooden boxes with an 85 per cent subsidy provided by the department The farmer only has to pay Rs 21600 he addedThose interested can receive the boxes by going to Ramnagar with their Family ID Aadhaar card and training certificateEach box contains eight to 10 framesThe Horticulture department also provides assistance of nearly Rs 85000 for thisHe mentioned that nearly 50 kg of honey is produced from one box a yearFurther sharing information about current output District Horticulture Officer Razzaq told that five farmers in the district have nearly 800 beekeeping boxes producing 26000 kg of honey annuallyHe said that if the honey is of good quality and sells for more than 110 rupees per kilogram in the market the youth engaged in beekeeping can sell itIf they dont find a buyer they can pack it in drums and buckets and take it to Ramnagar where they are paid Rs 110 per kgUnemployed youth can easily earn nearly 3 lakh rupees per year from beekeeping he opined IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/beekeeping-promises-stable-income-to-unemployed-youth-in-haryanas-nuh-655986.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ians-year-ender-2025-pm-modis-guarantee-at-work-as-chhattisgarh-nears-maoist-eradication-655991.html New Delhi Dec 25 Proud of our forces for this remarkable success Our Government is committed to eliminating the menace of Maoism and ensuring a life of peace and progress for our people Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on his official social media account in May 2025 praising security forces after the neutralisation of 27 Maoists including CPIMaoist General Secretary Nambala Keshava Rao alias Basavaraju This sentiment captured the years momentum as PM Modi repeatedly emphasised the nearing end of the insurgencyThe roots of Naxalism in Chhattisgarh trace back to the 1967 Naxalbari uprising in West Bengal inspiring armed MarxistLeninist rebellion against exploitation After Chhattisgarhs formation in 2000 the dense forests of Dandakaranya became a stronghold for the Communist Party of India Maoist formed in 2004 through mergers of various groupsMaoists exploited grievances over land rights displacement due to mining and lack of development to recruit from indigenous communities establishing liberated zones with parallel governance The Jhiram Ghati ambush on May 25 2013 in Sukma epitomised the violence Maoists killed 32 including Congress leaders Nand Kumar Patel and VC Shukla and Salwa Judum founder Mahendra Karma intensifying national antiNaxal resolveOne of the most brutal incidents highlighting early Naxalite audacity in central India was the murder of Likhiram Kavre also spelled Kanware or Kawre the then Transport Minister in the erstwhile undivided Madhya Pradeshs Congress government under Digvijaya SinghOn the night of December 1516 1999 or February 16 in some reports a group of 1012 armed Peoples War Group PWG Naxalites stormed Kavres native Sonpuri village in Balaghat district After reconnaissance the previous day and confirming his identity by calling villagers they hacked him to death in a planned retaliation for a police encounter in Andhra Pradesh that killed four PWG cadresThe killers left a poster claiming revenge marking one of the most gruesome political assassinations in the regions history and underscoring the spread of Maoist violence into Madhya Pradeshs border areasThe year 2025 began grimly with a Maoist IED attack on January 6 in Bijapur killing eight DRG personnel and a civilian driver the largest such assault in two years However security forces quickly gained momentum On February 9 a major clash in Bijapurs Indravati National Park eliminated 31 Maoists with two security personnel also losing their livesSpring brought landmark victories Operation Black Forest or Operation Kagar launched on April 21 2025 along the ChhattisgarhTelangana border in Karreguttalu Hills lasted until May 11 and neutralized 31 Maoists including key PLGA battalion members carrying bounties totalling Rs 172 crore Forces destroyed arms factories and dismantled infrastructure in this erstwhile impregnable strongholdThe biggest blow came on May 21 in the Abujhmarh forests of Narayanpur where 27 Maoists including Basavaraju with a Rs 153 crore bounty were killed This decapitation strike involving DRG units shattered the Maoist central leadership and was hailed as a turning point Operations continued relentlessly In December alone encounters in Bijapur on December 3 killed 12 Maoists while ongoing gunfights in the BhairamgarhIndravati region further weakened cadresOverall 2025 saw over 280 Maoists neutralised statewide predominantly in Bastar with Bijapur accounting for 144 eliminations Surrenders surged to record levels over 10001300 cadres laid down arms including senior leaders driven by rehabilitation policies and mounting pressure Arrests exceeded 500680 with hundreds of weapons seizedThese gains reflect enhanced intelligence forward operating bases drone surveillance and coordinated multiforce deployments by central forces CRPF CoBRA BSF and state police under the March 2026 eradication target Civilian and security force casualties declined sharply compared to previous decades while Maoist violence waned amid internal disillusionmentI guarantee that the day is not far when every corner of Chhattisgarh and India will be completely free from Maoist terror PM Modi declared in November at Chhattisgarhs silver jubilee celebrations in Nava Raipur He noted Maoist influence shrinking from 125 to three districts adding The day is not far when India will be totally free from Naxalism and Maoist violence this too is Modiâs guaranteeUnion Home Minister Amit Shah reinforced this in December at the Bastar Olympics closing He said Under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership we have resolved to make Bastar and India Maoistfree By Bastar Olympics 2026 Red terror will be eradicatedHe said We are on the cusp of fulfilling the resolve to eliminate Left Wing Extremism before March 31 2026PM Modi blamed past Congress policies for fueling Naxalism through neglect stating in March Over the decades Naxalism got encouragement due to policies of Congress while praising development bringing peace Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai echoed The backbone of Naxalism is broken with Deputy CM Vijay Sharma declaring 80 per cent of the state MaoistfreeEnhanced intelligence camps drones and rehabilitation drove success Violence plummeted opening areas for roads schools and electricity As PM Modi affirmed Chhattisgarh is steadily freeing itself from the grip of Maoist terrorism 2025 positioned the state and India on the brink of a Maoistfree era honouring decades of sacrificesAs 2025 ends Chhattisgarh stands on the cusp of becoming Maoistfree with officials confident of meeting the 2026 deadline ahead of schedule The years operations have not only decimated ranks but also opened remote areas for development indicating the insurgencys twilight after decades of conflict IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ians-year-ender-2025-pm-modis-guarantee-at-work-as-chhattisgarh-nears-maoist-eradication-655991.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/aiadmk-will-protect-people-restore-tns-pride-palaniswami-at-tiruporur-campaign-655993.html Chennai Dec 28 As part of the AIADMKâs statewide campaign titled âLet Us Protect the People Let Us Save Tamil Naduâ party General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami EPS on Sunday campaigned in the Tiruporur and Sholinganallur Assembly constituencies launching a sharp attack on the ruling DMK government and Chief Minister MK Stalin Addressing a public meeting in Tiruporur Palaniswami referred to Chief Minister Stalinâs earlier challenge questioning whether the AIADMK had achieved even âfive per centâ of its promises while in powerâIt was the AIADMK government that created Kallakurichi district We did not fulfil just five per cent â we fulfilled 95 per cent of the promises made to the peopleâ he saidIn contrast he alleged that the DMK government had failed to implement even five per cent of its own election promises The AIADMK leader also criticised the ruling partyâs handling of employment schemesHe recalled that the DMK had promised to increase the number of workdays under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme MGNREGS from 100 to 150 after coming to powerâNot only did they fail to keep that promise but today they are projecting the continuation of the 100day scheme itself as a major achievementâ he saidPalaniswami asserted that it was the AIADMK government that persuaded the Centre to increase the guaranteed workdays from 100 to 125âWhen we return to power we will further raise it to 150 days ensure uninterrupted employment and increase wagesâ he saidReferring to the Covid19 pandemic Palaniswami said the AIADMK government had efficiently managed the crisis and safeguarded the peopleâDuring the pandemic we ensured that every ration card holder received Rs 2500 so families could celebrate Pongal with dignity Under the present government not even a single rupee was given during the last Pongalâ he allegedOutlining future welfare measures the AIADMK leader promised that his party would provide Rs 5000 to all ration card holders during Pongal Rs 25000 as financial assistance to women subsidised twowheelers Rs 50000 as marriage assistance and free silk sarees for women during DeepavaliConcluding his address Palaniswami said the AIADMKâs mission was to protect the people of Tamil Nadu restore good governance and bring the state back onto the path of development and stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/aiadmk-will-protect-people-restore-tns-pride-palaniswami-at-tiruporur-campaign-655993.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/night-temperature-rises-above-freezing-point-throughout-kashmir-valley-save-gulmarg-656014.html Srinagar Dec 29 Due to heavy nightlong cloud cover night temperatures rose above the freezing point throughout the Kashmir Valley on Monday except the ski resort of Gulmarg weather officials said Met Department officials said the minimum temperature rose above the freezing point in the Valley except Gulmarg where it was minus 2 degrees CelsiusSrinagar city logged a minimum of 3 and Pahalgam 02 degrees CelsiusJammu city was at 91 degrees Celsius Katra town at 92 Batote at 73 Banihal at 48 and Bhaderwah at 33 degreesThe Met Department has forecast cloudy weather on Monday and Tuesday On December 31 and January 1 there is a forecast for rainsnow at many places with the middle and higher reaches likely to receive moderate snowfall in the central and northern parts of the Valley during this periodTravellers and transporters have been advised to follow the Traffic Departments and administrative departments advisoriesThe plains of Kashmir Valley are yet to witness this seasonâs first snowfall as the people are eagerly waiting for the sameThe 40daylong period of harsh winter cold called the âChillai Kalanâ started on December 21 and will end on January 30All the major snow accumulation traditionally occurs in Kashmir during the Chillai KalanThe perennial water reservoirs high in the mountains get replenished by heavy snowfall during these 40 days and these reservoirs sustain all the rivers streams springs and lakes of JampK during the hot summer monthsA snowless Chillai Kalan would spell disaster in the summer months as both drinking water and irrigation for agriculture would become hard to come byIt is precisely because of this reason that the first snowfall of winter has become an occasion to celebrate in KashmirPeople greet each other on the first snowfall calling it âNau Sheen MubarakâFriends and relatives invite each other to feasts to celebrate the event One of the most relished local dishes on first snowfall is fish cooked with tomatoes radish slices and lotus stems which are called NadruThis heavily spiced dish is so mouthwatering that people often lick their fingers after savouring its taste IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/night-temperature-rises-above-freezing-point-throughout-kashmir-valley-save-gulmarg-656014.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 10:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/up-cleric-again-issues-fatwa-asking-muslims-not-to-celebrate-new-year-656081.html Bareilly Dec 29 All India Muslim Jamaat AIMJ President Maulana Mufti Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi has again issued a fatwa urging Muslims in India not to celebrate the New Year as this goes against the tenets of the Sharia Sharia is the system of Islamic moral and legal guidance derived from the teachings of the Quran and the traditions of the Prophet and it governs both religious obligations and aspects of daily lifeIn the fatwa Maulana Razvi stated that activities such as singing and dancing are completely haram in Islam and therefore New Year celebrations are also considered haramHe said that such acts are deemed criminal under the Shariat and advised Muslim youth to stay away from these celebrationsSpeaking to IANS Razvi said Celebrating the New Year is not permissible according to Sharia On the night of December 31 New Year celebrations take place which involve many inappropriate activities such as dancing singing shows alcohol consumption chaos misbehaviour and other immoral acts Islam forbids all of these actionsHe further said that the New Year is essentially a festival associated with Christians and that it is strictly prohibited for Muslims to celebrate itThe fatwa noted that the New Year begins in January marking the start of the English calendar year and therefore it is considered a religious observance of Christians to celebrate the first day of their yearI would like to request all the young men and women not to celebrate the New Year nor attend any such event If they do then they will be considered a culprit This is European not Islamic or Indian culture For Muslims the New Year is marked by Muharram and for Hindus it is marked by Chaitra That is why I would like to urge everyone not to adopt European traditions he addedThis is not the first time that the AIMJ chief has issued such a fatwa Last year as well Razvi had cautioned Muslim youth against participating in New Year celebrations IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/up-cleric-again-issues-fatwa-asking-muslims-not-to-celebrate-new-year-656081.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-prez-murmu-sings-in-santhali-at-ol-chiki-centenary-stresses-preservation-of-language-and-culture-656085.html Jamshedpur Dec 29 IANS President Droupadi Murmu on Monday called for the preservation of traditional knowledge language culture and tribal identity at the centenary celebrations of the Ol Chiki script of Santhali at the Dishom Jaherthan place of worship complex in Karandih in Jharkhands East Singhbhum districtnbspPaying tribute to Pandit Raghunath Murmu the creator of the Ol Chiki script the President described his work as foundational to the cultural selfrespect and identity of the Santhali communitynbspBefore beginning her address President Murmu sang a traditional Santhali Nehor prayer song for nearly three minutes She said she had learned the song in her childhood and that it invokes Jaher Ayo Mother Nature to guide society on the path of lightThe President delivered her entire speech in the Santhali language at the event jointly organised by the All India Santhali Writers Association and the Dishom Jaherthan CommitteenbspShe described her visit to the sacred site as an emotional moment saying she felt the love of her people and the blessings of the deitiesnbspAppreciating the role of Santhali writers and social workers the President said they have been relentlessly working to preserve the Ol Chiki script and the Santhali language carrying forward the unfinished vision of Pandit MurmunbspShe termed the publication of the Constitution in the Ol Chiki script by the Union government on the occasion of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayees birth centenary as a landmark step towards empowering the Santhali communityStressing the importance of linguistic inclusion President Murmu said that after Santhalis inclusion in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution it is essential that information related to laws governance and administrative systems reaches the community in their own languagenbspAt the ceremony the President honoured 12 individuals for their outstanding contributions to the promotion of the Santhali language and the Ol Chiki scriptnbspGovernor Santosh Gangwar and Chief Minister Hemant Soren also addressed the gathering The Governor said Raj Bhavans doors are always open to the people and assured full cooperation in initiatives for tribal developmentnbspThe Chief Minister reiterated the state governments commitment to preserving the Santhali language culture and tribal identity https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-prez-murmu-sings-in-santhali-at-ol-chiki-centenary-stresses-preservation-of-language-and-culture-656085.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 16:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/two-female-students-from-telangana-die-in-us-road-accident-656099.html Hyderabad Dec 29 Two female students from Telangana were killed in a road accident in the United States as per information from their families here The students hailing from the Mahabubabad district of Telangana died when a car in which they were travelling plunged into a gorge in CaliforniaThe deceased have been identified as Pulakhandam Meghana Rani 25 and Kadiyala Bhavana 24They had gone to the US in 2023 to pursue a Masters in computers and were on a job hunt after completing their studiesAccording to information from their families the car met with an accident on Alabama Hills road at around 4 pm local time on Sunday while they were on a pleasure trip along with their friends A group of eight friends had gone to California in two carsThe car in which Rani and Bhavana were travelling with two others failed to navigate a curve veered off the road and plunged into a valley While Rani and Bhavana died on the spot two others were injuredRani was from Garla village while Bhavana was from Mulkanoor village in Mahabubabad Raniâs father Nageshwara Rao runs a MeeSeva centre at Garla while Bhavanaâs father is the deputy sarpanch of Mulkanoor villageThe news of the deaths came as a huge shock to their families The family members said they were waiting for them to settle downBoth students had completed an MS from the University of Dayton OhioThe families have urged the Centre and also the state government to help in bringing the mortal remains for the last ritesA GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the repatriation of Meghanas remains as her family is struggling to cover the expensesMeghana fondly known as Chikki had moved to the US with dreams and a heart full of love To those who knew her she was a kind vibrant soul who always put others first it saidHer sudden departure has left a void in our lives that can never be filled She was an Indian national unmarried and belonged to a lower middleclass family from Garla village Telangana India the page readsAny contribution no matter how small will help us give my sister a dignified farewell and will mean more to us than words can express it adds IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/two-female-students-from-telangana-die-in-us-road-accident-656099.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/new-year-celebrations-bluru-police-issue-guidelines-with-special-focus-on-women-656100.html Bengaluru Dec 29 The Bengaluru Police Department on Monday issued detailed guidelines for New Year celebrations in the city with special focus on the safety of women and young adults Addressing a press conference here Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said the city police had put in place comprehensive security arrangements as Bengaluru prepares to welcome the New YearHe said security measures have already been initiated in Central Business District CBD areas including MG Road Koramangala Indiranagar Electronic City and other mall zones which are expected to witness heavy footfall during New Yearâs Eve celebrationsThe Police Commissioner stressed that public peace should not be disturbed under any circumstances and warned that strict legal action would be initiated against those attempting to create law and order problems He said hotels pubs clubs and resorts would be allowed to operate only within prescribed time limits on New Yearâs Day Permission for DJ music and the use of loudspeakers has been granted with specific time restrictionsSingh further said traffic movement on MG Road would be restricted from 10 pm on December 31Warning against nuisance in an inebriated state he said strict action would be taken against offenders and pubs could be closed if verbal duels or altercations are reported AIenabled cameras will be deployed at key locations to prevent untoward incidents he addedThe Police Commissioner said that arrangements have been made to ensure safe travel for people after midnight Additional BMTC bus services will operate across the city and discussions have been held with operators of tempo travellers to address the expected shortage of cabs and autorickshaws during late hours He said sufficient buses would be deployed from locations witnessing large gatherings noting that such an arrangement was being implemented for the first timeHe said around 20000 personnel will be deployed on New Yearâs Day The deployment will include four police control rooms 78 watch towers 164 women help desks 46 âumbrellasâ or visual safe zones equipped to handle weather contingencies 55 ambulances 37 fire tenders 10122 civil police personnel 2436 traffic police personnel 88 Karnataka State Reserve Police KSRP platoons comprising 1936 personnel 21 platoons of City Armed Reserve CAR with 168 personnel 3341 home guards 916 civil defence personnel 400 traffic wardens four CSWAT teams three Quick Response Teams two water jets 246 Hoysala patrolling vehicles and 249 Cobra patrolling teamsSingh said traffic diversions would be in place from 9 pm onwards on MG Road and Queens Road with commuters required to use alternate routes through the Halasuru area He also said that vehicular entry on 50 flyovers would not be permitted after 10 pm on December 31He added that watch towers would be deployed at strategic locations for enhanced surveillance and women help desks would assist citizens and facilitate reporting of grievances Metro timings have been optimised to manage crowd flow and reduce congestion He warned that nuisance at pubs would be dealt with immediately and operations could be halted at the concerned premises if requiredThe Police Commissioner advised the public to use designated transit points if intoxicated and urged cooperation with security personnel during checks and inspections He said exclusive meetings have been held with security personnel and bouncers to ensure smooth coordinationMeanwhile popular tourist destinations around Bengaluru including Nandi Hills will remain closed from December 31 till January 1 Tourist spots in the hilly Chikkamagaluru district have also been shut with restrictions in force from 6 pm on December 31 till the morning of January 1 IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/new-year-celebrations-bluru-police-issue-guidelines-with-special-focus-on-women-656100.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/draft-notification-on-minimum-wages-for-pvt-hospital-staff-within-a-month-kerala-minister-656116.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 29 The Kerala government will issue a draft notification revising the minimum wages of employees in the private hospital sector within a month State Labour and Education Minister V Sivankutty said on Monday signalling a decisive move to ensure wage security for thousands of healthcare workers across the state Chairing a review meeting on the issue the Minister said officials of the Labour Department have been directed to complete all formalities for issuing the draft notification under the Minimum Wages Act 1948The proposed revision is aimed at protecting the interests of nearly 113 lakh employees working in around 2200 private hospitals across KeralaSivankutty said the move had become necessary as most private hospitals are currently paying wages based on the 2013 minimum wage notification after the Kerala High Court struck down the 2018 notificationThe continuation of outdated wage rates he said has adversely affected the livelihood security of healthcare workers at a time when the cost of living has risen sharplyTo address the issue a Minimum Wages Committee headed by the Labour Commissioner held multiple rounds of discussions between December 2023 and May 2025However the Minister said no consensus could be reached due to what the government described as the uncooperative stance of representatives of private hospital managementsWhile management representatives proposed only a marginal increase over the 2013 wage rates the Labour Department recommended a 60 per cent hike based on the same notificationThe proposal was welcomed by trade unions but rejected by management representativesSivankutty pointed out that even a meeting of the Industrial Relations Committee convened on December 27 2025 under his chairmanship failed to make any progress as management representatives stayed awayThe government he said was of the firm view that the wage structure suggested by hospital managements was inadequate to meet the basic living requirements of workers and their families in the present economic climateâIn these circumstances the government has decided to proceed under Section 51b of the Minimum Wages Act 1948â Sivankutty said adding that the department secretary had been given clear instructions to publish the draft notification in the official gazette within a monthThe Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to ensuring fair periodic and sustainable wages for workers and would take all necessary steps to safeguard the rights of employees in the private healthcare sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/draft-notification-on-minimum-wages-for-pvt-hospital-staff-within-a-month-kerala-minister-656116.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 17:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-chandrababu-naidu-jagan-condole-demise-of-eminent-islamic-scholar-656121.html Amaravati Dec 29 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and his predecessor YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have expressed grief over the demise of eminent Islamic scholar Maulana Mufti Abdul Wahab The Chief Minister took to X to pay his tributes to Mufti Abdul Wahab who passed away on SundayI am deeply shocked to learn that the renowned Islamic scholar Mufti Islamic jurist and esteemed guide to society Hazrat Maulana Mufti Abdul Wahab Saheb Qasimi Rashadi from Nellore has departed from us He dedicated over 60 years of his life to Islamic education teaching the Qurâan and Hadith and serving Jamia NoorulHuda Madrasa he postedHe noted that for 50 years Mufti Abdul Wahab served as the President of the Andhra Pradesh State TabligheJamaat and from 2008 onward as the honorary President of the Andhra Pradesh State JamiatulUlama He attained mastery in Arabic literature Fiqh Hadith and other Islamic sciences A jurist of complete understanding in numerous Islamic educational fields he devoted himself to religious and social services I pray to the Almighty that his soul finds eternal peace he addedLaw and Minorities Welfare Minister NMD Farooq also condoled the passing away of the prominent Islamic scholar recalling Mufti Abdul Wahabs distinguished services in the fields of Islamic religion and education and his valuable teachings that contributed to the development of society He stated that the death of Abdul Wahab who trained many people across the state with discipline and moral values is an irreparable loss to the Muslim communityExpressing his condolences he said that he prayed to Allah to grant him a high place in heaven and to give strength to his family membersYSRCP President and former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy also expressed deep grief over the passing away of eminent Islamic scholar and spiritual leaderIn a condolence message he said the death of Maulana Abdul Wahab is an irreparable loss to the Muslim community and the field of Islamic spiritual service He noted that the Maulana had been unwell for some time and breathed his last on Sunday evening in NelloreMaulana Abdul Wahab was a highly respected Islamic scholar and jurist who dedicated more than six decades to Islamic education and the teaching of the Quran and Hadith He served for many years at Jamia Noorul Huda Madrasa and played a key role in shaping thousands of students Jagan Mohan Reddy saidHe also pointed out that the Maulana served as the state president of Tablighi Jamaat for nearly 50 years and later as the honorary president of the State JamiatulUlama from 2008 Remembering him as the first Mufti of Nellore district he said his services to Islam and education will always be rememberedHe conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family followers and students and prayed for strength for them to bear the loss IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-chandrababu-naidu-jagan-condole-demise-of-eminent-islamic-scholar-656121.html Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-intelligence-gautam-adani-655914.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said that India is entering a decisive phase where technology talent and national purpose must move together and urged the next generation to rise and lead the age of artificial intelligence Indiaâs enduring strength lies in its ability to align people institutions and longterm vision That same clarity must now guide how young Indians approach artificial intelligence AI not as passive users but as builders and leaders of capability Gautam Adani said in his address at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthanâs Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence CoEAI in Maharashtras BaramatiAcknowledging anxieties around AI he reminded the audience that history offers reassuranceEvery major technological shift from the industrial revolutions to Indiaâs own digital transformation has expanded human potential the Adani Group Chairman saidAI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth he addedGautam Adani also cautioned that leadership in AI cannot be outsourced In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk he notedData decisionmaking and capability must remain anchored in national interest Building indigenous AI models strong compute capacity and resilient intelligence ecosystems is essential to Indiaâs economic security cultural confidence and strategic freedom the billionaire industrialist statedPlacing this vision in context Gautam Adani pointed to the growing role of the Adani Group in the global AI ecosystemThe diversified conglomerate is investing significantly in data centres digital infrastructure and clean energy that powers compute at scale drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft as India emerges as a serious hub for AIled growthThe centre of excellence has been established under Baramatibased educational trust Vidya Pratishthan with a Rs 25 crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023The initiative is designed to promote advanced research skill development and industryoriented training in emerging technologiesAccording to those associated with the project it will focus on AI applications across agriculture healthcare governance and industry with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and the private sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-intelligence-gautam-adani-655914.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655918.html Ahmedabad Dec 28 Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani on Sunday said that India is entering a decisive phase where technology talent and national purpose must move together and urged the next generation to rise and lead the age of artificial intelligence Indiaâs enduring strength lies in its ability to align people institutions and longterm vision That same clarity must now guide how young Indians approach artificial intelligence AI not as passive users but as builders and leaders of capability Gautam Adani said in his address at the inauguration of Vidya Pratishthanâs Sharad Pawar Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence CoEAI in Maharashtras BaramatiAcknowledging anxieties around AI he reminded the audience that history offers reassuranceEvery major technological shift from the industrial revolutions to Indiaâs own digital transformation has expanded human potential the Adani Group Chairman saidAI will take this further by placing intelligence and productivity directly in the hands of ordinary citizens opening pathways for youth from every background to participate in growth he addedGautam Adani also cautioned that leadership in AI cannot be outsourced In a world where intelligence increasingly shapes economic power and national influence dependence on foreign algorithms carries risk he notedData decisionmaking and capability must remain anchored in national interest Building indigenous AI models strong compute capacity and resilient intelligence ecosystems is essential to Indiaâs economic security cultural confidence and strategic freedom the billionaire industrialist statedPlacing this vision in context Gautam Adani pointed to the growing role of the Adani Group in the global AI ecosystemThe diversified conglomerate is investing significantly in data centres digital infrastructure and clean energy that powers compute at scale drawing sustained engagement from global technology leaders such as Google and Microsoft as India emerges as a serious hub for AIled growthThe centre of excellence has been established under Baramatibased educational trust Vidya Pratishthan with a Rs 25 crore contribution from Gautam Adani in 2023The initiative is designed to promote advanced research skill development and industryoriented training in emerging technologiesAccording to those associated with the project it will focus on AI applications across agriculture healthcare governance and industry with a strong emphasis on collaboration between academia and the private sector IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-youth-must-lead-age-of-artificial-intelligence-gautam-adani-655918.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 14:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/andhra-cm-chandrababu-naidu-offers-prayers-at-ayodhya-temple-655949.html AmaravatiAyodhya Dec 28 Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday offered prayers at Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya Taking to X Naidu shared his thoughts saying Today I was blessed to have darshan and offer prayers at the divine and magnificent Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya It was a peaceful and spiritually uplifting experience to be here once again Lord Shri Ramâs values and ideals are timeless lessons for us all May they continue to guide and inspire us alwaysOn his arrival in Ayodhya officials of the Uttar Pradesh government welcomed the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Temple officials received him at Ram MandirTemple authorities also briefed Chandrababu Naidu on various architectural and spiritual features of Ram MandirLater speaking to media persons the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister said that in another two years the Ayodhya temple would emerge as a major spiritual hub of the country He said the temple would play a significant role in strengthening spiritual valuesHe stated that governance is always measured by the ideals of Ram Rajya âRam Rajya is the best way of governance That is the benchmark for any governmentâ he saidThe Chief Minister said that many people worked towards the construction of the temple following reconciliation and consensus achieved through the judicial process âI appreciate all those who contributed to building this great and historic templeâ he saidNaidu also appreciated the performance of the Uttar Pradesh government and Chief Minister Yogi AdityanathThis was Chandrababu Naiduâs first visit to the temple in his personal capacity after assuming office as Chief MinisterThe Telugu Desam Party TDP had attended the inauguration Pran Pratishtha of the temple on January 22 2024Naidu was among the few prominent nonBJP political leaders who attended the event after receiving an official invitation from the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra TrustHe later joined the BJPled National Democratic Alliance NDA and contested the Assembly and Lok Sabha elections in alliance with the BJP and Pawan Kalyanled Jana Sena Party JSPFollowing the massive victory of the alliance in Andhra Pradesh Chandrababu Naidu became the Chief MinisterNaiduâs TDP also emerged as a key partner in the BJPled government at the Centre IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/andhra-cm-chandrababu-naidu-offers-prayers-at-ayodhya-temple-655949.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 17:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/congress-government-destroyed-golden-telangana-claims-brs-655953.html Hyderabad Dec 28 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president KT Rama Rao on Sunday accused the Congress government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of destroying a âgolden Telanganaâ built during ten years of BRS governance He said it was due to BRS policies that land values in Hyderabad had risen to as high as Rs 150 crore per acreHe also accused the Congress government of reversing the development achieved in Palamuru Mahabubnagar district and pushing it back into distress and largescale migrationAddressing a meeting of newly elected sarpanches in Nagarkurnool he said the Congress government had failed to carry forward key irrigation and development projects undoing years of progress made during the BRS regime He alleged that despite being in power for two years the Congress government had not completed even 10 per cent of the works initiated earlierâPalamuru was made green and prosperous under KCRâs leadership Today without even lifting a handful of soil the Chief Minister is indulging in irresponsible and abusive rhetoric Congress has once again turned Palamuru into a migration district by stalling projects and drying up irrigationâ said KTR as the BRS leader is popularly knownHe stated that nearly 90 per cent of the PalamuruRangareddy Lift Irrigation Project works were completed during the KCR government However after coming to power the Congress government cancelled approved tenders and crippled the project KTR also alleged that the Revanth Reddy government had compromised Telanganaâs rightful water allocations severely impacting farmersKTR announced that former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR is preparing for another phase of struggle to protect the PalamuruâRangareddy project safeguard Telanganaâs water interests and stand with farmers He said KCR would soon visit Palamuru and appealed to the people of the region to support the movementHighlighting the agrarian crisis KTR said the Congress government had replaced the âRythu Bandhuâ era with what he termed âRaBandhuâ Vulture rule He alleged that farmers were being forced to plead for urea fertiliser standing in long queues even during cold conditions âRevanth Reddy has no concern for farmers During KCRâs tenure there was never a shortage of urea and farmers received fertilisers as per their needsâ he saidKTR accused the Congress of coming to power with unrealistic promises and cheating the public after assuming office He said the Chief Minister resorted to abusive language whenever questioned about the implementation of poll promises even after completing two years in powerStating that Revanth Reddy was obsessed with criticising KCR wherever he went KTR remarked that the Chief Ministerâs frustration was evident He challenged Revanth Reddy to publicly take an oath assuring uninterrupted supply of urea to farmers and implementation of the promised Rs 4000 pension schemeReiterating that âwherever Congress is in power there is no progressâ KTR said Telangana was witnessing the same reality He expressed confidence that the Congress government had only two more years left and that BRS would return to power thereafter âOnly a KCRled government can restore development prosperity and dignity to villagesâ he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/congress-government-destroyed-golden-telangana-claims-brs-655953.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ians-year-ender-2025-manipur-edges-toward-normalcy-under-prez-rule-after-prolonged-ethnic-unrest-655958.html Imphal Dec 28 After months of prolonged ethnic violence Manipur has shown signs of a gradual return to normalcy following the promulgation of Presidents Rule nearly 11 months ago The Northeastern state has been under Presidents Rule since February 13 four days after N Biren Singh resigned as the Chief Minister Since then no major violent incident has been reported indicating an improvement in the law and order situationIn a bid to promote peace and development Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Manipur on September 13 and unveiled 31 development projects worth about Rs 8500 croreFrom the Peace Ground in the tribalinhabited Churachandpur district the Prime Minister laid foundation stones for 19 projects worth Rs 7300 crore and stressed that peace is essential for developmentOn the same day September 13 from the historic Kangla Fort in Imphal Prime Minister Modi inaugurated 17 infrastructure projects worth Rs 1200 crore asserting that a Viksit Bharat would be strengthened by a Viksit ManipurThe Prime Minister described violence in Manipur as unfortunate given the states rich historical traditions of fighting injustice and called for united efforts to restore peace prosperity and development noting that Manipur had witnessed accelerated development over the past 11 yearsWithin three months of the Prime Ministers visit President Droupadi Murmu undertook a twoday visit to Manipur on December 11 and 12During President Murmus visit she participated in the 86th Nupi Lal Day observance in Imphal and laid foundation stones as well as inaugurated several development projects in Imphal and in the Naga tribalinhabited Senapati districtThe KukiZo Council KZC the apex body of the KukiZo tribals welcomed the Prime Minister as well as the Presidents visitPresident Murmu also witnessed a polo exhibition match at the historic Imphal Polo Ground Mapal Kangjeibung regarded as one of the oldest polo grounds in the world underlining the Centres focus on cultural heritage and development in the regionOn December 12 she visited the Senapati district addressed a public gathering and inaugurated and laid foundation stones for various projectsThe recovery and surrender of a large cache of arms and ammunition has been a significant development during the Presidents RuleTill March 6 around 1000 looted and illegally held weapons including sophisticated arms along with large quantities of ammunition were returned to security forces following appeals by Governor Ajay Kumar BhallaOfficials estimate that more than 6000 arms and lakhs of rounds of ammunition were looted from police stations and outposts during the violence that erupted on May 3 2023Before former Chief Minister Biren Singhs resignation 3422 firearms were voluntarily surrenderedSince the imposition of Presidents Rule more than 3000 arms mostly sophisticated and more than 22000 rounds of ammunition have been surrendered or recovered by joint security forces so farBetween June 14 and July 28 alone more than 870 arms and 12820 rounds of ammunition were recovered from both valley and hill districtsJoint teams of Manipur Police Commando Army Assam Rifles Border Security Force BSF the Central Reserve Police Force CRPF and the IndoTibetan Border Police ITBP continued their search and counterinsurgency operations both in the valley and mountainous regionsA senior police official said that the Army Assam Rifles CRPF BSF Narcotics Control Bureau NCB and Manipur Police in separate joint operations have destroyed more than 1000 acres of illegal poppy cultivation in Manipurs mountainous districts in November and December effectively foiling an attempt to manufacture opium worth several croresThe illegal poppy cultivation was destroyed mostly in Manipurs six mountainous districts Kangpokpi Ukhrul Tamenglong Chandel Tengnoupal and SenapatiThe police official said that 1000 acres of destroyed illegal poppy cultivation had the potential to yield around 9000 kg of opium worth several hundred crores of rupeesA Defence Spokesman said the intensive operation against the unlawful poppy farming was conducted under challenging terrain and adverse weather conditions and the crackdown highlights the unwavering efforts of Assam Rifles and other forces to curb illicit narcotics cultivation and dismantle the financial networks that fuel insurgency and other antinational activitiesManipur Director General of Police Rajiv Singh said that the reduction of weaponisation of society is crucial for restoring peace stressing that dialogue between communities would further help normalise the situationMeanwhile Union Home Minister Amit Shah and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs held a series of meetings with civil society organisations including the Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity COCOMI and the KukiZo Council KZC the apex bodies of the Meitei community and KukiZo tribal communities respectively to address the crisisA significant step was the signing of a tripartite agreement on September 4 in New Delhi between the Centre the state government and KukiZo armed groups under Suspension of Operations SoOManipur Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel said the governments priority remains the restoration of peace and normalcy adding that the September 4 agreement would be implemented in letter and spirit including steps such as reopening the ImphalDimapur National Highway NH2 a key lifeline of the stateThe Centre has also virtually rejected demands for the creation of a separate Union Territory with a legislature for the KukiZo communityNearly all organisations of KukiZo tribals and the apex body KukiZo Council KZC 10 tribals MLAs belonging to the KukiZo community since the ethnic violence broke out have been demanding a separate administration or a Union Territory for the tribals in ManipurTo revive public life and boost confidence the state government after twoyear break resumed major cultural and sporting events including the Shirui Lily Festival May 2024 in Ukhrul district 10day long November 21 to 30 Sangai Tourism Festival fiveday long Sangai Film Festival November 2428 and 134th edition of Durand Cup tournament Asias oldest football tournament from July 30National Socialist Council of Nagalim NSCNIM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah visited his birthplace at Somdal village in Manipurs Ukhrul district for the first time in 50 yearsDuring his weeklong stay in Manipur nonagenarian Naga leader Muivah also the Ato Kilonser Prime Minister of the NSCNIM visited the Naga tribaldominated Senapati district and addressed a public gatheringFormer Chief Minister Biren Singh has said that the law and order situation in Manipur has improved under Presidents Rule Political activity has also intensified with BJP MLAs holding meetings with Central leaders in New Delhi even as the opposition Congress criticised the move calling it a âcrash courseâ amid the ongoing crisisBiren Singh who along with other 33 MLAs recently went to Delhi on the invitation of the BJP Central leaders said that they discussed various issues of Manipur during the meeting on December 14Manipur BJP President Adhikarimayum Sharda Devi also attended the crucial meeting where two senior Union BJP leaders National General Secretary Organisation BL Santhosh and the partys Northeast coordinator Sambit Patra were presentManipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh in a post on X said Instead of restoring law and order in Manipur the BJP has reduced its MLAs to students attending crash courses in Delhi on how to justify administrative failures back homeThe nontribal Meiteis account for around 53 per cent of Manipurs about 32 million population and live mostly in the valley regions while the tribal Nagas Kuki Zo and Hmar constitute another 40 per cent of the population and reside in the hill districts which cover around 90 per cent of the geographical areas of ManipurThe ethnic violence which began on May 3 2023 left over 260 people dead around 1500 injured and more than 70000 displacedMore than 300 relief camps continue to shelter nearly 59000 displaced people across the valley and hill districtsDespite lingering challenges officials and political leaders agree that Manipur is slowly moving towards stability with sustained efforts underway to restore peace rebuild trust and revive development in the violencehit stateSujit Chakraborty can be contacted at sujitchakrabortynegmailcom IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ians-year-ender-2025-manipur-edges-toward-normalcy-under-prez-rule-after-prolonged-ethnic-unrest-655958.html Sun, 28 Dec 2025 18:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/four-of-family-die-from-toxic-fumes-in-bihars-chhapra-three-critical-655847.html Patna Dec 27 Four members of a family including three infants died after inhaling toxic fumes from a charcoal brazier in Chhapra city of Bihar while three others are battling for their lives police said on Saturday Three other family members are battling for their lives and remain in critical condition the police addedAccording to information the family had lit a charcoal brazier inside their room to protect themselves from the severe cold on Friday night As the room was closed carbon monoxide gas accumulated causing all the occupants to lose consciousnessThe incident remained unnoticed throughout the night In the morning when other family members opened the door they found several people unconscious while four had already diedThe deceased have been identified as 70yearold Kamalawati Devi threeyearold Tejansh sevenmonthold Adhya and ninemonthold Gudiya The deaths of the elderly woman and three infants have left the family and local residents in deep shock and mourningOn receiving information neighbours gathered at the spot and the police and ambulance services were immediately alerted Some family members had come from Varanasi after medical treatment and were also affected by the fumesAnjali Amisha Amit Kumar and the wife of Sanjay Sharma were rushed to Chhapra Sadar Hospital Hospital authorities confirmed that three of the injured are in critical condition and a team of doctors is closely monitoring their treatmentThe Bhagwan Bazar police reached the scene conducted preliminary investigations and sent the bodies for postmortem examination Legal formalities are underwayThis heartbreaking incident has once again highlighted the serious dangers of using charcoal braziers or lighting fires inside closed rooms during winter as such practices can lead to fatal carbon monoxide poisoningAccording to an official when coal or other fuels burn in an enclosed space carbon monoxide CO gas is released which is colourless and odourlessThis gas replaces oxygen in the lungs leading to a lack of oxygen in the body and the person can become unconscious and die IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/four-of-family-die-from-toxic-fumes-in-bihars-chhapra-three-critical-655847.html Sat, 27 Dec 2025 12:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cold-wave-grips-rajasthan-jaipur-remains-under-cloud-cover-655747.html Jaipur Dec 26 A severe cold wave accompanied by chilly winds has tightened its grip over Rajasthan causing a sharp dip in temperatures across the state The Meteorological Department on Friday forecast intensified cold conditions over the next three to four days and issued a yellow alert for 11 districts in northeastern Rajasthan Karauli in eastern Rajasthan recorded the lowest minimum temperature at 36 degrees Celsius while Pali in the western region registered 52 degrees C Other districts also witnessed biting cold with Churu at 64 degrees C Nagaur at 66 degrees C Jalore at 69 degrees C Dausa at 50 degrees C AntaBaran at 52 degrees C and Alwar at 60 degrees CelsiusSeveral parts of the state reported minimum temperatures below 10 degrees C intensifying winter conditionsIn Sikar cold winds have significantly increased the chill and despite intermittent sunshine temperatures remained low throughout the morning Jaipur and Nagaur have experienced a sharp drop of nearly 8 degrees Celsius over the past two days adding to the severity of the cold waveThursday night marked the coldest night of the season in several cities In rural areas of Kota dense fog blanketed farmlands on Friday morning with dew freezing on crops raising concerns for agricultureThe cold wave has been most pronounced in the Shekhawati region including Sikar Churu and Jhunjhunu along with Nagaur Alwar Karauli Dholpur and BharatpurFrost formation has begun in rural pockets while mornings and evenings have turned particularly harsh In many rural areas temperatures are hovering around 5 degrees Celsius and cold winds are also suppressing daytime temperaturesDespite clear skies the maximum temperature has struggled to rise with Barmer recording the highest at 284 degrees C on Thursday while Jaipur remained cooler at 24 degrees CThe Meteorological Department has warned of further intensification of the cold wave in the coming days and advised residents to exercise caution especially during early morning and late evening hours IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cold-wave-grips-rajasthan-jaipur-remains-under-cloud-cover-655747.html Fri, 26 Dec 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-18-local-trains-cancelled-road-traffic-disrupted-due-to-elephant-movement-655683.html Ranchi Dec 25 Rail and road traffic across parts of Jharkhand continue to be severely affected due to frequent movement of wild elephants Owing to repeated elephant crossings on the ManoharapurâJharsuguda rail section under the Chakradharpur railway division as many as 18 local passenger trains have been cancelled for four days from December 25 to 28 railway officials saidThe cancelled services include TatanagarRourkelaTatanagar MEMU ChakradharpurâRourkelaChakradharpur MEMU TataBarbilTata MEMU TataGuaTata MEMU TataChakradharpurTata MEMU and TataKharagpurTata MEMU among other local trainsThe prolonged cancellations have caused immense hardship to daily commuters particularly those travelling from smaller stationsMeanwhile a positive example of wildlife conservation was recently witnessed in the same railway division A herd of 22 elephants was spotted crossing railway tracks between Bisra and Bandamunda Cabin âAâ on the HowrahMumbai main linePrioritising animal safety railway authorities temporarily halted 12 longdistance trains preventing any mishap probably amid heightened caution after seven elephants were killed in Assam on December 20 when a herd was hit by the Rajdhani ExpressThe timely intervention in Jharkhand averted an accident and the Wildlife Trust of India later honoured the Chakradharpur railway division for the initiativeElephant movement also disrupted road traffic on National Highway33 which connects Ranchi and Ramgarh on Wednesday evening A herd of 18 wild elephants suddenly appeared near the highway triggering panic among motoristsAs a precaution police and district authorities halted vehicular movement from both directions Vehicles coming from Ramgarh were stopped near Mayatungri hill while traffic from Ranchi was halted in the Kharabera area of the Chutupalu valleyTraffic on NH33 remained completely suspended for nearly an hourUpon receiving information the forest departmentâs quick response team reached the spot and safely drove the elephants back into the forest using torches flashlights and sirens Traffic was later restoredOfficials said the situation remains serious noting that six people have died in elephant attacks in Jharkhand over the past week IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-18-local-trains-cancelled-road-traffic-disrupted-due-to-elephant-movement-655683.html Thu, 25 Dec 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-pays-homage-to-jnanpith-awardee-vinod-kumar-shukla-655399.html New DelhiRaipur Dec 23 Renowned Hindi litterateur and Jnanpith Award recipient Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89 while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Raipur Shukla celebrated for his experimental yet simple style of writing breathed his last at 448 PM after battling multiple organ infectionsHe had been admitted to AIIMS on December 2 due to breathing difficulties and was placed on oxygen support with a ventilatorHis last rites will be performed on Wednesday at 11 AM at Marwari Muktidham in Raipur He is survived by his wife son Shashwat and a daughterPrime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep sorrow over Shuklaâs demise In a heartfelt tribute posted on his X handle the Prime Minister wrote âDeeply saddened by the demise of the renowned writer Vinod Kumar Shukla ji a recipient of the Jnanpith Award He will always be remembered for his invaluable contribution to the world of Hindi literature My condolences are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief Om ShantiâBorn on January 1 1937 in Rajnandgaon district of Chhattisgarh Shukla chose teaching as his profession but dedicated his life to literary creationHis first poem âLagbhag Jaihindâ was published in 1971 marking the beginning of a remarkable journey in Hindi literatureHis notable novels include âDeewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thiâ âNaukar Ki Kameezâ and âKhilega To DekhengeâFilmmaker Mani Kaul adapted âNaukar Ki Kameezâ into a Bollywood film in 1979 while âDeewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thiâ earned him the Sahitya Akademi AwardShuklaâs writing was distinguished by its natural simplicity and unique style often weaving everyday life into profound narrativesHis works brought recognition to Indian literature on the international stage instilling a new consciousness among readersIn 2024 he was honoured with the 59th Jnanpith Award becoming the first writer from Chhattisgarh to receive this prestigious accoladeHe is the 12th Hindi writer to be conferred with the awardVinod Kumar Shuklaâs unparalleled contribution to Hindi literature his creativity and his distinctive voice will remain etched in golden letters in literary historyHis passing marks the end of an era but his legacy will continue to inspire generations of readers and writers IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-pays-homage-to-jnanpith-awardee-vinod-kumar-shukla-655399.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-cabinet-clears-pesa-rules-paving-way-for-tribal-self-governance-in-scheduled-areas-655410.html Ranchi Dec 23 The path for restoring traditional selfgovernance in Jharkhandâs scheduled areas has been cleared The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the rules for the implementation of the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas PESA Act 1996 The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren ending a long delay in operationalising the central law in the stateWith the approval of the rules the effective implementation of the PESA Act pending in Jharkhand for several years can now move forwardSpeaking after the cabinet meeting Chief Minister Hemant Soren said the rules were framed after extensive consultations and interdepartmental discussionsâWe have formulated the rules for the PESA law after consultations at several levels and after seeking opinions from various departments Today the cabinet has dedicated it to the people of Jharkhand We hope this law will greatly benefit the people living in the scheduled areasâ Soren saidCabinet Secretary Vandana Dadel said the new rules significantly expand the role and powers of Gram Sabhas aiming to ensure meaningful participation of tribal communities in governance and the conservation of local resourcesUnder the rules Gram Sabhas will have the authority to monitor and grant consent for mining activities within their jurisdiction and will play a decisive role in land acquisition matters They have also been vested with legal rights in decisions related to the conservation use and management of forest landThese provisions are expected to strengthen the control of local communities over their traditional systems cultural practices and natural resourcesThe government clarified that the law will come into force immediately after the PESA rules are formally notified Gram Sabhas will be given priority in the formulation and implementation of development schemes while traditional Gram Sabhas have been recognised and allowed to formally notify their customs and practicesThe PESA Act will be implemented in 15 scheduled districts of Jharkhand where there has been a longstanding demand for its enforcement The cabinetâs decision is being seen as a significant step towards tribal selfgovernance and democratic decentralisation in the stateThe Jharkhand High Court in September this year had stayed the allocation of leases for sand quarries and other minor minerals citing the nonimplementation of the PESA ActThe matter was also heard by the High Court on Tuesday during which the state government informed the court that the draft PESA rules were being placed before the cabinet the same day IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-cabinet-clears-pesa-rules-paving-way-for-tribal-self-governance-in-scheduled-areas-655410.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/basic-home-loan-partners-with-udchalo-to-offer-specialised-home-loans-for-defence-personnel-655552.html New Delhi Dec 24 BASIC Home Loan Read BASIC Indiaâs fastestgrowing mortgagefocused fintech platform has partnered with udChalo Housing to offer tailored home loan solutions for serving and retired defence personnel and their families The partnership aims to simplify home ownership for defence and CAPF families by bringing together BASICâs access to 150 plus lenders and udChaloâs deep understanding of defence housing needs Together the two companies will enable defence buyers to discover verified defencefriendly residential projects and secure competitive home loans through a single streamlined journeyUnder the collaboration BASIC Home Loan will facilitate home financing for RERAregistered readytomove and nearpossession residential projects primarily in the Rs 20 lakh and above price range including 15 2 and compact 3 BHK homes plotted developments and row housesThe focus is on affordable and midincome housing with projects selected to align with defence household income profiles and enduse requirements The partnership will initially roll out in Chandigarh and Pune and will gradually expand to key defence hubs across IndiaOver the next three years BASIC Home Loan expects loan disbursals of up to Rs 1000 crore through this partnership This partnership comes amid strong momentum in the affordable housing segment valued at about 317 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to 946 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of nearly 198 per cent with North India currently the largest marketâDefence personnel represent a strong borrower segment with stable incomes and disciplined credit behaviour yet their housing finance needs are often underserved The partnership with udChalo allows us to deliver customised loan options that account for defencespecific income structures postings and longterm planningâ said Atul Monga CEO amp CoFounder BASIC Home LoanRahul Singh Sirohi Business Head â Builder Business BASIC Home Loan added âThrough this partnership we are enabling access to competitive financing that suits the lifestyle budget and longterm needs of defence families By aligning builders lenders and platforms like udChalo we are creating a more reliable and transparent homebuying ecosystemâudChalo brings to this partnership a large captive base of serving armed forces personnel veterans defence civilians and their families The platform curates projects located near strategic and defencepreferred locations ensuring clear titles bankacceptable documentation and realistic pricing aligned with defence household incomesShivam Arren CEO udChalo said âHousing is one of the most important yet complex decisions for defence families By partnering with BASIC Home Loan we are extending our support beyond property discovery to financing ensuring our users get access to multiple lenders competitive rates and guidance at every stage of their homebuying journeyâOver the next 35 years BASIC Home Loan and udChalo aim to formalise and scale defencefocused housing finance across major cantonments and Tier2 and Tier3 cities creating a structured ecosystem for firsttime buyers serving personnel and retirees alikeBASIC Home Loan operates a phygital home loan model with a proprietary lendermatching technology stack and access to 150 plus lending partners The company has serviced over 350 lakh customers and achieved cumulative approvals of around 45000 crore across 650 plus districts nationwide IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/basic-home-loan-partners-with-udchalo-to-offer-specialised-home-loans-for-defence-personnel-655552.html Wed, 24 Dec 2025 19:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/digital-off-ktaka-village-witnesses-daily-two-hour-blackout-to-boost-childrens-education-655224.html Belagavi Dec 22 In a bold grassroots initiative villagers in Halaga village of Belagavi taluk in Karnataka have launched a daily âDigital Offâ experiment to keep children away from excessive screen time as an antidote to remain focused during study hours Inspired by a similar movement in Maharashtra the campaign is targeted at breaking the growing addiction to mobile phones and television across age groupsAt 7 PM every evening a siren from the Gram Panchayat office announces the start of a twohour blackout of all digital devicesThe villagers voluntarily turn off the TVs and mobile phones from 7 PM to 9 PM shifting that time to education and household involvementThe move is timely especially for students who are preparing to write SSLC exams Parents have also been encouraged to ensure that their children are not distracted during this time and that they studyThe women of the village have also taken well to the shift moving away from the TV serials they were regularly exposed to beforeA former Gram Panchayat President speaking to IANS reiterated the educational purpose behind this experiment âThis is one of the steps that has been taken for the education of children We want to create a disciplined environment for themâ he saidHe added that it is not safe for the children to get exposed to too much screen time A local Rohit Yallurkar said that turning off TVs and mobile phones for two hours every day has allowed the children to focus better on their educationThe âDigital Offâ campaign has received immense support from the villagers and is now a beacon that serves as a launching pad for other communities that struggle with the issue of overuse of technology The initiative is also a reminder to others to carry out similar initiatives in their respective city so that children focus more on their studies IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/digital-off-ktaka-village-witnesses-daily-two-hour-blackout-to-boost-childrens-education-655224.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 00:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/minor-girl-allegedly-abducted-and-raped-in-howrahs-domjur-accused-on-the-run-655297.html Kolkata Dec 23 A sevenyearold girl was allegedly abducted and raped in Howrah districtâs Domjur area police said on Tuesday The incident sparked outrage among locals leading to protests and vandalism Police forces rushed to control the situation The Rapid Action Force RAF was deployed in the area The main accused is absconding However no written complaint has been filed so farAccording to the police the incident took place in Raghabhpur an area under the Domjur police station on Monday evening Road construction work is underway in the area under the initiative of the local panchayat This has led to an increase in workers from outsideLocal residents alleged that a worker involved in the road construction work first molested a minor girl and then took her to an underconstruction building and raped herA resident told media persons The minor girls uncle called me at 8 pm last night He told me that such an incident had occurred The child was molested and then raped There are multiple complaints against the worker who committed this crimeLocals also raised complaints about the polices response They claimed that the family members were hesitant to call the police But we came and called the police Even then the police took a long time to arrive they saidBy the time the police arrived the situation was out of control The enraged crowd became furious and started a protest The angry mob vandalised four small Matador vans and a motorcycleAccording to police no written complaint has been filed yet However based on the verbal complaints of the local residents the police are searching for the accused He has not yet been apprehended It is also known that the child may undergo a medical examinationThe family needs to lodge a formal complaint against the accused Still we have started a search for the accused person The situation is under control right now said a senior officer of Howrah Rural district police IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/minor-girl-allegedly-abducted-and-raped-in-howrahs-domjur-accused-on-the-run-655297.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/amayra-suicide-case-jaipurs-neerja-modi-school-acts-after-50-days-two-teachers-suspended-655314.html Jaipur Dec 23 The management of Neerja Modi School in Jaipur has finally taken action in the suicide case of Amayra a Class 4 student after nearly 50 days The school has suspended Class Teacher Punita Sharma and Mathematics Teacher Rachna This decision is believed to have come following sustained pressure from the CBSE and the Rajasthan Education Department On November 20 the Central Board of Secondary Education CBSE issued a notice to the school seeking a reply within 30 days The school later submitted its response which is now under review by a CBSE committeeFurther action will be decided after the committee completes its assessmentMeanwhile the Rajasthan Education Department has submitted its inquiry report to senior officials and Education Minister Madan Dilawar Official sources say that while the state education departmentâs role is limited to issuing NOCs to CBSEaffiliated schools it sought an explanation from the school management after serious lapses were found during the investigationIt is believed that action at multiple levels led the school to finally suspend the two teachersOn November 1 Amayra allegedly died by suicide after jumping from the fourth floor of the school buildingFollowing the tragic incident her family levelled serious allegations against the school claiming that the child had been subjected to prolonged bullying by fellow students and that repeated complaints were ignored by teachers and the administrationThe CBSE inquiry report later confirmed instances of bullying The detailed inquiry report highlighted several grave shortcomings on the part of the school management It noted that the incident occurred at 122811 pm and that the area from where the child fell was washed by the school administration before a forensic investigation could be conducted raising concerns about the destruction of evidenceThe report also revealed that bullying complaints had been raised by the family for nearly 18 months but were not taken seriously On May 2 2024 Amayraâs mother complained about inappropriate behaviour by another student but no action was takenFurther complaints including audio recordings of the child crying and distressed were sent to the school on July 2425 2024 Based on CCTV footage and teachersâ statements the inquiry committee concluded that Amayra was under severe mental stress on the day of the incident In the 45 minutes before her death she reportedly sought help from her class teacher five times but was allegedly scolded instead of being supportedThe teacher later admitted receiving complaints about the use of âbad wordsâ among students The inquiry also pointed out poor security and administrative lapses including malfunctioning CCTV cameras in a school with over 5000 students and the absence of ID cards for several students and staff membersThe case continues to raise serious questions about student safety bullying and accountability in private schools as authorities consider further action based on the ongoing reviews IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/amayra-suicide-case-jaipurs-neerja-modi-school-acts-after-50-days-two-teachers-suspended-655314.html Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cold-wave-conditions-grip-parts-of-telangana-655122.html Hyderabad Dec 22 Telangana remained under the grip of cold wave conditions with some places recording the minimum temperature in single digits on Monday Kohir in Sangareddy district was the coldest place with a minimum of 5 degrees Celsius Reddy Palle in Moinabad mandal of Ranga Reddy district was the second coldest place with a minimum temperature of 69 degrees CelsiusOut of 33 districts 17 recorded the lowest temperature of less than 10 degrees CelsiusThe minimum temperature in Sirpur U in Komaram Bheem Asifabad district was 7 degrees Celsius Arili in Adilabad district 83 degrees Nawabpet in Vikarabad district 87 degrees Pothareddipet in Siddipet 95 degrees Damarancha in Medak district 95 degrees and Gandhari in Kamareddy 97 degrees CelsiusThere was a significant drop in night temperatures at many places including the state capital Hyderabad and its suburbsDense fog enveloped a few areas on the outskirts of Hyderabad Ranga Reddy Sanga Reddy Vikarabad Medak Adilabad and Komaram Bheem Asifabad districtsThe India Meteorological Department IMD has issued a cold wave alert for seven districtsAccording to the IMD bulletin cold wave conditions are very likely to prevail at isolated pockets in Adilabad Kumaram Bheem Asifabad Mancherial Nirmal Sangareddy Medak and Kamareddy districtsOrange alert has been issued for these districts which are likely to record a minimum temperature of 510 degrees Celsius till December 26For districts like Hanumakonda Hyderabad Jagtial Jangaon Karimnagar Mahabubabad Medchal Malkajgiri Nizamabad Peddapalle Rajanna Sircilla Ranga Reddy Siddipet Vikarabad Warangal and Yadadri Bhuvanagiri the IMD has issued a yellow alert These districts may see the lowest temperature between 11 and 15 degrees Celsius for the next five daysThe remaining 11 districts are likely to record a minimum temperature of above 15 degrees CelsiusAccording to the IMD bulletin dry weather is very likely to prevail over Telangana over the next two days Minimum temperatures are likely to be below normal by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius at isolated placesHyderabad and its surrounding areas for the next 24 hours will see a partly cloudy sky Fog or misty conditions are very likely to prevail during morning hours Mist or hazy conditions are very likely to prevail during night hours The maximum and minimum temperatures are likely to be around 28 degrees Celsius and 13 degrees Celsius respectively the bulletin said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cold-wave-conditions-grip-parts-of-telangana-655122.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 14:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/police-attach-rs-120-crore-property-of-drug-peddler-in-jampks-udhampur-655164.html Jammu Dec 22 The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Monday said it has attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs 120 crore belonging to an interdistrict drug peddler in Udhampur district In a statement issued here the police said that in a major crackdown on drug trafficking Udhampur Police attached properties worth approximately Rs 120 crore under Section 68F of the NDPS Act in connection with FIR No 1172025 registered under Sections 8 21 and 22 of the NDPS Act at Police Station RehambalThe attached properties belong to Wahid Maqbool Mir son of Mohd Maqbool Mir a resident of Shilvet area of Sumbal in Bandipora districtThe properties attached include a doublestorey residential house constructed on eight marlas of land falling under Survey No 344 Abadi Deh at Shilvet Sumbal Bandipora district Two tipper vehicles bearing registration numbers JK191061 and JK01N7343 have also been attachedThe police said that during the course of investigation detailed financial scrutiny and backward linkage analysis revealed that the accused had acquired the properties through proceeds generated from narcotics traffickingâBased on these findings the competent authority passed the attachment order today and further legal proceedings under the NDPS Act are underwayâ the statement saidWith this action Udhampur Policeâs NDPS property attachment tally for the current year has reached Rs 1885 crore reflecting its sustained offensive against drug peddlers the police addedThe JampK Police and security forces are carrying out aggressive operations across the Union Territory against drug smugglers drug peddlers and those involved in hawala transactions and other unlawful financial activitiesSuch actions include detention of accused persons under stringent laws and attachment of assets created from funds generated through these illegal activitiesThe police believe that proceeds from drug smuggling drug peddling and hawala rackets are ultimately used to sustain terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/police-attach-rs-120-crore-property-of-drug-peddler-in-jampks-udhampur-655164.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-cm-hemant-soren-launches-free-residential-medical-engineering-coaching-for-tribal-students-655183.html Ranchi Dec 22 The Jharkhand government on Monday launched a free residential coaching programme for medical and engineering entrance examinations for Scheduled Tribe ST students of the state Chief Minister Hemant Soren inaugurated the âDishom Guru Shibu Soren Engineering and Medical Coaching Instituteâ at Hindpiri in Ranchi The institute will be operated in collaboration with a reputed coaching institution from Rajasthans KotaThe Chief Minister said the initiative reflected a strong and farsighted vision to shape the future of tribal students of Jharkhand He urged the selected students to maintain discipline and remain focused on their goals reiterating that the state government was committed to the educational and social upliftment of the tribal communityCM Soren also directed officials to ensure the development of adequate sports and recreational facilities within the coaching complex alongside academic infrastructure to promote the overall development of studentsIn the first phase 300 meritorious Scheduled Tribe students have been selected for admission to the institute which is being run under the supervision of the Welfare DepartmentThe students will receive highquality coaching from expert faculty along with study materials tablets loaded with econtent library access and digital learning facilities for medical and engineering entrance examinationsThe programme is completely free and residential with separate hostel facilities for boys and girlsOfficials said the initiative has been launched under the Jharkhand Scheduled Tribe Educational Upliftment Programme aimed at providing opportunities to talented tribal students who are unable to pursue professional courses such as medicine and engineering due to financial constraintsThe benefits of the scheme will be available only to Scheduled Tribe students who are permanent residents of Jharkhand and whose parents are not in regular government serviceWelfare Minister Chamra Linda Rajya Sabha MP Mahua Maji Additional Chief Secretary Ajay Kumar Singh senior departmental officials and other dignitaries were also present at the inaugurationThe Welfare Department is already extending support to Scheduled Tribe candidates who have qualified for the UPSC Civil Services Main Examination and interviews and also provides coaching for JPSC and JSSC examinationsMeanwhile the state government is preparing to roll out a similar free coaching scheme for meritorious students from the Scheduled Castes Other Backward Classes and minority communities aspiring to pursue medical and engineering educationThe scheme is expected to be implemented from the next academic session with budgetary provisions likely to be made in the upcoming state budget IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-cm-hemant-soren-launches-free-residential-medical-engineering-coaching-for-tribal-students-655183.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 19:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/chhattisgarh-additional-advocate-general-ranveer-singh-marhas-resigns-654998.html RaipurBilaspur Dec 21 Chhattisgarh Additional Advocate General Ranveer Singh Marhas has resigned from his post The resignation of the senior law officer has fuelled speculation that the state government is moving towards comprehensive reforms in the Advocate Generalâs office Marhas was serving at the Advocate Generalâs office at the Bilaspur bench of the Chhattisgarh High CourtFollowing his resignation significant changes are expected in the Advocate Generalâs office which handles the state governmentâs legal representation in the Chhattisgarh High CourtLast month Advocate General Praphulla Bharat had resigned a development that surprised many lawyers associated with the High CourtHowever the move was not entirely unexpected for the Law and Legislative Department and senior government officials Now approximately a month after the Advocate Generalâs resignation Additional Advocate General Ranveer Singh Marhas has also submitted his resignation to the Secretary of the Law and Legislative DepartmentInterestingly neither Advocate General Praphulla Bharat nor Additional Advocate General Ranveer Singh Marhas cited any specific reason for their resignations The content of both resignation letters is said to be almost identical suggesting that the decisions may be linked more to institutional changes than to personal reasonsIn his letter Ranveer Singh Marhas wrote that it was an honour for him to serve as Additional Advocate General for the past two yearsDuring this period he had the opportunity to contribute to the stateâs legal matters and represent the government in various courts He expressed gratitude for the trust and cooperation extended by the government stating that he discharged his responsibilities to the best of his ability and that it was now an appropriate time to step down from the postAfter Praphulla Bharatâs resignation the state government appointed Vivek Sharma as Advocate General of Chhattisgarh on November 21 2025Vivek Sharma is the youngest Advocate General in the history of Chhattisgarh He had earlier served as an Additional Advocate General and has extensive experience practising in the Chhattisgarh High Court IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/chhattisgarh-additional-advocate-general-ranveer-singh-marhas-resigns-654998.