Subrata Bakshi, the state president of the party, made the request in writing because national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee is ill and cannot be there.

Following its remarkable showing in the general election, where it secured 29 of Bengal's 42 Lok Sabha seats, Mamata Banerjee's party would host its yearly grand celebration. This would make it the third-largest member of the INDIA bloc, behind the Congress and the Samajwadi Party.

"Considering the historic occasion, we hope to have an unprecedented turnout this time around. However, regrettably, we are having to assemble this in almost complete absence of our shenapoti (general)," a Trinamool insider stated, referring to Abhishek.

Prior to the July 21 celebration, Abhishek, the three-term Diamond Harbour MP, is probably going to travel overseas for medical attention.

Though it would be incomplete without him, it is unknown if he could make it. More so because he has been organizing the event for years and has guided our party from the front this time, partnering with his aunt at every turn, guaranteeing our success," a senior TMC official stated.

"In the event that he is absent, Bakshida is currently taking the necessary action. However, we can't completely rule out the chance that Abhishek will be present on the dais on July 21," he continued.

The leader went on, "He did discuss taking a break from party organization due to a health issue, but he has been leading our parliamentary party from the front this session, independently, and in the INDIA space."

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's order to remove encroachments from government land and restore its original nature is followed by the development.

Rajganj block's Gajoldoba is particularly well-known for Bhorer Alo, a massive tourist destination that is regarded as Mamata's ideal undertaking.

Subham Kundal, the executive officer of the Gajoldoba Development Authority (GDA) and the subdivisional officer (SDO) of Malbazar, filed a complaint in the court of Jalpaiguri SDO Tomojeet Chakraborty on Thursday, accusing the other party of invading the land.

"GDA was given the site so that it could build its office and related infrastructure. But others have erected homes and stores on the entire plot of land, encroaching onto it," an administration source stated.

After considering Kundal's allegation, Chakraborty heard the matter on Friday and gave the order for a combined team made up of representatives from the GDA, the land and land reforms department, the police, and the Rajganj block administration to visit the location on Saturday.

"On Monday, they will visit the location and provide me with a status report. The proper actions would be taken if the claim turned out to be true, according to Chakraborty.

Notices would be served to the encroachers immediately, according to sources.

"The administration will take action to have them leave the land if they are unable to demonstrate their ownership of it. The state administration has issued explicit instructions in this regard, the source continued.

Khageswar Roy, the vice-chairman of the GDA and a TMC MLA from Rajganj, talked with block officials on Friday as the news circulated.

"Any infringement on government land will not be tolerated. We cannot allow certain persons to occupy this land illegally as it was given to us in order to build the GDA office," the MLA stated.

In just two days, there have been two lynchings of this kind in Calcutta. Following the lynching of another guy in the city center on Friday, who was only identified by his first name, Irshad, police captured about fifteen individuals. It was also suspected that Irshad, who worked at a TV repair business near Chandni Chowk, was a cell phone thief.

According to police officials, three people have been taken into custody in relation to the event that happened in Salt Lake. Authorities are still looking for and apprehending further attackers as the investigation is still ongoing.

"This occurrence is really regrettable. In response to the most recent murder, Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said, "It would seem that law and order is slipping out of the administration's grip."

Residents and politicians are outraged and concerned by the recent lynchings, which emphasizes the urgent need for action to stop such acts and uphold the rule of law. To stop mob justice and advance community safety, authorities are urging greater public knowledge and vigilance.

The local government is under increasing pressure to address the root causes of these violent crimes and rebuild public trust in the justice system as the investigations go on.

Two of the ten deaths from these districts have been recorded in the past 24 hours.

Few cases have been documented at the nearby hospitals and health centers, despite the fact that many children have been afflicted with anthrax, pneumonia, diphtheria, and other unidentified illnesses, according to reports.

The Odisha government insisted, however, that diphtheria was the cause of only six deaths. Six cases of diphtheria-related deaths have been formally confirmed thus far. We now know that two more children have passed away. The inquiry is now underway. Pneumonia could be the reason of the recent cases. Public health director Nilakantha Mishra told The Telegraph on Friday, "Let me discuss the matter with the chief district medical officers (CDMOs).

According to Mishra, the announcement of deaths came about as a result of confirmation from the Regional Medical Research Centre based on analysis of samples provided to them by chief district medical officers. We have started isolation and surveillance with the assistance of the local government to stop the spread of sickness. According to Mishra, the medical teams are doing their duties.

The mucous membranes of the throat and nose are impacted by the bacterial illness diphtheria. It can occasionally result in death and cause issues with breathing and cardiac rhythm. The doctor listed fever, nasal discharge, and an enlarged gland in the neck that causes breathing to become labored or quick.

The state administration is vaccinating every child in Rayagada and Koraput with a booster dose of the diphtheria vaccine in an effort to stop the disease's spread. Additionally, we are administering preventative antibiotic doses to all vulnerable individuals in these regions. Screening and treatment have begun door-to-door, according to officials.

Reports of an outbreak of jaundice have originated from western Odisha, specifically Sambalpur, while a diphtheria outbreak has been documented in the southern districts of Koraput and Rayagada.

"We are taking action to stop the jaundice from spreading to other areas of the district of Sambalpur. It spreads by way of food and drink. There has been an awareness campaign started in the area, according to officials.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed grief over the unfortunate accident.

The incident occurred near Mandir Morh, 148 km from here, during an exercise at around 1 am, the officials said.

“On 28 June, 2024 night, while de-inducting from a military training activity, an Army tank got stuck in the Shyok River, near Saser Brangsa, eastern Ladakh due to sudden increase in the water level.

“Rescue teams rushed to the location, however, due to high current and water levels, the rescue mission didn't succeed and the tank crew lost their lives. Indian Army regrets loss of five brave personnel while being operationally deployed in eastern Ladakh. Rescue operations are underway,” a Leh-based Army PRO said in a statement.

In a post on X, Defence Minister Singh condoled the loss of lives.

“Deeply saddened at the loss of lives of five of our brave Indian Army soldiers in an unfortunate accident while getting the tank across a river in Ladakh,” he said.

“We will never forget exemplary service of our gallant soldiers to the nation. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. The nation stands firm with them during this hour of grief,” he said.

A rescue operation has been launched. Further details are awaited.

The operation, according to them, started early in the morning at the residences of suspects dispersed among the four districts of Anand, Kheda, Ahmedabad, and Godhra.

According to officials, the National-Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test - Undergraduate (NEET-UG) paper leak led to the arrest of the principal and vice-principal of a school in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, as well as a journalist from a Hindi publication on Friday by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The National Testing Agency (NTA) named Ehsanul Haque, the head of Oasis School, the city coordinator for Hazaribagh for the medical entrance exam on May 5.

The officials added that vice-principal Imtiaz Alam has been assigned as the NTA's observer and Oasis School's center coordinator. They also mentioned that five additional district residents were being questioned by the CBI regarding the leak.

According to officials on Saturday, journalist Jamaluddin Ansari was taken into custody for reportedly attempting to assist the vice-principal and the principle.

In the NEET-UG paper leak case, the CBI has filed six formal complaints: five from the states where it assumed control of the probe, and its own FIR based on a referral from the Union education ministry.

Three cases in Rajasthan and one each in Gujarat and Bihar have been taken over by the investigation agency.

The NTA administers NEET-UG to applicants seeking admission to government and private universities' MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other relevant programs.

The exam this year was held on May 5 at 4,750 locations throughout 571 cities, including 14 overseas. In excess of 23 lakh applicants took the test.

On June 23, one day after the ministry declared it would turn over the investigation into the purported anomalies in the exam's conduct to the central agency, the first CBI FIR was filed.

Speaking to reporters at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Airport, the CPI chief stated that their goal is to bring the nation's secular parties together.

Raja is visiting Jharkhand for two days and will be taking part in a program run by the farmers' organization Akhil Bharatiya Kisan Mahasabha.

"We are happy that Soren was given a bail. He is no longer incarcerated. This will facilitate deeper connections between the state's secular parties, according to Raja.

Additionally, he declared, "We are working to bring all democratic secular parties together under the INDIA bloc in order to combat fascist, right-wing, and communal forces." Additionally, we are attempting to collaborate within Parliament." In a money laundering case, the state high court granted bail to Soren on Friday, noting that he was not guilty and that there was little chance the petitioner would commit an offense while out on bond. Soren was then released.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) detained Soren, the executive president of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), on January 31 as part of its probe into a money laundering case involving the illegitimate holding of 8.36 acres of land.

Regarding the NEET-UG dispute, Raja stated that they had requested the exam be canceled.

The National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (Undergraduate), or NEET-UG, was a medical entrance exam that was administered by the National Testing Agency on May 5 and for which around 24 lakh people registered. However, there have been complaints of anomalies in the exam.

Attacking the central government, Raja claimed that the misrule and terrible policies of the Narendra Modi government had caused the country's economic, employment, farmers, and tribal conditions to worsen.

If climate scientists are correct, then if you think this summer is awful, be ready for the worst.

According to a research published in Springer in October 2023, the frequency of a daily maximum temperature above 43°C will tenfold rise over 25 years along India's east coast, which includes Calcutta. That will result in a 16-fold rise for the west coast and an additional seven-eight days on average in days with heatwave conditions.

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It is anticipated that this trend of more hot days will begin in 2025 and last for an additional 25 years. It won't give up. The number of heatwave days is expected to increase by 10–17 days between 2076 and 2100 compared to the current range, which, according to the India Meteorological Department, can last anywhere from one to five days during short– to medium–length periods between the months of March and June.

In the worst situation, that will last into July.

It is going to be a double-whammy for Calcutta because the city is experiencing increasing levels of heat and humidity discomfort, both of which are expected to continue rising.

Thus, even days with a lot of rain are not likely to bring about a lot of relief.

According to another study conducted by the Delhi-based environmental think-tank Centre for Science and Environment, the average heat index during the monsoon has already risen by 3.5°C from the pre-monsoon days in Calcutta, making the monsoons more miserable already.

The average heat index is a measurement of the perceived temperature after accounting for humidity in addition to air temperature. A 41°C heat index is deemed "dangerous for human health" by the US National Weather Service.

The CSE study examined Calcutta's heatscape from 2021 to 2023. Earlier this year, the report was released.

According to research, both dry and moist forms of heat stress have been impacted by climate change, according to Rajib Chattopadhyay, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

He claimed that "both dry and moist heat stress are on the rise." The effects of heatwaves on the human body are measured by heat stress. Our bodies need a steady internal temperature in order to function properly. A body under heat stress might not operate correctly.

When people with preexisting medical disorders are exposed to sunlight for longer than the threshold—which can vary from an hour to ninety minutes or more, depending on their unique circumstances—dry heat stress leads to dehydration and can have a serious effect on them.

According to Chattopadhyay, "moist heat stress arises when the body is unable to efficiently expel heat, and the surrounding humidity in the atmosphere exacerbates the discomfort." Excessive moisture prevents the body from sweating and prevents it from cooling off effectively. Internally, moist heat stress can be just as damaging as dry heat stress.

According to the CSE, there has been a 5.6 percent increase in heat stress in Calcutta between 2001–10 and 2014–23 due to a 5% increase in relative humidity.

The same analysis indicates that there has been an average 3.5% increase in the decadal heat index in Calcutta.

In addition, compared to 2001–10, the frequency of days with a daily heat index above 41°C has tripled.

The percentage of Calcutta's built-up area increased from 70.1% in 2001 to 80.1% in 2023 over the previous 20 years. According to the CSE, within the same time frame, the city's green cover decreased from 15.2% to 14.5% last year.

The model of Ahmedabad

In 2013, Ahmedabad became the first city in South Asia and India to have a heat response strategy. For those compelled to live in cement rooms with no ventilation and no access to a cooling system, the proposal recommended painting the tin roofs of the low-income housing complexes with heat-reflecting paint. It also includes clauses requiring all government, commercial, and municipal buildings to have cool roofs.

The May of 2010, when the heat is said to have killed over 1,000 people, swamped hospitals with heatstroke patients, and killed a few hundred bats, served as a wake-up call for the city authorities of Ahmedabad. Delhi has also had bat deaths this summer.

Heat advisories in Ahmedabad are disseminated by press releases, billboard announcements, and SMS and WhatsApp. To get the word out to the general public, radio hosts, health professionals, and community leaders are involved.

The heat action plan of Calcutta

As part of the heat action plan, the disaster management department of Bengal has created a list of dos and don'ts. The municipal government of Calcutta is developing a thorough climate action strategy specifically for the city.

"A few modifications have already been implemented," stated Debashish Kumar, a state lawmaker and member of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation's mayor-in-council. "To lessen the frequency of uprooting trees, changes have been made to the way walkways are paved and trees are pruned. Any pruning that upsets a fully established tree's equilibrium will be prosecuted, as will paving a walkway over exposed roots."

Heatwaves could sometimes occur earlier.

Based on a study published in Nature last month, India now has a 10% risk of experiencing an intense heatwave in late spring. In 2022, for instance, India experienced a heatwave in March.

India is concerned about the frequency, duration, and intensity of heatwaves brought on by anthropogenic climate change. It is necessary to execute an efficient heat plan action, according to Chattopadhyay.

Panama defeated the shorthanded Americans 2-1 on Thursday night thanks to a goal from backup goalkeeper José Fajardo in the 83rd minute. The loss puts the host nation in danger of being eliminated if it doesn't defeat Uruguay in its first-round matchup.

With Weah sent off in the eighteenth minute, the United States was down a player for the majority of the match.

"You never intend to be sent off. In no way, shape, or form, remarked colleague Tyler Adams. "He expressed regret to the team."

Weah apologized in public on social media.

He stated, "I let my team and my country down." "I sincerely apologize to my teammates, coaches, family, and our fans for the irreversible consequences that resulted from a moment of frustration."

Iván Barton, the Salvadoran referee, gave Weah a straight red card and sent him out for hitting Roderick Miller in the back of the head.

"A foolish, foolish choice made by Timmy that leaves us lacking personnel," head coach Gregg Berhalter declared.

The U.S. took the lead with Folarin Balogun in the 22nd minute, but César Blackman equalized the score in the 26th.

After halftime, Horvath took over for the injured Matt Turner, but he was unable to stop Fajardo's close-range shot from passing through his arms, and Panama defeated the United States for just the third time in 27 encounters.

After defeating Bolivia 2-0 in their opening match, the United States takes on Uruguay, the 15-time Copa winner, on Monday in Kansas City, Missouri.

The United States has to win against Uruguay and finish with a higher goal differential than Panama if Panama wins; it can also tie Uruguay and both Panama and Bolivia draw; or it can lose to Bolivia and finish with a better goal differential than both Panama and Bolivia. Brazil is plus-seven, the United States is plus-one, and Panama is minus one.

However, losing the most important match for the Americans before the 2026 World Cup will undoubtedly make people wonder if Berhalter should be in command.

Not shortly after the last whistle, he received that same question.

In the fifth minute, Weston McKennie looked to have given the United States the lead, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Additionally, Adalberto Carrasquilla's red card in the 88th minute for knocking down Pulisic from behind meant that Panama finished one player short. In a last-ditch effort to draw the game, the United States put everyone forward, including Horvath, but Panama prevailed.

After losing to Uruguay 5-0 in the late game on Thursday night, Panama will play Bolivia to end group play in Orlando, Florida. Bolivia has lost 14 straight Copa America games.

Weah's ejection infuriated the 59,145 pro-American fans at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, especially after multiple other calls went against the host team. However, there was no doubt that the American player deserved to be sent off.

Goalie Orlando Mosquera blocked Chris Richards' header from Pulisic's corner kick off the crossbar, and Tim Ream was ruled offside when he poked the ball to McKennie, who scored from close to the penalty spot, according to a video review.

When Blackman collided with a jumping Turner in the 12th minute, the latter landed awkwardly on his right arm and lay down for several minutes before receiving medical attention. Blackman did not receive a penalty for the incident.

Following a careless clearance, Balogun scored. After dribbling into the penalty area, Antonee Robinson passed to the attacker. Following a tap-trade with Robinson, Balogun curled a shot from the outside of the box that went in for his fifth goal in 14 games after hitting the inside of the far post.

After receiving a ball from Carrasquilla at the arc, Blackman dribbled around Robinson and shot through Richards' knees and just over Turner's outstretched arm to equalize the score in the 26th minute.

Berhalter started the second half by making three replacements. After Horvath entered in his first game for club or country since May 4, Turner left with a bruised left leg.

Turner's condition is unknown for the upcoming game. Weah refuses to wear clothing due of the red card.

In the sixty-third minute, Cameron Carter-Vickers, another substitute, was whistled for pulling down Fajardo close to the goal, and the Americans benefited from a video review. After a video review revealed that Fajardo had already crossed the ball when Carter-Vickers made contact, the call was reversed.

With possession for an astounding 73.6% of the game and an overwhelming 13-6 advantage over the United States, there wasn't much the large crowd could do but vent their dissatisfaction at the officiating.

India’s campaign in this tournament has echoed their performance in the ODI World Cup at home last year, where they dominated the competition only to be thwarted by Australia in the final. This time, they remain unbeaten and have emerged as the standout team of the tournament. Notably, they do not have to face the battle-hardened Australian side, which has often been their nemesis in crucial encounters.

South Africa, whose only ICC triumph dates back to the Champions Trophy (then ICC Knock-Out Trophy) in 1998, enters the final with high hopes and dreams. Often labeled as chokers, the Proteas are determined to shed this tag at the Kensington Oval.

For some South African players, who count IPL titles as their biggest achievements, winning a World Cup would be the ultimate prize. The mood among fans and experts after India’s commanding semifinal victory over England suggests that Rohit Sharma and his men are the overwhelming favorites. This sentiment is bolstered by India’s squad composition and the favorable conditions in the Caribbean. They aim to erase the heartbreak of November 19, 2023, when they were stunned by Pat Cummins' Australia in the ODI World Cup final.

"I know India have had their issues in ICC finals for a long time but I just don't see South Africa posing a challenge. India have been the best team of the tournament so far and man to man South Africa are a weaker side," said a World Cup-winning former captain to PTI.

A victory would also serve as a perfect send-off for outgoing coach Rahul Dravid. Dravid, who experienced disappointment as a captain in the 2007 ODI World Cup, is on the cusp of a remarkable farewell as coach.

India’s strategic adaptability has been key to their success in this tournament. They deployed three specialist pacers on the untested pitches in New York before unleashing their trump card, Kuldeep Yadav, on the spin-friendly surfaces in the Caribbean.

India is expected to stick to their successful playing eleven, but they will be hoping for standout performances from key players. Superstar Virat Kohli, who has had a relatively quiet tournament, will be crucial in the final. Despite his struggles, captain Rohit Sharma has backed him, saying, "He is saving it for the final." Rohit himself has led from the front with his batting and will need to set the tone once again.

Shivam Dube’s performance against South African spinners Keshav Maharaj and Tabraiz Shamsi could be pivotal. On the bowling front, India has been formidable, with both pacers and spinners delivering consistently.

South Africa, on the other hand, enters the final with an extra day of preparation. The Proteas, who have never been in a World Cup final before, will be buoyed by their dominant win over Afghanistan in the semifinal.

Key to South Africa’s chances will be the form of their opening pair, Quinton de Kock and Reeza Hendricks. Skipper Aiden Markram is also due for a big innings. Heinrich Klaasen, known for his explosive hitting, will need to navigate the spin threat effectively.

South Africa’s pace attack has been impressive, but it remains to be seen how they will perform in a day game. While Shamsi and Maharaj are effective spinners, Indian batsmen are likely to handle them with confidence.

The weather forecast indicates a high chance of rain, but the ICC has scheduled a reserve day for the final.

The Australians knocked out India for their lowest-ever total of 36 in the day-night Test match.

However, the visitors prevailed in the Test matches in Melbourne and Brisbane in addition to drawing in Sydney, even without regular captain Virat Kohli, who had to return to India for personal reasons.

"I had to get back into the situation as soon as possible, literally forgetting about the 36 all-out. During the opening of Fortis Hospital Mulund's Sports Injury Clinic here on Friday, Rahane recounted, "We were all shattered that time, everyone was in shock, and I thought it was a bad dream."

"But ultimately, when I woke up the following day, I realized (that) it (had) actually happened (36 for nine)," stated Rahane. Rahane went on to help India level the series with an eight-wicket victory in Melbourne on Boxing Day, where he later produced a heroic century.

Rahane stated that it was critical for the Indian players to recuperate psychologically from such a defeat and that they were given time off to reflect.

"I talked to myself for a good 30 minutes before speaking with my teammates, trying to persuade myself to just be in the moment and not worry about the outcome or the result," he added.

"Your mind wanders to the past and the future and considers the result and the outcome when you lose an exam or experience anything similar. That is a typical human inclination. Rahane stated that he made the decision to put off thinking about cricket for a few days. But I had to force myself to focus, so I declared that I would not think about cricket for the next two days. We are in Adelaide, and once we get to Melbourne, we'll consider our strategy—both my and the team's,” he stated.

Rahane sent the team a similar message as well. He said, "I told the team to enjoy themselves and go wherever they wanted to go, just clear your mind, and let's not talk about cricket for the next two days. We will meet in Melbourne and we will start our journey and campaign there again."

In that series, Rahane also had to deal with the injuries of a few important players, but he claimed he enjoyed the challenge of going deep and fielding eleven healthy players each Test.

"Our focus was on approaching the series as a three-Test series starting in Melbourne, instead of considering it as a four-Test series," the player stated.

According to Rahane, it all came down to celebrating one other's victories and providing assistance during a trying time.

"Anything that occurred in Adelaide was dead, in the past, and beyond our control; as athletes, all that mattered was living in the present and celebrating each other's accomplishments." "Your mind is in the moment when you are enjoying your teammates' success, and that's how we actually started doing well from Melbourne onwards and eventually won the series," the player remarked.

Speaking about his own injury difficulties, Rahane stated that he overcame them by maintaining his mental toughness.

Pune was the site of the match, and I was representing KKR. The Grade 3 rupture in my hamstring was the result of this injury. I really ran three runs during that injury (stage), and my physio asked me afterwards, "How did you actually run those three runs?" he recounted.

It was merely a mental capacity. Because your mental condition and health are what propel you (ahead) and aid in your recovery following specific kinds of injuries, he stated.

"Kalki 2898 AD" made Rs 61.5 crore nett from its Telugu version, Rs 23.5 crore nett from its Hindi version, Rs 4.5 crore nett from its Tamil version, Rs 2.2 crore nett from its Malayalam version, and Rs 0.3 crore nett from its Kannada version, according to industry data-tracking platform Sacnilk.

Along with Prabhas and Deepika Padukone, the film stars a legendary cast that includes actors Amitabh Bachchan and Kamal Haasan. Audiences all around the nation have been captivated by their compelling performances.

"Kalki 2898 AD" has broken the previous record for the greatest opening day collection in Hindi, which was held by Hrithik Roshan's "Fighter," with a nett revenue of Rs 22.5 crore.

The reaction to "Kalki 2898 AD" on a global scale has been similarly remarkable. The makers of the movie claim that the Prabhas movie has made Rs 191.5 crore in total revenue worldwide. "Kalki 2898 AD" is now the third-largest Indian opening in history thanks to this incredible accomplishment. Currently holding the top two positions are "RRR" (grossing Rs 223 crore) and "Baahubali 2" (grossing Rs 217 crore) from S.S. Rajamouli.

The phenomenal success of "Kalki 2898 AD" highlights the growing demand in the Indian market for high-concept science fiction thrillers with impressive casts. The movie's ground-breaking premiere has raised the bar for the industry and demonstrated the increasing trend of high-octane, big-budget movies that are captivating viewers all around the world.

With an intriguing plot and outstanding performances, "Kalki 2898 AD" is predicted to maintain its excellent box office success, drawing large audiences and winning praise from critics. The film's extraordinary success establishes a new benchmark for upcoming films and represents a major turning point in Indian movie history.