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/explainer-no-threat-no-new-definition-given-for-aravalli-655004.html New Delhi Dec 21 Dismissing alarmist claims the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change on Sunday reiterated that there is no imminent threat to the Aravallis ecology Indiaâs resolve is clear the Aravallis will be safeguarded for present and future generations while balancing conservation with responsible development the Ministry said No new definitionThe Ministry said it is important to note that no new definition has been given for the Aravalli The current debate is linked to a development in the Supreme Court which accepted the recommendations of a Committee formed by the Ministry for protecting the hills and regulating miningThe Committee was constituted on May 9 2024 for a uniform policylevel definition of Aravalli Hills and Ranges specifically in the context of regulating mining and to incorporate the views of four state governmentsAccording to the policylevel definition an âAravalli Hillâ is any landform in designated Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more above its local relief and an âAravalli Rangeâ is a collection of two or more such hills within 500 metres of each otherThe Ministry said it is wrong to conclude that mining is permitted in all landforms below the 100metre heightThe Committee was formed during a hearing related to alleged illegal mining in the Aravalli Hills and Mountain Ranges in the MC Mehta versus Union of India and others matterThe Aravalli Hills and Ranges are among Indiaâs oldest geological formations stretching from Delhi through Haryana and Rajasthan and into Gujarat Historically they have been recognised across 37 districts by state governments with their ecological role noted as a natural barrier against northern desertification and a protector of biodiversity and water rechargeAnxious activistsContrary to alarmist claims that the new development will encourage commercial activities in the range the Ministry said there is no imminent threat to the Aravallisâ ecologyOngoing afforestation ecosensitive zone notifications and strict monitoring of mining and urban activities ensure that the Aravallis continue to serve as a natural heritage and ecological shield for the nation it saidThe Committee constituted by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change pursuant to Supreme Court directions had extensive consultations with state governments during which it emerged that only Rajasthan has a formally established definition for regulating mining in the Aravalli it saidThis definition was based on the 2002 Committee report of the state government relying on the Richard Murphy landform classification which identified all landforms rising 100 metres above local relief as hills and based on that prohibited mining on both the hills and their supporting slopesUnanimous decisionThe Ministry said that during the Committeeâs deliberations all states agreed to adopt the uniform criterion of â100 metres above local reliefâ for regulating mining in the Aravalli region as had been in force in Rajasthan since January 9 2006 while unanimously agreeing to make it more objective and transparentAll landforms enclosed within the lowest binding contour encircling hills of height 100 metres or more irrespective of their height and slopes are excluded for the purposes of grant of mining lease the Ministry saidSimilarly the Aravalli range has been explained as all landforms that exist within 500 metres of two adjoining hills of height 100 metres or more All landforms existing within this 500metre zone irrespective of their height and slopes are excluded for the purposes of grant of mining lease It is therefore wrong to conclude that mining is permitted in all landforms below the 100metre heightMaps to curb illegal miningThe Committee also suggested measures to ensure a clear mapverifiable operational definition of âAravalli Hillsâ and âAravalli Rangeâ and a regulatory framework that protects core and inviolate areas restricts new mining and strengthens safeguards and enforcement against illegal miningThe Ministry said that in its final judgment on November 20 2025 the Supreme Court commended the Committeeâs work including the assistance of the Technical Committee and also appreciated its recommendations regarding the prevention of illegal mining and permitting only sustainable mining in the Aravalli Hills and RangesPM Modiâs projectIn June Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the âAravalli Green Wallâ project a special drive aimed at reforesting the Aravalli range one of the biggest forest covers spanning four states â Gujarat Rajasthan Haryana and DelhiAs part of the major drive 1000 permanent nurseries will be set up to revive the countryâs oldest mountain range Technologies such as satellite mapping will also be deployed to facilitate speed and transparency in the projectNotably the Aravalli range is home to 22 wildlife sanctuaries and four tiger reserves â Ranthambore Sariska RamgarhVishdhari and Mukunda Hills IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/explainer-no-threat-no-new-definition-given-for-aravalli-655004.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 01:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-slams-centre-over-adichanallur-museum-delay-vows-statewide-agitation-again-mgnrega-funding-cut-655013.html Chennai Dec 21 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday launched a scathing attack on the Union government for keeping the Adichanallur archaeological museum project on hold urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to visit the Keeladi and Porunai museums to understand the antiquity and richness of Tamil civilisation Addressing a public programme in Tirunelveli Stalin said he took immense pride in being a Tamil adding that the inauguration of the Porunai Archaeological Museum at Reddiarpatti on Saturday night was a milestone in taking ancient Tamil culture to the global stageHe said the BJPled Centreâs apathy towards Adichanallur stood in stark contrast to Tamil Naduâs efforts to preserve and promote its heritageThe Chief Minister also strongly criticised the Union government for what he described as a systematic dismantling of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MGNREGAHe alleged that the scheme a vital source of livelihood for rural families was being undermined by reducing central funding and pushing states to bear the burdenFrom full central funding Tamil Nadu is now forced to shoulder 40 per cent of the cost This is a historic blunder he said announcing that the DMK would launch statewide protests against the move on December 24Taking on AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami Stalin questioned the Opposition leaderâs silence on the issueHe calls himself a genuine farmer yet he stands with the NDA and has no concern for farmers affected by this decision he saidHighlighting achievements of the DMK government Stalin said welfare schemes such as the Rs 1000 monthly assistance to women heads of households and the free bus travel initiative had significantly improved lives across Tamil NaduIn Tirunelveli district alone 183 lakh women have benefitted from the free bus travel scheme since its launch in 2021 he noted Despite political hostility from the Centre Stalin asserted that Tamil Nadu continued to excel and remains a model for other states The DMK chief expressed confidence that the partyled front would secure victory in the 2026 Assembly elections Earlier in the day Stalin inaugurated 33 development works worth Rs 23595 crore and laid the foundation stone for 11 projects costing Rs 35659 crore He also distributed welfare assistance of Rs 10149 crore to 45477 beneficiaries and flagged off 15 new bus services Speaker M Appavu Ministers KN Nehru Thangam Thennarasu and EV Velu Palayamkottai MLA M Abdul Wahab and District Collector R Sukumar were among those present IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-slams-centre-over-adichanallur-museum-delay-vows-statewide-agitation-again-mgnrega-funding-cut-655013.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 02:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/chains-of-commerce-how-britains-need-for-gold-forced-circuitous-route-that-crushed-indias-trade--655021.html New Delhi Dec 21 The early 19th century in India was not an era of equitable administration but a period defined by the unrelenting political despotism of the British East India Company EIC Despite the Companyâs selfserving claims that the welfare and happiness of the inhabitants was its chief object and that it had replaced a chaotic system with courts of justice the reality for the seventy to eighty millions of souls under its command was subjugation They were ruled as critics in Britain conceded as those whom the British were despots over This despotic control was made necessary by a simple terrifying fact the EIC was drowning in debt The immense territorial revenues extracted from India were largely consumed by the costs of the British administration and its military activities The interestbearing debt had ballooned to approximately 26 million pounds by 1813 having absorbed 6289405 pounds of surplus trade profits and requiring frequent public loans to cover obligations This financial precipice necessitated a constant search for revenue and political mechanisms to transfer the burdens of empire onto its subjectsâand ironically onto its own British merchantsThe debate over the East India Circuitous Trade Bill in late 1813 a direct consequence of the 1813 Charter Act laid bare this financial desperation and the profound hypocrisy of the colonial economic system Ostensibly opening trade the Bill was in truth a complex legal mechanism designed to coerce British merchants into shouldering the EICâs financial burden of procuring bullion while simultaneously ensuring that Indian commerce remained shackled by restrictions designed purely to protect domestic British interestsThe Problem of Bullion A Desperate Imperial NeedThe renewal of the EICâs Charter in 1813 marked a pivotal transition Under immense pressure from British manufacturers and merchants across the United Kingdomâfrom Glasgow and Liverpool to Bristol and Birminghamâwho demanded access to the vast Eastern market amidst European trade closures caused by Frances anticommercial system the EICâs monopoly over trade to India was fractured This however was not an act of benevolence toward India but a calculated move to benefit the broader British merchant class and the stateLord Castlereagh in moving for the East India Circuitous Trade Bill in November 1813 immediately exposed the governments central concern the logistics of imperial finance The Bill was considered essential for providing bullion for Indian trade a requirement of the previous sessions Charter ActIndias traditional trade pattern favored hard currency Due to protectionist British policies that restricted the sale of competitive Indian manufactured goods like textiles in Britain via bans and high tariffs 70â80 India had a limited ability to exchange its finished products directly for British manufactures The British had actively dismantled Indias industrial capacity and transformed it into a supplier of raw materials and a captive market for British goods Yet even with British goods flooding the Indian market the system still required specie bullion to balance accounts particularly for internal EIC expenditures and debt servicingThe Circuitous Trade Bill was thus not truly about opening new channels it was about forcing the newly admitted private British merchant to solve the EICs perennial cash flow problem The goal was to ensure that if British private traders could not sell enough British manufactures in India to cover their purchases of Indian produce they would somehow arrange to transfer bullion through the sale of Indian goods elsewhereThe Circuitous Chokehold Inequality in the Name of EmpireWhile the 1813 Act allowed British merchants direct trade to India the Circuitous Trade Bill sought to regulate how they brought Indian produce out of Asia thereby imposing a crucial debilitating restriction British merchants were generally prohibited from carrying Indian produce to European marketsThe measure was debated with Mr Finlay lamenting that it seemed extraordinary that British merchants were excluded from equality with foreigners only in territories acquired and maintained by British arms He noted that the Bill continued to sanction this exclusion forcing British merchants to be at a decided advantage compared to foreign competitorsThe restriction forced British merchants onto a circuitous trade route that funnelled all products through the metropolis They were compelled to bring East India sugar coffee and other articles of India produce to the Port of LondonMeanwhile foreign merchantsâspecifically subjects of foreign nations in amity with Britain who were allowed to trade to India by the Act of the 37th year of âhis Majestyââwere entirely free from such restrictions These foreign traders were at liberty to take their East Indian cargo for sale to any market in Europe or elsewhere This meant they could take the direct route to lucrative continental markets like Amsterdam and Rotterdam or even other global markets while British merchants could notFrom the Indian perspective this policy was doubly damaging1Stifling Indian Trade It meant Indian produce was barred from reaching its most profitable European destination directly suppressing potential gains and market expansion2Affirming Foreign Privilege It provided a massive governmentsanctioned advantage to foreign nations over Britains own citizens confirming the belief that the monopoly operated directly in favour of foreign nationsThis situation was not merely unfair it was structurally designed to ensure that the principal part of the East India trade was likely to fall into the hands of foreigners who possessed the advantage of being able to deliver goods more cheaply and directly to the continental marketsThe American Indictment Proof of Unjust RestrictionThe clearest proof of the harm inflicted by the circuitous route was the glaring success of nations that faced no such restrictions particularly the United States of AmericaPetitions from merchants across the UK like those from Greenock Glasgow and Manchester repeatedly cited the extensive and flourishing commerce of the United States of America with India and the Chinese empire as irrefutable evidence that private enterprise could handle the trade successfullyïThe Glasgow Chamber of Commerce stated that American merchants availing themselves of the liberty at the expense of our own people had prosecuted the East India trade to a degree that had supplied as far as was possible not only the continent of Europe but had also enriched American individuals and increased their national wealthïAmerican merchants being unfettered were able to undersell the EIC itself in many European markets Their commerce had increased with unexampled rapidity and had supplied the British West India colonies the Mediterranean and other parts of Europe with East India and Chinese productsïMr Finlay pointed out that the profits yielded by the unrestricted American trade might in a great measure be attributed as the means by which America was waging her present unnatural war with this countryThe conclusion for the Indian populace was inescapable the EICs monopoly and the continuing circuitous trade restrictions were not necessary for national stability or security but were deliberate political mechanisms that infringed the privileges of others and restricted Indiaâs potential forcing it to see its produce carried under every flag but that of their natural and legitimate protector The ability of foreigners to trade more freely than British subjects with territories maintained by British taxes was considered unnatural and extremely hard if not an unjust arrangementThe Protectionist Paradox Manufacturers Over MerchantsIf the exclusion of British merchants from the direct European route was economically illogical and financially burdensome what was the parliamentary justification for this rigidityThe governmentâs primary stated objective was to make Britain the emporium of trade By compelling British merchants to stop in England they were expected to reexport the Indian produce to the continent with an assortment of other articles of our produce and manufacture thereby stimulating British commerce generallyHowever the real deeper justification for the restrictionsâand the most injurious aspect from the Indian economic perspectiveâwas raw protectionismDuring the debates Mr Fawcett raised serious concerns about the implications of relaxing the circuitous route warning that allowing British merchants to carry Indian produce to places like the Havannah and the Brazils colonies the EIC sought to protect would harm British manufacturersWhy Because the cheapness of Indian produce due to cheaper labour and materials in the East would enable the India trader to easily undersell the British manufacturers in those marketsThis argument revealed the core tension The EIC empire was structured so that Indian production was only tolerated when it served Britains needs supplying raw materials or paying debts but was immediately suppressed when it threatened British domestic industry The British economy demanded a circuitous route to protect their manufacturers from the superior costefficiency of Indian labor and productionThis same protectionist fear was visible in the related debate over Indiabuilt ships Although Lord Castlereagh postponed the discussion on Indiabuilt shipping the issue was fundamentally tied to the circuitous trade British shipbuilders in London fiercely opposed Indiabuilt ships arguing they would ruin their industry and undermine the British Navy They claimed Indian ships and labor were too cheap constituting an act of injustice and oppression against British industry that denied India the benefit of its great natural advantages like durable teak wood This opposition which sought to prohibit Indiabuilt ships entirely shows that the principle behind the circuitous route was pervasive stifle any Indian advantage that threatens British domestic employmentThe Circuitous Trade Bill therefore acted as a gatekeeper It ensured that the profits derived from India were managed in London benefiting London ports which feared ruin if trade extended to outports and that cheap Indian goods did not bypass Britain to contaminate protected colonial marketsThe Legacy of Shackled TradeThe passage of the East India Circuitous Trade Bill cemented a policy of controlled constrained liberty for British subjects operating within India It affirmed that Indias vast economic potentialâacknowledged by petitioners from all UK ports who believed free trade would alleviate national distress and create new marketsâwould remain subservient to the imperial debt structure and the protectionist demands of the metropoleThe Indian perspective on this legislation is one of profound calculated injustice1Financial Coercion The bill forced private merchants to manage the EICâs dire need for bullion a financial problem created by the EICâs costly military expansion and misgovernance2Commercial Disadvantage It institutionalized an unequal trade system that placed foreigners in a superior commercial position ensuring that the fruits of Indian production were suppressed by unnecessary detentions and high expenses3Endorsement of Despotism This regulation like the denial of judicial transparency and the enforcement of the fettered press underscored the belief that India was ruled as a dependency where economic and political rights were suspended whenever they threatened the stability of a government founded upon blood and supported by injusticeIn essence the Circuitous Trade Bill was not a route to freedom but a carefully measured leash The British subjects who were permitted to trade were burdened with the EICâs debts and Indiaâs commerce was constrained to ensure it never became competitive enough to truly enrich its own inhabitants or threaten the established economic order of the sovereign power The cost of Indian trade was thus deliberately inflated and diverted perpetuating the process of colonial underdevelopmentThe author is a researcher specialising in Indian history and contemporary Geopolitical Affairs IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/chains-of-commerce-how-britains-need-for-gold-forced-circuitous-route-that-crushed-indias-trade--655021.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 03:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ncw-launches-shakti-scholars-fellowship-for-young-researchers-655083.html New Delhi Dec 22 The National Commission for Women NCW has announced the launch of SHAKTI Scholars NCWs Young Research Fellowship inviting applications from young students and researchers for policyoriented research on issues concerning women across India According to the Commission the fellowship has been designed to promote multidisciplinary research on a wide range of subjects including womens safety and dignity genderbased violence legal rights and access to justice and cyber safetyAdditionally it will also promote the research on implementation of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment POSH framework womens leadership and political participation health and nutrition education and skill development economic empowerment labour force participation sociocultural practices and worklife balanceThe fellowship is open to Indian citizens between the ages of 21 and 30 years who hold at least a graduation degree from a recognised institutionAnnouncing the scheme the Commission said Preference will be given to candidates pursuing or having completed postgraduation or higher research Independent researchers with demonstrated research capacity may also applyAs part of the programme selected candidates will receive a research grant of Rs 1 lakh to undertake a sixmonth research studyThe NCW clarified that the funds will be released in phases linked to the progress of the research work during the fellowship periodApplications for the SHAKTI Scholars fellowship can be submitted via email to NCW until December 31 up to 530 pmThe Commission said that the applications will be assessed by an Expert Committee constituted by the NCW and shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online interaction as part of the selection processLast month the NCW launched a new 24Ã7 shortcode helpline 14490 to ensure faster support for women in distressIt had urged citizens community organisations and educational institutions to widely disseminate the new helpline number so that more women are aware of the support services available to them round the clock IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ncw-launches-shakti-scholars-fellowship-for-young-researchers-655083.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 12:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/woman-brutally-attacked-with-boiling-oil-for-resisting-molestation-in-jharkhands-giridih-one-held-655086.html Giridih Jharkhand Dec 22 In a shocking and gruesome incident a woman was brutally attacked with boiling oil after she resisted an alleged molestation attempt by two youths in Gadi village under Leda Panchayat in the Mufassil police station area of Giridih district Jharkhand police officials said on Monday According to police two youths allegedly poured boiling oil on the woman on late Sunday evening after she resisted a molestation bidThe victim who sustained severe burn injuries was rushed to Sadar Hospital where her condition remains critical Doctors have said that her hands and legs suffered extensive burnsAccording to reports the womanâs husband is physically disabled and she runs a small fastfood stall in the village to support her familyOn Sunday evening the police said a group of youths visited her stall and began harassing her with lewd gestures When she protested the situation escalatedDuring the altercation one of the accused allegedly grabbed a container of boiling oil used for frying samosas and poured it on the woman causing grievous injuries Both attackers fled the scene immediately after committing the crimeHearing her screams local residents rushed to help and along with her family took her to the hospital Police promptly launched an investigation after they were informedOne accused identified as Uday Chaudhary has been arrested while efforts are underway to nab the second suspect Manish Chaudhary who is currently at largeAuthorities have registered an FIR based on the victimâs statement and further legal proceedings are in progressSenior police officials said that strict action will be taken against those responsible and assured that the case will be pursued with utmost seriousnessMeanwhile anger and outrage prevailed in the village with residents demanding strict and exemplary punishment for the perpetrators IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/woman-brutally-attacked-with-boiling-oil-for-resisting-molestation-in-jharkhands-giridih-one-held-655086.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/young-congress-leader-sumit-tigga-shot-dead-in-jharkhands-khunti-655095.html Ranchi Dec 22 In a shocking incident 25yearold Sumit Tigga general secretary of the Tribal Congressâs Karra block unit was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Guyu village under the Karra police station area of Khunti district Jharkhand officials said on Monday The sensational killing which took place on Sunday evening has triggered panic and anger among local residentsSumit Tigga the son of Temba Tigga of Guyu village was unmarried and widely known as an energetic and socially active young tribal leader He was actively involved in the organisational work of the Tribal Congress as well as various social initiatives earning him considerable goodwill in his village and nearby areasAccording to preliminary reports Sumit was at his residence on Sunday evening when two persons known to him called him out around 630 pm He later joined a group of friends who were sitting near a bonfire in the villageAt around 8 pm an unidentified assailant allegedly approached from behind and fired at him causing him to collapse on the spot in a pool of bloodAfter opening fire the attacker fled the scene Hearing the gunshot villagers rushed to the spot and alerted Sumitâs family He was immediately taken to a hospital in Ranchi for emergency treatment but doctors declared him dead on arrivalOn receiving information Karra police rushed to the village inspected the crime scene and initiated an investigation Several people present in the vicinity at the time of the incident were questioned The body was later taken into police custody and sent to RIMS Ranchi for postmortem examinationPolice officials said the motive behind the murder is yet to be ascertained and that all possible angles including personal rivalry and political enmity are being examinedâWe are investigating the case from all aspects and have formed teams to identify and arrest the culprits at the earliestâ a senior police officer saidMeanwhile local Congress leaders tribal activists and residents strongly condemned the killing and demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible They warned that such incidents threaten peace and security in the tribaldominated regionPolice have assured that the case will be cracked soon and the accused will be brought to justice IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/young-congress-leader-sumit-tigga-shot-dead-in-jharkhands-khunti-655095.html Mon, 22 Dec 2025 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/india-engine-of-global-workforce-shaping-new-era-of-mobility-eam-jaishankar-654874.html Pune Dec 20 External Affairs Minister EAM S Jaishankar on Saturday said that as developed nations grapple with ageing populations and economic stagnation India is surging ahead with a growing pool of trained human resources positioning itself as the engine of a global workforce and ushering in a new era of crossborder mobility Addressing the 22nd Convocation of Symbiosis International Deemed University EAM Jaishankar said old stereotypes about India are steadily fading with the country now being defined by its talent and skill baseHe said the world increasingly views India through its strong work ethic technological aptitude and familycentric cultureCiting recent achievements such as the indigenous 5G stack Digital Public Infrastructure DPI and the countrys lunar landing the External Affairs Minister said these milestones have laid a solid foundation for the next generation to build uponEAM Jaishankar said the world is undergoing a phase of ârebalancingâ noting that the global order established after World War II is clearly unravelling and giving way to a more complex multipolar system He urged graduating students to engage with the world with greater confidence and capabilityHe pointed out that the global economic and political pecking order has changed significantly with no single country regardless of power able to impose its will on all issues To remain competitive he said India must double down on the âMake in Indiaâ initiative and develop contemporary manufacturing capabilities to keep pace with rapid technological shiftsA large economy like India must develop substantial manufacturing capacities to match fastchanging technologies he saidThe External Affairs Minister identified globalisation rebalancing and multipolarity as the three key forces shaping the current transition marked by new centres of influence beyond the traditional West and a world no longer dominated by a single powerIn a post on X EAM Jaishankar said he was delighted to participate in the convocation and encouraged students from over 40 countries to step forward confidently into the global workplace as India assumes a larger role internationallyLater in the day Jaishankar took part in a session titled âDiplomacy to Discourseâ at the Pune International Literature Festival PILF 2025 where he drew parallels between coalition politics in Indiaâs past and the current global orderThe world today is like coalition politicsâ no coalition enjoys a majority he said adding that combinations are constantly forming and shiftingHe reiterated that India would align with different partners on different issues based on national interest stressing âWhatever helps my country that would be my choiceâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/india-engine-of-global-workforce-shaping-new-era-of-mobility-eam-jaishankar-654874.html Sun, 21 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-vijayan-satheesan-and-others-mourn-sreenivasan-hail-his-enduring-legacy-in-malayalam-cinema-654815.html Kochi Dec 20 The demise of veteran actor screenwriter and filmmaker Sreenivasan has drawn heartfelt tributes from across the political and cultural spectrum with Keralaâs top leadership describing his passing as an irreparable loss to Malayalam cinema and to society at large The 69yearold multifaceted film personality breathed his last at a government hospital on Saturday morningChief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his condolence message said Sreenivasan was a rare filmmaker who left his imprint across every sphere of cinema by breaking longstanding conventionsHe noted that very few artistes had succeeded like Sreenivasan in portraying the life of the common man on screen and in leading audiences through humour and reflection to deeper levels of social awarenessEven while fully aware that his ideas would invite sharp criticism Sreenivasan presented them with wit and grace earning the respect of admirers and critics alike he notedThe Chief Minister also recalled his personal interactions with the filmmaker describing him as a symbol of affection and friendship and said Sreenivasanâs life was a lesson in perseverance for generationsLeader of the Opposition VD Satheesan described Sreenivasan as an unparalleled talent who captured in an extraordinary style the lives of ordinary people in a vast world and great individuals in small intimate settingsHe said Sreenivasan rewrote the very idea of the conventional hero in Malayalam cinema creating characters rooted deeply in Malayali societyThrough biting satire sharp criticism and unvarnished truths his works delivered powerful messages to Kerala society Satheesan said adding that there would hardly be a Malayali who does not recall at least once a day something Sreenivasan wrote said or portrayed on screenCultural Affairs and Films Minister Saji Cherian hailed Sreenivasan as a multifaceted genius who astonished the Malayalam film world for nearly five decadesHe said films penned and directed by Sreenivasan elevated the artistic stature of Malayalam cinema while his characters became beloved presences in Malayali householdsBy using humour not merely for laughter but as a tool for thought Sreenivasan profoundly influenced the social consciousness of the people the Minister notedAssembly Speaker AN Shamseer said Sreenivasanâs passing had created a void that even time could not fillHe described the filmmaker as a rare talent who presented socially conscious themes through simple yet deeply touching narratives portraying the struggles and aspirations of ordinary people with great sensitivityLeaders across party lines joined the bereaved family colleagues and countless admirers in mourning the loss of a creative giant whose legacy will continue to shape Malayalam cinema and society for years to come IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-vijayan-satheesan-and-others-mourn-sreenivasan-hail-his-enduring-legacy-in-malayalam-cinema-654815.html Sat, 20 Dec 2025 15:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-order-scrapping-1-600-supernumerary-upper-primary-teachers-posts-challenged-654658.html Kolkata Dec 19 A group of aspirants for primary teacher jobs in staterun schools of West Bengal on Friday approached a division bench of the Calcutta High Court challenging an earlier order of a singlejudge bench of the same court that scrapped the state Education Departments decision to create 1600 supernumerary posts for upper primary teachers On December 4 a singlejudge bench of Justice Biswajit Basu had struck down the decision of the state government to create the supernumerary posts and observed that such posts could not be created for regular appointments of primary teachersJustice Basu had also held that supernumerary posts could be created only under special circumstances and for exceptional requirementsThe division bench comprising Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Reetobroto Kumar Mitra admitted the appeal challenging the singlejudge order The matter is scheduled to come up for hearing next weekThe West Bengal Education Department had issued two notifications first on May 19 2022 and subsequently on October 14 the same year for recruitment of upper primary teachers in physical education and work education from waiting lists through the creation of 1600 supernumerary postsThese notifications were challenged before the Calcutta High Court After prolonged hearings Justice Basuâs bench eventually scrapped both notifications ruling that the creation of supernumerary posts for such appointments was not legally permissibleIt may be recalled that in 2022 the Calcutta High Court had imposed an interim stay on the creation of the 1600 supernumerary posts The matter was subsequently taken to the Supreme CourtHowever the apex court declined to interfere following which the West Bengal government again approached the Calcutta High Court seeking lifting of the interim stayOn May 7 this year Justice Basu maintained the interim stay on the creation of the supernumerary postsThe state government then moved a division bench comprising Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Smita Das De against the order continuing the interim stay That division bench also declined to interfere thereby maintaining the stay and referring the matter back to Justice Basus singlejudge benchFinally on December 4 Justice Basu scrapped the state governments decision to create 1600 supernumerary posts for upper primary teachers in staterun schools across West Bengal IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-order-scrapping-1-600-supernumerary-upper-primary-teachers-posts-challenged-654658.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 19:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/hyderabad-man-loses-rs-59-lakh-in-digital-arrest-two-held-654692.html Hyderabad Dec 19 Hyderabad police have arrested two accused in digital arrest case in which a senior citizen lost Rs 59 lakh Cybercrime police arrested the accused who had supplied accounts to cheat the retired employee Surampudi Chandrasekhar 31 and Emandi Venkat Naveen 25 both residents of Kakinada Andhra Pradesh have been arrestedAccording to police on December 4 the victim received WhatsApp calls from unknown persons impersonating police and government officials The fraudsters falsely alleged his involvement in human trafficking overseas job fraud and money laundering and sent forged arrest warrants via WhatsApp to intimidate him Under continuous threats of arrest the victim transferred Rs 5900300 through RTGS from his Union Bank of India account between December 4 and 6Deputy Commissioner of Police Cybercrimes V Arvind Babu said the accused impersonated as policegovernment officials used WhatsApp calls and sent forged arrest warrants to create fear forced victims to transfer money to multiple bank accounts used malicious APK files to gain access to internet banking and SMS services routed funds through shell firm accounts converted them into cryptocurrency USDT and withdrew money via Binance P2P transactions into personal accountsThe accused are part of an interstate cyber fraud racket They procured and shared bank accounts for routing cheated funds So far 15 current bank accounts have been facilitated to the prime accused They received proceeds in cryptocurrency later converted to Indian rupees They assisted the prime accused by providing accounts and technical accessThe accused are involved in 65 cyber fraud cases nationwide including Karnataka Maharashtra Delhi Tamil Nadu Uttar Pradesh Gujarat and other states The amount involved in these cases is Rs 8 croreFive of the cases related to Telangana â two each in Hyderabad and Cyberabad and one in SangareddyOther accused are absconding The arrested accused have been remanded to judicial custody and further investigation is in progressMeanwhile in a case of sextortion fraud a man lost Rs341 lakh According to police the victim received an unknown call from a woman identifying herself as Jyothi Gupta who attempted to seduce him during the call Subsequently he received a video call from a person identifying himself as Vikram Goswami wearing a uniform who threatened to circulate the victimâs video on social media and damage his reputationOut of fear the victim was coerced into making multiple payments on different occasions through Google Pay to one Manjeet Singh on the assurance that the case would be closed and the amount refunded Later the accused also hacked the victimâs bank accounts causing additional losses The accused further intimidated him by falsely claiming the woman had died and demanded more money to avoid legal troubleDue to fear social stigma and helplessness the victim suffered a total financial loss of Rs 341950 police said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/hyderabad-man-loses-rs-59-lakh-in-digital-arrest-two-held-654692.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/vbsa-bill-to-unify-higher-education-regulation-ex-ugc-chairman-jagadesh-kumar-654467.html New Delhi Dec 18 Former University Grants Commission UGC Chairman Prof M Jagadesh Kumar has hailed the governments move to introduce the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan VBSA Bill as a historic transformation for Indiaâs higher education sector In an exclusive interaction with IANS Kumar explained that the UGC established in 1953 and accorded statutory status in 1956 along with the All India Council for Technical Education AICTE and the National Council for Teacher Education NCTE will be merged into a single integrated regulator under the proposed frameworkKumar noted that Indias higher education landscape has expanded rapidly with more than 1200 universities and thousands of colleges currently operating across the countryHe stressed that outdated regulatory mechanisms are inadequate for managing such a vast and complex system which is why the National Education Policy NEP 2020 explicitly called for a comprehensive overhaul of the regulatory architectureThe former UGC chairman pointed out that institutions at present have to navigate multiple regulators including the Council of Architecture creating significant operational challenges A single university offering diverse programmes such as general degrees like BSc or BCom engineering courses teacher education programmes like BEd and architecture is required to comply with separate applications rules and processes laid down by different bodiesThis he said not only results in administrative burdens but also leads to overlapping and sometimes conflicting regulations Addressing these issues was a key objective of the NEP 2020 which recommended a single harmonised regulatory system that is simpler less bureaucratic and more predictableThe newly introduced VBSA Bill reflects this vision and will first be examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee before being taken up for passage and implementationKumar said that once the legislation comes into force an apex body the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan VBSA will be established functioning through three distinct verticals to prevent conflicts of interest while ensuring coordinated governanceThe Regulatory Council will consolidate the powers currently exercised by the UGC AICTE NCTE and the Council of Architecture thereby eliminating confusion and establishing uniform and transparent norms for all higher education institutionsThe Accreditation Council will bring together existing frameworks such as NAAC NBA and NIRF under a single umbrella streamlining accreditation processes and reducing duplication in data submissionMeanwhile the Standards Council will work towards introducing consistent academic benchmarks nationwide facilitating smoother mobility for students pursuing multidisciplinary programmes or transferring across states he saidKumar emphasised that teachers are central to the success of the higher education system and this council will also focus on developing new teacher training programmes and promoting contemporary teaching and learning practicesHe highlighted that for the first time premier institutions such as the Indian Institutes of Technology IITs and Indian Institutes of Management IIMs which earlier remained outside the direct regulatory ambit of the UGC or AICTE will be brought under a common regulatory framework ensuring uniform quality standards across the sectorKumar further said that student interests are a core focus of the proposed systemAll institutions will be required to establish effective grievance redressal mechanisms recognising the stress and anxiety faced by many students and the importance of timely resolution of complaintsStudent feedback on courses faculty infrastructure and welfare initiatives will play a significant role in accreditation and ranking outcomesPerhaps the most consequential change he noted will be the emphasis on transparency Institutions will be mandated to place comprehensive information on a digital platform including details of academic programmes infrastructure student support systems faculty qualifications and audited financial accountsThis Kumar said would empower students and parents enhance public trust and strengthen institutional accountability across Indiaâs higher education ecosystem IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/vbsa-bill-to-unify-higher-education-regulation-ex-ugc-chairman-jagadesh-kumar-654467.html Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/shaped-my-journey-stalin-credits-wife-durga-for-his-success-654346.html Chennai Dec 18 In a heartfelt remark that resonated with the gathering Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday said that just as many men attribute their success to the women behind them he owed his success to his wife Durga Speaking at the inauguration of the newly constructed Anna Marriage Hall in Kolathur he recalled how her unwavering support during his most challenging years shaped his journey and helped him reach his present stature The Chief Minister inaugurated the stateoftheart marriage hall built at a cost of Rs 2572 crore and took part in the wedding ceremonies of 15 couples Ahead of the event he led a roadshow through Kolathur where enthusiastic crowds lined the streets to welcome him Addressing thousands gathered at the venue Stalin said the inauguration symbolised a milestone for Kolathur bringing enhanced facilities and new opportunities to the constituency Expressing deep affection for the region he noted that Kolathur had been a defining part of his political career and personal bond with the people He remarked that Kolathurâs identity has become intertwined with his own with many associating the constituency directly with his name Yet Stalin stressed that development is not confined to Kolathur alone The state government he said views all constituencies across Tamil Nadu as its own and works with equal dedication in each Stalin highlighted that visiting Kolathur brings him incomparable satisfaction sometimes greater than what he experiences during statewide government programmes or political tours The constituency continues to inspire him he said with its loyalty and the emotional connection he shares with its residents Returning to the theme of personal support Stalin reiterated his gratitude to his wife noting that had she abandoned him during his difficult times his life and career might have taken a vastly different turn He used this example to remind newlyweds of the importance of mutual support patience and respect in marriage Addressing the bridegrooms in particular he urged them to treat their wives with dignity and to recognise the role their partners play in building a stable and successful life The event concluded with Stalin personally blessing and solemnising the marriages of 15 couples adding a personal touch to the ceremony and marking a memorable day for Kolathur IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/shaped-my-journey-stalin-credits-wife-durga-for-his-success-654346.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 14:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-nitish-kumar-flags-off-34-mobile-forensic-lab-vehicles-boosts-bihar-police-investigation-capacity-654394.html Patna Dec 18 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday gave a major boost to the states policing and criminal investigation system by flagging off 34 mobile forensic laboratory vehicles The initiative aims to ensure faster scientific and more effective investigation of criminal cases across Bihar an official said Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Samrat Choudhary and another Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sinha were also present at the event along with senior officials of the Home Department and Bihar PoliceThe mobile forensic lab vehicles have been deployed to various districts and departments across the state Until now forensic teams depended on police station vehicles or other arrangements to reach crime scenes often leading to delays that adversely affected investigations and the quality of evidenceWith the introduction of these stateoftheart mobile forensic vans forensic experts will now be able to reach crime scenes promptly and conduct scientific examinations on the spotAddressing the gathering Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said Since 2005 maintaining law and order has been our top priority and we have established the rule of law in the state A zerotolerance policy has been adopted against crime and corruption To further expedite criminal investigations 34 mobile forensic vehicles have been launched These vehicles are equipped with modern investigation equipment allowing forensic teams to begin work immediately upon reaching the crime sceneHe added that earlier evidence collected from crime scenes had to be sent to forensic laboratories which caused significant delays and often led to dissatisfaction among victimsâ familiesNow investigations will begin directly at the crime scene ensuring speed accuracy and convenience the Chief Minister saidAccording to official information regional forensic science laboratories FSLs are currently operational in Patna Muzaffarpur Bhagalpur and RajgirThe newly inaugurated mobile forensic vans will be deployed in the remaining districts ensuring statewide coverage These mobile units will play a crucial role in the investigation of serious criminal cases punishable with seven years or more of imprisonment enabling timely evidence collection and faster case resolutionThe government believes this step will significantly strengthen the criminal justice system and improve conviction rates an official notedOn the occasion Additional Chief Secretary Home Arvind Kumar Chaudhary Director General of Police Vinay Kumar ADG CID Paras Nath ADG Modernisation Sudhanshu Kumar and several other senior officers were also present IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-nitish-kumar-flags-off-34-mobile-forensic-lab-vehicles-boosts-bihar-police-investigation-capacity-654394.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 17:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/attack-on-freedom-of-expression-lop-ashoka-on-hate-speech-bill-654423.html Belagavi Dec 18 Taking strong objection to the controversial Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention and Control Bill 2025 moved by the Congressled government in Karnataka Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka said on Thursday that bringing such legislation amounts to an attack on freedom of expression Speaking on the floor of the House Ashoka said the government had granted itself sweeping powers under the new Bill to block any content at any point in time âAll principles of law have been thrown to the winds The offence is nonbailable and persons will be sent to jail directlyâ he saidWhat can be expected from people who imposed the Emergency in the country Ashoka askedIn my opinion even 75 years after Independence no legal expert has ever thought of bringing such a law I wonder why Home Minister G Parameshwara got this illconceived sorry wellconceived idea he said sarcasticallyWe thought Parameshwara was a man of compassion This move is heartbreaking The proposed Bill will turn police officers into Hitlers They will become Hitlers 100 per cent Words like âmental tortureâ are used but no one knows what constitutes mental torture Feelings of hatred is another vague term There are many such ambiguous words in this Bill Ashoka pointed outHe said the Bill was a complete violation of Article 191a of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech and expression âIt even refers to drawings No one can draw cartoons anymore Newspapers that have published cartoons for 75 years will no longer be able to do soâ he saidThey have also included news reports If the media publish articles on corruption they would need to obtain bail in advance or else they will be arrested If one person makes a statement a case can be filed against the entire organisation If a son commits murder can his parents be jailed What kind of law is this Ashoka askedQuestioning the intent behind the legislation he said that by giving such powers to the police the government was allowing them to act arbitrarily âCorruption is already rampant and now you are empowering them with even more authorityâ he objectedReferring to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS Act brought by the Centre Ashoka said there were already provisions to deal with such issues with punishments prescribed The BNS Act provides for up to five yearsâ imprisonment with a fine for inciting violence at religious places or gatherings he notedIn my opinion this Bill is a weapon to pursue political vendetta The Congress at the Centre is protesting claiming its liberties are being taken away What are you doing here You are bringing laws similar to those during the Emergency From now on media persons should be prepared to go to jail and we will stand with you he saidUltimately this is votebank politics To please certain sections people will be jailed Under this law a person would have undergone punishment even if he is later found innocent he addedAshoka further alleged that the government had resorted to poor translations using words that do not even exist in Kannada You will lose all dignity and honour by doing this he saidHe pointed out that Sections 196 299 and 353 of the BNS Act already deal with hate speech By bringing a new law they are targeting the media and the Opposition This is not good This law will eventually become a weapon in the hands of ruling governments in the future he warnedAshoka also criticised the Home Minister for not filling even 50 per cent of vacant posts in the police department Wherever protests or dramas are staged police personnel have to be deployed This law is only about targeting people and it will come back to haunt you he saidHome Minister G Parameshwara made his statement while explaining the Bill in the Legislative Assembly after the House passed it He said he believes the legislation will bring significant change in societyThe punishment for hate crimes prescribed in the Karnataka Hate Speech and Hate Crimes Prevention and Control Bill 2025 has been reduced from 10 years to seven years for repeat offences following criticism IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/attack-on-freedom-of-expression-lop-ashoka-on-hate-speech-bill-654423.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:35:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/andhra-pradesh-ageing-faster-mulls-second-child-onwards-incentive-654424.html Amaravati Dec 18 With Andhra Pradesh ageing faster than India the state government is considering a second child onwards incentive similar to models implemented in France and Hungary to avoid future demographic collapse a top official said on Thursday Andhra Pradesh is ageing faster than India with a median age of 325 years compared to the national average of 284 yearsThe states Total Fertility Rate TFR has declined to 15 well below the replacement level of 21 placing Andhra Pradesh on a trajectory similar to developed economies facing a demographic crisisThe state has only a demographic window until 2040 before the dependency ratio skews heavily towards the elderly populationThe alarming demographic trends were highlighted by state Health Medical amp Family Welfare Secretary Sourabh Gaur at the 5th Collectors Conference hereHe presented Andhra Pradeshs transformative approach to Population Management and Human Resource Development as the third âsutraâ in âPadi Sutraluâ 10 points under Swarna Andhra Vision 2047 and underlined the need to shift from population control to population sustainabilityChief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasised the urgent need to address the states declining fertility rate and improve overall health outcomesOnce a champion of family planning initiatives he underlined the dramatic shift in policy priorities required to address current demographic challengesWe are now facing the same problem that developed nations are experiencing a growing nonworkingaged population Our focus must shift to enabling and incentivising families to have children Saurabh Gaur stated suggesting a second child onwards incentive principle similar to models implemented in France and Hungary to arrest the TFR decline and avoid future demographic collapseIn a groundbreaking initiative he presented the plans for the establishment of Fertility Colleges as Centres of Excellence for Reproductive Medicine This firstofitskind public sector initiative will train professionals and provide statesupported IVF treatment for couples facing infertility challenges addressing a critical barrier to sustainable population growthGaur also outlined a comprehensive lifecycle approach to population management encompassing five strategic pillars Supportive Fertility Ecosystem Preventive Healthcare through the Sanchara Chikitsa concept Augmenting Lifelong Skilling through a Skill Passport System starting from Grade 6 Incentivising Women Workforce Participation through safe mobility and mandatory crÃches and Active Ageing amp Community through the establishment of Elderly Clubs at the Mandal levelThe Secretary told the Collectors that closing the female workforce participation gap from the current 31 per cent to match the male participation rate of 59 per cent can boost the states GSDP by 15 per cent To achieve this the government will implement womenfriendly transport systems and mandatory crÃches in major workplaces to reduce the motherhood penalty on careersOn healthcare outcomes the Secretary set ambitious targets to reduce Maternal Mortality Ratio from the current 30 to global best standards below 5 matching Norway Poland and Belarus and Infant Mortality Rate from approximately 17 to below 2 matching Singapore and Iceland IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/andhra-pradesh-ageing-faster-mulls-second-child-onwards-incentive-654424.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/tn-delta-farmers-seek-urgent-pre-procurement-meet-ahead-of-samba-harvest-654441.html Chennai Dec 18 With the Samba harvest set to begin in early January farmers across the Cauvery Delta are urging the Tamil Nadu government to immediately convene a preprocurement meeting and release the procurement policy emphasising that any further delay could expose them to the same challenges faced during this years Kuruvai procurement Farmers recalled how the Kuruvai season witnessed poor planning and severe losses with harvested paddy remaining stacked at Direct Procurement Centres during heavy monsoon rains The lack of adequate vehicles gunny bags manpower and a centralised transport system caused delays leading to damage and financial setbacksThey believe lessons from that experience must guide this years Samba procurement to prevent similar disruptionsDespite the impact of monsoon rains and the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah Samba cultivation in the Delta region is estimated to cross 1050 lakh acresTiruvarur and Thanjavur alone account for 362 lakh acres and 340 lakh acres respectively Early Samba crops are expected to reach procurement centres in the first week of January necessitating swift government actionFarmers argue that a preprocurement meeting chaired by the State Chief Secretary would allow agricultural and revenue departments procurement agencies and transport officials to coordinate effectivelySuch a meeting they say would address bottlenecks in advance particularly transport logistics storage arrangements and the availability of gunny bags to avoid piling of produce at procurement centresThey also point out that other major riceproducing states such as Karnataka Odisha Chhattisgarh Telangana Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal mandate preprocurement meetings annually helping them prepare betterTamil Nadu however has not held such consultations since 2022 and farmers believe the absence of this mechanism contributed to last seasonâs setbacksThe farmers are urging that the meeting be held in Thanjavur where key stakeholders from across the Delta can participate voice their concerns and align expectationsWith only a few weeks left before Samba procurement begins they insist that the government issue the procurement policy and announce incentives without delayThey argue that proactive planning is vital to protect harvested paddy from climatic risks ensure efficient collection at procurement centres and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of farming families dependent on the seasonâs yield IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/tn-delta-farmers-seek-urgent-pre-procurement-meet-ahead-of-samba-harvest-654441.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 22:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/assam-after-33-years-in-makeshift-camps-30-flood-displaced-families-get-land-654453.html Guwahati Dec 18 Bringing longawaited relief to families displaced for over three decades 30 floodaffected households from Kaitiya village were on Thursday allotted land in Assamâs Tinsukia district ending 33 years of uncertainty following the catastrophic Brahmaputra floods and erosion of 1992 Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia distributed official land allotment papers to the beneficiary families many of whom had been living in makeshift camps since losing their homes and agricultural land to river erosion The families had been residing in extremely difficult conditions on a small patch of land at Kordoiguri struggling with limited access to basic amenities and livelihood opportunitiesAddressing the gathering Chetia said the land distribution marked a new chapter for the displaced familiesFor 33 years these families lived without security or certainty Today they finally have land they can call their own This is not just land allotment it is the restoration of dignity and hope he saidOf the beneficiaries 25 families were residing at No 3 Kordoiguri Garigaon village four at Darjijan Muaribasti and one family at Tipuk Simaluguri Bajraput Satra Each family received legal land documents ensuring permanent ownership and protection from future displacementThe rehabilitation initiative was facilitated with support from local tea estate owners Kesaguri Tea Estate owner Ghanashyam Lahoti contributed 20 bighas of land while Brindaban Tea Estate owner Kishore Agarwal donated four bighas for the resettlement of the families Chetia expressed gratitude to the donors describing their contribution as a âcommendable humanitarian gestureâThe MLA said the government remains committed to rehabilitating flood and erosionaffected people in the regionHe recalled that in August this year 101 landless families from Kaitiya village displaced by the same 1992 floods were rehabilitated at Sadiya Each of those families was allotted five bighas of agricultural land and one bigha of residential land at Ghurmura GaneshbariOne beneficiary Rupali Gogoi said the land allotment had restored hopeFor decades we survived in temporary shelters Owning land today gives us security and a future for our children she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/assam-after-33-years-in-makeshift-camps-30-flood-displaced-families-get-land-654453.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 23:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/after-36-days-mortal-remains-of-rajasthan-youth-to-return-from-saudi-arabia-654320.html Jaipur Dec 18 The mortal remains of 19yearold Ramesh Kumar Meghwal a resident of Meghwalon ki Dhani in Rajasthanâs Balotra district who died under suspicious circumstances in Saudi Arabia will return home on Thursday 36 days after his death The body is scheduled to arrive in Jaipur from Saudi Arabia on Thursday afternoon A hearing in the case was held at the Rajasthan High Court in Jodhpur on Wednesday with the next hearing slated for ThursdayCharmesh Sharma former director of the Rajasthan Seed Corporation who had moved a petition before the Presidentâs Secretariat said the mortal remains would reach Jaipur in the second half of the day The body was flown from Saudi Arabia to New Delhi at 1205 am on December 18 and will be transported onward to JaipurLok Sabha MP Ummeda Ram Beniwal has arranged an ambulance to carry the body from Jaipur to Meghwalon ki Dhani in Balotra Rameshâs cousin Gajaram said that his brother Gainaram Meghwal along with family members Motaram Meghwal Devaram and Sukhdev left Balotra on Wednesday evening with Sharma to receive the body at Jaipur AirportRamesh had travelled to Saudi Arabia for employment on October 11 and died there on November 13 2025 under suspicious circumstances As the body was not repatriated to India his mother Tiju Devi filed a petition in the Rajasthan High Court on December 10Taking note of the matter Justice Nupur Bhati on December 11 issued a notice to the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in New Delhi and sought responses from the Governments of India and RajasthanFollowing the High Courtâs intervention Saudi authorities handed over the body to the Indian Embassy after which a No Objection Certificate NOC was issued clearing the way for its repatriation IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/after-36-days-mortal-remains-of-rajasthan-youth-to-return-from-saudi-arabia-654320.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/overnight-protest-in-dungarpur-after-minor-girls-suicide-over-alleged-harassment-654335.html Dungarpur Dec 18 An overnight sitin protest was staged outside the Peeth police outpost in Dungarpur district of Rajasthan after a 16yearold girl allegedly died by suicide following harassment by a youth in the Dhambola police station area The protesters demanded action after the girl died after consuming poison The incident led to protests by family members and local residentsAccording to the complaint lodged by the victimâs mother Geeta Devi Patidar on December 14 had gone with her daughter to an eMitra centre in Kalalwada to fill a BSTC form During this time Javed alias Mustaq a resident of Peeth allegedly followed them on a motorcycle and later reached the eMitra centreThe complainant alleged that the accused followed them again near the Patwar building and verbally abused and threatened themThe complaint further states that later the same day Javed along with Mustaq Titoria Khatija Suhana and others allegedly assaulted and molested the minor girl The mother also alleged she was assaulted when she intervenedFamily members said they approached the Peeth police outpost to file a complaint but no immediate action was taken The girl reportedly consumed poison on December 16 She was taken to CSC Seemalwara and later referred to hospitals in Dungarpur and Udaipur where she died during treatment on December 17Following the death family members and people from various communities staged a protest outside the Dhambola police station and later outside the Peeth police outpostProtesters demanded the arrest of the accused compensation and a government job for a family memberSuperintendent of Police Manish Kumar said six people have been detained in the case so far He added that the incharge of the Peeth police outpost SI Manilal has been suspended Police personnel have been deployed and the situation is under control he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/overnight-protest-in-dungarpur-after-minor-girls-suicide-over-alleged-harassment-654335.html Thu, 18 Dec 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/hanumangarh-on-edge-over-ethanol-plant-as-raj-govt-forms-panel-farmers-hold-mahapanchayat-654145.html Jaipur Dec 17 Amid escalating protests against a proposed ethanol factory in Tibbi the Rajasthan government has constituted a fivemember committee to examine concerns related to groundwater depletion and environmental pollution at the project site in Hanumangarh district The committee chaired by the Divisional Commissioner Bikaner includes senior officials from the state environment pollution control and groundwater departments and will submit its report to the Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Climate Change Department said CMO officials The committee will submit its report to the Additional Chief Secretary Environment and Climate Change Department Government of RajasthanAs farmers remain firm on their demands and the administration maintains tight security all eyes are now on the Mahapanchayat which is expected to shape the future course of the agitation Prominent farmer leaders from across the country are expected to attendIn view of the gathering the district administration has enforced unprecedented security measures creating a tense atmosphere across the regionThe agitating farmers have raised two key demands First the Immediate cancellation of the MoU signed for setting up the ethanol factory in Tibbi and second withdrawal of all cases registered against farmers during earlier protestsAnticipating large crowds the administration had suspended internet services across the district until 12 pm on Wednesday Section 163 has been imposed throughout Hanumangarh More than 1400 police personnel have been deployed including forces from other districts and police headquartersSuperintendent of Police Harishankar is personally monitoring the lawandorder situation Heavy barricading has been put up near the District Collector and SP offices while the Dhanmandi complex and adjoining areas are under drone surveillanceDistrict Collector Khushal Yadav has banned the entry of tractors at the Mahapanchayat venue citing the risk of disturbances Farmer leaders however have said they will arrive with tractors raising the possibility of a confrontation with the administration IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/hanumangarh-on-edge-over-ethanol-plant-as-raj-govt-forms-panel-farmers-hold-mahapanchayat-654145.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 16:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/people-take-to-streets-in-jharkhands-ramgarh-after-elephants-kill-four-in-a-day-654182.html Ramgarh Jharkhand Dec 17 Anger and panic gripped Jharkhandâs Ramgarh district on Wednesday after four people were killed in separate wild elephant attacks within a single day prompting residents to take to the streets in protest Enraged villagers blocked the Number Four Chowk in Ghato for several hours raising slogans against the district administration and the Forest Department and accusing them of negligenceThe road blockade disrupted traffic on the RamgarhâKedla main road and adjoining routes causing severe inconvenience to commutersThe four deaths occurred between Tuesday evening and late at night in the Ghato police station area The victims have been identified as Amit Rajwar 33 Amul Mahto 35 Parvati Devi 40 and Savitri Devi 45News of the multiple fatalities spread quickly triggering fear across the region and forcing many villagers to remain indoors overnightThe first incident took place around 4 pm on Tuesday near the Ara Number Four Feeder Breaker in West BokaroAccording to locals a herd of elephants was resting by the roadside when residents from nearby areas gathered to see them Some villagers allegedly tried to chase the elephants away which angered one of the animals which then attacked the crowdRajwar who was returning home to Ichakdih after his shift at Sarubera Colliery was trampled to deathThe incident caused chaos with traffic coming to a halt on the RamgarhKedla road as several heavy vehicle drivers abandoned their vehicles and fled to safetyA few hours later Mahto a resident of Giddi was also killed in an elephant attack The situation worsened late at night when the herd trampled to death Parvati Devi wife of Mahavir Manjhi and Savitri Devi wife of the late Lakhan KarmaliThe backtoback incidents have shaken the entire region Protesters alleged that the forest department and district administration have failed to take concrete and longterm measures to prevent elephants from straying into human settlementsVillagers demanded immediate steps to confine elephants to forest areas strengthen earlywarning mechanisms and provide prompt and adequate compensation to the families of those killed IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/people-take-to-streets-in-jharkhands-ramgarh-after-elephants-kill-four-in-a-day-654182.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/substantial-progress-in-rail-infrastructure-projects-says-haryana-chief-secretary-654183.html Chandigarh Dec 17 Haryana Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi who is also the Chairman of the Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation HRIDC on Wednesday said substantial progress has been achieved across several flagship rail infrastructure projects of the state He was reviewing the status of ongoing works during the 33rd meeting of the Board of Directors of the HRIDCThe meeting was informed that the Kurukshetra Elevated Track project has reached an advanced stage of execution All civil track signalling and telecommunication and overhead electrification works of the viaduct have been completed The construction of the elevated platform is also in advance stage of completionThe completed works will thereafter be offered for technical inspection by Northern Railways followed by the inspection of Commissioner Railway SafetyChief Secretary Rastogi directed officials to expedite the work of the project Considering the expertise developed by HRIDC he suggested the HRIDC must expand its operations and aim for a national footprintOn the Eastern Orbital Rail Corridor from Sonipat to Palwal via Baghpat Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddha Nagar it was informed at the meeting that the alignment for the study has already been approved by a steering committee headed by the Chief Secretary of Uttar Pradesh and the feasibility study is now in an advance stageReviewing the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Chief Secretary Rastogi said significant progress has been made on several fronts The ManesarPatli section of the project along with Maruti railway yard has been commissioned in June 2025 and till date 372 rakes have been loaded from the Maruti plant in ManesarThis is a significant milestone for the company and the revenue has also started accruing to the Haryana Orbital Rail Corridor Inprinciple forest clearance for the Stage I has also been secured and the application for Aravalli clearance been also been submitted for approvalAlso substantial progress has been achieved in land compensation with disbursement of Rs 1533 crore against land awards amounting to Rs 1878 crore In addition Rs 99 crore has been disbursed against arbitration awards IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/substantial-progress-in-rail-infrastructure-projects-says-haryana-chief-secretary-654183.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/maha-state-level-committee-formed-to-clear-encroachments-from-protected-monuments-654194.html Mumbai Dec 17 In a significant move to preserve the historical integrity of Maharashtras heritage the State Cabinet on Wednesday decided to establish a StateLevel Committee chaired by the Minister for Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar The primary objective of the committee is to ensure that stateprotected monuments including forts remain free from encroachments Maharashtra currently has 390 stateprotected monuments In addition there are 145 temples including Tulja Bhavani and JejuriThe project covers diverse sites ranging from the August Kranti Maidan St George Fort Dharavi Fort and Khandeshwari Caves in the Konkan region the ancient petroglyphs in Ratnagiri and the birthplaces of national heroes such as Vasudev Balwant Phadke and Senapati Bapat In Western Maharashtra the project also includes the birthplaces of Yashwantrao Chavan and Baji Prabhu DeshpandeRemoval of unauthorised constructions is not merely an administrative task but a necessity for the scientific conservation of our history the Cabinet notedThe decision is expected to preserve the historical authenticity of ancient sites accelerate the district development agenda by promoting tourism and improve the stateâs standing in heritage conservation rankingsThe committee comprises a highlevel panel of ministers and secretaries to ensure interdepartmental coordination including the Ministers of Revenue Rural Development Tourism Public Works Department PWD Forests and Ports Development It also includes the Secretaries of Finance Planning Cultural Affairs Urban Development 1 Home Revenue Rural Development Tourism PWD Forests and Ports DevelopmentWhile a previous Government Resolution GR dated January 20 2025 focused specifically on clearing encroachments from forts central state and unprotected the new decision expands the scope to include all stateprotected monuments according to a release issued by the office of the Minister for Cultural Affairs Ashish ShelarThe StateLevel Committee will oversee the functioning of DistrictLevel Committees formulate strategic policies and provide necessary guidance The government noted that removing unauthorised structures is essential for monument conservationFurthermore developing these sites as tourist hubs will boost district economies and accelerate regional development To expedite the removal of encroachments and facilitate conservation the Planning Department has been authorised to provide funds directly to District Collectors IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/maha-state-level-committee-formed-to-clear-encroachments-from-protected-monuments-654194.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-cancels-jobs-of-313-teachers-in-gorkhaland-territorial-administration-run-schools-654207.html Kolkata Dec 17 A singlejudge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday cancelled the jobs of 313 teachers attached to Gorkhaland Territorial Administration GTArun schools spread across the hill regions of Darjeeling Kurseong and Kalimpong in the northern sector of West Bengal While ordering the cancellation of the jobs of the 313 teachers the singlejudge bench of Justice Biswajit Basu observed that all these recruitments were made illegally At the same time the bench also directed the Criminal Investigation Department CID of the West Bengal Police to continue its investigation in the matterJustice Basu further observed that the salaries of the 313 teachers should be stopped immediately He questioned why expenditure for paying salaries to illegally appointed teachers should be borne by the state exchequer He also raised questions over the academic qualifications of the 313 teachers whose appointments were found to be illegalThere were allegations of illegal recruitment of teachers in GTAcontrolled schools in the hill regions It was further alleged that these appointments were made unilaterally without issuing any notificationA case was filed seeking the intervention of the Calcutta High Court in the matter During the hearing the singlejudge bench of Justice Basu had initially ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation CBIHowever the state government approached a division bench of the Calcutta High Court comprising Justice Harish Tandon and Justice Madhuresh Prasad challenging the order directing a CBI probe The division bench subsequently upheld the order of the singlejudge benchThe state government then challenged the division bench order before the Supreme Court The apex court however set aside the direction for a CBI probe and ruled that the investigation would instead be conducted by the CID of the state policeMeanwhile the hearing on the main matter relating to the alleged irregular appointments continued before the singlejudge bench of Justice Basu Finally on Wednesday Justice Basu ordered the cancellation of the appointments IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-cancels-jobs-of-313-teachers-in-gorkhaland-territorial-administration-run-schools-654207.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 21:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/draft-electoral-roll-for-tn-to-be-published-on-dec-19-voters-urged-to-verify-details-654225.html Chennai Dec 17 The Election Commission of India ECI is set to publish the draft electoral roll for Tamil Nadu on Friday December 19 marking a crucial milestone in the states election preparedness The release follows two earlier extensions and signals the beginning of an important verification phase that allows voters to confirm their registration details and seek corrections if requiredElection officials have urged all eligible citizens to carefully check the draft list to ensure their names are included and that personal details such as age address and polling station information are accurateThe exercise is aimed at improving the accuracy and inclusiveness of the electoral roll ahead of future elections Voters will be able to verify their details through both online and offline modes making the process accessible across urban and rural areasFor online verification electors can log on to the official website of the Election Commission of India at ecigovin or the Tamil Nadu State Election Departmentâs portal at tnelectionstngovinUsing either their name or Electors Photo Identity Card EPIC number voters can search the database and confirm their registration status For those who prefer offline verification the draft electoral roll will be made available at local polling stations through Booth Level Officers BLOsBLOs have been instructed to assist voters in checking the list guiding them through the verification process and helping them understand the procedure for filing claims or objectionsThis offline mechanism is expected to be particularly helpful for senior citizens firsttime voters and residents in areas with limited internet accessFollowing its publication the draft roll will be open for public scrutiny for a stipulated period during which electors can submit claims for inclusion of names corrections to existing entries or objections to inaccurate or duplicate entries Applications can be filed both online and through designated forms submitted to BLOs or election officesElection authorities have emphasised that this stage is vital to ensuring that every eligible voter is able to participate in the democratic process without hindranceCitizens have been encouraged not to delay verification and to take advantage of the claims and objections window to address any discrepanciesThe final electoral roll will be prepared after considering all valid claims and objections received during this period forming the basis for upcoming elections in the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/draft-electoral-roll-for-tn-to-be-published-on-dec-19-voters-urged-to-verify-details-654225.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-minister-krishna-byregowda-accused-of-corruption-land-encroachment-bjp-demands-resignation-654229.html Belagavi Dec 17 The Karnataka BJP on Wednesday accused Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda of land encroachment and corruption and demanded his resignation The party also released documents and videos in support of its allegations BJP workers staged protests at the Byatarayanapura Assembly constituency in Bengaluru against Minister Byregowda alleging that he had grabbed 21 acres of land in Kolar district that originally belonged to a lake and a burial groundIt may be noted that Minister Byregowda represents the Byatarayanapura Assembly segment while Kolar is his native districtPolice detained BJP workers for protesting without permission loaded them into buses and took them to an undisclosed locationMeanwhile the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy demanded the immediate resignation of Revenue Minister Krishna Byregowda accusing him of corruption and of illegally transferring cemetery land and tank land into his nameAddressing the media in Belagavi Narayanaswamy released documents alleging that the minister had manipulated records to transfer one acre of cemetery land Survey No 47 and 20 acres and 16 guntas of tank land Survey No 46 in Garudanapalya village of Narsapura hobli in Kolar district into his nameThe total value of the land is estimated to be around Rs 100â120 crore he saidâThis is a clear case of corruption and misuse of powerâ Narayanaswamy said âThe ministerâs actions are a shame and an insult to the people of Karnataka He should immediately resign and face an investigationâNarayanaswamy questioned how the minister had managed to transfer the land into his name despite it being cemetery and tank land which are protected under lawHe alleged that the ministerâs father late C Byregowda had manipulated documents to transfer the land into their namesThe opposition leader demanded that the government conduct an investigation into the matter and reclaim the land âThe people of Karnataka will not tolerate such corruption and misuse of powerâ he warnedNarayanaswamy also announced that the opposition would take legal action if the minister does not resign immediately âWe will fight this case in court and ensure that the minister is brought to justiceâ he saidThe allegations have sparked political outrage in the state The incident has also raised questions about the governmentâs commitment to fighting corruption and protecting public land he saidMinister Krishna Byregowda however refuted all the charges against him and maintained that the allegations are politically motivated He stated that he is ready to face any investigation into the matter IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-minister-krishna-byregowda-accused-of-corruption-land-encroachment-bjp-demands-resignation-654229.html Wed, 17 Dec 2025 23:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai--653853.html New Delhi Dec 16 The Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity recently observed National Energy Conservation Day with students from Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC schools in Mumbai Under its Corporate Social Responsibility CSR programme Project âUtthanâ Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity celebrated the day on December 14 with students engaging in several educational and fun activitiesâA massive success for National Energy Conservation Day Adani Electricity and Adani Foundations CSR project Utthan aimed at enhancing learning outcomes in BMC schools across Mumbai in collaboration with BMC and the dedication of BMC school teachers and Utthan Sahayaks engaged students in vital energy awarenessâ according to an official statementâFrom the fun Switch Off Game and innovative science models to the Energy Pledge this partnership is actively fostering a culture of energy efficiency among the younger generationâ it addedA variety of interactive and educational activities were conducted under the guidance of BMC school teachers and Utthan Sahayakâs throughout the day to drive home essential energysaving conceptsThese included interactive games like an Ice Breaker Activity and a fun Switch Off Game similar to RedGreen LightThe Adani Electricity team spearheaded a short talk using reallife examples to illustrate the importance of energy conservation and the benefits of adopting energysaving habitsThe students participated in a postermaking competition on the theme Energy Conservation for a Greener Planet while teachers performed an energy conservation skit or role playFurther a dedicated exhibition showcased innovative studentmade models focused on energy conservation including solar energy models wind energy demonstrations biogas plant models and comparisons of energyefficient appliances LED vs CFLThe students also took a solemn energy pledge to adopt energysaving habits at home and schoolSince 2021 Project Utthan has been successfully run under a publicprivate partnership between BMC Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity focusing on fundamentally enhancing the quality and learning outcomes in BMC schools across MumbaiThe project prioritises strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy FLN for primary students This is achieved through activitybased learning the creation of robust learning resources like reading corners and targeted personalised support provided by dedicated Utthan Sahayaks who work alongside BMC teachers to ensure student retention and academic improvementIt has made significant strides in transforming foundational learning across BMC schools across Mumbai The initiative has already shown measurable improvements in learning outcomes student engagement and the creation of more joyful inclusive classrooms The initiative also fosters holistic development by empowering teachers and engaging the communityBeyond academic metrics Project Utthan aims to fundamentally transform Mumbais public education system by building strong foundational learning environmentsThe initiative is strategically aligned to improve the citys performance in the National Achievement Survey NAS 202728 with a focus on ensuring that no child is left behind in acquiring essential literacy and numeracy skills IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai--653853.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jd-s-seeks-withdrawal-of-greater-bengaluru-governance-bill-calls-it-unconstitutional-653685.html Bengaluru Dec 15 The Janata Dal Secular on Monday demanded that the Congressled state government immediately withdraw the Greater Bengaluru Governance Amendment Bill terming it an insult to democracy and contrary to the Constitution JDS Bengaluru City Unit President HM Ramesh Gowda in a statement alleged that the proposed ward demarcation under the bill was politically motivated and designed to benefit the Congress party and warned that such flawed restructuring would adversely affect Bengaluruâs developmentThe governments move to table this bill is condemnable It is an attempt to push the legislation at the last minute to gain undue political advantage Gowda saidHe cited Article 243R of the Constitution which mandates that all seats in a municipality shall be filled by persons chosen through direct elections from territorial constituencies within the municipal area commonly referred to as wardsGowda further pointed out that while the Constitution provides for nominated members under Article 243R2 such members do not enjoy voting rights He alleged that the governmentâs proposal to nominate corporators to newly created wards violates constitutional provisionsThe bill allows the nomination of members at the rate of one per 20000 population This is nothing but an insult to democracy The government must withdraw this bill immediately he demandedIt may be noted that the Greater Bengaluru Governance Amendment Bill 2025 was tabled in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly with the stated objective of providing clarity on the functioning of the Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA and its relationship with existing civic bodiesAs per the provisions of the bill all elected Members of Parliament and Members of the State Legislative Assembly whose constituencies or parts of constituencies fall within the jurisdiction of the Greater Bengaluru Authority will be included as members of the AuthorityThe government has maintained that the proposed amendments are aimed at decentralising governance improving service delivery and enhancing transparency in Bengaluruâs urban administrationThe amendment also clarifies that mayors and elected corporation members will continue to enjoy full powers as guaranteed under the Constitution thereby safeguarding the spirit of the 74th Constitutional Amendment the government has said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jd-s-seeks-withdrawal-of-greater-bengaluru-governance-bill-calls-it-unconstitutional-653685.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ceased-to-exist-in-reality-sc-dissolves-25-year-old-marriage-653943.html New Delhi Dec 16 The Supreme Court has dissolved a 25yearold marriage holding that it had ceased to exist in reality and that there was no possibility of reconciliation Allowing a petition filed by the husband a bench of Justice Manmohan and Justice Joymalya Bagchi invoked its extraordinary powers to do complete justice between the parties and granted divorce on the ground of irretrievable breakdown The Justice Manmohanheaded Bench set aside a 2011 Gauhati High Court judgment that had overturned a divorce decree granted by a trial court in Shillong The parties have lived separately for far too long a period of time and there is no sanctity left in the marriage Also rapprochement is not in the realm of possibility the apex court observed noting that the couple had been living apart since November 2001 and had no children from the wedlock The marriage between the parties was solemnised in August 2000 However matrimonial litigation began as early as 2003 and has continued for over 22 years the judgment observed adding that despite mediation efforts ordered by the Supreme Court in 2012 no settlement was reached The bench said that prolonged separation without any hope of reunion itself amounts to cruelty Referring to a series of earlier decisions the apex court said that where parties have been living separately for decades the marriage becomes only on paper An unworkable marriage which has ceased to be effective is futile and bound to be a source of great misery to the parties the judgment said adding that refusal to sever such a legal tie does not serve the sanctity of marriage but may lead to mental cruelty Rejecting the Gauhati High Courtâs view that the wife had not deserted the husband the Supreme Court stressed that the case was not about fixing fault or blame but about recognising the reality of a dead marriage No spouse can be compelled to resume life with a consort and as such nothing is gained by keeping the parties tied forever to a marriage which has in fact ceased to exist the Justice Manmohanled Bench reiterated The Supreme Court upheld the 2010 decree of divorce passed by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Judicial Shillong and set aside the Gauhati High Courtâs judgment formally dissolving the marriage Accordingly the order of the Additional Deputy Commissioner Judicial Shillong insofar as it grants a decree of divorce to the parties is upheld and the impugned order of the High Court is set aside With the aforesaid observations the appeal stands allowedâ the apex court said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ceased-to-exist-in-reality-sc-dissolves-25-year-old-marriage-653943.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bjp-seeks-nia-probe-into-schools-receiving-bomb-threats-in-punjab-653688.html Chandigarh Dec 15 With 11 schools in Jalandhar city received bomb threat emails that led to panic as parents started gathering outside schools to pick their wards BJP national General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Monday took exception to the manner in which a sense of terror is being spread among school children in Punjab by forces that the AAP government has failed to control Demanding an investigation by the NIA Chugh said it appeared to be a deliberate and calculated design by subversive forces to intimidate children and their parents reflecting the complete collapse of the law and order machinery in the border state He questioned whether the Bhagwant Mann government was playing into the hands of the ISI or had simply failed to control disruptive forces Chugh said the entire state already âknows that gangsters and mafias are enjoying a free run spreading an atmosphere of terror and panic across the state Everyone is aware of how bullets are fired almost daily and how extortion calls are made to paralyse every section of society But it is extremely alarming that schoolgoing children are now being subjected to terrorism and panic at a time when the Bhagwant Mann government continues to make deceptive claims about improving standards of school educationâ Chugh said in a statement Calling it an inhuman and criminal failure on the part of the Mann government Chugh said the matter needs a thorough investigation A message from St Josephs Convent School to the parents after the threatening email read This is to inform you that the school has announced a half day today December 15 The dispersal time for all students will be 1155 am Please do not pay attention to any rumours The school premises have been thoroughly inspected by the authorities concerned and no threat or danger has been detectedâ Responding to bomb threat emails Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur said 11 schools have reported having received threatening emails âSo far the emails do not seem genuine as they are in the same format Our teams are checking their origin These are on the same lines as received in Amritsarâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bjp-seeks-nia-probe-into-schools-receiving-bomb-threats-in-punjab-653688.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/attempt-to-rename-mnrega-an-insult-to-mahatma-gandhi-ashok-gehlot-653695.html Jaipur Dec 15 Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Monday strongly criticised the NDA governments reported move to rename the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act MNREGA calling it a reflection of a petty mindset and a serious insult to the Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi In a statement Gehlot said the NDA government had initially floated the idea of removing the name of Revered Bapu from the employment guarantee scheme and after facing widespread criticism was now attempting to introduce a new name Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission abbreviated as âVB G RAM Gâ He said this repeated eagerness to change the name only exposed the guilt insecurity and narrow thinking of the BJPled NDA governmentGehlot alleged that the attempt to alter the identity of MNREGA was not merely an administrative decision but a deliberate effort to erase Mahatma Gandhiâs legacy from a landmark welfare programme that has provided livelihood security to millions of rural households across the countryHighlighting Mahatma Gandhis global stature Gehlot recalled that during the recent G20 Summit Russian President Vladimir Putin and several other world leaders paid homage to Gandhiji at Rajghat He said that since Independence every visiting head of state has traditionally paid tribute at Rajghat underlining Gandhijiâs unparalleled respect and moral authority across the worldOn one hand the entire world bows to Bapu On the other there appears to be a conspiracy to erase his legacy in his own country the former Chief Minister said describing the move as deeply disturbingCalling the proposed renaming emotionally and morally wrong the former Chief Minister stressed that Mahatma Gandhi was a lifelong devotee of Lord Rama and that Hey Ram were his final wordsThe current governments deplorable attempt to sideline Gandhiji under the pretext of including the name âRamâ in the schemeâs title is highly reprehensible he said adding that invoking Lord Ramaâs name to justify removing Mahatma Gandhis name amounted to a distortion of both spiritual and moral valuesGehlot demanded that the Centre immediately reconsider and withdraw the move warning that such actions would send an extremely negative message to the international community about Indiaâs commitment to Gandhian idealsHe further pointed out that October 2 Mahatma Gandhis birth anniversary is observed by the United Nations as the International Day of NonViolence reflecting the global reverence and relevance of Gandhijis philosophy even todaySuch steps clearly indicate that the BJP does not truly believe in the values of nonviolence truth and inclusiveness that Mahatma Gandhi stood for Gehlot said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/attempt-to-rename-mnrega-an-insult-to-mahatma-gandhi-ashok-gehlot-653695.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-slams-centres-move-to-rename-and-restructure-mgnregs-warns-bjp-of-public-backlash-653697.html Chennai Dec 15 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJPled Central government accusing it of systematically dismantling the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme MGNREGS a flagship programme that has played a key role in rural poverty alleviation across India In a strongly worded statement posted on social media platform X the Chief Minister condemned the Centreâs proposed move to rename and restructure the scheme calling it an ideological assault on both Mahatma Gandhiâs legacy and the rights of rural workersStalin alleged that the BJP government driven by what he described as âdeepseated hostilityâ towards the Father of the Nation is attempting to remove Mahatma Gandhiâs name from the scheme and replace it with what he termed an unpronounceable Sanskritised North Indian name â reportedly the Viksit Bharat Rojgar and Awas Yojana He said this renaming exercise was not merely symbolic but reflected a broader attempt to dilute the spirit of the programmeThe Chief Minister also expressed serious concern over proposed changes to the funding pattern He pointed out that MGNREGS was originally implemented with 100 per cent financial support from the Union government but under the new proposal the Centre intends to limit its contribution to just 60 per cent Such a move Stalin warned would severely weaken the scheme and burden states that are already investing heavily in social welfare Another major issue highlighted by Stalin was what he called the punishment of success He said Tamil Nadu which has made significant strides in reducing rural poverty is now being penalised for its achievements As a state categorised as having lower poverty levels Tamil Nadu is likely to receive reduced benefits under the revised framework depriving eligible rural workers of muchneeded employment opportunities The MGNREGS introduced in 2005 has been instrumental in providing guaranteed employment through works related to water conservation land development rural roads and livestockrelated infrastructure Stalin stressed that the scheme had helped lift crores of people out of poverty and enabled them to live with dignity Drawing a parallel with earlier policy reversals the Chief Minister warned the Centre that public resistance would once again prevail Just as you were forced to retreat on the three farm laws and the castebased census the people will certainly compel you to step back from this attempt to destroy MGNREGS he said Stalin urged the Union government to immediately withdraw the proposed Viksit Bharat â Guarantee Scheme for Employment and Livelihood cautioning that failure to do so would invite the wrath of the people across the country IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-slams-centres-move-to-rename-and-restructure-mgnregs-warns-bjp-of-public-backlash-653697.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 00:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai-653820.html New Delhi Dec 16 The Adani Foundation supported by Adani Electricity recently observed National Energy Conservation Day with 15 lakh students from schools in Mumbai Under its Corporate Social Responsibility CSR programme Project âUtthanâ Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity celebrated the day on December 14 with students from 947 schools that are part of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC across the cityâA massive success for National Energy Conservation Day Adani Electricity and Adani Foundations CSR project Utthan aimed at enhancing learning outcomes in BMC schools across Mumbai in collaboration with BMC and the dedication of BMC school teachers and Utthan Sahayaks engaged students in vital energy awarenessâ according to an official statementâFrom the fun Switch Off Game and innovative science models to the Energy Pledge this partnership is actively fostering a culture of energy efficiency among the younger generationâ it addedSince 2021 Project Utthan has been successfully run under a publicprivate partnership between BMC Adani Foundation and Adani Electricity focusing on fundamentally enhancing the quality and learning outcomes in BMC schools across MumbaiThe project prioritises strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy FLN for primary students This is achieved through activitybased learning the creation of robust learning resources like Reading Corners and targeted personalised support provided by dedicated Utthan Sahayaks who work alongside BMC teachers to ensure student retention and academic improvementIt has made significant strides in transforming foundational learning across 83 BMC schools in Malad Dahisar Borivali Chembur and Kurla directly benefiting over 25000 studentsThe initiative has already shown measurable improvements in learning outcomes student engagement and the creation of more joyful inclusive classroomsThe initiative also fosters holistic development by empowering teachers and engaging the communityBeyond academic metrics Project Utthan aims to fundamentally transform Mumbaiâs public education system by building strong foundational learning environmentsThe initiative is strategically aligned to improve the cityâs performance in the National Achievement Survey NAS 202728 with a focus on ensuring that no child is left behind in acquiring essential literacy and numeracy skillsBuilding on that success the project is now being expanded from academic years 202526 to 202728 to cover Grades 1 to 4 across 947 municipal schools reaching more than 15 lakh students IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/adani-foundation-adani-electricityobservenational-energy-conservation-day-with-students-in-mumbai-653820.html Tue, 16 Dec 2025 15:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-man-hacks-to-death-accused-who-killed-his-brother-a-decade-ago-653584.html Kolkata Dec 15 In a suspected case of revenge killing a man has been accused of hacking to death the person who allegedly murdered his brother nearly 10 years ago police said on Monday The incident took place around midnight on Sunday at the Kendua ash pond of National Thermal Power Corporation NTPC Ltd under the Farakka police station in Murshidabad districtThe deceased has been identified as 48yearold Alam Sheikh who worked as a night watchman at the ash pondPolice said he was attacked with sharp weapons while on his way to work The prime accused has been identified as Panna Sheikh No arrests had been made till Monday morningAccording to the police a murder took place in Jorapukuria village in 2015 following a village dispute Alam Sheikh along with several others was accused of dragging Toufiq Sheikh Panna Sheikhâs brother out of his house and beating him to death A case was registered at the Farakka police station and Alam Sheikh was arrested He was later released on bail after spending a considerable period in jailAfter Toufiq Sheikhâs killing his elder brother Panna Sheikh reportedly fled the village fearing retaliation Police said he returned to Jorapukuria a couple of months ago after years of absence and had been living there sinceOn Sunday night when Alam Sheikh was heading to his workplace he was allegedly intercepted by Panna Sheikh and a few others who hacked him to death before fleeing the spot Alam Sheikh died on the spot Police later recovered the body and sent it to Jangipur SubDivisional Hospital for postmortem examinationâThe body has been recovered and sent for autopsy A murder case has been registered Prima facie it appears to be a case of revenge killing We have launched a search operation to nab the accusedâ a senior Jangipur police officer saidAlam Sheikhâs elder brother Nabi Sheikh also a local leader of the Trinamool Congress said the family had apprehensions after Panna Sheikh returned to the village âWe feared trouble after his return but we never imagined he would brutally murder my brotherâ he saidFollowing the killing tension prevailed in the area Police personnel have been deployed and security has been tightened to prevent any untoward incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-man-hacks-to-death-accused-who-killed-his-brother-a-decade-ago-653584.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-hc-asks-authorities-to-consider-student-bodys-plea-to-meet-cm-over-284-lakh-vacant-posts-653644.html Dharwad Karnataka Dec 15 The Dharwad Bench of the Karnataka High Court on Monday directed the authorities to consider the representation of the Akhila Karnataka Students Association AKSA which has sought permission to meet Chief Minister Siddaramaiah regarding the issue of filling 284 lakh vacant government posts in the state The direction was issued after AKSA approached the court challenging the police decision to deny permission for a largescale protest in Dharwad demanding immediate recruitment to vacant posts across government departmentsA Bench headed by Justice M Nagaprasanna disposed of the petition and directed the petitioners to approach HubballiDharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar who has been asked to facilitate consideration of permission for a meeting with Chief Minister SiddaramaiahThe issue arose after nearly 30000 job aspirants staged a protest in Dharwad on December 1 seeking urgent action on government recruitment The police had denied permission for the protest citing past incidents that occurred during similar agitations Aggrieved by the denial AKSA moved the High Court seeking relief and permission to raise the issue through a peaceful demonstration and direct interaction with the governmentIn its petition AKSA stated that as per available data around 284 lakh government posts are lying vacant across various departments in Karnataka This includes 9536 vacant posts in the State Finance Department alone The association also pointed to the shortage of personnel in the police force and claimed that prolonged delays and uncertainty in the recruitment process had allegedly driven several job aspirants to take their own livesThe association contended that repeated representations to the government had failed to yield tangible results forcing students and job seekers to resort to protests to draw attention to their demands It argued that denying permission for peaceful protest or dialogue amounted to an infringement of democratic rightsThe matter of vacant posts was also taken up in the Legislature on December 11 Replying to a question raised by BJP MLC Nirani Hanamant Rudrappa in the Legislative Council Chief Minister Siddaramaiah acknowledged the scale of vacancies and outlined the governmentâs plan to address the issueThe question sought details on the steps taken by the government to fill approximately 284881 vacant posts including those in staterun corporations and boardsSiddaramaiah informed the House that there are a total of 284881 vacant posts in the state Of these 101420 vacancies are in corporations and boards while 14677 posts are vacant in universities The remaining vacancies are spread across various state government departments and local bodiesHe said approval has already been obtained from the Finance Department to fill 24300 posts Additionally under the provisions of Article 371J applicable to the HyderabadKarnataka region 32132 posts are required to be filled Taken together the government has initiated the process to fill 56432 posts and implementation is currently underwayThe Chief Minister also acknowledged that the recruitment process had been delayed due to issues related to internal reservation but clarified that the matter has since been resolvedHe assured the Legislature that the remaining vacant posts would be filled in a phased manner after securing the necessary approvals from the Finance Department IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-hc-asks-authorities-to-consider-student-bodys-plea-to-meet-cm-over-284-lakh-vacant-posts-653644.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/messi-event-chaos-bengal-guv-to-send-separate-report-to-centre-on-lapses-at-salt-lake-stadium-653667.html Kolkata Dec 15 West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose on Monday said he will send a separate report to the Central government outlining his observations on the lapses in management at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata during the December 13 event featuring Argentine football star Lionel Messi I will submit a report on this count to the Union government At the same time I will also give some suggestions to the West Bengal government on the precautions that should be adopted in case of similar mega events in the future Till now only one of the organisers has been arrested for this mismanagement But that is just the tip of the iceberg All those responsible for this utter mismanagement should be arrested the Governor told mediapersons at the end of a programme at Lok BhavanThe Governor also said that the state administration and police personnel present at the stadium on that day could not evade responsibility for what happened and were equally accountable for the lapsesThere was a total failure of the management system Surprisingly there were no advance guidelines in place for such a mega event The stadium is public property and it was the duty of the administration to protect that property from vandalism The administrative and police officers present at the stadium on that day failed to perform their duties Necessary action should be initiated against them as wellâ he saidThe event had witnessed chaos and disorder with allegations of poor crowd control damage to public property and lack of proper arrangements triggering widespread criticism from spectators and civil society groupsState Sports Minister Aroop Biswas was present at the stadium alongside Lionel Messi during the event Several spectators members of civil society and leaders of opposition parties have alleged that as Biswas and his family members surrounded the football star on the stadium ground spectators who had purchased tickets at high prices were denied adequate access to MessiThese allegations have added to the political controversy surrounding the event with opposition parties accusing the state government of gross mismanagement and preferential treatmentWhen asked whether his report to the Union Government would specifically mention the role of Sports Minister Aroop Biswas in the matter the Governor declined to give a direct responseI will report everything related to the matter to my constitutional superiors Till then I will not make any separate public statement Governor Ananda Bose saidThe Governors remarks come amid growing pressure on the state government to fix accountability for the lapses during the highprofile event which had attracted massive public attention and expectations IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/messi-event-chaos-bengal-guv-to-send-separate-report-to-centre-on-lapses-at-salt-lake-stadium-653667.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 19:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/if-attacks-continue-brs-will-be-forced-to-respond-ktr-warns-congress-653489.html Hyderabad Dec 14 Bharat Rashtra Samithi BRS Working President KT Rama Rao on Sunday warned ruling Congress party that if attacks on BRS workers continue the party would be forced to respond He visited Lingampally village in Tungaturthi constituency of Suryapet district and paid tributes to BRS worker Uppala Mallaiah who was killed in an alleged attack by Congress activists recentlyKTR offered floral tributes to Mallaiahs portrait and extended his condolences to the bereaved family He handed over Rs 5 lakh as immediate financial assistance and assured the family of the partyâs full support in all aspectsAddressing a gathering KTR stated that BRS ruled the state for 10 years but never resorted to such violent politics He warned Congress leaders that days do not remain the same forever and advised them to abandon irresponsible politics and focus on peopleâs welfareHe cautioned that if attacks on BRS workers continue the party would be forced to respond and such a situation could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state Telangana he said never had a culture of political violence and such practices must stopKTR ridiculed the Congress government for being so scared even of Sarpanch and Panchayat elections He questioned that if Congress had truly delivered wonders in the last two years including loan waivers houses and ration cards as claimed why was it so afraid of elections KTR said that if the 420 promises made by Congress had been fulfilled people themselves would have celebrated the government Instead fear of failures has pushed Congress leaders towards attacks and intimidation he allegedHe said that despite intimidation and attacks by the ruling Congress party BRS has won nearly 50 percent of Sarpanch and Ward Member seats in the Panchayat electionsHe claimed that that people of Telangana are eagerly waiting for the return of K Chandrasekhar Rao KCR as the chief ministerKTR explained that although he wanted to visit the family immediately after the incident he waited to avoid further tensions He assured that BRS would stand by its word and expressed confidence that BRS would return to power Once the party forms the government again one member of Mallaiahs family will be provided a government job he promised IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/if-attacks-continue-brs-will-be-forced-to-respond-ktr-warns-congress-653489.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-advises-hybrid-hearings-as-delhi-ncr-air-quality-turns-very-poor-653492.html New Delhi Dec 14 In view of prevailing weather conditions and deteriorating air quality in the national capital the Supreme Court has advised members of the Bar and partiesinperson to avail the hybrid mode of appearance wherever convenient for matters listed before the apex court A circular issued by the Supreme Court Registry said that the advisory was issued on the directions of the Chief Justice of India CJI Surya Kant urging the use of videoconferencing facilities in appropriate cases if convenient The circular has been circulated to the Supreme Court Bar Association the Supreme Court AdvocatesonRecord Association all notice boards and other concerned authorities for wider dissemination Earlier this month the CJI Kantled Bench had expressed strong concern over Delhiâs toxic air making it clear that it could not remain a mute spectator while millions of the national capitals residents continue to breathe polluted airWhile hearing a public interest litigation PIL on controlling air pollution in Delhi the Bench also comprising Justice Joymalya Bagchi directed the Commission for Air Quality Management CAQM to submit an actionable report addressing the recurring air crisis The CJI Kantled bench had also cautioned against oversimplifying the causes of pollution by singling out stubble burning alone stressing that multiple factors including construction activity and vehicular emissions contribute to the problem We do not want to comment on stubble burning as it would be incorrect to burden the people who are hardly represented in the court the apex court had observed In an earlier hearing the apex court had emphasised the need for a longterm strategy to tackle DelhiNCRs recurring air pollution crisis instead of shortterm responses every winter You can give suggestions but they cannot be for two days one week or three weeks We need a longterm solution so that this problem reduces gradually every year CJI Kantled Bench had told the Centre Last month Justice PS Narasimha had urged lawyers to shift to virtual hearings in view of Delhiâs very very serious pollution levels and cautioned that the situation could cause permanent damage Situation is very very serious Why are you all appearing here Justice Narasimha had remarked We have the virtual hearing facility Please avail it This pollution will cause permanent damage he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-advises-hybrid-hearings-as-delhi-ncr-air-quality-turns-very-poor-653492.html Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-shields-kerala-martial-arts-teacher-from-arrest-in-pocso-case-653313.html New Delhi Dec 13 The Supreme Court has directed that no coercive action be taken against a Keralabased karate instructor accused under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences POCSO Act While issuing notice on his special leave petition SLP challenging the denial of anticipatory bail a Bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Alok Aradhe sought a response from the state of Kerala and the complainantMaking the notice returnable on February 18 2026 the apex court granted interim protection from arrest to the petitionerSubject to the petitioner Sunil Kumar joining and cooperating with the investigation he shall not be arrested till the next hearing it saidAs per the top courts order the interim relief is linked to the FIR registered at Vadakara Police Station in Kozhikode Rural district for offences punishable under Sections 354A1i 354B and 354D of the IPC and Sections 9l read with Sections 10 and 9o of the POCSO ActThe Justice Kumarled Bench further directed the petitioner to strictly abide by the conditions stipulated under Section 4822 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023The SLP filed before the Supreme Court through advocate Vipin Nair challenged the Kerala High Courts order dated November 4 2025 which had dismissed the petitioners anticipatory bail plea holding that a prima facie case was made out against himThe petitioner a 46yearold karate instructor and National Secretary of Kenyuryu Karate India has alleged that the POCSO provisions have been misused in a âmotivated and belatedâ complaint lodged by a former student He claimed that the complaint was filed nearly five years after the alleged incidents that occurred between 2018 and 2020The SLP contended that despite the alleged period of incidents the complainant continued to maintain cordial relations with the petitioner and even publicly praised him in 2022 describing him as a âfather figureâIt further argued that professional rivalry and personal animosity arose after the complainant left the petitionerâs karate centre and joined a rival club Relying on past Supreme Court rulings to underline the impact of criminal accusations on the reputation of teachers the petitioner argued that custodial interrogation was not necessary given his cooperation with the investigation and absence of criminal antecedents IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-shields-kerala-martial-arts-teacher-from-arrest-in-pocso-case-653313.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/75-pc-students-women-a-reflection-of-empowerment-at-pu-punjab-governor-653316.html Chandigarh Dec 13 Saying 75 per cent of graduating students are women Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on Saturday presided over and delivered the convocation address at the 73rd convocation of Panjab University PU here Medals prizes and degrees to the students passing examinations in 2025 were awarded at the convocation At the convocation Doctor of Science Honoris Causa degrees were conferred upon Prof KN Pathak and Dr Vijay P Bhatkar while Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel was conferred the Doctor of Laws The PU Vigyan Ratna Award was presented to Prof Pradeep Thalappil the PU Khel Ratna Award was conferred upon Sarabjot Singh and the PU Sahitya Ratna Award was presented to Amarjit GrewalAddressing the gathering the Governor appreciated achievements of the graduating students and awardees The fact that nearly 75 per cent of graduating students today are women is a powerful reflection of women empowerment through educationâ He further linked it to the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for increasing womens participation in higher education Appreciating Panjab Universityâs number of achievements in national and international rankings the Governor said that while the university has a strong national standing it also has the potential to emerge as a globally leading institution Mentioning the illustrious alumni of the university like former Prime Ministers Dr Manmohan Singh and IK Gujral former President Shankar Dayal Sharma Olympian Neeraj Chopra cricketer Kapil Dev Nobel laureate Dr Har Gobind Khorana actors Anupam Kher and Kirron Kher and former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj he said their achievements continue to inspire future generations Referring to the conferment of 350 PhDs in a span of less than a year the Governor described the achievement as a testament to the dedication of students parents and faculty members In her address ViceChancellor Renu Vig said the university continues to strengthen its academic and research profile in alignment with national priorities Highlighting recent achievements she mentioned 33 patents major research grants expansion of national and international collaborations strong alumni support and an impressive performance at the Khelo India 2025 events Earlier the ceremony commenced with a group photograph of gold medallists followed by the donning of robes by dignitaries and an academic procession led by the ViceChancellor Deans of University Instruction and senior functionaries Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains DUI Prof Yojna Rawat PU Registrar Prof YP Verma along with senior officers of the university faculty members students and their family members were also present on the occasion IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/75-pc-students-women-a-reflection-of-empowerment-at-pu-punjab-governor-653316.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/delhi-minister-kapil-mishra-joins-deliberations-on-sanatan-consciousness-653347.html New Delhi Dec 13 Delhi Art Culture and Language Minister Kapil Mishra said on Saturday that it is a historic moment that the Sanatan Rashtra Shankhnaad Mahotsav is being held in the national capital Speaking at the twoday Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam Mishra said that a decade ago the very idea of such open ideological discourse would have seemed unimaginableHighlighting the even being held with the support of both the government of India and the government of Delhi he said the festival provided a platform for discussion on Indias civilisational heritage Sanatan consciousness cultural renaissance and contemporary national issuesAddressing the gathering Mishra said The resonance of Jai Shri Ram itself becomes the shankhnaad the proclamation of the Sanatan NationReferring to the Ram Temple movement the Somnath Jyotirlinga and the play of time he said that the Sanatan tradition is futureoriented and that time itself eventually provides its answersCiting various cultural events held at the Red Fort he emphasised that fear is not embedded in the DNA of Indian societyHighlighting the concept of Ram Rajya Mishra said that it is realised not merely through security but through social harmony mutual responsibility and a shared sense of dharmaA special attraction of the event was an exhibition showcasing the weapons tradition from the era of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj described as a living testimony to Indias martial heritage and valourIn the same sequence the International Janmangal Conference was organized at Bharat Mandapam on December 1213 with participation from saints ascetics yoga practitioners thinkers and women spiritual leaders from India and abroadThe objective of the conference was to strengthen the values of public welfare and nationbuilding through fasting yoga meditation selfdiscipline and spiritual practiceOn this occasion Mishra said The moment one sits in the presence of divine souls inner consciousness begins to transformHe noted that penance involving hundreds of days of fasting sensory restraint and spiritual discipline may sound impossible yet the direct presence of such divine souls is a blessing for the nationHe described the austerities of Jain saints women spiritual leaders and yoga practitioners as the foundation of societyThe conference witnessed the presence of Mahamandaleshwar Swami Shanti Gir Maharaj Sadhguru Dr Charudatt Pingale Uday Mahurkar Dr Suresh Chavhanke Shakti Swaroopa Anjali Kangil and several other saints and thinkersMishra stated that if society resolves to act in accordance with the call of Yog Guru Swami Ramdev many crises facing the nation and dharma would naturally be resolved IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/delhi-minister-kapil-mishra-joins-deliberations-on-sanatan-consciousness-653347.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/all-india-civil-services-sports-meet-begins-in-patna-over-1-000-take-part-653349.html Patna Dec 13 A large contingent of athletes from the countrys civil services has converged in Patna for the All India Civil Services Sports Championship 202526 which began on Saturday at the Patliputra Sports Complex and will continue till December 15 As many as 1084 civil servant athletes and officials from across the country are taking part in the threeday nationallevel championshipThe participants include 702 male athletes 328 female athletes and 54 officials representing all 28 states and nine Union Territories including Haryana Gujarat Uttar Pradesh Maharashtra Tamil Nadu and KeralaThe championship features a wide range of athletics events bringing together officers from diverse services to compete at a high levelOn the opening day the morning session saw keenly contested 100metre and 400metre races with participants displaying notable competitiveness discipline and sportsmanshipThe Patliputra Sports Complex which is hosting the event is equipped with a synthetic track internationalstandard field event facilities and modern infrastructure ensuring professional conduct of the championshipThe competition includes a comprehensive set of track and field events such as sprint and middledistance races high jump long jump shot put discus throw javelin throw and relay racesA special highlight of the championship is the veterans category for athletes aged between 40 and 60 years The category aims to encourage participation by senior officers and promote interaction between experienced sportspersons and younger athletes blending enthusiasm with experienceBihar Chief Secretary Pratyaya Amrit said it was a matter of pride for the state to host the All India Civil Services Athletics ChampionshipHe said it was particularly encouraging to witness government officers actively participating in sports despite the demands of their professional responsibilitiesIn Bihar the Sports Department was established as a separate department in 2024 Since then several international sporting events have been organised in the state The government is continuously working to promote sports and athletes the Chief Secretary saidPratyaya Amrit added that in the recent years special emphasis has been placed on strengthening sports infrastructure across BiharSports academies are being activated at the district level and multiple schemes are being implemented to identify and encourage young sporting talent he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/all-india-civil-services-sports-meet-begins-in-patna-over-1-000-take-part-653349.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/celebrated-artisan-mohammad-dilshad-govt-schemes-helped-us-reach-international-buyers-653356.html Saharanpur Dec 13 Saharanpur long known as the hub of exquisite wood carving in India is today witnessing its traditional craft gain global admiration One of the strongest voices of this transformation is Mohammad Dilshad a master artisan from Saharanpur who was recently honoured with the Shilp Guru Awardâ2024 by President Droupadi Murmu Dilshad believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modiâs vision of âLocal to Globalâ has played a decisive role in giving Indian handicrafts and Saharanpurâs intricate wood carving in particular a distinct global identitySpeaking about receiving the prestigious Shilp Guru Award Mohammad Dilshad expressed deep gratitude to the Ministry of Textiles the selection committee and everyone involved in recognising his work He described the honour as not just a personal achievement but a moment of pride for his entire family and community âIt is a great joy that our traditional craft has been identified and respected at such a high levelâ he said in a conversation with IANS on SaturdayDilshadâs family has a long legacy of excellenceâhe himself received a UNESCO Award in 2005 his two sons were honoured with National Awards in 2006 his third son received an award in 2008 and in 2017 Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath felicitated him with the Lokmat SammanReflecting on the growing global reputation of Saharanpurâs wood carving Dilshad credited the relentless hard work and dedication of local artisans âThe fine carving on wood especially on sheesham has made Saharanpur famous across the worldâ he said adding that this recognition is the result of generations of skilled craftsmanship and perseveranceDilshad strongly believes that government support is crucial in transforming Indian handicrafts into global brands He noted that increased promotion of wood carving within India has led to greater international appreciation âThe government encourages us provides platforms and gives us opportunities to showcase our work abroad When we go overseas we receive immense respect for our artâ he saidWhen asked about initiatives like One District One Product ODOP Dilshad acknowledged their significant role in giving national visibility to traditional crafts According to him such schemes have empowered artisans by connecting them to markets resources and recognition that were previously beyond their reachHighlighting Prime Minister Modiâs âLocal to Globalâ vision Dilshad said it has opened new pathways for artisans to reach international markets âThrough various government schemes we are now able to send our products not only across India but also to foreign countries Along with business opportunities we gain dignity and respectâ he explained He also pointed out that many artisans remain unaware of these schemes and stressed the need for greater awareness to help craftspeople grow their enterprisesSharing his experience after receiving the Presidentâs award Dilshad recalled how he grew up accompanying his father to workshops and exhibitions learning the craft from a young age âThis honour shows that if we work hard and innovate within our tradition we too can be recognised at the highest levelâ he said Since the award he has noticed increased interest among people with visitors frequently coming to learn about the craft signalling a renewed enthusiasm for traditional artistry in SaharanpurOn the future of the craft Dilshad expressed optimism that government policies and initiatives would inspire the younger generation to adopt traditional arts He highlighted workshops and training programmes organised by the government where new techniques are taught helping artisans improve their skills while gaining both economic growth and social respectMohammad Dilshad praised the governmentâs efforts to uplift grassroots artisans âWhen people who work on the ground are honoured by the President and the Prime Minister on a national stage it brings immense happiness and motivation It shows that our art culture and heritage truly matterâ he said expressing heartfelt gratitude for the recognition and support extended to Indiaâs craftsmen IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/celebrated-artisan-mohammad-dilshad-govt-schemes-helped-us-reach-international-buyers-653356.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 01:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-cmrf-gives-2-106-cancer-patients-a-new-lease-of-life-in-4-years-653456.html Ahmedabad Dec 14 The Gujarat governments Chief Ministers Relief Fund CMRF has emerged as a critical safety net for citizens in moments of acute distress From natural disasters and accidents to lifethreatening illnesses and advanced medical procedures the scope of the fund has steadily expanded In the healthcare sector in particular CMRF has provided timely financial relief renewed hope and lifesaving support to thousands of families across the stateUnder the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the CMRF has been made more sensitive swift and citizencentric ensuring that no patient is denied treatment due to financial hardshipAligned with the governments stated priority that human life and health come first the fund has increasingly become a trusted pillar of support for vulnerable citizensThe core objective of the Chief Ministerâs Relief Fund is to ensure access to lifesaving medical care for economically weaker patients who cannot afford expensive treatmentsAssistance is provided for serious conditions such as cancer heart disease kidney and liver failure and organ transplantsUnder the eligibility norms applicants must have an annual income of less than Rs 4 lakh Rs 6 lakh for senior citizens Required documents include a residence certificate detailed treatment cost estimates and relevant medical recordsApplications undergo thorough verification by the Revenue Department before being placed before the CMRF committee which includes the Relief Commissioner Additional Chief Secretary Revenue the Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister himselfOnce approved the sanctioned amount is transferred directly to the hospital or the patient ensuring there is no delay in treatmentBetween 2021 and 2025 the Chief Ministers Relief Fund under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patels leadership extended crucial financial assistance to 2106 cancer patients across Gujarat effectively giving many a new lease on lifeDuring this period more than Rs 3155 crore was disbursed to support cancer treatmentAccording to diseasewise data shared by the Health Department 450 patients suffering from blood cancer including cases requiring bone marrow transplants received assistance while 1656 patients battling other forms of cancer were supported through the fundBeyond cancer care the CMRF has also played a significant role in supporting highcost and complex medical procedures such as liver kidney heart and lung transplants easing the financial burden on affected familiesSeveral leading cancer care institutions in Gujarat are integral to the CMRF assistance frameworkThese include the Gujarat Cancer and Research Institute GCRI in Ahmedabad Nathalal Parikh Cancer Research Institute and BT Savani Hospital in Rajkot Bharat Cancer Hospital Kiran Multi Super Speciality Hospital and AAIHMS in Surat IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-cmrf-gives-2-106-cancer-patients-a-new-lease-of-life-in-4-years-653456.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/v-p-radhakrishnan-releases-postage-stamp-commends-govt-support-to-tamil-culture-653458.html New Delhi Dec 14 VicePresident VP C P Radhakrishnan released a commemorative postage stamp in honour of Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II Suvaran Maran on Sunday at the VicePresidents Enclave here an official said Speaking on the occasion the VicePresident appreciated the Union government under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continuous support to Tamil culture and languageHe lauded initiatives such as the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and efforts to recognise and honour Tamil kings leaders and freedom fighters who had not received due recognition earlierThe VicePresident mentioned that the release of the commemorative postage stamp on Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar was part of this ongoing process of recognitionHe said that recognising unsung heroes is essential to revive the cultural pride of the nation as India marches towards Viksit BharatUnion Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh and Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs L Murugan were present on the occasion according to a statement on VicePresidents X accountEarlier VicePresident Radhakrishnan joined the centenary birth anniversary celebrations of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the Sri Sathya Sai Hill View Stadium at Puttaparthi in Andhra PradeshAddressing the gathering the VicePresident described Sri Sathya Sai Baba as a great emissary of God of peace love and selfless service whose message and mission transcended all barriers of caste religion class and nationalityHe said that Sri Sathya Sai Babas guiding principles Love All Serve All and Help Ever Hurt Never shaped every initiative he undertook and every life he touchedQuoting the saintpoet Thiruvalluvars Kural the VicePresident noted that Sri Sathya Sai Baba epitomised this timeless truth by devoting his entire life to loving and serving humanityEmphasising Sri Sathya Sai Babas teachings rooted in Sathya truth Dharma righteousness Shanthi peace Prem love and Ahimsa nonviolence VicePresident Radhakrishnan said these eternal values remain essential for building a harmonious and progressive societyHe underscored Sri Sathya Sai Babas message urging humanity to replace discord with harmony and selfishness with sacrifice values that are especially relevant in todays world marked by uncertainty and conflictHe stressed that public life too must be guided by truth duty empathy and moral responsibility virtues that Sri Sathya Sai Baba deeply propagated IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/v-p-radhakrishnan-releases-postage-stamp-commends-govt-support-to-tamil-culture-653458.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/messi-event-chaos-bengal-guv-to-prepare-spl-report-suggest-precautions-for-mega-gatherings-653461.html Kolkata Dec 14 West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose will prepare a separate report on the management lapses witnessed at Salt Lake Stadium on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on December 13 during an event featuring Argentine football star Lionel Messi and will also suggest to the state government the precautions that need to be adopted in future while organising such mega events an official said on Sunday The Governor visited the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday to take stock of the situation following the chaos that broke out at the venue Before leaving the stadium he told newspersons that he intended to prepare a separate report on the incident and forward specific recommendations to the state government on measures required to prevent similar occurrences in the futureDuring his interaction with the media the Governor accused the state government of not taking adequate security precautions for an event of such magnitude despite advance indications of potential crowdrelated problems He said there were prior alerts about the massive gathering of people eager to catch a glimpse of the Argentine football star which should have prompted stronger preventive arrangementsThe Governor also reiterated the comments he had made on Saturday alleging that the police administration failed to put in place sufficient advance measures to anticipate and manage the chaos arising from the huge turnout at the stadiumAdvance precautions were necessary to ensure that the event proceeded smoothly the Governor said underscoring the need for better planning and coordination among the concerned authorities in such highprofile programmesMeanwhile members of the judicial committee appointed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to review the incident also visited the Salt Lake Stadium on Sunday afternoon The committee has been tasked with examining the circumstances that led to the disorder and assessing responsibility for the lapsesAfter inspecting the venue the head of the committee Justice Retd Ashim Kumar Ray of the Calcutta High Court appealed to media persons to refrain from conducting what he termed a postmortem of the incident at this stageI request all of you not to go for any kind of postmortem at this moment We will conduct a detailed investigation into the matter We have taken notes on everything and our final report will contain all the details he saidHowever Justice Ray declined to respond directly when asked whether any specific authority or agency could be held responsible for the apparent mismanagement at the stadium on Saturday The investigation is at a preliminary stage now so I cannot say anything at this moment he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/messi-event-chaos-bengal-guv-to-prepare-spl-report-suggest-precautions-for-mega-gatherings-653461.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-yogi-led-up-govts-mass-marriage-scheme-brings-relief-to-over-4-lakh-underprivileged-families-653462.html New Delhi Dec 14 As the wedding season gathers pace across Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths Mass Marriage Scheme has emerged as a major social support initiative for economically weaker families particularly from the Dalit backward minority and other vulnerable sections Launched in 2017 the scheme aims to ease the financial burden of marriage for poor families while ensuring dignity and social inclusion for daughtersOver the past eight years more than four lakh marriages have been solemnised under the programme with ceremonies conducted collectively and in accordance with religious traditionsThe current financial year has witnessed an unprecedented responseAgainst a target of 57000 beneficiaries for 2025â26 the state government has received more than 120 lakh applications so farOf these more than 21000 have been approved while over 14000 marriages have already been conductedOfficials expect the numbers to rise significantly in the coming months as more applications are processedAccording to official data the scheme has benefited more than 220 lakh daughters from poor Dalit families making them the largest beneficiary group This is followed by more than 130 lakh beneficiaries from backward classes and over 40000 from minority communities Around 16000 families from the general category have also availed of assistance under the schemeEach couple receives financial support of Rs 1 lakh which includes essential marriage items a cash transfer directly credited to the brides bank account and full arrangements for the wedding ceremonyThe Uttar Pradesh government says this ensures both social dignity and economic security for the newly married coupleRP Singh Nodal Officer of the scheme said the initiative goes beyond financial assistanceIt promotes collective participation strengthens community bonds and upholds respect for women The objective is to ensure that no daughter is denied a dignified marriage due to financial constraints he addedCategorywise data for 2025â26 shows that 6556 Dalit couples and 5500 OBC couples have benefited so far along with 828 couples from minority communities and 494 from the general categorySince its inception the state government has spent more than Rs 2200 crore on the scheme with Rs 550 crore allocated for the current financial yearOfficials say the programmes inclusive nature covering Hindu Muslim Sikh and Christian marriages has helped promote social harmony while providing tangible support to underprivileged families across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-yogi-led-up-govts-mass-marriage-scheme-brings-relief-to-over-4-lakh-underprivileged-families-653462.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/carry-forward-ratan-thiyams-message-of-peace-amp-harmony-through-arts-manipur-guv-653465.html Imphal Dec 14 Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Sunday urged the people to carry forward the message of peace and harmony propagated by Indias renowned theatre personality Ratan Thiyam through the medium of arts Indias one of legendary theatre personality and Padma Shri awardee Ratan Thiyam died in Manipur capital Imphal on July 23 this year leaving behind an extraordinary legacy that redefined contemporary Indian theatreAddressing a national seminar on celebrated theatre maestro Ratan Thiyam the Governor highlighted his outstanding contribution to Indian and Manipuri theatre noting that through iconic works such as Chakravyuha Uttar Priyadarshi and Nine Hills One Valley he conveyed enduring messages of peace harmony and cultural continuityHe said that over a career spanning more than five decades Ratan Thiyam placed Manipur prominently on the global cultural map and remains an ambassador of the states rich heritageGovernor Bhalla also recalled Ratan Thiyams multifaceted genius as a director playwright designer choreographer and writerExpressing confidence that the seminar deliberations would inspire young theatre practitioners the Governor called upon everyone to carry forward Ratan Thiyams message of peace and harmony through the artsHe commended the Manipur State Kala Akademi MSKA and the Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy JNMDA for jointly organising the twoday seminar at the auditorium of JNMDA in ImphalGovernor Bhalla along with the First Lady Jyoti Bhalla led the gathering in paying floral tribute to the portrait of the late cultural icon Ratan Thiyam at the JNMDA campusThe Governor also felicitated the wife and other family members of Ratan ThiyamOn the occasion a half yearly journal of MSKA titled Manipuri Culture and Literature dedicated to Ratan Thiyam was releasedA nonfeature film titled Ratan Thiyam The Man of Theatre was also screened during the inaugural sessionThe film captures the life and work of the renowned Manipuri playwright and directorThe documentary delves into how Thiyam blends traditional Manipuri art forms and martial arts with contemporary social and political themes in his film productionsIt serves as a tribute to Thiyams significant impact on modern Indian theatre and his commitment to using the stage as a medium for social commentary and artistic expressionJNMDA ViceChairman Longjam Joychandra renowned Indian poet and writer Udayan Vajpeyi also spoke on the life and contributions of the late cultural icon Ratan Thiyam IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/carry-forward-ratan-thiyams-message-of-peace-amp-harmony-through-arts-manipur-guv-653465.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/over-850-caught-for-drunken-driving-in-hyderabad-cyberabad-653466.html Hyderabad Dec 14 More than people 850 people have been caught for driving vehicles under the influence of alcohol during the special weekend drive in the limits of Hyderabad and Cyberabad Police Commissionerates police said on Sunday While 460 drivers were apprehended during the twoday drive in Hyderabad the Cyberabad traffic police caught 407 offendersHyderabad traffic police conducted a twoday special drive on December 12 and 13 against drunken driving to ensure road safety During the special drive a total of 460 drivers were caught driving vehicles under the influence of alcoholOf them 350 were twowheeler riders 25 were threewheeler drivers 85 were fourwheeler and other vehicle driversOffenders were categorised based on their Blood Alcohol Concentration BAC levels A total of 98 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 35 mg100 ml to 50 mg100 mlThe police registered 185 cases for BAC levels ranging from 51 to 100 Another 91 cases booked for BAC level of 101150 and 48 cases for BAC levels ranging from 151200Sixteen offenders were found to have BAC levels ranging from 201 to 250 ten had BAC levels of 251300 and four case were booked for BAC levels above 300Police said there will be zero tolerance for drunk driving violations and this special drive will continue Commuters have been requested to cooperate with the traffic policeCyberabad traffic police conducted a special drunk driving enforcement drive over the weekend resulting in the apprehension of 407 offendersA total of 290 offenders were riding twowheelers Eighteen were threewheeler drivers Police said 90 violators were driving fourwheelers Nine others were driving heavy vehiclesPolice said 354 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 35 mg100 ml to 200 mg100 ml 31 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 201 mg100 ml to 300 mg100 ml and 22 offenders had BAC levels ranging from 301 mg100 ml to 550 mg100 mlIn the last week December 813 a total of 385 drunk driving cases were disposed in courts Sixteen persons were jailed and fined 21 persons asked to pay fine and do social service while only fine was imposed on remaining 348Cyberabad Police reiterated that driving under the influence of alcohol is a serious offence If anyone is found to be driving in an inebriated condition and causes a fatal accident such individuals will be booked under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 Culpable Homicide Not Amounting to Murder The maximum punishment under this section is 10 years of imprisonment along with a fine IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/over-850-caught-for-drunken-driving-in-hyderabad-cyberabad-653466.html Sun, 14 Dec 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-orders-wbssc-to-allow-2016-waiting-list-teachers-to-appear-in-fresh-interviews-653172.html Kolkata Dec 12 A singlejudge bench of the Calcutta High Court on Friday directed the West Bengal School Service Commission WBSSC to allow waitinglist teaching candidates from the commissionâs 2016 panel to appear for interviews in the fresh recruitment for secondary and higher secondary teachers The order of the singlejudge bench of Justice Amrita Sinha had two operative parts and specified the limited scope of relief being granted The first states that only those waitinglist candidates from the 2016 panel who were disqualified from participating in the freshrecruitment interview because of the age criterion should get the chance to appearSimilarly only those waitinglist candidates who have approached the Calcutta High Court seeking a chance to appear in the freshrecruitment interview process should be allowed the sameJustice Sinha also directed the WBSSC to submit the marks obtained by the candidates in sealed envelopes to the court The singlejudge bench also sought the Commissionâs view on whether the interview process would be videorecordedThe fresh recruitment follows a division bench of the Supreme Court upholding an earlier order by a division bench of the Calcutta High Court that cancelled the WBSSCâs entire 2016 panel of around 26000 school jobs both teaching and nonteaching on grounds of rampant corruption in the recruitment process where money was paid for jobsEarlier this year the WBSSC conducted written examinations for the fresh recruitment of secondary and higher secondary teachers Recently the writtenexam results were declared and the list of candidates qualifying for interview was publishedThereafter some waitinglist candidates from the 2016 panel who missed a chance at interview due to crossing the age criterion approached the Calcutta High Court seeking the opportunity to appear Many of these candidates had remained on the waiting list pending appointment after the original 2016 process and they argued that denial of an interview on age grounds alone would be inequitable given the fresh recruitment exercise underwayFinally on Friday the singlejudge bench of Justice Sinha directed the WBSSC to allow waitinglist teaching candidates from the commissionâs 2016 panel to appear for the interview in the fresh recruitment for secondary and higher secondary teachers IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-orders-wbssc-to-allow-2016-waiting-list-teachers-to-appear-in-fresh-interviews-653172.html Sat, 13 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-govt-fixes-minimum-rs-20-per-unit-payment-for-village-computer-entrepreneurs-653076.html Ahmedabad Dec 12 Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel has approved a minimum payment of Rs 20 per unit of work for Village Computer Entrepreneurs VCEs engaged under the stateâs eGram Vishwagram programme The decision was taken during the 12th Governing Body meeting of the eGram Vishwagram Society in Gandhinagar where the Chief Minister emphasised the need to bring parity in remuneration for VCEs who deliver essential egovernance services in villagesVCEs handle a wide range of digital tasks for rural citizens including copies of land records 712 8A and Hak Patrak farmer registrations procurement entries for agricultural produce birth and death certificates income certificates ration card updates and various online applications They are also entrusted with dataentry work for multiple government schemes Until now payments to VCEs varied widely because each government department set its own commission rates for different tasks This often resulted in inconsistent and unequal compensation for the same amount of effort across departmentsTaking cognisance of the issue the Chief Minister directed officials to standardise the payment structure to ensure that every VCE receives at least Rs 20 per unit of work regardless of the department assigning the task Following his instructions the Panchayat Department has issued an official circular mandating all state departments to comply with the revised minimum payment rulenbspDepartments have also been asked to inform both the Panchayat Department and the eGram Vishwagram Society before assigning any work to VCEs The move is expected to provide more stable and equitable earnings for thousands of young digital entrepreneurs who form the backbone of lastmile service delivery in rural GujaratGujaratâs villages are a blend of rich heritage vibrant culture and strong grassroots development spread across diverse regions like Kutch Saurashtra North and Central Gujarat Each village has its own identity whether itâs the craft clusters of Kutch known for embroidery and mudwork the lush agricultural belts of Anand and Kheda famous for dairy farming or the coastal settlements of Saurashtra shaped by fishing and maritime traditions IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-govt-fixes-minimum-rs-20-per-unit-payment-for-village-computer-entrepreneurs-653076.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 14:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-asks-bengal-to-explain-delay-in-barbed-fencing-at-unfenced-bdesh-borders-652937.html Kolkata Dec 11 A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to file an affidavit detailing its observations on the issue of installing barbed fencing along international borders in the state with Bangladesh that remain unfenced The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen asked the West Bengal government to submit the affidavit by December 22 the next date fixed for hearing the matterThe direction followed hearing of a public interest litigation seeking immediate erection of barbed fencing at the unfenced international borders with Bangladesh in West BengalAs per the benchâs order the state government will have to explain in its affidavit why land for setting up the barbed fencing at the unfenced borders was not handed over to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs despite the latter paying the entire acquisition costThe division bench also observed that in case of objections to the state governmentâs affidavit the Union government would be given an opportunity to present its argumentsThe court further directed that the principal secretary of the West Bengal Land and Land Reforms Department be made a party to the caseLand acquisition at the stateâs international borders with Bangladesh has long been contentious with the Border Security Force BSF and the Union government accusing the state of noncooperationThe BJP has also accused the state government and the ruling Trinamool Congress of neglecting an issue that involves national security With the Calcutta High Court setting a deadline for the state government to submit its observations the matter has taken a critical legal turnIt needs to be noted that the IndiaBangladesh border in West Bengal spans varied terrain including rivers forests and densely populated enclaves making fencing and surveillance a persistent challengeSecurity agencies flag frequent cases of illegal migration smuggling and cattle trafficking while coordination between state authorities and central agencies remains crucial to tightening border management IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/calcutta-hc-asks-bengal-to-explain-delay-in-barbed-fencing-at-unfenced-bdesh-borders-652937.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/tn-may-offer-rs-3-000-cash-with-pongal-gift-package-652972.html Chennai Dec 11 In a significant preelection development the Tamil Nadu government is reportedly considering providing a Rs 3000 cash component along with the upcoming Pongal gift package for all ration card holders The move is likely to be announced after the launch of the Womenâs Rights Monthly Payment Scheme which is scheduled to begin disbursing pending payments on Friday Traditionally Pongal gifts are distributed through Tamil Naduâs ration shops ahead of the harvest festival During the previous AIADMK regime the Pongal package in 2021 included a record cash payment of Rs 2500 the highest ever distributed along with festival supplies After coming to power the DMK government reduced the amount to Rs 1000 while continuing the distribution of rice sugar and sugarcane This year however the government chose to provide only material items matta rice sugar sugarcane and other commodities without a cash component a decision that attracted strong public criticism With Assembly elections due next year senior ministers have reportedly asked officials to explore options for offering cash assistance to all ration card holders There were initial discussions about giving Rs 5000 per family but the stateâs strained finances largely due to the monthly payouts under the Womenâs Rights Scheme appear to have made this unfeasible at present As a compromise the government is reportedly preparing to offer Rs 3000 in cash along with a full Pongal kit for the upcoming festival The package is expected to cover all 225 crore ration card holders across Tamil Nadu While no official announcement has been made so far multiple sources indicate that the declaration will likely follow the initiation of pending payments under the Womenâs Rights Scheme on December 12 Interestingly Pongal packages are usually distributed only before the festival But due to logistical demands associated with distributing cash to such a large population the government is expected to allow the collection of Pongal kits throughout the month of January ensuring beneficiaries have ample time to receive both the festival commodities and the cash support If confirmed this would mark one of the largest cash distributions tied to Pongal in recent years and could significantly influence public sentiment ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/tn-may-offer-rs-3-000-cash-with-pongal-gift-package-652972.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modis-cultural-exchange-initiatives-have-strengthened-youth-unity-arunachal-guv-652973.html Itanagar Dec 11 Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General KT Parnaik Retd on Thursday said that the cultural exchange initiatives promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi have significantly empowered the youth fostering a stronger sense of unity and shared identity across the country The Governor accompanied by the First Lady of the state Anagha Parnaik participated in the joint celebration of Nagaland and Assam state foundation day along with the Naga and Assamese communities of the state at the Lok Bhavan in Itanagar on Thursday A Lok Bhavan official said that the occasion was a distinguished reflection of Indias unity in diversity aligning with the Governors vision of fostering intercultural understanding among people particularly the youth as a vital foundation for an inclusive peaceful and harmonious society Lt General Parnaik Retd warmly reflected on the rich and intertwined histories of Assam and Nagaland praising the people of both states for their unwavering commitment to preserving their natural environment cultural heritage and treasured traditions of textiles and handlooms Drawing parallels with Arunachal Pradesh he said that the Assamese language once served as an important connecting dialect in the states early years symbolising the deep bonds shared among the northeastern neighbours Expressing gratitude the Governor thanked the people of Assam and Nagaland for their meaningful contribution to the progress of Arunachal Pradesh and to the collective vision of Viksit Bharat He said that the goodwill and mutual trust among the states have strengthened their interdependence and deepened the warmth and camaraderie that have long defined relations with these ageold neighbours The Governor further highlighted that the celebration of âState Foundation Dayâ magnificently embodies the Prime Ministerâs vision of âEk Bharat Shreshtha Bharatâ Such exchanges he said have greatly benefited the youth by helping them understand the lives traditions and cultures of people from other states an experience that will shape and inspire them as they lead the state and the nation in 2047 He emphasised that this initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has truly empowered young people with a stronger sense of unity and shared identity As part of the celebration Naga students of NERIST North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology presented Ahoh a soulful gospelfolkfusion song from Nagaland originally created by Jano Nyekha in 2015 Paying homage to the iconic late Zubeen Garg children of the Assamese community performed a dance set to his popular songs The women of the community offered the traditional Vaishnav devotional song Diha Nam while Bodo women captivated the audience with the graceful Bagarumba dance Children from Oju Mission Naharlagun attended the programme as special guests of the Governor The Governor and the First Lady later interacted with members of the Assamese and Naga communities They appreciated their dedication to preserving and promoting their cultural heritage in Arunachal Pradesh IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modis-cultural-exchange-initiatives-have-strengthened-youth-unity-arunachal-guv-652973.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/kolkata-court-grants-bail-to-3-held-for-assaulting-vendors-selling-chicken-patties-at-gita-recital-event-652976.html Kolkata Dec 11 A city court on Thursday granted bail to three persons who were arrested on charges of assaulting two vendors during a Gita recital event on December 7 Soumik Golder Swarnendu Chakraborty and Tarun Bhattacharya were released on bail on furnishing a bond of Rs 1000 each Their lawyer told the court the accused had found chicken in the vegetable patties they had ordered The public prosecutor argued that religious sentiments had been hurtMeanwhile a written complaint has been filed against one of the assaulted vendors Sheikh Riyazul at the Maidan police station alleging he sold nonvegetarian patties as vegetarian during the event at Brigade Parade GroundAfter the accused were produced in court on Thursday defence lawyers said vegetarian patties had been requested from the vendors However on breaking them open chicken was found inside the defence contended The lawyer further said one of the accused Soumik Golder is suffering from cancer and has lost a leg and he urged the court to grant bail to all threeThe public prosecutor however said the defence was giving its own version of events He maintained that two vendors were assaulted at the Maidan event and that the attack had hurt religious sentiments making the offence nonbailable He opposed bail and sought police custody but the judge granted bail to all three accusedOn Thursday Union Minister of State for Education and DoNER Sukanta Majumdar demanded the unconditional release of those arrestedâThe problem is not about selling patties The problem is about selling chicken patties while claiming them to be vegetable There is a difference between the two I eat chicken But someone else might not You cannot make them eat chicken by lying to them That is a crimeâ he saidKolkata Police had arrested the three men for publicly harassing and assaulting two vendors selling chicken patties at Brigade Parade Ground during the Gita recital on SundayThe arrested have been identified as Soumik Golder 23 Tarun Bhattacharya 51 and Swarnendu Chakraborty 32 While Golder and Chakraborty are from Gobardanga and Ashoknagar in North 24 Parganas respectively Bhattacharya is from Uttarpara in Hooghly district They were arrested based on complaints lodged by two vendors at Maidan police stationThe accused had come to Kolkata on December 7 to attend the Panch Lakkho Konthe Gita Path Gita chanting by five lakh voices programme at Brigade Parade Ground organised by the Sanatan Sanskriti Sansad a collective of monks and spiritual leaders from various monasteries and Hindu institutionsAt the event vendors Sheikh Riyazul from Arambagh in Hooghly district and Mohammad Salauddin from Topsia in Kolkata were selling food to the large crowd According to the complaints some young men began questioning them asking how they could sell chicken patties at a religious event The questioning turned into insults and harassment The vendors were reportedly made to do situps while holding their ears and were slapped and punched by the accused A video of the harassment went viral on social media One vendor alleged food worth approximately Rs 3000 was destroyedFollowing the incident the two victims filed separate complaints at Maidan police station The police launched an investigation verified CCTV footage and videos identified the accused and made the arrests IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/kolkata-court-grants-bail-to-3-held-for-assaulting-vendors-selling-chicken-patties-at-gita-recital-event-652976.html Fri, 12 Dec 2025 01:39:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/futureskills-prime-benefits-over-1578-lakh-candidates-in-it-sector-652676.html New Delhi Dec 10 Over 1578 lakh candidates have benefitted from the FutureSkills PRIME programme aimed at upskilling individuals in new and emerging technologies the government said on Wednesday The program implemented with the National Association of Software and Service Companies NASSCOM aims to build capacity to meet demand in Indiaâs growing technology sector an official statement saidThe program focuses on skilling reskilling and upskilling individuals in new and emerging technologies and provides premium learning content for flexible studyThe online platform of the program offers over 500 courses and more than 2000 digital fluency pathways the ministry saidAs of the end of November about 41 per cent of learners were women and 85 per cent came from tierâ2 and tierâ3 citiesThe government has also established Centres of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence led by IISc Bangalore IIT Kanpur and IIT Ropar to address the use of AI in areas of healthcare sustainable cities and agricultureSome examples include cleanâair monitoring in Delhi AIâbased traffic and flood prediction for Surat a pilot Digital Nagar Palika platform in Kanpur AI tools for detection of chronic diseases and agricultural deployments such as Automatic Weather Stations AgriLLM and pest and cropâidentification toolsThe government said it aims to develop India as a global hub for software products boosting the domestic demand and exports of software products Export revenue from the IT sector is estimated at 2244 billion in FY25 up from 1995 billion in FY24 The total revenue from the sector is estimated at 2826 billion in FY25 up from 254 billion a year earlierIndiaâs new labour codes are expected to transform the Information Technology sectors working culture by strengthening both employer capabilities and employee welfareFor the IT sector these reforms provide clarity on wages fixedterm employment workfromhome arrangements and workplace safety standards For IT companies operating across multiple states or campuses the new codes reduce compliance duplication administrative costs and bureaucratic delays IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/futureskills-prime-benefits-over-1578-lakh-candidates-in-it-sector-652676.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:03:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/over-50pc-of-tripuras-9-lakh-electricity-consumers-defaulting-on-bills-officials--652693.html Agartala Dec 10 Despite repeated appeals more than 50 per cent of Tripuras around nine lakh electricity consumers have not been paying their monthly power bills for several years an official of the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited TSECL said on Wednesday A senior official of the TSECL said that only around 432 lakh consumers mostly from the town and urban areas paid their electricity bills to the state owned corporation regularlyThis persistent nonpayment trend has resulted in pending electricity bills accumulating to over Rs 480 crore to date Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath has been repeatedly urging consumers at every TSECL programme and event to pay their electricity bills on timeA section of consumers has sometimes attacked TSECL personnel including engineers and linemen when they went to disconnect the power supply of defaultersâ the TSECL official saidThe TSECL in an official statement said a troubling trend has emerged in parts of Tripura where some electricity consumers are refusing to pay their bills while continuing to demand full servicesWhats more a section of these defaulters is attempting to shift the blame onto TSECL often using select media outlets as a shield to justify their nonpaymentâ the statement saidThe issue was highlighted recently in two villages of Khowai districtAccording to TSECLâs records out of 38 consumers in these two villages only two consumers have paid their electricity bills up to September 2025The average billpayment rate in the entire subdivision stands at barely 15 per cent Despite repeated visits and requests from TSECL field staff most consumers refused to cooperate and instead chose to accuse the corporationâs employees at every opportunity the statement addedIt said that recently due to faults in two transformers in Khowai district electricity supply was disrupted for a minimum period âHowever local residents magnified the issue and falsely claimed that the area had been without power for two monthsA section of media outlets was also drawn into this misleading narrative Later it became evident that the intention behind spreading this false claim was simple if the story gained traction TSECL staff would be unable to demand pending dues for the next few months In other words the chaos was engineered to hide prolonged nonpayment of bills the statement saidMaking its position clear TSECL stated that the corporation remains committed to providing uninterrupted and quality electricity to every corner of TripuraWhether arranging alternative supply within hours reaching the field on time or taking swift decisions to install new transformers each step reflects TSECLs dedication to maintaining steady service it addedThe statement further said that strengthening the system requires active cooperation from consumers Regular bill payment not only keeps the service running but also helps TSECL upgrade and expand its networkThe corporation appealed to all consumers to clear their outstanding dues and support the system that works tirelessly for them TSECL emphasised that responsibility lies on both sides the corporation delivers power with commitment and consumers must uphold their part by paying their bills on time IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/over-50pc-of-tripuras-9-lakh-electricity-consumers-defaulting-on-bills-officials--652693.