The photos, which quickly went viral after being posted, show Dhoni sporting a voluminous haircut with a natural, wavy texture and brown highlights. The former Chennai Super Kings skipper's charming smile also adds to the overall appeal of the look.

“Our Young,Dynamic & Handsome Mahendra Singh Dhoni @mahi7781 It’s a pure joy to cut & style our Thala’s hair and he is always courteous enough to let me click his pics,” wrote Aalim Hakim, sharing pictures of Dhoni in a black t-shirt on Instagram on Friday.

Fans immediately reacted to the post, praising the cricketer’s new look. “Dhoni sir age reverse button,” commented one social media user, while another wrote, “Koi itna handsome kaise ho sakta hai (How can someone be so handsome).”

Dhoni recently toured the Italian city of Palermo with his wife Sakshi Singh and daughter Ziva. Photographs shared by Sakshi show them posing in front of historical structures like the Church of San Cataldo and San Giuseppe dei Teatini. The carousel also features a candid shot of Dhoni spending time with his daughter Ziva at an eatery.

Ayushmann continued by praising Tahira for her tenacity throughout the film's production, describing Sharmajee Ki Beti as a heartwarming tale. "Throughout the course of this film, you battled through the most trying moment of your life. He stated in the note, "Perhaps this is why Sharmajee Ki Beti is such a heartwarming narrative.

Ayushmann emphasized Tahira's ability to overcome major obstacles while filming Sharmajee Ki Beti. Since our theater days, you have always been a natural writer and director; now, the world needs to witness your incredible talent, he said.

The 39-year-old actor also extended his congratulations to the entire Sharmajee Ki Beti cast and crew, which made its premiere on Amazon Prime Video on June 28.

Ayushmann hugging his wife in a framed portrait, Tahira holding their kids' hands, a picture of Tahira as a child with her parents Yajan and Anita Kashyap, and many stills of Tahira going over images from the movie's filming are all featured on the Instagram carousel. The final slide says, "Ayushmann Khurrana, a.k.a. Tahira's husband."

Sharmajee Ki Beti, which stars Sakshi Tanwar, Divya Dutta, Vanshika Taparia, Arista Mehta, and Saiyami Kher, is produced by Ellipsis Entertainment and presented by Applause Entertainment. Parvin Dabas, Ravjeet Singh, and Sharib Hashmi are also featured.

With the short Toffee, Tahira made her directing debut in 2017. Zindagi in Short (2020), an anthology of seven stories about seven different people and their typical lives, was her next directing endeavor. In 2020, she was proclaimed cancer-free, having received a breast cancer diagnosis in 2018.

In the Kota-set series, Jeetu bhaiya serves as a teacher and mentor at a coaching center where students get ready for the incredibly difficult admission tests for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).

Jitendra claims that the figure serves as a support network for kids who are facing difficulties. We don't have many mentor figures, which is the only thing I can make sense of from the adoration this program and this character have garnered. People feel alone because either the proper kind of mentorship is lacking or it is entirely inaccessible.

Humans are sociable animals with a strong need for support as well as the ability to express themselves. People have linked to this fictional persona of Jeetu bhaiya because, on occasion, we have friends who are in the same competition as us and we are unable to disclose certain things with them," Jitendra told PTI in an interview.

The students in the latest season of the black-and-white television show, which is based on The Viral Fever (TVF), are juggling various obstacles in their lives with their final exam preparation.

Jitendra is a former student of IIT Kharagpur who also attended Kota. He is well-known for his work on the television shows "TVF Pitchers" and "Panchayat" as well as the feature film "Shubh Mangal Zyada Saavdhan".

The actor recalled his days as a coach, saying that large halls and auditoriums were used to teach large classes of kids.

"There used to be at least 20–25 classes every week, and the teacher would give a 1.5-hour lecture in a large hall or theater. They are too busy to spend time getting to know every single student's issues.

"Whether it's through their instructional strategies or personal styles, teachers inspire and impress their students. It used to be such a big thing for me to meet my teachers, who were my stars. I was enthralled with them." The actor claimed that once "Kota Factory" was released, he received congratulations and greetings from his former instructors.

"I saw them when I returned to Kota. They also explained to me how this series has altered the way they view their work. They never considered the possibility of developing a close relationship with students.

"We often neglect the kids in favor of studying and working out mathematical formulae. They have been greatly transformed by this series, and they now make an effort to assist their students in resolving their own personal issues. And for me and this series, this was a winning response," he remarked.

Another performer in "Kota Factory" is Mayur More, who portrays Vaibhav, Kota's IIT hopeful.

After three seasons as the character, More feels that while tension and concern about doing well on competitive tests are normal human emotions, one should just enjoy the process and not get too caught up in it.

Even with extensive preparation, tension may still arise. There can be tension when you think you've prepared too much. Occasionally, we become dissatisfied because we have predetermined in our minds the outcome of something. Not everyone gets those outcomes, but some do.

"I think it's crucial to acknowledge that disappointment... Thus, all that should be done is enjoy the process and work to improve what is under your control," he stated.

"Kota Factory," which is directed by Pratish Mehta and produced by Raghav Subbu, also stars Ranjan Raj, Tillotama Shome, Rajesh Kumar, Alam Khan, Revathi Pillai, and Ahsaas Channa.

The board, which has its main office in Guwahati, strives to protect the rivers that traverse the Brahmaputra basin, including the Teesta. Under the Union Jal Shakthi Ministry, it operates.

State irrigation department representatives provided more details about the October 2017 Teesta flash flood during the board's 82nd meeting, which took place in Kalimpong.

We spoke of the massive amount of debris that the flash flood left behind on the Teesta, which caused the river bed to rise. The irrigation department's chief engineer for the northeast, Krishnendu Bhowmik, added, "Other issues like erosion caused by the river on its both banks were pointed out."

He added that they had been asked to submit a specific plan by the head of the Brahmaputra Board, Ranbir Singh.

"In order to get funding approved to complete these projects in the Teesta, we will talk with Sikkim and submit a joint DPR (detailed project report) to the board," Bhowmik continued.

The ₹11 crore detailed plan (DPR) for flood protection works on the Teesta river bank in Mekhliganj, close to the India-Bangladesh border, was also discussed by the officials during the discussion.

Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister, had claimed that dredging on rivers like the Ganga and Teesta and anti-erosion activities were not funded by the national government.

During the meeting, board representatives announced that they planned to start a project to conserve water that flows via hilly streams in north Bengal, allowing it to be utilized for various reasons.

This prompted state irrigation department representatives to note that the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) oversees these regions, and the agency is unable to handle the work independently.

"So that the project can be executed in the hills, it was then decided that the GTA will also be invited at the next meeting of the board," the source said.

On July 1, the three new rules, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Sanhita, will go into effect.

Lawyers who work in courts in West Bengal and the Andaman and Nicobar islands will not do any work on July 1 because of a decision made by the Bar Council of West Bengal.

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill, 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Bill, 2023 were introduced in Parliament by the BJP-led NDA government in August of last year. They will replace the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act.

Saying that the new laws are "anti-people, undemocratic, and draconian," the Bar Council of West Bengal said in a press release that July 1 will be a "black day" as a protest. Lawyers who work in courts in the state and on the Andaman and Nicobar islands will not do any work on that day.

Also, on July 1, it asked all bar associations to hold protest meetings in their own areas.

In a money laundering case connected to a land scam, Soren was granted bail by the Jharkhand High Court.

Important tribal leader and Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren was forced to resign due to a legal matter, however the Hon'ble High Court has now granted him bail! I am thrilled about this wonderful development and have no doubt that he will begin his public activities right away. Among us, welcome back, Hemant! "she wrote on X.

Soren was arrested on January 31 by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a case of money laundering. He was the executive head of the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). The senator, who is 48 years old, is being held in the Birsa Munda jail in Ranchi right now.

When this report was filed, CISF personnel were engaged in search activities.

A threat alleging explosive devices were concealed in 41 airports across the nation was sent to the directors of those airports via email approximately ten days ago. Among the airports that had received the threat were those in Patna, Jaipur, Vadodara, and Coimbatore.

It proved to be a scam.

The same day, a fictitious bomb threat caused a delay in an Emirates flight from Chennai to Dubai.

The Emirates flight EK 543 was mentioned in an email that appears to have come from Istanbul, Turkey. After the flight, the passengers and luggage were offloaded, and a comprehensive examination was conducted.

More than 250 international passengers were on the flight, which had a 12-hour delay.

After praying at the Kamakhya Temple atop the Nilachal Hills here, Sarma informed reporters, "Larsen and Toubro has been assigned to carry out the corridor project and the company has submitted the blueprint and the plans to the IITG for clearance."

The geological and hydrological issues will also be investigated by the IITG, and work won't start until clearance is given.

According to Sarma, IITG has not been given a timetable in this regard, therefore it could take up to four months.

The chief minister stated that there won't be any issues during construction because the Public Works department will merely enlarge and improve the route while offering devotees conveniences.

A few temple priests have filed a writ petition in the Gauhati High Court, raising concerns that planned development work will impact the eternal springs, particularly the one in the 'garbhagriha' (sanctum sanctorum), which is a perennial water source and revered by the followers.

The next hearing date has been set by the court for July 27.

In February of this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Prime Minister's Development Initiative in the North East (PM-DevINE), which includes the Rs 498 crore Kamakhya Access Corridor.

The renowned temple was closed for three days every year during the Ambubachi Mela, but two days after it reopened, the chief minister and his wife Riniki Bhuyan Sarma offered prayers there.

We always offer prayers on the day the temple doors open, but this year I had to postpone it by two days because of the extraordinary number of people. Sarma prayed to the goddess for the well-being and benefits of every state resident.

On June 22, the temple doors were closed to devotees. However, on June 26, on the festival of Ambubachi Mela, which commemorates the idea that the goddess Kamakhya's yearly menstrual cycle occurs during the period, the temple doors were reopened to the public.

In his budget speech to the assembly, Finance Portfolio Holder Ravindra Pawar said that the "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana" would go into effect in July, four months ahead of the October state elections.

The plan will receive an annual financial allocation of Rs 46,000 crore, he said.

The finance minister unveiled a new welfare program called the "Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana," which will provide three free cooking gas cylinders to a household of five if they qualify each year.

A probe into the roof collapse that resulted in one fatality and six injuries was ordered, according to Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu.

The TMC wrote on social media, "A Glimpse into PM Modi's 'Guarantee': Crumbling under his lies."

The TMC stated in their X handle post that "the roof at Delhi Airport's T1 collapsed,..... which Modi hastily "inaugurated" in March, despite its unfinished state, just for election optics."

Naidu added that a comprehensive examination of the airport's structure would be conducted.

According to government sources, GMR hired private contractors to complete the construction of the roof that fell at Delhi airport's Terminal-1 (T1) between 2008 and 2009.

Only IndiGo and SpiceJet operate domestic flights on T1. With three terminals (T1, T2, and T3), the airport accommodates about 1,400 airplane movements every day.

The New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which specifies the new amount developed nations must raise annually beginning in 2025 to support climate action in developing countries, will be the focal point of the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

"A global issue is rising temperatures. The average world temperature is rising as a result of rising carbon emissions, according to IPCC reports. The Nationally Determined Contributions of each country have been prepared. Whether it comes to cutting carbon emissions or utilizing renewable energy, India has met its climate goals," Yadav declared at the Times Network-hosted India Climate Summit.

"If we want equitable global prosperity, developed nations must give money and technological assistance to underdeveloped nations. Regretfully, this was not possible, but the New Collective Quantified Goal will serve as the focal point of the Baku COP29. He stated, "Countries that have historically been accountable for the highest carbon emissions ought to step forward.

The 2015 Paris Agreement's objectives, which include keeping global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius and ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius over the average for the years 1850–1900, are to be met via national climate plans, or NDCs.

Climate scientists say that in order to keep global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, countries must act quickly to reduce heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions by at least 43% by 2030 (compared to 2019 levels). This is because the Earth's surface temperature is currently 1.15 degrees Celsius higher than the average between 1850 and 1900.

Developing countries contend that if rich countries, who have historically been at blame for climate change, do not increase their financial support, it is unreasonable to expect them to cut CO2 emissions more quickly.

Rich nations are now expected to raise over $100 billion, while underdeveloped nations are calling for trillions of dollars to address climate change.

It took around sixty minutes for the police to clear the numerous hawkers' stalls from Humayun Place and turn it back into a roadway. After the section had been cleared, Vineet Goyal, the commissioner of Kolkata Police, was one of the first to drive across it.

A common name for Humayun Place is the New Empire Gully. It connects the iconic—now-defunct—Lighthouse, New Empire, and Oberoi Grand theaters on its southern boundary.

Similar drives on other New Market area roadways hijacked by hawkers were promised by a top Kolkata Police officer.

The two main thoroughfares that encircle New Market, Bertram Street and Lindsay Street, are similarly maintained. Hawkers have taken over the sidewalks on Lindsay Street. Along Bertram Street, vendors line the entire width of the street. Additionally, there is nowhere to walk on the pavements.

Goyal observed the roadside hawkers firsthand on Wednesday when he drove along a portion of Bertram Street. Roadside stalls are forbidden by the state government's 2018 Street Vending Rules.

Together with two other senior city police officials, the police commissioner stayed inside his vehicle. He was looking at a strange part of New Market. There are sections with few hawkers and others that are still packed.

Chowringhee Place, which parallels Humayun Place and forms the northern edge of Oberoi Grand, was cleared by the police on Tuesday.

"Humayun Place was such a beautiful place in our early years. The two theaters down the route showed Hollywood films. In Calcutta, there was just one mall: New Market. A man in his 50s remarked, "Walking to New Market was such a pleasant experience, unlike the struggle that it is now."

Around 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a sizable squad from the New Market police station came at Humayun Place. The vendors were asked to leave by the police who were stationed across the street.

The street vendors did not object. Both resistance and arguments were absent. The vendors gathered their merchandise, removed the tables, and took down the sticks and rods protruding from their booths.

When the Kolkata Municipal Corporation instructed the hawkers to move from the street in January, citing the Street Vending Rules, they refused to move their stalls to the pavement.

On Humayun Place, the civic authority had painted a yellow line that represented one-third of the pavement's width. Hawkers may set up their stalls within one-third of the pavement width, with the remaining space reserved for pedestrians, according to the regulations governing street hawking.

The police operation on Tuesday demonstrated that eradicating intrusions into public areas requires political resolve.

The push in New Market was one of many such efforts to remove unauthorized booths from the city.

It comes after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's tirade against the police and some lawmakers, claiming their complicity was the reason the city looked so unkempt.

"Police, officials, everyone: a group has emerged. Anywhere free land exists, you are contributing to its encroachment. I am always aware of (encroachments) when driving. The cops are blind. At a meeting on Monday at Nabanna attended by ministers, chiefs of civic organizations, police officials, and top bureaucrats, Mamata had declared, "They have blindfolded themselves."

Hawkers used to solely sit on the sidewalk along Humayun Place, particularly outside the gate of Shreeram Arcade, according to a shop owner in the New Market neighborhood who spoke to reporters on Wednesday. Approximately twenty years ago, a few street vendors began to set up shop on the road.

The population grew steadily until it reached its current level. "The hawkers make it difficult for tax-paying businesses to get access. An older local shop owner claimed that if their interests are not upheld, they are frequently thuggish and impolite to guests.

Several high-ranking state government officials and Trinamool leaders acknowledged that, in light of the chief minister's clear directives for the crackdown on government land, Thursday's meeting seemed perplexing, if not unnecessary.

According to a Trinamool leader, there might be some reversal of course in response to "negativity" surrounding the drive. It's not simple for her to strike a deft balance, he remarked.

According to a top bureaucrat, they had no idea what the agenda for the meeting was.

As of right now, the administration is implementing the chief minister's directive to eradicate unauthorized encroachment on public land. In Bidhannagar, New Town, and Calcutta, multiple unauthorized encroachments were cleared on Wednesday. Until further instructions are given, the action will go on. "I am uncertain about the chief minister's remarks for tomorrow," he remarked.

Mamata chastised civic body chiefs and administrative staff in public on Monday for encroaching on government land. She had commanded the authorities to respond after claiming that law enforcement and elected officials were profiting from permitting such unlawful activity.

Given that the eviction campaign was not sending out the correct signals in front of the 2026 Assembly elections, a number of Trinamool lawmakers speculated that Mamata may now instruct the authorities to slow down.

"From the start, the Trinamool Congress has made its policies extremely clear. Our party opposes the taking of private or public property by force. A Trinamool MLA stated, "What the authorities have been doing is evicting people from city streets arbitrarily, which is affecting the livelihood of the poor people."

Mamata had informed bureaucrats and civic organizations on Monday that she would not put up with such anomalies and that those in charge would face severe consequences. She had stated that unlawful building and encroachment on government land have grown to be serious issues in Howrah, Bidhannagar, and New Town—Rajarhat.

Since the issue is hurting the ruling party's chances of winning elections in urban areas, it is evident that the chief minister does not want to let it go unanswered. According to a person with knowledge of the issue, "roads are becoming narrower, areas are becoming congested, and civic amenities are getting affected because of the encroachment."

Mamata was adamant that she would deal with the problem before the Assembly elections to ensure her party's chances were unaffected.

According to sources, the chief minister was aware that the opposition would not be able to use the issue as leverage in urban areas if she took the initiative to end corruption in civic authorities.

According to Trinamool sources, the Mamata government approved a proposal in 2015 granting anyone who encroached on government land for five years the right to permanent settlement.

This had made it easier for us to win over the oppressed individuals who were living in the colonies and shantytowns established on public land. Furthermore, because of the policy, we were able to get support from the street sellers. These were once ardent supporters of the CPM. A Trinamool MP stated, "Now, if they are evicted overnight, it would definitely hurt the party ahead of the 2026 Assembly polls."

Mamata might establish a clear policy on eviction from government land at Thursday's meeting, according to sources close to the ruling party.

She might state unequivocally that anyone facing eviction ought to be provided with suitable housing. Four markets have previously been established by the NKDA (New Town Kolkata Development Authority) to displace street sellers who were illegitimately occupying government land. According to a Trinamool leader, the chief minister may request that the government create a rehabilitation plan before beginning the eviction campaign arbitrarily.

The BJP attempted to take advantage of the situation.

Suvendu Adhikari, the leader of the opposition, questioned whether the crackdown was discriminatory based on religion and criticized it.

"I would like to know if the chief minister is focusing on specific areas like Bidhannagar, Hatibagan, and Gariahat, or if the effort to reclaim encroached government land was initiated from Darjeeling to Digha and Cooch Behar to Kakdwip," the man posed the question.

"You started a bulldozer push today in places like Behala and Bidhannagar. In an attempt to polarize, he continued, "We want to know when your police and authorities will take the same action in areas like..." "Why do different areas have different levels of justice?"

This publication, however, could find no evidence of any such discrimination against any community in the way the exercise was conducted.

Adhikari also promised to "stand in front of bulldozers" and defend those who are being evicted, saying that the BJP would be with them beginning on Thursday. He insisted that before launching such a crackdown, the state administration should establish a clear SOP and give notice in plenty of time.

Citu, the trade union section of the CPM, also expressed its disapproval of the "forced eviction drive."

Before launching the eviction campaign, the state unit of Citu urged in a statement released on Wednesday that the 2014 Central Hawkers' Act be implemented and that street sellers be given alternate means of subsistence.

Citu blasted the chief minister for failing to stop the corruption committed by Trinamool leaders, condemned the "inhumane eviction of hawkers," and demanded that the state government immediately start negotiations with the hawkers' unions.

Many residents of Calcutta could not recall any occasion when bulldozers had been used to retake public areas since the unsuccessful Operation Sunshine attempt to liberate some of the city's most recognizable areas in 1996.

The "clean-up drive" took place at a number of locations, including New Market, Bentinck Street, Alipore, Behala, New Town, and sections of the EM Bypass between Mani Square and PC Chandra Garden.

The stall proprietors were informed of the upcoming crackdown by the local police stations by Wednesday morning at 11 a.m. The message was straightforward: before driving, remove anything that is obstructing the pavement and roads.

Almost two hours later, the payloaders and bulldozers started to show up on sections of the roadways. In some other regions, where the obstacles were not as intimidating as steel and cement structures, human hands operated the machine.

At each location, small trucks were stationed to move the remnants of the buildings.

"On Tuesday evening, the police arrived and informed me of the drive." However, moving a stall that has been there for more than ten years is a more difficult task, as a Behala hawker put it. A notice arrived on Wednesday morning, according to the proprietor of an improvised cafe next to the zoo in Alipore.
What was observed on Wednesday

Alipore

On Wednesday afternoon, some fifty stalls that were situated on either side of the zoo's entrance, across from Taj Bengal, were taken down. Serving everything from hot meals to snacks and soft drinks, the most of them have been in business for many years.

Most of the stalls were empty by the time the bulldozer came. That included the beverage-filled freezers, the hardwood tables, and the plastic sheeting. The buildings were demolished in front of KMC representatives and the police.

A senior official of the Alipore police station declared, "The drive will continue over the next few days," before taking out some of the goods that had been taken during the drive. A few of the stall proprietors, who were women, appeared obviously upset. The recurring theme: what comes next?

Behala

By 1.30pm, almost fifty buildings that had been situated on either side of Diamond Harbour Road, primarily between Taratala and the Behala police station, had disappeared. On the road were the remnants of several of these stalls. While another offered fish for aquariums, the other sold parathas for breakfast. A third offered soft drinks, cigarettes, and other goods for sale.

A few of these stalls were located at the base of the Taratala flyover, directly outside the gates of the Old Dog Race Course housing complex. They had come to represent the complex. They would be open nearly all the time. According to a neighbor, even the police officers on night patrol would frequently swing by for a smoke or a cup of tea late at night.

Two more of these stalls were being wheeled away, each by a group, around 200 meters away. The police said that the owners of them were local residents.

Bentinck Street

There were a number of improvised restaurants along the walkways beside Bentinck Street, which ran between Ganesh Chandra Avenue and Waterloo Street. Wednesday at 4 p.m., the area had been cleaned.

Bicycles had taken over nearly the whole sidewalk along one of the pavements where cycle businesses were located. During the afternoon drive, rows of bicycles and plastic sheets for covering were also taken out.

Taking bystanders by surprise, teams from the KMC and the Hare Street police station started the cleanup effort in the afternoon. Plastic sheet tops were removed from temporary stalls on either side of the road that leads to the Lalbazar police station.

Wooden tables and other objects obstructing the walkways were removed by small trucks after being confiscated. The owner of a food booth on Bentinck Street claimed, "Police said they had orders and would not wait to remove the black plastic sheets above and even some of the furniture on the footpath."

Apollo

The target was a group of about twenty improvised stalls that were situated along the boundary wall of Apollo Multispeciality Hospitals near Mani Square Mall and took up a portion of the service road. A payloader arrived at the location at around 3:30 pm and started to remove the buildings.

According to the authorities, several of the stores that sold meals to hospital visitors did so using gas cylinders for cooking. The payloader, with black plastic sheets covering its top, made its way past the rows of stores, prompting several stall owners to walk away. Following the cleanup, there was significantly more room for cars on the portion of the service road that ran along the hospital's wall.

Chandra Garden PC

During a drive on Wednesday afternoon, rows of temporary buildings next to the drainage canal, off the EM Bypass, close to PC Chandra Garden, were cleared.

A senior police official at the Anandapur police station stated, "The shops along Basanti Highway posed a threat to those visiting them amid a steady flow of vehicles." "The stall owners were ready because they were informed about the drive three hours in advance."

The NEET scam and paper leak, the UGC-NET paper leak, and the postponing of the CSIR-NET and NEET-PG exams were among the several paper leaks that the Congress highlighted since the new administration was sworn in on June 9.