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/harnessing-indias-youth-boom-as-unemployment-rates-drop-652698.html New Delhi Dec 10 India has the worlds largest youth population where 371 million aged between 15 and 29 years constitutes about 27 per cent of the total This population often referred to as a demographic dividend presents a significant opportunity for economic growth by expanding the workforce and reducing dependency ratios However this potential needs to be realised by overcoming challenges in the job market As per the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey PLFS report the estimated Unemployment Rate UR among youth between 1529 years of age in India has decreased from 178 per cent in 201718 to 102 per cent in 202324Incidentally official data on employment is collected through PLFS conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation where the survey period is July to June every yearEmployment generation coupled with improving employability is a priority and driven by multistakeholder initiativeBudget 202526 addressed development measures across ten broad areas focusing on the poor youth farmers and womenIndia has a dedicated Department of Youth Affairs which addresses the demography and implements programmes like the National Youth Policy to address social and economic challenges and promote personality development and nationbuildingThe National Youth Policy 2025 envisions an India where every young person is empowered healthy skilled socially responsible and actively contributes to the nationâs developmentIt puts forward the vision To synergize the hopes and aspirations of Indiaâs youth with its development imperatives enabling harmonious societal growth and harnessing youth energy for inclusive development responsible governance and the realisation of Viksit Bharat by 2047Moreover the Ministry of Labour and Employment is running the National Career Service NCS Portal â a onestop solution for providing career related servicesIt includes information on private and government sector jobs on online and offline job fairs job search and matching career counselling vocational guidance information on skill development courses employability enhancement programmesThe services are available on a digital platform Various other ministries and government departments too are implementing programmes for employment generationAmong such schemes are the Prime Ministerâs Employment Generation Programme PMEGP Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaNational Urban Livelihoods Mission DAYNULM Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana PMMY Production Linked Incentive PLI etcAdditionally the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme MGNREGS Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana DDUGKY Rural Self Employment and Training Institutes RSETIs are among other initiatives aimed at specific groups Along with increase in capital expenditure such programmes seek to boost employment creation including the youthMeanwhile Skill India Mission SIM aimed at enabling the youth to get future ready equip them with industryrelevant expertise by training through an extensive network of centres and institutes under various schemesAmong these are Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana PMKVY Jan Shikshan Sansthan JSS National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme NAPS and Craftsmen Training Scheme CTS through ITIs In the rural sector various initiatives have been taken to promote farming as a viable career option for youthThe Indian Council of Agricultural Research ICAR has set up 731 Krishi Vigyan Kendras KVKs in rural districts for dissemination of new technologies in agriculture and allied sectors through assessment demonstration and capacity development among the extension functionaries and the farmers of the concerned districtSimultaneously 100 KVKs are implementing projects like Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture ARYA Besides Skill Training of Rural Youth STRY is being implemented while Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms ATMA in 740 districts promotes decentralised and farmerfriendly extension system IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/harnessing-indias-youth-boom-as-unemployment-rates-drop-652698.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sir-in-bengal-eci-irked-over-no-proposals-on-housing-complexes-for-polling-booths-652702.html Kolkata Dec 10 The Election Commission of India ECI had taken strong exception to not receiving any single proposal from the district magistrates as well as the district electoral officers DEOs identifying private housing complexes with multiple highrise towers which are suitable for setting up polling booths for the crucial Assembly elections in the state scheduled next year In a strongly worded communication to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer CEO West Bengal the Commission had pointed out that since no proposal of polling stations has been received in the Commission from West Bengal the ECI had taken a very serious view of the failure on the part of DEOs in performance of their statutory duty as given under Section 25 and Section 160 of the Representation of the People Act 1951The DEOs are also liable under the said provisions for any lack of sufficiency of polling stations for electors in the abovespecified residential colonies said the ECI communication a copy of which is available with IANSIn the same communication the Commission had directed that during the period after draft publication of the Electoral Roll on December 16 all DEOs should immediately conduct survey of highrise buildings group housing societies resident welfare association RWA colonies slums and gated societies having at least 250 houses or 500 voters with details of available rooms at ground floor level and identify suitable accommodation for polling stations within their premisesAdditional polling stations in slumdwelling clusters shall also be assessed Thereafter the proposals for rationalizationrearrangement of polling stations including proposals for polling stations in the high rises group housing societies slums etc based on such assessment shall be sent for the Commissions approval through your office latest by 31122025 the ECI communication readTo recall Trinamool Congress and the West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had been opposing the ECIs idea of setting up new polling booths within private housing complexesThe Chief Minister last month wrote a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar objecting to the ECIâs proposal for setting up polling stations inside private housing complexes for the Assembly polls scheduled next yearThis proposal is deeply problematic Polling stations have always been and must remain located in government or semigovernment institutions preferably within a 2 km radius to ensure accessibility and neutrality Private buildings are typically avoided for clear reasons they compromise fairness violate established norms and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public the haves and havenots the Chief Ministers letter readBJPs Information Technology Cell Chief and the partys central observer for West Bengal Amit Malviya refuted the Chief Ministerâs objections on this count and pointed out that any premises can be designated a polling station as long as they ensure ease of voting for all votersSimilar booths have been set up in highrise buildings in Delhi and elsewhere So why is it suddenly troubling you that the ECI is creating additional booths to make voting more convenient No booths are being taken away from existing voters So do explain What exactly is upsetting you the increase in voting access or the collapse of the narrative youâre trying to build Malviya questioned IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sir-in-bengal-eci-irked-over-no-proposals-on-housing-complexes-for-polling-booths-652702.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pil-in-calcutta-hc-seeks-stay-on-construction-of-proposed-babri-masjid-style-mosque-in-murshidabad-652704.html Kolkata Dec 10 A Public Interest Litigation PIL was filed in the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday seeking a direction to stop the construction of a Babri Masjidstyled mosque in Murshidabad district by suspended Trinamool Congress leader and Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir The PIL has been filed before the bench of the Calcutta High Courts acting Chief Justice Sujoy Paul The petition was admitted and the matter is likely to be heard next weekAccording to the petitioner the name Babri Masjid is related to the Babri MasjidRam Janmabhoomi dispute in AyodhyaAs a result the atmosphere of communal harmony in the state may be disrupted and social unrest may arise if the mosque is built Besides the petitioner also raised questions on how suspended Trinamool Congress leader Humayun Kabir who is also an MLA is carrying out this construction work without the permission of the district administrationThe petitioner claimed the Trinamool MLAs action will violate the fundamental rights provided in Articles 14 21 and 25 of the Constitution Therefore the court should immediately order a stay on the construction of this mosqueIt may be noted that for the last one week a controversy has erupted over Kabirs decision to lay the foundation stone of a Babri Masjidstyle mosque in Murshidabad districts BeldangaOn December 4 the Trinamool Congress leadership suspended Kabir from the party for antiparty activitiesDespite his suspension Kabir went ahead with his programme on December 6 and laid the foundation stone for the mosqueHumayun Kabir said that the construction of the Babri Masjid will start in the first week of February in Beldanga Quran will be recited by one lakh voices a day before the construction of the mosque beginsNotably on December 4 West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asserted that the people of Murshidabad will never accept politics of riots Her remarks came hours after her party the Trinamool Congress suspended Kabir for allegedly pursuing communal politics over his plan to lay the foundation of a mosque on the lines of the demolished Babri Masjid in the states Murshidabad districtAddressing a public meeting in Berhampore in Murshidabad district CM Banerjee said Trinamool Congress does not practise communal politics and is firmly against it We cannot forget the history of Murshidabad SirajudDaulah is revered in every home here This district is the land of the Nawabs It has holy places of all religions People remember Siraj The people of Murshidabad will not accept the politics of riots IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pil-in-calcutta-hc-seeks-stay-on-construction-of-proposed-babri-masjid-style-mosque-in-murshidabad-652704.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/india-post-currently-operates-164-lakh-post-offices-across-the-country-minister-652712.html New Delhi Dec 10 India Post currently operates 164 lakh post offices across the country supported by a dedicated workforce of 278 lakh Gramin Dak Sevaks GDS Communications Minister Jyotiraditya M Scindia told the Parliament on Wednesday Speaking in the Lok Sabha during the ongoing winter session the minister said the Gramin Dak Sevaks toil day and night not only to do business but to convey emotion from one human being to the other acknowledging their invaluable serviceHighlighting the transformation achieved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi Scindia said the government has placed strong emphasis on strengthening India Post over the past 11 yearsHe noted that 4903 new post offices have been built in Left Wing Extremismaffected states in the last three and a half years significantly improving lastmile connectivityAdditionally 5746 post offices were sanctioned in unbanked villages of which 5657 about 97 per cent are already operationalIn total the national network has expanded by 10170 post offices during this period The minister also pointed out that Rs 405 crore has been invested in constructing and renovating post office buildings including 49 heritage post offices considered institutional treasures of India PostScindia emphasised that while substantial progress has been achieved additional funding will be required for renovating the remaining 25000 post offices owned by India PostMoving towards the future he announced that India Post is undertaking a comprehensive Business Process Reengineering BPR initiative to modernise and streamline operationsThis will enhance the firstmile middlemile and lastmile delivery systems making them faster more serviceoriented and digitally enabled for crores of citizensHe further added that India Post is bringing in automation and studying global best practices to emerge as one of the worldâs leading logistics carriers The government remains committed to strengthening the postal network enhancing service delivery and transforming India Post into a modern technologydriven logistics powerhouse for the nation IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/india-post-currently-operates-164-lakh-post-offices-across-the-country-minister-652712.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/chaos-in-rajasthans-hanumangarh-as-farmers-police-clash-vehicles-set-on-fire-652717.html Jaipur Dec 10 The police had to resort to canecharge and fire teargas shells in Rajasthans Hanumangarh on Wednesday as farmers protesting the construction of an ethanol factory in Tibbi town clashed with the security forces The confrontation turned violent as protesters used tractors to demolish the boundary wall of the underconstruction ethanol producing plant Police resorted to canecharge and fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd Enraged farmers vandalised multiple vehicles and set at least 10 of them on fire Several people including policemen were injured in the clashesCongress MLA Abhimanyu Poonia who had reached the site to support the farmers was injured in the lathicharge and later admitted to Hanumangarh District Hospital In view of the unrest the administration shut down internet services in Tibbi and nearby villages Schools and shops were also ordered closedThe confrontation began earlier in the day when farmers gathered outside the SDM office demanding an immediate halt to construction at the ethanol plant After talks with the administration failed largely due to the authorities refusal to issue a written assurance to stop the work the protesters marched towards Rathi Kheda village around 4 pm Within minutes chaos unfolded at the factory siteFarmers breached the wall with tractors and entered the premises leading to stonepelting arson and a forceful police response Dune Ethanol Private Limited registered in Chandigarh and established in 2020 plans to set up a 40MW grainbased ethanol plant in HanumangarhThe project is part of Indiaâs ongoing Ethanol Blended Petrol EBP programme The companyâs directors are Jatinder Arora and Robin Jindal Protesters set fire to one JCB seven cars and two motorcycles One was a government police vehicle the rest were privately owned including reportedly some belonging to policemenThe police have not issued an official statement yet A fivemember farmer committee including Shabnam Godara Nitin Dhaka Sukhjit Chattha Jagjit Jaggi and Indrajit then held talks with DSP Meenakshi in the eveningThe committee demanded a written order halting construction however the administration declinedProtesters then gathered at Gurudwara Sahib to plan further action Congress leader Shabnam Godara CPIM leader Jagjit Jaggi and others continued to camp at the factory gate insisting on written assurance that construction would be stoppedEarlier farmer leaders had summoned the District Collector by 2 pm to demand a written halt to construction The administrationâs refusal triggered the march toward the factoryEthanol Factory Hatao Sangharsh Samiti members used tractors to pull down the factory wall When police attempted to disperse them protesters hurled stones injuring nearly a dozen policemen The injured were taken to the Tibbi Community Health Centre Farmers broke the boundary wall and entered the site Police fired teargas shells and some police vehicles were also set on fireSeveral opposition leaders â MP Kuldeep Indora MLA Abhimanyu Poonia former MLA Balwan Poonia CPIMâs Mangej Chaudhary and farmer leaders from Haryana and Punjab â attended the protest meeting Congress leaders like former CM Ashok Gehlot Deputy CM Sachin Pilot and LoP Tika Ram Jully condemned the policeâs lathicharge on farmers âWhy does the BJP government have so much hatred for farmersâ questioned Gehlot IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/chaos-in-rajasthans-hanumangarh-as-farmers-police-clash-vehicles-set-on-fire-652717.html Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/haryana-notifies-provision-of-contractual-jobs-for-1984-riot-hit-families-652589.html Chandigarh Dec 10 The Haryana government has notified amendments to the Deployment of Contractual Persons Policy of 2022 providing compassionate deployment to families of persons from the state who were killed during the 1984 antiSikh riots Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi has issued a notification in this regardUnder the amended provisions notwithstanding the existing definition of family under relevant government rules one unanimously identified current family member of a person killed in the 1984 antiSikh riots whether the incident occurred in Haryana or outside the state shall be eligible for deployment or engagement through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited HKRNLSuch deployment shall be made against a suitable job role under LevelI LevelII or LevelIII strictly as per the educational qualifications and eligibility criteria prescribed by HKRN an official statement said here on WednesdayThe notification further provides that if in future the job role in the department where such a contractual employee is deployed gets filled the employee shall be considered for adjustment in any other department from which a demand indent for similar job roles has been receivedHKRNL will carry out this adjustment in consultation with the departments concerned In case no such demand is available HKRNL shall adjust the employee within its own establishments against a suitable job roleThe amendment has been issued in partial modification of earlier notifications dated June 30 2022 October 26 2023 and May 13 2025 and aims to further strengthen the compassionate framework of the policyAll Administrative Secretaries heads of departments Managing Directors Chief Administrators CEOs of Boards Corporations and Public Undertakings Divisional Commissioners Deputy Commissioners SubDivisional Officers Civil universities and other authorities concerned have been directed to take necessary action and ensure strict compliance with the amended policy in letter and spirit IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/haryana-notifies-provision-of-contractual-jobs-for-1984-riot-hit-families-652589.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/deodars-in-himachal-see-shift-from-wetter-spring-to-drier-conditions-study-652635.html Shimla Dec 10 Deodhar trees in Batseri a scenic village in Sangla valley on the Baspa river in Himachal Pradesh have revealed a story of shift from wetter spring conditions during the Little Ice Age to the progressively drier conditions since 1757 CE with increased spring drought years in recent decades buried in their rings says a study The study analyses the factors responsible for the geohazard activities enabling better prediction of future hazard events to support early warning systemsThe increasing frequency of extreme climatic events such as droughts and floods and their strong association with geohazards like landslides glacial lake outburst floods rockfalls and snow avalanches especially in the Himalayan region underscored the need for robust reconstructions of past hydroclimatic variability and related geohazard episodesTreerings which are layers of new wood that form each year providing a record of the trees age and past environmental conditions act as natural archives to such climatic and geohazard events offering the potential to bridge this knowledge gapThe idea was further motivated by the absence of longterm highresolution records and the need to understand the interactions between moisture variability and geohazard dynamics from the Himalayan regionA rockfall episode in July 2021 near Batseri village in Kinnaur district led the Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences BSIP an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology DST to explore past climates using dating of annual growth layers in trees dendroclimatology and dendrogeomorphologyThey integrated dendroclimatology and dendrogeomorphology for future risk assessments and mitigation strategiesTreering analysis of deodar Cedrus deodara trees helped reconstruct a 378year 15582021 CE spring monthsâ moisture history and a 168year 18532021 CE rockfall activity record at Batseri in the western HimalayasThe study showed that tree growth is highly sensitive to spring monthsâ February to April moisture primarily influenced by winter precipitation derived through western disturbancesA total of 53 rockfall events including eight of high intensity were linked to dry spring conditions especially after the year 1960 indicating climateinduced ground instabilityThe spring drought conditions led to slopes with poor vegetation cover exposing them to vulnerability when the dry conditions are followed by the intense summer monsoon rainfallsThe findings highlight the critical role of climate variability driven by regional and global factors in triggering the geohazards underscoring the need for forest management monitoring and early warning systemsThe study published in the journal Catena enhanced understanding by providing insights on how climate variability especially the spring and premonsoon summer droughts trigger geohazards in the vulnerable Himalayan regionsSuch findings help local communities and policymakers in planning sustainable landuse improving forest and water resource management and implementing slope stability measuresThis approach can reduce damage to infrastructure protect livelihoods and enhance disaster preparednessMoreover such an approach empowers communities to adapt to climate change and mitigate its impacts on their environment and economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/deodars-in-himachal-see-shift-from-wetter-spring-to-drier-conditions-study-652635.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sit-and-decide-who-is-cm-bjps-stern-jab-at-cong-led-ktaka-govt-amid-leadership-tussle-652641.html Belagavi Dec 10 Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Wednesday criticised the Congressled government in the state over the leadership tussle stressing that the members of the grand old party should first sit down and decide who is the Chief Minister Speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday Ashoka said If a king takes one step forward soldiers take two But here there is no leadership One MLA says Deputy CM DK Shivakumar is the Chief Minister There is a confusion about the leadership Eating idli vada wont solve problems Saying I am CM on streets doesnt bring dignity to the Chief Ministers post Sit properly and decide who is CMTalking about transgenders he said Society looks down on them a lot Therefore the government should consider providing at least 05 per cent reservation for transgendersAbout the plight and issues of the North Karnataka region Ashoka stated The problems of North Karnataka are mentioned in the Dr Nanjundappa report Last time in the Assembly CM Siddaramaiah said he would give a report in six months A committee was formed under Prof Govindarao but even after 12 months the report has not comeUnder KKRDB funding Rs 900 crore was to be given for building district taluk hospitals PHCs CHCs Where is the progress on that Ashoka questionedChief Minister Siddaramaiah spoke about industrial promotion But 216 factories are still in the establishment stage Under the commerce and industries department 221 factories are in the same situation Cotton factory development tourism development raising the Almatti reservoir to 224 meters by acquiring 73603 acres etc were mentioned But none of these have been implemented he saidThe senior BJP leader said that to implement the project of raising the Almatti reservoir guarantee schemes need to be suspended or 20 per cent fund cuts in all departments are required as suggested by the Finance DepartmentThis proposal has also gone to the Cabinet It proposes cuts of Rs 2176 crore in urban development Rs 874 crore in rural development and Rs 833 crore in scheduled caste welfare Now CM Siddaramaiah must act as per his word No minister has gone to North Karnataka Such ministers should be changed he saidAshoka further said that Rs 26578 crore was allocated to the rural development department of which Rs 7049 crore has been released and only 1963 per cent has been spentRs 2440 crore was given to the Forest Department Rs 1215 crore released and Rs 791 crore spent Rs 270 crore to youth empowerment Rs 145 crore released and Rs 40 crore 14 per cent spent Rs 3157 crore to planning department Rs 1081 crore 19 per cent spent Rs 26678 crore to urban development Rs 5366 crore 19 per cent spent Money is being saved in all departments he claimedHe also said that in Kalyana Karnataka in 202425 fiftythree degree colleges have had zero resultsFive Morarji Desai residential schools also have zero results The Chief Minister said he would fill 21000 teacher posts but that hasnt happened In this region 50244 children are malnourished While per capita income in Bengaluru is Rs 7 lakh in Kalaburagi it is Rs 143 lakh he saidWater from the Tungabhadra reservoir gate flowed to Andhra Pradesh This problem occurred because 33 gates were not installed When I visited the contractors said Rs 12 crore bill has not been paid Despite padayatras and bandhs the government did not take action Due to this two crops have been lost Therefore Rs 25000 per acre compensation should be provided Ashoka demanded IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sit-and-decide-who-is-cm-bjps-stern-jab-at-cong-led-ktaka-govt-amid-leadership-tussle-652641.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-sir-exercise-man-accused-of-misusing-first-spouses-voter-card-to-register-second-bdeshi-partner-652645.html Kolkata Dec 10 A man in Nadia districts Hanskhali area of West Bengal has been accused of trying to register the name of his Bangladeshi wife by using the voter card of his first wife with whom he has separated The matter came to light on Wednesday after the first wife lodged a complaint against her husband The complaint was filed with the Hanskhali Police Station and the Subdivisional Officer SDO of Ranaghat Bharat SinghAccording to sources Ashok Roys wife Usha Roy a resident of the Shyamnagar Mathpara area of Hanskhali in Nadia district had left the house due to her husbands torture They are yet to separate legally However Ashok married another woman in between whom neighbours claimed is a Bangladeshi nationalIt has been alleged that Ashok stole the EPIC voter card of his first wife and tried to register his second wifes name using Ushas identityUsha who had left her husbands house with her child got to know about this through neighbours She also came to know that her husband had married a Bangladeshi womanSpeaking to reporters Usha said that when she went to get the enumeration form for the SIR exercise she came to know that her husband had already taken the form filled it and submitted itHearing this she went to her husband to enquire However Ashok chased her awayMy EPIC number name age and address have been used to get a Bangladeshi woman a voter card My husband has just changed the picture and put the picture of his Bangladeshi wife Today I have filed a written complaint against him at the Hanskhali Police Station and the SDO of Ranaghat said UshaIt has been learned that Ashoks second wifes name is Beauty Roy Both of them were not at home after the allegations were raisedAshoks brother Nabakumar Roy said Ashok has done something wrong He used the picture of his second wife in the EPIC number of his first wifeMeanwhile local Booth Level Officer BLO Biswajit Bar also said that the matter has come to their attentionDespite the fact that the EPIC numbers of both are the same the photographs are different The matter is being looked into said the BLO IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-sir-exercise-man-accused-of-misusing-first-spouses-voter-card-to-register-second-bdeshi-partner-652645.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-hc-terms-menstrual-leave-case-a-matter-of-public-importance-hearing-set-for-jan-2026-652654.html Bengaluru Dec 10 The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday said that it will take up in January 2026 a series of petitions opposing the state governments order requiring all registered industrial units to provide paid menstrual leave noting that the issue holds public significance The bench headed by Justice M Jyothi made the remark while passing the order in this regardAdvocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty cited Article 42 of the Constitution noting that it deals with ensuring fair and humane working conditions as well as maternity reliefHe also pointed to Article 153 and a Supreme Court directive asking states to extend such benefits The Advocate General further argued that Karnataka has a progressive legislature and that menstrual leave is provided in many countries around the worldHe added that the Law Commission has studied the issue in detail and that all stakeholders were consulted before the government issued the notificationThe court observed orally You have already filed a detailed objection Hereâs what we will do Petitioners advocate Prashanth review it and submit a rejoinder if needed We must hear both sides those supporting the order and those opposing itThe petitioners lawyer responded that arguments could proceed in the meantime and requested that the government not take further action until thenHowever the Advocate General insisted We will implement the order fullyAt that point the court noted This issue is of public significance We will take it up for hearing after the winter breakAfter the discussion the court dictated its formal order The Advocate General AG appeared and informed the court that the government has already filed its objections in the Bangalore Hotels Association case and requested that those objections be treated as applicable to the other connected cases as wellThe court said that if the petitioners want to file a rejoinder they may do so The petitioners lawyer also submitted a memo stating that certain important questions of law have been raised in the case The court acknowledged this and placed the memo on recordEarlier the Karnataka High Court issued an interim order staying the government notification directing registered industrial establishments to provide oneday menstrual leave for working women and directed the government to file objectionsThe order was passed while looking into the petition questioning the government order by the Bangalore Hotels Association and Management of Avirata AFL Connectivity Systems Limited The case will be relisted after the winter vacation The Bench has also allowed petitioners to seek modification of the order laterThe Bench asked whether the government had consulted or heard from the management before issuing the notification The counsel said it had not After that the court issued the interim orderThe government notification issued on November 20 mandated industrial establishments to provide paid menstrual leave to women employeesThe petitioners counsel argued that the government had issued an executive order directing establishments to grant menstrual leaveThe counsel pointed out that the laws governing industries already provide a complete leave policy and none of those laws contain any provision that requires employers to provide menstrual leaveThe petition seeking to quash the government order states that the establishments are registered under different labour laws such as the Factories Act the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act the Plantations Labour Act the Beedi and Cigar Workers Conditions of Employment Act and the Motor Transport Workers Act Under these laws employees are allowed only 12 days of leave per year IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-hc-terms-menstrual-leave-case-a-matter-of-public-importance-hearing-set-for-jan-2026-652654.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bjp-demands-white-paper-from-cong-govt-on-fulfillment-of-assurances-to-north-ktaka-652660.html Belagavi Dec 10 Opposition leader R Ashoka on Wednesday accused the Congressled Karnataka government of failing to fulfill its promises to North Karnataka and demanded that it release a White Paper detailing the progress made on all commitments including compensation for farmers and floodaffected families Speaking in the Assembly about the issues in North Karnataka he said that efficient leadership is needed to resolve the regionâs longpending problems He alleged that the government has not provided compensation to farmers nor to those who lost their homesHe said that during floods people stay in relief centres and require immediate financial support Under the Congress government compensation was given 9 months later in 201314 8 months later in 201415 and 7 months later in 201516In the BJPled government compensation was provided within two months after the August 201920 flood within two months for the 2022 flood within two months for the 202122 flood and within one month for the 2023 flood Such delays should not happen Ashoka saidAccording to NDRF norms Rs 95000 is given for house damage The BJP state government added Rs 4 lakh making the total compensation Rs 5 lakh The Congressled government is not providing such support in North Karnataka and is only giving the central share Ashoka allegedHe argued that it is impossible to build a house with just Rs 95000 The previous BJPled government provided Rs 665115 crore in crop damage compensation to the bank accounts of 5195 lakh farmers The Congressled government introduced the FRUITS software instead of DBT causing a fourmonth delay Now compensation is being delayed he criticisedFrom 20142022 Prime Minister Narendra Modiled NDA government provided Rs 11603 crore in relief while the erstwhile Manmohan Singh government gave Rs 3233 crore four times more he said The previous BJP state government did not wait for central assistance and disbursed funds directly from the state treasury Similarly the Congress government should also take money from the treasury and provide relief he demandedMore than 117 villages in Kalaburagi Bidar Vijayapura and Yadgir districts have been flooded Over 20000 houses have been damaged crops in 1458 lakh hectares have been affected and 2890 schools have been damaged While Dassara was being celebrated in Mysuru people in North Karnataka were in water he statedWe all went by car to visit but Chief Minister Siddaramaiah conducted an aerial survey Instead he could have come by car and met the people IAS officers always say everything is fine The Chief Minister should have visited every village Officials have not come to the villages for surveys either In many places they have given false reports saying there was no flood he saidIn the state 41 lakh tonnes of sugarcane are produced across 981 lakh hectares There are 81 sugar factories all reportedly running in loss Applications have come for starting 31 new factories Cheating is happening in weighing machines and only 50 per cent of them have been installedThere is a 6 per cent deduction in machine harvesting The government needs to pay attention to the old models of RSP and SAP In Mudhol fire broke out in 240 tractors burning 1033 tonnes of sugarcane Would this have happened if there was fear of the police department Thirtytwo sugarcane farmers have committed suicide Farmer Lakkappa Gunakar from Raibag committed suicide No ministers visited then Ashoka said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bjp-demands-white-paper-from-cong-govt-on-fulfillment-of-assurances-to-north-ktaka-652660.html Wed, 10 Dec 2025 23:55:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/actress-abduction-case-actor-dileeps-acquittal-triggers-divergent-reactions-652040.html Kochi Dec 8 Actor Dileeps acquittal in the 2017 highprofile actress assault case in which the verdict was announced on Monday has triggered sharp and emotionally charged reactions across Keralaâs political and cultural landscape even as the state government signalled its intent to challenge the verdict in a higher court Earlier on Monday the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted Dileep and three others holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge of criminal conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubtThe first six accused were found guilty in the caseAll 10 accused were present in the court as directed during the pronouncement of the judgmentLeading voices from the film fraternity and civil society expressed shock and disappointment at the judgmentActor Rima Kallingal said the survivor was in deep shock following what she described as a denial of justice adding that she would continue to stand firmly with herWriteractivist Bhagyalakshmi termed the verdict prewritten while feminist leader K Ajitha remarked that she had not expected a different outcome but noted that the period Dileep spent in jail itself was significantActor Parvathy Thiruvothu in a strongly worded Instagram post asked What kind of justice is this She added that the verdict marked the beginning of the unravelling of a âcarefully crafted and cruel scriptâResponding to the developments Law Minister P Rajeeve confirmed that the state government would file an appeal against the acquittalHe said he had discussed the judgment with Chief Minister Pinarayi VijayanEducation Minister V Sivankutty reiterated that the government has always stood with the survivor and would continue to do so adding that a clear and firm stand would be taken on pursuing legal remediesAt the same time support for Dileep has also emerged AMMA VicePresident and actor Lakshmipriya said she was personally relieved by the acquittal and maintained her firm belief that Dileep had not committed the crimeThe executive committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists AMMA met in Kochi on Monday with President Swetha Menon and senior members present to deliberate on the implications of the verdict and future organisational stepsParallel discussions are also underway within the Film Employees Federation of Kerala FEFKA on the possibility of reinstating DileepFEFKA General Secretary B Unnikrishnan said Dileep was expelled from the organisation within hours of his arrest and that following his acquittal he now has the right to seek reentryProducers Association President B Rajesh said now that the court has cleared Dileep of all charges he needs to give a letter and he would be reinstatedThe verdict has once again polarised public opinion reopening debates on justice accountability and institutional response in one of Keralaâs most closely watched criminal casesThe then top police official who led the investigation BSandhya said proving a conspiracy has always been a challenge This is certainly not the final verdict as there are higher courts the nowretired Sandhya said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/actress-abduction-case-actor-dileeps-acquittal-triggers-divergent-reactions-652040.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/parkash-singh-badal-was-a-true-nationalist-says-sukhbir-on-his-98th-birth-anniversary-652042.html Chandigarh Dec 8 Shiromani Akali Dal SAD President Sukhbir Badal on Monday paid tributes to fivetime Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal by referring to him as a true nationalist and the voice of Punjab even while vowing he would follow in the footsteps of his father and never compromise on the prestige of Punjab Punjabis the Khalsa Panth and the party Speaking at a religious function at Badal village to mark the 98th birth anniversary of the late leader the SAD President said âBadal Sahab was a true âVikas Purushâ who did more during his tenures as Chief Minister as compared to all the Chief Ministers of the stateââSee all around you you will see his projects He was also responsible for singlehandedly improving the livelihood of farmers and the poor through innovative schemes This is the reason why people from all walks of life and religions used to say Badal Sahab was one of themâAsserting that the Akali Dal was committed to taking forward Badal Sahabâs legacy Sukhbir Badal said he was ready to give any sacrifice to achieve this He also appealed to Punjabis to support him in this endeavour stating âwe cannot experiment any longer We need to save Punjab The SAD has the vigour and the will power to take the state out of its current mess and put it back on the track of development and prosperityâBadal also inaugurated a 125ft statue of the late leader in the village amidst slogans of âSardar Parkash Singh Badal Amar Raheâ by his followers and Shiromani Akali Dal workers The statue has been sculpted by Gurpreet Singh DhuriA huge 70ft tall flag of the Shiromani Akali Dal had also been installed alongside the statueThe SAD President said a museum depicting the late leaders life achievements and philosophy would be established in the village and that the same architect who had envisaged the VirasateKhalsa would be commissioned for this projectThe event witnessed a number of leaders paying glowing tributes to Parkash Singh Badal Indian National Lok Dal President Abhey Singh Chautala said Badal Sahab had done his utmost for the welfare of the poor and downtrodden and appealed that his birth anniversary be commemorated as âSadbhavana DivasâBJP leaders Manpreet Singh Badal and Surjit Kumar Jyani spoke on how the late leader had won universal appreciation from one and all including serving Prime Ministers They said Parkash Singh Badal did not only dream big but also realised his dreams by working tirelessly for the betterment of Punjab IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/parkash-singh-badal-was-a-true-nationalist-says-sukhbir-on-his-98th-birth-anniversary-652042.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/haryana-cabinet-sets-age-limits-for-tourist-vehicles-clears-unified-municipal-bill-for-2025-652053.html Chandigarh Dec 8 The Haryana Cabinet presided over by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini here on Monday accorded approval to fix the age of tourist vehicles for operation under the Haryana Motor Vehicles Rules 1993 These rules may be called the Haryana Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules 2025 As per the amendment vehicles operating with allIndia tourist permits in the NCR region will be allowed to operate for 12 years if they run on petrol or CNG whereas diesel vehicles under this permit category will be permitted for a maximum of 10 yearsFor nonNCR areas allIndia tourist permit vehicles running on petrol or CNG and diesel will also have a maximum operational age of 12 yearsFor all other permits including stage carriage contract carriage goods carriage and school buses in the NCR region their maximum permissible vehicle age has been fixed at 15 years for vehicles operating on petrol CNG electric or other clean fuelsHowever for diesel vehicles operating under these permit types the maximum age has been fixed at 10 years only in the NCR regionFor nonNCR areas all other permits including stage carriage contract carriage goods carriage and school buses running on petrol CNG electric or other clean fuels and diesel will have a maximum operational age of 15 yearsThe Cabinet also approved a major reform in urban governance by introducing the Haryana Municipal Bill 2025 aimed at replacing the existing Haryana Municipal Act 1973 and the Haryana Municipal Corporation Act 1994The new unified Act has been drafted to bring all categories of municipalities municipal corporations municipal councils and municipal committees under a single legal frameworkAt present 87 municipalities function under two separate Acts causing administrative complexities inconsistent service delivery and challenges in interpretation of rules an official statement saidThe department has undertaken extensive consultations over the past two years to prepare the draft legislation incorporating relevant provisions from the Model Municipal Law circulated by the government of IndiaThe Haryana Municipal Bill 2025 aims to streamline governance remove ambiguities modernize municipal administration and strengthen financial autonomy of urban local bodiesKey provisions include empowering municipalities to determine taxes and fees between minimum and maximum governmentfixed rates and provisions for credit rating to facilitate market borrowings etcThe Act also introduces provisions for urban transport planning urban forestry and the prohibition of illegal colonies similar to the Haryana Development and Regulation of Urban Areas Act 1975For municipal staff the Act proposes common service rules to reduce litigation arising from transfers and promotions under separate legal frameworks Additionally a provision has been made for the appointment of a municipal magistrate for the trial of municipal offences and penalties or fines for various violations have been enhanced The initiative marks a significant step towards establishing a modern uniform and efficient municipal governance system across Haryana aligned with current and future needs of urbanisation IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/haryana-cabinet-sets-age-limits-for-tourist-vehicles-clears-unified-municipal-bill-for-2025-652053.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-bjp-announces-massive-farmers-protest-gherao-of-suvarna-soudha-652088.html Belagavi Karnataka Dec 8 Karnataka unit BJP President and MLA BY Vijayendra announced that farmers will hold a massive protest on Tuesday December 9 morning and gherao the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi Speaking to the media after visiting the protest venue Malini City Ground on Monday Vijayendra said MLAs from Belagavi district MLCs and farmers from Belagavi and surrounding districts will participate in the protestResponding to a question he said at least 2025000 people will participate in the protestHe criticised the Congress governments antifarmer policies saying its acting like a blind and deaf person despite having eyes and earsThey blame the Centre when asked about compensation he addedVijayendra expressed disappointment that the state government has no accountability and hasnt resolved sugarcane growers issues The Centre has fixed a minimum support price of Rs 2400 for maize but farmers are selling it at Rs 15001600 due to the governments failure to open procurement centres on timeHe said they will discuss issues related to cotton and tur dal farmersThe internal conflict related to the position of the Chief Minister is having a negative impact on the state The state government continues to blame the Centre to cover up its failures he criticisedHe objected saying sugarcane growers maize farmers paddy farmers and tur dal cultivators are suffering due to the state governments neglectThe Congress party had promised to eradicate unemployment and provide jobs to lakhs of youth during the elections but it hasnt materialized he criticisedHe added that issues like weavers problems and the states development will be discussed in the assembly session Well also discuss irrigation projects in North Karnataka he saidResponding to a question he said Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar are masters at deflecting attention They blame the Centre at every opportunity to cover up the state governments failures and are prolific in writing letters to the Prime Minister Meanwhile theyve forgotten theyre holding reins of governance in KarnatakaHe accused them of playing this drama to cover up their failures Well discuss all this in the assembly he saidOpposition Leader R Ashoka said they will raise their voice in support of the agitating farmersBJP and former CM B S Yediyurappa have always worked for farmers welfare BJP has grown through protests and will raise its voice in the assembly he saidOther leaders present included the Leader of the Opposition Chalavadi Narayanaswamy senior BJP leaders P Rajeev C T Ravi Vithal Halagekar Abhay Patil Anil Benake Sanjay Patil Sharannu Tallikeri Geeta Sutar Subhash Patil M B Jirali and Aravind Patil among others IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/karnataka-bjp-announces-massive-farmers-protest-gherao-of-suvarna-soudha-652088.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/investing-in-planetary-health-would-deliver-higher-gdp-less-poverty-un-652393.html Nairobi Dec 9 The most comprehensive assessment of the global environment ever undertaken has found that investing in a stable climate healthy nature and land and a pollutionfree planet can deliver trillions in additional global GDP avoid millions of deaths and lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty and hunger The Global Environment Outlook Seventh Edition A Future We Choose GEO7 released during the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in Nairobi is the product of 287 multidisciplinary scientists from 82 countries The United Nations Environment Programme UNEP report finds climate change biodiversity loss land degradation desertification and pollution and waste have taken a heavy toll on the planet people and economies already costing trillions of dollars each year Following current development pathways will only intensify this toll However wholeofsociety and wholeofgovernment approaches to transform the systems of economy and finance materials and waste energy food and the environment would deliver global macroeconomic benefits that could reach 20 trillion per year by 2070 and continue growing A key enabling factor of this approach is moving away from GDP to indicators that also track human and natural capital incentivising economies to move towards circularity decarbonization of the energy system sustainable agriculture ecosystem restoration and more âThe Global Environment Outlook lays out a simple choice for humanity continue down the road to a future devastated by climate change dwindling nature degraded land and polluted air or change direction to secure a healthy planet healthy people and healthy economies This is no choice at allâ said Inger Andersen UNEP Executive Director âAnd let us not forget the world has already made so much progress from global deals covering climate change nature land and biodiversity and pollution and waste to realworld change in the booming renewables industry global coverage of protected areas and the phasing out of toxic chemicalsâ she added âI call on all nations to build on this progress invest in planetary health and drive their economies towards a thriving sustainable futureâ The report presents two transformation pathways looking at behavioural changes to place less emphasis on material consumption and changes in which the world relies primarily on technological development and efficiency gains The transformation pathways predict that the global macroeconomic benefits will start to appear in 2050 grow to 20 trillion per year by 2070 and boom thereafter to 100 trillion per year The pathways project reduced exposure to climate risks reduced biodiversity loss by 2030 and increased in natural lands Nine million premature deaths can be avoided by 2050 through measures such as cutting air pollution By 2050 almost 200 million people could be lifted out of undernourishment and over 100 million people out of extreme poverty To achieve netzero emissions by 2050 and ensure adequate funding for conserving and restoring biodiversity an annual investment of about 8 trillion is needed until 2050 However the cost of inaction is far higher IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/investing-in-planetary-health-would-deliver-higher-gdp-less-poverty-un-652393.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 19:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/actress-kolla-hema-cleared-in-2024-rave-party-case-blames-media-trial-for-mothers-death-652247.html Bengaluru Dec 9 Tollywood actress Kolla Hema released an emotional video on Tuesday after the Karnataka High Court cleared her of all charges in the 2024 rave party case In the video she said that her mother had died unable to bear the distress caused by the case âCarrying that pain in my heart I want to share this good news The High Court has dismissed the caseâ she said as she broke downIn her message Hema said âHi all I am your Hema I stand before you with the grief of losing my mother The Karnataka High Court has quashed my case The verdict came on November 3 I was told not to share the news until the certified copy of the judgment was availableâShe said her mother suffered a stroke days after the verdict and did not recoverâIn the meantime my mother suffered a stroke and passed away She was my strength and source of courage Whatever I am today is because of her She could not cope with what happened to me My mother could not bear the social media posts and the media trial carried out by news channelsâ Hema saidThe actress added that she repeatedly pleaded with social media users and media outlets to stop spreading unverified allegationsâI had already shared that my mother was unwell Who gave social media users and media outlets the authority to troll me From the beginning I have been pleading with them not to broadcast false information To cover up one false report they kept spreading more incorrect news and stooped to lower levels I repeatedly said that I had done nothing wrong and would come out clean Today I stand before you with a clean image God is beside meâ she saidShe said the long legal ordeal cost her both peace and work âI won the case but lost my mother forever Will you bring my mother back How am I supposed to cope Do I have to struggle endlessly I have come out clean with the blessings of my mother and God For the past one and a half years my life has been hell I had not contacted any director or anyone from the film industry You the media carried out propaganda and continued with itâ Hema said in the videoIn a major relief the Karnataka High Court quashed the drug case registered against her in connection with the May 2024 Hebbagodi rave party The single judge bench allowed her petition seeking dismissal of the case noting the absence of standard testing methods and legally sustainable evidence The bench headed by Justice Mohammad Nawaz passed the orderHema was among the 88 people detained after the Central Crime Branch raided a rave party at GR Farms on May 19 2024 Police had alleged that MDMA pills and cocaine were used at the event and booked the group under the NDPS Act She later underwent a medical test at a private hospital but the High Court held that the report could not be considered reliable in the absence of standardised forensic parameters in the countryThe court pointed out several gaps in the process including a lack of a national nodal drug testing laboratory the absence of approved protocols for analysing blood and urine samples and the unreliability of tests conducted without uniform scientific standards Given these shortcomings the bench ruled that the proceedings against the actress could not continueThe CCB had filed a chargesheet against all 88 people arrested in the party Hema then approached the High Court seeking its dismissal IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/actress-kolla-hema-cleared-in-2024-rave-party-case-blames-media-trial-for-mothers-death-652247.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:57:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarats-gaam-no-nirdhar-sahkaare-sakar-campaign-gathers-steam-boosts-child-nutrition-652253.html Ahmedabad Dec 9 Gujaratâs Kheda district is witnessing enthusiastic community participation in its innovative nutrition initiative âGaam No Nirdhar Sahkaare Sakarâ launched on November 14 to combat child malnutrition through collective action Spearheaded by District Collector Amit Prakash Yadav and supported by Amul Dairy the campaign encourages dairy farmers to voluntarily donate small quantities of milk each day for undernourished children enrolled in anganwadisAwareness meetings have already been held with milk cooperatives in Matar Nadiad Vaso Mahemdavad and Kathlal where local MLAs and Amul officials have urged villagers to strengthen the driveAt village dairy centres contributing farmers set aside 10 ml 30 ml 50 ml or more into a dedicated container known as the âAashirwad Patraâ The collected milk is distributed daily to malnourished children by anganwadi workers providing vital nutritional support to some of the districtâs most vulnerableResidents are also being encouraged to celebrate birthdays anniversaries and festivals by donating nutritious items such as jaggery pulses peanuts and dates to their nearest anganwadiâMalnutrition is a challenge even more complex than cancerâ Collector Yadav told villagers stressing that child nutrition must be treated as a shared social responsibilityHe appealed for full cooperation with anganwadi workers and urged government employees to participate to set an exampleDistrict Development Officer Jayant Kishore added that nurturing a healthy future generation is not just the responsibility of parents but of the entire community including village leaders talatis and teachersSo far the campaign has collected 477195 litres of milk benefitting over 3000 children every day With strong backing from dairy cooperatives and villagers the administration aims to expand the initiative across all talukas moving Kheda closer to the goal of becoming a malnutritionfree districtThe district administration and Amul Dairy have expressed gratitude to villagers milk unions and livestock farmers for their overwhelming support to this humanitarian effort IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarats-gaam-no-nirdhar-sahkaare-sakar-campaign-gathers-steam-boosts-child-nutrition-652253.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 14:05:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/mekedatu-row-kumaraswamy-says-cong-misled-people-tells-ktaka-govt-to-talk-to-tn-allies-652028.html New DelhiBengaluru Dec 8 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel H D Kumaraswamy responding to the Congressled Karnataka governments demand that he secure clearances from the Centre for the controversial Mekedatu project accused the Siddaramaiahled dispensation of misleading the public by organising padayatras under slogans like our water our right to gain power while the project remains stalled The Supreme Court has asked the state to present its case before the Central Water Commission CWC Those ruling Tamil Nadu are your political partners Why dont you go and hold talks with them Kumaraswamy questionedAddressing a press conference in Delhi on Monday he further noted that about 12000 acres of forest land would be submerged in the Mekedatu region causing environmental damageNot only the Centre but the state government also has rights and responsibilities Why run away from it How long will you evade accountability It has been over 75 years since Independence For nearly 50 of those years the Congress ruled both at the Centre and in the state What did you do about Mekedatu during that time The people deserve an answer he saidKumaraswamy also criticised the state government for repeatedly blaming the Centre for lack of cooperationIf that is the excuse what exactly is the state government doing Immediately after I became a Union Minister I signed the file providing financial guarantees for the Kudremukh iron and steel plant Deodari mining project in the interest of the stateFrom the very next day the state government began creating obstacles Today one of their partys representatives is instigating daily protests in Ballari mobilising people and blocking the project purely for personal gain from NMDC If this is how things function how can development take place Is this what cooperation means he questionedKumaraswamy further launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah over remarks questioning his contribution to Mandya Responding strongly Kumaraswamy challenged the CM to first list his own achievements during his tenureI will clearly enumerate what I have given to Mandya Before that let the Chief Minister explain what he delivered during his five years in office Kumaraswamy assertedThe Union Minister said I will speak about my contributions Mr Siddaramaiah tell me what have you contributed for farmers What is your contribution to Mandya During your previous fiveyear tenure 20132018 over 200 farmers in Mandya district ended their lives Is that your contribution When I came to power during that crisis I waived Rs 900 crore of farmersâ loans in the same district Is that not a contribution Under your rule farmers lost their lives under my government lives were saved Please remember thisKumaraswamy further criticised the state government for its handling of agrarian distressLook at the condition of farmers today When floods and heavy rains devastate peopleâs lives you are indulging in festivities What is the situation of red gram tur farmers in Kalyana Karnataka Prices have crashed What action have you taken You have not even opened procurement centres so far The state government should have intervened in time to support farmers Why did it not do so he questionedReferring to the delayed request for a central inspection team he added After four months they have suddenly woken up If a central team visits the state now what report will it submit IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/mekedatu-row-kumaraswamy-says-cong-misled-people-tells-ktaka-govt-to-talk-to-tn-allies-652028.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:11:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/nagaland-university-researchers-turn-pineapple-waste-into-valuable-products-652031.html Kohima Dec 8 A research team from Nagaland University the stateâs only Central university has demonstrated how pineapple processing waste can be transformed into valueadded products Varsity officials said that research findings offer practical sustainable solutions that can boost rural livelihoods while reducing the environmental impact of fruit wastePineapple is one of the worldâs most widely grown tropical fruits with India being among its major producers Within the country Nagaland has become a notable pineapplegrowing region known for fruit that is exceptionally sweet rich in juice and low in fibreThe âKewâ variety is widely cultivated with the âQueenâ variety grown in smaller pocketsAccording to the official government initiatives such as the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture MIDH the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for the North Eastern Region MOVCDNER and other organic valuechain programmes have encouraged farmers to take up pineapple cultivation on a commercial scaleNagalandâs Chumoukedima Niuland Dimapur Kiphire and Mokokchung districts are among the stateâs key pineappleproducing areasPineapple processing generates large quantities of peel pomace core and crown much of which is discarded Additional waste occurs due to rough handling and poor storage posing significant environmental concernsThese byproducts although often treated as waste are rich in fibre proteins pectin vitamins and minerals When left unmanaged they contribute to landfill accumulation contamination and higher disposal costsHowever the same waste materials can serve as suitable substrates for fermentation and other valueadded applicationsVinegar production is one such avenue as the sugarrich residues provide an ideal base for alcoholic and acetic fermentation Vinegar has long been used as a preservative and condiment and fruitbased vinegars are increasingly noted for their functional and nutritional benefitsThe cuttingedge finding demonstrates the potential to replace the highly expensive applebased vinegar thereby paving the way for sustainable waste utilisation and enhanced revenue generation in the commercial pineapplegrowing beltThe findings of this research by Nagaland University were published in a peerreviewed openaccess journal that publishes research on human nutrition and food safetyThe research paper was coauthored by Dr Sentinaro Walling Prof Akali Sema Prof CS Maiti Dr Animesh Sarkar Prof SP Kanaujia and Alemla Imchen from the varsitys Department of HorticultureElaborating on this research academic team leader Prof Sema said Our study examined whether different parts of pineapple processing waste could be turned into goodquality vinegar Using standard fermentation with yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and acetic acid bacteria we found that vinegar made from the peel consistently performed better in acidity colour and flavourHe said that a group of sensory panels also preferred the peelbased vinegar for its taste aroma and overall quality in compliance with commercial fruitbased vinegar showing that this commonly discarded material has strong potential to be transformed from waste to wealthProf Maiti said Work is also underway to reduce crown size for export suitability packaging and to identify treatments that enhance fruit quality yield and shelf lifeDr Sarkar Associate Professor Department of Horticulture added The School of Agricultural Sciences also refined and disseminated the technology for commercial cultivation where farmers plant in intervals to avoid seasonal gluts maintain a steady supply round the year through staggered planting prevent price drops and ensure more stable income and yearround employment generationResearch scholar Walling is set to register a patent under a product development category for the preparation of candy from pineapple core wasteHighlighting the impact of the universityâs research on local communities Vice Chancellor Prof Jagadish K Patnaik said I am pleased to announce a significant scientific breakthrough achieved by researchers of Nagaland University who have successfully developed highquality vinegar from pineapple peels an innovative step toward sustainable valueadded processing of agricultural byproductsThis research reflects the universityâs commitment to environmentally responsible innovation rural livelihood enhancement and scientific contributions rooted in local resources he saidTransforming these discarded peels into a commercially valuable nutritious and ecofriendly product not only reduces waste but also opens new opportunities for entrepreneurship foodprocessing industries and communitybased enterprises the VC saidThe research contributes to ongoing efforts to strengthen sustainable pineapple production improve value addition and bolster rural livelihoods in Nagaland The conducive geoecological conditions ensure excellent fruit quality reflected in its blended sweetness and other desirable biochemical attributes that may once again prove its high acceptability among the pineapple lovers IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/nagaland-university-researchers-turn-pineapple-waste-into-valuable-products-652031.html Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/indigo-disruptions-flight-cancellations-leave-patna-passengers-stranded-railways-steps-in-651940.html Patna Dec 8 The ongoing IndiGo operational crisis continued to disrupt air travel from Patna Airport on Monday with multiple flights cancelled leaving passengers stranded for the seventh consecutive day On Sunday many travellers missed job interviews and important engagements while others were forced to wait at the airport for hours A total of 10 IndiGo flights to Chennai Bengaluru Delhi Ahmedabad Kolkata and other destinations were cancelledSeveral arrival and departure flights also experienced delays of up to 30 minutesAccording to airport officials five IndiGo flights scheduled to depart on Monday to cities including Delhi Bengaluru Chennai and Kolkata have also been cancelled Passengers affected by cancellations or delays are being contacted individuallyAs a result the footfall at IndiGo ticket counters on Sunday was noticeably lower than usual Many passengers claimed their flight tickets were renewed twice or thrice but they were unable to travel to their desired destinations due to cancellationsAirline officials have stated that operations are expected to return to normal by December 15 A help desk has also been set up at the airport and a dedicated helpline 9771449159 has been issued for travellersIn response to the ongoing disruption the East Central Railway has stepped in to assist stranded passengers A special train is being operated from Patna and an additional passenger coach has been attached to both the Sampoorna Kranti Express and the Tejas Rajdhani Express starting SundayDanapur Division Senior DCM Abhinav Siddhartha said that a special train from Patna to Anand Vihar Terminal has been arranged On Monday the 02309 PatnaAnand Vihar Terminal Special will depart Patna at 830 pm and reach Anand Vihar Terminal at 300 pm the following dayAdditionally an extra Third AC coach will be added to the Tejas Rajdhani and a Second AC coach to the Sampoorna Kranti Express increasing the number of coaches on both trains from 22 to 23 IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/indigo-disruptions-flight-cancellations-leave-patna-passengers-stranded-railways-steps-in-651940.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/actor-dileep-gets-heroic-welcome-at-home-after-acquittal-state-moves-to-challenge-verdict-651985.html Aluva Kerala Dec 8 A massive crowd gathered outside Malayalam actor Dileepâs residence âPadmasarovaramâ on Monday to give him a rousing reception hours after his acquittal in the 2017 actress abduction and sexual assault case Dileep reached home around 115 pm but it took him several minutes to make his way through the sea of supporters who had lined up along the road and inside the compoundInside the house emotional scenes unfolded as his daughter Mahalakshmi rushed forward to hug him followed by his wife Kavya Madhavan his sister and other close relatives and friendsOutside supporters celebrated by distributing laddoos amid heightened security arrangements in the areaEven as celebrations continued the Kerala Government announced its decision to appeal against the acquittal Law Minister P Rajeeve said the State has decided to challenge the verdict âWe have always stood with the victim and hence we will go for the appealâ he saidEarlier in the day the Ernakulam Principal Sessions Court acquitted Dileep and three others holding that the prosecution had failed to establish the charge of criminal conspiracy beyond a reasonable doubt The first six accused were found guilty in the case All 10 accused were present in the court as directed during the pronouncement of the judgmentDileep escorted out of the courtroom by a large team of lawyers waved and smiled at supporters He launched a sharp attack on the investigation alleging he had been framed launching a sharp attack on the investigationâIn the court the cookedup story of the police failedâ he said adding âThe police took the prime accused and a few others into confidence and created a story to destroy my futureâHe alleged that the conspiracy was hatched by his former wife and was aided by a senior police official and a section of the media He also expressed deep gratitude to his counsel Raman Pillai and the legal teamAdding a sharp political reaction Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Sunny Joseph termed the verdict âunsatisfactoryâ stating that the failure to prove the conspiracy was a lapse of both the police investigation and the prosecutionThe case dates back to February 17 2017 when a prominent Malayalam actress was abducted and sexually assaulted in a moving vehicle while travelling to Kochi a crime that shocked Kerala and triggered an intense debate on womenâs safety and abuse of power in the film industryThe survivor has chosen not to react at this stage while womenâs rights groups have expressed disappointment as the legal battle now appears poised to enter a new phase IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/actor-dileep-gets-heroic-welcome-at-home-after-acquittal-state-moves-to-challenge-verdict-651985.html Mon, 08 Dec 2025 23:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jaipur-gears-up-for-pravasi-rajasthani-divas-with-over-8-700-registrations-651779.html Jaipur Dec 6 The preparations for the upcoming Pravasi Rajasthani Divas being organised on the initiative of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma are now in their final stage Ahead of the event scheduled for 10 December greenery decorations and cleanliness drives are being carried out across the state capital JaipurRajasthan is fully prepared to welcome its guests and there is tremendous enthusiasm among NonResident Rajasthanis and industrialists arriving from India and abroad So far more than 8700 people have registered for the programmeChief Secretary V Srinivas and Shikhar Agarwal Additional Chief Secretary ACS Industries amp Commerce Department inspected the preparations at the venue JECC Sitapura During the visit they reviewed the main ceremony area halls designated for the sectoral sessions and the âProgress Pathâ being developed to showcase the achievements of the state government The Chief Secretary directed officials to complete all remaining work within the next 48 hours He said that preparations for this historic event are being carried out in accordance with the Chief Ministerâs visionThe Chief Minister is continuously reviewing the progress and also interacting with NonResident Rajasthanis to personally invite them Shikhar Agrawal Additional Chief Secretary Industries Department Government of Rajasthan stated that the primary objective of the event is to reconnect NonResident Rajasthanis with their roots and ensure their participation in the stateâs development A new policy has also been formulated to address challenges faced in this process Suresh Kumar Ola Commissioner Bureau of Investment Promotion BIP informed that as per the Chief Ministerâs directions the venue has been designed to reflect Rajasthanâs culture and heritage so that NonResident Rajasthanis feel a sense of belonging and take back fond memories Given the possibility that guests attending the event may wish to explore Jaipurâs tourist attractions extensive arrangements have been madeThe Archaeology and Museum Department has appointed nodal officers at protected monuments for the convenience of visitors Additionally the Forest Department has appointed nodal officers to provide information on forest and wildlife tourism areas During the Pravasi Rajasthani Conclave at last yearâs Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had announced that 10 December would be celebrated each year as Pravasi Rajasthani Divas In continuation of this announcement the first Pravasi Rajasthani Divas is being organised on 10 DecemberThe event aims to bring together the Rajasthani diaspora and strengthen their connection with their roots Anandi JDA Commissioner Shivangi Swarnkar MD RIICO Manisha Arora Commissioner Rajasthan Foundation Gaurav Saini Commissioner Municipal Corporation and Jugal Kishore Meena Additional Commissioner BIP and other senior officials were also present during the visit IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jaipur-gears-up-for-pravasi-rajasthani-divas-with-over-8-700-registrations-651779.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 06:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ahmedabad-to-host-grand-pramukh-varni-amrut-mahotsav-today-hm-amit-shah-to-attend-651798.html Ahmedabad Dec 7 Gujaratâs Ahmedabad is set to witness a major spiritual celebration on Sunday as the âPramukh Varni Amrut Mahotsavâ takes place at the Riverfront Event Centre The event marks the 104th birth anniversary of Pramukh Swami Maharaj and the 75th year since his appointment as President of the BAPS Swaminarayan SansthaThe gathering will be graced by BAPS spiritual leader Mahant Swami Maharaj Union Home Minister Amit Shah Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and several other dignitariesA special cultural assembly will pay tribute to Pramukh Swami Maharajâs lifelong humanitarian service followed by a unique river spectacle featuring thematic floating tableaux on the Sabarmati depicting his life values and global contributionsThe origins of Pramukh Swami Maharajâs leadership trace back to 21 May 1950 when Shastriji Maharaj appointed the 28yearold Shastri Narayanswarupdas as the lifelong President of BAPS at the mandir in Ambli Vali Pol ShahpurFrom that moment he became lovingly known as Pramukh Swami Maharaj eventually emerging as a global spiritual leaderOn that day Pramukh Swami pledged unwavering devotion to his guru and the organisation vowing to serve selflessly and work for the spiritual and material wellbeing of devoteesAmbli Vali Pol itself remains a landmark in BAPS historyâhome to the organisationâs first Ahmedabad mandir 1940 its first Gujarati magazine 1938 the young Pramukh Swamiâs parshad diksha 1939 and several key decisions that shaped BAPSâs global expansionIn the runup to the 75year milestone thousands of devotees have visited Ambli Vali Pol over the past year to commemorate Pramukh Swami Maharajâs appointmentThe main celebration on Sunday from 530 pm to 830 pm will feature multimedia presentations cultural segments and tributes capturing his message of peace service and compassionA highlight of the evening will be the themed floats on the Sabarmati River creating a visual narrative of Pramukh Swami Maharajâs life and philanthropic work Preparations for the mega event have been underway for two monthsMore than 40000 devotees are expected to attend arriving through coordinated bus arrangementsDedicated parking zones and traffic support have been organised along the Riverfront IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ahmedabad-to-host-grand-pramukh-varni-amrut-mahotsav-today-hm-amit-shah-to-attend-651798.html Sun, 07 Dec 2025 11:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/lop-satheesan-defends-swift-action-against-mamkootathil-accuses-cm-vijayan-of-politicising-case-651532.html Alappuzha Kerala Dec 4 Keralas Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan on Thursday strongly defended his Congressâs handling of the sexualassault allegations against firsttime MLA Rahul Mamkootathil asserting that the party acted faster and more decisively than any political organisation in the country Speaking to reporters in Alappuzha Satheesan said the Congress had decided unanimously to suspend Mamkootathil even before a formal complaint was receivedHe said the leadership reached a consensus the moment the voice clip surfaced and when a second complaint reached the state party chief the party promptly decided to expel the MLA from its ranksTodayâs announcement is merely the formal declaration of a decision taken earlier Whether it was announced yesterday or today is irrelevant he saidI am proud of my party When such a serious allegation came up we did not shield the accused or try to protect him We handed the complaint directly to the policeSatheesan contrasted this with the Left governmentâs handling of complaints against its leadersHe alleged that several petitions at the AKG Centre CPIM state headquarters and the Chief Ministerâs Office are gathering dustThe Congressâs example he said should prompt the CPIM to hand over longpending complaints to the police Responding to criticism that the party expelled Mamkootathil before he resigned Satheesan said resignation was the individualâs decisionNo party in the country has taken such swift action in a similar case he saidHe criticised sections of the media for sidestepping the seriousness of the case by focusing on procedural questionsHe also launched a direct attack on the CPIM alleging double standardsIn the CPIM an MLA facing a rape case continues to sit in the Assembly Has anyone questioned the Chief Minister about that he askedSatheesan also pointed out instances where leaders accused by women in Alappuzha were removed from their posts only to be renominated as candidates in the current electionThe Leader of the Opposition claimed the ruling front sought to keep the Mamkootathil case alive till the election to distract from issues such as the Sabarimala goldsmuggling controversy and rising public anger against the governmentHe alleged that the Chief Ministerâs Office knew in advance that a complaint would be filedIf they wanted to arrest him just one police officer could have done it Their goal was not justice but political mileage he saidCalling the Congressâs action âa model for all political partiesâ Satheesan challenged the CPIM to now hand over the complaints you have received to the police and allow action IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/lop-satheesan-defends-swift-action-against-mamkootathil-accuses-cm-vijayan-of-politicising-case-651532.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ngt-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-pollution-allegations-by-a-waste-treatment-plant-in-kerala-651542.html New Delhi Dec 4 The National Green Tribunal NGT has taken suo motu cognisance of a news report highlighting allegations of severe air and water pollution caused by a waste treatment plant operating in Keralas Kozhikode district A Bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and comprising Expert Members Dr A Senthil Vel and Dr Afroz Ahmad noted that the news item titled âA fire that fails to die downâ published on November 7 raises substantial environmental issuesAccording to the media report the wasteprocessing unit Ms Fresh Cut Organic Products Private Limited at Ambayathode in Kattippara Panchayat handles poultry waste for pet food production and has an installed capacity of 25 tonnes per dayResidents have complained of unbearable odour contamination of a key river supplying drinking water and a rise in skin diseases and allergies in the areaThough the plant claims to be operating within norms it is currently shut due to public protests and the districtlevel Facilitation Committee had earlier cleared it based on PCB Pollution Control Board inspectionsâThe news item raises substantial issues relating to compliance with the environmental norms and implementation of the provisions of scheduled enactmentâ the Justice Shrivastavaled Bench observed noting violations of the Environment Protection Act 1986 the Water Act 1974 and the Air Act 1981The NGT decided to initiate suo motu proceedings and proceeded to implead the Kerala State Pollution Control Board the District Magistrate of Kozhikode the Central Pollution Control Board and the Regional Office of the Union Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change as respondentsThe NGT issued notice to all respondents directing them to file their replies by way of affidavit before the Southern Zonal Bench at least a week before the next hearingObserving that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of the Southern Zonal Bench the green tribunal ordered the transfer of the case to NGT Chennai along with the original records The matter will be listed before the Southern Zonal Bench on January 29 2026 IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ngt-takes-suo-motu-cognisance-of-pollution-allegations-by-a-waste-treatment-plant-in-kerala-651542.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/reservation-policy-cleared-by-jampk-cabinet-sent-to-l-g-omar-abdullah-651545.html Srinagar Dec 4 JampK Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Thursday that the file regarding rationalisation of the reservation policy as recommended by the cabinet has been sent for approval to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha Talking to reporters here Omar Abdullah said We hope he will approve it and the order will be issued thereafterThe rationalised reservation policy was cleared by the cabinet on WednesdayIn its meeting the JampK cabinet cleared the new reservation policy for Jammu and Kashmir based on recommendations of the Cabinet SubCommittee CSC and forwarded it to LG Sinha for approvalTop sources said the revised policy has recommended cutting the EWS quota by 7 per cent and the RBA Residents of Backward Areas quota by 3 per cent reducing them to three and seven per cent respectivelyOpen merit jobs and seats may go up directly to 40 per cent and 50 per cent in vertical reservation as against the present 30 as the Cabinet has approved cuts in reservation in the RBA and EWS categoriesâExclusion of Ladakh which was once part of Jammu and Kashmir has been cited as one of the reasons for reducing the RBA quota Now EWS quota will come down to 3 per cent and the RBA to 7 if the cabinet proposal is approved by the LG a source saidReservations including EWS had gone up to 70 per cent in JampK leaving only 30 per cent jobs and seats for open merit candidates resulting in strong resentment among them In the reserved policy Open Merit jobs and seats will be a minimum of 40 per cent in direct Open Merit quota and 50 per cent in vertical reservation quota the same source saidRBA quota was 20 per cent at one time in JampK and subsequently brought down to 10There were allegations that politicians and local officers got their villages included in the RBA category to avail reservation benefits for their kinCurrently the STI STII RBA and EWS categories each have 10 per cent reservation while the Scheduled Castes and OBCs each have 8 per cent quota and the ALCIB category has 4 per cent reservationBesides there is a 10 per cent horizontal reservation including 6 per cent to exservicemen and four per cent to Persons with Disabilities PwDsOn December 10 2024 the Cabinet set up the subcommittee which submitted its report exactly after six months ie June 10 2025 The Cabinet then sought advice from the Law Department and finalised the report accordingly IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/reservation-policy-cleared-by-jampk-cabinet-sent-to-l-g-omar-abdullah-651545.