The Jalpaiguri train tragedy, the three terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, the rise in food prices, the 15% toll tax hike, the increase in CNG prices, the historic low of the rupee, and the 43% reduction in foreign direct investments were also brought up by the party.

Even if the Sangh parivar's disagreements are not just related to governance, the Congress has decided to include the group as well, seemingly taking a cue from the BJP by continuing to act in a hostile manner around-the-clock. Thus, the list highlighted the BJP's internal divisions that have surfaced in the public eye as well as the divisions between the ruling party and its parent RSS. "Differences" the BJP has with other NDA members were also mentioned, albeit there has been no proof of this up to this point.

As could be expected, the government also created a report card of its own that differed greatly from the Congress's.

The development of the Varanasi airport and a greenfield deep draft major port in Maharashtra, the release of PM Kisan's 17th installment, the opening of the new Nalanda University campus, the raising of the minimum support price for 14 kharif crops, the reopening of all gates to the Jagannath temple in Odisha, and the trial run of the recently built Chenab rail bridge were among the accomplishments listed on the government's report card.

Leader of the Trinamool Congress Abhishek Banerjee told reporters outside of Parliament, "The motion was adopted without putting it to a vote." This demonstrates unequivocally that the administration lacked the necessary numbers.

Additionally, he tried to take up the cause of the MPs who had called for a division, claiming that it must be permitted even if only one member did so. "It is evident from the Lok Sabha footage that multiple opposition members have called for and requested a split," Abhishek remarked.

Although some members of the INDIA bloc had called for a split, it was evident that the Congress leadership was against pushing for one after making a statement by nominating a candidate for the Speaker position. Earlier in the day, the Trinamool Congress informed the Congress that it will back Kodikunnil Suresh's candidacy and follow their decision on a voice vote or division in the vote.

AICC's media coordinator The INDIA group "exercised their democratic right and moved motions in support of Kodikunnil Suresh as Lok Sabha Speaker," Jairam Ramesh subsequently told reporters. The INDIA bloc parties may have demanded a split following the voice vote. That is not what they did. This is because they desired an atmosphere of agreement and collaboration to rule, which was conspicuously absent from the PM and NDA's activities.

There were either some members of the INDIA group who held a different opinion or this was not conveyed to all of them.

Additionally on Tuesday, some constituents of the INDIA group chastised the Congress for submitting the Suresh nomination without seeking input from all parties. Time was an issue on both instances, although as one MP noted, the Congress could have planned it more effectively because the Speaker's election schedule was known for days in advance. However, the leaders of Congress claimed that little time had been left for planning because the government had only recently contacted them with the suggested name.

In addition, the INDIA bloc parties have started discussions to choose a Member of Parliament from the Opposition for the role of deputy Speaker, even though the government has not indicated that it intends to occupy the position that has been unoccupied for the entirety of the 17th Lok Sabha.

The arrest of former Bar chief Mian Qayoom by the police on Tuesday for his suspected involvement in the 2020 murder of TV panelist and fellow lawyer Babar Qadri handed a second blow to the body of leading attorneys in the Valley. A role was disputed by Qayoom's relatives.

Hours after Qayoom's detention, district magistrate (DM) of Srinagar Bilal Mohiuddin issued an order prohibiting the JKHCBA from holding elections; nevertheless, the decree was made public on Wednesday.

In order to "avoid any potential law and order situation," the order stated that the Srinagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) had been instructed to ensure strict compliance with it. It further cautioned that any breach would result in disciplinary action under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.

Since 2020, the Bar Association has been prohibited by the government from conducting its elections. Its last elected chief was Qayoom. He was arrested in 2019 and held under the Public Safety Act, which permits incarceration without charge or trial, for a year.

Elections were set to take place on July 1st, according to Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, the association's acting general secretary. "We will battle it out in court notwithstanding the government's imposition of Section 144 of the CrPC. "This order is illegal," declared Shaheen.

In his decision, the DM of Srinagar stated that there was a "emergent situation" and that holding elections could result in a "breach of peace and disruption of public order."

"I, district magistrate Srinagar, by virtue of powers vested in me under Section 144 CrPC order that no gathering of four or more persons shall be allowed in the premises of District Court Complex, Moominabad, Batmaloo or at any place for the purpose of J&K High Court Bar Association Srinagar elections till further orders," stated the order that was issued on June 25. The ruling further stated that they had received a message from the little-known legal association Kashmir Advocates Association (KAA), which expressed doubts about the legitimacy and constitutionality of the JKHCBA and claimed it was promoting secessionist ideology.

In a representation, the KAA asserted that the election would jeopardize public order and cause disputes amongst different legal sections. The KAA is a contentious association of attorneys that purports to have state support.

According to the DM, the JKHCBA's constitution states that it seeks to “find ways and means” for resolving “the issues concerning the public at large including larger issue of peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue,” which appears to support separatist positions. The notice was previously sent to the organization's president and election committee, asking them to explain themselves.

The opposition emphasized that "much more the voice of the Indian people" is now represented by it, and that "suspensions" should not be used to "suppress" it.

The Opposition loudly objected to the motion putting Birla's name up, but they did not force a split of votes, clearing the way for the election of the NDA's nominee for the House's high chair. Birla was proclaimed elected by Pro-tem Speaker Bhartruhari Mahtab, who said that the "ayes have it." He ruled that the motions made to suggest Kodikunnil Suresh, the opposition candidate, as a candidate were "infructuous."

Wearing a kurta-pajama on his first day as the Opposition leader, Rahul Gandhi got up from his seat to congratulate Birla on his election. He shook hands with Narendra Modi and followed protocol, leading the Prime Minister and the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs to the Speaker's chair. But then, after congratulating Birla—second only to the Prime Minister—he added poignant remarks for the Chair to his speech.

Rahul reminded Birla in his brief, less than five-minute statement in English that the Speaker has a duty to "defend the Constitution" by allowing the Opposition to speak, given its increased strength in the House.

"On behalf of the INDIA alliance and the entire Opposition, let me extend my congratulations to you. As the ultimate arbiter of the voice of the Indian people, you, Speaker Sir, represent that voice in this House. Rahul stated, "Of course, the government has political power, but the opposition also speaks for the people of India.

To cheers from the Opposition benches, he remarked, "And this time, the Opposition represents the voice of the Indian people significantly more than it did last time."

Rahul pledged to work with the Speaker of the Opposition to conduct the House "often and well." He emphasized his argument by adding, "Cooperation happens on the basis of trust," at the same moment.

Allowing the voice of the opposition to be represented in this House is crucial. He remarked, "I am sure that you will let us speak, let us represent our voice, and let us speak for the people.

The effectiveness with which the House is operated is not at issue. How much of India's voice is permitted to be heard in this House is the question, Rahul continued.

The last blows were delivered towards the end. "Speaker, sir, it is hardly democratic to think that the House can be effectively administered by stifling the opposition's voice. Furthermore, this election has demonstrated that the Indian populace expects the Opposition to uphold the nation's Samvidhan, or Constitution.

Rahul continued, "And we are confident that you will do your duty of defending the Constitution of India by allowing the Opposition to speak and by allowing us to represent the voice of the people of India."

Subsequently, Akhilesh Yadav, the leader of the Samajwadi Party, took the lead. His party surprised the BJP by securing 37 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh. He was equally as caustic, but his tone was devoid of bitterness.

Akhilesh informed Birla in Hindi that the position he held was associated with illustrious traditions, and he quickly added that he thought these traditions would continue without any form of “discrimination”.

One of this important position's great responsibilities is impartiality. We anticipate that no public official's voice will be silenced and that a similar step to expulsion won't happen ever again, Akhilesh stated.

It appears that Akhilesh was alluding to the historic suspension of over a hundred Members of Parliament during the winter session of the previous year.

"The opposition has control, but the ruling side should also have control," he remarked.

"I hope you would allow the opposition to present their case and respect them as much as you respect the current regime," Akhilesh remarked.

"Mr. Speaker, the House should follow your instructions and the opposite shouldn't happen," the SP leader remarked, grinning. "Adhyaksh mahoday, aapke ishare par sadan chale, iska ulta na ho."

With a hint of irony, Akhilesh attempted to highlight the distinction between the Speaker's Chair in the old Parliament building and the one in the new one. "The Speaker's Chair was elevated in the previous House. I don't know who to tell, but it should be just as high in this House as well," he remarked, pointing out some evident cement fractures in the "lovely wall" behind the chair.

Senior Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay stood after Akhilesh to offer his congratulations on Birla's election. Following the opening rituals, Sudip reflected on his extensive background and stated that the "attitude of the Treasury benches" determines how well the House operates.

"The House is the Opposition's property in terms of the legislative democratic process. The ruling party itself must take up this mindset, he declared.

Sudip continued his jab at Birla, emphasizing that he had to “bow down” to “pressure from the ruling party,” alluding to the Speaker's previous tenure. "Sir, you may have the best of intentions and well wishes. But occasionally, you have to give in to the pressure of the ruling party," he remarked.

Sudip brought attention to the high number of MPs suspended during Birla's tenure in the previous House. "This House has suspended 150 Members of Parliament in a single day. It's not what you want," he declared.

The Trinamool MP praised Modi for the record number of measures that were passed by the last Lok Sabha, but he also pointed out that there was no debate during that session. He expressed his hope that this trend would not be repeated in the 18th Lok Sabha.

"The introduction and passage of numerous bills in the House have been mentioned by the PM. We are grateful for that. However, a great deal of legislation have also been approved without any debate, according to Sudip. He promised collaboration, saying, "I would humbly submit to you that let some positive decisions be taken so that the bills can be tabled and discussed in a proper manner."

T.R. Baalu of the DMK reminded Birla that although if he was elected on the basis of the "lotus" emblem, his current position requires him to be impartial.

"Sir, it is possible that you were chosen based on the lotus symbol; although the lotus floats in water, it does not permit water to adhere to it. In the same way, even though my BJP friends helped you win the election, politics should not come between you and this House from now on. You are devoid of color, Baalu remarked.

You have to apply the same standards to both the ruling party and the opposition. Thus, all I'd want to ask is that you please be unbiased, neutral, and impartial. I'm grateful, he said.

He will take over for Manoj Tigga, the Alipurduar MLA for the Madarihat Assembly constituency. Two-time MLA Manoj ran for the Alipurduar Lok Sabha constituency in the Parliamentary elections, defeating Trinamool candidate Prakash Chik Baraik in the process.

Shankar was sent a letter on Monday by the principal secretary of the Assembly's secretariat.

It has been noted in the letter that the Speaker has acknowledged me as the opposition's top whip. He remarked, "I express my gratitude to Sukanta Majumdar, Suvendu Adhikari, and all other party leaders for their trust in me.

It should be noted that maintaining party discipline in the state legislature is the duty of a political party's whip. According to a source, he will have to make sure that party MLAs vote in accordance with the party's choice rather than their own opinions.

"The BJP received almost 2.33 crore votes in opposition to the TMC's misrule. In the Assembly, my fellow BJP MLAs and I will represent them," Shankar continued.

He added that in Siliguri, he has started a program of direct involvement with the locals to assist them in solving their difficulties.

The MLA declared, "Whenever I visit Siliguri, I will spend two hours in the morning and evening listening to the people and addressing their concerns with relevant authorities."

In order to speed up development projects, Shankar, who has spent about 30 years in politics, also intends to visit Siliguri's state and federal government offices. He continued, "There is also a plan to meet with representatives of various associations to learn about their problems."

Sivok is a station on the Dooars railway route that links Alipurduar Junction and Siliguri Junction. It is situated approximately 20 kilometers away from Siliguri.

The railway project to link Sikkim's border town of Rangpo was started in 2009. The minister of railways at the time was Mamata Banerjee.

"There are several obstacles in the way of the project's implementation. Our equipment and cargo are impacted by the frequent landslides along NH10. The construction of tunnels and the storage of various materials are being impeded by landslides, flash floods on the Teesta, and erosion, according to Mahender Singh, the project director of IRCON International (Indian Railway Construction International Limited), which has been carrying out the project.

Beyond Sivok, there will be four stops along the 45 kilometer railway track. In Bengal, they are Reang, Teesta Bazaar, and Melli; in Sikkim, they are Rangpo. There will be two road over-bridges, 22 bridges, and 14 tunnels along the route.

For strategic reasons, it is a significant infrastructure project for India. Sikkim is a state that borders China and India. "Having rail connectivity to the state is crucial," a Siliguri-based retired army officer stated.

The project has been delayed, according to sources, for a number of reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, a goal was established to have the rail route completed by December of this year, and there has been some notable development in the last few years.

As of right present, sixty-five percent of the project is finished. Eleven of the 14 tunnels are prepared. Construction is underway on railway yards, stations, and bridges.

The deadline was pushed back to August 2025 by the authorities due to the Teesta's October flash flood. Although the work is ongoing, IRCON International is concerned about the frequent disruptions brought on by natural disasters, according to a source.

In order to guarantee that there is no traffic disturbance along NH10, representatives of IRCON International have written to the Bengal Public Works Department (PWD) and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The project director, Singh, stated, "We need reliable road connectivity so that we can continue with our work."

Golay and Gadkari meet

Sikkim's chief minister, P.S. Tamang (Golay), met with Union minister Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday and beseeched him for a long-term solution to the ongoing disturbances on the Sevoke-Rangpo section of NH10.

Tamang met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and asked him to turn over the Bengal section of the highway to national organizations like as the NHAI or NHIDCL for upkeep.

The chief minister sought for another alternative road between Melli and Sintam, which are separated by 22.5 km, and presented Gadkari with a plan for an alternate roadway in the Himalayan state.

According to reports, Tamang brought up the recent rains in northern Sikkim, which caused disruptions to NH310A, the highway connecting Gangtok with the China border, during his conversation with Gadkari. He also requested that the roadway be restored as soon as possible.

In the most recent Assembly elections, Bhutia, the former captain of the Indian football team, lost to Riskhal Dorjee Bhutia of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) in the Barfung constituency by a margin of 4,346 votes. Bhutia had now lost six elections in a row.

Pawan Chamling's Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF), with which Bhutia's Hamro Sikkim Party (HSP) had united in November 2023, ran as a candidate.

"After the outcome of the 2024 election, I've come to the conclusion that I'm not cut out for electoral politics. As a result, I am resigning from all electoral politics with immediate effect, Bhutia, the SDF vice president, stated in a prepared statement.

The 48-year-old Bhutia expressed regret for his lackluster political career.

"My only regret is that I thought I had excellent ideas for the growth of sports and tourism, which, if given the chance, I would have loved to implement and so very honestly and sincerely contribute to the state's development." Regretfully, it was not meant to be. Bhutia commended the "resounding mandate" to the incumbent chief minister of Sikkim, Prem Singh Tamang (Golay).

32 seats in the Sikkim Assembly were won by Golay's SKM.

Bhutia, who gave up playing football in 2011 and now has a stadium in the Himalayan state named after him, had a terrible second stint as a politician.

The "Sikkimese Sniper," who was born in Bengal and spent much of his childhood there playing football, began his political career there. He is also the winner of the Padma Shri and Arjuna Awards for his achievements in football.

Bhutia participated in two elections in Bengal: one in Siliguri during the 2016 Assembly elections, and the other in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat in 2014. The Trinamool Congress fielded him on both occasions.

After that, Bhutia relocated to Sikkim, his native state.

He ran in the 2019 Sikkim Assembly elections from Gangtok and Tumen-Lingi, but he was unsuccessful in both seats.To extend the losing run, Bhutia ran from Gangtok in an Assembly by-election in 2019.

In 2018, he founded the HSP.

The football player stated that his goal in politics was to "do good, for the people of both the state and country," using Lord Buddha's adage that "one's intentions must be good."

A political observer in Sikkim stated, "Bhutia could not simply take on and beat the bigger political players of Sikkim, Chamling and Golay."

The football player hasn't said what his next move is. "I want to spend more time reflecting, pursuing my other objectives, and rediscovering my purpose," Bhutia stated.

Bhutia had explored a lot of different paths in the past. In addition to founding soccer schools and being a football coach, he successfully ran tourism-related businesses.

As a skilled analyst, Bhutia began accepting TV projects. In 2009, she and choreographer Sonia Jaffer won Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, a TV program that is regarded as the Indian equivalent of the well-known worldwide program Dancing with the Stars.

The NEET is a national level medical entrance exam for India.

There there was a building on Park Street where the center was housed.

Police claimed that the center had taken ₹16 lakh from the father but had not given his daughter a medical seat.

The complainant reported to the police that his daughter was assured a spot in a government medical college, regardless of her NEET result.

The owner of the tutoring centre, Sourish Ghosh, has been taken into custody. He is accused of cheating, fraud, forgery, and criminal conspiracy under sections of the IPC.

According to an officer, the woman's family gave the center ₹16.8 lakh in 2023. "This year, the woman showed up for the exam but was not able to pass."

A few documents that purportedly included the woman's name on the list of students who were accepted into the government medical college were also forwarded to the family by the accused.

Ghosh is being held by the police on remand.

Sawant gave the Agarwadekar family the assurance that their house will be rebuilt by the government and that the costs would be reimbursed to them after meeting with them late on Tuesday night.

Around 11.30 a.m. on Saturday, the tragedy happened at the one-story house in the North Goan village of Assagao. An official stated on Tuesday that some people allegedly abducted a father and his son who were residents of the house, then abandoned them in the village.

According to him, there are two people in custody by the police, one of them is claiming to be the owner of the property, and they are looking for further suspects in relation to the incident.

On Tuesday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant declared that nobody will be spared.

He visited the location with a group of government representatives and spoke with the impacted family.

During the CM's visit, local legislators Michael Lobo and Delilah Lobo were also present.

Following his discussion with the impacted family, Sawant informed media that the house would be rebuilt by the state government, with all costs to be reimbursed by the accused in the case.

A member of the affected family named Prinsha Agarwadekar told the chief minister that despite her personal dash to a local police station on Saturday during the demolition when her husband and son were abducted, police were hesitant to take action against the perpetrators.

Sawant promised that those individuals found to have shielded the perpetrators would face consequences from a high-level inquiry group headed by state Chief Secretary Puneet Kumar Goel.

The chief minister declared, "Even if the officer is highly-ranking, we will suspend him if necessary."

He declared that all 15 of the accused—including a woman from Mumbai—would be taken into custody.

An official earlier stated that while a search is underway for further suspects, police have detained Arshad Khwaja (51), who is claiming to be the property owner, from a community near Panaji, as well as the driver of the bulldozer.

Police teams have been sent to other places, according to Director General of Police Jaspal Singh, and they are determined to see the matter through to its natural conclusion.

Following a group of Congress lawmakers' Tuesday visit to the community, Yuri Alemao, the leader of opposition in the state assembly, urged that the primary accused be taken into custody within a day.

He indicated that the impacted family would receive financial assistance from the Congress to reconstruct their home through crowdsourcing.

The Academy announced late on Tuesday night on its website that artists and executives who have made a name for themselves via their work on theatrical motion pictures are on the list.

The Los Angeles-based organization states that membership selection is based on professional skills and a continuous commitment to representation, inclusion, and equity.

Actors branch member Azmi, a mainstay of Indian and worldwide film, has extended an invitation to join. The announcement coincides with Azmi's 50th year in the business; in Shyam Benegal's revolutionary film "Ankur" (1974), she made her breakthrough.

The numerous award-winning actor is most known for his roles in the Hindi movies "Godmother," "Arth," "The Reluctant Fundamentalist," "In Custody," and most recently, "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani." He has also acted in 12 foreign productions in addition to those in Hindi.

The Director's branch now includes Rajamouli, the guy behind the epic period spectacular "RRR," which in 2023 became the first Indian feature film to receive an Academy Award.

Alongside Rajamouli in the segment is independent filmmaker Rima Das, who has won accolades for films including "Tora's Husband" and "Village Rockstars."

The Producers branch will include renowned producer Sidhwani, who has supported well-known films including "Gully Boy" and "Dil Chahta Hai."

Varman, the director of photography, has received an invitation to join the branch of cinematographers. "Japan", "Ponniyin Selvan: Part Two", "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela", and Shankar's next film, "Indian 2", are among his credits.

The Costume Designers chapter has sent an invitation to Rama Rajamouli, wife of Rajamouli and creator of the "RRR" costumes. Choreographer Prem Rakshith, who works in the Production and Technology division, is responsible for the intricate yet masterfully blended movements in "Naatu Naatu," the Oscar-winning best original song from "RRR."

Sheetal Sharma, who has worked on films like "Kesari" and "Gangubai Kathiawadi," will be in the same section as Rama Rajamouli.

Hemal Trivedi, a Documentary filmmaker ("Among the Believers," "Saving Face"), belongs to the Documentary branch.

"We are ecstatic to welcome the new Academy members for this year. The filmmaking community has been greatly impacted by these extraordinarily gifted professionals and artists from around the globe, according to a joint statement from Academy President Janet Yang and CEO Bill Kramer.

The following Indian cinema industry members are already Academy members: Ali Fazal, Aditya Chopra, Guneet Monga, Reema Kagti, Ekta Kapoor, Shobha Kapoor, A R Rahman, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Suriya, Vidya Balan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Vidya Balan.

Following Special Judge Amitabh Rawat's ruling, the CBI detained Kejriwal.

After the AAP leader was brought before the court from Tihar Central Jail, the central probe agency filed the application.

In relation to the excise fraud money laundering case that the ED is looking into, Kejriwal is incarcerated.

The incident happened on Tuesday night within the boundaries of the Kannad police station in Bhambarwadi village, they added.

The child, who lived in the hamlet at an ashram, went outside to drop off a neighbor.

According to a police official, a leopard attacked him and hauled him for roughly 150 feet.

He stated that the body was discovered after a search for the youngster was initiated on Wednesday morning.

According to the official, after examining the dead, forest staff determined that the attack was indeed by a leopard.

The victim, belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, had scaled the compound wall of a house to pluck pomegranates from a tree. However, the house owner, a retired government school headmaster named Madhusudan Reddy, caught the boy in the act. Reddy then tied the boy’s hands and legs with a rope and allegedly beat him.

The incident came to light after a picture showing the boy lying on the ground went viral. The victim’s mother lodged a complaint on June 24, leading to the registration of a case against Reddy under IPC sections 342 (wrongful confinement) and 324 (voluntary causing hurt). Additionally, relevant sections of the Juvenile Justice Act and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act were applied.

When the complainant visited the spot, the man and his son reportedly abused her. The police are currently conducting further investigation into the matter.

This incident highlights the need for awareness and action against discrimination and violence based on caste. Authorities must ensure that justice prevails and that such incidents are thoroughly investigated and addressed. ????????

Meta AI, one of the world’s leading AI assistants, has now arrived in India on WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and meta.ai. Powered by Meta Llama 3 – their most advanced large language model (LLM) to date – Meta AI aims to enhance user experience across these platforms.

What Can You Do with Meta AI?

1. Plan Social Outings: In your WhatsApp group chats, ask Meta AI to recommend restaurants with great views and vegan options for your next night out with friends.

2. Organize Getaways: Need ideas for places to stop on a road trip? Meta AI can help you plan your weekend getaway.

3. Creativity Boost: Use Meta AI’s “Imagine” feature to create customized fun invites, mood boards, or fun images. Simply use the word “imagine” while interacting with Meta AI.

4. Real-Time Information: Meta AI provides real-time search results, basic task handling, image and GIF generation, and integration with popular apps like WhatsApp and Messenger.

Accessing Meta AI

• WhatsApp, Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram: You can use Meta AI directly within these apps to get things done, learn, create, and connect.
• Facebook Feed: When scrolling through your Facebook Feed, you can ask Meta AI for more info about posts you’re interested in. For example, if you see a photo of the northern lights in Iceland, ask Meta AI about the best time of year to check out the aurora borealis.
• Web Access: Visit meta.ai when you’re at your computer for additional features.

Privacy and Availability

• Privacy: Meta AI differentiates itself by placing privacy “at the core” of its features, unlike rivals Microsoft and Google.
• Availability: Meta AI is directly available from popular apps, making it convenient for users. It’s not a replacement for web search but offers real-time assistance.

India, with around 500 million WhatsApp users, is a significant market for Meta AI. The chatbot’s integration into everyday apps makes it a powerful tool for users seeking quick answers and assistance.

Raj Kumar Gupta, who is best known for helming highly praised films including "Aamir," "No One Killed Jessica," and "Raid," is the show's creator.

"What exactly is in your medication? "'Pill,' streaming exclusively on JioCinema Premium starting on July 12," the post on JioCinema's official Instagram page stated.

The makers of "Pill" claim that via a whistleblower's sincere struggle against the murky and dishonest world of the pharmaceutical industry, a compelling story of good versus evil is told.

RSVP Movies, led by Ronnie Screwvala, is producing the series.

The 51-second teaser features a bike chase where the two characters played by Vijay share a pillion as they dodge bullets and fire back at their pursuers. The teaser ends with a birthday wish for the actor from the makers as the words “Happy Birthday The GOAT” flash across the screen.

Wishing Vijay on his special day, GOAT director Venkat Prabhu also shared the teaser on social media. “Happy birthday to THE GOAT @actorvijay. Love you, na. See you tomorrow,” he wrote alongside the video.

Apart from Vijay, GOAT also features Prashanth, Prabhudheva, Ajmal Ameer, Vaibhav, Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sneha, Mohan, Laila, and Jayaram in key roles.

On Saturday, the makers also released a promo for the film's second single Chinna Chinna Kangal, which is a tribute to the late singer Bhavatharini and features her AI-generated voice. The full song is yet to be released.

Backed by AGS Entertainment, the background score of GOAT is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, with cinematography by Siddhartha Nuni and editing by Venkat Raajen. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 5.

Shriya Pilgaonkar shared glimpses of her moments at a sea-facing restaurant during her trip to the USA. “Summer Solstice ,” she captioned her post.

Riddhi Sen posed for a picture with co-star Sanya Malhotra from the sets of Anurag Kashyap’s yet-to-be-titled film that also stars Bobby Deol.

Karisma Kapoor indulged in ice pops to beat the summer heat. “Syruplicious moments ,” she captioned her post.

Kunal Kemmu flaunted his salt-and-pepper look in a set of selfies.

Neena Gupta dropped a behind-the-scenes picture with Jackie Shroff from the sets of their 2023 movie Mast Mein Rehne Ka which is currently streaming on Prime Video.

Twinkle Khanna shared old pictures of her with Barsaat co-star Bobby Deol alongside a recent photo.

Pooja Hedge performed yoga by the sea on International Yoga Day.

Raveena Tandon shared glimpses of her recent moments with family and friends.

Sanjana Sanghi dropped her pictures from a recent visit to New York. “Bright & shiny summer days for the soul ????,” she captioned her post.

Shatrughan Sinha, despite his past conservatism and chauvinism, has adapted to the changing circumstances. Sonakshi, his daughter, has played a significant role in it. She is a female version of her assertive father and carries his initials.

In Ramayan, the Sinha mansion, a lot has changed over time. To start, Poonam, the wife, is the one who discreetly dons the pants in the home. Beneath the placid exterior of Shatru's 1980 wife was an educated Libran with strong beliefs. One such early instance was when mother sent Kush and Luv to a boarding school in Kodai-kanal, over his protests. Maybe his acquiescence sprang from his conventional thinking, in which the male was the Minister of Finance and External Affairs and the wife was the Home Minister, taking care of the house and children (pun intended).

Promi also received her wish when she carried out her subsequent pregnancy six years after giving birth to her twins, with the gynecologist interpreting the sonography of the large-boned baby and announcing the arrival of another male child. Shatru was shooting for Goutam Ghose's Antarjali Yatra outside Calcutta in June 1987 when Sonakshi unexpectedly appeared, defying the gynaec's forecast. Shatru's change began at that precise time.

He wasn't a parent who changed diapers or soothed their infant, but on her first day of school, when Sona, who was chubby, insisted on calling her "godi," he took her in his arms and carried her up three stories. She's always been able to encircle him with her little finger.

Even though he may have wanted Promi to cease her acting career, he proudly observed Sona's accomplishments and marveled at her transformation from a daddy's girl to a self-sufficient adult. Sona used to sit and listen to him as he recorded our interviews for his book, Anything But Khamosh. Not only did she become her own person on the day Dabangg took off, but she also developed a ferocious protective streak toward her mother, whose self-esteem increased in tandem with Sonakshi's development. A lot of Sona's choices have been subtly explained to Shatru by Promi, almost like a replay of his own life in which he followed his own route with his mother as his most steadfast supporter. similar to a father and a daughter.

Even though her brothers continued to live in Ramayan, Sona's father, who had made jokes about a ghar jamai, encouraged her to go away and establish her own home. Shatru celebrated his birthday in December of last year with a party hosted by his daughter, which he attended with pride.

Years prior, Shatru had considered his official response to the contentious AIB Roast (2015), which sparked a backlash from the right-wing due to Sonakshi's attendance. He didn't suggest she was an adult who could make her own decisions and grow from them because those were still her formative years. But with time, dad has come to see Sona as a big little girl who is capable of making independent, adult judgments.

Despite rumors of displeasure from family members, Promi has sent out intimate invitations that begin, "Dear... For you, we have some encouraging news. On June 23rd, Sonakshi will tie the knot, and we would love for you to join us in celebrating. Sonu, Promi, and Sinha Parivar.

Shatru has been occupied with his own political career, traveling by plane from Asansol to Delhi following his win, and then on to Mumbai. He hasn't had time to participate actively in the preparation, but he will undoubtedly be present for his daughter's special day today. "Sona is my favorite person." It has always been. How can I not bless her and participate in her joy?" he pondered.

PS: If everything goes according to plan, I'll be at this evening's Sinha festivities.

Police arrived on the scene quickly and stabilized the situation. The pair is receiving care at the neighborhood health center.

According to some, a tea business established the plantation on a plot of 70 bighas. The corporation left the plantation a few years ago because it was losing money. Since then, the plantation's laborers have taken over management of it independently.

The block's Nichkhali village is where the garden is situated.

Hashibul Rahaman, a resident of Chopra's Bhabanipur region, attempted to seize possession of the garden a few months ago. After the workers' protest, there was fighting on both sides.

To address the problem, a meeting was even arranged at the residence of the local Trinamool MLA, Hamidul Rahaman. However, nothing came of it, according to a source.

Hashibul and a few of his cronies arrived at the property on Saturday and attempted to take over. The employees objected. There was soon a fight.

Pellets were fired during the altercation, striking two people. In the incident, a few more people suffered injuries.

When a police squad arrived, they divided the opposing factions.

According to police sources, investigations have begun, but no one has been taken into custody yet.

According to COFAM sources, the goal is for them to become financially independent. The demand for mushrooms, a cash crop, is rising in both households and restaurants.

This week, the centre successfully concluded a hands-on training program on mushroom growing, attended by sixty women from tea estates in the Terai, the Dooars, and the Darjeeling highlands.

The goal, according to COFAM chairman and acting NBU registrar Debasis Dutta, was to give women more income opportunities through sustainable agriculture practices.

They have received instruction from us on how to grow oyster mushrooms. We are prepared to offer them the support they need in the future to enable them to begin mushroom farming successfully, stated Dutta.

The COFAM practical demonstrator, Amrendra Kumar Pandey, stated that their main areas of emphasis were post-harvest management, spawning, and substrate preparation. Professionals with extensive expertise and researchers from NBU led the course.

"The participants engaged in practical exercises that enabled them to put the knowledge they had learned during the course to use. The trainees ranged in age and educational background. Some of them were even students, in actuality," Pandey remarked.

He said that women may earn a respectable living by cultivating mushrooms in their own houses.

He emphasized that the production of mushrooms only required a dark spot, talent, and little money or acreage.

"They just need to pay ₹50 to ₹60 on one mushroom cylinder, and they would be able to earn a good sum. Mushrooms and items made from them are in high demand these days. By connecting them with potential customers, we can also assist them in selling their produce," Pandey continued.

According to sources, the resource personnel also instructed the participants on how to add value to mushrooms by canning and preserving their harvest, among other uses.

Rupam Deb, who is involved in women's empowerment initiatives in the Dooars tea belt, expressed gratitude for the project.

"Women who live in tea gardens and other isolated rural areas in the region will undoubtedly benefit from such practical training, as it will enable them to earn additional income while at home," the man stated.

One of the trainees, Kanika Dhanwar, who comes from a tea state in Hasimara in Alipurduar, stated that she would launch her own company after she learned how to grow mushrooms.

"There aren't many opportunities for us to earn some money at tea estates. I can provide for my family with some income from mushroom farming," she remarked.

Mohammed Dilwar Hossain, the man's identity, was discovered late on Saturday near the state-run SSKM Hospital in the Rabindra Sadan neighborhood, he added.

His neurological conditions have led to his admission to SSKM Hospital. He was observed hanging about the medical facility," a top Kolkata Police officer reported.

After traveling to Kolkata for medical care, Hossain vanished from a hotel on Free School Street on Wednesday night.

"After he was traced, his father identified him, following which he was admitted to SSKM Hospital for treatment," stated the officer.

According to him, the young person, a second-year student of computer science, was taken from his Panagarh home late on Saturday night because of his suspected ties to the Bangladeshi Islamist group Shahadat-e al Hiqma.

Five other people from the Nababghat area of the same district were apprehended by STF detectives based on information he supplied during his interrogation, the official stated.

"The individual in custody was attempting to enlist young people from the Purba Bardhaman and Paschim districts for the terrorist group. The STF officer told PTI, "We are attempting to determine who was in contact with him."

He said that four more people who were attempting to join the terror group and the brother of the individual who was arrested were among the five others.

The officer reported that the student's laptop and many documents, including a diary, had been taken by the STF.

In Bangladesh, the Islamist terrorist group Shahadat-e al Hiqma is outlawed.

A district student from the Kanksa area was detained by NIA in 2016 because to suspicions that he had ties to ISI.

On Saturday, thousands of devotees gathered at the Puri Shree Jagannath Temple to witness the sacred Deba Snana Purnima rituals, marking the commencement of the Rath Yatra process, set for July 7.

In a grand procession, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra, and Goddess Subhadra were ceremoniously carried to the Snana Bedi (bathing platform) from the sanctum sanctorum, covering a distance of about 100 meters. The deities were bathed with 108 pitchers of water mixed with coconut water and various aromatic herbs to provide relief from the summer heat.

Devotees began lining up at dawn to view the deities at the Snana Mandap. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, along with senior officials including Chief Secretary P.K. Jena, attended the event to ensure the smooth conduct of the darshan rituals.

Despite a 45-minute downpour in the afternoon, the number of devotees in Puri increased significantly. "It’s a coincidence that every year during Snana Purnima, it rains in the pilgrim city. It’s a rare experience to have darshan of the deities in the Snana Mandap, where they were adorned in Gaja Vesha (elephant attire)," said Hector Mishra, a resident of Puri.

Following the bathing ritual, the deities are believed to fall ill for 14 days, during which they are treated by the sevayats (servitors) with various healing herbs and preparations. During this period, devotees are not allowed darshan, symbolizing the deities' recovery and rejuvenation.

After this 14-day period, the deities embark on the nine-day Rath Yatra sojourn. To ensure a hassle-free experience for devotees, the state administration deployed around 68 platoons of police force.

In response to recent claims over the validity of some competitive exams, the Union Health Ministry announced on Saturday that it has chosen to postpone the NEET-PG entrance exam, which was originally set to take place on June 23, as a "precautionary measure".

Gandhi wrote in Hindi on 'X', "NEET-PG has also been delayed. This is just one more sad instance of how Narendra Modi's administration has destroyed the educational sector." He claimed that under the BJP's administration, students are compelled to fight the government in order to save their future rather than advancing their professions via education."Now it is clear -- Modi, who used to silently watch the spectacle every time -- is completely helpless in front of the paper leak racket and education mafia," the former head of the Congress stated. "The greatest danger to kids' futures is the inept government of Narendra Modi. We must protect the nation's future from it," he continued.

Amidst criticism regarding purported anomalies in competitive examinations, the Center removed National Testing Agency (NTA) Director General Subodh Singh on Saturday and constituted a seven-member committee led by former ISRO chairman K Radhakrishnan to examine the organization's operations and suggest changes to exams.

Due to unforeseen circumstances and logistical problems, the June edition of the Joint Council of Scientific and Industrial Research and University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (CSIR-UGC-NET) was postponed on Friday. UGC-NET was canceled on Wednesday as a result of reports that the integrity of the test had been compromised.

The NTA released the results of the NEET-UG medical entrance test on June 4. Opposition parties have also accused the exam of having anomalies. CBI is in charge of looking into the purported anomalies in this exam.

Mitkari, an NCP spokeswoman and member of the legislative council, stated that it was his own opinion.

Ajit Pawar, the deputy chief minister, leads the Nationalist Congress Party, which is a member of the Mahayuti coalition alongside the BJP and Shiv Sena.

Additionally, Mitkari stated that Mahayuti leaders must not to undervalue the authority of NCP leaders.

As a party worker, I believe that Maharashtra would be in a different place if prominent leaders Ajit Pawar and Prakash Ambedkar teamed up. I express my personal perspective here," Mitkari remarked.

Dr. B R Ambedkar's grandson is Prakash Ambedkar.

Mitkari's remarks coincide with the emergence of divergent opinions within the Shiv Sena and RSS about Ajit Pawar's involvement in the Mahayuti alliance.

In response to Mitkari's remarks, Rekha Thakur, the chief of the VBA's Maharashtra branch, stated that her party is unable to consider collaborating with the NCP while it remains a member of the alliance led by the BJP.

Prior to the Lok Sabha elections, alliance negotiations between the VBA and the Maha Vikas Aghadi of the Congress, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT) had broken down.

According to him, the administration has also chosen to build welcoming gates honoring these deities at the entrances to Bhopal, the state capital.

CM Yadav issued orders to this effect on Friday during the Culture and Tourism Department's review meeting, according to an official.

"The Madhya Pradesh government will identify the places associated with Lord Ram and Lord Krishna in the state and develop them as pilgrimage sites," Yadav stated.

He gave the department instructions to build welcome gates honoring Lord Rama and Lord Krishna at the city's entry points. He also instructed them to plan the installation of entry gates honoring Raja Bhoj, a Paramara dynasty king from the eleventh century, and Vikramaditya, a mythical king mentioned in Indian literature.

According to the source, Yadav also instructed officials to erect entry gates at the state borders to educate people about Madhya Pradesh's rich cultural heritage and sites of religious significance.

In an effort to promote religious tourism, the chief minister requested that the administration create plans for the development of holy sites.

Additionally, the agency was instructed to create a plan of action for the state's Gita Mahotsav celebration on Manas Jayanti in order to introduce Indian philosophy and culture to the general populace.

Yadav stated that local elected officials should assist in the development of the locations connected to Lord Ram and Lord Krishna.

He noted that the state has seen an increase in visitors and emphasized the importance of branding the tourism destinations.

The Chief Minister questioned the officials on the promotion of local goods and religious tourism through several museums.

The Madhya Pradesh government, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, came under fire from the Opposition Congress, which claimed that the incident raised grave concerns about women's safety in the state.

In the widely shared video, a woman wearing a saree is being held by four guys while one of them is seen striking her with a wooden stick. In the footage, there is also a gathering of bystanders.

According to police sources, the event happened on June 20 after the woman and a guy allegedly ran away from home.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Manoj Kumar Singh stated that once the police saw the video, they quickly took action and discovered that the crime had taken place in a region within the district's Tanda police station limits.

Singh stated that the primary offender, named as Noor Singh Bhuria, who beat the woman, has been taken into custody after police established a case based on a complaint made by the woman.

He claimed that more investigation was being conducted and that police teams had been assembled to find and apprehend additional accused.

In a post on X on Saturday morning, State Congress chief Jitu Patwari stated, "This incident in Dhar district has raised serious questions on the safety of women under the BJP government." When it comes to crimes against women, Madhya Pradesh tops the list." "Can these sisters from Dhar expect from your government that this incident will be investigated impartially and promptly and they will get justice on priority?" he tagged Chief Minister Mohan Yadav in the question. Patwari tried to find out why harassment of women is more common in Madhya Pradesh.

"Why is your government repeatedly failing to stop crimes against women?" demanded the politician.

Savitri Thakur, Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, is the Lok Sabha representative for the state of Dhar (ST).

The issue of encroachment on government land in Calcutta and Bidhannagar will be examined by a committee made up of ADG (law and order) Manoj Verma, irrigation secretary Prabhat Mishra, finance secretary Manoj Panth, and city police commissioner Vineet Goyal. A top government official stated, "It will recommend actions on how encroached plots could be recovered and how further encroachment could be prevented."

In a Thursday meeting with state heads of seven municipal corporations and top government officials, the chief minister voiced her displeasure over encroachment on government land.

According to insiders, Mamata was upset for two reasons. First, Nabanna's intentions to monetize underutilized government plots have been thwarted by the encroachment on government territory. Second, the chief minister believed that city dwellers were experiencing issues as a result of encroachment, especially on the pathways in Calcutta and Bidhannagar.

In the Lok Sabha elections, the ruling party was lagging behind the BJP in a number of localities in Calcutta and Bidhannagar. A source in Nabanna stated, "The results show a kind of growing discontent against the ruling party."

"In over 45 wards within the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) area, the ruling party was lagging behind its closest competitor, and in Bidhannagar, it was lagging behind the BJP by over 11,000 votes." The state minister chastised Bidhannagar MLA Sujit Bose and Calcutta mayor Firhad Hakim for their inability to curb encroachment. According to a source who attended the meeting on Thursday, the chief minister thinks that one of the issues that caused concern for the ruling party was encroachment.

He claims that Mamata Banerjee is equally incensed with tidings that the scheme to sell off government land could be derailed by encroachment.

A survey conducted by the land and land reforms department and the South 24-Parganas district administration found that multiple high rises had been built on a substantial portion of prime government property in KMC ward 109. According to sources, primary information from other districts also imply that over 50% of the government land that is underutilized and situated in desirable regions has been encroached upon.

"For this reason, the chief minister took the issue seriously. A top Nabanna official stated, "The committee, which is made up of the chief ministers' trusted officers, is expected to act quickly on the issue."

The administration has made the monetization of idle government property and buildings a top priority since the state is in a desperate attempt to increase money before the 2026 Assembly elections.

The chief minister is aware that programs such as Lakshmir Bhandar have helped her win seats in the Lok Sabha. It is anticipated that before to the 2026 Assembly elections, she will unveil further social programs and increase funding under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. According to a source, she therefore hopes to increase revenue by selling off government buildings and land.

According to a source, although the government is expecting the committee to provide results, it may not always be easy to live up to the expectations.

Removing encroachers is a delicate political matter, and the TMC has consistently refrained from taking such actions. In addition, the ruling party has promoted encroachment upon public property. What the group accomplishes in fulfilling its purpose will have to be seen, the insider added.

Kolkata, June 22, 2024 — Suvendu Adhikari, a prominent BJP leader, faced a setback in his planned sit-in demonstration against alleged post-poll violence in West Bengal. His lawyer informed the Calcutta High Court on Friday that the BJP state unit was willing to conduct the protest in front of either the state secretariat Nabanna or the state police headquarters Bhabani Bhavan, instead of the gubernatorial residence Raj Bhavan.

Two days prior, Justice Amrita Sinha of the high court had disallowed the BJP from holding the event in front of Raj Bhavan due to prohibitive orders under Section 144 of the CrPC. She asked Adhikari to propose alternative locations for his proposed programme with the “victims” of post-poll violence in Bengal.

Advocate Billwadal Bhattacharyya, representing Adhikari, conveyed the party’s willingness to consider Nabanna or Bhabani Bhavan as alternative sites. Justice Sinha scheduled a hearing for the plea next Tuesday.

The BJP had argued that the ruling Trinamool Congress had previously held a sit-in demonstration at the same location last October, and the police should not discriminate between the two political parties. However, Justice Sinha emphasized that rallies and sit-in demonstrations should not occur in prohibited areas. She directed the state to file an affidavit explaining the grounds for allowing Trinamool’s programme at Raj Bhavan.

In a separate development, Justice Sinha conditionally permitted Vivek Jyoti, an NGO, to hold a rally in the city on Saturday to protest the “ongoing violence” in Bengal since the Lok Sabha polls. The rally, starting from Wellington Square and ending on Rani Rashmoni Avenue at Esplanade, would involve no more than 300 participants. The judge emphasized that the rally should not provoke law and order problems.

The lawyer representing Vivek Jyoti stated that the objective of the rally was to bring peace to Bengal, emphasizing that politicians and their followers should take responsibility for maintaining peace. Calcutta police had initially declined permission for the rally.

Meanwhile, Adhikari filed another petition alleging that fake FIRs were lodged against 47 workers of his party in Nandigram over the past 15 days. He demanded that these FIRs be quashed, claiming unnecessary harassment by the police. This case is scheduled for a hearing next Wednesday.

Additionally, the high court directed the state government to facilitate the return of people displaced due to alleged post-poll violence. Police were instructed to maintain strict vigilance in areas where violence had allegedly erupted.

The directive came from a division bench led by Justice Harish Tandon, which has been hearing petitions related to violence allegations since the general election. Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya also serves on the division bench.

22 June 2024, Kolkata — Early on Saturday morning, a fire broke out in a building in the Dalhousie neighborhood of central Kolkata, according to police sources. The event happened in Garstin Place, behind Bankshall Court, at approximately 4:30 in the morning.

To put out the flames, seven fire tenders were sent to the spot right away. Thankfully, there were no reported injuries from the fire.

An officer reported that the fire was contained in less than an hour. Although preliminary signs suggest that there was an electrical short circuit, police are waiting on the forensics report to corroborate this.

Kolkata, 20 June 2024 — By apprehending a general manager (GM) of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and a civil contractor, the Central Bureau of probe (CBI) made noteworthy headway in the ongoing probe into a multi-crore coal-smuggling case. The central agency has been investigating the case since 2020.

ECL General Manager Naresh Chandra Saha and Contractor Aswini Kumar Yadav in custody

Aswini Kumar Yadav, the contractor, and General Manager Naresh Chandra Saha were called to Nizam Palace in Calcutta on Thursday to be questioned, according to trustworthy sources within the organization. The CBI nabbed them after questioning them for the entire day.

The two were detained in CBI custody until Monday after making their appearance before the special CBI court in Asansol on Friday.

Charges Made Against Yadav and Saha

The principal accused in the case, Anup Maji, also known as "Lala," was reportedly involved in collusion with GM Saha, as the CBI told the court. Maji is thought to have coordinated the smuggling of coal from Asansol mines controlled by ECL. It is said that Saha's cooperation made these illicit activities easier.

Furthermore, contractor Yadav was explicitly linked by the CBI to the coal-smuggling scheme. The agency asked for Saha and Yadav to be placed under a four-day remand.

Previous Detentions and Future Events

Eight current and former ECL workers, including four senior managers, have already been detained by the CBI in relation to the matter. Right now, everyone of them is free on bond.

As instructed by the judiciary, the CBI is anticipated to deliver the final charge sheet to the court on July 3. Thirty-four people are named on the main charge sheet that was filed last year and purports to be part of the coal smuggling network.

Authorities are committed to apprehend all of the offenders, and the investigation is still ongoing.

The chief minister chastised the mayors or chairmen of the boards of administrators of seven municipal corporations—Calcutta, Howrah, Bidhannagar, Chandernagore, Durgapur, Asansol, and Siliguri—during a video conference on Thursday from Nabanna.