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 04:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/temperature-expected-to-dip-by-2-4-degrees-c-across-bihar-in-next-48-hours-cold-wave-alert-issued-651633.html Patna Dec 5 With December setting in winter has tightened its grip across North India including Bihar where cold conditions are expected to intensify further in the coming days According to the Meteorological Department the minimum temperature in several districts is likely to drop by 24 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours making nights significantly colder The mercury has already been sliding across the state including in Patna which recorded a minimum of 140 degrees C and a maximum of 270 degrees C on Friday Bhagalpur remained the coldest shivering at 84 degrees CelsiusThe Bihar Meteorological Service Centre has indicated that temperatures may stay below normal this winter with multiple districts already reporting minimum temperatures under 10 degrees C Moderate morning fog and persistent westerly winds throughout the day and night are adding to the chillMeteorologists anticipate that while minor fluctuations may occur the cold is set to peak after December 15 By midDecember a sharp temperature drop and a significant rise in the chill factor are expected with westerly winds likely to reach speeds of around 40 kmh Conditions may worsen further after December 19 with the possibility of bonechilling windsDense fog is also likely to disrupt daily life with visibility predicted to plunge to 50200 meters affecting vehicular movement and increasing the risk of accidentsThe Meteorological Department has issued an advisory warning of cold windy and foggy conditions across the state Residents have been urged to take precautions especially during early morning and late evening hours and ensure protection for children the elderly and vulnerable individualsLight to moderate fog is expected over the next two days across several districts including West and East Champaran Sitamarhi Sheohar Gopalganj Muzaffarpur Madhubani Darbhanga Samastipur Supaul Araria Kishanganj Purnea Bhagalpur Khagaria Munger Jamui Banka Patna Gaya Aurangabad Sasaram and KaimurAt present visibility stands at around 500 meters IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/temperature-expected-to-dip-by-2-4-degrees-c-across-bihar-in-next-48-hours-cold-wave-alert-issued-651633.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 12:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/president-murmu-toconferhandicrafts-awards-2025on-december9-651644.html New Delhi Nov 5 President Droupadi Murmu will confer Handicrafts Awards 2025 honour distinguished master craftspersons for the years 2023 and 2024 on December 9 the Ministry of Textiles said on Friday The event to be held at Vigyan Bhawan New Delhi forms an integral part of the National Handicrafts Week celebrations set to begin from tomorrowâThese prestigious national honours recognise unparalleled artistic excellence and reaffirm the governments unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting the countryâs rich and diverse handicraft heritageâ the Ministry saidSince their inception in 1965 the National Handicrafts Awards have recognised exceptional craftspersons whose exemplary workmanship has enriched the countrys cultural landscapeThe Shilp Guru Awards introduced in 2002 stand as the highest recognition in the Indian handicrafts sector These awards celebrate artisans who have demonstrated exemplary mastery and innovation in their craft thereby ensuring the continuation and evolution of Indias diverse craft heritageThe National Handicrafts Week observed annually from December 814will serve âas a tribute to Indias artisans and celebrates the enduring cultural significance of handicraftsâ the Ministry saidThe week will feature a wide spectrum of activities and public engagements aimed at enhancing awareness strengthening artisan livelihoods and promoting the sectors socioeconomic relevance in contemporary IndiaKey activities include exhibitions showcasing exceptional craftsmanship thematic workshops capacitybuilding programmes craft demonstrations panel discussions outreach initiatives and cultural performancesThe handicrafts sector remains a cornerstone of Indiaâs cultural and economic landscape It preserves centuriesold traditions supports millions of livelihoods particularly in rural and semiurban areas and contributes significantly to the nationâs export earningsThe Ministry noted that it remains deeply committed to supporting artisans through recognition skill enhancement technological interventions financial empowerment and improved domestic and international market accessâThrough these initiatives the government aims to further elevate Indias handicraft legacy strengthen artisan communities and ensure that the countrys traditional crafts continue to thrive in the modern world IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/president-murmu-toconferhandicrafts-awards-2025on-december9-651644.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 13:48:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/chaos-continues-at-hyderabad-airport-74-flights-cancelled-651493.html Hyderabad Dec 4 Chaos continued at Hyderabads Rajiv Gandhi International Airport RGIA on Thursday as IndiGo Airlines cancelled 74 flights for the day For the third consecutive day the airline cancelled several flights causing severe inconvenience to thousands of passengersA total of 74 IndiGo flights have been cancelled for the day an airport spokesman said These include 37 arrivals and 37 departuresWith their travel plans disrupted due to delays and cancellations passengers were seen stranded at the airport for several hoursThere were long questions outside and inside the terminal Tempers were running high in the terminal building as angry passengers confronted the airline staff Some were asking why the airline scheduled the flights when the staff was not available Frustrated passengers had a heated argument with the staff and even raised slogans of shamePassengers complained that the airline officials were not available to answer their queries One of the passengers said he and his wife had a flight to Mumbai scheduled for Friday morning and the airline sent him rescheduled tickets to Saturday and that too on different flights for him and his wife He said all helplines of the airline were not functioningThe passengers were also agitated over the lack of sufficient seating arrangementsOn December 2 IndiGo had cancelled 40 flights at Hyderabad Nineteen departures and 21 arrivals were cancelled during the dayAccording to airport sources nine departures and five arrivals were cancelled on December 2Departures and arrivals on key domestic routes like Delhi Bengaluru Chennai Kolkata Visakhapatnam Goa Madurai and Bhubaneswar left passengers strandedIndiGo attributed the disruption to âa multitude of unforeseen operational challengesâ including minor technology glitches winterseason driven schedule changes adverse weather increased congestion in the aviation system and the implementation of updated Flight Duty Time Limitations for crewRGIA authorities have advised passengers to check the latest status of their flights with their respective airlines before heading to the airportWe are aware that a few flights at RGIA are experiencing delays and schedule changes due to operational reasons Our teams at the airport are working closely with the Airlines to support their operations and assist passengers with timely information and guidance reads an advisory posted by RGIA on social media platforms IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/chaos-continues-at-hyderabad-airport-74-flights-cancelled-651493.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/mumbais-worli-accounts-for-40-pc-of-ultraluxury-residential-transactions-651494.html New Delhi Dec 4 Worli in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region has become the epicentre of Indiaâs wealth concentration accounting for 40 per cent of the countrys ultrahighnetworth residential transactions commanding prices that rival global peers a report said on Thursday The growth is supported by an over Rs 69000 crore infrastructure ecosystem and fed by an incoming pipeline of projects worth over Rs 36000 crore the report from ANAROCK and 360 One Wealth saidThe area saw more than 30 homes priced above Rs 40 crore each sold in just 24 months totalling over Rs 5500 crore with a transaction velocity that redefines Indias residential real estate pecking orderForty per cent of Indiaâs entire ultraâluxury apartment market is now Worli Across the entire country â from Bangalores sprawling tech corridors to Delhis power pockets â Worli accounts for nearly half of all transactions exceeding Rs 40 crore ANAROCK Group Chairman Anuj Puri saidThe momentum is only accelerating The area witnessed one of Indias costliest apartment transactions 2 duplexes sold for over Rs 700 crore in 2025 Over the past three years Worli closed over 20 residential deals individually priced above Rs 100 crore he saidPremium tower apartments in Worli now trade at Rs 65000 to Rs 1 lakh plus per sq ft equivalent to New Yorks Lower ManhattanThe pricetosize breakdown showed that apartments under 1000 square feet cost below Rs 8 crore Ultraâpremium residences above 4000 square feet cost over Rs 32 crore the report saidTwo decades of relentless development have transformed a largely nondescript industrial zone into a curated lifestyle ecosystem There are nearly 45 million sq ft of premium residential and retail space currently under construction just at the visible layer of a deeper structural shift the report noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/mumbais-worli-accounts-for-40-pc-of-ultraluxury-residential-transactions-651494.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/rise-and-fall-of-first-time-congress-kerala-mla-rahul-mamkootathil-651510.html Thiruvananthapuram Dec 4 Until some time ago Rahul Mamkootathil embodied the Congresss hopes for a generational shift in Kerala politics But since last week things went topsyturvy for Mamkootathil following a sexual assault case and minutes after a court here on Thursday dismissed his anticipatory bail plea in this case the Congress removed him from the primary membership of the party Incidentally his expulsion came exactly a year ahead of his being sworn in as an MLAIn his midthirties freshfaced articulate and unusually selfassured for a firsttime MLA Mamkootathil was seen as part of a small but rising cohort of leaders capable of reconnecting the party with younger votersHis ascent was quick almost improbable and his fall now playing out in real time has been even swifterMamkootathils political break came in November last year when the Congress leadership made the bold decision to field him the state Youth Congress President in the Palakkad Assembly byelectionThe choice surprised even insidersHe was not a district heavyweight nor someone rooted in traditional organisational laddersBut his clarity of communication his ease with the media and his appeal among the youth made him a compelling candidate for a constituency looking for renewalThe gamble paid off Mamkootathil won decisively and his margin became a talking point within the UDFIn the months that followed he was frequently seen on television debates articulating the partyâs positions with confidence and fluencyHis ability to deflect aggression and frame issues sharply earned him visibility far beyond PalakkadFor a party struggling to build a fresh leadership pipeline Mamkootathil seemed like a muchneeded new faceThat promise now lies overshadowed by the sexual assault allegations against him â and the more damaging spectacle of his disappearance from public view for eight daysFor supporters it is a stunning reversal a leader once projected as the partyâs future now stands accused of evasion and improprietyFor detractors it is proof of inflated hypeRegardless of how the investigation ultimately concludes the political fallout is already significantThe Congress which had hoped to cultivate him as a longterm asset is now grappling with the optics of a promising MLA undone not merely by allegations but by the perception of fleeing accountabilityMamkootathils story may yet have more chapters but the abrupt collapse of his early momentum is a reminder of how quickly fortunes shift in politics and how delicately reputations must be held IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/rise-and-fall-of-first-time-congress-kerala-mla-rahul-mamkootathil-651510.html Fri, 05 Dec 2025 03:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/rann-utsav-gujarats-white-desert-festival-returns-with-cultural-splendour-651364.html Ahmedabad Dec 3 The muchawaited Rann Utsav has officially begun in Gujarat drawing travellers from across India and the world to the breathtaking white desert of Kutch Announcing its commencement Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted the festivalâs global appeal as he prepared to visit Dhordo the heart of the celebrationThe vast expanse of the White Rann stretching endlessly across the horizon sets the stage for an immersive cultural experience unique to Gujarat This yearâs Rann Utsav brings together the best of Kutch traditional mudcrafted bhunga accommodations vibrant handicrafts regional cuisine and a range of adventure activities for thrillseekers Cultural performances lightandsound shows and dedicated childrenâs play areas add to the festive atmosphere making it an inclusive destination for families and travellers alikeBeyond Dhordo visitors can explore Kutchâs landmark destinations such as Dholavira Road to Heaven Lakhpat Mata no Madh Narayan Sarovar Kalo Dungar Smritivan and Mandviâeach offering a slice of the regionâs history spirituality and natural beauty Running until February 20 Rann Utsav stands as a celebration of Gujaratâs heritage craftsmanship and hospitality inviting visitors not just to see Kutch but to feel its soulRann Utsav held in the White Desert of Kutch began in the mid2000s as a stateled initiative to showcase the regionâs rich culture craftsmanship and natural beauty to the world What started as a modest cultural festival has grown into one of Indiaâs most iconic tourism events attracting lakhs of visitors each year Its history is deeply tied to the revival of Kutch after the devastating 2001 earthquakeâRann Utsav became a platform to rebuild local livelihoods by promoting Kutchâs artisans musicians and traditional communitiesOver the years it has evolved into a symbol of Gujaratâs cultural pride blending heritage hospitality and economic empowerment Today the festival not only preserves the legacy of Kutchâs folk arts and crafts but also positions the region as a global destination giving the onceisolated salt desert a new identity rooted in resilience and celebration IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/rann-utsav-gujarats-white-desert-festival-returns-with-cultural-splendour-651364.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/investigation-into-financial-corruption-case-at-rg-kar-medical-college-and-hospital-over-cbi-651374.html Kolkata Dec 3 The investigation into the financial corruption case at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital is over said a source in the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI on Wednesday It was also learnt that the additional chargesheet that was filed in connection with the financial corruption case earlier this week is the final chargesheetThe CBI has already submitted the relevant documents to the court on WednesdayAs a result it is believed that the investigation into the RG Kar financial corruption case has been completed so far Although it has been seen in other cases in the past that additional chargesheets have been filed even after the final chargesheetHowever in the hearing of the financial corruption case on Wednesday the Special CBI Court said that since the trial has already started by accepting a chargesheet there is no problem in accepting an additional chargesheet under the same sectionHowever CBI sources said that the one submitted on Monday is the final chargesheet And in view of that the court will send summons to the two who were named in the additional chargesheetAccording to sources in the central investigation agency the investigation has revealed that the then principal of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital Sandip Ghosh and then Deputy Superintendent of the hospital Akhtar Ali were initially involved in this corruptionIt is worth noting that Akhtar Ali was the first to raise corruption allegations against Sandip GhoshAlis name is also in the final chargesheet In addition a person named Shashikant Chandak has been named as a new accusedThe court has ordered the CBI to send summons to accused Akhtar Ali on December 16Summons will also be sent to ShashikantEarlier the CBI had filed a chargesheet against Sandip Ghosh Biplab Singh Suman Hazra Afsar Ali Khan and Ashish Pandey in this caseAll of them were arrested in the corruption investigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/investigation-into-financial-corruption-case-at-rg-kar-medical-college-and-hospital-over-cbi-651374.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/nations-food-bowl-punjab-faces-water-crisis-of-survival-raghav-chadha-warns-in-rs-651380.html New Delhi Dec 3 Guru Nanak Dev Ji taught us that wind is the Guru water is the father and the earth is the mother I come from Punjab also known as the land of five rivers In fact if you look at the name of Punjab Panj plus Aab it means five panj and aab water rivers Punjab a state with five rivers is today facing the biggest challenges regarding water quality and quantity Raghav Chadha of the Aam Aadmi Party from Punjab said on Wednesday He was speaking on the Statutory Resolution moved by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav under Article 2521 of the Constitution that the Water Prevention and Control of Pollution Amendment Act 2024 which decriminalises minor offences be adopted for the state of Manipur where Presidentâs Rule under Article 356 has been in force since 13th February 2025 so that the Amendment Act shall apply to Manipur with effect from the date of this resolutionI would like my voice to reach the Minister through you When the country needed food Punjab launched the Green Revolution When India was battling hunger Punjab provided food to the nation When the country needed a hero Punjab became a hero But today that same hero is paying a heavy price When the country faced a food shortage Punjab fed the nation Consequently farmers used chemical fertilizers and pesticides cultivated waterintensive crops like rice and drew water from tube wells As a result Punjabs water became toxic and the water table plummeted This is not the fault of farmers but the price of serving the nationâ Chadha asserted in the Upper HouseThe biggest problem is toxic water he saidThe Government of Indias 2025 Groundwater Quality Report shows that Punjab has the highest uranium pollution Uranium is not a simple metal but a radioactive heavy metal that causes kidney damage cancer weakened bones and disability in future generations 625 per cent of postmonsoon groundwater samples were found to be above safe limits Metals like arsenic lead cadmium and chromium also exceed WHO limits especially in the Malwa region Bhatinda Mansa Faridkot Sangrur Sri Mukhsar Sahib and Fazilka he pointed outRaising an alarm on water toxicity the Parliamentarian said Train No 14703 which runs from Bhatinda to Bikaner is called the âCancer Trainâ because it carries cancer patients seeking treatment not pilgrimsHe added The second problem is groundwater depletion It takes 5000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of rice Rice isnt the diet of Punjabis but farmers sow paddy to feed the nation As a result 113 out of 117 blocks are overexploited In 1970 the average water table was 20 feet today it has reached 500 feet NASAs GRACE satellite shows that Punjab is the worlds fastestlosing regionPointing to the third problem he said The third problem is the dying of rivers Rivers like the Sutlej Beas and Ghaggar are polluted by industrial waste chemicals pharmaceutical waste and untreated sewage CPCB data shows that 76 per cent of Punjabs river streams are among the most polluted in the countryâDrawing the nationâs attention Chadha said Today Punjab seeks the central governments help This is not charity but a demand for justice If Punjab has been the backbone of the nations food security for 50 years then today the nation should support PunjabâHe concluded with suggestions Launch the Punjab Water Restoration Mission implement 24x7 digital monitoring of industrial discharges introduce modern ecological engineering to revive rivers ensure universal access to safe drinking water and conduct independent foreign audits IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/nations-food-bowl-punjab-faces-water-crisis-of-survival-raghav-chadha-warns-in-rs-651380.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 13:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/over-200-residents-marooned-as-flood-waters-inundate-low-lying-areas-in-chennai-651383.html Chennai Dec 3 More than 100 houses in Palavoyal near Chennais Red Hills areas were submerged on Wednesday after continuous heavy rain led to severe flooding across the lowlying neighbourhoods Over 200 residents spent hours trapped in hipdeep water as rescue teams struggled to reach the most affected pocketsResidents from Palavoyal Kumaran Nagar Murugan Street and stretches along Sothupakkam Main Road said the flooding began early in the morning and worsened steadily despite the Regional Meteorological Centre withdrawing the Red alert a day earlierMany homes were inundated within minutes as rainwater rushed in from adjoining roads and breached the lake embankments nearbyFor more than 10 years this has been our reality said P Karthik a resident of Kumaran NagarEven moderate rain is enough to flood our streets Today the situation became frightening Water reached hip level inside houses If the lakes hadnât breached the waterlogging would not have become this severeResidents said the areas lie several feet lower than the surrounding localities and lack proper stormwater drains or channels to divert rainwaterWith Sothupakkam Main Road serving as a major runoff point water surged into the interior streets with force making it risky for people â especially the elderly and children â to move out on their ownBy noon several pockets reported water rising to chest level Families were stranded on rooftops or inside homes waiting for help Many said this was the worst flooding they had experienced in yearsFire and Rescue Services deployed two lorries and a boat to carry out rescue operationsWe rescued a total of 56 people including 18 children 19 men and 15 women a fire service personnel involved in the operationsTeams worked throughout the day navigating strong currents along the main road to reach residents cut off by the floodsLocals pointed out that rainwater from the main road typically drains into the Singilimedu Lake With the lake receiving excess inflow following the heavy downpour it was unable to hold the runoff contributing significantly to the floodingBy late evening water levels remained high in several areas with residents urging authorities to create a permanent drainage system and strengthen the lake embankments to prevent similar crises during future spells of rain IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/over-200-residents-marooned-as-flood-waters-inundate-low-lying-areas-in-chennai-651383.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/politics-of-riots-wont-be-accepted-cm-mamatas-reaction-after-trinamool-suspends-mla-over-babri-masjid-plan-651404.html Kolkata Dec 4 IANS West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday asserted that the people of Murshidabad will never accept politics of riots Her remarks came hours after her party the Trinamool Congress suspended Bharatpur MLA Humayun Kabir for allegedly pursuing communal politics over his plan to lay the foundation of a mosque on the lines of the demolished Babri Masjid in the states Murshidabad districtnbspAddressing a public meeting in Berhampore in Murshidabad district CM Banerjee said Trinamool Congress does not practise communal politics and is firmly against it We cannot forget the history of Murshidabad SirajudDaulah is revered in every home here This district is the land of the Nawabs It has holy places of all religions People remember Siraj The people of Murshidabad will not accept the politics of riotsEarlier in the day the Trinamool Congress suspended rebel party MLA Humayun Kabir following his announcement that he would lay the foundation stone of a Babri Masjidstyle mosque in Murshidabad districts Beldanga on December 6 drawing sharp criticism from within the partys ranksSpeaking at the rally the Chief Minister said Murshidabad has always upheld unity This is the land where history teaches us that betrayal brings ruin and harmony brings strength We will protect that harmony and safeguard communal amity at any costMeanwhile CM Banerjee accused the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP of indulging in religious politics ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls and attempting to polarise communitiesThe BJP is playing the religion card over the SIR issue More than half of those who died in SIRrelated incidents were Hindus Dont cut the very branch you are sitting on she said warning that divisive politics would ultimately hurt society at largeShe further said I will never allow NRC or detention camps in Bengal Even if they slit my throat no one will be driven outCM Banerjee also emphasised that West Bengal would continue to be a safe and inclusive state for all communities reiterating her governments commitment to constitutional valuesWaqf properties will not be encroached upon ensuring the safety of minorities is my responsibility she said stressing that her administration would act firmly against any attempt to disturb communal peace https://dailyworld.in/society/politics-of-riots-wont-be-accepted-cm-mamatas-reaction-after-trinamool-suspends-mla-over-babri-masjid-plan-651404.html Thu, 04 Dec 2025 18:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/protest-erupts-in-ranchi-over-youths-murder-locals-lay-siege-to-dhurwa-police-station-651100.html Ranchi Dec 2 Tension gripped the Sithio Basti area under Dhurwa police station in Ranchi on Tuesday after local residents erupted in anger over the murder of a 22yearold youth identified as Arshad Ansari Accusing the police of negligence the victimâs family and hundreds of residents staged a protest for several hours outside the Dhurwa police station They were demanding immediate arrests of the culpritsProtesters alleged that despite repeated complaints about rising criminal activity and the growing influence of land mafia in Sithio Basti the police failed to take preventive actionâThere is no regular patrolling here We kept informing the police but nothing changedâ a local resident saidArshad was shot dead late Monday evening when two motorcycleborne assailants fired at him from close range hitting him in the head He was rushed to a nearby hospital by family members and neighbours but doctors declared him dead on arrivalPolice reached the spot soon after the incident and initiated a probe Dhurwa police station incharge said that one of the accused identified as Tausif had been arrested within 12 hours of the murder and raids are on to nab the othersMohammad Jilani the victimâs brother stated that Ibrar and Sanjay Kohra are involved in the land business He said that the criminals might have been targeting someone else and Arshad was shot by mistakeJilani said Arshad worked as a painter and had no link to any land dispute He alleged that local residents Ibrar Sanjay Kohra and Tausif had conspired to kill his brotherThe family has demanded the immediate arrest of all the accused Police have assured that a thorough investigation is underway and that all those involved will be apprehended soonHeavy police deployment has been made in the area as tension continues to prevail following the incident IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/protest-erupts-in-ranchi-over-youths-murder-locals-lay-siege-to-dhurwa-police-station-651100.html Wed, 03 Dec 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/human-skeletons-unearthed-in-bengal-during-house-construction-650875.html Kolkata Nov 30 Human skeletons buried underground were recovered from the Ashoknagar area in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Sunday during construction work for a new house According to police the foundation was being dug when workers came upon a skeleton triggering a sensation in the locality as locals gathered at the site and the police were informed The development unfolded near Kalyangarh Bazar under Ashoknagar police station The workers first found two skulls and as digging continued several more skeletons were recovered The area was immediately cordoned offPolice officers including the officerincharge of Ashoknagar police station Chintamani Naskar reached the spot After an initial examination the police estimated the skeletons appeared to be quite old however the exact age will be determined only after a formal investigation and once samples are examined by forensic experts The skeletons have been sent for autopsyLocal resident Ashish Mukherjee told reporters the land where the skeletons were found belongs to his relatives I didnt know anything about all this Earlier our uncle Bijan Mukherjees house was here Today the engineers called and showed us the skull and bones It seems that the skeleton is very oldâ he said Ashishâs family claimed they have been living in that part of Ashoknagar since before the countrys IndependenceAshishs wife Moushumi said This house had been closed since the death of my uncleinlaw and his wife in 2013 Sometimes my uncleinlawâs daughters used to come and stay Now after the land was divided new houses were being built Thats where the skull and bones were foundTrinamools Ashoknagar MLA Narayan Goswami alleged Skeleton was found under the floor of the bedroom of the house of Bijan Mukherjee a former CPIM member in Kalyangarh ward number 7 of Ashoknagar They were once the terror of Ashoknagar and Habra area In the eighties they were the last word in this areaThe Trinamool leader claimed that in 2002 a decomposed body had been recovered from a water tank in the area and added âI dont know how many more skeletons will come out from the premises of Bijans house These may be the bodies of Congress workers of that time That tainted history of CPIM is being dug up todayThere was no official response from the CPIM regarding the allegations by the Trinamool Congress IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/human-skeletons-unearthed-in-bengal-during-house-construction-650875.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 01:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/vice-prez-radhakrishnan-tells-students-to-make-india-a-creator-of-global-technologies-650956.html Kurukshetra Nov 30 Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Sunday asked students to delve deeper into research and innovation powering the nationâs transition from being a consumer of technology to becoming a global creator of advanced solutions Addressing the 20th Convocation Ceremony of the National Institute of Technology NIT Kurukshetra Haryana the Vice President highlighted Indias rapid strides toward becoming a Vishwa Guru by shedding the remnants of the Macaulayera colonial mindsetHe said that the National Education Policy NEP 2020 deeply rooted in Indiaâs culture heritage and ethos has set the nation on a transformative pathThe Vice President emphasised that technology must represent progress with purpose and encouraged students to focus on research and innovation that empower rural India bridge the urbanârural divide and support MSMEsHighlighting the pace of global transformation he spoke about developments in artificial intelligence renewable energy systems space technology biotechnology cybersecurity and semiconductorsRadhakrishnan stressed that technology has become a powerful enabler reshaping industries and redefining the way society functionsHe urged students to innovate responsibly stating that the true purpose of technology is not progress alone but progress with purposeEncouraging students to delve deeper into research innovation and Indiaspecific problemsolving he said that these are the twin engines that will drive Indias technological leadershipHe emphasised the need for young innovators to explore emerging areas of national importance such as sustainable manufacturing smart mobility quantum technologies healthcare technologies agricultural innovation and green infrastructureThe Vice President observed that India is transitioning from being a consumer of technology to becoming a global creator of advanced solutionsHe credited initiatives like Digital India Startup India and Make in India for nurturing a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem and urged graduates to convert their ideas into enterprises that create jobs and contribute to national growthHaryana Governor Ashim Kumar Ghosh Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini NIT Kurukshetra Director BV Ramana Reddy and other dignitaries attended the ceremony IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/vice-prez-radhakrishnan-tells-students-to-make-india-a-creator-of-global-technologies-650956.html Mon, 01 Dec 2025 18:06:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sabarimala-gold-scam-to-dominate-polls-cpi-m-protecting-accused-lop-satheesan-650622.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 27 The Sabarimala gold theft will be a major election issue and there is a CPIM conspiracy behind it alleged Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan on Thursday Six persons have by now been arrested by the Kerala High Courtappointed SIT Satheesan said the ruling party continues to protect individuals involved in the theftThe CPIM is hesitant to act because the accused could implicate senior party leaders if questioned said SatheesanSatheesan said the upcoming local body elections would mark a decisive resurgence for the United Democratic Front UDFIt will be a strong comeback for the UDF across Kerala We are contesting as âTeam UDFâ with statewide preparation and people are ready for change he saidHe added that the campaign would focus on reminding people of the governmentâs failures while presenting the UDFâs commitments through a detailed manifesto and the charge sheet against the governmentHe asserted that the gold theft was not an isolated crime but the result of a politically backed planSatheesan alleged that former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran had knowledge of the stolen gold being moved out of the shrineHe further claimed that Surendran had direct links with accused Unnikrishnan Potty during 201819We will present evidence More names will come out That is why the CPIM is shielding the culprits he saidAccording to Satheesan the first theft went largely unnoticed by the public and media giving the culprits confidence to attempt it againBut insiders knew the full details The court has now confirmed what the opposition had been saying he remarkedHe said those involved in the removal of the templeâs sanctum door frames and guardian sculptures must face legal actionThe procession to jail has already begun The people of Kerala will deliver their verdict in this election Satheesan declaredHe concluded that the UDF would ensure accountability at every level if voted to power and restore public trust in temple administration and governance IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sabarimala-gold-scam-to-dominate-polls-cpi-m-protecting-accused-lop-satheesan-650622.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 01:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-releases-rs-1-03360cr-top-up-input-subsidy-to-farmers-after-monsoon-crop-loss-650630.html Bengaluru Nov 27 Responding to farmers distress after widespread crop loss caused by heavy monsoon rains the Congressled Karnataka government on Thursday released an additional Rs 103360 crore as input subsidy to farmers in a single day Chief Minister Siddaramaiah initiated transfer of the additional compensation amounting to Rs 103360 crore into the bank accounts of 1424 lakh farmers whose crops were damagedCM Siddaramaiah transferred the input subsidy to farmers bank accounts from his homeoffice Krishna Later addressing a press conference the Chief Minister said the state government has announced a special package of Rs 103360 crore as additional subsidy for farmers whose crops were damaged due to heavy rains and floods during this yearâs monsoonHe said the state government stands firmly with farmers and to provide greater support has increased the rates of input subsidies Limited to a maximum of two hectares rainfed crops will now receive Rs 8500 to Rs 17000 per hectare irrigated crops Rs 17000 to Rs 25500 per hectare and perennial crops Rs 22500 to Rs 31000 per hectareAs per the State Disaster Response Fund SDRF norms Rs 121803 crore has already been disbursed as input subsidy to 1424 lakh farmers In addition the state government is providing Rs 103360 crore as a topup In total including ongoing payments in the compensation process Rs 225163 crore will be directly credited to farmersâ bank accounts he saidâDuring the monsoon season a record 8256 lakh hectares were sown However due to excessive rainfall between June and September crops across more than 1458 lakh hectares were damaged with an estimated loss of Rs 10748 crore Major crop losses include tur dal across 536 lakh hectares green gram across 263 lakh hectares cotton across 268 lakh hectares and maize across 121 lakh hectaresâ CM Siddaramaiah statedâNine districts suffered the highest crop damage In Dharwad Gadag and Haveri districts crops were hit severely by heavy rains just when they were ready for harvestâ he addedâIn the Krishna and Bhima river basin areas continuous inflow of water caused widespread damage to tur and cotton crops in Kalaburagi Yadgir and Bidar districts A joint survey was conducted to accurately assess the crop loss All data has been entered into the relief software and integrated with the Bhoomi and FRUITS systemsâ the CM saidVillagelevel lists of crop losses were published in village panchayat offices and online Objections were invited from the public and after finalising the list of affected farmers the process of directly transferring input subsidy to farmers was initiated he saidThe Chief Minister said that on November 17 he met the Prime Minister and requested Rs 61490 crore under input subsidy and an additional Rs 152167 crore under PostDisaster Needs Assessment PDNA for recovery and reconstruction to restore damaged infrastructure The central government has constituted an interministerial team to assess the crop loss and the team will visit Karnataka soon CM Siddaramaiah stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-releases-rs-1-03360cr-top-up-input-subsidy-to-farmers-after-monsoon-crop-loss-650630.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:02:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/after-800-pedestrian-deaths-kerala-to-cancel-licences-for-zebra-crossing-violators-650641.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 27 With more than 800 pedestrians losing their lives on Keralaâs roads so far this year the Motor Vehicles Department MVD has announced a major crackdown on drivers violating pedestrian safety norms especially at zebra crossings Shockingly nearly 50 per cent of those killed were senior citizens underscoring rising concerns over road safety and driver indisciplineOn Thursday the MVD pointed out that numerous twowheeler and fourwheeler drivers have shown little respect for pedestrian rights often failing to slow down near zebra crossingsMany vehicles are seen parked directly on pedestrian crossings or even on footpaths defeating the very purpose of such safety measuresThis officials say reflects a âdangerous driving cultureâ that puts vulnerable road users at grave riskAs per law drivers must slow down and stop at least three metres before the zebra crossing if a pedestrian is seen waiting at the edgeHowever authorities note that most drivers instead maintain or increase speed forcing pedestrians to run or hesitate often leading to fatal consequencesâCourtesy to pedestrians and the ability to anticipate their movement is a key criterion to retain a driving licenceâ the MVD release statedIn compliance with a directive from the Kerala High Court the MVD has ordered stringent enforcement of pedestrian protection lawsOfficers have been authorised to cancel the driving licences of those who violate pedestrian safety rules at zebra crossingsIn addition to licence cancellation violators will face legal action under Section 184 of the Motor Vehicles Act which carries a fine of Rs 2000Drivers parking or stopping vehicles on zebra crossings will also face penalties from both the police and the MVDThe department has urged the public to report violations and called for greater civic responsibility emphasising that ensuring pedestrian safety is a collective duty not just a legal compulsion IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/after-800-pedestrian-deaths-kerala-to-cancel-licences-for-zebra-crossing-violators-650641.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/protests-in-patna-as-teenage-girl-ends-life-by-jumping-off-high-rise-family-alleges-rape-650664.html Patna Nov 27 Family members and local residents staged a protest here three days after a 15yearold girl allegedly committed suicide after jumping from a highrise apartment The kin of the deceased alleged that the girl was raped and then thrown from the top of the building On November 24 a 15yearold girl died after allegedly jumping from the roof of the highrise Sulakshana Palace Apartments on Nala Road in PatnaThe deceasedâs family members reached the spot and created a massive uproar demanding the arrest of those they believe are responsibleDuring the protest the enraged crowd set fire to the main road causing a severe traffic jam Angry over the police response people raised slogans against the administration and demanded that Biharâs Home Minister Samrat Chaudhary be called to the spotThey raised slogans like Call Samrat Choudhary can you not see the Jungle Raj nowThe protesters alleged that the girl initially reported to have died after accidentally falling from the rooftop was in fact a victim of foul playFamily members claimed that she had been allegedly raped and accused of being thrown from the building and demanded immediate appropriate actionThe deceaseds brother said We demand the arrest of the accused and justice for my sister This matter must reach our Home Minister Samrat Choudhary My sister was allegedly raped before being pushed from the rooftop of the buildingAs the protest intensified a large police contingent was deployedTension escalated when protesters jostled with police personnel and DSP Rajesh Ranjan was manhandledWith the situation going out of control the police resorted to a mild lathi charge dispersing the crowd As a precaution Nala Road and nearby shops were shut down and tension has prevailed in the area since the incidentPolice officials stated that they are investigating the case from all angles and that no culprit will be spared Some women were detained for questioning Police also restored traffic after removing the burning barricades from the roadEarlier an FSL team had examined the spot CCTV footage from the apartment and the surrounding area is being reviewedPolice said that at the time of the incident no resident of the apartment had identified the deceased girlWhile the investigation was underway family members and local residents took to the streets on Thursday insisting that the case be treated as suspicious and justice be ensured for the minor girl IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/protests-in-patna-as-teenage-girl-ends-life-by-jumping-off-high-rise-family-alleges-rape-650664.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-issues-notice-on-plea-to-frame-guidelines-over-menstruation-checks-650723.html New Delhi Nov 28 IANS The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Centre and the Haryana government on a petition highlighting the alleged humiliation of three female sanitation workers at Maharshi Dayanand University MDU in Rohtak who were reportedly forced to furnish photographic proof of menstruation to their supervisorsnbspnbspA bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan issued notice on the writ petition filed by the Supreme Court Bar Association SCBA under Article 32 of the ConstitutionnbspThe matter now scheduled for hearing on December 15 raises concerns about protecting womens rights to health dignity privacy and bodily autonomy in workplaces and educational institutions during menstruation or related gynaecological issuesThe plea stems from an incident reported on October 26 when the three sanitation workers called in on a Sunday due to the visit of the Haryana Governor were allegedly verbally abused humiliated and pressured by supervisors hired through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam LimitednbspnbspAccording to the petition the supervisors demanded photographic proof from the workers by asking them to send photos of their sanitary padsnbspnbspDuring the hearing Justice Nagarathnaled Bench remarked that the episode reflected a mindset that was deeply troublingnbspIn Karnataka they are giving period leave After reading this I thought will they ask for proof for giving the leave observed Justice NagarathnanbspnbspThis shows the mentality of the person If some heavy work could not be done because of their absence somebody else could have been deployed the apex court added expressing hope that something good will happen in this petitionnbspFollowing the incident the MDU had suspended the two supervisors and initiated an internal inquiry The Haryana State Commission for Women also took suo motu cognisance and sought reports from the varsity administration and the Rohtak policenbspThe Assistant Registrar and the two supervisors were subsequently booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to assault and outraging the modesty of a womannbspCalling the episode disturbing the SCBA in its petition said such acts amounted to a violation of the womens fundamental right to life dignity privacy and bodily integrity under Article 21nbspThe plea also referred to similar instances of periodshaming and invasive checks in schools and workplaces over the years including a 2017 case where 70 girls in Uttar Pradesh were allegedly stripped naked to check for menstrual blood and a 2020 incident in Gujarat where 68 college students were asked to remove their underwear for inspectionnbspFiled through advocate Pragya Baghel the petition has sought directions to the Centre and the Haryana government to conduct a detailed inquiry into the Rohtak incident and issue nationwide guidelines to ensure that the right to health dignity bodily autonomy and privacy of women and girls is not violated when they are going through menstruation and related gynaecological issues at workplaces and educational institutionsnbsp https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-issues-notice-on-plea-to-frame-guidelines-over-menstruation-checks-650723.html Fri, 28 Nov 2025 17:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-hails-unveiling-of-br-ambedkars-bust-at-unesco-on-constitution-day-650449.html New Delhi Nov 26 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday described the installation of Dr BR Ambedkars bust at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris as a matter of immense pride and a fitting global tribute to the chief architect of the Indian Constitution Taking to X on the occasion of the 75th Constitution Day the Prime Minister wrote It is a matter of immense pride that today on Constitution Day a bust of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris This is a fitting tribute to Dr Ambedkar and his role in the making of our Constitution His thoughts and ideals give strength and hope to innumerable people across the worldThe bronze bust sculpted by renowned artist Naresh Kumawat was formally unveiled by Indias Permanent Representative to UNESCO Vishal V Sharma in the presence of UNESCO DirectorGeneral Audrey Azoulay and senior diplomatsThe ceremony coincided with Indiaâs celebration of Samvidhan Divas marking the day in 1949 when the Constituent Assembly adopted the ConstitutionSpeaking at the event Ambassador Sharma highlighted BR Ambedkars lifelong struggle against social discrimination and his vision of equality justice liberty and fraternity principles that continue to inspire marginalised communities globallyUNESCO recognised the installation as a celebration of universal human rights and the fight against castebased oppression values that resonate deeply with the organisations mandateThe bust now stands alongside statues of global icons such as Nelson Mandela Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr in UNESCOs Garden of Peace making Dr Ambedkar the first Indian leader after Mahatma Gandhi to receive this honour in ParisSince 2015 when Prime Minister Modi declared November 26 as Constitution Day the government has consistently projected Dr Ambedkars legacy on international platformsThe Paris unveiling follows similar tributes at the United Nations in New York the British Parliament and Columbia University Congratulating the Indian mission the Prime Minister added that Babasahebs life remains a beacon for billions striving for dignity and equalityHis thoughts and ideals give strength and hope to innumerable people across the world he reiterated IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-hails-unveiling-of-br-ambedkars-bust-at-unesco-on-constitution-day-650449.html Thu, 27 Nov 2025 03:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/woman-arrested-for-drowning-three-month-old-grandson-in-bengals-howrah-650260.html Kolkata Nov 25 A woman was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly drowning her threemonthold grandson in a pond in the Domjur area of Howrah district in West Bengal the police said on Tuesday The shocking incident which took place in the morning has led to a police investigation to uncover the motive behind the fatal act officials saidA senior officer of Howrah Rural Police said that the accused identified as Sarithi Banerjee confessed to the crime during police interrogation Sarithi said she had thrown her grandson into the water and killed himIt is not clear what prompted her to take such a heinous act Attempts are on to find the motive behind this crime the officer said confirming her arrestAccording to the police the childs father Abhijit Banerjee works night shifts His wife Moyna Banerjee had brought her mother to Abhijitâs home so she would not have to spend the night alone with her newborn sonOn Sunday Moyna and her mother went to her maternal home for some work Later Moyna returned with Abhijitâs mother Sarithi to look after the child For the next two days the threemonthold baby remained in the care of his paternal grandmotherMoyna returned to Abhijitâs home on Tuesday morning after work and noticed that her child was not in bed She panicked and cried out when she found the bed empty Neighbours rushed to the house after hearing her and a search for the child began at onceNearly an hour and a half later the neighbours spotted the childs body floating in a nearby pond Domjur police station was informed immediately Police reached the spot recovered the baby and rushed him to Domjur Rural Hospital Doctors declared the threemonthold dead on arrivalAfter the incident suspicion turned towards Sarithi who reportedly looked after the child for two daysUnder pressure from Moyna and her neighbours Sarithi admitted that she had thrown the child into the pond The police arrested her and an investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/woman-arrested-for-drowning-three-month-old-grandson-in-bengals-howrah-650260.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/actor-celina-jaitly-accuses-husband-of-domestic-violence-moves-mumbai-court-for-maintenance-and-compensation-650317.html Mumbai Nov 25 Actor Celina Jaitly has moved a Mumbai court accusing her husband Austrian businessman Peter Haag of subjecting her to severe emotional physical verbal and financial abuse The Andheri magistrate court on Tuesday issued a notice to Haag and fixed the next hearing for December 12In her application filed under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 Jaitly alleges that she was forced to flee their home in Austria and return to India on October 11 leaving their three children behindShe claims Haag has since blocked all access to the children except for a single interaction on November 14Jaitly has also accused Haag of initiating divorce proceedings in Austria where the coupleâs marriage was registered in 2010 The two had earlier married according to a Hindu ceremony in MumbaiThe actor has sought Rs 10 lakh a month in maintenance and Rs 50 crore as compensation for loss of earnings allegedly caused by years of abuseShe has further sought orders restraining Haag from interfering with her possession of their shared Andheri flat Her plea also demands Rs 126 crore for alleged losses related to the removal of properties in Mumbai and Vienna from her control and Rs 32 lakh for alleged misappropriation of fundsIn her detailed complaint Jaitly recounts a series of alleged incidents of cruelty from the early years of their relationship She claims Haag demanded expensive gifts from her family before marriage She has also alleged instances of abuse during their honeymoon in Italy in their Mumbai residence and around the time when she gave birth to twins in 2012Jaitly says Haag compelled her to move to Dubai in 2011 and later to Singapore forcing her to abandon her acting career to support his overseas assignmentsShe alleges that she endured repeated verbal and racist insults that caused deep psychological distress despite her professional accomplishments including being Miss India 2001 a Miss Universe runnerup and a CDS exam qualifierThe plea also accuses Haag of financial coercion claiming he took ownership of her Indian property and sold their Vienna property in July without informing her She further alleges he confiscated her personal belongings including her Miss India crown IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/actor-celina-jaitly-accuses-husband-of-domestic-violence-moves-mumbai-court-for-maintenance-and-compensation-650317.html Wed, 26 Nov 2025 01:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-to-attend-martyrdom-anniversary-of-ninth-sikh-guru-in-kurukshetra-today-650138.html New Delhi Nov 25 Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Haryana on Tuesday to participate in a series of significant cultural and spiritual events His visit aims to honour the legacy of Guru Tegh Bahadur and promote the stateâs rich heritage To spread the message of the Guruâs penance sacrifice and glorious legacy the state government and the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee are commemorating the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur in Jyotisar where the Prime Minister will attend the ceremonyAfter the event PM Modi will visit the Mahabharata Anubhav Kendra which will soon be opened to tourists from India and abroad He will also inaugurate Panchjanya on the same premisesIn addition the Prime Minister will take part in the International Gita Mahotsav and participate in the Maha AartiOn November 25 a âsamagamâ will be held here on the Shaheedi diwas with PM Modi attending as the chief guest Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said the Haryana state government is continuously working to promote the traditions teachings and sacrifices of the Gurus and other great personalitiesIn this regard the government celebrated the 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev with great respect and reverence and now the 350th Shaheedi diwas of Guru Tegh Bahadur is also being commemoratedHighlighting various initiatives undertaken by the government he said it is the firm resolve of the state to spread awareness about the Gurusâ sacrifices and their unparalleled contributions to humanity so that future generations may draw guidance from these sacred inspirationsThe Chief Minister also said that Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur the ninth Sikh Guru made a supreme sacrifice for the protection of humanity religion and the nation a legacy that must be shared with every individual so that future generations could draw inspiration from this profound history IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-to-attend-martyrdom-anniversary-of-ninth-sikh-guru-in-kurukshetra-today-650138.html Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:23:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-3-held-for-posing-as-nia-officers-extorting-money-during-voter-list-revision-650012.html Kolkata Nov 23 Three persons have been arrested for financial fraud of lakhs of rupees by impersonating themselves as National Investigation Agency NIA officials the police said on Sunday It is alleged that they collected money in the name of correcting the documents of many for the Special Intensive Revision SIR of voters list A raid by the Intelligence Department and the Special Operation Group SOG of Siliguri Police arrested the trio from north BengalAccording to police sources three people used to call common people by impersonating highranking officials of the National Investigation Agency Allegedly they used to extort money from several people by threatening themA written complaint was filed against the three people at the Matigara police station in Siliguri alleging financial fraudThe polices Intelligence Department and the Special Operation Group SOG of the Siliguri Police Commissionerate started an investigation into the matter They adopted various methods to catch the accusedOn Saturday the police caught the three redhanded by tracking their mobile locationsThe police recovered several mobile phones and photocopies of various documents from the arrested people A car was also seizedDeputy Commissioner of Police of Siliguri Police Commissionerate Rakesh Singh said The accused used to mislead the common people by posing as NIA officers After that complaint was filed all three have been arrested However there are many more behind this gang A search is on to catch themThe arrested persons have been identified as Ahsan Ahmed and Rehar Babar who are residents of Panjipara and Manik Roy a resident of Sevoke Road in SiliguriAccording to the police the three used to roam around Siliguri and its surrounding areas under false identities of NIA officials targeting various people and allegedly taking money by intimidating them in various waysIt is also learnt that the trio used to mislead many people by using their fake identities during the ongoing SIR exercise in the state It is also alleged that they took lakhs of rupees from many people in the name of getting their documents fixed IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-3-held-for-posing-as-nia-officers-extorting-money-during-voter-list-revision-650012.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ukhand-reschedules-public-holiday-for-guru-tegh-bahadur-martyrdom-day-to-nov-25--650036.html Dehradun Nov 23 The Uttarakhand government has revised the date of the public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day for 2025 shifting it from November 24 to November 25 The change has been notified through an official order issued by the states General Administration Department The earlier notification had listed November 24 Monday as a public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day The new order partially amends that notification According to the government the holiday will now be observed on November 25 Tuesday instead of the previously declared November 24 The revised date will apply to state government offices nongovernment offices and educational institutions across Uttarakhand The notification clarifies that the revised public holiday will not apply to the Uttarakhand Secretariat the State Assembly and those government offices where a fiveday work week is in force Such establishments will continue to follow their existing schedule as per norms The order states that the revised notification should be considered applicable strictly to the extent of the date change with all other conditions remaining unaltered No modifications have been made to any other holidays or clauses mentioned in the earlier 2024 notification State officials said the decision was taken to ensure that the observance of Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day aligns with the accurate calendar date for 2025 The Sikh community traditionally marks the day to commemorate the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru who is remembered for his defence of religious freedom and his sacrifice under the Mughal regime The revised order has been digitally signed by Vinod Kumar Suman Secretary Uttarakhand Copies of the amended notification have been circulated to all relevant administrative departments district authorities and senior officials for compliance Public institutions and offices covered under the notification have been instructed to implement the revised date and update their holiday schedules accordingly The General Administration Department has also directed concerned departments to ensure that the revised information is communicated effectively so that employees and institutions are aware of the correct holiday date With the updated order November 25 will now be observed as the official public holiday for Guru Tegh Bahadur Martyrdom Day across the state replacing the earlier notified date IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ukhand-reschedules-public-holiday-for-guru-tegh-bahadur-martyrdom-day-to-nov-25--650036.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/six-of-a-family-critical-after-consuming-food-cooked-with-acid-in-bengals-ghatal-650090.html Kolkata Nov 24 Six members of a family including two children are in critical condition after accidentally consuming food cooked with acid in Ghatal West Midnapore district police said on Monday They are undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata Two of them are children The incident took place in Ghatal of the West Midnapore district on SundayThe police said that Panchanan Mandal the health officer of Ghatal Panchayat Samiti rushed to the spot on receiving the informationLocal police and administration officials also went to the area to investigate how this incident took placePreliminary investigation suggests that the incident happened after a meal was prepared using acid mistakenly assumed to be water However the police are also investigating whether it was a deliberate attempt to spike the food with acid in a bid to wipe out the entire familySix members of a family fell seriously ill after consuming food It is believed that acid was used instead of water to make the food All of them including two children have been transferred to SSKM Hospital in Kolkata for treatment Their condition is critical An investigation has started said a senior officer of West Midnapore district policeAccording to local sources Santu Sanyasi a resident of Ratneshwarbati village of Manoharpur I Gram Panchayat in Ghatal keeps acid at home as he is engaged in copper and silver work As a result acid was always kept in the house On Sunday a relative of Sanyasi Babu mistakenly poured the acid kept in the house mistaking it for water The person cooked rice and curry in itShortly after eating the family began to suffer severe stomach pain and vomiting They started experiencing unbearable stomach pain They were immediately admitted to the Ghatal Subdivisional Hospital When their condition deteriorated the hospital authorities referred all six of them to the SSKM Hospital in Kolkata IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/six-of-a-family-critical-after-consuming-food-cooked-with-acid-in-bengals-ghatal-650090.html Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/kerala-reviewing-central-labour-codes-with-focus-on-worker-protection-minister-sivankutty-649903.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 22 Kerala Labour Minister V Sivankutty on Saturday reiterated that the state would not adopt any antiworker stance while implementing the Central Governments new labour codes Sivankutty said the state government is carefully evaluating the proposed reforms to ensure that Keralas longstanding traditions of labour protection trade union rights and social security are not underminedWe are firm that Kerala would not permit any move that weakens the rights of workers or dilutes the influence of trade unions which play a vital role in maintaining industrial harmony and safeguarding employee welfare said the MinisterWhile acknowledging that simplification of labour laws should contribute to creating an industryfriendly environment Sivankutty stressed that this goal must not come at the cost of worker dignityAny labour reform must ultimately enhance the quality of life of workers he saidKerala will prioritise fair wages comprehensive health and safety measures stronger social security coverage and decent working conditions added SivankuttyHe further emphasised that reforms must be designed to protect not compromise the basic rights and livelihood of workers who form the backbone of the states economyThe minister said statelevel rules aligned with the Central labour codes will only be framed after thorough consultations with all major trade unions employer associations and representatives from the industrial sectorThe government intends to build consensus on key provisions before finalising any regulatory framework added SivankuttySivankutty confirmed that necessary safeguards will be built into the rules to ensure that no existing or new provision negatively affects Keralas workersThe government is committed to ensuring that every worker in the state receives adequate protection both in law and in practice he addedKerala known for its strong labour traditions has repeatedly highlighted that policy changes should balance industrial growth with worker welfareThe ministers statement underscores the states position that development cannot be pursued at the expense of social justice and labour rights IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/kerala-reviewing-central-labour-codes-with-focus-on-worker-protection-minister-sivankutty-649903.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:25:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/india-only-major-economy-beating-pre-covid-trend-harvard-analysis-649921.html New Delhi Nov 22 In a stark illustration of economic resilience Harvard Professor Jason Furman has spotlighted India as the worlds standout performer in real GDP growth since the Covid19 pandemic outpacing even powerhouses like the US and China A compelling graph shared by Furman plotting real GDP as a percentage of prepandemic trends from 2019 to 2025 Q3 paints a vivid picture while most major economies grapple with lingering scars from the 2020 downturn Indias growth surges upward crossing the zero baseline and climbing toward 5 per cent by mid2025The chart which Furman has referenced in recent analyses of global recoveries tracks five key players the United States blue Euro Area green China gray Russia orange and India green distinct by its upward trajectoryAll nations plunged into negative territory in 2020 with the Euro Area dipping to 25 per cent the US to 5 per cent and China to 10 per centRecovery paths diverged sharply thereafterThe US rebounded swiftly hovering around 2 per cent by 2025 buoyed by aggressive fiscal stimulus like the American Rescue Plan which Furman credits for minimising scarring compared to weaker responses elsewhereYet Indias ascent is unparalleledFrom a 5 per cent trough in 2020 its GDP relative to trend rocketed past preCovid levels by 2022 reaching 3 per cent in 2024 and projected to hit 5 per cent in 2025 Q3This marks India as the only economy not just recovering but meaningfully exceeding its longterm path a feat Furman attributes to structural strengths rather than oneoff boostsIndias policies fostered domestic consumption and investment amid global headwinds Furman noted in a recent X post contrasting it with Europes energy shocks and Chinas property crisisChinas gray line for instance stabilises at 5 per cent by 2025 hampered by zeroCovid lockdowns and real estate woesRussias orange curve flatlines near 8 per cent battered by sanctions postUkraine invasionThe Euro Area still at 3 per cent contends with inflation and geopolitical falloutEven the US while robust relies heavily on AIdriven data center investments accounting for 92 per cent of firsthalf 2025 growth per Furmans calculations raising questions about sustainabilityEconomists hail Indias momentum as a blueprint for emerging marketsRobust digital infrastructure a young demographic dividend and reforms like productionlinked incentives have fuelled 78 per cent annual growth per IMF estimatesExports in electronics and pharmaceuticals hit record highs while services like IT outsourcing weathered global slowdowns In fact policies and fiscal prudence of Indian government contained the fiscal deficits below 6 per cent of GDP allowed room for targeted spending on infrastructure and social safety netsFurmans graph underlines a pivotal shift as advanced economies flirt with stagnation India eyes 5 trillion GDP status by 2027In Furmans words shared amid US debates on fiscal policy most countries saw quick bounces but only a few truly outgrew the trauma India leads that pack As 2025 closes the charts message is clear resilience isnt rebounding its redefining the future IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/india-only-major-economy-beating-pre-covid-trend-harvard-analysis-649921.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 01:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/op-drishti-army-hospital-team-restores-sight-for-hundreds-in-jampk-649924.html New Delhi Nov 22 In a monumental display of commitment to both serving personnel and local communities the Northern Commands Command Hospital in Udhampur successfully concluded Op Drisht a firstofitskind advanced surgical eye camp in collaboration with a specialised surgical team from Army Hospital Research and Referral in New Delhi the Ministry of Defence MoD said on Saturday Held from November 18 to 22 the camp far exceeded expectations screening over 2000 people and performing more than 400 complex eye surgeries including procedures for cataracts glaucoma and retinal ailmentsPeople including serving personnel dependents Veer Naris war widows and local civilians came from farflung areas of Jammu and Kashmir including remote villages in Udhampur Doda Rajouri Poonch Kishtwar Ramban etcThe surgical team consisted of highly skilled and experienced ophthalmologists led by Brigadier SK Mishra a distinguished ophthalmic surgeon and Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at Army Hospital Research and Referral who has the distinction of performing surgery on two Indian Presidents the MoD said in its press noteDefence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually addressed the closing ceremony and appreciated the efforts of the Northern Command and Armed Forces Medical Services AFMS for providing emergency medical care as and when required to the people of Jammu and KashmirChief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi also virtually addressed the gathering congratulating the AFMS and Northern Command for this unique endeavourJammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha attended the closing ceremonyGeneral Officer CommandinginChief Northern Command Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma was present on the occasionUnion Minister Jitendra Singh also visited the camp on November 20 to interact with the patientsThe camp delivered lifealtering results restoring the sight of 96yearold Rajkumari Devi and 72yearold Surinder Singh from PoonchAfter recovering his sight Surinder Singh who had witnessed tragic losses during Operation Sindoor shelling transformed his gratitude into action personally mobilising fellow citizens struggling with hardship to avail the facilitiesSimilarly 56yearold retired soldier Abdullah Shafeeq from Mendhar proved pivotal in coordinating aid for conflictimpacted residentsOp Drishti stands as a powerful testament to the AFMS and Northern Commands profound commitment to the health and wellbeing of the region IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/op-drishti-army-hospital-team-restores-sight-for-hundreds-in-jampk-649924.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 02:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-protests-in-bankura-as-cop-assaults-servant-locals-block-roads-demanding-action-649929.html Kolkata Nov 22 Residents in Bankura districts Ranibandh area in West Bengal on Saturday staged a protest against a police officer for allegedly beating up his servant and molesting the servants sister Demanding strong action against the police officer the residents also put up a road blockade in the area According to sources a subinspector of Ranibandh Police Station has been accused of repeatedly beating a servant by locking him in his house after accusing him of stealing money Further the police officer allegedly molested the servants sister and made an indecent proposal to herAccording to local sources the subinspector lives in a rented house in the Ranibandh area A young man from local Rajakata village Sajal Sahis used to work as a servant there It is alleged that some money was stolen from the pocket of the subinspectors pants last Thursday The police officer pointed his finger at SajalAllegedly the police officer locked Sajal in the house and beat him up accusing him of stealing a total of Rs 12 lakh from the house In addition to beating him severely with a belt and a stick it is alleged that Sajal was also threatened with a service revolver and with being thrown off the roof of the third floorAfter being tortured for several hours on Thursday Sajal and his family alleged that the police officer called Sajal to his house again on Friday and beat him up Sajal alleged that the police officer also raided their house in Rajakata village and took some cash and jewellery When they tried to stop him Sajals sister was molestedOn Friday evening Sajal fell ill and was taken to Ranibandh Block Primary Health Centre for treatment Later when the matter came to light the locals staged a protest last nightOn Saturday morning they started blocking the road by burning tyres at the Khudiram Statue intersection of Ranibandh area in Bankura demanding punishment for the accused police officer Due to the blockade traffic movement was stopped on both BankuraâJhilimili and BankuraâBarikul state highways The angry residents of the area called off their protest in the evening after getting assurance from the police that action will be taken against the accused officerFollowing the incident Bankura Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Tiwari told media persons No written complaint has been received about the incident yet However the Khatra SDPO has been instructed to investigate all the complaints and submit a report immediately If there is any wrongdoing on the part of the accused police officer necessary action will be taken against himAt the same time the Superintendent of Police said that the protesters were summoned to Ranibandh Police Station to discuss the matter with the complainants But instead of going there the complainants blocked the road IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-protests-in-bankura-as-cop-assaults-servant-locals-block-roads-demanding-action-649929.html Sun, 23 Nov 2025 02:07:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gautam-adani-announces-rs-100-crore-contribution-to-indology-mission-649737.html Ahmedabad Nov 21 Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani on Friday announced a Rs 100 crore contribution to the Indology Mission aimed at building the Bharat Knowledge Graph â a firstofitskind digital framework designed to preserve structure and futureproof Indiaâs civilisational knowledge in the age of Artificial Intelligence The Adani Group in collaboration with the Ministry of Educationâs Indian Knowledge Systems IKS is hosting the threeday Global Indology Conclave to revive Indology â the global academic study of Indiaâs civilisation languages philosophies sciences and cultural heritageDelivering the keynote address at the event Gautam Adani said âAs a beginning I am humbled to announce a founding contribution of Rs 100 crore towards building the Bharat Knowledge Graph and supporting the scholars and technologists who will contribute to this Indology mission This is the repayment of a civilisational debtâThe guest of honour at the conclave Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Jyotir Math said âWhen I assumed the position of Shankaracharya I had said that my role would become meaningful only when India becomes the Vishwaguru global teacher And today Gautam Adani jiâs initiative is a major support to that very dream of mineâThe Global Indology Conclave is being held at the Adani Corporate House in Ahmedabad from 20 to 22 November 2025 At a time when Indology departments worldwide are shrinking this effort seeks to reassert Indiaâs ownership of its knowledge systems and present them to the world through an authentic researchdriven Indian lensâIf a civilisation does not actively defend its cultural and emotional frameworks human behaviour will bend not towards culture or tradition but towards the cold logic of the machineâs algorithms This shift will be silent gradual and will reshape how we feel learn and analyse our own countryâ Gautam Adani statedLaunched under the National Education Policy NEP 2020 IKS works to mainstream ancient Indian wisdom across disciplines encouraging interdisciplinary research preservation of texts and practices and practical application in modern contexts such as engineering environmental science linguistics public policy and healthcareIndology has historically shaped the global understanding of India influencing sectors as varied as linguistics astronomy mathematics governance literature and health sciences But decades of declining institutional support have diluted its academic depth To address this challenge the Adani Group and IKS are also leading a fiveyear program to support 14 PhD scholars across leading institutions Their research will span Paninian grammar and computational linguistics ancient astronomical systems indigenous healthcare frameworks sustainability principles in traditional engineering political thought heritage studies and classical literature according to an Adani Group statementThe scholars were selected through a rigorous national consultation involving IITs IIMs IKSfocused universities and eminent scholars By integrating classical knowledge with advanced tools such as data science systems thinking and multimodal archiving the programme seeks to make Indology relevant to contemporary academic discourse and global scholarship the statement explainedRooted in the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam â the ancient Indian ethos of âthe world as one familyââ the initiative reflects the Adani Groupâs commitment to strengthening Indiaâs soft power and civilisational leadership the statement added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gautam-adani-announces-rs-100-crore-contribution-to-indology-mission-649737.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:21:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/assam-witnessing-unprecedented-road-transformation-cm-sarma-649747.html Guwahati Nov 21 Assam is witnessing an unprecedented transformation of its road infrastructure as the state government accelerates construction of highspeed corridors bridges and improved connectivity under the ambitious AsomMala 30 initiative Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday In a post on social media platform X the Chief Minister stated that every district every bridge and every kilometre of road is now becoming part of a larger vision aimed at reshaping Assamâs transport networkThe AsomMala 30 project is unlocking an investment of Rs 3217 crore to develop 883 km of highspeed corridors spanning 34 districts of the stateâEvery district every bridge every kilometre Assamâs road transformation is moving at an unprecedented paceâ CM Sarma said adding that the government is committed to delivering the connectivity that the state was denied for decadesAs part of the project 36 new bridges are being constructed across key locations to eliminate bottlenecks improve accessibility to remote areas and create seamless links between rural and urban centresThese infrastructure upgrades are expected to significantly reduce travel time boost logistical efficiency and improve road safety for daily commuters and commercial transport Officials from the Public Works Department said that the new network of corridors will play a crucial role in strengthening Assamâs integration with neighbouring northeastern states and major national highwaysâThe improved connectivity is also expected to facilitate faster movement of essential goods agricultural produce and industrial supplies thereby strengthening the stateâs economyâ a senior official saidThe project is being implemented in phases with survey work land acquisition and groundwork already underway in multiple districts Modern construction technologies upgraded materials and higher design standards are being incorporated to ensure durability and longterm performance of the roads and bridgesExperts believe that the AsomMala 30 scheme will not only enhance physical connectivity but also open up new employment avenues and encourage private investment in sectors such as tourism manufacturing and tradeWith strategic planning and sustained funding the state government aims to position Assam as a major connectivity hub in the Northeast linking the region more effectively with the rest of India The Chief Minister reiterated that infrastructure development remains one of the top priorities of his government and assured that work would continue at an accelerated pace in the coming months IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/assam-witnessing-unprecedented-road-transformation-cm-sarma-649747.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/donald-trump-jr-arrives-in-udaipur-to-attend-royal-wedding-649760.html Jaipur Nov 21 US President Donald Trumpâs son Donald Trump Jr arrived in Udaipur on Friday to attend the grand royal wedding scheduled for November 23 at Jagmandir Island Palace He landed at Dabok Airport along with his girlfriend and briefly greeted the crowd waiting outside Trump Jr initially stepped out of the airport waved to people and got into his carHowever overwhelmed by the heavy crowd near the vehicle he stepped back out and returned inside the airport for a short while After a discussion between US security officials and local police media personnel and onlookers were moved nearly 100 feet away About five minutes later he came out again got into the car and departed for Hotel Leela The highprofile wedding is of Netra Mantena Elizabeth daughter of American billionaire Rama Raju Mantena and Vamsi Gadiraju an Americanborn groom Wedding festivities will continue until November 24 Earlier the Haldi ceremony was held at the Taj Lake Palace where family members and guests danced during the celebrations Bollywood performances took place at the City Palace with stars like Madhuri Dixit Jacqueline Fernandez and Kriti Sanon already in attendanceTrump Jr who visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on Thursday is staying in Udaipurâs luxurious Maharaja Suite costing nearly Rs 10 lakh per night Meanwhile major arrivals continued throughout the day Karan Johar Janhvi Kapoor Varun Dhawan and several other celebrities landed in Udaipur to join the celebrations International pop icon Jennifer Lopez is expected to land at 2 AM for a special performance at Manek Chowk on Saturday The wedding venue Jagmandir Island Palace on Lake Pichola is fully decked up as Udaipur gears up for another starstudded global celebration IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/donald-trump-jr-arrives-in-udaipur-to-attend-royal-wedding-649760.