The district magistrates were requested to relay the directives to the local authorities even though the 118 municipalities' representatives were not present during the video conference.

The conference is significant because, according to the latest Lok Sabha polls, the ruling party was trailing in 69 of the 125 civic councils.

According to sources, the chief minister brought up the civic bodies' poor road maintenance and lack of initiative in timely rubbish removal during the meeting.

Because they don't go about their wards, the council members are unaware of the state of the roads and the dumping of trash there. "Do you really think I can handle all of these now?" the chief minister was reported to have asked at the meeting.

According to sources, Mamata became irate when the topic of encroachment was up during the meeting.

She even confronted Vineet Goyal, the commissioner of the Calcutta city police, questioning why the police did nothing in response to people from other states arriving in Calcutta and intruding on land to open stores.

According to a source who attended the meeting, "the chief minister termed it a lame excuse when the police commissioner replied that the police could not do anything as the street vending committee did not permit the police to remove the encroachment."

The chief minister, according to Trinamool Congress sources, was upset with the Kolkata Municipal Corporation since the ruling party was lagging behind opposition parties, primarily the BJP, in over forty-five of the city's wards.

A source claimed that the chief minister was so incensed that she claimed in the meeting that the connection between the police and council members prevented any attempt to stop the invasion.

The Met prediction states that the monsoon winds should reach in south Bengal between Friday and Sunday.

In Kolkata, the rain on Thursday was not very extensive. It appeared in multiple spells. There were severe wind gusts in several areas prior to the first spell, which occurred in the afternoon.

However, since June 6, it was the first time that the city has received genuine showers.

Esplanade was dry around 1:40 pm on Thursday, when rain was falling in Behala. But eventually the whole city was shrouded in clouds. Rain fell in most places by the evening.

The city experienced the intended cooling impact as the cloud cover persisted.

It was a nice late afternoon and evening.

The showers were caused by a cyclonic circulation over east Bihar and its surrounding areas, a Met official stated.

On June 20, 2024, a Met report stated, "The southwest monsoon has further advanced into some more parts of north Bengal and it covered North and South Dinajpur districts and most parts of Malda district."

"Over the next two to three days, conditions are favorable for the southwest monsoon to continue advancing into certain areas of South Bengal and the remaining parts of North Bengal."

According to a Met official, a district is considered to have experienced the monsoon when more than 50% of its Met stations record rain and there is a shift in the wind pattern.

"Dry winds from the country blow into south Bengal in the winter. We receive moist winds from the Bay during the monsoon. The Regional Meteorological Centre in Calcutta's head of the weather section, H.R. Biswas, stated that although the change has started, it will take some time for it to become widely felt.

This year, the monsoon arrived early in north Bengal. However, it hasn't arrived yet in south Bengal, where it usually does on June 10.

But Biswas had one optimistic thing to say. Rain is expected, even if the monsoon does not reach Calcutta on Friday. It's expected to rain in Calcutta on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday," he stated.

The high and low points were recorded at 35.8 and 28.2 degrees, respectively. Up until 8:30 p.m., Alipore saw about 3 mm of rain, according to the Met office.

The police crackdown occurs one day after three people in two locations in Barasat were attacked on the grounds that they were suspected of kidnapping.

The three people who were detained, according to the police, maintained their innocence and stated that they "genuinely" believed that "a child-lifting gang was active in Barasat." Additionally, the police stated that they did not accept their theory.

They have been charged with violating sections of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code pertaining to mischief and disturbing social harmony.

The three were recognized by the police as Pritam Mistry, Payal Talukdar, and Sheikh Mijanur Rehman. Everybody from Barasat is three.

Mistry, 33, is a part-time insurance agent in addition to working for a private IT company. Payel works as a makeup artist on her own. It wasn't until late on Thursday night that Rehman's occupation was determined.

According to Pratiksha Jharkhariya, superintendent of police in Barasat, the three individuals detained were fervently disseminating false information on social media via two groups, alleging the presence of a child trafficking gang in the region.

These three served as the organizations' administrators. They disseminated false information through their posts, which included video clips, about a group of child traffickers that were allegedly abducting children from Barasat. In an effort to put an end to the rumors, they were also removing our remarks from our official account from the groups, according to Jharkhariya.

The officer stated that since the corpse of a Class V kid was found in a run-down restroom in Kazipara, Barasat, on Thursday, the three had been uploading recordings and leaving comments.

They informed our officers that they thought the boy had been kidnapped and murdered. They desired to take action in this regard. Thus, they began disseminating the rumor and uploading different content, such as videos of a body being retrieved, Jharkhariya claimed.

Numerous more social media accounts are being investigated, according to the authorities. "Fake profiles" are being used to manage a large number of them, according to the police.

An officer stated, "We are not ruling out the possibility that this was a component of the coordinated rumor-mongering that caused violence in the area and injured three people."

Every major school in Barasat now has a police post in front of it, and on Thursday, senior police officers spoke with locals on the streets, especially those who drop and pick up their kids from school. Additionally, leaflets asking people not to propagate rumors or fall for them were distributed.

This is hardly the first instance of social media platforms being abused to disseminate violent rumors.

There have been multiple reports of violent incidents resulting from rumors of child lifting in Calcutta and its surrounding areas. The people who spread rumors were often taken into custody. However, many more avoid punishment, and as the rumors die down, the crackdown becomes slack.

"The main obstacle is getting people to stop forwarding unverified messages through Facebook, WhatsApp, and other social media platforms," stated an IPS officer who had previously served as the head of the Kolkata Police's cybercrime unit.

"Some people disseminate false information on purpose in an effort to incite conflict within the community or undermine law and order."

The Class V student's death sparked the rumors, according to a senior police official in Barasat. According to the officer, the uncle of the child, Enger Nabi, has been taken into police custody after being arrested on suspicion of murder.

Following a mob attack on Wednesday that injured two men and a woman, eighteen persons have been taken into custody.

During his two-day visit to Kashmir for the International Day of Yoga celebration and the launch of development projects, Modi stated that his administration was working to "ensure a connection of hearts" and "bridge the distance between Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir."

Locally, the people of Jammu and Kashmir choose their MPs. They help you find solutions to your difficulties, and what could be more convenient than that? He addressed a gathering at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Conference Centre in Srinagar, saying, "Now the preparations for the Assembly elections have also started."

"The moment is quickly approaching when you will cast your ballots to choose a new Jammu and Kashmiri government. The time will soon come for Jammu and Kashmir to improve the state's future once more.

Since 2018, Jammu and Kashmir has not had an assembly. In 2019, it ceased to be a state. According to Modi, Jammu and Kashmir has improved since Article 370 was repealed.

Since being detained by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in March, just after the Lok Sabha elections were announced, Kejriwal has been imprisoned for what he claimed to be a political retaliation by the BJP.

Kejriwal was given bail at Rouse Avenue Court on a ₹1 lakh bond by a vacation bench. The Supreme Court had already given him temporary bail so that he could run in the general election.

According to PTI, Special Judge Nyay Bindu turned down the ED's request to halt the bail judgment for 48 hours so that the agency may file an appeal with a higher court. She gave Kejriwal instructions to assist the investigators and show up in court if needed.

Following his release, Kejriwal is anticipated to assess the party's standing in the Lok Sabha elections and quickly organize for the Haryana and Delhi Assembly elections.

Despite the BJP's numbers falling well short of the majority, the nomination was interpreted as a sign that the Narendra Modi-led NDA government would not give up any ground to the opposition, even if it was not required by law.

With Mahtab's selection, the new government seemed disinclined to adhere to democratic norms, despite the Opposition's persistent demands for the Deputy Speaker position, which have been strengthened by their increasing influence in the House. Mahtab, a member of the BJD, has been elected to the Lok Sabha six times since 1998. This time, he is running for a seventh term as a BJP MP from the Cuttack seat.

In contrast, Virendra Kumar of the BJP and Kodukunnil Suresh of the Congress were both elected to the 18th Lok Sabha for an eighth term. It was anticipated that Suresh would be appointed as the acting Speaker after Virendra took the oath of office as a Union minister. Virendra was designated as the pro-tem Speaker of the previous Lok Sabha.

Jairam Ramesh, general secretary of the Congress and in-charge of communications, noted the disregard for convention without specifically blaming anyone. "By convention, the MP who has served the maximum terms is appointed Speaker Protem for the first two days when oath is administered to all newly elected MPs," Ramesh said on X.

The 18th Lok Sabha will convene for its first session on June 24 and hold its speaker election on June 26.

Ronaldo holds the marks for the most goals (14) and appearances (25) at the event. He made his tournament debut at Euro 2004, where Portugal advanced to the final.

The 39-year-old striker gave Portugal a 3-0 victory over Ireland to warm up, demonstrating that he's still got it.

At Euro 2020, Ronaldo and Czech attacker Patrik Schick both scored five goals, sharing the title of top scorer. The Czech team's primary target, Schick, is back and comes with a lot of confidence after helping Bayer Leverkusen win the Bundesliga.

Although the 39-year-old looks as hungry for goals and praise as ever, the Euro 2024 may be Ronaldo's final tournament as an international player.

On Saturday, at Portugal's open training session in Gutersloh, some enamored supporters came onto the field to snap photographs with the Portugal star, forcing police to step in and remove them. The training session was attended by over 8,000 fans.

The top scorer in men's international football may have moved away from Europe's elite to play in Saudi Arabia, but his knack for scoring goals is unwavering.

He hammered 35 goals in 31 league games for Al Nassr previous season, finishing second in qualification with 10 goals.

"Ronaldo is our captain, and we want to support him because he always thinks big." Diogo Dalot, a defender for Manchester United and Portugal, stated, "He's the one who has won the most among us."

Ronaldo, however, is not the only threat facing the Czechs, who are playing for the eighth time in a row.

Portugal has a strong offensive squad even without Ronaldo, with Rafael Leao of Milan, Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain, and Joao Felix of Barcelona offering midfield alternatives for Bruno Fernandes.

Despite winning the championship in 2016, it's possible that Ronaldo feels unfulfilled on the global scene.

He was injured and missed the majority of the final eight years ago, thus he was unable to lead Portugal to victory in the two World Cups that followed or at Euro 2020, where they were eliminated in the round of sixteen.

Although this has been Portugal's most illustrious generation, Euro 2024 feels like a farewell tour for players like Ronaldo and 41-year-old defender Pepe, who are nearing the conclusion of their careers.

Portugal has an extremely talented roster and should rank among the top teams in Germany. They scored 36 goals and let up two goals in their ten qualification matches, winning all of them.

As he arrived in Germany, Ronaldo told reporters, "I think this generation deserves to win a competition of this magnitude," with an eye toward the Henri Delaunay trophy.

Nevertheless, having failed to guide Belgium's renowned "Golden Generation" to tournament victories, their manager Roberto Martinez is well-versed in the difficulties that come with managing a group of exceptionally gifted players at international competitions.

But Martinez also understands that he has Ronaldo, who is perhaps the finest in the game.

There are 23 players on our team. Earlier this month, he stated, "We foster competition, and the game makes decisions."

"However, Cristiano is ready to support the group and offer his all. Furthermore, Cristiano brings a unique quality to the dressing room that no other player in the world can match.

Leading a Czech team with radically different expectations is Schick, who earned goal of the tournament at Euro 2020 for his spectacular goal from the halfway line against Scotland.

The Czechs won four of their eight games in a qualifying group that also featured Poland, Moldova, and the Faroe Islands, placing them second behind Albania.

They struggled to score goals when Schick was sidelined for the last stages of qualification; but, after his "double" victory over Leverkusen, he seemed to have recovered from his injury, which could cause problems for Portugal.

"I think we have the goals in place. Coach Ivan Hasek of Czechia stated, "We could win it or we could get eliminated in the group stage."

Adam caused a commotion online when he entered the game as a substitute late in Hungary's opening 3-1 loss to Switzerland in Cologne. Fans were taken aback to see a man who was around 86 kilograms and 6 feet 3 inches tall sprint onto the field.

The Ulsan Hyundai forward is also known as the "Hungarian Viking" because of his thick ginger beard and shaved head.

"The articles? At a news conference held on Sunday at the team's base, Adam, 29, said, "Of course, one or two get to me. I usually have a laugh about it."

"I have this body type; I was born this way. I have a simple body type; I'm not suggesting I was this large when I was born. Genetics is something I cannot alter.

Despite his brief appearance, Adam has already emerged as a fan favorite in the competition, and the most of the posts are positive.

In their upcoming match against Germany on Wednesday, Hungary's supporters will only be praying that their No. 9 can add to his current total of three goals for the team.

Since the 2010 World Cup, Neuer has been the unquestioned number one for Germany, but in recent games, such as Bayern Munich's loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinal, he has not looked like a world-class player.

After a disastrous World Cup first-round exit in Qatar, the 38-year-old fractured his leg while skiing in December 2022. He did not play again until November.

However, coach Julian Nagelsmann of Germany chose Neuer as their tournament starter, benching Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 32, once more.

Neuer said at a press conference on Monday, "To be honest, I have been watching it (the debate) from the outside."

"I didn't read anything, and I actually always operate in this manner.

"We talk about everything internally with the relevant parties. We watch the tapes and assess everything according to what we see in them. I therefore did not stop thinking about this argument.

Shortly before the competition in Germany started, Ter-Stegen expressed his sadness, but he also stated he was accepting of his duty and would give the squad his whole support.

"What matters is trust, and there is a great deal of trust between teammates and the coaching staff," Neuer stated. "And the Scotland match was my main focus, followed by the remaining group matches."

On Wednesday, Germany will play their second match against Hungary, who lost their first match 3-1 against Switzerland.

"We are getting more focused and concentrated as we get ready for the Hungary game," Neuer stated. "From the beginning against Scotland, we looked dominant.

But our feet are firmly planted. Now that we are more confident, Hungary will be a different ball game.

The only other Indian in the field at 26, the superstar will compete against Max Dehning, a teenage wonder from Germany and the youngest member of the elite 90m club, which Chopra hopes to join.

Chopra will face serious opposition from the 19-year-old as he defends his gold medal from the Tokyo Games in Paris.

Oliver Helander, a local favorite who defeated the Indian in the one-day competition in 2022, will also be there.

With a personal best throw of 89.30 meters in 2022, the Indian took home a silver medal. In the same year, Chopra raised that mark to 89.94m at the Diamond League leg in Stockholm.

The 2012 Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago and the two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada are also in contention here.

For precautionary reasons, Chopra withdrew from the Ostrava Golden Spike last month after he "felt something in my adductor (group of muscles located on inner thighs)".

In May, he started his season at the Doha Diamond League, where he placed second with a final throw of 88.36 meters, which was his ninth-best record ever. Not competing here is Jakub Vadlejch, who defeated Chopra in the Doha Diamond League.

Chopra also competed in the Bhubaneswar National Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships, where he won the gold medal with a lackluster performance of 82.27 meters.

Chopra's next appearance will be on July 7 at the Paris Diamond League, following the Paavo Nurmi Games.

Chopra has previously stated, "I will determine the competition schedule going forward based on my body and the circumstances."

Along with a brand-new poster, Allu also posted the update on Instagram. With a picture of the movie poster, Allu posted on Instagram, "#Pushpa2TheRule in theaters from December 6th, 2024."

Allu is seen wearing a brown shirt over a gray t-shirt in the billboard, along with a bandana that matches on his head. He rests his sword on his shoulder, holding it in his hand.

In addition to Allu and Rashmika, Fahadh Faasil plays a significant role in Pushpa 2: The Rule. The film, which was written and directed by Sukumar, also stars Ajay Ghosh, Dhanunjay, Sunil, Rao Ramesh, and Anasuya Bharadwaj.

The film Pushpa 2 is a follow-up to Sukumar's Pushpa: The Rise, released in 2021 and a box office triumph throughout India.

The film's soundtrack was composed by Devi Sri Prasad, and Miroslaw Kuba Brozek handled the cinematography.

Shabana praised the biography helmed by Kabir Khan for its poignant narrative and stated Kartik's portrayal captured his youthful resolve. "Kartik Aaryan's portrayal in Kabir Khan's Chandu Champion left me feeling incredibly affected. He avoided coming across as haughty by playing it with an almost boyish drive and a charming smile, she posted on Instagram.

The seasoned Bollywood actor also praised Vijay Raaz for his performance as Kartik's tutor in the movie. "Vijay Raaz is an incredibly successful coach." The 73-year-old actress continued, "It's a true story, and I say Salaam Kabir for making it so he could see it with his family.

Shabana also posted a photo of herself giving Kartik a kiss on the cheek at a special movie screening.

Kartik thanked Shabana for acknowledging his work in her reshare of her article. "I got my Eidi, Mujhe Meri Eidi Mil Gayi." The actor, 33, said, "Every word you said feels like a medal for me."

Chandu Champion, which was released on June 14, is based on the life and hardships of Murlikant Petkar, an Indian paralympian who was formerly a boxer. Petkar was a member of the Indian Army's Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME). But after suffering serious gunshot wounds during the 1965 war with Pakistan, he was rendered crippled and turned to swimming and other sports. At the 1968 Summer Paralympics, he competed in table tennis and won four gold in swimming.

Since its debut, the movie has reportedly made Rs 26.25 crore nett at the domestic box office, according to industry data-tracking website Sacnilk.

Kartik next appears with Triptii Dimri and Vidya Balan in Anees Bazmee's Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3. Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, which is being produced by T-Series Films, is scheduled to premiere in theaters on November 1 in honor of Diwali.

In the video, Amala is seen holding her infant son in her arms while wearing a long, white garment. She is taken aback by the balloons and decorations when she walks into the baby's nursery. The song Nadaaniyan by Akshath plays during the video.

"It's a boy," I say! Introducing "ILAI," our tiny miracle. Born on June 11, 2024," the actress, 32, wrote on Monday.

Actress Pearle Maaney congratulated the new mother and the child in the comments section. "Awwwww. Sweetheart, welcome home," she wrote.

Supporters praised the couple on their joyous occasion as well. "Love, congratulations. Greetings from one of them again.

Amala made her pregnancy known a few months after her November 5th, 2018, nuptials with Jagat. The actress had wrote, "Now I know that 1+1 is 3 with you," next to a number of images of herself and her spouse.

Amala, who made her acting debut with the 2009 film Neelathamara, is known for films like Mynaa (2010), Deiva Thirumagal (2011) and Thalaivaa (2013). The actress was last seen in the Tamil film Cadaver (2022) and in the Malayalam film The Teacher (2022).

The rumoured couple’s Double XL co-star Huma Qureshi was also spotted at Sonakshi’s party.

In the pictures shared by Sonakshi, she is seen twinning in black with her friends. The 37-year-old actress wore a shimmery dress and strappy stiletto sandals.

Sonakshi posed for a group photo with her gang in front of golden streamers and balloons. Celebrity stylists Sanam Ratansi and Mohit Rai were also present at her party.

Zaheer shared a selfie with his friends on his Instagram stories. He sported a black t-shirt in the picture. A quirky silver chain and black studs completed his outfit.

On Friday, singer-rapper Honey Singh said he will attend his “best friend” Sonakshi Sinha’s wedding in Mumbai this month despite a shoot scheduled in London for the first song of his upcoming album Glory.

"Though I'm going to be in London shooting Glory's first song, I will make sure to attend my best friend @aslisona Sonakshi’s wedding. She has been a big support in my career and helped me many times in life. Best wishes to the power couple Sona and Zaheer! Bholenath bless them,” read his Instagram story.

However, there has been no official confirmation from Sonakshi or Zaheer yet. According to some media reports, they will tie the knot in Mumbai on June 23.

Sonakshi was last seen in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s maiden web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar alongside Manisha Koirala, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal and Sanjeeda Sheikh. The period drama series is currently streaming on Netflix.

An officer from the traffic department of Kolkata Police stated that the tram's bogies had passed the signal post when the current collector became detached from the overhead electric lines that powered the tram.

A tram's current collector is an apparatus that rises from the rear bogie and is fixed to the overhead lines. It uses the cables above to get electricity.

The current collector was hanging free from the above wires, and the driver was blind to this fact.

Due to inertia, the tram continued to move forward even though the current collector was hanging. It struck the signal post, shattering it in the process. The policeman explained that the signal post broke because it had also corroded.

According to the officer, the event occurred at 10.30 am, and the damaged signal post was taken out of the area an hour later.

Initially, the police considered temporarily limiting traffic on the section of Rashbehari Avenue close to the shopping center.

Due to Monday being a holiday, there were less cars on the route, hence there was no need for a traffic limit along that particular section of road.

Due to a broken post that was hanging over the right lane of the flank, all cars were instructed to use the left lane when crossing Rashbehari Avenue and SP Mukherjee Road.

According to the traffic police officer, no complaints were made by the police against the driver of the tram.

"We'll be replacing the signal post soon. The secondary signal post was located here. The officer stated, "The main signal post is still in place and operational.

Metro had previously reported on the dilapidated state of the roadside poles in Calcutta.

Most of the poles have a dense bundle of cables wrapped around them, and the weight of the cables has tipped the poles in several locations.

In addition, a number of cables were wrapped around the Lake Market traffic signal pole that collapsed on Monday.

Recently, the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), which is responsible for maintaining the electric poles along the city's highways, made the decision to forbid any advertisements from appearing on them.

As these made the structures hazardous, a KMC official stated that the local body would not provide any further permissions for the installation of advertisements on power poles.

Attached to the traffic signal pole that collapsed on Monday was a rectangular advertisement board.

According to a KMC representative, all ads that are affixed to traffic signal posts were done so with approval from the police alone, and the civic body is not responsible for maintaining them.

According to a traffic police officer, senior brass at Kolkata Police has not yet given the order to take down the advertisements from the signal poles.

Numerous trains stopped at various stations on either side of the Darjeeling district accident scene. The accident site was around 3 kilometers away from the Padatik Express, which was traveling from Sealdah to New Alipurduar.

24 trains were rerouted via Aluabari, Siliguri Junction, and New Jalpaiguri (NJP), according to railway officials. There were three cancelled trains. The railroads set up a rescue train to transport people safely from NJP to Sealdah. While the first relief train arrived at the accident scene from NJP, another one arrived at the location from Alipurduar Junction.

In order to transport the Kanchenjunga Express passengers to their destination, NBSTC also dispatched ten buses to the location.

"More buses will run from Siliguri to Calcutta," NBSTC chairman Partha Pratim Roy declared.

At 5:40 p.m., train movement along the Up-track, which is used by trains from Calcutta to travel to NJP and the Northeast, was resumed.

Following the crash, a large number of passengers were waiting to board trains at various stations in north Bengal that were headed for Calcutta and NJP when the train traffic was thrown off the rails.

In New Town, the NKDA offers civic services.

According to a senior NKDA official, the decision to assign three teams to each action area was made with the knowledge that the city frequently experiences strong thunderstorms.

The official stated, "We have chosen to have three teams for New Town that can be called into action in case of any disaster, particularly storms at very short notice."

Storms frequently leave a path of devastation in Calcutta. On May 27, Cyclone Remal made landfall in the city, uprooting at least 120 trees in the process.

Each of these units, according to the NKDA official, will be outfitted with power-cutting equipment including electric chainsaws, hydraulic earthmovers, payloaders, dump trucks, and staff who are trained to be deployed in the event of cyclones and thunderstorms.

According to the official, these teams can also be called upon to support emergency services departments and other first responders like the fire department in the event that a crisis occurs.

Every team member will be positioned at the NKDA offices located in Action Areas I, II, and III, where sufficient parking can be secured.

The official stated, "These teams will form the core of the disaster management unit and more manpower can be deployed if necessary depending on the storm's scale."

One thing that sets New Town apart from the rest of the city is the lack of steel-framed advertising panels permitted by the government, and the majority of the street furniture, including street lighting, is cable-free overhead.

Advertising is not permitted on the Main Arterial Road. Even in the alleyways off the main thoroughfare, there are strict regulations in place, according to an NKDA representative.

This is one of the reasons lamp poles don't collapse because the weight of the cables that surround them isn't bearing down on them.

According to a global assessment (XDI's Gross Domestic Climate Risk) released recently, West Bengal is expected to rank 60th out of over 2,600 locations assessed globally by 2050 in terms of climate risk.

"I have no idea what's going on in this nation. There is such a problem if the administration is acting so carelessly. The entire train department is experiencing the callousness of the (Union) government, stated the chief minister of Bengal, a former seven-term MP who served as railway minister on several occasions under the NDA and UPA II governments led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"There's no distinct funding for railroads. There is still a rail ministry. However, the madhurjyo (grace, charm, or loveliness) of the trains in the past has been destroyed. "The railways have completely lost their parental figure," she continued as she boarded a flight to north Bengal in the afternoon from the Calcutta airport, having managed rescue, relief, and restoration efforts via remote access since 9 a.m.

The railroads are currently only visible at the inauguration. So many topics to discuss, so much said—word beautifying, as if it were a fad. However, they merely hike fares and neglect to provide for passenger facilities.

The head of the Trinamool Congress charged that electoral cheating was the saffron regime's top priority.

"This government is cautious in how many steps it takes in relation to the elections. How to use election rigging, manipulation, and hacking. Where will this nation go? "Is it not a jest?" she questioned.

Mamata continued, "I think they should give more time for governance, not for utterance." These days, people have to choose motorcycles or cycles over railroads. What is the current state of the railroads?

Mamata further criticized the Centre for allegedly delaying the effective installation of the anti-collision system, which might lessen the impact of such incidents, and demanded answers for the limited air connectivity for Calcutta and north Bengal.

"Repeated accidents... I had left the one that happened in June of last year near Puri (Bahanaga)." "They'll probably cremate them all at once because there are still so many unclaimed and unidentified bodies," she said, alluding to the crash that had left over 1,200 people injured and almost 300 people dead.

Accidents may occur at any time. It is a fact that no one can control an accident. However, it is also true that I had the anti-collision gadget ready when I needed it. Everything from the Metro trains to Vande Bharat is being imitated from my era. No facilities, no security, growing prices," the prime minister continued. This location is a dark spot. This was not far from the scene of the 1999 Gaisal tragedy. Today, things could have turned very much worse.

She went into great detail about some of the major infrastructure advancements or upgrades that had occurred during her time leading the Rail Bhavan, including the modernization of the signalling system, the installation of anti-collision devices (ACDs), and the conversion of hundreds of unmanned crossings across India into manned level crossings.

During my time, we implemented the use of ACDs and updated the telecom system. Later on in the day, outside the North Bengal Medical College and Hospital (NBMCH) in Siliguri, the Trinamool chief stated, "In fact, I had personally gone to Madgaon and met Konkan Railway officials, where trials for these ACDs were held."

"All of these railway improvements are the result of the efforts of past governments and myself... They want to address things differently—that's their problem, she continued. "Saving the people should come first, then lofty claims. Nothing that has been inaugurated today is new; it was all planned out in my Vision 2020 for the railways, for which I had set aside money.

She had stated clearly in Calcutta that she would not be coming to the location, which was close to the New Jalpaiguri station, because the government had already carried out the essential rescue, relief, and restoration efforts under her direction and supervision. At that point, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the minister of railways, had already visited the Rangapani accident scene.

Vaishnaw reported that he had met all the relevant parties and was impressed by how they had united to provide a speedy rescue and restoration. "All data points and data logs are being analyzed as part of the ongoing inquiries. Our first concern right now is getting everything back to normal as soon as possible," he stated.

"This is not the time for politics," he stated in response to Mamata's accusations.

"Rescue and restoration should now be the main priorities. The safety of passengers is a top priority and receives total attention. The minister of railroads continued, "I will go into more detail about this later.

The collision occurred on a rainy Monday morning in north Bengal at Rangapani, around 10 km from New Jalpaiguri station, badly damaging at least four of the train's rear coaches.

According to an official, the purpose of the presence of Calcutta Mayor Firhad Hakim, West Bengal Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty, and Divisional Railway Manager of Sealdah division Deepak Nigam at the station was to facilitate the orderly dispersal of passengers and their subsequent transportation to their residences.

The 13174 Kanchanjunga Express from the capital of Tripura, Agartala, was supposed to arrive in Sealdah on Monday at 7:20 p.m., but it arrived eight hours later at 3:16 a.m., according to an ER official.

He claimed that during the journey, the unfortunate passengers were given food, water, and medical attention at several stops, including Malda town and Sealdah. The passengers endured the terror and anguish of the disaster.

According to a state government official, the passengers at Sealdah station were given buses and small cars by the state's transport agency to make sure they got home safely.

JMM executive president Hemant Soren, who is currently detained in Ranchi Central Jail, is rumored to have given Champai Soren, the chief minister of Jharkhand, the go-ahead to launch aggressive populist programs in an attempt to refute the BJP's narrative of "religious polarization" ahead of the Assembly polls. Champai Soren assumed office in February after former chief minister Hemant Soren was arrested after his resignation on January 31, 2024, due to alleged money laundering charges.

"We have witnessed the actions of senior BJP figures during their rallies in the recent Lok Sabha elections, such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Chief Minister of Assam Himanta Biswa Sarma, who was named co-in charge of the Jharkhand Assembly polls on Monday, while Union Agriculture Minister and former Chief Minister of MPs Shivraj Singh Chouhan was named in-charge. A close associate of Champai Soren stated, "Hemant ji has asked Champai da to go all out with populist measures to counter the BJP's religious polarization narrative which they are going to repeat in the run-up to Assembly polls."

Last week at Birsa Munda Central Jail, Champai Soren met Hemant Soren.

Champai Soren announced two consecutive public programs on Sunday in Seraikela-Kharsawan and Jamshedpur (the first one following the lifting of the model code of conduct). She also announced financial assistance for all women between the ages of 25 and 50, government jobs for nearly 40,000 youths, and a waiver of up to ₹2 lakh in loans for farmers.

"Tribals and minorities support the ruling coalition, as demonstrated by the results of the Lok Sabha election (it won all the ST reserved Lok Sabha seats, including three from the BJP)." In order to increase its voter base before the Assembly elections, it now seeks to win over women and the general public, according to Ranchi-based political writer Faisal Anurag, a senior writer for vernacular newspapers.

The chief minister's media advisor, Dharmendra Goswami, stated, "All the announcements made by the chief minister will be executed after completion of formalities (nod of the Cabinet and Assembly) in the next couple of months."

During public programs in Jamshedpur and Seraikela, the chief minister declared that authorities had been instructed to finish the hiring process for government positions as soon as possible.

Additionally, he declared that farmers would receive a ₹2 lakh loan waiver. Jharkhand has had two years in a row with very little rainfall. A loan waiver of up to ₹50,000 had been declared by the government the previous year.

The government, which eliminated the age limit for bereaved women's pensions last year, has now taken a further step by offering cash packages to all women in lower socioeconomic strata who are between the ages of 25 and 50.

Previously, home consumers could receive free electricity up to 125 units from the government. Additionally, it has begun paying pensions to all Dalits and ST individuals who are above 50.

According to the weather office, most locations in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Bihar had maximum temperatures that were noticeably above average (5.1 degrees Celsius or more).

The national capital saw maximum temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above season average, without the thunderstorms and rain that were brought on by other tropical weather systems known as western disturbances.

The highest temperature recorded in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, was 43.1 degrees Celsius, 9.5 degrees above the season's average, while the highest temperature in Una, Himachal Pradesh, was 44 degrees, 6.7 degrees over average.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Jammu and Kashmir was 40.8 degrees Celsius at Katra, 5.7 degrees above average, and 44.3 degrees in Jammu.

The highest temperature ever recorded in Daltonganj, Jharkhand, was 46 degrees Celsius, 9.1 degrees above average.

When a meteorological station records a high temperature of at least 40 degrees Celsius in the plains, 37 degrees in coastal areas, and 30 degrees in hilly regions, and the deviation from normal is at least 4.5 notches, it is considered a heat wave.

If the divergence from average is greater than 6.4 notches, a severe heat wave is proclaimed.

With minimum temperatures at least 5.1 degrees above average, most of the areas in Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, west Rajasthan, west Uttar Pradesh, and east Madhya Pradesh had warm nights.

The maximum temperatures in northwest India are not expected to vary during the next 24 hours, according to the weather office's forecast. After that, a 2 degree Celsius drop in temperature is predicted.

For the next three days, though, central and eastern India will be suffering from extremely high temperatures; after that, there might be some relief.

The heatwave that has been engulfing Punjab and Haryana for the past few days hasn't let up, with Bathinda experiencing temperatures as high as 46.9 degrees Celsius.

Pindara in the Jind district of Haryana recorded a maximum temperature of 46.9 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest place in the state, while Bathinda in Punjab experienced scorching heat.

The local Met center reports that the maximum temperature in Chandigarh, the shared capital of the two states, was 44.5 degrees Celsius.

The Punjabi city of Faridkot experienced extreme heat as well, with a maximum temperature of 46 degrees Celsius, while Pathankot registered 45.8 degrees.

The highest temperature ever recorded was 45.8 degrees Celsius in Amritsar, 44.6 degrees in Ludhiana, 45.4 degrees in Patiala, 45 degrees in Gurdaspur, and 44.3 degrees in Ferozepur.

Faridabad and Sirsa in Haryana saw record highs of 46.6 and 46.2 degrees Celsius, respectively, due to the extreme heat.

Hisar registered 45.7 degrees Celsius, while Mahendragarh recorded a high of 45.2 degrees.

According to the Met office, there were also hot circumstances in Gurugram and Kurukshetra, where the highest recorded temperatures were 45.1 degrees Celsius and 44.5 degrees, respectively.

The highest temperature recorded in Rohtak was 46.2 degrees Celsius, while the highest temperatures in Ambala and Karnal were 44.8 and 43.8 degrees, respectively.

Monday's heatwave conditions in Rajasthan grew stronger, with some locations reaching highs that were one to six degrees higher than the day before.

According to a representative for the Jaipur Meteorological Centre, Ganganagar recorded the highest temperature in the state at 46.2 degrees Celsius, which is 4.9 degrees above average.

Pilani recorded a highest temperature of 45.9 degrees Celsius, which is 6.5 degrees higher than average.

The highest temperatures recorded were 45.4 degrees Celsius in Churu and Karauli, 44.9 degrees in Dholpur, 44.8 degrees in Alwar, 44.3 degrees in Bikaner, and 44 degrees in Bharatpur and Phalodi.

Some big cities had temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius.

According to the Met official, the minimum temperature was recorded 2 to 8.1 degrees above normal in most parts of the state.

He said that major cities had nighttime temperatures between 28.6 and 37 degrees Celsius.

Phalodi reported a lowest temperature of 34.6 degrees, 8.1 notches above average, while Alwar recorded a low of 37 degrees, 4.9 notches above average.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test for Undergraduates (NEET-UG) 2024, a pivotal examination conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for admissions into medical courses across India, has been shrouded in controversy since its inception this year. The examination, which serves as a gateway to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other related courses in both government and private institutions, has faced widespread allegations of paper leaks and other irregularities.

In an unprecedented turn of events, it was revealed that over 1,500 students were awarded grace marks due to these irregularities. However, this decision was later reversed, plunging the admissions process into chaos and leaving aspirants in a state of distress. The Supreme Court is now deliberating on a plea for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the matter.

TelegraphOnline reached out to students nationwide to gauge their reactions and coping mechanisms during this tumultuous period.

In Varanasi, students gathered outside Kashi Hindu University demanding a re-examination of the NEET-UG 2024 results. Arushi Mishra from Maharashtra expressed her frustration, stating that withdrawing grace marks does not address the root issues such as paper leaks. She emphasized that those who cheated should face legal consequences and be barred from medical exams.

Similarly, in Bhopal, Youth Congress activists faced water cannons during a protest against the alleged exam irregularities. Farid Jamadar from Maharashtra called for transparency and standardization in awarding grace marks and supported a thorough CBI investigation into NTA’s handling of the situation.

Manav Harris from Tamil Nadu took a different stance, supporting the Centre’s decision for a retest for those who received grace marks. He hopes that strict supervision will prevent malpractices in future exams.

In Calcutta, NEET aspirants rallied against the alleged irregularities. Sohini Chatterjee from West Bengal voiced concerns that these malpractices could deter future students from pursuing medicine.

The controversy has not only affected individual students but also raised questions about the integrity of India’s medical education system. As the Supreme Court considers the plea for a CBI probe, the nation awaits a resolution that upholds fairness and justice for all NEET-UG aspirants.

Following a terrorist ambush in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi area on June 9, a bus carrying pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Delhi plunged into a steep canyon, killing nine people—three of them women—and injuring forty-one more.

The 53-seater bus was traveling from Shiv Khori temple to Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra when the terrorists opened fire on it.

According to an official, the NIA has taken over the investigation into the terror incident that occurred on a bus in Jammu and Kashmir on June 9.

The decision was made one day after the annual Amarnath yatra preparations and the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir were discussed in two back-to-back meetings here by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Following the terror assault on the bus in the Reasi district and several other terror incidents in the Union Territory, the meetings were convened.

Terrorists opened fire on a Rashtriya Rifles and police joint checkpost at Chattergalla in Bhaderwah on June 11, and on June 12, an attack in the Gandoh area of Doda district injured seven security personnel, including a policeman.

Along with reviewing the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave orders to officials on June 13 to use the "full spectrum of counter-terror capabilities" in response to a slew of terror occurrences, including the attack on the pilgrimage bus.

Shah stated on Sunday that the battle against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir is at a turning point and that recent events indicate that terrorism has been reduced from highly coordinated acts of violence to a simple proxy conflict.

In order to succeed, he also gave security services instructions to apply area dominance and zero-terror strategies in the Jammu division, much as they did in Kashmir.

CRPF Director General Anish Dayal Singh, BSF Director General Nitin Agarwal, Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police R R Swain, Army Chief General Manoj Pande, Army Chief-designate Lt. General Upendra Dwivedi, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, Director of Intelligence Bureau Tapan Deka, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and other high-ranking security officials attended the two meetings that Shah arranged.

This occurs shortly after Union Home Minister Amit Shah examined the state of security and the arrangements for the yearly pilgrimage.

June 29 will mark the beginning of the 52-day pilgrimage to the 3,880-meter-high cave shrine in south Kashmir, which will end on August 19.

According to reports, the police conducted a thorough simulated drill exercise at base camp Yatri Niwas in Bhagwati Nagar.

All of the sub division's territorial officers, as well as the sub division headquarters' first responder team, participated in the drill.

They added that other territorial police personnel from nearby sub divisions and their QRTs, in addition to the SOG Jammu, took part in the exercise.

A police officer stated, "The main goal of this exercise was to give the entire team hands-on training so they are ready to handle real-time operations in the event of any unforeseen incidents."

According to him, the drill effectively wrapped up, showcasing the Jammu and Kashmir Police's preparedness and coordination.

In the Jammu region, the police on Wednesday issued a "alert advisory," asking people to remain watchful for the movement of suspicious people or objects.

Food safety regulators have opened an investigation into the claims made by a Noida woman that she discovered a centipede inside an ice cream tub that she purchased via an instant delivery service.

Identifying herself as Deepa Devi, the woman posted a picture of the bug inside the ice cream tub on X on June 15.

The dairy product distributor Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which sells goods under the Amul brand, expressed remorse for the trouble the Noida woman client had to endure.

The food safety agency in Noida has opened an investigation into this.

Amul claimed in a statement that it addressed the social media issue right away.

The statement said, "We sincerely regret the inconvenience this incident has caused her."

According to Amul, their team had been attempting to get in touch with the client nonstop, and they had been given permission to meet that same day (June 15) around 9:30 p.m.

"We asked the consumer to supply the aforementioned ice cream tub for our investigation during our meeting with them, but they declined to do so.

"Unless the complaint pack is retrieved from the customer it would be difficult for us to investigate the matter and hence comment specifically on the issue which involves pack and supply chain integrity as well," Amul stated.

The consumer was informed and reassured during the encounter about Amul's cutting-edge, ISO-certified plants, which are automated and go through several rigorous quality tests before putting any products up for sale to the respected customers.

Amul extended an invitation to the client to tour the plant in order to reassure her that high standards are being maintained.

Amul promised its customers that its ice cream will be of the highest caliber.

Amul emphasized that, with 36 lakh farmers as owners, it is one of the most reputable brands in India. With the highest quality and food safety requirements, it distributes 22 billion cartons of Amul products yearly to more than 50 countries, sourced from more than 100 dairies in India.

"We would like to assure you that we take the utmost care to ensure our products are safe, healthy and nutritious to serve our customers daily," Amul stated.

In order to conduct a comprehensive inquiry, the cooperative organization asked the customer to return the ice cream tub.

"Once we receive the complaint pack from the customer, we shall investigate the matter from all angles and again get back to our customers with the findings," Amul stated.

Residents of south Bengal, including Calcutta, will have to endure the hot and humid conditions a bit longer as the monsoon’s arrival is now expected after June 20, according to a recent announcement by a Met official on Sunday.

Previously, the Met office had predicted that the southwest monsoon would reach south Bengal around June 18-19. However, changes in wind patterns have slowed down the process. “The southerly winds are present at the lower level of the atmosphere in south Bengal, but westerly winds are still dominant at the mid-level. The westerly component needs to weaken for the monsoon currents to make their way into south Bengal,” explained the official.

The Met bulletin reinforced this update, stating that while the northern limit of monsoon continues through Islampur (North Dinajpur), conditions are becoming favorable for its further advance into parts of South Bengal and remaining areas of North Bengal within the next 4-5 days.

Heat wave conditions accompanied by hot and humid weather are expected to persist in western districts of south Bengal for the next two days. Districts like Purulia, West Burdwan, and West Midnapore are likely to experience a heat wave on Monday, with similar conditions forecasted for Jhargram, Bankura, and Birbhum.

While scattered rainfall might bring some relief to western Bengal districts in the coming days, Calcutta is anticipated to receive only isolated showers. The city can expect thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds on Monday and Tuesday, with a slight increase in rainfall spread and intensity from Wednesday.

Calcutta experienced intense heat on Sunday, with a maximum temperature of 36.4 degrees Celsius—above normal but feeling like 45 degrees due to high humidity levels.

This year’s monsoon made an early appearance in north Bengal on May 31, ahead of its usual onset date of June 5. However, south Bengal, which typically sees monsoon arrival by June 10, will have to wait a little longer for respite from the heat.

To strengthen the link between the Northeast and north Bengal, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced the beginning of a biweekly special train service on June 18. The planned duration of this service is through the end of 2024.

The train will run twice a week between Guwahati and New Jalpaiguri (NJP), stopping at various important Assamese and north Bengali stops. The following are noteworthy stops: Jalpaiguri Road; Kamakhya; Goalpara Town; Bilasipara; Gauripur; Golakganj; Tufanganj; New Cooch Behar; Mathabhanga; and New Changrabandha.

Every Wednesday and Friday at 11:15 am are the scheduled departure times from NJP, with arrival in Guwahati at 7:30 pm the same day. On the other hand, every Tuesday and Thursday at 11:55 pm, the special train leaves Guwahati and arrives at NJP at 8:15 am.

According to a NJP spokesman, the special train will have general seating, sleeper, and air-conditioned cars to accommodate different passenger needs.

A railway official said, "Thousands of people regularly travel between north Bengal and Assam for various reasons," underscoring the significance of this service. These passengers will benefit from the special train. The choice of NFR to continue operating the train until the end of 2024 is indicative of their dedication to improving passengers' travel convenience in these areas.

In the wake of the catastrophic glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in Sikkim last year, a recent report by a team of insurance surveyors and loss assessors has revealed that property worth ₹12.5 crore was damaged across four Bengal villages. The survey, conducted between February 14 and 23, assessed the destruction in Ghel Khola, Gafur Busty, Deogram, and Nazok forest villages.

The report indicates that a total of 104 dwellings were damaged: 19 in Gafur Busty, 17 in Nazok forest village, 16 in Gel Khola, and 52 in Deogram, Teesta Bazar. The valuation of the damaged properties stands at ₹12,53,73,660.

This assessment was discussed at a meeting chaired by Norden Sherpa, executive Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) Sabha member and chairman of the housing committee, at the GTA headquarters in Darjeeling on June 10.

In an effort to compensate those affected by the disaster, the GTA principal secretary has approached NHPC—a public sector company with two dams along the Teesta near these villages—requesting funds for compensation. This follows a promise made by the Bengal government last year to provide ₹25 crore assistance to the GTA, which has yet to be received.

Anit Thapa, the GTA chief executive, disclosed that even immediate relief efforts were funded by GTA Sabha members contributing their annual honorariums due to the absence of promised assistance.

The Kalimpong district administration has distributed compensation as per government norms: ₹75,000 each to owners of 483 fully damaged houses and ₹5,000 to 76 partially damaged houses. However, victims have expressed that the amount is insufficient for rebuilding a livable house.

Darjeeling MP Raju Bista criticized the Bengal government for not declaring the incident a “disaster,” which would have allowed for approximately ₹120 crore from the state disaster relief fund to be utilized for aid. Bista emphasized that this failure has prolonged the suffering of thousands.

The director general (DG) of fire's office requested that all 23 districts' officers from fire and emergency services stations visit high-rises, multi-story markets, and shopping centers under their respective purview to assess the buildings' readiness for fighting fires and provide comprehensive reports.

"As soon as possible, I would like the DG (fire) to create a list of all the marketplaces and high-rises in Calcutta and its surrounding districts, along with their level of firefighting readiness. "We will identify those who are not adhering to the fire-safety protocol once we receive the list," stated State Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose.

The decision was made in response to Friday's fire at Calcutta's 21-story Acropolis, which sparked concerns about the state government's involvement in overseeing firefighting readiness as well as the management of fire safety at multi-story markets and retail centers.

The fire at the Acropolis was the second in Calcutta in less than 72 hours, following the June 11 fire at a closed bar/restaurant on Camac Street. Opposition parties such as the BJP questioned the government's commitment to reducing fire threats in the wake of the twin events.

Bose informed this newspaper that his department would first request that the owners of the institutions with insufficient security address whatever shortcomings they may have had. He went on, "Those who continue with the lapses will face severe consequences from us."

His department was already being accused by the BJP of failing to conduct fire audits of all the high-rises and market complexes in the city and its suburbs.

"Big markets and malls need to have frequent fire audits performed by the fire services department. Regretfully, the state does not have a fire auditing mechanism. BJP Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya stated, "We demand that the fire minister make a statement about the state of the fire management system."

"The minister ought to elucidate the cause of the fire-management system's shortcomings. Bhattacharya continued, "He ought to explain if the state's firefighting plans were hampered by a lack of funding.

Minister Bose countered that a new directive had been issued to review the situation and that his department audited all those structures for fire safety each year.

We experienced a backlog in fire audits throughout the Covid-19 period. We now carry out a fire audit annually," he stated.

In order to raise awareness of the risks, the BJP has announced that its MLAs will begin visiting market complexes and retail malls in small groups to find gaps in the firefighting readiness.

The majority of the 160 fire stations, according to a source in the fire and emergency services department, were only using half of their authorized workforce because there had not been any major hiring in the previous five years.

According to a senior fire department officer, the department has already begun inspecting marketplaces, malls, and high-rise buildings in Calcutta to make sure that they are in conformity with the National Building Code (NBC), which outlines precise requirements for various types of buildings' firefighting readiness.

The majority of the time, proprietors of shopping malls violate the law when they use the stairwells and emergency exits as storage spaces. Many property managers neglect to routinely inspect water sprinklers and fire extinguishers. An officer from the fire department stated, "Our personnel will confirm all such concerns.