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/rajasthan-rolls-out-rs-30-000-support-for-bullock-farming-over-42-000-applications-received-649766.html Jaipur Nov 21 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has launched a unique initiative aimed at promoting traditional farming practices and cattle conservation in the state Under the scheme the government will provide financial assistance of Rs 30000 per year to selected small and marginal farmers who continue to cultivate their fields using bullocks The move is intended to encourage traditional and organic farming methods support cattle preservation and offer economic relief to vulnerable farmer groupsOfficials pointed out that with the rapid expansion of modern agricultural machinery the use of bullocks in farming has sharply declined over the years This shift has not only reduced the demand for indigenous cattle breeds but has also adversely affected their longterm conservation The government believes that the incentive will revive the role of bullocks in agriculture improve soil fertility reduce chemical dependence and contribute to environmental protectionIn addition to the financial support the state government will also provide subsidies for installing biogas plants on farms By adopting biogas farmers can reduce their fuel and input costs increase the use of clean energy and produce organic manure directly on their fields Officials said that this will help promote organic farming practices and improve overall agricultural productivityThe Agriculture Department is currently preparing a database of farmers who use bullocks for cultivation based on which eligible beneficiaries will be shortlisted The department is also undertaking field verification to ensure that only genuine practitioners of bullockbased farming receive the assistanceA key component of the initiative is the Raj Kisan Saathi portal the state governmentâs dedicated digital platform for agricultural schemes and farmer services The portal enables farmers to register for various schemes track application status access advisories and receive timely updates from the Agriculture Department Farmers applying for the bullockuse incentive are required to submit their details through the portal ensuring transparency and reducing paperworkAccording to officials more than 42000 applications have already been received through the Raj Kisan Saathi portal with the highest number coming from Dungarpur Banswara and Udaipur districts The online application process is ongoing and the government expects more farmers to enrol in the coming weeks IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/rajasthan-rolls-out-rs-30-000-support-for-bullock-farming-over-42-000-applications-received-649766.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/govt-taking-steps-to-connect-people-with-cultural-heritage-president-murmu-649768.html Hyderabad Nov 21 President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday that said that the government is taking several steps to connect people especially our youth with cultural heritage She inaugurated the second edition of Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav at Rashtrapati Nilayam Secunderabad hereThe ninedaylong festival is being organised by Rashtrapati Nilayam in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture the Ministry of Textiles and the Ministry of TourismThis festival aims to present the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Gujarat Maharashtra Rajasthan Goa Dadra amp Nagar Haveli and Daman amp DiuSpeaking at the inaugural ceremony the President said that in the first edition of the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav people were introduced to the rich cultural heritage of Northeast India This time we have an opportunity to witness and understand the rich cultural heritage of Western IndiaShe expressed confidence that visitors will be able to have a glimpse of the folk culture of Indias western regions through handicrafts dance music literature and cuisine of Gujarat Maharashtra Rajasthan Goa Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli during this festivalShe stated that events such as the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav help citizens living in different regions to understand each other and this understanding broadens our perspectives Furthermore such events foster respect for our cultural heritage and inspire us to preserve itThe President expressed confidence that large number of people will attend the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav and enjoy the festivalGovernor of Telangana Jishnu Dev Varma Union Minister for Culture and Tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat Union Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy Governor of Rajasthan Haribhau Bagde Governor of Goa Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju Minister for Panchayati Raj and Rural Development and Women and Child Welfare of Government of Telangana D Anasuya Seethakka and Minister of Tribal Development Khadi Cottage and Rural Industries of Government of Gujarat Naresh Maganbhai Patel attended the inaugural ceremonyEarlier Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy extended a warm welcome to the President upon her arrival today at Begumpet AirportThe President was received with due honours and escorted to Raj Bhavan where she was warmly received by the GovernorAfter participation in the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav the President returned to Raj BhavanShe is scheduled to stay overnight at Raj Bhavan before proceeding to Puttaparthi Andhra Pradesh on Saturday IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/govt-taking-steps-to-connect-people-with-cultural-heritage-president-murmu-649768.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:59:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/mohan-bhagwat-urges-social-unity-at-manipur-tribal-leadership-meet-says-fraternity-bharats-true-dharma-649727.html Imphal Nov 21 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on Friday called for social unity during a Janajati tribal leadership meet in Manipurs capital Imphal The RSS chief interacted with Janajati leaders on the second day of his threeday visit to the state and appealed for strengthening unity and characterbuilding to ensure lasting peace harmony and progress in the region as well as the nation A traditional Manipuri lunch was organised at the RSS centre Bhaskara Prabha in Imphal as part of the event where over 200 leaders representing various Janajati communities of Manipur joined Bhagwat reflecting the essence of Samajik Samarasata social equality and mutual respect Addressing the gathering he reiterated that RSS is a purely social organisation dedicated to strengthening societyRSS is not against anybody it is not formed to destroy but to fulfill society Leaders politics governments and even divine incarnations are supportive forces but what society truly needs is unity he saidThe RSS chief added that the Sangh neither engages in politics nor remotecontrols any organisationRSS works only through friendship affection and social harmony he said Emphasising Bharatâs civilisational continuity he noted that studies indicate the genetic and cultural DNA of the people of Bharat has remained one for over 40000 yearsWe are united because of our shared consciousness Despite our beautiful diversity we belong to one civilisational family Unity does not demand uniformity he observedQuoting Dr BR Ambedkar Bhagwat said the Constitutional principles of liberty equality and fraternity are rooted in Gautam Buddhas teachings and can flourish only when fraternity the feeling of oneness is strongMany nations failed despite having liberty and equality because they lacked fraternity But fraternity is dharma for BharatExplaining that the RSS was not created as a reaction to any external force but to address internal disunity he recalled Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewars resolve to unite society RSS is a manmaking and characterbuilding movement he said encouraging everyone to visit shakhas to understand how the Sangh works on the groundBhagwat said anyone working for the betterment of society with commitment to Bharatiya civilisation is already an undeclared swayamsevakRSS people are baggagefree we want nothing but a good society he remarkedOn issues raised by Janajati leaders he assured them that their concerns are national concerns He emphasised selfreliance and solutions within the Constitutional framework Issues in a family must be solved within the family Dialogue must be based on oneness not contractual bargaining he said also pointing out that several regional issues and divisions have historical roots in colonial policiesCalling manushyanirman the building of responsible ethical and socially conscious individuals â the foundation of national transformation Bhagwat highlighted the ongoing Sadbhavana Baithaks and the Sanghâs Panch Parivartan initiatives These include Samajik Samarasata social harmony without discrimination Kutumb Prabodhan strengthening family values Paryavaran Sanrakshan environment conservation Swabodh civilisational awareness and Nagarik Kartavya civic dutiesHe urged Janajati leaders to take pride in indigenous traditions languages and scripts and embrace a swadeshi lifestyle rooted in cultural identityOther nations are now looking towards Bharat for guidance and civilisational alternatives We must build a strong Rashtra and RSS will continue to work tirelessly for it he said The historic dialogue among Janajati leaders and the community meal concluded with a message of cultural unity and collective responsibility demonstrating the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat in actionSeparately while interacting with youth leaders in Imphal Bhagwat urged the younger generation to recognise that Bharat is not a nation born in recent centuries but an ancient continuous civilisationHe noted that epics such as the Ramayana and the Mahabharata reference regions like Manipur Brahmadesh and even presentday Afghanistan highlighting Bharats vast cultural and spiritual footprintHindu civilisation stands on acceptance mutual respect and a deep sense of shared consciousness Our diversity is our strength because dharma unites us at the core he said calling upon youth to take pride in their identity and lead with cultural confidenceEncouraging youth participation in nationbuilding he said RSS shakhas aim to shape responsible capable and selfless citizens who contribute their skills and talent for the country True progress he said moves from individual excellence to collective growth and transformation of systems Warning against extreme materialism and selfcentredness he emphasised that strong families and valuebased upbringing are crucial for a strong nationYoung minds must rise above selfish ambitions When Bharat rises the world rises Our duty is to stay united and awakened as one society with one resolve he saidBhagwat arrived in Imphal on a threeday visit on Thursday his first since ethnic hostility broke out in the state in May 2023A state RSS functionary said the visit to Manipur is part of the organisations nationwide centenary celebrations A warm reception was accorded to Mohan Bhagwat at Imphal airport after he arrived following a fourday visit to Assam IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/mohan-bhagwat-urges-social-unity-at-manipur-tribal-leadership-meet-says-fraternity-bharats-true-dharma-649727.html Sat, 22 Nov 2025 01:00:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/haryana-conducts-10-450-paperless-property-registrations-in-first-21-days-of-launch--649670.html Chandigarh Nov 21 IANS In an achievement that signals a new era of transparent and citizencentric governance Haryana has crossed 10450 paperless property registrations in the first 21 days of its launchnbspThe states digital landregistry system also set a new singleday record on Friday processing 1659 registrations without the need for a single sheet of papernbspCalling it a transformation not merely digitisation Financial Commissioner Revenue Sumita Misra said the system has been significantly strengthened through upgraded software improved workflowsnbspFrom November 1 to 21 residents booked 9365 online appointments for property registration taking the cumulative total to 10450 appointments since the paperless system was introducednbspOf these 8338 deeds have been approved during the threeweek period bringing the total number of approved deeds to 9260The system is currently processing an average of nearly 1500 deeds per day while the singleday record of 1659 registrations highlights the platforms improved capacity and operational stability she saidnbspMisra noted that officerside features on the portal have been upgraded as wellnbspTehsildars can now revert tokens directly through their login and appointment scheduling has become smoother across all districts she saidnbspMany issues affecting stamp duty calculation token deduction and document flow have already been resolved she addednbspThe system will no longer deduct Rs 503 in cases of incorrect tokens until the token is fully validated protecting citizens from unnecessary financial loss she saidMisra emphasised that the success of the initiative stems from regular feedback received from registrars subregistrars and groundlevel staffnbspTheir suggestions have directly shaped iterative improvements to the platform she saidnbspOne of the major enhancements announced relates to simplifying the second page of the online registration interface a step aimed at reducing user difficulties and streamlining the overall experiencenbspEven small technical refinements can make a big difference for citizens especially when they are completing property transactions that often involve significant financial and emotional stakes Misra added https://dailyworld.in/society/haryana-conducts-10-450-paperless-property-registrations-in-first-21-days-of-launch--649670.html Fri, 21 Nov 2025 17:50:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bengaluru-man-held-for-misbehaving-with-woman-under-pretext-of-petting-her-dog-649481.html Bengaluru Nov 20 A man has been arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly misbehaving with a woman on the pretext of showing affection to her pet dog police said on Thursday The incident occurred around 1030 pm on November 7 in the Jnanabharati police station limits The accused also snatched the womanâs mobile phone before fleeingDCP South West Anita Haddannavar said a case had been registered under Sections 74 752 3032 and 1152 of the BNS Act âThe accused was tracked down and arrested The stolen mobile phone has also been recoveredâ she said Further details about the accused are awaited she added According to the complaint the woman had stepped out for a walk with her dog in Upkar Layout when the man approached her and asked if he could pet the animal Believing him to be a dog lover she allowed it After caressing the dog he allegedly touched her inappropriately When she resisted he tried to assault her again prompting her to slap himDuring the commotion her mobile phone fell to the ground Before bystanders could intervene the man picked it up and fled The woman later filed a complaint following which police launched a search and analysed CCTV footage to identify the accusedThe incident comes amid two other recent crimes against women in the cityOn November 9 a man allegedly attempted to sexually assault a differentlyabled woman in MR Nagar under the Audugodi Police limits while under the influence of marijuanaOn November 6 police arrested a Rapido driver for allegedly harassing a female passenger The incident came to light after the woman shared her ordeal on social media The policeâs social media monitoring unit traced the post contacted her for details and registered a case The accused was identified as Lokesh 28 of Muniyappa Layout in Ullal IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bengaluru-man-held-for-misbehaving-with-woman-under-pretext-of-petting-her-dog-649481.html Thu, 20 Nov 2025 23:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/broken-promise-of-marriage-does-not-always-amount-to-rape-kerala-hc-649238.html Kochi Nov 18 The Kerala High Court on Tuesday said that ending a relationship or marrying someone else later does not automatically make a past consensual sexual relationship a case of rape Justice G Girish said that if a man goes on to marry another person in search of greener pastures it does not mean that his previous consensual relationship with another woman becomes rape under the lawThe Court was hearing a petition by a man accused under Sections 376 rape 493 cohabitation by deceit and 496 fraudulent marriage ceremony of the Indian Penal Code IPCThe allegations against him were that he had a longterm relationship with a woman promising to marry her but eventually married someone elseAccording to the prosecution the relationship began in 2009 when the complainant was already married and had two childrenAfter her husbands death in 2013 the accused started living with her and continued the relationshipThe complainant believed they were married when he tied a knot on her gold chain in a private symbolic ceremonyHowever in 2014 the accused legally married another womanWhen confronted he assured the complainant that he still considered her his wifeBut in 2017 he ended the relationship following which she filed a criminal case alleging rape and fraudulent marriageThe High Court noted that the relationship between them was clearly consensual and not induced by a fraudulent promise of marriageIt said that for a sexual relationship to be considered rape based on a false promise of marriage it must be proven that the man never intended to marry the woman from the beginning and only made false promises to exploit her sexuallyThe court also added that their relationship started while the woman was legally married which undermined her claim of being misled into believing she would be lawfully married to the accusedCiting several Supreme Court judgments the court held that consensual intimacy based on emotional involvement or future intentions does not amount to rape unless deception is proven from the outsetRegarding the charges under Sections 493 and 496 of the IPC the court clarified that such offences can only proceed if the aggrieved person files a formal complaint which had not happened in this caseThe court then quashed all criminal proceedings against the man IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/broken-promise-of-marriage-does-not-always-amount-to-rape-kerala-hc-649238.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-meets-author-berjis-desai-receives-a-copy-of-modis-mission-649266.html New Delhi Nov 18 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Berjis Desai the author of âModiâs Missionâ âDelighted to meet noted lawyer Shri Berjis Desai Ji and receive a copy of his bookâ the PM said on X while responding to a tweet by author Desai who hours earlier posted a picture of himself along with PM Modi while presenting his bookâHad the privilege of presenting my book MODIâS MISSION to the Honourable Prime Minister todayâ said Berjis Desai on XLast month this book was launched in Mumbai in the presence of Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis Deputy CM Eknath Shinde Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat and othersSpeaking after the release of the book Governor Devvrat said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi took many seemingly impossible decisions in his life such as revoking Article 370 resolving the Ram Janmabhoomi issue peacefully and increasing Indias prestige at the global level which he mentioned as a testament to his strong willâThe book not only reviews the life of PM Modi but also shows how a persons values consciousness and attitude towards striving for the nation are formed The Prime Minister after experiencing both the paths of service and renunciation resolved to awaken nationalism through Sangh work Under his leadership the country has witnessed historic decisions like the abrogation of Article 370 the construction of the Ram Temple the Citizenship Act and the ban on triple talaq Behind all these decisions there is a sense of national consciousnessâ he observedChief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the book stands apart from other writings on PM Modi as it explores âhow a personâs values and character are forged amid hardshipâHe noted that the author has beautifully portrayed PM Modiâs journey from a humble childhood to becoming Indiaâs most transformative leaderâModi jiâs early life was full of struggle He understood sacrifice at a very young ageâhe would eat less so that his family could have more From the age of nine he grasped what selflessness meantâ Fadnavis saidâHe devoted his life to a mission No one imagined that an RSS pracharak would one day become the Prime Minister of India The author has captured how Modi addressed ideological challenges â from Article 370 to Ram Mandir Triple Talaq and judicial reforms â with deep consciousness and clarityâ he added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-meets-author-berjis-desai-receives-a-copy-of-modis-mission-649266.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-launches-primary-teacher-recruitment-after-8-years-amid-hc-scrutiny-649343.html Kolkata Nov 19 The online application process for the fresh recruitment of primary teachers in staterun schools in West Bengal began on Wednesday marking the first such drive in eight years The new recruitment comes even as the division bench of the Calcutta High Court has completed the final hearing on alleged irregularities in the earlier appointment of about 32000 primary teachers with a judgment expected at any timeThe notification for the recruitment of primary teachers was issued in September this year The West Bengal Board of Primary Education has opened applications for 13421 vacancies From Wednesday candidates who have cleared the Teachers Eligibility Test can apply online for assistant teacher posts in governmentapproved and governmentsponsored primary and junior basic schoolsAhead of the recruitment process Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu on Tuesday night in a post on X said that the online portal for TETqualified candidates will open on Wednesday for applications to primary teaching posts adding that the government views this recruitment drive as a step to strengthen primary education under the chief ministerâs leadershipâFrom tomorrow the West Bengal Board of Primary Education is going to open its online portal where eligible candidates who have cleared TET will be able to apply for the post of Assistant Teachers in governmentapproved and governmentsponsored primary and junior basic schools It goes without saying that this recruitment process is going to further strengthen the foundation of primary education under the wisdom guidance and benevolent guardianship of the states Honble Chief Minister Smt Mamata Banerjeeâ the Minister said in the X postThe last round of primary teacher recruitment was held in 2017 After nearly eight years the board has issued a new notificationJob seekers have repeatedly taken to the streets to press for recruitment and last Thursday they held a protest in front of the primary education boardâs office in Salt Lake in Kolkata IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bengal-launches-primary-teacher-recruitment-after-8-years-amid-hc-scrutiny-649343.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 13:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/excise-team-attacked-in-jharkhand-mob-frees-two-accused-liquor-dealers-649194.html Koderma Jharkhand Nov 18 A team from the Jharkhand Excise Department came under attack while returning from an operation against illegal liquor manufacturing in Koderma district officials said on Tuesday The mob not only vandalised government vehicles and pelted stones but also freed two arrested accused and assaulted security personnelThe incident took place near Tilaiya Basti late Monday night which falls under Barhi police station limits in Hazaribagh district when the team was returning from Kanti village the site of the raid after detaining two men involved in the illegal liquor tradeAccording to officials they arrested Anil Mahato and Dhanuki Mahato of Barki Dhamrai village during the raid in Kanti village in the Tilaiya Dam OP area The team was transporting them back to Koderma when their vehicle lost its way in the dark due to unfamiliar terrainSub Inspector Shivsagar Kumar said that during this time some locals allegedly circulated a false rumour that a âthief was fleeing with a childâ a ploy believed to have been used to mobilise the crowd and help free the detained liquor tradersWithin minutes Kumar said villagers from Gudio Vijaya Tilaiya Basti and nearby hamlets gathered in large numbers and encircled the teamâs vehiclesOfficials said the team attempted to leave but the mob began hurling stones without warning The situation quickly escalated with villagers smashing vehicle windows damaging the government vehicles and physically confronting the personnelIn the chaos the two accused were forcibly freed from police custodyExcise officials reported that several officers were manhandled and some even had their uniforms torn during the scuffle The team eventually managed to escape the area to avoid further violenceBarhi police station incharge Vinod Yadav said the police were informed about the incident late at night but no formal complaint has been filed yetâAn investigation will begin as soon as a written application is receivedâ he stated IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/excise-team-attacked-in-jharkhand-mob-frees-two-accused-liquor-dealers-649194.html Wed, 19 Nov 2025 00:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/rajasthan-records-seasons-coldest-spell-pilani-at-49-and-nagaur-at-56-degrees-celsius-649104.html Jaipur Nov 17 Cold northerly winds sweeping into Rajasthan have intensified the winter chill pulling minimum temperatures into single digits across most districts and marking the seasonâs coldest spell so far Pilani recorded the lowest minimum temperature in eastern Rajasthan at 49 degrees Celsius while Nagaur was the coldest in western Rajasthan at 56 degrees Celsius Sikar Churu Jhunjhunu Jodhpur Chittorgarh and Udaipur also remained among the worst affected by the cold waveIn Jodhpur the minimum temperature dipped to 10 degrees Celsius Chittorgarh reported 82 degrees Celsius while Udaipur recorded 85 degrees Several districts including Jodhpur Chittorgarh Udaipur and Nagaur experienced their coldest night of the season Jaipur recorded a minimum of 12 degrees CelsiusOther minimum temperatures were Ajmer 98 degrees C Bhilwara 86 degrees C Vanasthali Tonk 79 degrees C Alwar 8 degrees C Churu 8 degrees C Jalore 74 degrees C Karauli 76 degrees C Dausa 68 degrees C Barmer 141 degrees C Jaisalmer 125 degrees C Kota 106 degrees C Bikaner and Ganganagar 112 degrees C and Jhunjhunu 91 degrees CelsiusDay temperatures also dipped across the state Barmer recorded 316 degrees C Bikaner 313 degrees C Churu 294 degrees C Jaipur 28 degrees C Jaisalmer 30 degrees C Jodhpur 298 degrees C Kota 269 degrees C and Ajmer 281 degrees C Sirohi was the coldest during the day with a maximum of 226 degrees CelsiusThe Jaipur Meteorological Centre has issued a yellow alert for Sikar Jhunjhunu Churu and Nagaur for Monday and for Sikar again on TuesdayOfficials said the state is likely to remain dry throughout the week with no immediate relief expected as cold northerly winds persistOn Sunday a cold wave gripped Sikar Churu Jhunjhunu Shekhawati region and parts of Nagaur Jodhpur Ajmer Chittorgarh and Udaipur making mornings and evenings particularly harsh Although sunlight brought brief daytime relief temperatures dropped sharply again toward the evening IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/rajasthan-records-seasons-coldest-spell-pilani-at-49-and-nagaur-at-56-degrees-celsius-649104.html Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/tribals-preserved-truth-for-centuries-rajasthan-cm-648845.html Jaipur Nov 15 Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Saturday that tribal communities have preserved the values of nature culture courage and truth for centuries forming one of the most vibrant streams of the stateâs identity Addressing the statelevel Tribal Pride Day celebrations on the 150th birth anniversary of Lord Birsa Munda at Shri Bhogilal Government College Dungarpur he said the tribal legacy is both full of struggle and remarkably gloriousSharma further praised tribal traditions festivals and dances calling them living stories of generations that enrich Rajasthanâs cultural fabricHe said the state government is committed to preserving these traditions and showcasing them proudly at the global levelPaying tribute to tribal icons the Chief Minister recalled Govind Guru who united the Bhil community through the Bhagat movement and 12yearold Kalibai who sacrificed her life to protect her teacherThe Chief Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the nation toward holistic and inclusive development taking unprecedented steps for tribal upliftmentCalling the PMâs tribute to Lord Birsa Munda a ânational resolveâ Sharma said India remains indebted to Dharti Abaâs sacrificeHighlighting statelevel initiatives Sharma said hostel mess allowances have been increased 232 new MaBaadi centres established and staff honorariums raised by 10 per cent annually for two yearsâFree hybrid maize seeds have been given to 839 lakh tribal farmers and 236 lakh minikits have been distributed More than 150000 women are benefiting through 530 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras while about 5000 tribal youth have received skill trainingâ said the Chief MinisterHe lauded the achievements of tribal athletes noting that Rajasthan secured five golds and one bronze at the 3rd National Lacrosse Championship and tribal girls won silver in the Asian Lacrosse ChampionshipSharma said landmark initiatives like the Dharti Aaba Tribal Village Utkarsh Abhiyan and PMJANMAN are ensuring infrastructure education health and livelihood improvements for tribal communitiesHe also noted the 150th anniversary of âVande Mataramâ calling it the spirit that inspired freedom fighters from Birsa Munda to Subhash Chandra Bose and Sardar Patel IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/tribals-preserved-truth-for-centuries-rajasthan-cm-648845.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-how-a-small-village-in-amreli-became-fully-solar-powered-community-648846.html Dhudhala Gujarat Nov 15 Nestled in the Lathi taluka of Amreli district the quiet village of Dudhala has now risen to fame as a shining example of sustainable living With a population of over 2000 people and more than 400 homes Dudhala has achieved what many rural communities only dream of a village powered entirely by solar energyThree years ago every household in Dudhala had a solar system installed on its rooftop Since then not a single home in the village has received an electricity bill Fans lights refrigerators and other appliances run smoothly yet the monthly bill reads zero For the villagers this is nothing short of a revolutionMuch of this transformation became possible thanks to the efforts and generosity of Govindbhai Dholakia an industrialist from Surat who funded the installation of solar systems across the entire village Unlike gridtied community installations each house in Dudhala has its own individual solar setup tailored approximately per kilowatt to the households needsTalking to IANS Ashokbhai Sheliya a local resident recalls how life once was in Dudhalaâelectricity bills ranged between Rs 1000 and Rs 1500 every month Families avoided using appliances freely always worried about the rising cost of power Today he says with pride âWe use electricity without fear For three years now our bill has been zeroâJayraj Barad shares his own experience After installing a 1 kW solar system on his roof he hasnât paid a single rupee in electricity bills for three years and the remaining units generated by his system continue to accumulate as credit with PGVCL He firmly believes that if the government provides subsidies for such projects then every village should embrace solar energy for longterm benefitsThe elderly residents of Dudhala are especially proud Parsotambhai Barad explains that since the entire village is powered with solar energy no household has been charged for electricity and homes with low consumption even accumulate surplus credit in the power department With a smile he calls it âa blessing of the sunâDudhala now stands as the first fully solarpowered village in Amreli district a beacon of innovation and selfreliance The villagers enjoy uninterrupted costfree electricity and the success of this initiative has inspired conversations across the regionIf every village adopts a solar energy system like Dudhala rural communities could witness remarkable economic relief environmental benefits and true energy independence Dudhalaâs journey proves one thing for certain when a community embraces sunlight it can illuminate its future IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-how-a-small-village-in-amreli-became-fully-solar-powered-community-648846.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sanatan-philosophy-is-integral-human-philosophy-mohan-bhagwat-648849.html Jaipur Nov 15 Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat said on Saturday that Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya articulated Sanatan philosophy for the modern world by presenting it as Integral Human Philosophy in accordance with the needs of the country time and circumstances He said that although this philosophy was formally presented 60 years ago its relevance today extends across the worldBhagwat was delivering the Deendayal Memorial Lecture organised by the Integral Human Philosophy Research and Development Foundation in JaipurHe pointed out that the essence of Integral Human Philosophy can be understood in one word DharmaClarifying that Dharma does not refer to religion sect or creed he said it signifies a destination and a universal outlook that accommodates allAt present he said the world must adopt this Dharma of Integral Human Philosophy He noted that historically Indians have never exploited or harmed others when travelling abroad and instead contributed positively wherever they wentâWhile lifestyles food habits and clothing in India have changed over time the eternal philosophy of integral humanism has remained intactâ he saidIts foundation he said is the belief that happiness lies within oneselfâRecognising this inner happiness leads to the understanding that the entire world is one Integral humanism is a philosophy free from extremismâ he emphasisedSpeaking about physical mental and intellectual strength Bhagwat said that all forms of power have limitsThe need of the hour he added is to pursue personal development while remaining committed to the welfare of all Citing frequent global economic disruptions he said India remains relatively less affected because its economic strength is rooted in its family structureCommenting on rapid scientific progress Bhagwat said that while material comforts have increased peace and satisfaction have notHe questioned whether health has truly improved despite new medicines pointing out that some illnesses arise due to certain treatmentsHe further noted that only 4 per cent of the global population uses 80 per cent of the worldâs resources widening the gap between developed and underdeveloped nationsHe said that India has always had diversity but it has never been a source of conflict â rather a source of celebrationâIndian society accommodated countless deities and continued to welcome more without any difficulty The world acknowledges the existence of happiness for the body mind and intellect but not how to achieve all three togetherâ he saidAccording to Bhagwat India uniquely understands this because it believes in the holistic happiness of the body mind intellect and soulEarlier Mahesh Sharma President of the Integral Human Philosophy Research and Development Foundation introduced the programHe said that the entire universe is interconnected and even the movement of a single particle has an impact on the wholeHe also noted that this year marks the 150th anniversary of the composition of Vande Mataram emphasising the importance of singing the full song in the present circumstancesThe event was attended by several dignitaries including Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari Deputy Chief Minister Premchand Berwa former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje BJP State President Madan Rathore State Ministers Kirodi Lal Meena and Rajyavardhan Rathore Rajya Sabha MP Ghanshyam Tiwari former Minister Rajendra Rathore RSS All India CoPromotional Chief Arun Jain All India CoOrganisational Chief Anil Oak Regional Sanghchalak Ramesh Agarwal and Regional Pracharak Nimbaram SS Agarwal Director of the Health Welfare Group proposed the vote of thanks and Narbada Indoria conducted the proceedings IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sanatan-philosophy-is-integral-human-philosophy-mohan-bhagwat-648849.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cpi-m-hails-krishnagiri-caste-killing-verdict-calls-for-stronger-stand-against-honour-crimes-648850.html Chennai Nov 15 CPIMs Tamil Nadu state Secretary P Shanmugam on Saturday welcomed the verdict of the Krishnagiri court awarding three life sentences and an additional 10year jail term to the accused in the Subash caste killing case Describing the Krishnagiri Principal District Sessions Courts judgment as a significant step in the fight against castebased violence in Tamil Nadu he said the ruling sends a clear and stern message to those attempting to enforce caste supremacy through brutalityThe case stemmed from the marriage of Anusuya a woman from a Scheduled Caste community in Kollapuram village in Ariyalur district and Subash 28 who belonged to a Backward Class community from Arunapathi near Uthangarai in KrishnagiriThe couple married on March 27 2023 despite strong oppositionOn April 14 2023 responding to a call from Subashâs grandmother Kannammal the couple travelled to her homeWhat unfolded hours later was a chilling instance of honourbased violenceIn the early hours of April 15 Subashâs father Dhandapani allegedly attacked the couple and Kannammal with a sickle Subash and his grandmother died on the spot while Anusuya gravely injured underwent prolonged treatment at Salem Medical College Hospital and eventually recoveredThe Uthangarai police registered the case under the SCST Prevention of Atrocities ActAfter nearly two and a half years of hearings Judge V R Latha of the Krishnagiri Principal District Sessions Court delivered the verdict on November 14 sentencing Dhandapani to three life sentences along with a 10year term and ordered a compensation of Rs 25 lakh to AnusuyaWelcoming the ruling Shanmugam said casterelated murders continued to stain Tamil Naduâs social fabric and the judgment reaffirmed the stateâs commitment to protecting intercaste couples and survivors of honour crimesHe acknowledged the efforts of the Tamil Nadu Untouchability Eradication Front which supported the legal proceedings and appreciated the role of CPIM district units in Krishnagiri and Salem in standing by Anusuya throughout her ordeal He also commended special public prosecutor Ramesh lawyers who volunteered for the case and High Court advocate KC Karl Marx for their legal guidancePraising Anusuyaâs courage and resilience Shanmugam urged the state government to provide her with a government job as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation package ensuring she can rebuild her life with dignity IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cpi-m-hails-krishnagiri-caste-killing-verdict-calls-for-stronger-stand-against-honour-crimes-648850.html Sun, 16 Nov 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-celebrates-25-years-of-statehood-cm-governor-extend-greetings-648768.html Ranchi Nov 15 Jharkhand is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its formation on Saturday with a grand statelevel event at Morabadi Ground in the capital city Ranchi Thousands of people including dignitaries representatives of various tribal groups schoolchildren and artists gathered to witness cultural performances Similar celebrations parades sports events and community gatherings are being organised across districtsJharkhand came into existence on this day in 2000 after being carved out of 18 districts of Bihar becoming the 28th state of the Indian UnionThe date was chosen deliberately to coincide with the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda revered as a freedom fighter social reformer and tribal iconHis Ulgulan a rebellion against British exploitation remains a defining chapter in the assertion of tribal identity and rights Today also marks his 150th birth anniversary adding special significance to the celebrationsThe Bihar Assembly passed a resolution for a separate state on July 22 1997 Three years later the Parliament approved the Bihar Reorganisation Bill on August 2 2000The initiative was taken forward under the leadership of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose government laid the legislative foundation for the new stateChief Minister Hemant Soren extended greetings while invoking the legacy of Jharkhandâs tribal heroes Birsa Munda SidhoKanho PhoolJhano and othersHe said the journey of the past 25 years reflects transformation and resilience âJharkhand has travelled an inspiring path from struggle to stability and from stability to prosperityâ he saidThe Chief Minister added that the next phase of the stateâs growth would focus on inclusive development improved infrastructure and safeguarding the rights and dignity of tribal communitiesHe also urged citizens to work collectively to âshape a future where Jharkhand emerges as a model of progress social justice and cultural prideâGovernor Santosh Kumar Gangwar in his message said Jharkhandâs completion of 25 years stands as a testament to the stateâs âglorious achievements in diverse spheres such as agriculture industry sports arts and social welfareâ IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-celebrates-25-years-of-statehood-cm-governor-extend-greetings-648768.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 12:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/up-farmers-embrace-modern-agriculture-applaud-pm-krishi-sinchai-yojana-648798.html New Delhi Nov 15 As India witnesses a steady transformation in agricultural practices farmers who once depended solely on traditional methods are increasingly turning toward modern technologydriven farming This shift was clearly visible in a special seminar organised under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana PMKSY at the District Horticulture Office in Ghazipur where nearly 100 progressive farmers participated to learn about advanced irrigation technologies and modern cultivation toolsProgressive farmer Anup Rai speaking to IANS about the changing mindset among cultivators said âA farmer who used to rely on traditional farming methods and resources is now eager to adopt modern agriculture with advanced tools To support this transition the concerned department and agricultural scientists are regularly providing farmers with information about new and innovative technologiesâThe seminar focused on PMKSYâs core theme âPer Drop More Cropâ a mission aimed at improving wateruse efficiency through microirrigation techniques such as drip irrigation mini sprinklers portable sprinklers and microsprinklersSenior scientists Dr BK Singh Dr DK Singh and representatives from firms involved in âPer Drop More Cropâ systems provided technical training to farmers demonstrating how scientific irrigation can significantly boost yield while reducing water wastageDuring the event literature related to the scheme was distributed among progressive farmers helping them understand installation processes cost benefits and longterm advantages of microirrigation systems Scientists emphasised that adopting drip irrigation and sprinkler systems not only increases productivity but also ensures sustainable use of natural resourcesExperts highlighted the substantial subsidies being provided by the government under PMKSY Farmers were informed that a 90 per cent subsidy is available for drip irrigation and mini sprinkler systems while a 75 per cent subsidy is offered for portable sprinklers and rainguns a major incentive encouraging wider adoptionEstablished in 2015 PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana remains one of Indiaâs most impactful agricultural missions aimed at ensuring âHar Khet Ko Paniâ Water for Every Farm and promoting waterefficient farming practices By integrating modern technology and government support the scheme continues to empower farmers to move from traditional methods to a more advanced efficient and sustainable agricultural futureWith awareness programmes like the Ghazipur seminar the government aims to ensure that more farmers embrace innovation and contribute to a modern resourceefficient rural economy IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/up-farmers-embrace-modern-agriculture-applaud-pm-krishi-sinchai-yojana-648798.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-launches-major-welfare-push-for-sanitation-workers-calls-their-work-a-service-not-a-job-648803.html Chennai Nov 15 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday underscored the indispensable role of sanitation workers stating that their contribution to society is not mere labour but a noble service that keeps cities functioning safe and healthy In his remarks at the Kalaivanar Arangam where he inaugurated a series of new welfare initiatives for Chennai Corporation sanitation workers the Chief Minister said protecting and uplifting these workers is the governmentâs responsibility At the event Stalin launched a threemealaday nutrition scheme new housing facilities and several additional welfare measures aimed at improving the quality of life of sanitation workers and their families He emphasised that sanitation is the foundation of healthy living and those who shoulder this responsibilityâoften in harsh weather and emergency situationsâdeserve respect dignity and consistent state support Whether it is scorching heat heavy rains or floods sanitation workers remain on the ground Chennaiâs lakes reservoirs and streets stay clean because of their tireless work he said Their contribution cannot be seen as just another job It is a selfless service Protecting them and ensuring their welfare is our duty As part of the new initiatives the government will set up toiletattached restrooms for sanitation workers in all 200 wards of Chennai Each facility will be built over 300 sq ft giving workers a safe and dignified break space during long working hours Stalin also announced that the threemeal scheme currently operational within Chennai Corporation limits will be expanded to all urban areas across the state from December 6 Calling for public cooperation the Chief Minister urged residents to adopt strict waste segregation practices and maintain civic discipline If Tamil Nadu is to be called a clean state every citizen must participate We should keep our public spacesâand our mindsâclean he said Stalin stressed that the welfare of sanitation workersâ families is equally important noting that their children should pursue higher education and aspire for government positions He assured the gathering that the state would continue to take steps to improve living standards provide safety and recognise the service of those who work selflessly to keep cities clean The government will fulfil its responsibility But the people must also act responsibly Only then can we build a healthy hygienic Tamil Nadu he noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-launches-major-welfare-push-for-sanitation-workers-calls-their-work-a-service-not-a-job-648803.html Sat, 15 Nov 2025 15:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-disburses-over-rs-1-432-crore-to-women-self-help-groups-648500.html Gandhinagar Nov 14 The Gujarat government has disbursed more than Rs 1432 crore in funds and over Rs 3652 crore in cashcredit loans to selfhelp groups SHGs under the Deendayal Antyodaya YojanaâNational Rural Livelihoods Mission DAYNRLM Implemented through the staterun Gujarat Livelihood Promotion Company Limited GLPC the programme aims to boost income generation promote local entrepreneurship and expand financial inclusion for rural womenSince its launch GLPC has helped form 286 lakh SHGs covering 2869 lakh rural householdsThe organisation has provided Rs 25790 crore as revolving funds and Rs 117463 crore as community investment funds building the financial base that allows women to run small enterprises access markets and improve household incomesThe states flagship Lakhpati Didi initiative has already enabled 596 lakh women to cross the annual income milestone of Rs 1 lakhTo promote natural farming 12000 Krishi Sakhis have been trained and 125 bioinput resource centres have been set up with support from the Agriculture DepartmentGLPCs livelihood programmes now touch multiple sectors farming livestock forest produce natural farming fisheries and dairyNearly 277 lakh women are engaged in cropbased activities 611 lakh in animal husbandry around 10000 in forest produce and more than 16000 in fisheriesBeyond agriculture nonfarm livelihoods have expanded significantly SHGs today run foodprocessing units handloom and handicraft ventures pottery centres textile units canteens catering services and produce hygiene productsWith 50 new canteens added this year a total of 200 Mangalam Canteens are now providing steady livelihoods to women across the stateMarket access has also been a key focus In the past five years the state has organised 200 Saras fairs regional fairs Rakhi melas and Navratri exhibitions enabling 5950 SHGs to showcase their products and collectively achieve Rs 48 crore in salesDirect linkages through railway station retail stores ecommerce platforms digital catalogues and social media have further boosted outreachGLPC has also partnered with several CSR organisations Reliance Foundation Pidilite Industries BAIF CSR Box and Supath Foundation to strengthen enterprises such as cattlefeed units microbusinesses canteens and custom hiring centresLooking ahead the government has launched two new schemes the GSafal Yojana which will invest Rs 500 crore over five years to support 50000 Antyodaya families and the GMaitri Yojana with a Rs 50crore startup fund aimed at empowering 10 lakh rural women through new livelihood opportunitiesLaunched in 2011 by the Centre DAYNRLM now covers 745 districts across 28 states and six Union Territories excluding Delhi and Chandigarh connecting 1005 crore rural women through over 9090 lakh SHGs IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarat-disburses-over-rs-1-432-crore-to-women-self-help-groups-648500.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/lao-govt-pledges-to-address-key-priority-challenges-648691.html Vientiane Nov 14 The Lao government has reaffirmed its commitment to addressing major economic and financial challenges affecting people from all walks of life underscoring these efforts as a top national priority In his address at the 10th ordinary session of the Lao National Assemblys ninth legislature on Thursday Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone reaffirmed the governments commitment to addressing key economic challenges including inflation exchange rates electricity prices and rising commodity costs which continue to impact peoples livelihoodsThe government considers inflation exchange rates commodity prices and debt settlement as top priorities Xinhua News Agency reported citing the Vientiane Mai newspaperSonexay noted that high inflation and rising prices have placed significant pressure on households particularly salaried workers in major cities In response the government has rolled out a series of measures aimed at curbing inflationLooking ahead the government plans to boost domestic production to reduce imports and stem foreign currency outflows Additional measures will be introduced to increase foreign currency reserves and ease pressure on both the exchange rate and inflationAuthorities will intensify oversight of importexport businesses and foreign investors to ensure transactions and capital flows are routed through the banking system Price management will be tightened to curb unreasonable markups by middlemen and electricity rates for lowincome households will be reviewed to ease living costsThe government will work to strengthen revenue collection through measures such as modernising systems and expanding the tax base It also plans to resolve outstanding debts from state investment projects and intensify crackdowns on illegal vehicles illegal mining and the unlawful exploitation of mineral resourcesMeanwhile Laos Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has outlined measures to boost agricultural production and processing aiming to increase competitiveness and add value to Laos productsIn his address at the 10th ordinary session on Thursday Lao Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Linkham Douangsavanh reported steady growth in agricultural and forestry production in recent years with several largescale projects helping reduce imports and increase exportsFrom 2021 to 2025 the export value of agricultural and forestry products averaged 157 billion US dollars per year In the first 10 months of 2025 exports reached 154 billion surpassing the Lao National Assemblys annual target of 15 billionDespite progress Douangsavanh acknowledged challenges including limited mechanisation low use of modern technology inadequate irrigation high production costs weak supply chains and underdeveloped infrastructureTo tackle these challenges the ministry has outlined several key measures including developing policies to lower production costs and promote the use of advanced technology and innovation and implementing detailed national strategies for crops livestock and aquacultureThe ministry also plans to improve access to capital market information and essential inputs such as seeds fertilisers veterinary medicines and machinery In addition it aims to promote modern sustainable farming while supporting investment in logistics processing plants storage facilities and laboratories for pest and residue analysis IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/lao-govt-pledges-to-address-key-priority-challenges-648691.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/dlc-campaign-generates-over-1-crore-certificates-ministry-648697.html New Delhi Nov 14 The nationwide Digital Life Certificate campaign has generated over 1 crore certificates as of November 12 the government said on Friday The campaign running from November 1 to November 30 across 2000 cities and towns covering 2540 locations across the country has conducted 35000 DLC camps by November 12 an official statement saidAs many as 75000 additional camps will be organised by November 30 to ensure nationwide saturation the Ministry of Personnel Public Grievances amp Pensions saidOf the one crore DLCs issued so far 58 per cent of them or 5913073 certificates were generated through face authentication and 7 lakh DLCs were issued to pensioners aged 80 years and aboveThis has brought significant ease and dignity to elderly sick and incapacitated pensioners the ministry saidThe face authentication technique can be carried out easily through smartphones anytime anywhere enabling easy DLC submission by pensioners and is particularly useful for aged and sick pensioners who do not have to visit any bank or pension disbursing authorityUnion Minister of State Independent Charge for PersonnelDoPTDARPG Dr Jitendra Singh said this milestone reflects the Prime Ministerâs vision of Digital Empowerment of PensionersThe minister said that the government converted a longstanding challenge into an opportunity by adopting biometric and face authentication technologies that eliminate the need for physical presenceAll major stakeholders including pension disbursing banks DoPPW CGDA railways DoT Department of Posts IPPB UIDAI NIC and pensionersâ welfare associations are collaborating in a wholeâofâgovernment approach to maximise outreach to remote areas the minister saidDLC 40 crossed the one crore milestone earlier than DLC 30 indicating rapid digital adoption among pensioners the release notedThe department is on track to achieve a two crore saturation target for 2025 with extensive field mobilisation it noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/dlc-campaign-generates-over-1-crore-certificates-ministry-648697.html Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:58:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/chennai-one-app-introduces-re-1-ticket-offer-to-boost-public-transport-usage-648341.html Chennai Nov 13 In a major step toward promoting public transport and encouraging cashless mobility commuters using the Chennai One mobile application can now buy a single ticket for just Re 1 across Metropolitan Transport Corporation MTC buses Metro Rail and suburban trains The special offer which came into effect from Thursday morning is expected to draw more people into using digital ticketing and integrated public transport servicesThe Chennai One app launched on September 22 by Chief Minister MK Stalin serves as the citys first comprehensive daily commute applicationIt allows users to plan routes track buses and trains make digital payments and even book autos and rental carsSince its introduction the app has seen remarkable adoption with 55 lakh downloads and nearly 8 lakh tickets purchased by commutersAnnouncing the new offer Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority CUMTA MemberSecretary Jeyakumar said the objective is to encourage people to experience seamless cashless travelHe noted that users of Chennai One can avail a single ticket for Re 1 for any one mode bus Metro or suburban rail This benefit can be used only once after which regular fares will be chargedThe offer is valid for those who pay through BHIM UPI or Namma UPI within the Chennai One appOfficials said the scheme is aimed at familiarising Chennai residents with digital ticketing which has already become popular among early adoptersIn just one month the app has recorded 55 lakh registered users 14 lakh journey searches and 81 lakh ticket purchasesCommuters have praised the app for its clean design and the convenience of managing buses Metro suburban trains and cab services from one place using a unified QRcode system for scheduling payment and trackingAuthorities said the Re 1 initiative aligns with the apps promise of One City One App One Ticket which has generated considerable excitement among commutersThe government hopes this will simplify daily travel and make public transport faster safer and more environmentally friendlyTo avail the offer users must open or download the Chennai One app select their destination and pay Re 1 via BHIM UPI or Namma UPI to receive their digital ticketThe offer is valid only for a single journey and cannot be combined with other promotions Once the initial discounted ride is completed subsequent rides will be charged at normal fares IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/chennai-one-app-introduces-re-1-ticket-offer-to-boost-public-transport-usage-648341.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:26:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/female-law-student-found-hanging-in-lawyers-chamber-in-bengals-kakdwip-police-launch-manhunt-648395.html Kolkata Nov 13 The body of a firstyear female law student was recovered from a lawyers chamber in the Kakdwip area of South 24 Parganas district the police said on Thursday The police registered a case of unnatural death and launched a search to nab the lawyer after her relatives lodged a complaint against himThe incident occurred on Wednesday evening in the Pratapaditya Gram Panchayat area under the Kakdwip Police Stations jurisdiction The deceased a resident of the Gandhinagar area was reportedly visiting the local lawyers chamber daily for practice related to her studies according to family membersThe family of the deceased student said that she had left home on Wednesday morning as usual In the evening they were informed that her body was found hanging in the lawyerâs chamber The family members immediately informed the police who recovered the body and sent it for autopsyPolice sources said that a bag containing a love letter was recovered from the scene Her relatives alleged that the letter indicated a close relationship between the deceased and the lawyer and that she might have taken the extreme step due to tension in the relationshipSubsequently the law studentâs family members lodged a written complaint against the lawyer at Kakdwip Police StationA case of unnatural death has been registered and an investigation is underwayâA case has been initiated against the accused lawyer The body has been sent for postmortem and the cause of death will be determined after receiving the report The accused lawyer has been absconding since the incident and a search has been launchedâ said a senior officer of Sundarban Police DistrictResidents and neighbours in Kakdwip were left in shock after hearing about the studentâs tragic deathThe police are investigating whether it is a suicide or foul play The accused lawyer has not yet been arrested and search operations are underway at multiple locations to arrest him IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/female-law-student-found-hanging-in-lawyers-chamber-in-bengals-kakdwip-police-launch-manhunt-648395.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 16:33:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/75-year-old-man-among-3-killed-in-family-feud-in-mps-ashoknagar-648398.html Ashoknagar Madhya Pradesh Nov 13 A family feud over agricultural land in Ashoknagar district Madhya Pradesh turned deadly killing three relatives and injuring several others the police said on Thursday The clash occurred in Karaiya Bainet village on Wednesday night when two brothers and their family members divided into opposing groups attacked each other with swords lathis axes and other weapons resulting in a deadly confrontationAccording to the police the dispute arose over possession of four acres of agricultural land owned by 75yearold Khillan Singh Yadav a resident of Karaiya BainetThe land has been given to Khillan Singhâs elder son Mahendra YadavOn Wednesday evening Mahendraâs younger brother Krishnabhan Yadav arrived at the disputed land with his tractor and reportedly attempted to destroy a standing mustard crop cultivated by Mahendra Yadav This led to a verbal confrontation between the brothers that quickly escalated into a deadly oneKhillan Singh along with other relatives from both sides joined the confrontation armed with swords axes and other weapons turning the clash into a fullscale attackThe clash resulted in the immediate deaths of two family members while several others sustained injuriesKhillan Singh Yadav and a relative identified as Pawan Yadav sustained serious injuries in the incident and died during treatment at a hospital in Ashoknagar late on Wednesday night the police saidKrishnabhan Yadav who was referred to a Bhopal hospital for further treatment succumbed to his injuries early on Thursday morning added the policeAdditional Superintendent of Police ASP Ganjendra Kanwar stated on Thursday that the bodies of the deceased were handed over to their families after postmortem examinations and the last rites were performed in the presence of policeâAn FIR has been registered and further investigation is underway Weapons used in the attack have been seized Three other individuals remain hospitalised in Ashoknagarâ the ASP added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/75-year-old-man-among-3-killed-in-family-feud-in-mps-ashoknagar-648398.html Thu, 13 Nov 2025 17:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/mp-cm-transfers-rs-1-500-each-to-over-126-crore-ladli-behnas-648215.html Seoni Nov 12 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Wednesday transferred the enhanced monthly assistance of Rs 1500 each to the beneficiaries of the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna scheme at an event in Seoni district The Chief Minister transferred Rs 1857 crore into the accounts of more than 126 crore beneficiaries of the scheme through a single click as the 30th instalmentNotably the Madhya Pradesh cabinet on Monday approved the increase of Rs 250 in the monthly allowance to eligible women under the Ladli Behna scheme taking the amount to Rs 1500 per month from November onwardsAs part of the scheme more than 126 crore women aged 21 to 60 years who have a family income of less than Rs 25 lakh received a monthly allowance from the state governmentThe scheme was launched by the then Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in March 2023 with Rs 1000 monthly assistance which was increased to Rs 1250 the same year in October ahead of the State Assembly electionUntil last month the state government was spending a total of Rs 1541 crore into the bank accounts of beneficiaries under the scheme every month The enhancement of Rs 250 per beneficiary will cost an additional Rs 179375 crore for the ongoing financial year 202526The state government was supposed to transfer the enhanced instalment of Rs 1500 for each beneficiary in Octobers instalment 29th However it could not materialiseState Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda had allocated Rs 18669 crore for the scheme in the Budget presented in the Assembly in March this yearNotably in its manifesto for the 2023 Assembly election the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP had promised to gradually increase the amount to Rs 3000 per month by 2028 IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/mp-cm-transfers-rs-1-500-each-to-over-126-crore-ladli-behnas-648215.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 15:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/teen-rape-victim-dies-by-suicide-18-days-after-consuming-pesticide-648227.html Kolkata Nov 12 A 15yearold rape victim from Keshiary in West Midnapore district of West Bengal died on Tuesday evening 18 days after she consumed pesticide allegedly due to social stigma and fear police said on Wednesday According to the police the accused has already been arrested and is in judicial custody The family of the teenage girl has now demanded exemplary punishment for the rapist for abetting suicideThe police said the minor died on Tuesday evening at Kharagpur Subdivisional Hospital while undergoing treatmentAs per the complaint filed by her brotherinlaw on September 9 the girl used to work at the factory owned by the accused in the Keshiary area and would often travel there with him on his motorcycle She used to call him uncleToward the end of August the man allegedly took her to a nearby forest under the pretext of visiting the factory and raped her He then threatened her with dire consequences if she disclosed the matterAt first the girl hid the information out of shame and fear However she finally narrated the incident to her family on September 9That afternoon the minors family filed a written complaint with the police Based on the complaint the police arrested the accused the next day and presented him in court The arrested person was later sent to judicial custodyHowever on October 24 the victim tried to commit suicide by drinking pesticide kept at her homeAccording to the police she was at first taken to the Keshiary Rural Hospital where her condition was termed critical She was transferred to the Kharagpur Subdivisional Hospital Since then the girl has been undergoing treatment there After fighting for 18 days she died on Tuesday The autopsy of the girls body was also doneHer family suspects she was deeply distressed by taunts or remarks from someone in the locality or the accusedâs family which drove her to take the extreme stepA district police officer said A case has been registered under specific sections and the accused has already been arrested The accused is now in judicial custody In the meantime this unfortunate incident has taken place Everything will be thoroughly investigated IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/teen-rape-victim-dies-by-suicide-18-days-after-consuming-pesticide-648227.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 16:29:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-cpi-inflation-declines-to-025-per-cent-in-october-as-gst-rate-cuts-kick-in-648240.html New Delhi Nov 12 Indias inflation rate based on the Consumer Price Index CPI declined further to 025 per cent in October as the impact of the GST rate cut brought down the prices of goods and services during the month according to figures released by the Ministry of Statistics on Wednesday The retail inflation eased further after having plummeted to an over 8year low of 154 per cent in September as prices of food items and goods across sectors fell during the monthThe declining trend in food prices continued in October as food inflation fell deeper in the negative zone at 502 per cent from 228 per cent in September Food inflation has now continued to stay negative for the fifth consecutive month bringing welcome relief to household budgetsThe decline in headline inflation and food inflation during October is mainly attributed to the full monthâs impact of the decline in GST favourable base effect and to drop in inflation of cooking oils vegetables fruits egg cereals footwear and transport and communication an official statement saidThe GST rate cuts which kicked in on September 22 are bringing down prices across goods leading to a further reduction in the inflation rateThe inflation outlook for 202526 has also become more benign due to large favourable base effects combined with the good southwest monsoon healthy kharif sowing adequate reservoir levels and comfortable buffer stocks of foodgrainsThe decline in the inflation rate gives the RBI more headroom to continue with a soft money policy by cutting interest rates and injecting more money into the economy to spur growthThe RBIâs monetary policy committee MPC on October 1 slashed its forecast for Indiaâs inflation rate for the financial year 202526 to 26 per cent from 31 per cent in August primarily on account of the GST rate cuts and benign food pricesRBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had said The recently implemented GST rate rationalisation would lead to a reduction in prices of several items in the CPI basket Overall the inflation outcome is likely to be softer than what was projected in the August monetary policy committee resolution primarily on account of the GST rate cuts and benign food pricesAddressing journalists after the MPC meeting he said that the overall inflation outlook has turned even more benign in the last few monthsMalhotra said that the average headline inflation for 202526 is now revised lower from 37 per cent and 31 per cent projected in the June and August policy respectively to 26 per cent Headline inflation for Q4202526 and Q1202627 too have been revised downwards and are broadly aligned with the target despite unfavourable base effects Core inflation for this year and Q1202627 is also expected to remain containedThe RBI Governor pointed out that headline CPI inflation declined to its eightyear low of 16 per cent yearonyear in July 2025 before rising to 21 per cent in August â its first increase after nine months Benign inflation conditions during 202526 so far have been primarily driven by a sharp decline in food inflation from its peak in October 2024Inflation within the fuel group moved in a narrow range of 2427 per cent during JuneAugust Core inflation remained largely contained at 42 per cent in August Excluding precious metals core inflation was at 30 per cent in AugustThe RBI Governor further stated that the current macroeconomic conditions and the outlook have opened up policy space for further supporting growth IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-cpi-inflation-declines-to-025-per-cent-in-october-as-gst-rate-cuts-kick-in-648240.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 17:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/all-poor-in-andhra-pradesh-to-have-own-house-by-2029-cm-naidu-648245.html Amaravati Nov 12 All the homeless poor in Andhra Pradesh will get their own houses by 2029 Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said on Wednesday The state government handed over three lakh houses to beneficiaries across the stateThe Chief Minister launched the programme from Devagudipalle village of Rayachoti manal in Annamayya district He handed over keys to a few beneficiaries and virtually launched housewarming in other parts of the stateAnother 59 lakh houses will be handed over homeless poor by March 2026 Naidu saidBy 2029 every poor person should have their own house This is the ambition of the alliance government and it is working to fulfil this he said adding that the government has also set the goal of one entrepreneur from every houseClaiming that the TDP government had constructed 8 lakh houses between 2014 and 2019 by spending Rs 16000 crore Naidu alleged that the previous government of YSR Congress cancelled 473 lakh houses and did not release Rs 900 crore for 273 lakh houses The coalition government released the pending funds and completed the construction of housesAccording to an official statement 228034 houses have been built under PM Awas YojanaUrban 65292 houses under PM Awas YojanaGramin and 6866 houses under PM Awas YojanaJanman scheme A total of 300192 houses have been completed The free sand policy of the NDA government also helped with the speedy construction of housesNaidu also stated that the state government is supplementing the funds provided by the Centre for the construction of housesThe Centre is giving Rs 25 lakh for the construction of houses in urban areas and Rs 2 lakh in rural areas while the state government is giving Rs 50000 to BCs and SCs Rs 75000 to STs and Rs 1 lakh to primitive tribesCM Naidu announced that from now on the state government will also provide an additional Rs 50000 to MuslimsHe mentioned that nearly 6 lakh people have stopped building houses because they could not afford them The government will provide them with assistance of Rs 3220 crore to complete the houses This will benefit 375 lakh BC families 157 lakh SC families 46000 STs and 22000 tribal familiesRecalling that the Telugu Desam Party TDP took birth with the slogan of food clothing and shelter Naidu claimed that TDP founder and former Chief Minister NT Rama Rao was the first leader to construct houses for the poorThe Chief Minister inspected the electrical appliances used in the houses As officials said that they are providing four bulbs two tube lights and two fans worth Rs 5700 to beneficiaries belonging to SCs STs and BCs he suggested that the officials should examine the possibility of supplying these appliances to beneficiaries of other groupsNaidu also inspected the samples of 3 lakh houses constructed across the state through a photo exhibitionHe said the poor who do not yet have their own houses should be identified by December He suggested that house construction should be taken up in such a way that it encourages joint familiesThe Chief Minister also gave permission to build houses to several beneficiaries who had their own plots IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/all-poor-in-andhra-pradesh-to-have-own-house-by-2029-cm-naidu-648245.html Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:18:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/telangana-cm-ministers-bid-adieu-to-poet-andesri-648042.html Hyderabad Nov 11 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy his Cabinet colleagues and other leaders on Tuesday bid adieu to eminent poet and lyricist Andesri who was laid to rest with police honours at Ghatkesar on the outskirts of Hyderabad Andesri who penned the State anthem Jaya Jayahe Telangana passed away on MondayThe Chief Minister shouldered the bier of Andesri before he was laid to restA posse of policemen offered a gun salute opened fire in the air and observed a twominute silence as a mark of respect to the departed soulThe funeral procession which started from Andesris house in Lalapet passed through Tarnaka and Uppal before reaching GhatkesarThe Chief Minister paid tributes to the poet and consoled the family membersMinisters Jupally Krishna Rao Sridhar Baby Adluri Laxman Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee TPCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud senior leaders K Keshava Rao V Hanumantha Rao and Kodandaram participated in the last ritesFamily members relatives and friends bid a tearful adieu to Andesri who died of cardiac arrest on Monday He was 64Andesri was shifted to Gandhi Hospital late on Sunday night after he collapsed at his house in LalapetThe eminent poet played a significant role in the Telangana movement through his writings and songs His composition Jaya Jayahe Telangana Janani Jaya Ketanam became the anthem of the statehood struggle and was adopted as the official State song by the Congress government in 2023Meanwhile speaking to media persons after the last rites Chief Minister Revanth Reddy said Andesris demise was a huge loss to Telangana and a personal loss to himHe recalled his meeting with Andesri while undertaking a padyatra as the president of the state Congress He said the eminent poets support gave inspiration to the Congress cadresThe Chief Minister also announced that the state Cabinet at its next meeting would take a decision on including Andesris son Jaya Jayahe Telangana in the textbooksHe announced that a member of the family of Andesri will be provided a government job He said the government would construct a befitting memorial for the peoples poetCM Revanth Reddy requested the Centre to confer Padma Shri on Andesri IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/telangana-cm-ministers-bid-adieu-to-poet-andesri-648042.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:42:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-stalin-grants-rs-85-lakh-aid-to-525-struggling-artistes-in-tamil-nadu-648072.html Chennai Nov 11 In a gesture celebrating Tamil Nadus artistic heritage while extending welfare support to struggling artistes Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday distributed financial assistance worth Rs 85 lakh to 525 artistes At a function held at the Secretariat CM Stalin presented Rs 1 lakh each to ten Kalai Mamani awardees who are currently living in poverty The initiative aims to honour their artistic contributions while ensuring financial stabilityIn addition five Tamil authors were granted Rs 2 lakh each for publishing books that explore rare and meaningful aspects of Tamil art formsThe Chief Minister also distributed Rs 15 lakh each to five theatre artistes and five dance artistes to support the creation and staging of new Tamil plays and dance dramasFurthermore 500 folk artistes received Rs 10000 each to purchase musical instruments costumes and ornaments recognising the continued need to preserve and promote Tamil Nadus traditional rural art formsFounded in 1955 as the Tamil Nadu Music and Drama Society the organisation was renamed the Tamil Nadu Iyal Isai Nataka Mandram in 1973 to promote Tamil art literature and dramaThe Mandram continues to play a pivotal role in preserving and documenting endangered art forms providing monthly stipends to needy artistes and recognising outstanding contributions to Tamil cultureThe event was attended by Tamil Development and Information Minister MP Saminathan Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Culture and Charitable Endowments Manivasan and Vagai Chandrasekhar Chairman of the Mandram and the Tamil Nadu Folk Artistes Welfare BoardDirector of Art and Culture Department Valarmathi and Member Secretary Vijay Thayanban were also presentThrough this initiative the state reaffirmed its commitment to not only honouring Tamil Nadus artistes but also sustaining its living cultural traditions by providing direct and meaningful support to those who keep them alive IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/cm-stalin-grants-rs-85-lakh-aid-to-525-struggling-artistes-in-tamil-nadu-648072.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 17:28:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ahmedabad-international-book-festival-from-november-13-648091.html Ahmedabad Nov 11 The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation AMC and the National Book Trust NBT India are jointly organising the Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025 under the Vanche Gujarat 20 initiative The 11day literary extravaganza will be held from November 13 to 23 at the Sabarmati Riverfront Event Centre Paldi to position Ahmedabad Indias first UNESCO World Heritage City on the global literary mapSpread across more than 1 lakh sq ft the festival will host over 300 events cultural performances workshops and interactive sessions Entry is free with complimentary parking provided by AMCThe festivals vision goes beyond books it aims to transform the venue into Gujarats largest open classroom encouraging students educators and citizens to celebrate the joy of learningAMC has appealed to schools colleges teachers and principals to actively participate in the Ahmedabad International Book Festival 2025Students from Standards 1 to 12 and colleges can register for free and take part in sessions designed to inspire creativity and learning across disciplines The festival is divided into multiple learning zones Childrens Corner NCCL Pavilion will feature storytelling puppet theatre mandala art dancedrama and creative reuse workshopsThe Gyaan Ganga Zone will host daily writing and design studios focused on poetry drama film scripts and biographies along with handson craft sessions like terracotta horsemaking oil painting and metal embossing Meanwhile the School Board Pavilion will serve as the stage for citylevel finals of interschool mega contests including quizzes storytelling fancy dress panel discussions and book reading competitions scheduled from November 13 to 21The event also features a free Childrens Film Festival screening 47 globally awardwinning films daily from 530 pm to 730 pm and evening cultural programs including performances by Kirtidan Gadhvi poetic evenings with Ankit Trivedi Sandeep Christian Orchestra grand mushaira with renowned poets and Shaurya Samvad sessions with Lt Gen Retd KJS Dhillon and IPS Retd K Vijay Kumar College students will also have a chance to meet Acharya Prashant Gurcharan Das Nitin Sethi and Kulpreet Yadav and attend live sessions on AI crime journalism and the GandhiMandela legacy along with onspot internships and contentwriting opportunities with publishersTo participate schools and colleges must fill out a single Google form choose their preferred date and zone and receive bus parking slots and teacher passes via confirmation email Entry is free for students in uniform and accompanying teachers 115 ratio with valid ID cards IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ahmedabad-international-book-festival-from-november-13-648091.html Tue, 11 Nov 2025 18:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-condoles-demise-of-eminent-telangana-poet-andesri-647881.html Hyderabad Nov 10 Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of eminent Telangana poet Andesri The Prime Minister stated that the passing of Andesri left a deep void in our cultural and intellectual landscapeHis thoughts reflected the soul of Telangana A prolific poet and thinker he was the voice of the people articulating their struggles aspirations and undying spirit His words had the power to stir hearts unite voices and give shape to the collective pulse of society The way he blended social consciousness with lyrical beauty was outstanding My thoughts are with his family and admirers Om Shanti PM Modi posted on XMeanwhile Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has expressed his profound grief over the passing away of Andesri He conveyed condolences to the family membersPawan Kalyan said in a message on X that by penning the state anthem Jaya Jayahe Telangana Janani Jaya Ketanam he has etched an immortal place for himself in Telanganas history Expressing profound grief over Andeshri garus passing I convey my deepest condolences to his family membersHis body of work captivates every single one of us He began his life as a cattle herder and construction labourer embarking on a journey through the world of letters He was a writer with a deep grasp of Telanganas folk traditions and rural life He penned several film songs as well said the actorpoliticianListening to the song Mayamaipotunnadamma manishannavadu reveals just how profoundly Andesri understood society added the Jana Sena leaderAndesri passed away on Monday morning while undergoing treatment at Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad He was 64He was shifted to Gandhi Hospital late on Sunday night after he collapsed at his house in LalagudaBorn on July 18 1961 in Rebarthi village of Maddur mandal in the present Jangaon district his actual name was Ande YellaiahDespite having no formal schooling he rose to become one of Telanganas most celebrated poets He was awarded a doctorate by Kakatiya University in recognition of his contributions IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-condoles-demise-of-eminent-telangana-poet-andesri-647881.