Beyond Calcutta, multi-story shopping centers and apartment buildings have sprung up everywhere, particularly in the districts that surround Calcutta, such as Howrah, Hooghly, North 24-Parganas, and South 24-Parganas.

Additionally, the department has been requested to assess such communities' readiness for battling fires. Nevertheless, isolated areas like Birbhum, Purulia, and Jhargram have also seen the construction of similar structures and high-rises. Establishments in populated locations where a fire can cause major damage should be given priority, he continued.

Adhikari visited some party supporters who he claimed had been the victims of the violence when he arrived in Cooch Behar on Saturday, where the BJP was forced to lose the Parliamentary elections.

"I have requested permission to hold a 'dharna' at the same location where Abhishek Banerjee was permitted to sit a few months ago in a letter addressed to the commissioner of Kolkata Police. Thus yet, he has not replied. Speaking to reporters in Calcutta, Adhikari stated, "I'll remind him on Tuesday."

The BJP's attempt to put pressure on Trinamool and the state government is perceived in the announcement.

Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the TMC and the nephew of Mamata Banerjee, spent five days sitting on a dharna in front of Raj Bhavan in October of last year. He claimed that the Narendra Modi government at the Centre had withheld funding under several social initiatives.

According to Adhikari's statements and social media posts, the BJP intends to use the law and the constitution to corner the TMC government.

The BJP leader has, on the one hand, written a letter to the commissioner of police. However, he also submitted a petition over post-election violence to the Calcutta High Court.

Adhikari added that he has emailed the governor requesting a meeting time on Sunday to speak with victims of violence. He stated that Governor C.V. Ananda Bose had consented to meet with them.

Along with several BJP followers, he had attempted to meet the governor on Thursday, but the police had stopped him, citing the prohibitory orders in the region.

Bose had requested a report from the state's home secretary as a result of the action.

Permission to meet the governor, provided an appointment was made, was given to Adhikari, who had also petitioned the court against this unlawful prevention.

The MLA from Nandigram claimed that, to the best of his "limited capacity," he supported the impacted BJP voters.

Adhikari visited BJP members from two panchayats in Cooch Behar where the party holds majority control. Afterwards, he stumbled upon other partygoers who had been avoiding their homes because they were threatened and vandalized by TMC personnel.

"I'll stop by your houses and be there for you no matter what. They can stay at the party headquarters and other locations because of the preparations we have made for them. We are also offering them legal and medical support," he remarked.

Adhikari was touring the district on Saturday while Cooch Behar Trinamool leaders welcomed two panchayats led by the BJP into the party.

In Cooch Behar, the BJP won 24 out of 128 panchayats in the previous year's rural elections. Following the defection of BJP members to Trinamool in seven panchayats since June 4, the state's ruling party has gained a majority in these rural councils.

Adhikari is applying increasing pressure to the state government, but in the meantime, the BJP national leadership has sent a team to evaluate the Bengal "post-poll" situation.

A four-person committee has been formed by BJP president J.P. Nadda to look into instances of political violence in Bengal following the election.

Former Tripura chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb will chair the group, which also includes BJP MPs Ravi Shankar Prasad, Brij Lal, and Kavita Patidar.

The city crime branch detained RMC’s assistant town planning officer, Rajesh Makwana, and assistant engineer, Jaideep Chaudhary, on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner of Police, Crime, Parthrajsinh Gohil revealed their alleged involvement in modifying an official register and forging documents related to the TRP game zone following the fire.

With these latest arrests, the total number of individuals taken into custody has risen to twelve, half of whom are government employees. “So far we have arrested six government employees and six other persons in connection with the TRP game zone fire,” Gohil stated.

Previously arrested government officials include Rajkot’s Town Planning Officer M D Sagathia, assistant TPOs Mukesh Makwana and Gautam Joshi, and former station officer of Kalavad Road fire station Rohit Vigora.

In a recent development, Ashoksinh Jadeja, a co-owner of the game zone, turned himself in to the police. Jadeja is among the six proprietors of TRP game zone; five have been arrested while one was confirmed deceased in the May 25 blaze.

The investigation also led to the arrest of a manager of the game zone. Police confirmed that Prakash Hiran, another co-owner who was missing since the incident and named in the FIR, perished in the fire as he was present inside during the catastrophe.

CCTV footage indicated that the fire originated from sparks igniting thermocol sheets during welding work on the ground floor. Despite attempts by workers to extinguish it with fire extinguishers, it rapidly spread and engulfed the entire game zone.

Authorities noted that the game zone was operating without a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from RMC’s fire department. Following this incident, several similar establishments across Gujarat have been sealed and their owners charged for running without necessary permissions.

Chidambaram attacked the AIADMK's decision to withdraw from the by-election in a sharp statement published on X, viewing it as a calculated move to strengthen the chances of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate. He said, "Both the BJP and AIADMK are fighting the battle through a proxy (PMK)," highlighting the necessity for the alliance led by the DMK to respond forcefully.

On June 15, the main opposition party, the AIADMK, declared that it will boycott the bypoll for the Vikravandi Assembly constituency. This marked a major reversal in the political landscape in Tamil Nadu. The party gave two reasons for its withdrawal: possible violence and voting manipulation by the ruling DMK.

The announcement that Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), an ally of the BJP-led NDA in Tamil Nadu, will field its vice president, C Anbumani, in the race for the Vikravandi seat intensified the pre-election excitement. Following DMK's declaration of Anniyur Siva as its candidate, this announcement gave the contest an early start.

With allegations of proxy warfare and strategic alliances saturating the conversation, the by-election has emerged as a focal point for regional political dynamics. Everybody is watching Vikravandi to see how this political drama plays out as the parties set up their platforms and candidates.

Officials said that in the early hours of Friday, two people riding motorcycles allegedly hurled the body parts of the cow on the temple grounds, causing tension in the town situated in the Ratlam district.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Manoj Kumar Singh told reporters that four people were later taken into custody under different sections of the Indian Penal Code for offenses including insulting religious sensibilities.

The four suspects, Salman Mevati (24), Shakir Qureshi (19), Noshad Qureshi (40), and Shahrukh Sattar (25), have been charged under the National Security Act (NSA), according to Additional Superintendent of Police Rakesh Khakha's statement on Saturday.

"On Thursday, Noshad and Sattar were taken into custody; on Friday, Mevati and Qureshi were placed under arrest. He claimed, "Noshad has 20 cases against him and has been externalized from the district once."

"An attempt was made to sabotage the local harmony and peace. But prompt action stopped any flare-up. Singh stated that Mohan Yadav, the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, has ordered the police and government to take severe measures.

The local government, according to the police, has demolished unauthorized components of the accused's residences.

Following the Friday event, a few Hindu organizations called for a Jaora bandh and organized a demonstration.

In relation to the incident, someone named Gaurav Puri Goswami filed a complaint.

After the tragedy, the town increased security.

In a letter, Shahar Qazi Hafiz Bhuru of Jaora pleaded with the populace to keep the town peaceful and harmonious.

Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh - A deadly confrontation took place in the district of Narayanpur, Chhattisgarh on Saturday, resulting in the death of eight Naxalites and one security personnel, according to authorities. Two additional security personnel were injured in the incident.

The gunfight began in the Abhujmad jungle during an anti-Naxal operation conducted by a combined team of security officers from four districts—Narayanpur, Kanker, Dantewada, and Kondagaon. The operation was initiated on June 12 and involved members of the 53rd battalion of the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Special Task Force (STF), and the District Reserve Guard (DRG).

A senior police official in Raipur confirmed the ongoing firefight. “So far, eight Naxalites have lost their lives in the confrontation. In the gunfight, one jawan was killed and two more were injured,” he said.

The operation is still ongoing, and further updates will be provided as the situation unfolds. This incident underscores the ongoing conflict in the region and the risks faced by security personnel in their efforts to maintain peace and order.

The judicial custody of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has been extended until June 22 by a local court on Saturday. Kumar is accused of assaulting AAP Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal on May 13 at the Chief Minister’s official residence.

Kumar was produced before the duty metropolitan magistrate through video conferencing, who then extended the custody and instructed the Delhi Police to present him on June 22.

On the previous day, Friday, the court had extended Kumar’s custody by one day, noting the absence of the investigating officer (IO).

Kumar was arrested on May 18 and was sent to police custody for five days on the same day by a magisterial court. The court observed that his anticipatory bail plea had become infructuous due to his arrest.

On May 24, he was sent to judicial custody for four days, after which he was again remanded in police custody for three days.

An FIR was registered against Kumar on May 16 under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, including those related to criminal intimidation, assault or criminal force on a woman with the intent to disrobe, and attempt to commit culpable homicide.

In light of the ongoing water shortage in the national capital, the Delhi government has made an appeal to Haryana to release additional water into the Yamuna River on humanitarian grounds. This appeal was announced by senior AAP leader and minister Atishi during a press conference on Saturday.

Delhi’s water minister disclosed that the city is currently facing a shortage of 70 million gallons per day (MGD) in water production due to a lack of raw water in the Munak canal and Wazirabad reservoir. The normal water production in Delhi, which is around 1,002 MGD, dropped to 932 MGD on Friday as a result of this shortage.

Atishi stated, “The Delhi government has appealed to Haryana to release additional water for the people of the city on humanitarian grounds.” She added that discussions related to the share of Yamuna water can be held once the current heatwave conditions subside.

Despite a meeting of the Upper Yamuna River Board on Friday, no solution to the water crisis in Delhi could be found. However, Atishi claimed that Himachal Pradesh is ready to provide the water that was not used by it to Delhi. She said, “I spoke to Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu on phone and he assured me cooperation.”

The calculation of data on the availability of water from Himachal Pradesh is yet to be done by the Board. In a meeting with Delhi Jal Board officials on Saturday, it was decided that an assessment would be done of areas not getting any water and the number of water tankers would be increased. Currently, DJB tankers are making around 10,000 trips in water-scarce areas, supplying 10 MGD of water per day. In some other areas like Bawana, Dwarka, and Nangloi, emergency tube wells have been started to provide water to the local residents

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on June 18, marking his first visit after assuming office for a third consecutive term. During this visit, he will release the 17th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme, amounting to over Rs 20,000 crore, benefiting 9.26 crore farmers across the country.

In addition to this, PM Modi will confer certificates to more than 30,000 members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) who have been trained as ‘Krishi Sakhis’. These individuals work as para-extension workers, supporting fellow farmers with agricultural practices.

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in a media briefing, highlighted the government’s commitment to the agriculture sector. “Agriculture has always been a priority for the PM in his last two tenures. He took several key decisions in the interest of farmers. After taking oath as PM, Modi ji first signed a file related to the release of the 17th installment of the PM-KISAN scheme,” Chouhan said.

The PM-KISAN scheme, launched in 2019, is a direct benefit transfer (DBT) initiative under which beneficiary farmers receive an annual sum of Rs 6,000 in three equal installments to supplement their financial needs. Chouhan noted that the Centre has disbursed over Rs 3.04 lakh crore to more than 11 crore farmers across the country since the scheme’s inception.

The event in Varanasi is expected to be attended by Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, and various state ministers.

Chouhan also provided information on the Krishi Sakhi program, which was developed in conjunction with the ministry of rural development. Ninety thousand women from Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will be trained under the initiative to work as para-extension agricultural workers, supporting farmers and bringing in extra cash. 

Currently, over 34,000 of the 70,000 targeted Krishi Sakhis have received accreditation as para-extension workers in 12 states.

The administration is developing a 100-day strategy for the agriculture sector that would emphasize its commitment to farmers' welfare and the improvement of the country's agricultural environment overall.

Dwarikesh Pattanayak, a West Bengal native who tragically perished in a horrific fire in Kuwait, had his mortal remains returned to his home on Saturday morning in the Paschim Medinipur district.
Pattanayak, 52, was among the 49 foreign workers, including 45 Indians, who were killed in the fire at a seven-storey building in Kuwait’s Mangaf on Wednesday.

Pattanayak’s body was received by his grieving family at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport early in the morning. State Fire Minister Sujit Bose and BJP leader Agnimitra Paul were also present at the airport to pay their respects. “The mortal remains of Pattanayak were received at the airport and taken to his ancestral home where his family will perform the last rites,” said Minister Bose.

A pall of gloom descended upon Turka Garh village, Pattanayak’s hometown, where hundreds of people gathered to have a last glimpse of their beloved neighbour and friend. Pattanayak had left his home for Kuwait at the tender age of 19 and was working as a mechanical supervisor in the West Asian country.

Following the sad tragedy, the community is grieving as they come to terms with losing one of their own in a far-off area. The incident serves as a depressing reminder of the risks that millions of Indians face when they leave their nation in search of better opportunities abroad. As they prepare to say their final goodbyes to Pattanayak, his memory will always be with those who knew him.

The Mamata Banerjee government has recently introduced a draft Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) aimed at preventing the use of banned chemicals on small tea plantations. This move comes as a response to a crisis faced by small tea growers in north Bengal, where approximately 10 lakh people are associated with the sector.

A few months ago, Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs), or standalone tea processing units, had ceased purchasing tea leaves from these growers. This decision was prompted by a directive from the Tea Board, stating that if banned chemicals were detected in any tea sample at a BLF, the respective BLF would be held accountable. The directive was issued in compliance with the rules of the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).

Given that BLFs purchase tea leaves from growers without knowledge of whether the cultivators use banned fertilisers and pesticides, they opted to stop buying the tea leaves. This led the growers to approach Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On April 3, while at a private resort in Chalsa of Jalpaiguri for an election campaign, Banerjee assured the growers that the state government would ensure they did not face any problems. Consequently, the BLFs resumed buying tea leaves from the growers.

Following the conclusion of the Lok Sabha elections, the state has now introduced a draft SOP and a roadmap to completely halt the use of banned chemicals in the tea industry on small tea plantations. The SOP, prepared in consultation with state government departments and stakeholders, was introduced on June 7 by the principal secretary of state industry, commerce and enterprises.

The SOP suggests the establishment of a district-level review committee, comprising representatives of small growers, BLFs, the state agriculture department, and the Tea Board, to regularly review the situation. It also recommends conducting food safety training for the growers and encourages them to purchase fertilisers and pesticides only from licensed shops, abstaining from buying any of the 20 chemicals which have been banned.

The state, home to around 50,000 small tea growers who contribute to about half of Bengal’s total tea production, is also advised to impose restrictions on the sale of the chemicals banned for the tea sector in tea-producing districts of Bengal. The Tea Board is encouraged to conduct awareness camps in association with the agriculture department to educate growers and fertiliser sellers. Pamphlets in local languages, containing the list of 56 chemicals approved for use, are suggested for distribution among growers.

The letter also recommends the development of adequate infrastructure for testing tea samples at the optimal level in the tea growing areas, which will reduce the chance of processing or selling tea containing the banned chemicals. Bijoygopal Chakraborty, president of the Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations (Cista), welcomed the state’s move and pledged to extend all possible cooperation from their end.

Commuters crossing Nicco Park today or tomorrow are advised to keep some extra time in hand as traffic is being diverted there due to work on the Metro Railway. The right-most lane under the station near Nicco Park, on the flank headed towards Chingrihata, has been closed since Sunday as part of a seven-day trial. This closure is due to work on the 29km New Garia-Airport Metro line, which will meet the East-West Metro’s terminal station opposite Wipro, and then continue across New Town, VIP Road, and finally the airport.

There are discontinuities on both sides of the IT Centre station — 25m on the Gariahat side and 40m on the airport side. A senior Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) official told The Telegraph Salt Lake, “If the traffic management is successful during the trial period, we can start work. Getting that stretch will take a minimum of two months.”

The police may ask the RVNL to work on one side at a time or both sides together, as it suits them. The road to the Garia end, for which the traffic trial is now being held, will require a 16m slab and a 9m slab while the airport side will require two 16m slabs and a 9m one to connect the viaduct to the station.

Roadblocks have been lifted for cars entering Salt Lake Bypass from Chingrihata. A traffic police officer said vehicular flow has been smooth in the first three days of trial. “We started on Sunday but in effect, the trial was from Monday when the volume increased. We have demarcated a lane from the EM Bypass-bound road and switched it for the use of airport-bound traffic to compensate for the space for the airport-bound vehicles that is blocked. The Nicco Park crossing has high traffic volume as cars are coming from Salt Lake via the bridge. But we are managing well,” the officer said. He could not specify when the construction will start. “Let Metro write to us first with their requirements and plans,” he added.

The Metro marshals and traffic cops posted at the site said no major problems had occurred in the first days of the trial. The RVNL official hopes that work will be completed “within the calendar year”. “Our target is to commission the route by December up to Sector V. East West Metro is also under pressure to finish its Sealdah-to-Esplanade segment around the same time so that the entire segment can be opened to the public together,” he said.

The officer pointed out that while East West Metro has just the Bowbazar stretch left to tackle, which has been delayed by subsidence, RVNL has work left on a few stretches — Metropolitan, Chingrihata crossing, Dhapa lockgate, and in front of Nicco Park. “As for the part over the bheri by the Bypass, we have acquired five or six houses that were in the way. Some had come up on vested land. One house was demolished. Another block of flats was acquired on compensation. There is no obstruction anymore.” Tracks will be laid once the gaps are filled.

The bheri will be returned to its former state as part of the East Calcutta Wetlands but for the piers standing in the middle of the water for which piling has been done on the bed of the waterbody, he said.

Chingrihata itself had a road block earlier this year, due to work on Metro pier no. 319. This construction took place at the right turn from the Bypass into Salt Lake, near the Jal Vayu Vihar complex. The Kolkata Police traffic department had granted RVNL permission to block traffic there for 75 days, starting on February 28.

“The road blockade here was removed last month and traffic has got smoother,” said a policeman on duty at the traffic guard there. While work was on, the flank of the Salt Lake Bypass going towards Nicco Park from the Bypass was shut. Cars were having to take the narrow parallel stretch in front of Jal Vayu Vihar instead.

Drivers at the auto stand at the mouth of Chingihata say they were in fact better off while the road was blocked. “We were the only vehicles allowed here from the Nicco Park end,” said Kartik Das, a driver on the Chingrihata-SDF building route. “As for the Nicco Park diversion, we haven’t been impacted yet. We are hoping it doesn’t lead to congestion in the coming weeks.”

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced on Wednesday that her government has initiated the process of releasing a total of Rs 293 crore directly into the bank accounts of 2.1 lakh farmers in the state. These farmers had suffered crop losses due to adverse weather conditions during the current Rabi season.

The Chief Minister stated that this aid is in addition to the Rs 2,900 crore assistance provided to 1.05 crore farmers and tenants in the state, who were enrolled in the ‘Krishak Bandhu (Natun)’ scheme.

“I am happy to announce that (apart from providing Rs 2,900 cr assistance to 1 crore 5 lakh farmers and bargadars across the state under the Krishak Bandhu Natun Scheme), we are also releasing today onwards a sum of Rs 293 crore directly to the bank accounts of our 2.10 lakh farmers who suffered crop losses due to adverse weather conditions during the current Rabi season,” Banerjee wrote.

The Bengal CM further clarified that the assistance of Rs 2,900 crore to farmers was under the state’s unique crop insurance scheme ‘Bangla Shasya Bima (BSB)’, where the state government pays the entire premium for all crops.

“Since the launch of the scheme in 2019, the state government has disbursed a total of Rs 3,133 crore to the bank accounts of the affected one crore farmers,” she added.

The ‘Krishak Bandhu’ scheme was launched by the state government in 2019 to provide financial assistance to all farmers of West Bengal for agricultural purposes and to ensure social security to farm families in the event of the untimely death of farmers. The scheme was renamed as ‘Krishak Bandhu (Natun)’ and relaunched by Banerjee in June 2021. This move underscores the government’s commitment to the welfare of the farming community in the state.

Rahul addressed a public meeting in Edvanna, Malappuram, which is part of the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, that the Indian people had delivered a clear message to the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while on a Thanksgiving trip to Wayanad, the seat he won along with Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh.

"I can assure you that the government that was established in Delhi is seriously flawed. The BJP has been dealt a deadly blow by the Opposition. Rahul was met with tremendous ovation from hundreds of people who had braved severe rain to listen to him. "And you will see that even Mr. Narendra Modi's attitude will have to change because the people of India have sent him a clear message," Rahul added.

"In our opinion, we will continue to play the oppositional role. We shall fight for the alternative, pro-poor, compassionate vision that we put up for the people of India. He stated, "We are dedicated to transforming India into a more equitable and productive society," and clarified that the election was about the Constitution.

The way Modi "who wanted to rewrite the Constitution, was made to bow before it" was highlighted by him.

"This is what the Prime Minister did to the Constitution (touching it on his forehead) after the election," Rahul reenacted, mimicking what Modi had done in the Central Hall of the former Parliament building before to the NDA meeting.

The Constitution was at the center of this election's controversy. Millions of Indians claim, among other things, that they will decide their own destiny and that they wish to preserve their customs, language, culture, and history. Conversely, the Prime Minister and Mr. Amit Shah said that the people of Kerala would speak Hindi if that was their desire. Rahul reminded his fans, "If we want the Tamil people to not speak Tamil, then the people of Tamil Nadu will not speak Tamil."

Raul remarked in front of a large banner bearing the words "Guardian of Constitution" and "The people of India also told them (the BJP) that the Constitution is our voice, do not touch the Constitution."

Rahul remembered how, as a youngster, he had witnessed a Kathakali performance with his grandmother Indira Gandhi, to which he had objected. However, after an expert gave a description, he had lately liked a similar performance.

It was merely a dance the first time. The history and voice of millions of people were represented the second time around. Millions of individuals expressed themselves through it. And each state in our nation has these customs, its own language, history, and style of expression," he said, focusing on the nation's variety in terms of language, religion, culture, and ethnicity.

Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, and Gujarati are among them. This country is home to a wide variety of languages, dances, and history. To thunderous applause from the crowd, he raised a copy of the Indian Constitution and declared, "And every single tradition and history is protected by it."

"This (the Constitution) protects the freedom of the people of Kerala and the people of India to enjoy Kathakali, listen to Malayalam, and eat food from Kerala." Rahul emphasized the importance of the election in defending the Constitution and the rights it guaranteed to the populace. "And if this was gone, then somebody could come to Kerala and say we do not want you to speak Malayalam, we do not want you to have dosa for breakfast, or we do not like this particular tradition of yours," he said.

"India would take part in the peace conference to the proper extent. Regarding who would represent India at the first summit, it is presently being considered inside the system, and we will be pleased to share as soon as we make a choice. Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra responded to queries on this matter.

Prior to the conference, Russia made it clear that it saw the West and Ukraine's involvement in this process as an effort to bring "new members into the anti-Russian camp."

According to information released by the Associated Press on Monday from Obburgen, Switzerland, some 90 countries and organizations have confirmed their attendance at the summit.

Vice-President Kamala Harris will lead the US delegation, and neither China nor Russia will be present. Modi has been invited to attend the outreach session of the G-7 meeting this week in Italy, but it is unclear if he will also be visiting Switzerland.

When asked if Russia's stance on the peace conference influences India's choice about how much to participate, Kwatra resisted being forced to provide a particular response, insisting instead that "many variables go into consideration while formulating a decision on this." As soon as the details of our involvement in this conference are finalized, we will notify you.

Zelensky has personally invited Modi to the summit twice in the last several months. "We believe that India should be present at the first peace summit, which is being organized in Switzerland," Zelensky stated in a thorough post on X following a phone call with Modi in March.

When the president of Ukraine contacted Modi last week to congratulate him on his election, he repeated the same message. "We talked about the next international peace conference. We depend on the highest degree of cooperation from India, Zelensky said on X.