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:47:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-robbery-and-firing-on-trader-sparks-shutdown-in-dhanbad-market-647886.html Dhanbad Nov 10 Traders on Monday launched a massive protest after a businessman was robbed and shot at inside the governmentrun Market Committee complex in the Barwadda police station area in Dhanbad Jharkhand late Sunday evening The incident has caused concerns over rising crime in Jharkhands coal capital prompting traders to shut all 417 shops in the market complex for the dayThe attack took place around 830 pm on Sunday when three bikeborne assailants intercepted trader Shyam Bhimsariya while he was closing his shopThe miscreants fired at him snatched a bag containing Rs 4 lakh and sped off Bhimsariya narrowly escaped the bullet which reportedly grazed past him The incident created panic among shopkeepers and customers many of whom rushed to safetyOn Monday morning hundreds of traders assembled at the main gate of the Market Committee complex raising slogans against the administration and demanding immediate arrests They alleged that the market which witnesses a heavy footfall has long been operating without proper security measuresThe Market Committee complex is one of the busiest business hubs in Dhanbad recording a daily turnover of Rs 78 croreWe will not tolerate this kind of atmosphere where traders fear for their lives every evening a member of the traders association said adding that if the culprits are not arrested within 48 hours the protest may spread to other markets across the districtBJP MP Dhullu Mahto addressing traders said criminals are roaming fearlessly in Dhanbad The morale of criminals has gone up due to weak policing The police must act immediately to restore confidence among traders he saidJharia Congress MLA Ragini Singh accused the state government of complete failure on the law and order front When crime is discussed in the Assembly the government remains silent People are living in fear while criminals are dictating terms she remarkedOutgoing Mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal demanded urgent security measures in the market area suggesting that CCTV cameras be installed He said a permanent police post must be established to prevent the recurrence of such incidentsDhanbad District Chamber of Commerce president Chetan Goenka strongly condemned the attack and criticised authorities for ignoring repeated requests for better securityIt is shocking that a market with a daily business of Rs 78 crore has neither CCTV surveillance nor police patrolling Traders cannot operate under fear The administration must take permanent measures Goenka said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jharkhand-robbery-and-firing-on-trader-sparks-shutdown-in-dhanbad-market-647886.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 17:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-unemployment-rate-declines-to-52-per-cent-in-july-september-quarter-647895.html New Delhi Nov 10 The unemployment rate UR in India among persons of age 15 years and above declined to 52 per cent in JulySeptember this year from 54 per cent in the previous quarter of AprilJune according to data released by the Ministry of Statistics on Monday The share of rural employment in the agriculture sector rose from 535 per cent to 577 per cent during JulySeptember due to Kharif agricultural operations the official statement saidThe share of workers engaged in the urban tertiary sector also increased to 62 per cent during JulySeptember from 617 per cent in the previous quarter reflecting a higher level of employmentSelfemployed workers in rural areas witnessed a notable rise to 628 per cent during JulySeptember from 607 per cent in the preceding quarter of AprilJune the statement saidUrban areas recorded a modest improvement for regular wage employees to 498 per cent during the JulySeptember quarter from 494 per cent in the previous quarterThe female workerpopulation ratio WPR recorded an increase across all sectors rural urban and overall during JulySeptember this year compared to the previous AprilJune quarter reflecting a rise in employment official figures showedFemale participation in the labour force which is another indicator of employment also witnessed an increase to 337 per cent in JulySeptember from 334 per cent in AprilJuneThe overall Labour Force Participation Rate LFPR which reflects the level of employment increased to 551 per cent during JulySeptember 2025 compared to 55 per cent in the previous quarter for persons of age 15 years and aboveFemale participation in the labour force witnessed an increase to 337 per cent in JulySeptember 2025 from 334 per cent in AprilJune 2025The Worker Population Ratio WPR for persons aged 15 years and above exhibited a marginal increase from 52 per cent in AprilJune to 522 per cent in JulySeptemberThe increasing trend in the LFPR indicating a rise in employment continued for the third month in a row with the overall participation rate touching a 5month high of 553 per cent in September IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/indias-unemployment-rate-declines-to-52-per-cent-in-july-september-quarter-647895.html Mon, 10 Nov 2025 18:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/cji-br-gavai-leads-walkathon-to-promote-justice-for-all-647720.html New Delhi Nov 9 IANS Chief Justice of India BR Gavai gave the message of Justice for All as he flagged off and led a 4km walkathon organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association SCBA here on SundaynbspAll institutions of the democracy the executive legislature and judiciary exist for the citizens therefore justice for all should be our motto CJI Gavai told reporters as he joined the walkathon in sports gear amid tight securityThe event featured 4 km and 8 km runs and a 4 km walk in which CJI also participated along with other Supreme Court judges including Justices Sanjay Karol Vikram Nath JK Maheshwari and lawyers said a representative of the SCBAOn Saturday CJI Gavai described legal aid as an act of nationbuilding An act of legal aid is an act of nation building he said at the National Conference on Strengthening Legal Aid Delivery MechanismsThe CJI said that the legal aid movement is aimed at realising the dream of Dr BR Ambedkar to transform livesThe aim of the legal aid movement is to give voice and dignity to those unheard he said adding that Dr Ambedkar had said that our struggle is not for wealth or freedom but to transform livesPrime Minister Narendra Modi also echoed the sentiment saying Under the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System LADCS launched by the Government of India in just three years around 8 lakh criminal cases have been settled These efforts of the government have ensured ease of justice to the poor Dalits oppressed exploited and deprived people of the countryThe LADCS is a comprehensive scheme that provides free and qualitative legal representation to eligible individuals in criminal matters from the prearrest stage through trial and appealsEstablished to ensure access to justice for the poor it places fulltime dedicated defence counsel in district headquarters to handle all aspects of legal aid in criminal cases acting as a cliniclike environment for the needy https://dailyworld.in/society/cji-br-gavai-leads-walkathon-to-promote-justice-for-all-647720.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gst-20-comes-as-big-boon-for-indias-artisans--647724.html New Delhi Nov 9 The nextgeneration GST 20 rate cuts on several handicraft items from 12 per cent to 5 per cent have come as a major boon for the countrys artisans as demand for their products has gone up leading to higher earnings and also enabling them to compete with factorymade goods The tax cuts have benefited artisans producing items like woodcarved products terracotta jute handbags textile items and leather goodsThe muga silk industry of Assam operating mainly in Sualkuchi Kamrup Lakhimpur Dhemaji and Jorhat along with other sericulture clusters across the state is a legacy carried by women weavers The reduced 5 per cent GST rate on handloom and handicraft items will bring relief to weavers who can now sell in competitive markets and earn better margins It will also boost exports as niche luxury buyers may be more inclined to purchase when prices are marginally lowerThe entire handloom sector in Assam stands to gain from the GST reforms In a state with more than 1283 lakh weavers and about 1246 lakh looms the impact is farreachingThe GST rate cut on handlooms and crafts will also benefit Assam Jaapi Asharikandi terracotta Mishing handloom Pani Meteka and Bihu dhol among othersBy lightening the tax load the reforms will help build stronger markets for traditional handlooms and crafts This can potentially boost incomes and ensure that handmade Assamese textiles hold their own in an age of factorymade fabricsWest Bengal has long been known for traditional crafts and handlooms from the terracotta temples of Bishnupur to the intricate embroidery of Nakshi Kantha The GST cut from 12 per cent to 5 per cent directly benefits this sector by reducing prices and strengthening its competitiveness against machineembroidered or massproduced imitations in domestic and foreign markets such as Europe the US and JapanThe GST reduction from 12 per cent to 5 per cent is expected to lower retail prices making ecofriendly jute products such as bags more competitive against plastic or synthetic alternatives This boosts domestic demand in urban markets while also supporting exports West Bengal is the heart of Indias jute industry which provides direct employment to over 25 lakh workers in organised mills and supports about 40 lakh farming familiesMadurkathi Mats Purulia Chhau Masks Wooden Masks of Kushmandi and Sholapith Craft are the other handicraft items that will benefit from the GST rate cutsHimachals famed handloom products especially its shawls and woollen textiles are expected to get a boost as GST on these products has also been slashed from 12 per cent to 5 per cent In the Kullu valley over 3000 weavers involved in selfhelp groups produce the brightly patterned GItagged Kullu shawls These weavers are part of an estimated 1000012000 handloom artisans statewide The Kinnaur districts shawl makers and those who derive their livelihood from these handicrafts will also benefitThe Chamba rumal is a GItagged miniature handembroidered cloth made primarily by women artisans in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh which will see a higher demand due to the cut in GST to 5 per cent for these handkerchiefs Traditional leather slippers from Chamba are another GItagged product produced by hundreds of small cottage craft units A lower GST will make their pricing more competitive against machinemade footwear and encourage sales of indigenous chappals This will help artisans improve their marginFrom intricate wooden doors and panels to furniture carved wooden products are produced in areas like Chamba Kinnaur and Kullu This industry hires thousands of rural artisans in Himachal The new GST rates put wooden articles in the 5 per cent category which will stimulate demand for locally made wooden furniture and souvenirs It will not only make these items more affordable but also support local artisans Certain parts of Himachal which produce bamboo products such as baskets and other ecofriendly crafts will also gain IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gst-20-comes-as-big-boon-for-indias-artisans--647724.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 17:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/rgcb-scientists-mourn-passing-of-nobel-laureate-prof-james-watson-647582.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 8 The scientific community at the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology BRICRGCB on Saturday mourned the passing of Prof James D Watson Nobel Laureate and former President of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory CSHL USA one of the most influential figures in modern biology Dr Watson who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Francis Crick and Maurice Wilkins for deciphering the doublehelix structure of DNA revolutionised the understanding of life at the molecular level and laid the groundwork for modern genetics and biotechnologyDr Watson achieved one of the most significant breakthroughs in science by solving the structure of DNA which provided the foundation for the biotechnology revolution of the late 20th century said Dr TR Santhosh Kumar Director Additional Charge of RGCB in his condolence messageRecalling a memorable association Dr Santhosh Kumar noted that during the tenure of late Prof MR Das RGCBs founder director Dr Watson had visited the institute on January 1011 1999During the visit he interacted extensively with faculty and students inspiring a generation of young researchers with his insights on molecular biologyDr Watson also delivered a widely attended public lecture titled The Implications of the Classic Discovery of the Structure of DNA and the Importance of Biological Information Transfer Starting from the Language of DNAHis address underscored the enduring significance of molecular research and the global importance of emerging biotechnology hubs like RGCBAs news of his passing spread RGCB scientists paid tribute to his pioneering spirit and enduring legacy in shaping biomedical researchHis work continues to inspire every biologist who seeks to decode lifes mysteries the institute said in a statementRGCB based in Thiruvananthapuram is an autonomous institute under the Department of Biotechnology Government of India It is a leading national centre for advanced research in molecular biology disease biology and biotechnology focusing on translational research and innovation in healthcare and life sciences IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/rgcb-scientists-mourn-passing-of-nobel-laureate-prof-james-watson-647582.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/mygov-india-launches-veer-gatha-50-to-honour-indias-bravehearts-647596.html New Delhi Nov 8 Asserting that Every story of valour deserves to be heard MyGov India the citizen engagement programme of the Union Government on Saturday announced the launch of Project Veer Gatha 50 an initiative aimed at inspiring patriotism among students through stories of Indias gallantry award winners Instituted in 2021 under the Gallantry Awards Portal GAP the project is a joint effort of the Ministry of Defence MoD the Ministry of Education MoE and MyGovIt provides a platform for school students across India to creatively present the heroic tales of soldiers and warriors through poems essays paintings and multimedia projectsOver the years Veer Gatha has witnessed massive participation from 8 lakh students in its first edition to 176 crore in Veer Gatha 40 202425 Both the Defence and Education Ministries have hailed it as a revolutionary effort in shaping civic consciousness among youthVeer Gatha has been a phenomenal success with 8 lakhs participation in Veer Gatha 10 conducted in 202122195 lakhs in Veer Gatha 20 conducted in 202223 137 crore in Veer Gatha 30 conducted in 202324 and 176 crore in Veer Gatha 40 conducted in 202425 it saidIn Veer Gatha 40s felicitation ceremony held on January 25 Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan highlighted the bravery of historical figures like Prithviraj Chauhan King Kharavela of Kalinga and the Cholas urging inclusion of preindependence warriors in the new editionFor Veer Gatha 50 he recommended incorporating technological elements such as videography anchoring and reporting under the theme Samarik Parampara military traditionsThe initiative will also establish a dedicated Veer Gatha Corner in every school to showcase student creativityA total of 100 national winners the Super 100 will be felicitated jointly by the MoE and MoD each receiving a Rs 10000 cash prize State and districtlevel winners will be honoured locallyWith each edition Project Veer Gatha continues to deepen its mission connecting Indias young minds to stories of courage sacrifice and service ensuring that the legacy of the nations heroes lives on through the voices of its students IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/mygov-india-launches-veer-gatha-50-to-honour-indias-bravehearts-647596.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/arunachal-implements-nep-2020-in-letter-and-spirit-to-ensure-inclusive-quality-education-cm-khandu-647629.html Itanagar Nov 8 Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Saturday said that Arunachal Pradesh is implementing the National Education Policy NEP 2020 in letter and spirit to ensure access equity quality affordability and accountability in education Inaugurating two new blocks one academic and one administrative of the Dorjee Khandu Government College in Tawang Khandu said that with this new infrastructure we take another firm step towards nurturing the next generation of thinkers leaders and changemakers from the mountains of Arunachal PradeshHighlighting the transformative reforms under NEP2020 the Chief Minister said all educational institutions in the state are being strengthened in line with the national frameworkKhandu expressed satisfaction that within a short span Dorjee Khandu Government College has emerged as one of the most disciplined and resultoriented institutions in Arunachal PradeshUrging students to uphold this tradition he said Discipline is the foundation of success I urge all students to carry this value with you beyond this campus and throughout your professional journeyResponding to a memorandum submitted by the college principal the Chief Minister informed that the process for sanctioning additional faculty and ministerial staff is already underwayHe directed the Tawang Deputy Commissioner to coordinate with the principal on the procurement of furniture boundary demarcation and issuance of a land allotment certificate assuring that funds will be provided for the construction of a boundary wallRecognising the importance of sports in education Khandu proposed developing a dedicated playground for the college near the Tawang Stadium He suggested repurposing old structures in the area and assured phased development of additional infrastructure in the coming yearsThe Chief Minister conveyed heartfelt gratitude to the college fraternity for honouring the legacy of his late father after whom the college is named through the Karamveer Dorjee Khandu Merit Scholarship which his family has been sponsoringKhandu announced a major enhancement of the scholarship amounts from the current academic year The awards earlier fixed at Rs 35000 for the first position Rs 23000 for the second and Rs 15000 for the third have now been increased to Rs 5 lakh Rs 3 lakh and Rs 2 lakh respectivelyExpressing pride over the colleges outstanding performance Khandu noted that the institution has consistently maintained over 95 per cent pass percentage achieving 100 per cent results in the last two academic sessionsLauding the efforts of Principal Dr Yeshi Gyetsen the Chief Minister commended the institution for its rapid growth in both academic and infrastructural fronts since its inception in 2016 with a temporary structureThe inauguration ceremony was attended by Advisor Education Mutchu Mithi MLAs Phurpa Tsering Tsering Lhamu and Namgey Tsering along with Education Commissioner Amjad Tak and the Deputy Commissioner of Tawang IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/arunachal-implements-nep-2020-in-letter-and-spirit-to-ensure-inclusive-quality-education-cm-khandu-647629.html Sun, 09 Nov 2025 04:52:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/rahuls-broken-promise-cobblers-gift-gathers-dust-as-family-demands-aid-amid-bihar-poll-push-647435.html Sultanpur Uttar Pradesh Nov 7 In a stark irony that underscores the chasm between political rhetoric and ground realities Congress leader Rahul Gandhis muchtouted gesture of empowerment for a Dalit artisan in Uttar Pradesh has turned into a symbol of neglect As Rahul Gandhi ramps up his Bihar election campaign with fervent promises to uplift Dalits and marginalised communities the story of Ramchait Mochi a cancerstricken cobbler from Sultanpur district of Uttra Pradesh paints a poignant picture of unfulfilled hopes It was sometime in 2023 when Gandhi during one of his outreach drives in the region presented a gleaming shoemaking machine to Ramchait a 58yearold Dalit cobbler from Dhesaruwa village The gift was hailed by Congress workers as a prominent example of selfreliance aimed at bolstering the livelihoods of traditional artisans battered by economic hardships Photos of the event with Gandhi beaming alongside Ramchait had circulated widely on social media positioning it as a narrative of inclusive development Yet today that machine lies abandoned in a corner of Ramchaits modest hut covered in dust and cobwebs a silent testament to dashed dreams Raghav Mochi Ramchaits 28yearold son and sole breadwinner shared a heartbreaking account with IANS The machine was a good thought but it never worked out My father was already struggling with health issues when it arrived and now hes bedridden with advanced stage of cancer Raghav said Diagnosed with throat cancer two years ago Ramchaits condition has deteriorated rapidly Confined to a creaky charpoy in their singleroom home the oncehardworking cobbler can barely speak let alone operate machinery The family surviving on Raghavs meager daily wage labour as a farmhand earning no more than Rs 200300 on good days teeters on the brink of destitution Medical bills have piled up forcing them to borrow from neighbours and basic necessities like medicines remain a luxury In a desperate plea Raghav has directly appealed to Gandhi for some financial help Sir you gave us hope once Now we need something real money for treatment maybe Rs 50000 to start with My father idolised you dont let him down he urged When IANS reached out to the frail Ramchait who could only whisper through laboured breaths his words were laced with quiet desperation The machine its useless now Pain everywhere If Rahul ji remembers us just some help for the hospital he murmured tears welling up as he clutched a faded photo of the gifting ceremony The saga has rippled through Dhesaruwa a cluster of mudbrick homes where Dalits form the majority Village head Arshad a respected local figure weighed in with measured concern Ramchaits case is tragic The machine was symbolic but symbols dont cure cancer He needs proper treatment perhaps in Delhi or Mumbai where facilities are better Financial aid from the leader who spotlighted him would go a long way Weve written to local Congress representatives but silence so far Arshad told IANS emphasising the communitys growing disillusionment This incident couldnt be more poorly timed for Rahul Gandhi who has made Dalit empowerment a cornerstone of his Bihar blitz At rallies in Patna and Muzaffarpur last week he invoked similar tales of corporate loot and pledged schemes like increased reservations and welfare funds for Scheduled Castes Critics including BJP spokespersons are already seizing on the Sultanpur story to counter the narrative Rahul jis promises are like that dusty machine shiny at first forgotten soon after quipped a local BJP leader demanding an audit of all such gifts distributed by Congress For the Mochi family however this is no political football its a fight for survival As winter chills set in Raghav wonders if his fathers plea will echo beyond the campaign trail Rahul Gandhis office has yet to respond to IANS queries but in the corridors of power whispers suggest internal reviews of such flagship initiatives Will this forgotten gift prompt real action or fade into electoral amnesia In the heartlands quiet villages where votes are cast with memories of broken pledges the answer could sway more than one ballot box IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/rahuls-broken-promise-cobblers-gift-gathers-dust-as-family-demands-aid-amid-bihar-poll-push-647435.html Sat, 08 Nov 2025 00:16:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/11-from-tgana-among-270-indians-repatriated-from-thailand-647428.html Hyderabad Nov 7 Eleven people from Telangana are among 270 Indian nationals repatriated from Thailand after fleeing Myanmar following a military raid on cybercrime hubs The Indian citizens arrived in Delhi by a special Indian Air Force IAF flight on Thursday nightThe Telangana government said the group of 11 people were handed over to the Telangana Bhavan authorities in New Delhi after due investigation and verification by the concerned central government officialsThe Telangana government officials immediately took steps to provide them temporary accommodation They also made arrangements for their travel to HyderabadAccording to the state government these people were trapped in cybercrime camps in Myawaddy Myanmar and returned home todayThese citizens are from districts like Hyderabad Karimnagar and WarangalThese rescued Indians were victims of organised cyber fraud networks which had lured them with the promise of highpaying jobs They were later held captive and forced to engage in illegal online activities This repatriation is in continuation with the earlier rescue operations undertaken by the government of India to bring back Indian nationals trapped in such fraudulent setups across the MyanmarThailand border region said an official statementThe government of Telangana through Telangana Bhavan Delhi has made all necessary arrangements in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs and other concerned agencies to provide temporary accommodation essential support and safe transportation back to HyderabadTwo special flights operated by the Indian Air Force flew back 270 Indian nationals including 26 women from Chiang Mai in Thailand to Hindon airbase in Uttar Pradesh These individuals were among hundreds of international workers who were forced to leave the cyberscam centres that were operating out of Myawaddy taking advantage of the lax cyber infrastructure of MyanmarThe Indian investigating agencies reportedly gathered details from these people as to how they ended up there and what all activities they were participating in IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/11-from-tgana-among-270-indians-repatriated-from-thailand-647428.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/removing-all-stray-dogs-in-state-impractical-kerala-minister-mb-rajesh-647430.html Thiruvananthapuram Nov 7 Kerala Local SelfGovernment Minister MB Rajesh on Friday said that removing all stray dogs from the streets of the state as directed by the Supreme Court is not a practical proposition The minister pointed out that there are protests even against starting Animal Birth Control ABC shelters in many areasWhen there is resistance to even establishing ABC shelters how can all stray dogs be removed he askedRajesh said that the state government has not yet received a copy of the Supreme Courts order and a detailed response would be issued once the official directive is examinedThe apex courts reported direction to clear stray dogs from public spaces poses a significant logistical challenge for KeralaIdentifying sufficient land for shelter homes ensuring proper facilities and deploying enough personnel are major hurdlesEven the existing ABC centres are functioning below capacity in several districtsAccording to the latest Livestock Census Kerala has over 28 lakh stray dogsOnly 15825 dogs were sterilised in the past year while 9737 have been sterilised so far this financial yearThe state has 19 ABC centres some of which are not operational and just 595 animal catchers in totalThe government has cited local opposition as a key obstacle to finding land for ABC centresIn response it has proposed setting up portable ABC unitsHowever officials are concerned that if residents oppose even these establishing fullfledged shelter homes would become nearly impossibleEarlier there were suggestions to identify uninhabited areas near forests for setting up such facilitiesEach dog would require an individual kennel and more catchers and staff would have to be deployedGiven the high costs and logistical constraints the state is exploring viable options before finalising its stanceA clear plan is expected to emerge after ministerial consultations and a meeting with the Animal Welfare Board IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/removing-all-stray-dogs-in-state-impractical-kerala-minister-mb-rajesh-647430.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/delhi-zoo-to-reopen-tomorrow-after-2-month-closure-due-to-infection-647433.html New Delhi Nov 7 The National Zoological Park NZP would reopen for visitors on Saturday ending a twomonth break forced by the outbreak of influenza in an enclosure an official said on Friday The Delhi Zoo official informed that usual safety and preventive measures shall be followed after its reopening for visitorsThe NZP was closed for visitors on August 30 2025 after the report of positive case of avian influenza virus in water bird aviary on August 28 said the official in a statementAll prescribed biosafety and surveillance guidelines issued by the competent authorities were followed thereafter it saidGuidelines under chapter 6 of Action taken for preparedness control and containment of Avian Influenza revised 2021 issued by Union Ministry of Fisheries Animal Husbandry and Dairying were strictly followed during the closure periodSampling was repeated after every 15 days for four times and all the samples from last positive case were found negative as per report of National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases NIHSAD BhopalThe Delhi zoo is home to approximately 1350 animals from around 130 species of mammals birds and reptiles from both India and around the worldSome of its star attractions include the Royal Bengal Tiger including white tigers Asiatic Lion Indian Rhinoceros elephants jaguars and a variety of deer species like the browantlered deer SangaiThe zoos layout follows the Carl Hagenbeck method featuring large open moated enclosures with natural barriers and dense vegetation which allows animals to live in environments that closely resemble their natural habitats offering visitors unobstructed viewsThe park is designed with walking trails that are accessible for people using wheelchairs Batteryoperated vehicles trolleys are available for hire which is helpful for the elderly or those who prefer not to walk the extensive grounds Wheelchairs are also provided free of cost for physically challenged visitorsBeyond the animal exhibits the park spans 176 acres and features over 200 varieties of trees and a wide array of plants providing a green oasis in the heart of the city The zoo serves as an educational resource offering guided tours workshops and a library to raise public awareness about wildlife protection and conservation efforts IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/delhi-zoo-to-reopen-tomorrow-after-2-month-closure-due-to-infection-647433.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 23:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/lic-has-passed-full-benefit-of-gst-rate-cut-to-customers-ceo-doraiswamy-647192.html New Delhi Nov 6 Life Insurance Corporation CEO amp Managing Director R Doraiswamy said on Thursday that the company has passed on the full benefit of the recent Goods and Services Tax GST exemption to its customers In a statement after the LICs Q2 results Doraiswamy said We at LIC have ensured that all intended benefits of GST changes are passed on to the customers This move makes life insurance more affordable for policyholders and is expected to help increase insurance penetration across India aligning with the national goal of Insurance for All by 2047The government has as part of GST 20 exempted all individual life and health insurance premiums from GST effective September 22 2025 Previously life insurance premiums were subject to GST rates of up to 18 per centLIC expects that exemptions on life insurance products will boost business volumes support topline growth and provide opportunities to optimise expensesDoraiswamy said that the value of new business at the end of Q2 FY26 for the public sector life insurer has gone up to 176 per cent versus 162 per cent last yearLIC has maintained its market leadership with an overall market share of 5941 per cent based on firstyear premium incomeLICs annual premium equivalent APE growth in the first half of FY26 was muted attributed to last years master circular and a complete revamp of products to comply with the September 30 deadline the CEO saidHe attributed the subdued performance to a high base in the previous year but expressed optimism for robust growth in the second half We are seeing good traction in the second half of the current year he addedThe company expects business to post a faster growth rate due to the GST rate cutOn the nonparticipating nonpar segment LIC reported growth but said it is not targeting a specific market share The company has been focusing on nonpar products since its listing We think with 3631 per cent we have reached enough momentum on nonpar and definitely with all the efforts we have taken in the past we hope for it to stabilise We are not exactly targeting a number Doraiswamy saidThe insurers digitalisation initiatives are progressing steadily with internal testing and pilot runs underway A new platform version is expected to launch soon and it will continue to evolve he saidLIC on Thursday reported a robust 32 per cent increase in standalone net profit to Rs 1005339 crore for the second quarter of the current financial year compared with the corresponding figure of Rs 762086 crore in the same period of the previous financial yearThe life insurers net premium income grew 55 per cent yearonyear to Rs 126 lakh crore during the JulySept quarter from 12 lakh crore in the same period last year while the solvency ratio increased to 213 per cent from 198 per cent in the yearago period IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/lic-has-passed-full-benefit-of-gst-rate-cut-to-customers-ceo-doraiswamy-647192.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/kerala-sit-makes-fourth-arrest-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-647194.html Kochi Nov 6 The Special Investigation Team SIT probing the Sabarimala gold plating theft case on Thursday night recorded the arrest of KS Byju a former employee of the Travancore Devaswom Board TDB marking the fourth arrest in the case The move adds a crucial link to the ongoing probe into the disappearance of gold used in plating parts of the Sabarimala temple in 2019Byju who is the seventh accused in the case was the responsible official then and had served as the custodian of the gold plates sent for replating work to the private firm Smart Creations in ChennaiIt has now been found that he was on leave on the day the gold plates were taken from the temple to Chennai a development that has raised questions about procedural safeguards and oversight at that stageHis arrest comes a day after the Kerala High Court directed further investigation in the case after examining the SITs secondstage reportThe court had stressed that the probe must establish clear accountability and identify any official negligence in the handling of temple goldAccording to sources the SIT will move the Ranni Magistrate Court on Friday seeking the custody of two accused currently in judicial remand to facilitate a joint interrogation with ByjuAmong those already arrested are the prime accused sponsor Unnikrishnan Potti serving TDB employee Murari Babu and former TDB employee Sudheesh KumarInvestigators believe that questioning Byju in the presence of Babu and Kumar could help establish the sequence of events leading to the disappearance of the gold during the replating processThe SIT suspects that genuine gold sheets used to cover parts of the sanctum were replaced with portions of the original gold allegedly siphoned off during transit or replatingByjus custodial role of the temples assets and his absence on the day of the transfer of the gold plates are now key areas of scrutinyThe SIT is examining whether his actions amounted to willful negligence or complicity in the alleged theftThe case has generated widespread public concern prompting judicial monitoring even as the Congress and the BJP have been demanding a probe by a central agency IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/kerala-sit-makes-fourth-arrest-in-sabarimala-gold-theft-case-647194.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 00:38:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/assam-police-stf-cracks-down-on-wildlife-trafficking-network-2-held-647376.html Guwahati Nov 7 In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking a team of the Special Task Force STF of Assam Police intercepted two individuals allegedly involved in the illegal smuggling of endangered species officials said on Friday The STF also recovered several protected wildlife species and their body parts from the possession of the arrested accusedAn Assam Police spokesperson said that in a significant operation against wildlife traffickers a team of the Special Task Force STF Assam intercepted two individuals engaged in the illegal smuggling of endangered species in the Jakhalabandha area of Nagaon district during the intervening night of Thursday and FridayHe said that acting on a specific intelligence input and with operational support from the Wildlife Crime Control WCC authority the STF team launched an operation in the Kuthori area under the jurisdiction of Jakhalabandha Police Station on ThursdayDuring the operation the STF team intercepted two suspects riding a Honda Glamour motorcycle near a local playground and recovered several protected wildlife species and their body parts from their possessionThe apprehended individuals have been identified as Bidya Singnar 30 and Samson Kathar 29 both residents of Rongmongve area under Karbi Anglong districtThe valuables recovered from their possession include six Tokay Geckos locally known as Keko Khap one live Slow Loris Lajuki Bandor Pangolin scales weighing 10630 kilograms one Honda Glamour motorcycle and two mobile phones with SIM cardsThe arrested accused were subsequently handed over by the STF and WCC team to Jakhalabandha Police Station after lodging an FIR Legal proceedings have been initiated under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita BNS and the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 the police spokesman saidPreliminary investigation indicates that the recovered wildlife species and their parts were intended for trafficking to international markets where such items are in high demand for illegal trade he addedOfficials suspect that the protected wildlife species and their body parts including Pangolin scales were illegally collected from the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve KNPTR Indias seventh UNESCO World Heritage SiteFurther investigation is underway IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/assam-police-stf-cracks-down-on-wildlife-trafficking-network-2-held-647376.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 17:34:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/vande-mataram-inspires-every-indian-to-cultivate-spirit-of-patriotism-kumaraswamy-647382.html Mysuru Nov 7 Union Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel HD Kumaraswamy on Thursday said that on the auspicious occasion marking 150 years of the patriotic song Vande Mataram composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay every Indian must cultivate an uncompromising spirit of patriotism Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation from the national capital Delhi as part of the event commemorating 150 years of Vande Mataram Union Minister Kumaraswamy participated in the programme organised at the BEML unit in Mysuru which was connected to the Prime Ministers live broadcastI was delighted to take part in the Prime Ministers live programme said the Union Minister adding that even after one and a half centuries Vande Mataram remains immortal in the hearts of all Indians He paid tribute to the song and recalled its vital role during the freedom struggleUnion Minister Kumaraswamy said that Vande Mataram had united a fragmented India during the colonial era and continues to be a song loved by the people even after 150 yearsListening to Vande Mataram still fills one with goosebumps he remarkedPrime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a yearlong series of events to commemorate Vande Mataram Minister Kumaraswamy called upon the youth to imbibe the ideals enshrined in this great song and nurture the spirit of patriotismOn the occasion HD Kumaraswamy also planted a sapling and watered it within the BEML campus MLA GT Harish Gowda and senior officials of the organisation were presentKarnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated that Vande Mataram was more than a song it was the soul of Indias freedom movement Even after 150 years its message of unity and pride continues to guide Indias journey toward greater strength and progress he saidLeader of the Opposition R Ashoka said Vande Mataram was not merely a national song or the lifeblood of the freedom movement it was a declaration of cultural nationalismThe BJPs Karnataka unit in a post on social media platform X stated 150 years ago Vande Mataram lit a spark that united India in its fight for freedom Today in a confident and resurgent New India that spark has become a national fire powering progress innovation and global leadership IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/vande-mataram-inspires-every-indian-to-cultivate-spirit-of-patriotism-kumaraswamy-647382.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 18:14:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/theft-of-valuables-worth-rs-20-cr-reported-from-master-fraud-monson-mavunkals-kochi-house-647406.html Kochi Nov 7 A theft has been reported from the rented residence of Monson Mavunkal the prime accused in the multicrore antique fraud case at Kaloor in Kochi The incident came to light when Mavunkal currently out on parole visited the house after obtaining court permission to retrieve belongings stored there Police said the property which remains under the custody of the Kerala Police was the same house where Mavunkal allegedly kept artefacts he had showcased to investors as rare antiques to defraud them of several crores of rupeesAccording to his lawyer valuables worth around Rs 20 crore have gone missingThe theft is believed to have occurred within the past two weeksPreliminary findings suggest that the CCTV cameras installed at the premises had been dismantled prior to the incidentInvestigators suspect the culprits may have used duplicate keys to enter the house indicating the possible involvement of someone familiar with the propertyThe house owners have lodged a complaint with the police and Mavunkals lawyer said his client will also file a separate complaintPolice teams conducted an inspection of the residence on Friday in the presence of MavunkalThe Kerala Police confirmed that a similar incident had occurred at the same house in March last year shortly after police protection at the premises was withdrawn following the filing of the initial chargesheet in the fraud caseAt that time 15 valuable items were reported missing though police clarified none were antique piecesMavunkal arrested in 2021 is accused of swindling several people by displaying fake artefacts and claiming they were centuriesold antiques of immense historical valueHe reportedly convinced highprofile guests of his credibility by exhibiting artefacts he claimed included the staff of Moses and two of the 30 silver coins that Judas received for betraying Jesus ChristPolice said he also displayed a throne said to have belonged to Tipu Sultan along with a vast collection of old Qurans Bibles and handwritten copies of the Bhagavad GitaMavunkal frequently hosted VIPs at his palatial residence part of which was converted into a museum showcasing his socalled precious antiques IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/theft-of-valuables-worth-rs-20-cr-reported-from-master-fraud-monson-mavunkals-kochi-house-647406.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 19:54:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarats-lift-pipeline-tech-boosts-irrigation-across-139-lakh-acres-in-tribal-belt-647415.html Gandhinagar Nov 7 The Gujarat government has implemented the innovative Lift Pipeline Technology revolutionising irrigation in remote and hilly areas Over the past seven years the Gujarat government has invested Rs 5115 crore to bring irrigation to more than 139510 acres of farmland in tribal belts Under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel the state has accelerated the use of this modern irrigation technique spending over Rs 2212 crore in just the last three years 20232025During the preceding four years 20192022 Rs 2903 crore was invested to expand irrigation facilities and improve water accessibility for farmers in tribal zonesHighlighting the governments focus on tribal development and agricultural growth Gujarats Water Resources and Water Supply Minister Ishwarsinh Patel said Agriculture and farmers prosperity remain among our foremost priorities Our visionary leader Prime Minister Narendra Modi had introduced the Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana during his tenure as Gujarats Chief Minister Through this initiative and the adoption of lift pipeline technology we have successfully ensured yearround irrigation in 708 villages across six tribal districts Under Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana 20 several major projects worth Rs 3779 crore are underway to provide irrigation to an additional 144164 acres of farmland in the remaining tribal areas which will be completed within the stipulated timeframeThe Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana has proven to be a gamechanger for tribal communities Before the introduction of the lift pipeline system irrigation in these areas was erratic and limited leaving farmers vulnerable to uncertain rainfall Today thanks to this initiative farmers enjoy yearround access to water enabling them to cultivate multiple crops annually This has not only improved their agricultural output but also enhanced their income lifestyle and overall quality of lifeBuilding on the success of the first phase Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana 20 aims to extend these benefits to all tribal regions with several new projects currently in progressLift pipeline technology is particularly effective in regions where the water source lies below the level of farmland such as hilly or arid areas The system uses a network of pipelines and pumping mechanisms to lift water from reservoirs or rivers to higher altitudes ensuring a steady and controlled supply directly to the fieldsThis modern irrigation method minimises water wastage as water is delivered through closed pipes rather than open channels It also reduces manual labor enhances water efficiency and boosts crop yield through consistent irrigation IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/gujarats-lift-pipeline-tech-boosts-irrigation-across-139-lakh-acres-in-tribal-belt-647415.html Fri, 07 Nov 2025 20:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/6-month-old-kerala-baby-found-murdered-depressed-grandma-under-suspicion-646927.html Kochi Nov 5 In a shocking incident in Keralas Ernakulam district on Wednesday a sixmonthold baby girl was found dead at home with her throat slit leading the police to launch an intensive investigation The deceased has been identified as Delna Maria Sara the daughter of Antony and Ruth residents of Karukutty near Angamaly in Ernakulam Police suspect the babys grandmother to be behind the murderAccording to preliminary information the grandmother who has been undergoing treatment for depression was found lying beside the infant at the time of the incidentShe was immediately admitted to the hospital after complaining of uneasinessOfficials suspect she may have taken an overdose of medication as she had done once before two months agoPolice said the incident occurred when the babys mother had briefly gone to the kitchen to prepare porridge for the grandmotherHearing a sudden cry the mother rushed back to find her child bleeding profusely from the neckThe family rushed the baby to a private hospital in Angamaly but doctors declared her dead on arrivalHospital authorities alerted the police after noticing the deep neck injury which suggested foul playOfficers from the Karukutty police station have cordoned off the house and begun forensic examination of the sceneAt present we are treating it as a case of homicide The grandmother who is undergoing treatment will be questioned once her condition stabilises a police official saidPolice have recorded preliminary statements from the babys parents and are awaiting the grandmothers medical report before taking further action Delnas body has been kept at the Angamaly Apollo Hospital for a postmortem examinationThe incident has sent shockwaves across the region with neighbours expressing disbelief over the tragedy in the otherwise quiet villageThe grandmother had been under medication and was also suffering from sodium deficiency which might have affected her mental stability IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/6-month-old-kerala-baby-found-murdered-depressed-grandma-under-suspicion-646927.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/15-day-road-safety-drive-in-rajasthan-to-focus-on-drunk-driving-highway-discipline-646939.html Jaipur Nov 5 Acting on the directives of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma the Rajasthan government has launched a 15day Road Safety Campaign across the state from November 4 to 18 Under the drive authorities are monitoring drivers for drunk driving closing illegal highway cuts and intensifying enforcement to curb road accidents and ensure compliance with traffic norms The initiative also aims to strengthen emergency response mechanisms with the Chief Ministers Office closely tracking progress through consolidated reports from the Home DepartmentFor effective execution specific departmental responsibilities have been assigned The Police Department serves as the nodal agency and field coordinator overseeing enforcement across all districtsSpecial operations are underway to crack down on drunk driving overspeeding wrongside driving and other major traffic violations Legal action is being taken against vehicles lacking reflectors or number plates Police and traffic teams have been deployed on all highways and major routes while mobile highway patrols and ambulances are being monitored to ensure operational readinessA lanedriving system modeled on National Highway48 is being implemented on all sixlane highways The Transport and Road Safety Department has initiated suspension and cancellation of driving licenses for offenders caught drunk driving or overspeedingThe department is also conducting vehicle inspections road safety workshops awareness campaigns and installing reflector tapes on vehicles Meanwhile the Public Works Department PWD and agencies such as the National Highways Authority of India NHAI have been instructed to close unauthorised cuts on highways within 15 days Work is underway on white lining safety railings divider repairs and installation of signboards and warning signsAuthorities are also removing illegal dhabas bus stands and other unauthorized roadside structures Efforts are being made to relocate stray animals from accidentprone zones and to improve service lanes and rest areas for longdistance truck driversThe Medical and Health Department is conducting eye checkups for drivers aged above 45 while ambulance services trauma centers and nearby hospitals are being strengthened to ensure swift emergency responseThe Urban Development and Local Bodies Department is removing encroachments from footpaths upgrading traffic signals and streetlights and displaying road safety messages through banners posters and digital screens The department is also reassessing noentry timings for heavy vehicles in urban areasThe Labour Department has initiated inspection and awareness drives to prevent excessive driving hours and to ensure that restperiod norms are followed by transport companies Violations will invite punitive actionAt the district level District Collectors and Superintendents of Police are jointly supervising the campaign through District Road Safety Committees NGOs youth groups and volunteers are actively participating to promote helmet and seat belt use discourage mobile phone usage while driving and spread awareness on safe road practicesCitizens who assist accident victims are also being felicitated for their contribution under the campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/15-day-road-safety-drive-in-rajasthan-to-focus-on-drunk-driving-highway-discipline-646939.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:01:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sio-condemns-telangana-cms-remarks-about-muslims-demands-apology-646946.html Hyderabad Nov 5 The Students Islamic Organisation SIO has strongly condemned the remark by Telangana Chief Minister that Muslims exist because of Congress and demanded his public apology The SIO termed as deeply insulting and divisive the remark that Congress hai toh Musalman hai Congress nahi toh aap kuch nahi Muslims exist because of Congress You are nothing without CongressThe Chief Minister reportedly made the remark while addressing an election meeting in Jubilee Hills constituency on Tuesday during the campaign for upcoming byelectionThe SIOs Telangana unit said in a statement on Wednesday that it firmly believes that the strength and worth of any community rest upon its own principles and integrity not on the favour or patronage of political powersSuch a remark is not only politically irresponsible but also a direct affront to the selfrespect and dignity of the entire Muslim community it saidThe SIO said that this remark exposes a feudal and votebank mindset and also reflects the erosion of democratic and moral values when a Chief Minister claims monopoly over the identity of an entire communityThe student organisation demanded that the Chief Minister immediately withdraw his words and issue a public apology for this blatant attempt to undermine constitutional equalityWe also urge the Election Commission of India to take serious cognisance of such inflammatory and undemocratic remarks which violate the spirit of free and fair elections it addedBharat Rashtra Samithi BRS working president KT Rama Rao also reacted to CM Revanth Reddys remarks and said individuals and political parties should not be under the illusion that a person or a religion exists because of themThe Constitution of India establishes Freedom of Religion as a fundamental right to all its citizens Thanks to Babasaheb Ambedkar Freedom of Religion was ingrained in the soul of the Constitution under Articles 25 to 28 It is the Constitution of this great nation that allows individuals to profess practice and propagate their religion freely India is declared a secular state in the Preamble So Individuals and political parties should come out of the illusion that a particular person or religion exists because of them the BRS leader posted on XNeither BJP nor Congress can define our choices It is the Constitution Mr Revanth Reddy Stop making mockery of this great nation for your third rated political discourses Rama Rao added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sio-condemns-telangana-cms-remarks-about-muslims-demands-apology-646946.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-distributes-enhanced-incentive-cheques-to-temple-training-school-students-646948.html Chennai Nov 5 Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday distributed cheques to students of temple training schools run by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments HRampCE Department marking a significant increase in incentive amounts for both fulltime and parttime trainees A total of 363 students comprising 297 fulltime and 66 parttime trainees from 18 temple training schools across Tamil Nadu received the enhanced incentives under the latest revision announced in the 202526 State Budget The training schools functioning under various temples managed by the HRampCE Department include those offering Archaka priesthood training and related temple service courses Under the revised scheme fulltime trainees will now receive Rs 10000 while parttime trainees will receive Rs 5000 as a monthly incentive At the function held in Chennai the Chief Minister symbolically presented cheques to 10 students representing all institutions under the programme Tracing the evolution of the scheme officials said that in 2022 fulltime trainees were provided a modest Rs 1000 per month while parttime students received Rs 500 The following year 202223 the incentive was raised to Rs 3000 and Rs 1500 respectively In November 2023 coinciding with the centenary celebrations of former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi the stipend was further enhanced to Rs 4000 for fulltime and Rs 2000 for parttime trainees as part of the governments efforts to encourage traditional temple education The present hike announced by Chief Minister Stalin during the 202526 Budget session represents the largestever revision in the history of temple training schools signalling the states commitment to nurturing young aspirants entering priestly and allied temple service vocations Officials from the HRampCE Department said the increase would benefit students undergoing training in Agama rituals temple administration and related disciplines ensuring they receive adequate financial support during their training period The enhanced incentive is aimed at promoting continuity in temple traditions while empowering youth from diverse backgrounds to pursue this sacred profession an official said The initiative also aligns with the governments broader mission to modernise temple management enhance inclusivity and ensure equal opportunities in the recruitment of Archakas and other temple functionaries IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/stalin-distributes-enhanced-incentive-cheques-to-temple-training-school-students-646948.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:10:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/woman-allegedly-cheats-srinagar-jewellers-of-lakhs-of-rupees-646964.html Srinagar Nov 5 A woman fraudster allegedly cheated several jewellers in Srinagar of lakhs of rupees local dealers said on Wednesday According to the goldsmiths the woman has cheated several gold and copper dealers of valuables worth lakhs of rupees through deception and fake chequesAddressing a press conference here the dealers said that at least three jewellers ShaheHamdan Ornaments at Lal Bazar Maqdoomi Zevraat near Nawa Kadal and Zarger Jewellers at Soura have fallen victim to the same fraudster over the past few monthsThe goldsmiths said that the incidents took place between late July and late August this year involving losses amounting to more than Rs 17 lakh in totalDocuments displayed at the press briefing indicate that the accused posing as a customer would visit jewellery shops claiming she wished to show ornaments to her family before confirming the purchaseAfter gaining the shopkeepers trust she would take the ornaments and promise to return shortly only to switch off her phone and disappear In one case ShaheHamdan Ornaments at Lal Bazar reported a loss of ornaments worth around Rs 5 lakh on August 21The shops owner filed an FIR the next day at Lal Bazar Police StationMaqdoomi Zevraat near Kani Mazar Nawa Kadal suffered a similar fraud on August 8 with losses of approximately Rs 5 lakhThe complainant submitted a report to Police Post Bagiyas SrinagarZarger Jewellers at Soura reported being duped of ornaments worth Rs 7 lakh on July 29 The owner after approaching the Soura Police Station said the police had promised action and were verifying detailsAll three victims provided photographs video footage and fake bank cheques allegedly linked to a person identified as Ajaz Ahmad Khan described in documents as a historysheeter and gang memberThe cheques were reportedly used by the accused woman to convince shopkeepers of her authenticity before fleeing with the goods Police have initiated investigations into the matterThe victims appealed to the authorities at the press conference that efforts be made to recover the amount fraudulently taken by the imposter IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/woman-allegedly-cheats-srinagar-jewellers-of-lakhs-of-rupees-646964.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 03:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/varanasi-dazzles-in-divine-splendour-as-dev-deepawali-lights-up-ganga-646978.html New DelhiVaranasi Nov 5 The ghats of Varanasi turned into a celestial panorama on Wednesday evening as lakhs of diyas earthen lamps illuminated the banks of the river Ganga during the grand celebration of Dev Deepawali The divine spectacle often called Diwali of the Gods transformed this ancient Uttar Pradesh city into a shimmering sea of light awe and devotion On this occasion Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared breathtaking aerial images of the festivities on X with a caption Spectacular Dev Deepawali in KashiPM Modi represents the Varanasi constituency in the Lok Sabha He first won the seat in 2014 and is currently an MP for his third consecutive term after being reelected from there in the 2024 general electionsThe pictures showcased the ghats decorated in golden hues as thousands of devotees gathered in reverence while the night sky was painted with vibrant fireworksThe celebration held 15 days after Diwali the festival of lights marks the victory of Lord Shiva over the demon TripurasuraDevotees on this occasion light earthen lamps across all 88 ghats of Kashi offering prayers and witnessing cultural performances that highlight the citys spiritual grandeurFrom Rajghat to Assi Ghat every stretch along the riverbank was aglow with countless diyas creating a mesmerising reflection against the sacred GangaSeveral buildings and temples were adorned with intricate lighting while boats carrying pilgrims and tourists floated across the river offering a surreal view of illuminated KashiAuthorities had made extensive arrangements to manage the massive flow of visitors ensuring the smooth conduct of the rituals and safety of the crowdsDev Deepawali in Varanasi continues to attract devotees and tourists from across the country and abroad celebrating not just faith but the timeless connection between the Ganga and the spiritual soul of the city IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/varanasi-dazzles-in-divine-splendour-as-dev-deepawali-lights-up-ganga-646978.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 04:08:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/acoustic-technology-set-to-transform-indias-marine-mammal-research-647123.html Kochi Nov 6 Monitoring whales dolphins and other marine mammals through soundbased systems could mark a major leap in Indias ocean research and conservation efforts Experts on Thursday at a special session on marine mammal research held alongside the fourth International Symposium on Marine Ecosystems MECOS 4 at ICARCentral Marine Fisheries Research Institute CMFRI underscored the potential of Passive Acoustic Monitoring PAM to revolutionise marine science in IndiaSound travels much faster and farther underwater than light making acoustic technology an efficient tool for detecting and studying marine life even in deep or murky watersUnlike conventional visual surveys that depend on clear weather and daylight PAM enables continuous roundtheclock monitoring across vast ocean expansesVarious systems such as bottommounted moorings surface and drifting buoys towed arrays and acoustic tags attached to individual animals can record the sounds produced by marine mammals explained Dr Divya Panicker of Ashoka UniversityBy analysing these sound patterns researchers can identify species estimate their abundance and even map migration routes and behavioural trendsShe added that integrating Artificial Intelligence AI and Machine Learning ML tools could further refine species identification and improve data accuracyWith Indias long coastline and rich marine biodiversity experts stressed that developing indigenous acoustic systems could become a gamechanger for marine conservationThe session also called for a National Plan of Action for Marine Mammal Conservation to tackle multiple threats including habitat loss underwater noise pollution vessel strikes and fishing net entanglement that are driving population declines among whales dolphins and dugongsNotably CMFRIs recent research on marine mammals has already supported India in addressing a key regulatory challenge in seafood exports to the United States highlighting the broader policy relevance of such scientific advancesDr A Bijukumar ViceChancellor of Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies KUFOS urged the creation of a national multiinstitutional marine mammal network to coordinate research and conservation activitiesCMFRI Director Dr Grinson George emphasised the need for a wellfunded coordinated plan involving research bodies enforcement agencies and coastal communities and called for trained marine scientists to handle stranded animals and conduct autopsies to establish causes of death IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/acoustic-technology-set-to-transform-indias-marine-mammal-research-647123.html Thu, 06 Nov 2025 18:04:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/tn-govt-sanctions-rs-1608-crore-creates-59-new-posts-to-strengthen-cancer-care-network-646675.html Chennai Nov 4 In a significant step toward improving cancer care infrastructure in the state the Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned the creation of 59 new posts in tertiary care hospitals under the Directorate of Medical Education and Research DME it was announced on Tuesday The initiative backed by an administrative and financial sanction of Rs 1608 crore aims to expand oncology services and strengthen manpower as part of the states proposed Cancer Management MissionAccording to a Government Order issued by the Health and Family Welfare Department the new posts will be created across 16 government medical colleges to bolster cancer diagnosis and treatment capacityThe sanctioned positions include professors associate professors and assistant professors in medical oncology surgical oncology and radiation oncology ensuring that tertiary hospitals have adequate faculty and expertise to manage complex cancer casesThe decision follows an announcement by Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu during the 202425 Budget Session underscoring the state governments commitment to addressing the rising cancer burdenTamil Nadu has been witnessing a steady increase in cancer incidence particularly among younger adults prompting the government to focus on both preventive and curative measuresThe 16 medical colleges to benefit from the initiative include those in Chennai Thanjavur Tirunelveli Salem Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari among othersThe move is part of the governments broader plan to operationalise a fourtier tertiary cancer care model comprising the State Apex Cancer Centre Regional Cancer Centres Tertiary Care Centres and District Cancer Care CentresThis structure is designed to ensure early detection timely treatment and comprehensive rehabilitative care thereby reducing both morbidity and mortality linked to cancerHealth and Family Welfare Department Secretary P Senthilkumar said the measure would address the increasing demand for qualified oncology specialists across Tamil Nadus public health networkWith cancer cases rising especially among younger populations these posts will help deliver quality treatment closer to peoples homes and strengthen our integrated cancer management framework he notedOfficials added that the newly created posts would be filled in phases with priority given to regional medical colleges catering to high patient loads ensuring equitable distribution of oncology services across the state IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/tn-govt-sanctions-rs-1608-crore-creates-59-new-posts-to-strengthen-cancer-care-network-646675.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 21:44:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/youth-hacks-pregnant-minor-girlfriend-to-death-with-axe-in-jharkhands-gumla-arrested-646695.html Gumla Jharkhand Nov 4 In a shocking incident a youth allegedly hacked his pregnant minor girlfriend to death with an axe in a village in Jharkhands Gumla district on Tuesday police officials said The incident occurred in Purana Raidih village under the Raidih police station areaThe accused has been identified as 19yearold Suman Yadav who attacked 17yearold Anshika Tirki who according to the police was around five months pregnantPolice said the girl hailed from Shanti Nagar in Chhattisgarhs Dharamjaigarh and had been staying at the accuseds residence for nearly a weekAccording to locals the couple had an argument on Tuesday morning In a fit of rage Suman picked up an axe and attacked Anshika killing her on the spotShockingly he neither attempted to escape nor hide the crime and remained inside the house until police arrivedRaidih Police Station in charge Sandeep Kumar Yadav reached the spot with a team and arrested Yadav The body of the victim was sent to Gumla Sadar Hospital for a postmortem examinationPolice said that Yadav has confessed to the murder He reportedly told officers that he was under immense guilt and fear over having brought a minor girl home and her pregnancy which he felt would bring disgrace to the familyThe accuseds mother informed police that her son had been mentally disturbed for the past few days and had not been sleeping wellVillagers also claimed that family and societal pressure linked to the girls pregnancy had weighed heavily on the accusedThe incident has created shock fear and deep resentment among villagers Police have intensified the probe to examine all possible angles including mental health issues family pressure and whether the murder was premeditatedThe Raidih police station in charge said that a detailed interrogation of the accused is underway and further action will be taken based on the postmortem report and investigation findingsAn atmosphere of mourning and panic prevails in the village following the gruesome murder IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/youth-hacks-pregnant-minor-girlfriend-to-death-with-axe-in-jharkhands-gumla-arrested-646695.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 22:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/npp-tmp-other-ne-regional-parties-likely-to-join-hands-to-uphold-indigenous-causes-646458.html New DelhiAgartala Nov 3 The National Peoples Party NPP led by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma and the Tipra Motha Party TMP chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma along with several other regional parties and tribal leaders are likely to join hands to uphold the causes of the indigenous people of the northeast region A TMP leader said in Agartala that the NPP and TMP chiefs along with former BJP national spokesperson and Nagaland Minister Mmhonlumo Kikon and Daniel Langthasa founder of the Peoples Party from Assams Dima Hasao besides several other eminent leaders from Nagaland Manipur and other Northeastern states are expected to be part of the new platform Both the NPP and TMP are currently allies of the Bharatiya Janata Party BJP In an interesting political development TMP supremo Debbarma after attending the swearingin ceremony of the Chief Executive Member CEM of the Bodoland Territorial Council BTC in Assam on October 5 emphasised the need for regional unity in the Northeast Debbarma a former Tripura royal scion had attended the oathtaking ceremony of Bodoland Peoples Front BPF President Hagrama Mohilary who assumed charge as the CEM of the BTC in Kokrajhar district It is however not yet clear whether the BPF will join the proposed new platform NPP chief Sangma TMP head Debbarma and other leaders will brief the media at the Constitution Club in New Delhi on Tuesday and make an announcement about their future plans and mission the TMP leader said After hectic parleys and following the signing of a tripartite agreement on March 2 last year the thenopposition TMP which has 13 MLAs joined the BJPled coalition government on March 7 2024 reshaping Tripuras political landscape Two TMP MLAs Animesh Debbarma and Brishaketu Debbarma were later inducted into the Chief Minister Manik Sahaled Cabinet The TMP and its frontal organisations have been intermittently organising agitations in Tripura in support of their demands including the implementation of the tripartite accord and the identification and deportation of illegal migrants The party also staged a demonstration in Delhi on September 9 to press for its demands Since 2021 the TMP has been governing the 30member politically important Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council TTAADC which covers nearly twothirds of the states 10491 sq km area and is home to over 1216 lakh people about 84 per cent of whom are tribals In recent months an upanddown relationship has continued between the ruling BJP and the TMP TMP activists in a series of attacks across different districts allegedly injured more than 20 BJP members and workers The TMPaffiliated Tiprasa Civil Society TCS led by TMP MLA Ranjit Debbarma observed a 24hour statewide shutdown on October 23 in support of its eightpoint charter of demands including the deportation of illegal migrants During the shutdown a section of TMP activists allegedly attacked several people and officials at Santirbazar in Dhalai district seriously injuring more than a dozen individuals Among the injured were Salema Block Development Officer BDO Abhijit Majumdar Kamalpur SubDivisional Police Officer SDPO Samudra Debbarma engineer Animesh Saha and trader Subrata Paul all of whom were hospitalised with critical injuries With elections to the politically crucial TTAADC due early next year both the BJP and TMP are working separately to expand their influence among tribal communities IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/npp-tmp-other-ne-regional-parties-likely-to-join-hands-to-uphold-indigenous-causes-646458.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:30:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/shah-banos-heir-seeks-ban-on-movie-haq-days-before-premiere-646463.html Indore Nov 4 With just three days until its slated 7th November release the Yami Gautam DharEmraan Hashmi starrer Haq has slammed into a legal barricade at the Madhya Pradesh High Court Siddiqua Begum Khan daughter of the iconic Shah Bano Begum has filed a petition decrying the films unauthorised raid on her mothers private saga without a whisper of consent from the family Directed by Suparn S Varma and backed by Junglee Pictures alongside Baweja Studios Haq dramatises the 1985 Supreme Court bombshell in Mohd Ahmed Khan v Shah Bano BegumThe 1985 court decision changed old rules It said a divorced Muslim woman must get money for living expenses from her exhusband using a general law called Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure CodeIn the movie actress Yami Gautam plays Shazia Bano a character based on Shah Bano She fights in court against the character Abbas played by actor Emraan HashmiThe story comes from the book Bano Bharat Ki Beti by Jigna Vora In a court hearing at the Indore Bench of Justice Pranay Verma lawyer Tousif Warsi spoke for SiddiquaHe said This movie is not just inspiredits like a full copy of Shah Banos private struggles The teasers make her look bad and turn real suffering into madeup stories We daughters never gave permission The CBFC Central Board of Film Certification approved it without checking properlyHe showed an earlier legal notice sent to the movie makers and the CBFCHe criticised the trailers for inventing fake events while using her mothers real name and life The producers replied by pointing to a disclaimer in the filmThey said Haq is madeup fiction based on public court recordsno real biography so no permission is required CBFC lawyers added Anything in public records can be used freely its just inspired not harming anyoneJustice Verma commented If she has struggled would it not be credit for her why derogation It can be interpretedas a person fighting for her rights the court orally said But the court observed the disclaimer was not in the court files yet so the case was postponedThe bench further asked them to produce the disclaimer tomorrow the hearing will continue on Tuesday IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/shah-banos-heir-seeks-ban-on-movie-haq-days-before-premiere-646463.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/venugopal-writes-to-railway-minister-over-kerala-train-assault-seeks-stronger-safety-measures-for-women-passengers-646464.html New Delhi Nov 4 Congress MP KC Venugopal has written to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw urging immediate steps to strengthen safety measures for women passengers in the trains following a shocking incident in Kerala where a 19yearold woman was allegedly pushed out of a moving train Taking to X on Monday he wrote The alarming rise in crimes against women on trains is a matter of serious concern The latest incident of a woman being pushed out of a train near Varkala by an intoxicated individual is just one of many instances of such violence Wrote to the Kerala CM and Railway Minister to enhance safety along the train routes in the state and reverse this rising trendIn his letter dated November 2 Venugopal highlighted what he termed the escalating threats to womens safety in the railways which he described as the lifeline for millionsReferring to the assault he said the incident on the Kerala Express Train No 12626 has once again exposed the grave vulnerabilities faced by women passengers demanding urgent intervention from the governmentAccording to Venugopal the incident took place near Varkala railway station on November 2 when the young woman from Thiruvananthapuram was allegedly pushed out of a moving train by a person reportedly under the influence of alcohol The accused also attempted to push the victims friend who narrowly escaped serious injury by falling back into the coachThe victim unconscious with severe internal injuries and heavy bleeding was rushed to Sree Narayana Mission Hospital and later shifted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital in critical condition the letter notedVenugopal said the unprovoked act of violence underscores a disturbing pattern of impunity that continues to endanger womenThe senior Congress leader further pointed out that this was not an isolated caseCiting a similar incident in February 2025 he noted that a 36yearold pregnant woman was pushed off a moving train near Katpadi in Tamil Nadu during an attempted sexual assaultHe referred to official data showing a steep rise in safetyrelated complaints saying Broader data reveals an alarming surge in safety concerns complaints related to passenger safety in trains escalated by 64 per cent from 457 lakh in 202324 to over 750 lakh in 202425He said that incidents of harassment and violence against women in running trains and at stations had also seen a steady increaseThese recurring violations ranging from physical assaults to eveteasing paint a grim picture of systemic failures in enforcement and infrastructure eroding public trust in the Indian Railways Venugopal wroteCalling for immediate and decisive action he urged the Railway Minister to ensure enhanced onboard security presence strengthen surveillance and strictly enforce the use of womenonly coaches He also suggested a comprehensive audit and regular reporting mechanism to monitor the implementation of safety measuresTaking into account the seriousness of the issue I urge you to reaffirm the Railways commitment to security and prevent such horrors from repeating Venugopal said in his communicationThe Kerala MP underscored that protecting women passengers must be treated as a nonnegotiable priority and called for accountability mechanisms to address rising crimes against women on trainsThe letter comes amid growing public outrage over the Varkala train incident which has reignited concerns over womens safety in public transport systems IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/venugopal-writes-to-railway-minister-over-kerala-train-assault-seeks-stronger-safety-measures-for-women-passengers-646464.html Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/tamil-nadu-bjp-lashes-out-at-dmk-govt-over-coimbatore-rape-case-646406.html Chennai Nov 3 Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson ANS Prasad on Monday launched a sharp attack on Chief Minister MK Stalin and the ruling DMK government holding them responsible for what he termed the deteriorating law and order situation in the state following the brutal gang rape of a college student near the Coimbatore International Airport In a strongly worded statement titled Shadows of Fear In CM Stalins Tamil Nadu Nightmares Continue Prasad said the gruesome crime which took place in a busy public area surrounded by educational institutions has shattered the soul of Tamil NaduHe described the incident as an indictment of a regime that has betrayed its people and allowed crime to fester uncheckedPrasad alleged that the Tamil Nadu Police once known for its professionalism has now become politicised corrupt and complicit acting to protect the ruling elite rather than ordinary citizensUnder Stalins rule the police have become a shield for offenders and a weapon against dissent he charged adding that the governments inaction has turned once vibrant public spaces into zones of terrorCalling the crime not an isolated event but part of a disturbing pattern the BJP leader cited what he called a rising trend of sexual assaults molestation and murders across the state in recent yearsEvery day headlines bring fresh horror mothers and daughters now live in fear asking whose turn is next Prasad saidHe also linked the worsening situation to the growing drug menace alleging that ganja gangs operate even in the Chief Ministers Kolathur constituency with brazen impunityAccusing the DMK government of turning a blind eye to these threats while prioritising political survival Prasad urged the administration to act decisively by overhauling the police force establishing fasttrack courts in all districts and setting up special investigation and antidrug task forcesHe further called for comprehensive victim support systems including medical assistance trauma counselling and safe transportation facilities for womenChief Minister Stalin must act now Tamil Nadus daughters deserve security not sorrow Prasad asserted invoking constitutional provisions guaranteeing life dignity and equality Justice delayed will be justice denied IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/tamil-nadu-bjp-lashes-out-at-dmk-govt-over-coimbatore-rape-case-646406.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-bjp-to-support-sugarcane-farmers-protest-in-belagavi-says-state-unit-chief-vijayendra-646420.html Bengaluru Nov 3 Karnataka unit BJP president and MLA BY Vijayendra on Monday announced that he would travel to Belagavi on Tuesday to extend support to the ongoing protest by sugarcane farmers in the region Speaking to reporters after attending the BJP Chintan Varga session at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan in Bengaluru Vijayendra criticised the Congressled state government for its failure to address serious issues affecting farmers and rural communitiesHe pointed out that sugarcane growers from Belagavi Bagalkot Vijayapura and Uttara Kannada districts have been protesting for several days demanding fair prices and government interventionThe ministers are not even bothered about their demands To express solidarity with the protesting farmers I will travel to Belagavi tomorrow and join their agitation he declaredVijayendra accused the state government of neglecting rural distress and said that farmers in the Kalyana Karnataka and Kittur Karnataka regions have suffered extensive losses due to heavy rainsWe toured the affected areas and found that district incharge ministers were missing Even departmental officials were indifferent We urged the government to release relief immediately However instead of acting the ministers are sitting comfortably in Bengaluru blaming the Centre for not releasing funds while the Congress government itself has failed to provide relief to distressed farmers he chargedVijayendra also claimed that even after two and a half years in power the Congress government has not managed to fill water tanks in Chamarajanagar district forcing farmers there to protest as wellThe government is not paying attention to these issues Overall this Congress government has not raised a single concern about the farmers plight It shows complete apathy toward their problems which is unacceptable he saidHe further alleged that infighting within the Congress for the Chief Ministers post has intensifiedThere are fights and clashes within the Congress party itself Lets wait and see what happens in November But the Chief Minister Deputy Chief Minister Agriculture Minister and Revenue Minister must respond to the issues faced by sugarcane growers and farmers That is their duty Vijayendra assertedCommenting on Minister Priyank Kharges recent statements about the RSS and the Central government Vijayendra said Instead of focusing on his department Priyank Kharge keeps talking about the world the country and the Sangh Parivar IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-bjp-to-support-sugarcane-farmers-protest-in-belagavi-says-state-unit-chief-vijayendra-646420.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:46:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-calls-for-action-against-digital-arrest-scams-with-iron-hands-646430.html New Delhi Nov 3 The Supreme Court on Monday expressed grave concern over the growing menace of cybercrimes which have reportedly led to the extortion of over Rs 3000 crore from citizens including vulnerable senior citizens A bench of Justices Surya Kant Ujjal Bhuyan and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing a suo motu case concerning the rising menace of digital arrest scams where fraudsters impersonate police and judicial officers using forged court orders to extort money from victimsDuring the hearing the Justice Surya Kantled Bench was informed that the scam syndicates were not only operating within India but were also being run from offshore locationsIn sealed cover reports the Central Bureau of Investigation CBI and the Union Ministry of Home Affairs MHA submitted that criminal networks linked to digital arrest frauds were often operating from countries such as Myanmar and ThailandEmphasising the need to empower investigation agencies through judicial orders the apex court remarked It is shocking that over Rs 3000 crore have been collected from the victims including senior citizens If we do not pass stringent and harsh orders the problem will magnify We are determined to deal with these crimes with iron handsSolicitor General Tushar Mehta the secondhighest law officer of the Centre informed the bench that the CBI had already begun investigating several cases with technical assistance from the MHAs Cyber Crime DivisionThe Supreme Court also appointed an amicus curiae to assist in the matter with a further hearing scheduled for November 10In an earlier hearing the Justice Surya Kantled Bench had directed all states and Union Territories to file details of First Information Reports FIRs relating to these scamsObserving that digital arrest scams appeared to be panIndia or even crossborder in nature the apex court had suggested that the investigation be handed over to the CBIThere are more than one instance that have taken place in different parts We are inclined to entrust the matter to the CBI in respect of all the states because this is a kind of crime which may be operating panIndia or even across the border the apex court had said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sc-calls-for-action-against-digital-arrest-scams-with-iron-hands-646430.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 21:12:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/10-month-old-girl-child-amp-mother-sister-trio-among-telangana-road-accident-victims-646311.html Hyderabad Nov 3 A 10monthold child lying dead next to the body of her mother This is perhaps the most disturbing visual that emerged from the horrific road accident in Telanganas Rangareddy district on Monday The picture shows the baby wrapped in warm clothes under her mothers arm depicting the unbreakable bondThere were heartrending scenes after a buslorry collision near Mirzaguda in Chevella mandal about 60 km from HyderabadA gravelladen tipper truck rammed into the Road Transport Corporation bus on the HyderabadBijapur highway around 630 am killing 20 people including drivers of both vehicles Another 20 people were injuredThe accident occurred when the bus with 72 people was coming to Hyderabad from Tandur in Vikarabad districtAs the tipper pierced through the right portion of the bus the victims were either crushed to death or buried under the gravelHeartbreaking scenes were witnessed at the accident site with cries for help by those trapped in the gravel and in the mangled remains of the bus A few passengers with bloodstained clothes were seen limping outThe ghastly tragedy snuffed out several young lives and shattered many a dream Those who travel every day between Tandu and Hyderabad for college and work lost their lives These include five young women who were all students of Koti Womens University in HyderabadThree sisters Tanusha Saipriya and Nandini of Tandur town lost their lives in the disaster They were all studying at the Womens University While Tanusha was pursuing an MBA Saipriya and Nandini were degree students in their first and third years respectivelyTheir father Yellaiah Goud was inconsolable while their mother collapsed due to shock on seeing their bodies The eldest daughter of Goud was married last monthThe deceased students include Muskan and Akhila Reddy both in their 20sA woman teacher was among those critically injured in the accident Jayasudha was seen buried in the gravel up to the waist She sustained grievous injuries to her legs and was admitted to Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences NIMS in Hyderabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/10-month-old-girl-child-amp-mother-sister-trio-among-telangana-road-accident-victims-646311.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 15:56:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/vice-president-radhakrishnan-expresses-anguish-over-loss-of-20-lives-in-tgana-accident-646399.html New Delhi Nov 3 Vice President C P Radhakrishnan on Monday expressed deep anguish over the loss of 20 lives in a road accident in Rangareddy district of Telangana In his message the Vice President said that the loss of lives in the tragic incident is deeply distressing He conveyed his thoughts to the affected people and their families during this difficult time said a statement issued by the Vice Presidents SecretariatRadhakrishnan extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injuredThe buslorry collision took place in the morning near Mirzaguda in Chevella mandal about 60 km from HyderabadA gravelladen tipper truck rammed into the Road Transport Corporation bus on the HyderabadBijapur highway around 630 am killing 20 people including drivers of both vehicles Another 20 people were injuredThe accident occurred when the bus with 72 people was coming to Hyderabad from Tandur in Vikarabad districtAs the tipper pierced through the right portion of the bus the victims were either crushed to death or buried under the gravelHeartbreaking scenes were witnessed at the accident site with cries for help by those trapped in the gravel and in the mangled remains of the bus A few passengers with bloodstained clothes were seen limping outThe ghastly tragedy snuffed out several young lives and shattered many a dream Those who travel every day between Tandu and Hyderabad for college and work lost their livesThese include five young women who were all students of Koti Womens University in HyderabadThree sisters Tanusha Saipriya and Nandini of Tandur town lost their lives in the disaster They were all studying at the Womens UniversityWhile Tanusha was pursuing an MBA Saipriya and Nandini were degree students in their first and third years respectivelyTheir father Yellaiah Goud was inconsolable while their mother collapsed due to shock on seeing their bodies The eldest daughter of Goud was married last monthThe deceased students include Muskan and Akhila Reddy both in their 20sA woman teacher was among those critically injured in the accident Jayasudha was seen buried in the gravel up to the waist She sustained grievous injuries to her legs and was admitted to Nizams Institute of Medical Sciences NIMS in Hyderabad IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/vice-president-radhakrishnan-expresses-anguish-over-loss-of-20-lives-in-tgana-accident-646399.html Mon, 03 Nov 2025 19:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/integrated-court-complexes-being-built-in-10-districts-up-cm-adityanath-at-national-law-universitys-convocation-ceremony-646218.html Lucknow Nov 2 IANS Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath attended the 4th Convocation Ceremony of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia National Law University on Sunday congratulating the graduating students and wishing them success in their future endeavorsnbspThe Chief Minister said that the University is a matter of pride for both Uttar Pradesh as well as the nation and credited the law graduates for playing a vital role in strengthening of countrys judicial systemnbspCM Yogi Adityanath said that for India dharma is a way of life not mere worship and that fulfilling ones duties faithfully is true religion He emphasized that a robust judicial system is essential for democracy stating The stronger the judiciary the easier it becomes to achieve the objectives of good governanceReferring to the ancient ideal of Ram Rajya he said just and impartial governance can be realized today through modern systems of good governancenbspHighlighting the governments efforts to strengthen the judiciary the Chief Minister said the state administration is promoting eCourts Alternative Dispute Resolution ADR Cyber Law training and the use of Artificial Intelligence AInbspHe added that modern infrastructure including classrooms sports complexes and hostels is being developed across universities alongside skill development and training for judicial officers prosecutors police and administrative officialsThe Chief Minister informed that integrated court complexes are being developed in Uttar Pradesh with funds already released for 10 districtsnbspThese complexes will house all levels of courts advocates chambers and residential facilities within a single campus He added that the Allahabad High Court has become a model of worldclass infrastructureTo ensure swift justice for women and children more than 380 fasttrack and POCSO courts have been established while Lok Adalats are being strengthened to promote quick and amicable dispute resolution Forensic laboratories have been set up in every police range and the Uttar Pradesh State Forensic Institute now provides specialized training to youth CM Yogi saidnbspHe added that efforts are underway to integrate eCourt ePolicing eProsecution and eForensic services on a unified digital platform to make the justice system faster more transparent and efficient https://dailyworld.in/society/integrated-court-complexes-being-built-in-10-districts-up-cm-adityanath-at-national-law-universitys-convocation-ceremony-646218.html Sun, 02 Nov 2025 17:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/dularchand-yadav-murder-case-doctor-rules-out-bullet-injury-as-cause-of-death-645930.html Patna Nov 1 A new twist has emerged in the highprofile Dularchand Yadav murder case in Mokama as one of the doctors who conducted the postmortem has stated that Yadav did not die due to a bullet injury but from internal trauma A threemember medical board was formed to conduct the postmortem which included Dr Ajay Kumar Singh According to Dr Singh the examination revealed multiple wounds on Yadavs body along with severe internal injuries The nature of the injuries clearly suggests that death was caused by internal trauma he saidDr Singh added that the bullet had hit Yadavs left leg near the joint and passed throughThe gunshot wound is not of a fatal nature It is a superficial injury while the internal damage indicates that the death likely occurred due to internal impact rather than the bullet the doctor saidDoctors also confirmed that such a gunshot as observed was not capable of causing death An Xray examination of the body was conducted prior to the postmortem The panel will now prepare the final report after considering all the evidenceThe incident happened during an election campaign when Jan Suraaj candidate Piyush Priyadarshi was out canvassing along with his supportersA group of people allegedly attacked the convoy with sticks and suddenly someone reportedly opened fire injuring Dularchand Yada who later diedThe police have launched an investigation into the casePatna Rural SP Vikram Sihag said three FIRs have been registered in connection with recent stonepelting and assault incidentsThe body was handed over to the family after the postmortem and police have been deployed at the site to maintain law and orderThe deceaseds grandson has identified five accused while another complaint named six others Initial reports had indicated a bullet mark on Yadavs bodyOnce considered a close associate of RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav Dularchand played a key role in strengthening the partys grassroots network and connections in the 1990sHowever in recent years he shifted his allegiance to the Jan Suraaj movement and developed close ties with Piyush PriyadarshiAccording to local residents Yadav was a wellknown figure in Mokamas Tal area and was respected for his social work and political influenceSources with the police indicated that the clash likely stemmed from old rivalries and a power struggle during the election campaign IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/dularchand-yadav-murder-case-doctor-rules-out-bullet-injury-as-cause-of-death-645930.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:43:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/age-limit-for-home-delivery-of-pds-goods-lowered-in-tamil-nadu-645948.html Chennai Nov 1 In a major relief to senior citizens the Tamil Nadu government has reduced the eligibility age for home delivery of essential commodities under the Public Distribution System PDS from 70 years to 65 years According to officials from the Department of Cooperation the decision was made after numerous requests from the public urging that the facility be extended to those aged 65 and above who often face difficulty visiting fair price shopsAs part of the revised schedule the department has also decided to deliver ration goods to eligible beneficiaries in the first week of every month specifically on Saturday and Sunday instead of the second week as was previously followedBeginning this November door deliveries will be made on November 3 and 4 while subsequent months will follow the same patternOfficials said the change aims to improve the efficiency of the scheme and ensure the timely delivery of commodities to elderly and differentlyabled cardholders Earlier delays and logistical challenges had discouraged many beneficiaries from opting for home delivery they addedThe home delivery scheme launched to assist senior citizens above 70 years and persons with disabilities PwDs originally covered 2042 lakh elderly people and 127 lakh PwDsHowever officials revealed that around 8 per cent of those listed were found to be deceased prompting a revision of the databaseWith the age limit now lowered to 65 years the updated list will include more beneficiaries including those whose names were inadvertently omitted earlier The final list will be ready in the coming months a senior department official saidOfficials also noted that the lukewarm response to the initiative in recent months was due to multiple factors including delays in distribution and the migration of beneficiaries to other districtsThe government hopes the new delivery schedule and expanded eligibility criteria will help address these concerns and increase participation The PDS home delivery scheme was introduced with the objective of providing doorstep delivery of essential commodities such as rice sugar wheat and kerosene to elderly citizens and PwDs who are unable to visit ration shops in personWith the latest revision thousands of additional beneficiaries across Tamil Nadu are expected to benefit from the initiative IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/age-limit-for-home-delivery-of-pds-goods-lowered-in-tamil-nadu-645948.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/india-criticises-inaccurate-un-report-that-its-traditional-culture-endangered-645952.html United Nations Nov 1 India has criticised as inaccurate a UN report that made several farfetched claims to assert traditional cultural expressions are under threat in the country and pointed out that traditional arts crafts and performances are thriving India possesses a rich and diverse cultural heritage of artistic literary musical and craft traditions spanning millennia they continue to flourish across the country Lok Sabha member Indra Hang Subba said on FridayIndias cultural economy including traditional arts crafts and performances continues to thrive with the robust popular and government support the MP from the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha saidWe find no empirical data that substantiates the claim of declining demand for Indias traditional cultural expressions he saidRecognising the immense value of this heritage India has established comprehensive legal and institutional frameworks to protect and promote traditional knowledge and cultural expressions and the geographical indications of goods he saidSubba was responding to claims by Alexandra Xanthaki the UNs Special Rapporteur for Cultural Rights in her report that was being discussed at the General Assemblys Third Committee which deals with cultural issuesThe Sikkim Krantikari Morcha lawmaker is among the MPs in Indias delegation to the General AssemblyXanthaki a professor at Britains Brunel University is one of the special rapporteurs who are unpaid independent experts appointed by the UN Human Rights Council to monitor what it asserts are human rights issues and do not necessarily reflect the views of the SecretaryGeneral or the UNShe said in her report that cultural expressions in India were facing decreasing demand and were further threatened by middlemen and copyright lawsHer report also made a strange claim that the Indian Copyright Act was of a communal nature and therefore did not adequately protect the form of traditional knowledge and artSubba said The characterisation of protection under Indias copyright law as superficial is inaccurate and unwarrantedThe Copyright Act and the Information Technology Act provide robust mechanisms to regulate intermediaries and protect creators rights including provisions for licensing royalty collection and enforcement against infringement he saidFootnotes in Xanthakis report indicate that these observations were based on submissions from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Cyber Law and Artificial Intelligence at Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law in PunjabShe said that threats to traditional art were exacerbated by AIgenerated art which imitates traditional art without crediting or compensating the creatorsSubba however said that technology and new digital platforms have further enhanced the outreach of and the demand for traditional cultural expressionsWhile focusing on AI Xanthaki mentioned that a group of major newspaper and book publishers has brought a case before the Delhi High Court claiming that OpenAI is using their content without authorisation to train ChatGPTShe criticised the use of AI citing its inadequacies in creating Indian classical music and danceIndian classical musics microtonal variations known as shruti and raga cannot be reproduced by AI tools she said and therefore do not capture the emotional essence and depth of what artists are trying to convey through the art formThe widely popular dance form from Tamil Nadu has its own set of codified gestures and rhythmic sequences that become a struggle for AI and robs the dance form of its emotional expression she said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/india-criticises-inaccurate-un-report-that-its-traditional-culture-endangered-645952.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/rave-party-on-bengaluru-outskirts-raided-by-police-130-detained-for-probe-645959.html Ramanagara Karnataka Nov 1 A Bengaluru Rural police team raided a rave party being held at a private resort on the outskirts of Bengaluru city and took 130 people into custody early on Saturday Based on information that a rave party was taking place late at night at the resort near Devigere Cross in neighbouring Ramanagara district the police team led by SP South Srinivas Gowda rushed to the spot and detained a total of 130 individuals including 35 womenAll those detained were taken into custody and subjected to medical examination at the Ramanagara District Hospital The incident took place within the limits of the Kaggalipura police stationKaggalipura police conducted the raid at around 3 am while the party was underway It is reported that all those detained are residents of BengaluruDuring the raid when media personnel and others attempted to record videos the police prevented them from doing so It is alleged that narcotic substances were used at the party The preliminary investigations have revealed that the property is said to belong to a person named Suhas GowdaMore details are yet to emerge regarding the rave party raid and seizures The police have taken up further investigationIn May this year the Bengaluru city police raided a party taking place at a farmhouse in the village of Kannamangala near the citys outskirts The gathering was being presented as a birthday celebration but was flagged by locals for unusual activityA total of 31 people were detained including 24 men and 7 women Most attendees are reported to be privatesector IT professionals based in Bengaluru Among the attendees were alleged consumers and alleged suppliers of narcotics Three individuals the organiser and two others were formally arrested and 28 others were released on bailSeized items include about 3 grams of cocaine 5 grams of hydroganja 60 grams of hashish and smaller amounts of ganja IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/rave-party-on-bengaluru-outskirts-raided-by-police-130-detained-for-probe-645959.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 11:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-inaugurates-shanti-shikhar-hails-brahma-kumaris-as-global-peace-architects-645985.html Raipur Nov 1 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday inaugurated the Brahma Kumaris majestic Shanti Shikhar Academy for Peaceful World a spiritual empowerment centre in Nava Raipur lauding the organisation as a living bridge between Indias ancient wisdom and the worlds quest for harmony Addressing thousands of whiteclad sisters and global delegates at the academy the PM traced his decadeslong bond with the movement and envisioned Shanti Shikhar as a future epicentre for universal peaceI have been fortunate to associate with you for several decades PM Modi began recalling his presence at the 2011 Future of Power summit in Ahmedabad and the 2013 Prayagraj gatheringI have observed your efforts seriouslywhere service outweighs words The affection of Janaki Devi and the spiritual rigour of every sister here fill me with gratitudeHe greeted the assembly with Om Shanti explaining Om means the God who created and the entire universe Shanti means the wish for world peace Your conduct is the greatest religion penance and knowledgeThe Prime Minister positioned the Brahma Kumaris as custodians of Indias soulWe see Shiva in every living being expanding the self to embrace the whole Selfcontrol leads to selfknowledge selfrealisation and ultimately selfpeace he said Your rituals end with prayers for world welfarethis confluence of faith and global good is our traditions essenceTurning to contemporary crises PM Modi highlighted Indias proactive roleWhenever the world faces disaster India reaches out as the most trusted partner Amid environmental threats we remain natures voice he assertedWe revere rivers as mother worship water and give back rather than exploit This is Save the Future concept for the worldHe linked Mission LiFE and the mantra of One Earth One Family to the Brahma Kumaris ethosInstitutions like Shanti Shikhar will energise India and connect millions to peace In every country I visit I meet Brahma Kumaristhis gives me belonging and strengthThe sprawling Shanti Shikhar built on 25 acres features meditation halls ecofriendly dormitories and solarpowered infrastructurePM Modi performed the ceremonial inauguration alongside Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Brahma Kumaris chief Dadi Ratan Mohini who gifted him a symbolic lotusAs the audience chanted Om Shanti PM Modi said Your spiritual power when words become deeds will guide humanity Shanti Shikhar is not just a buildingit is a movement for world peaceThe event part of Chhattisgarhs silver jubilee drew delegates from several countries reinforcing Indias softpower diplomacy through spirituality IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/pm-modi-inaugurates-shanti-shikhar-hails-brahma-kumaris-as-global-peace-architects-645985.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 12:45:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/govt-to-consider-mandating-kannada-flag-hoisting-in-all-offices-during-november-dy-cm-shivakumar-646055.html Bengaluru Nov 1 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Saturday announced that a proposal to make it mandatory to hoist the Kannada flag at all government and private offices throughout November will be discussed and decided in the next state cabinet meeting Speaking to the media after paying floral tribute to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari near Vidhana Soudha and receiving the parade salute at the Kannada Rajyotsava celebrations organised for school students at Kanteerava Stadium Shivakumar said Karnataka is not just a state it is a cradle of culture Kannada is not merely a language it is the voice of our inner selfFor those who learn it it is nectar for those who walk with it it is shade and light Kannada is a way of life We must protect this Kannada from the onslaught of English and Hindi languages he urgedQuoting poet Gopalakrishna Adiga the Deputy Chief Minister recited Our breath is Kannada our sweat is Kannada our name is Kannada our work is Kannada its all Kannada come join usFrom Adikavi Pampa to Basavanna Allama Prabhu Kanakadasa Purandara Dasa Kuvempu Bendre and Masti we have a great literary legacy Children must inherit and carry forward this treasure of literatureNoting Kannada has a history of nearly 2000 years Shivakumar who is also the state Congress President said There is something unique about this land Those who come here rarely wish to leave Karnataka is peaceful and inclusive People who come from outside have found food shelter and livelihood here That is the greatness of our mother Kannada and this sacred soil The atmosphere and culture here are unmatched anywhere else in the country Our land and water have the power to attract everyoneAll Kannadigas must stand united We must never forget the sacrifices dedication and hard work of those who upheld the honour of this language land and flag No other state in the country has both a state flag and a state anthem but we do We have installed the statue of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari in the premises of Vidhana Soudha We have made it mandatory that at least 60 per cent of the signage in the state be in Kannada We have also made it compulsory for industries factories and commercial establishments in Bengaluru to celebrate Kannada Rajyotsava he saidThis year has been a prosperous one The rains have cooled the soil and the KRS dam in Mandya has filled up three times in a single year Shivakumar addedAs Kannada poet Kuvempu described Karnataka is a garden of peace We must all rise above caste and religion and work together for the progress of Karnataka Bengaluru is shining on the global stage and the world is watching us We must take Kannada and Karnataka to the global level Goddess Bhuvaneshwari is the mother of the entire world the presiding deity of our landReminiscing about his childhood Shivakumar said Watching the school parade today reminded me of my school days I too used to wear the same uniform and march with discipline playing the bass drum I remembered walking in this very stadium during my school yearsSince the time of Emperor Ashoka Kannada has held a position of pride The media has done a remarkable job in showcasing the history of Kannada and Karnataka I extend my heartfelt greetings to all the people of Karnataka on the occasion of Kannada Rajyotsava IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/govt-to-consider-mandating-kannada-flag-hoisting-in-all-offices-during-november-dy-cm-shivakumar-646055.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:09:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/kerala-bjp-credits-pm-modi-led-govt-for-ensuring-no-starvation-deaths-in-state-646059.html Kochi Nov 1 Former Kerala BJP state president K Surendran on Saturday credited the Prime Minister Narendra Modiled Central government for ensuring that the state does not witness any starvation deaths Earlier in the day during a oneday special session of the Kerala Assembly convened solely for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to declare that his government has eradicated extreme poverty the Congressled UDF opposition walked out of the House terming the session nothing but a shamSurendran alleged that the Vijayan governments claims of eradicating extreme poverty were nothing more than a public relations exerciseHe said all major welfare programmes that have benefited the poor including free ration distribution under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana toilet construction and drinking water supply through the Jal Jeevan Mission were entirely funded and implemented by the Central governmentThe Prime Minister Awas Yojana PMAY has stalled only because the Kerala government failed to release its share for nearly seven lakh houses Surendran pointed outHe added that several other Central schemes have also suffered due to the state governments reluctance to provide its matching fundsKerala has not renewed its contract under the Urban PMAY scheme nor has it earmarked funds for the Jal Jeevan Mission The Chief Minister must explain what the state has done from its own treasury to free people from poverty Surendran saidAccording to him a majority of the 60000 families identified as extremely poor by the state are CPIM supporters while thousands still live under tarpaulin sheets without proper housingNo other state in India is conducting such a deceptive programme in the name of eradicating extreme poverty he allegedSurendran said the Central government has been making massive efforts to lift people out of poverty across India and accused the Kerala government of spreading false narrativesJust like the exaggerated claim of being a fully electrified state this is another publicity stunt he remarkedHe also alleged that the Pinarayi Vijayan government has been deliberately blocking the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme under which the PM Modiled government provides coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh per family IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/kerala-bjp-credits-pm-modi-led-govt-for-ensuring-no-starvation-deaths-in-state-646059.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 18:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/kumaraswamy-slams-cm-siddaramaiah-for-deflecting-pothole-query-to-dy-cm-shivakumar-646093.html Bengaluru Nov 1 Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy on Friday hit out at Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for his remark asking reporters to speak to Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on the issue of potholes in Bengaluru terming it the height of irresponsibility Speaking to reporters Kumaraswamy said I noticed the CMs statement It is highly irresponsible One begins to wonder who the real Chief Minister is Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar It was Siddaramaiah himself who chaired a meeting and set the deadline for filling potholes But even after the deadline the roads remain filled with potholes This shows how little value officials attach to the CMs wordsThe former Chief Minister added that Siddaramaiahs comments reflected his inability to manage the affairs of the state effectively He should not be making such statements he saidOn speculation over a possible November revolution and reports that Shivakumar may take oath as Chief Minister on November 21 Kumaraswamy said That is an internal matter of their party Its up to them to decide I would not want to comment on their internal decisionsHe went on to say that the Congressled government has two and a half years left in its term but is already making a mockery of itself The opposition doesnt even need to speak Ministers and those in responsible positions are speaking in different voices themselves Even NDA allies dont need to criticise them their own MLAs and ministers are doing it he remarkedCommenting on reports that BBMP staff were dumping garbage in front of houses Kumaraswamy said I saw in the media that BBMP staff were dumping garbage in front of peoples homes What kind of logic is that If citizens throw garbage on the streets bringing that garbage back and dumping it in front of houses what purpose does it serve Instead of taking scientific measures to handle waste disposal the government seems to have started a new innovative programme of dumping garbage in front of homesOn the proposed tunnel road project the Union Minister said Lets see when they actually start the work Will they consult experts before beginning or just start it abruptly My concern is about Bengalurus daily commuter problems Whether they build a tunnel or an elevated road thats for the government to decide But they should stop playing with the lives of citizensContinuing his criticism of the Congress government Kumaraswamy said In the state and in Bengaluru peoples properties are being grabbed Goons and rowdies are being protected while citizens hardearned properties are being looted This has to stop sooner or laterReacting to BJP leader R Ashokas statement that his party is ready for midterm elections Kumaraswamy said If he says theyre ready then we too are ready If elections are announced well face them But I dont want to speculate about midterm polls The Congress has 136 MLAs if they can resolve their internal differences their government will last If not it will collapseWhen asked about the governments delay in completing the SocioEconomic and Educational Survey he said What do they hope to achieve from this survey How much of it has actually been done How many people have participated They should first focus on identifying the poor across all castes Every community has poor people Instead of that theyre indulging in political surveysHe added Reports say there are 63000 vacant teaching posts in the state and that 94 per cent of teaching positions are vacant in Bengaluru University When there are such huge vacancies whats the point of conducting surveys This is not a survey for the welfare of the people its a tool for the Congress partys hidden agenda IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/kumaraswamy-slams-cm-siddaramaiah-for-deflecting-pothole-query-to-dy-cm-shivakumar-646093.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:37:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/bihars-jeevika-didi-kitchens-turn-aspirations-into-reality-for-thousands-of-women-646095.html Bihar Sharif Nov 1 The Jeevika Didi kitchens in Bihar are doing more than serving meals they are changing the lives of women across the state turning aspirations into reality and empowering them to become selfreliant From humble beginnings to financial independence the programme has become a beacon of hope for thousands of women Pushpa a Jeevika Didi for over 15 years shared her experience with IANS I have been associated with the Jeevika canteen for five years Earlier we lived in the village and struggled with small loans and limited income Now working in this canteen has transformed our lives My children are getting an education and we live comfortablyThis programme has taught me a lot and given me the chance to meet officials and learn new skills I am hopeful that with government support we will continue to progress and even start our own business I received Rs 10000 from the scheme which I used to buy a sewing machine This will help me earn more and I am grateful for the governments initiativeSujanti Devi another Jeevika Didi echoed similar sentiments Working in the kitchen has brought immense benefits Earlier we did manual labour in the village and could barely support our childrens education Now I earn regularly manage my household and my children study well With the Rs 10000 support from the Nitish Kumar government I bought a pushcart for my husbands transport work reducing our reliance on loans I feel independent and stressfreeSanju Devi who previously worked as a craftsperson in Delhi said Being part of Jeevika Didi kitchens in Bihar has completely changed my life I now stay with my children save on rent and earn a regular salary We also received Rs 10000 which I used to improve my husbands erickshaw Programmes like these make women selfreliant and we are grateful to the Nitish governmentEven the beneficiaries of the kitchens appreciate the initiative Shreekant Kumar a regular customer said For Rs 40 I get a full hygienic meal with vegetables rice lentils and chutney The food is clean tasty and comparable to private restaurants Programmes like Jeevika Didi kitchens benefit ordinary citizens and deserve full support It is heartening to see the governments focus on empowering women and providing nutritious affordable meals to the public All the Jeevika Didis beamed with joy when reminded of Prime Minister Narendra Modis commitment to make them Lakhpati Didis Sharing their happiness with IANS they said they would always remain grateful to PM Modi and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for their visionary plan to empower them financiallyThrough Jeevika Didi Bihar is not only ensuring food security but also nurturing women entrepreneurs paving the way for a new generation of financially independent Lakhpati Didis IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/bihars-jeevika-didi-kitchens-turn-aspirations-into-reality-for-thousands-of-women-646095.html Sat, 01 Nov 2025 21:40:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/birsa-munda-anniversary-tribal-affairs-ministrys-fortnight-long-celebrations-begin-tomorrow-645914.html New Delhi Oct 31 The Ministry of Tribal Affairs announced the start of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada from Saturday marking the grand culmination of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and celebration of the 150th Birth Anniversary of Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda on November 15 The twoweeklong celebrations will be organised across the country through the concerted efforts of Tribal Research Institutes TRIs Eklavya Model Residential Schools EMRSs TRIFED and NSTFDC highlighting the rich legacy culture and contributions of Indias tribal communities and Tribal Freedom Fighters said the MinistryThe Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada from November 115 aims to celebrate the achievements and progress made under key initiatives such as PM JANMAN Adi Karmayogi Abhiyan National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission DAJGUA and various livelihood and entrepreneurship programsAs part of the Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada leading up to Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas 2025 States and Union Territories are organising a series of events showcasing tribal culture heritage and achievements said an official statementFrom a Tribal Frames Film Festival in Manipur and Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Folk Art Festival in Chhattisgarh to Tribal Melas in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Janjatiya Gaurav Yatra in Gujarat Aadi Khel Diwas in Uttarakhand and Mahasammelans in Goa the celebrations embody the spirit of Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh uniting the nation in honour of Bhagwan Birsa Mundas enduring legacyThe Pakhwada will feature cultural festivals exhibitions youth engagements and awareness drives culminating on November 15 Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas with nationwide celebrations paying tribute to Dharti Aaba Bhagwan Birsa Munda whose courage and sacrifice ignited Indias tribal freedom movement and continue to inspire generationsThe celebrations will culminate on November 15 Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas with nationwide events paying tribute to Bhagwan Birsa Munda whose courage and sacrifice ignited Indias tribal freedom movement and continue to inspire generationsThe Ministry invited all citizens to join the celebrations Honouring 150 Years of Bhagwan Birsa Munda Celebrating 11 Years of Tribal Empowerment as the nation collectively pays homage to the heroes of its tribal heritage and reaffirms its commitment towards inclusive and sustainable development the statement said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/birsa-munda-anniversary-tribal-affairs-ministrys-fortnight-long-celebrations-begin-tomorrow-645914.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 22:15:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/centre-for-bay-of-bengal-studies-launched-in-shillong-to-enhance-regional-cooperation-connectivity-645915.html Shillong Oct 31 A new Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies was launched in Shillong on Friday to strengthen research policy dialogue and regional cooperation among the countries and states connected by the Bay of Bengal The initiative seeks to foster collaboration in areas of trade connectivity and sustainable development across South and Southeast Asia The centre will serve as a platform to promote academic and policy exchanges and facilitate what experts termed as third space cooperation among regional stakeholdersSpeaking at a highlevel panel discussion on Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal Envisioning a Resilient and Prosperous Future Opportunities and Challenges Ambassador Indra Mani Pandey SecretaryGeneral of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for MultiSectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation BIMSTEC said the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies would play an important role in strengthening regional engagementAmbassador Pandey described the initiative as timely noting that it aligns with the growing need for deeper collaboration amid evolving global and regional challengesCSR Ram Joint Secretary BIMSTEC and SAARC in the Ministry of External Affairs underlined Indias policy thrust on regional cooperation through initiatives such as the Neighbourhood First Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions frameworksFormer North Eastern Council NEC member MP Bezbaruah and former Minister of State for External Affairs and Education Dr Rajkumar Ranjan Singh highlighted the importance of improving physical and economic connectivity between India and Southeast Asia to unlock the Bay regions potentialPrithvish Nag former Surveyor General of India in his presentation traced the Bay of Bengals historical role as a hub of maritime trade and cultural exchange calling for renewed efforts to restore its economic and strategic vitalityThe inaugural discussion featured senior diplomats and policy representatives from BIMSTEC member countries including Abe Noraike Minister and Counsellor Political Embassy of Japan in India Preeti Rahman Deputy High Commissioner of Bangladesh in India Ambika Prasad Joshi Counsellor Minister Embassy of Nepal in India and Tshewang Dorji Director Bhutan BIMSTECThe speakers emphasised that the Bay of Bengal region lies at the crossroads of South and Southeast Asia and is central to Indias strategic outreach under the Neighbourhood First and BIMSTEC frameworks They called for practical commercially viable and mutually beneficial partnerships to drive economic and social growthThe establishment of the Centre is expected to enhance regional understanding and policy cooperation through researchbased initiatives and sustained dialogue among governments think tanks academia and businesses across the Bay of Bengal region a statement noted IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/centre-for-bay-of-bengal-studies-launched-in-shillong-to-enhance-regional-cooperation-connectivity-645915.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 22:17:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/maha-govt-forms-nine-member-panel-to-recommend-farm-loan-waiver-plan-645686.html Mumbai Oct 30 The Maharashtra government on Thursday constituted a ninemember committee to examine and recommend measures on the politically sensitive issue of farm loan waiver The panel will be chaired by retired bureaucrat and current CEO of Maharashtra Institution for Transformation MITRA Pravin Pardeshi According to a government notification issued the committee includes additional chief secretaries of the revenue finance agriculture cooperation and marketing departments along with representatives from the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank and the Bank of Maharashtra among othersThe panel has been tasked with submitting its report within six months outlining both shortterm and longterm recommendations to provide relief to indebted farmers The move comes amid an ongoing protest in Nagpur led by Prahar Sanghatana chief and former minister Bachchu Kadu who has demanded an immediate farm loan waiverDuring the monsoon session then Agriculture Minister Manikrao Kokate had announced the governments intention to form such a committee to bring about radical change in farmers lives and free them from mounting debt Although the announcement was made on July 18 the actual notification was issued only today coinciding with Kadus intensified agitationKadu while welcoming the governments move asserted that only genuinely needy farmers should be eligible for the waiver Farmers who are financially capable government employees pensioners or businessmen who farm for tax benefits should be excluded With Digital India it is easy to identify the real beneficiaries he saidHe demanded that all loans of needy farmers be waived off immediately without conditions with even those regularly repaying loans getting a sevenyear grace period The waiver he said must cover not only crop loans but also mediumterm and development loans including those for polyhouses shade nets irrigation and land improvementKadu further demanded a 20 per cent subsidy on the Minimum Support Price MSP for farm produce Rs 5 lakh housing subsidy for rural families on par with urban areas and inclusion of all farm expenses from sowing to harvesting under the Maharashtra Rural Employment Guarantee SchemeAmong his other demands were cancellation of the NagpurGoa Shaktipeeth highway a Rs 6000 monthly honorarium for the disabled widows women and orphans and separate welfare policies for shepherds and fishermen He also sought a permanent resolution of Gram Panchayat employees salary issuesCalling for fair returns to farmers Kadu proposed a Fair and Remunerative Price FRP of Rs 4300 per tonne for sugarcane with 9 per cent recovery and Rs 430 for each additional percent Rs 40 per kg for onions with the removal of export curbs and a minimum milk rate of Rs 50 per litre for cows milk and Rs 65 for buffalo milk The government must ensure fair pricing and implement FRP and revenuesharing models in the milk sector he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/maha-govt-forms-nine-member-panel-to-recommend-farm-loan-waiver-plan-645686.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:41:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/northeast-witnessing-golden-era-of-growth-under-pm-modis-visionary-leadership-arunachal-guv-645690.html Itanagar Oct 30 Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt General KT Parnaik Retd on Thursday said that the entire Northeastern region is witnessing a golden era of growth under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi driven by his actionoriented and outcomebased Act East Policy Addressing the first convocation of Arunachal Pradesh University as the Chief Guest the Governor said that the Prime Ministers vision and initiatives have brought unprecedented financial and infrastructural support to the state He urged that this progress must not be undermined by selfish motives or personal interests calling upon all to uphold honesty fairness and selfless service particularly towards people in the frontier and border areasThe Governor advised graduating students to let transparency guide their actions integrity shape their decisions and professionalism define their conduct reminding them that true success lies not only in what one achieves but also in how it is achievedHe said that the Prime Ministers call for a developed India by 2047 is a collective mission that rests on the youths innovation integrity and leadershipLt Gen Parnaik noted that the newly established Arunachal Pradesh University stands at a defining moment with the opportunity to learn from global institutions while building an education model rooted in local values and aspirations He emphasised that research and innovation must form the soul of the university fostering curiosity critical thinking and the courage to ask transformative questionsTrue education as envisioned in the National Education Policy NEP 2020 must go beyond classrooms and textbooks to shape character build courage and instil compassion he said The Governor also highlighted that the NEP places teachers at the centre of educational reforms recognising them as true nationbuilders who shape the future of society He urged that teachers be honoured empowered and inspired to guide future generations and help build a stronger enlightened IndiaOutlining his decadal vision for the university the Governor said it must evolve into a model of academic excellence and human development He encouraged initiatives such as village adoption cleanliness drives antidrug campaigns and women and child health programmes to foster social responsibility among studentsExpressing delight that 66 per cent of successful candidates and nearly all toppers were female students Lt Gen Parnaik said this reflected the spirit of womens empowerment and the changing social fabric of Arunachal PradeshAs Chancellor of the University the Governor also proposed setting up a Centre of Excellence for Tribal Studies to celebrate Arunachals rich cultural diversity and a Community Radio Station to serve as the peoples voice promoting awareness education and positive storytelling across the regionArunachal Pradesh University Vice Chancellor Prof Tomo Riba and Registrar Narmi Darang also addressed the occasion IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/northeast-witnessing-golden-era-of-growth-under-pm-modis-visionary-leadership-arunachal-guv-645690.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:49:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/meghalaya-conrad-sangma-holds-cm-connect-to-engage-with-villagers-645694.html Shillong Oct 30 Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Thursday held the CM Connect programme at Thangsning village under Mawkynrew Block in East Khasi Hills District directly engaging with villagers to understand their concerns and development needs The CM Connect initiative a flagship citizenengagement platform of the state government seeks to strengthen participatory governance by fostering direct dialogue between the Chief Minister and residents at the grassroots levelDuring the interaction community representatives raised issues such as the need for Higher Secondary Schools a Community College improved MNREGA implementation additional Anganwadi Centres a Veterinary Centre water supply expansion better roads and bridges reliable electricity and sports infrastructureResponding to these concerns Sangma announced Rs 1335 crore for the construction of the JongkshaThynroit Bridge to improve connectivity and sanction of an Artificial Turf adjacent to the Indoor Stadium in Mawkynrew to promote sports and youth developmentHe further said 1700 new Mini Anganwadi Centres will be established across Meghalaya within two years to cover all uncovered villages In the meantime these centres will operate from community spaces within three months he added Another Rs 60 lakh has been sanctioned for repair and maintenance of 20 existing centres under a state schemeOn education the Chief Minister said the government spends over 3500 crore annually on the sector Rs 2000 crore on salaries and Rs 1000 crore in grants to 4500 private aided schools the highest in the North East He said grants for Adhoc and SSA schools would be restructured and school categories rationalised to improve efficiency and equityAddressing farmers issues Sangma announced expansion of the CM FARM and CM SEEDS schemes with increased funding to support diverse agricultural needsYour inputs and cooperation enable us to serve you better Together we will build stronger communities and ensure that every household benefits from our development efforts he said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/meghalaya-conrad-sangma-holds-cm-connect-to-engage-with-villagers-645694.html Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:53:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/trinamool-expels-birbhum-councillor-accused-of-raping-woman-on-false-promise-of-marriage-645669.html Kolkata Oct 30 The Trinamool Congress on Thursday expelled a party councillor from Birbhum district after he was accused of raping a woman on the false promise of marriage The decision came within 24 hours of the filing of a police case against him According to the party Priyanath Sau the accused councillor and vicepresident of the Rampurhat city Trinamool committee was expelled following directions from Abhishek Banerjee Trinamool Congress national general secretary and leader of the party in the Lok SabhaAn FIR was registered against Sau on Wednesday based on a complaint lodged by a young woman who alleged that he concealed his marriage and entered into a physical relationship with her under the false pretext of marrying her only to later renege on his promiseDeputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly and Rampurhat Trinamool Congress MLA Ashish Banerjee announced the disciplinary action at the party office in Rampurhat on Thursday afternoonThe decision to expel him was taken after a thorough review by Abhishek Banerjee Our leader does not believe in rash decisions After verifying all aspects of the matter he instructed us to expel the councillor from the party for an indefinite period Banerjee told reportersAccording to the police complaint the victim said she met Sau in 2015 while preparing her voter identity card She alleged that although he was already married and had a child he hid this fact from her and repeatedly raped her over the years on the promise of marriageWhen her family later approached Sau for marriage he refused claiming he was already married the complaint statedA senior officer of the Birbhum district police confirmed that a case had been registered and investigation had begun A case has been registered We have started an investigation and are looking into all aspects of the allegations the officer saidAs of Thursday evening the police had not arrested the accused councillorThe expulsion comes amid a series of imagesensitive disciplinary measures by the Trinamool Congress in recent months with the party leadership stressing that individuals facing criminal charges would not be shielded or tolerated IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/trinamool-expels-birbhum-councillor-accused-of-raping-woman-on-false-promise-of-marriage-645669.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 21:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/after-justice-for-rg-kar-its-trinamools-justice-for-pradeep-kar-cry-now-645680.html Kolkata Oct 30 After the ghastly rape and murder of a lady junior doctor at the staterun RG Kar Medical College amp Hospital in Kolkata within the hospital premises last year the slogan that reverberated across the state and indeed the nation was Tomar Swor Amar Swor Justice for RG Kar Sara Banglar ektai Swor Justice for RG Kar Your call my call Justice for RG Kar Entire Bengal has just one call Justice for RG Kar Maintaining a rhythmic semblance with that earlier slogan the Trinamool Congress has now coined a new one Sara Banglar ektai Swor Justice for Pradeep Kar Entire Bengal has just one call Justice for Pradeep Kar as the tagline for its ongoing protest demonstrations over the suicide of 57yearold Pradeep Kar at Panihati in North 24 Parganas district earlier this week after his name was reportedly excluded from the National Register of Citizens NRCOn Thursday the Trinamool Congress held its first protest rally at Pradeep Kars locality where party leaders and supporters were seen carrying placards bearing the new slogan written in BengaliParticipants in the rally were also heard chanting the same slogan as they walked through the neighbourhood protesting against what they described as a tragic outcome of the NRC exercise The rally was led by Partha Bhowmik Trinamool Congress Lok Sabha member from Barrackpore constituency and Nirmal Ghosh the party MLA from Panihati among othersAt the conclusion of the rally Bhowmik said this was just the beginning of a wider movement and that protest demonstrations will be organised across West Bengal in the coming days against what he called the BJPs attempt to instill fear among the people using the Special Intensive Revision SIR and NRC as toolsOur party and the state government stand firmly beside Kars family Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and the partys national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee have assured them of all possible assistance Bhowmik saidOn November 4 the day the first stage of the threephase SIR process is scheduled to begin in West Bengal the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly is expected to lead a counterrally in the same area demanding a thorough investigation into Kars deathThe Leader of the Opposition has the freedom to hold that rally However his rally will be political in nature Our rally today was a rally of the common people Bhowmik said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/after-justice-for-rg-kar-its-trinamools-justice-for-pradeep-kar-cry-now-645680.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:31:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/delhi-hc-calls-for-balanced-humane-approach-in-maintenance-cases-645589.html New Delhi Oct 30 The Delhi High Court has acknowledged the heavy workload and complex realities faced by family courts while underscoring the need for a balanced and humane approach in maintenance proceedings A singlejudge Bench of Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed that although family courts are overburdened with emotionally charged disputes and time constraints they must strive to ensure that orders on maintenance reflect judicious application of mind and are based on available material rather than mechanical presumptionsThe volume of cases before the Family Courts is extremely high and judges are often required to hear a large number of matters each day many of which involve complex and emotionally charged disputes said Justice Sharma stressing that the Court must endeavour to strike a balance between expedition and fairness The Delhi High Courts observations came while setting aside an interim maintenance order passed by a family court and remanding the matter for fresh considerationnbspIt emphasised that decisions on maintenance especially at the interim stage must balance compassion with practicality and reasoned adjudicationJustice Sharma added that despite the detailed framework laid down by the Supreme Court family courts often deviate from settled principles or fail to provide adequate reasoning while determining interim maintenancenbspObserving that expedition cannot come at the cost of reason the Delhi High Court said that even interim orders must disclose the rationale behind the maintenance figure While it may not be possible to undertake a detailed examination of every financial detail at the interim stage the orders passed should not suffer from lack of reasoning or absence of clarity as to how the quantum of maintenance has been arrived at the judgment readThe Delhi HC said that delays are often caused by parties themselves who file incomplete or evasive affidavits of income and assets adding to the strain on family courts Yet it stressed judicial officers must ensure that even within practical limitations the orders reflect fairness and transparencynbspThis exercise is not a mere financial calculation but a judicial responsibility that affects the dignity sustenance and stability of lives Therefore orders on maintenance must reflect not only correctness in law but also an understanding of the human conditions that lie beneath the pleadings presented before the Courts Justice Sharma observedThe Delhi High Court directed that copies of its judgment be circulated to all principal district judges and family courts across Delhi and to the Delhi Judicial Academy for inclusion in training modules Let a copy of this judgment be circulated to all the learned Principal District and Sessions Judges of the District Courts in Delhi with a direction to circulate the same to all Judicial Officers particularly those presiding over the Family Courts so that the observations made herein are duly noted and complied with in letter and spirit it directed IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/delhi-hc-calls-for-balanced-humane-approach-in-maintenance-cases-645589.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 15:51:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/raja-raghuvanshi-murder-case-meghalaya-police-to-file-supplementary-chargesheet-naming-3-more-645622.html Shillong Oct 30 Meghalaya Police are set to file a supplementary chargesheet in the highprofile murder case of Indorebased businessman Raja Raghuvanshi naming three additional individuals accused of destroying or concealing key evidence officials confirmed on Thursday East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police SP Vivek Syiem said the supplementary chargesheet will name Silome James Lokendra Singh Tomar and Balbir Ahirwar as persons allegedly involved in tampering with crucial materials linked to the investigationThe upcoming chargesheet will not be extensive it mainly pertains to the destruction of evidence The main chargesheet has already been filed Syiem saidEarlier the police had submitted a comprehensive 790page main chargesheet copies of which were handed over to the legal aid defence counsel on October 28 The primary chargesheet names five key accused Sonam Raghuvanshi Raj Kushwaha Vishal Chauhan Anand Kurmi and Akash Rajput under sections related to murder criminal conspiracy and destruction of evidenceAll the five accused are currently in judicial custody and their bail plea moved on October 17 was rejected by the court Officials confirmed that none of the families of the accused have so far appointed private legal representatives with the District Legal Services Authority DLSA providing legal aid as mandated under law Copies of the chargesheet have already been shared with the courtappointed defence counselGovind Raghuvanshi brother of the prime accused Sonam Raghuvanshi said the family has not yet decided whether to engage a private lawyer We will review the chargesheet and decide our next course of action There has been no communication with Sonam since her arrest he said denying any external influence on their decisionsSources added that the charges framed against the five main accused have been clearly explained to them following the formal filing of the main chargesheet Police officials reiterated their commitment to ensuring accountability for all individuals involved directly or indirectly in the killing of Raja RaghuvanshiThe murder of Raja Raghuvanshi a young businessman from Indore had sent shockwaves across Meghalaya earlier this year exposing a complex web of alleged conspiracy betrayal and personal enmity According to investigators Raghuvanshi was killed following a series of personal and financial disputesThe case gained widespread public attention due to the alleged involvement of his wife Sonam Raghuvanshi who has been named the prime accused in the case Police have maintained that the evidence against the main accused is watertight while further investigation into the destruction of key materials led to the identification of three additional suspects who are now likely to be named in the supplementary chargesheet IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/raja-raghuvanshi-murder-case-meghalaya-police-to-file-supplementary-chargesheet-naming-3-more-645622.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 17:36:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/telangana-cm-asks-officials-to-intensify-relief-work-in-flood-hit-districts-645629.html Hyderabad Oct 30 Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Thursday directed authorities to intensify relief efforts in Warangal town and other parts of the state affected by floods following heavy rains under the impact of Cyclone Montha CM Revanth Reddy directed Chief Secretary and Director General of Police DGP to immediately send as many boats as necessary and to immediately move State Disaster Response Force SDRF to various floodhit districtsHe also asked officials to take steps to utilize Hyderabad Disaster Response Force and Asset Protection Agency HYDRAA personnel and flood relief equipment wherever necessaryThe Chief Minister who reviewed the situation through a videoconference from here asked authorities concerned to immediately evacuate people in flooded areas to safe places and to provide drinking water and food packets to families trapped on rooftops through dronesCM Revanth Reddy said he would conduct an aerial survey in Warangal and Husnabad areas on Friday He had to postponed his visit to Warangal due to bad weatherHe asked the ministersincharge of the cycloneaffected districts should be available at the field level They should visit the field level be available to the people and try to help themThe government is ready to help the people We are preparing all the necessary plans for this he saidThe Chief Minister said the Meteorological Department had warned that the cyclone will affect 16 districts and preventive measures were takenHe said that since this is the season of paddy harvesting unexpected disaster has caused concern to farmersHe asked officials to remain alert and directed the collectors to cancel leaves of all and go to the fieldThe Chief Minister wanted the electricity department to be on alert to ensure that there is no power disruption due to strong windsHe said traffic should be diverted at damaged roads bridges and lowlevel causeways and people should be made aware not to come on the roads unless necessaryHe asked officials to monitor situation roundtheclock and provide emergency medical services wherever necessaryThe ministers of the combined districts should alert the collectors from time to time in coordination with the officials District Collectors were directed to provide information to incharge ministers from time to timeIn the wake of the overflowing of streams the local people should be alerted to prevent accidents The inflow and outflow in irrigation projects should be monitored from time to time We should be vigilant at all times to prevent loss of life loss of livestock and loss of crops the Chief Minister added IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/telangana-cm-asks-officials-to-intensify-relief-work-in-flood-hit-districts-645629.html Thu, 30 Oct 2025 18:20:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/vp-radhakrishnan-takes-time-out-of-busy-schedule-to-meet-his-mother-in-tiruppur-645340.html New Delhi Oct 29 In a heartfelt moment that drew emotional responses from supporters and wellwishers Vice President CP Radhakrishnan on Tuesday shared that he was blessed to receive the blessings of his mother during his visit to Tiruppur in Tamil Nadu Taking to X the Vice President wrote Blessed to get the blessings of my mother today at Tiruppur He also shared a photograph in which his mother can be seen blessing himRadhakrishnan who has been touring the region as part of a series of public engagements and community outreach programmes took a brief pause from his busy schedule to visit his family home The visit marked by warmth and simplicity was highlighted by his touching gesture of seeking his mothers blessings a tradition deeply rooted in Indian cultureEarlier on Tuesday the Vice President urged citizens to work with dedication and unity to achieve the national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047Addressing the Coimbatore Citizens Forum Radhakrishnan said that both farmers and industrial workers form the backbone of Indias progress and that the nations prosperity depends on their collective strengthModernisation does not eliminate labour it enhances it the Vice President said emphasising that the growth of agriculture and industry must go hand in hand to ensure inclusive and sustainable national developmentHe added that Indias transformation into a developed nation by 2047 would require determination discipline and a shared sense of purpose among all citizensRadhakrishnan who began his public life in Coimbatore arrived in the city earlier in the day to a grand welcome marking his first visit after assuming office as Vice President last monthHe landed at the Coimbatore International Airport on a special flight from Seychelles where he had attended the swearingin ceremony of the island nations new PresidentTamil Nadu Ministers Muthusamy and Saminathan BJP State President Nainar Nagendran former State party chief K Annamalai and Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan received him IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/vp-radhakrishnan-takes-time-out-of-busy-schedule-to-meet-his-mother-in-tiruppur-645340.html Wed, 29 Oct 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-peace-meeting-on-rss-foot-march-in-chittapur-ends-without-consensus-645302.html Bengaluru Oct 28 The peace meeting convened by the Kalaburagi district administration on Tuesday to resolve the dispute over the proposed Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh RSS foot march in Chittapur town represented by Minister Priyank Kharge ended without any consensus among participating organisations The meeting chaired by Deputy Commissioner Fauzia Taranum and Superintendent of Police Adduru Srinivasulu was held following directions from the Karnataka High Court which had asked the government to facilitate discussions and submit a report on the issue by October 30Authorities allowed three representatives from each of the 11 organisations including the RSS and several community groups to participate The session aimed to resolve the matter amicably as multiple groups had sought permission to hold processions and foot marches in Chittapur on November 2 the same day the RSS proposed to conduct its centenary marchDalit organisations said they would withdraw their applications only if the RSS agreed to carry the national flag and the Constitutions Preamble instead of lathis and the Bhagwa Dhwaj during the foot marchSources said the meeting witnessed strong differences of opinion among participants with several organisations expressing opposition to holding simultaneous processions in the same town Despite the district administrations efforts to reach a middle ground the talks failed to produce an agreement forcing officials to prepare a detailed report for submission to the High CourtFollowing the meeting tensions briefly escalated as members of a few organisations staged protests and slogans were raised However the situation was brought under control with the intervention of the policeThe peace meeting followed the Dharwad Bench of the High Courts earlier direction to the government to conduct the discussion and report on the outcome The bench while hearing a batch of petitions on Friday had sought the governments response before taking up the matter again on October 30The RSS had approached the High Court challenging the denial of permission by the district authorities to conduct its centenary foot march in Chittapur The court had subsequently directed the organisation to file a fresh application for permission to hold the event on November 2Following this several other organisations including the Bhim Army Dalit Panthers Kuruba community groups and others also submitted applications to organise processions and marches on the same date prompting security concerns in the districtThe High Court bench headed by Justice M Nagaprasanna had earlier observed that the matter should not be prolonged and must be settled amicably through administrative dialogue The court also advised the government to treat the issue as an opportunity to demonstrate administrative efficiency and uphold law and orderThe Deputy Commissioner is now expected to submit a comprehensive report on the peace meeting and the district administrations position before the High Court by October 30Meanwhile the police have maintained heightened vigilance in Chittapur and neighbouring areas ahead of the scheduled date of the foot march Senior officers said adequate arrangements are being made to ensure peace and prevent any untoward incidentsThe case will next be heard by the Kalaburagi Bench of the Karnataka High Court on October 30 IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/ktaka-peace-meeting-on-rss-foot-march-in-chittapur-ends-without-consensus-645302.html Tue, 28 Oct 2025 18:13:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/sikkim-up-biodiversity-panels-get-rs-183-lakh-under-benefit-sharing-mechanism-644881.html New Delhi Oct 25 Recognising and rewarding local communities for acting as custodians of biological heritage the National Biodiversity Authority NBA has released Rs 183 lakh to Biodiversity Management Committees in UP and Sikkim an official said on Saturday The funds represent the access and benefitsharing mechanism under the framework of the Biological Diversity Act 2002 said the Environment Ministry official in a statementThese funds will be utilised for activities outlined under Section 44 of the Act and the relevant State Biodiversity Rules the statement saidBy transferring these funds the NBA is empowering these local custodians to lead a role in biodiversity conservation and the sustainable management of their resources Also the fund transfer is aimed at promoting fair and equitable benefitsharing said the statementThe funds were seamlessly transferred through the respective State Biodiversity Boards directly to two BMCs namely Narrau village Biodiversity Management Committee located in Akrabad Kaul Taluk Aligarh District Uttar Pradesh and Biodiversity Management Committee in the Lampokhari Lake Area Aritar SikkimA company accessed crop materials within the Narrau village for producing fermentable compounds from lignocellulosic biomass Another company accessed microorganisms from water and soil samples collected in the Lampokhari Lake area for research purpose said the statementEarlier the NBA released Rs 136 crore sharing the benefits of commercial use of biodiversity to local communities in Maharashtra and Uttar PradeshThis financial support was routed through the State Biodiversity Boards of Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh to three Biodiversity Management Committees BMCs Sakharwadi village Phaltan Taluk Satara District Maharashtra Kunjirwadi village Haveli Taluk Pune Maharashtra and the Kasganj area Etah District Uttar Pradesh according to a statement from the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate ChangeEach BMC will receive Rs 4550 lakh This initiative underscores the governments unwavering commitment to the principles of equity sustainability and conservationThe released funds represent a tangible Access and Benefit Sharing ABS payment following the commercial use of microorganisms sourced from soil and industrial effluent samples for producing fructooligosaccharide products IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/sikkim-up-biodiversity-panels-get-rs-183-lakh-under-benefit-sharing-mechanism-644881.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:19:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/jampk-sonu-nigam-arrives-in-srinagar-to-enthral-fans-644885.html Srinagar Oct 25 Bollywood playback singer Sonu Nigam arrived here on Saturday for October 26 musical concert on the banks of the Dal Lake in JampKs Srinagar city The concert being held at the ShereKashmir International Convention Centre SKICC by the banks of the Dal Lake tomorrow will be a tribute to the legendary singer late Mohammad RafiThis is going to be the first major musical event in Kashmir after the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 by Pakistanbacked LashkareTaiba LeT terroristsOrganised by NDTV Good Times the musical bonanza will feature Sonu Nigams voice blending modern energy with the timeless melodies of Mohammad RafiThe concert will be open to all ages with tickets available on the official website of wwwdistrictineventssonunigamlivetributetomohammedrafi2025buyticketsThose desirous of attending the concert can also visit the SKICC venue for tickets and more detailsIt is more special because we have not seen the celebration of 100 years of the late Mohammed Rafi Sahab at Dal Lake Can you imagineThe whole World knows my connection with my peer my guru and my inspiration but celebrating his legacy at Dal Lake in Kashmir celebrating the zest of Kashmir will be really wonderful and special Looking forward to seeing you all there Sonu Nigam has saidThe concert is slated to last approximately 5 hours and 30 minutesSrinagarbased Qazi Touqueer who won the reality show Fame Gurukul in 2005 will be the opening act at the Sonu Nigam Live On Dal Lake concertLimited free parking will be available at the venue and visitors are advised to arrive early to avoid congestionThere is no dress code and the venue is wheelchair accessible ensuring an inclusive and comfortable experience for all attendeesA variety of food beverages and drinks will be available for purchase at the venue Reentry will not be permitted once you exit so guests should plan their movements accordingly IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/jampk-sonu-nigam-arrives-in-srinagar-to-enthral-fans-644885.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/final-phase-of-rte-admissions-in-tamil-nadu-to-begin-on-oct-30-644887.html Chennai Oct 25 The School Education Department has announced that the final phase of admissions under the Right to Education RTE Act will commence across Tamil Nadu on October 30 marking a crucial step in ensuring equitable access to education for all children School Education Department Secretary B Chandra Mohan said that 7717 schools have registered under the RTE quota this year receiving 81927 applications for LKG and 89 applications for Class 1 for the academic year 202526The enrolment is being conducted under the 25 per cent reservation mandated by the RTE Act which guarantees free and compulsory education to children from economically weaker sectionsAccording to the schedule eligible students will be admitted on October 30 in schools where the number of applicants does not exceed the available seatsIn cases where the number of applications surpasses the seats a draw of lots will be conducted on October 31 following which the selected students will be enrolledOnce the process concludes all admitted children will be officially tagged under the RTE quota in the Education Management Information System EMIS portal ensuring transparency and monitoring throughout the academic yearChandra Mohan reiterated that schools are strictly prohibited from collecting any form of tuition or admission fees from students admitted under the RTE categoryIf any fees have already been collected they must be refunded within seven working days he emphasisedTo ensure smooth implementation districtlevel monitoring committees have been directed to oversee the process and a State helpline has been set up to assist parents and address grievancesThe state government remains fully committed to upholding every childs constitutional right to free and compulsory education Chandra Mohan saidThe RTE 25 per cent admission process will continue to be conducted in a transparent equitable and childcentred manner across Tamil NaduOfficials added that this years RTE admissions have seen an encouraging response from parents across the state reflecting growing awareness of the schemes benefits and the governments sustained efforts to make quality education accessible to all IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/final-phase-of-rte-admissions-in-tamil-nadu-to-begin-on-oct-30-644887.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 18:24:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/greater-bengaluru-authority-will-continue-dks-responds-to-bjps-scrap-the-body-remark-644898.html Bengaluru Oct 25 Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar responding to the BJPs statement that it would scrap the Greater Bengaluru Authority GBA if it comes to power stated that its not in the fate of the party to come to power He was responding to media questions on Saturday at Bharat Nagar Gandhi Park in Herohalli Yeshwanthpur constituency in BengaluruShivakumar said If they come to power they can do whatever they want But its not written in their fate that they will come to power and scrap the GBA This authority will continue If they dont want GBA let them boycott the upcoming municipal elections Lets see if they withdraw from contesting Their workers are already preparing to contestAsked about Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Suryas opposition to the tunnel road Shivakumar said Anyone can oppose anything I wont bother He has gone to court His intention is that the government should not earn goodwill by doing good work Im not acquiring any land for this projectOnly a small portion of land is acquired for the tunnel project Ill review it and if theres an issue well make alternative arrangements Lalbagh will not be disturbed in any way Well only use a small portion temporarily during construction and return it afterwardWhen told that Tejasvi Surya called Lalbagh a heritage site Shivakumar responded The tunnel road will be dug underground not above ground We cant stop the project just because of what he says If thats the case why are they digging and building tunnel roads in Mumbai and DelhiI will not yield to his words Let those who want to protest do so Criticisms will die good work will remain Were working for the people What good work did they do for Bengaluru during their term Tejasvi Surya is an empty trunk Shivakumar slammedAsked whether the tunnel road is being built only for the benefit of the rich he replied Yes its for those who will pay tolls and use it If they dont want this project ask them to come up with a plan to solve Bengalurus traffic congestion As the citys MP has he ever brought even Rs 10 of special funding for the citys development from the Prime MinisterDuring their rule what steps did they take to reduce traffic congestion Why couldnt they even issue tenders for garbage collection Why didnt they widen roads or build flyovers They did nothing for Bengaluru he questionedOne can still see dangling cable wires all over the city why didnt they BJP remove them They joined hands with mafias and ruined Bengaluru Thats why people supported our party and elected 140 MLAs to power Well continue doing our work with commitment Bengaluru is a global city and well do whatever it takes to protect it Shivakumar said IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/greater-bengaluru-authority-will-continue-dks-responds-to-bjps-scrap-the-body-remark-644898.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:22:00 +0530 https://dailyworld.in/society/over-15-crore-train-passengers-travelled-in-festive-season-so-far-ashwini-vaishnaw-644909.html New Delhi Oct 25 Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said nearly 15 crore train passengers have travelled so far in this festive season adding that over 25 crore passengers are likely to travel by the end of the festival season Vaishnaw informed that big holding areas have been set up at 30 railway stations for smoother crowd managementSpeaking to reporters here the minister further said that during former Railways Minister Lalu Prasads tenure 178 special trains were run during the Diwali and Chhath festival which have now increased to over 13000 a massive jumpThe safety has also increased and the number of accidents has reduced from over 170 in 2014 to just 31 in 202425 and we aim to reduce it further and make it saferAccording to Vaishnaw rail track construction has risen from 400600 kilometres per year to over 4000 per yearThe Indian Railways is also gearing up for the safe and comfortable return journey of passengers after the Chhath Puja festivities For October 28 6181 special trains have been notified to facilitate passengers returning to their workplaces after the festival seasonAround 30 stations in Bihar are gearing up for the festive rush with holding areas additional ticket counters CCTV surveillance and other passengerfriendly arrangements Moreover Railways has set up 24x7 medical booths at Patna Muzaffarpur Darbhanga Gaya and Saharsa with fire brigade and ambulance services on standby for prompt passenger health assistance and safety managementThe minister further said that more than 12 lakh Central Government employees have been onboarded on Zohos swadeshi digital suiteChipsets for various applications including CCTV are being developed in India Within two years India is set to achieve complete domestic production of mobile phone components The government will invest more than Rs 200 crore to develop energyefficient microprocessors for highperformance computing including servers said the minister IANS https://dailyworld.in/society/over-15-crore-train-passengers-travelled-in-festive-season-so-far-ashwini-vaishnaw-644909.html Sat, 25 Oct 2025 19:31:00 +0530