The meeting is a follow-up to the Peace Formula, which Zelensky presented as a means of resolving the issue with Russia during the G20 summit in Indonesia in 2022. Vikram Misri, the deputy national security adviser for India, has participated in at least two sessions using the Copenhagen format to advance Zelensky's idea of a peace conference to resolve the now third-year-old Russia-Ukraine war.

This week, Sergey Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, called the conference "empty and worthless."

He continued by saying that Zelenskky had issued an order in September 2022 prohibiting any Ukrainian official from speaking with the administration of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Ukrainian foreign ministry formally declared at the beginning of May 2024 that Russia is not recognized by Ukraine as a duly elected head of state.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued an advisory to the Centre, states, and Union Territory administrations, urging them to ensure the welfare of widows and the protection of their human rights. This includes the establishment of a “widows’ cell” in each district, which would serve as a single window for schemes aimed at these women and promote remarriages.

The NHRC felt compelled to issue the advisory after observing that widows, in addition to the emotional distress of losing their spouse, often face numerous other challenges. These include, but are not limited to, social exclusion, loss of income, and even loss of residence.

“Widowed women are often left to fend for themselves after the demise of their spouse. Without adequate support from their families and lack of financial independence, they are subjected to isolation from the community, even forced to leave their homes and seek refuge at shelter homes/ashrams. The prevalence of illiteracy and the economics of ageing further worsen their condition,” the NHRC stated on Wednesday.

The NHRC has made several recommendations to improve the situation:

• A centralized database of all government-run homes for widows should be established on the website of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD) and the websites of all the state departments concerned.
• The MoWCD should deploy a team at the district level to visit these ashrams and homes quarterly to monitor their living conditions, including health, recreational, and skill development facilities to help them gain employment and financial independence.
• The collector and district magistrate/deputy commissioner should be held accountable for the implementation of welfare schemes regarding food, shelter, dignity, and protection of property.
• All shelter homes should be registered with the widows’ cell.
• Aadhaar cards of all widows residing in and around the allotted public and private shelter homes should be made to ensure monitoring of the benefits of the schemes.
• Proper identity cards should be provided to the widows to enable them to access the benefits of social welfare schemes and ensure they are not denied these for want of marriage registration certificates.
• Widows desiring to remarry or find partners should be linked to appropriate agencies/ NGOs.

The NHRC’s advisory is a significant step towards ensuring the welfare and protection of widows’ rights in India. It is hoped that the Centre, states, and UT administrations will take swift action to implement these recommendations.

In both cases, the recipients suspected foul play and disconnected the calls before any information could be obtained. However, many people are unaware of how to handle such calls and end up losing money.

Senior police officers have noted that people being cheated through remote access to their phone or computer systems is not uncommon. However, the recent trend of engaging someone who claims to be responding to a “missed call” or from the tech support team of the recipient’s office could mark a new trend.

Cybersecurity experts suspect that these calls are being generated using software. “These are fake calls that are generated through a software that uses the VoIP interface to place a call,” said Sandeep Sengupta, director of the Indian School of Anti-Hacking (ISOEH). “The person doing this has to put a phone number in the software and initiate a call to the target’s mobile phone. The actual owner of that number will have no clue about it.”

The police are advising recipients of such calls to report the cases to the local police station or the cybercrime cell. They also suggest that if an unknown person calls claiming to have received a call from your number, stay calm and end the conversation at the earliest. Do not divulge personal details such as your name, location, and profession.

In the case of the Salt Lake resident, the caller was caught lying when he asked for the official email ID of the person. The police have provided several guidelines on how to react if one receives such a call, including not downloading any software or clicking any links provided by an unknown caller, and never answering a video call from an unknown number. Repeated harassment by unknown callers should be reported to the police.

Eyewitnesses reported that the bus door flung open as the vehicle was taking a left turn from CIT Road towards SN Banerjee Road. At least five other passengers inside the bus also slipped and fell on the road, but only one of them sustained serious injuries.

The injured passenger, 28-year-old Wassim Hossain, a resident of Tiljala Road, received multiple injuries and was rushed to NRS Medical College and Hospital. He was discharged after receiving first-aid.

The bus, which runs on route number 24A/1 between Golabari in Howrah and Anandapur along EM Bypass, is operated by a private operator. As the bus swung to turn left heading for SN Banerjee Road, the man leaning on the door was flung off onto the road as the door came off.

Traffic police on duty intercepted the bus and took it to the local Entally police station. However, the driver managed to flee from the spot. A case has been registered against the driver for alleged rash and negligent driving.

An officer from Entally police station stated, “A probe has been launched to establish if the bus had any mechanical fault. We will examine if there was too much pressure on the door or if it was defective.”

The police warned that passengers often lean on the doors of a moving bus without realizing the potential danger. “Ideally, we should not take this kind of risk. If a bus is ill-maintained, the door may come off any moment and the consequences could be disastrous,” said an officer of the traffic department.

The police will examine the private operator running the bus and check if the vehicle’s maintenance was as per standard protocol. A senior officer noted that accidents often occur due to rash and negligent driving and suggested that Tuesday’s accident could have been averted had the bus not been moving at high speed.

The transport department has identified the private operator that runs the bus and has sought an explanation about the malfunctioning bus door.

GTA Chief Executive, Anit Thapa, revealed that the state government has agreed to construct two of the three proposed roads. The first, a 35km-long alternative route, will start at Lebong and end at Teesta Bazar. This route is expected to alleviate the traffic snarls at Jorebunglow, where vehicles from Gangtok, Kalimpong, Siliguri, and Mirik converge, causing significant congestion on an 8km stretch.

“During peak tourism season, it takes hours to cover this 8km stretch, affecting the entire traffic in Darjeeling town. This alternative route from Lebong would ensure that vehicles to Kalimpong and Gangtok can exit Darjeeling from the other end of town. In fact, from Teesta Bazar, one can also go to the Dooars and Siliguri,” said a GTA source.

The second approved road will connect Bungkulung to Kurseong. This 14km long road will ease travel from Mirik to Kurseong and is expected to touch the Pankhabari road at Ambootia Phatak, just a few kilometers below Kurseong town.

The third proposal, a road from Bungkulung in the Mirik subdivision to Sukhiapokhri touching Nagri and Dhajea, has not been approved by the government immediately.

On June 3, the GTA also wrote to the secretary of the Public Works Department (PWD) to take over the construction of a circular road from Lebong to 3rd Mile via Pandam tea garden. The GTA has already begun the construction of a 13km stretch from Lebong to 3rd Mile via Pandam and Rangaroon tea gardens and has requested the government to take up the balance work. This route would provide an alternative route to people traveling to Kalimpong, Gangtok, Takdah, Lopchu, and Peshok among other places.

In a tragic incident, a wild elephant trampled a 30-year-old lodge owner to death in Alipurduar. The incident occurred early on Tuesday morning at Uttar Simlabari village, adjacent to Chilapata forest. The elephant emerged from the forest around 4am, damaging a hut at Deodanga of Simlabari before entering a paddy field next to a private lodge.

The lodge owner, Kingshuk Karjee, along with four others, attempted to drive the elephant away. However, the elephant retaliated, chasing them. While others managed to escape, Karjee was caught by the elephant and tragically trampled to death. The elephant subsequently returned to the forest.

Local residents informed the forest department about the incident. “It is an unfortunate incident. Kingshuk died while trying to drive away the elephant from the agricultural field. The department will provide the stipulated compensation of ₹5 lakh to the bereaved family,” said Sudipta Ghosh, the range officer of Chilapata forest range.

In a separate incident, another wild elephant emerged from the Gorumara National Park early on Tuesday morning, damaging six houses in Uttar Dhupjhora area under Matiali block of Jalpaiguri. The elephant, which strayed into the village in search of food around 2am amidst heavy rain, later retreated into the Panjhora forest. The affected families have demanded compensation from the forest department.

In Falakata block of Alipurduar, a 51-year-old farmer, Subal Roy, was injured in a leopard attack. Roy, who resides in Chandnikura village, was working in the field when he spotted a leopard lying on the ground. As he retreated, the leopard attacked him, mauling his back. Locals rushed him to Birpara state general hospital. Foresters have been informed and a cage has been laid in the area to trap the leopard.

In another development, a pangolin was rescued from Demka Jhora, a locality in Malbazar block of Jalpaiguri on Tuesday afternoon. Over the past few days, poultry had been going missing in the village. On Tuesday, locals spotted the pangolin near a pond, caught it, and informed the foresters. The pangolin was later handed over to the foresters of Malbazar wildlife squad.

Prem Singh Tamang, popularly known as Golay, took oath as the Chief Minister of Sikkim for the second consecutive term on Monday in Gangtok. The oath was administered by Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya at a ceremony held at the packed Paljor Stadium in the state capital.

Golay’s 12-member cabinet also took the oath, with only four ministers from the previous government being retained. “Seven new ministers have been inducted into the new government while five ministers from the previous cabinet have been dropped,” said a source close to the developments.

Community-based politics is a strong force in Sikkim, and observers noted that Golay attempted to balance representatives of the Gorkha, Lepcha, and Bhutia communities in his cabinet. However, not all sections could be included.

Golay awarded ministerial berths to three “giant slayers” from this year’s Assembly elections. They include Raju Basnet, a former secretary in the Sikkim government, and Bhoj Raj Rai, who defeated five-time Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling from Namcheybung and Poklok-Kamrang constituencies, respectively. Samdup Lepcha, MLA from Lachen-Mangan constituency who defeated another Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) heavyweight Hishey Lachungpa, was also included in the ministry.

However, the Golay government faced criticism for failing to include a single woman in the cabinet. “Four women candidates, including the wife of the Chief Minister, Krishna Kumari Rai, had won on SKM tickets. It was expected that one of them would get a ministerial berth,” said an observer.

During the election campaign, the Golay-led SKM had attacked Chamling’s SDF for failing to provide a ticket to even a single woman candidate. With the SKM winning 31 out of 32 seats this time, the process of nominating ministers was not as straightforward as in the 2019 election when the SKM won 17 seats.

The speaker and deputy speaker for the Assembly are yet to be elected, and many are hopeful that a woman might be elected by the party to one of these posts.

Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Golay emphasized the focus on BIPASA (Bijli or electricity, Pani or water, and Sadak or road) for his second term. “During our previous tenure, we focused on health and education and will continue to do so this term too,” said Golay, adding that they had won this election based on the development they had undertaken during their earlier tenure.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has announced plans to examine the reasons for the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) leads in many of the 125 municipalities and corporations in Bengal in the Lok Sabha polls. The party aims to take remedial measures to improve its performance in urban centres.

Despite winning 29 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats, a senior TMC leader in Calcutta acknowledged that the party’s performance in urban areas was not satisfactory. The BJP secured leads in around 60 per cent of the wards in 125 municipalities and corporations.

In Bolpur, where TMC candidate Asit Mal won by a margin of over 3.27 lakh votes against the BJP’s Piya Saha, the BJP got a lead of around 5,800 votes in the Bolpur town. The BJP was ahead of TMC in 16 out of 22 wards.

The trend of the BJP’s rise in vote share in urban pockets started in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls when the party bagged 18 out of Bengal’s 42 constituencies. In the 2021 Assembly polls, when the TMC got a clean sweep by winning 215 seats in the state, the voting pattern in the urban pockets was not changed.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked Calcutta Mayor Firhad Hakim to examine the reason behind such results in the city. Political observers have suggested that the contrast between the TMC’s performance in rural and urban areas shows that people who are not dependent on different welfare schemes and benefits through direct account transfer did not vote for the ruling party in small and semi-urban pockets.

Multiple TMC functionaries have suggested that issues related to civic amenities and leaders’ roles in municipal and corporation elections last year were responsible for the party’s underperformance in the urban pockets.

BJP’s chief spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya claimed that the section that played a role in opinion-making had voted for the party in the Lok Sabha polls. He said, “The opinion makers voted for us and that is why we got a lead from five wards in Calcutta that are part of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Assembly segment. The rural people also voted for us and that is why we won 12 seats in remote areas like Purulia and Raiganj.”

In a swift response to a jewellery shop heist in West Burdwan’s Raniganj town, the combined efforts of Bengal and Jharkhand police, aided by the Global Positioning System (GPS), led to the arrest of one of the alleged robbers within hours of the crime on Sunday.

Acting on a tip-off, Jharkhand police located the car hijacked by the robbers, who had left the owner injured. The criminals drove the car to a forest stretch in Jharkhand’s Giridih, but the police intercepted it after a chase on Sunday night.

The police arrested Suraj Kumar Singh, 26, a resident of Bihar, from the car and recovered firearms and cartridges from him. However, the other robbers managed to escape, and the police suspect they might have hidden in a forest in Giridih, known as a Maoist belt.

Jharkhand police promptly informed their counterparts in West Burdwan about the capture of one of the robbers. A police team from the Asansol-Durgapur police commissionerate, led by an assistant commissioner of police, went to Giridih. They brought Singh, the seized car, and firearm back to Asansol.

Singh was produced in the Asansol chief judicial magistrate’s court on Monday and remanded in 14 days of police custody.

On Sunday, a gang of seven to eight armed robbers had barged into a branded jewellery shop in Raniganj town. They got involved in a gunfight with the police when a team of officers arrived at the spot and tried to intercept them. CCTV footage showed that one of the robbers suffered a bullet injury in the encounter, but all of them managed to escape on three motorcycles.

While escaping, the robbers intercepted a private car at gunpoint in Asansol, 12-km away from Raniganj, and forced the owner-driver to get off. When car owner Nayan Dutta refused, he was dragged out and shot in the leg. Dutta was admitted to Asansol district hospital by his wife and local people after the robbers fled.

In a strategic move following the Lok Sabha polls, the Mamata Banerjee government has appointed Purnendu Maji, a WBCS (executive) officer, as the district magistrate of East Midnapore. This decision comes in the wake of the BJP wresting both the Lok Sabha seats — Kanthi and Tamluk — from the Trinamool Congress in the recent elections.

Maji, who had previously served in East Midnapore as the DM for over three years, was transferred to Birbhum by the state government ahead of the polls. However, the Election Commission shifted him to a non-election related post as he was a non-cadre officer.

Post-elections, the government reassigned Maji back to East Midnapore, acknowledging the significant development work he had undertaken during his previous tenure.

In addition to Maji’s appointment, the state government also transferred Joyoshi Das Gupta, a 2010-batch IAS officer, to the personnel and administrative reforms department on special duty. Gupta was appointed as the district magistrate by the ECI after removing Tanvir Afzal, a WBCS (executive) officer.

The reinstatement of Maji as DM and his subsequent posting to a district where the ruling party underperformed in the elections, signals the chief minister’s emphasis on accelerating development projects in the district.

Sources suggest that the ruling establishment believes there might have been a gap in development work in East Midnapore, which resulted in a setback for the ruling party. It is anticipated that new development projects will be planned for East Midnapore to regain the ruling party’s lost support base.

The chief minister is confident that Maji, with his past experience in executing development projects in East Midnapore, will be able to drive these initiatives forward.

While Maji is the first officer to be reinstated post-elections, it is expected that all other officers who were removed by the ECI will likely be reinstated soon.

In a significant reshuffle, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has announced the appointment of Kanimozhi, the Member of Parliament (MP) from Thoothukudi Lok Sabha constituency, as the party’s new parliamentary leader. She replaces T R Baalu, the MP from Sriperumbudur, who will now lead the DMK in the Lok Sabha.

The announcement was made by M K Stalin, the DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, in a statement on Monday.

Dayanidhi Maran, representing the Chennai Central constituency, has been appointed as the party’s deputy leader in the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, former Union Minister A Raja from the Nilgiris constituency will serve as the Whip in the Lok Sabha.

In the Rajya Sabha, Tiruchi N Siva has been appointed as the DMK leader. M Shanmugam, the DMK trade union LPF general secretary, will be the deputy leader in the Rajya Sabha. Senior advocate P Wilson will serve as the party’s Whip in the Rajya Sabha.

The statement also announced that S Jegathratchagan, the MP from Arakkonam, will be the DMK treasurer in both the Houses.

These changes mark a significant shift in the DMK’s parliamentary leadership and reflect the party’s commitment to bringing in new faces and ideas. The new leaders are expected to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to their roles, strengthening the party’s position in both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.

The opposition party declared that the INDIA group is committed to successfully representing the people's desire and mandate in both Houses of Parliament.

Arjun Ram Meghwal will serve as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, while Kiren Rijiju has been named as the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs.

Congress national secretary Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, saying, "The allocation of the Parliamentary Affairs portfolios inspires no confidence whatsoever that the 'one-third' Pradhan Mantri wants Parliament to function any differently than the manner in which he has run it over the past decade." "However, whatever be the 'divine' signals, the INDIA Janbandhan is more than determined to reflect the will and mandate of the people in both Houses of Parliament most effectively," he stated.

With 235 members in the Lok Sabha, the opposition INDIA group has become stronger in this election and plans to challenge the government on matters affecting the general public, such as joblessness and price increases.

No Counseling Stay
Judges Vikram Nath and Ahsanuddin Amanullah made up the holiday bench, and they declined to halt the successful applicants' counseling for admission to MBBS, BDS, AYUSH, and other relevant programs.

NEET-UG 2024 Disputation
Ten days ahead of schedule, on June 4, the results of NEET-UG, 2024, which took place on May 5, were announced. The NTA administers the test for admission to a range of medical and allied programs at both public and private universities throughout the nation.

Shivangi Mishra and Others' Appeal
Shivangi Mishra and others filed a case; the top court marked it as pending and requested that the NTA provide a response in the meantime. The suit claimed that NEET-UG, 2024, was rife with irregularities, including many instances of paper leaks that the petitioners were aware of.

Breach of the Equality Rights
It was argued that the purported paper leak violated the Constitution's Article 14 (right to equality). Some applicants were allegedly given an unfair edge over others who opted to take the exam fairly.

The Supreme Court's move to ask the NTA for an answer is a major turning point in the continuing dispute over NEET-UG, 2024.

New Delhi, Tuesday - India’s newly appointed External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, announced on Tuesday that the country will focus on resolving the remaining issues along the frontier with China. This comes amid a border row in eastern Ladakh that has lasted over four years and significantly strained bilateral ties.

Jaishankar, 69, who recently took charge of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), is among senior BJP leaders, including Rajnath Singh, Amit Shah, Nitin Gadkari, and Nirmala Sitharaman, who retained their ministries from the previous government.

Addressing Cross-Border Terrorism

In his first address after taking charge, Jaishankar referred to cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan, stating that efforts will be made to address this challenge. “With Pakistan, we have the issue of terrorism – cross-border terrorism – how do we find a solution to it…that cannot be a policy of a good neighbour,” he said.

Guiding Axioms of Indian Foreign Policy

The External Affairs Minister declared that “Bharat First” (India First) and “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (The world is one family) will be the two guiding axioms of Indian foreign policy. He expressed confidence that these principles would position India as ‘Vishwa Bandhu’ – a trusted country in a turbulent and divided world, a world of conflicts and tensions.

On Ties with China

On the subject of ties with China, Jaishankar acknowledged that some issues remained along the border with that country and that efforts will be made to resolve them. “Our focus with regard to China will be on how to resolve the remaining issues,” he told reporters.

The Indian and Chinese militaries have been locked in a standoff since May 2020. A full resolution of the border row has not yet been achieved, although the two sides have disengaged from a number of friction points.

Looking Ahead

Jaishankar also briefly talked about the government’s foreign policy priorities. “Looking ahead, definitely I think the two axioms that the Prime Minister has given us – ‘Bharat First’ and ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ – these will be the two guiding axioms of Indian foreign policy,” he said.

He concluded by expressing his honour and privilege to lead the Ministry of External Affairs once again, praising the ministry’s exceptional performance in the previous term. “It is for me an immense honour and great privilege to be once again given the responsibility of leading the Ministry of External Affairs. In the last term, this ministry actually performed exceptionally well,” he said.

BENGALURU - Women in Karnataka have availed themselves of a staggering 227 crore free rides in government non-luxury buses under the ‘Shakti’ guarantee in the last one year, costing the state exchequer Rs 5,526.64 crore, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy announced on Tuesday.

The Congress government, led by Siddaramaiah, launched the ‘Shakti’ scheme – one of the five guarantees which the party had promised before the Assembly elections – on June 11 last year. These promises are said to have yielded rich electoral dividends to the Congress, helping it dethrone the Basavaraj Bommai-led BJP government.

As the government celebrates one year of ‘Shakti’ guarantee implementation, Reddy said in a statement that 226.95 crore women travelled free of cost in the government buses. Most such rides were accounted for by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses (BMTC-71.45 crore), followed by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC-69.5 crore).

North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) posted 52.12 crore and 33.47 crore free rides, respectively. KSRTC incurred an expenditure of Rs 2,111.14 crore, NWKRTC Rs 1,352.68 crore, KKRTC Rs 1,125.81 crore and BMTC Rs 937.01 crore, the statement said.

Reddy said several measures have been taken to improve the public transport system such as approval for the induction of 5,800 new buses. In addition, 2,438 new buses have been inducted across the four transport corporations in recent times.

According to the minister, the state inducted new buses with brand name ‘Pallakki’, ‘Ashwamedha Classic’, ‘Kalyana Ratha’ and ‘Amogha Varsha’. Approval has been accorded for recruitment of 9,000 posts in the department. In this regard, appointment orders have been issued to recruit 1,844 driver-cum-conductors and technical assistants, Reddy said.

“Recruitment for 6,500 posts (KSRTC- 2,500 driver-cum-conductors, BMTC-2,000 conductors, NWKRTC -1,000 drivers and 1,000 conductors) is under process and will be completed soon,” the minister said.

The government has also enhanced accident relief compensation from Rs three lakh to Rs 10 lakh to dependents in case of death of any passenger in an accident while travelling in bus operated by state-run corporations, he added.

The ‘Shakti’ scheme has not only empowered women by providing them with free transportation but also significantly contributed to the state’s public transport system. The government’s commitment to improving public transport and ensuring the safety of passengers is commendable. This initiative sets a benchmark for other states to follow.

According to Interim VC Bhaskar Gupta's written request, "we can save about Rs 80 lakh per year if we plan properly." I kindly ask everyone of you to take the necessary actions at the unit level to save energy and save money, as we are currently facing severe financial and energy shortages on campus.

According to the VC, the institution pays electricity bills of Rs 50 lakh per month during the summer, and the indiscriminate use of power is to blame for the skyrocketing costs.

The appeal states, "While I believe this misuse is not deliberate, but shows a sign of carelessness."

The VC said in the appeal that an advisory group on electrical infrastructure had noted in its report that equipment such as air conditioners, fans, and lights were discovered to be running even when no one was in the area.

This may potentially make up as much as 10 to 12 percent of our overall energy use, according to estimates. The appeal claims that there is once more a noticeable, significant increase in the cost.

JU established a second committee in September 2022 to investigate the "huge gap" in its revenue and spending and recommend ways to close the gap. The committee found that one of the main causes of the rapidly increasing expenditure was electricity costs.

"We are concerned about the indiscriminate use of power, especially considering the significant financial constraints the university is facing," VC Gupta stated in an interview with The Telegraph. It would be significant even if we could save Rs 80 lakh a month by using electricity wisely. The same strategy that we use sparingly at home should be applied on college.

He said that doing this will lessen the energy impact.

This publication has reported on many times that the institution is facing financial difficulties as a result of the state and federal governments' diminishing funding.

"This will help us to reduce the energy footprints of our university, showing our concern for the environment," the venture capitalist wrote in his request.

According to a committee member appointed in September 2022, there have been occasions when some instructors and administrators have forgotten to turn off the air conditioners, lights, and fans when they leave a room.

He said, "At a time when the university is reeling from a funding crunch, we cannot afford to be careless."

"We need to reduce expenses by making prudent and wise use of the facilities. The administration of the institution must display posters to raise awareness of this among all students.

On September 18, 2022, this publication published an article citing concerns raised by a panel appointed by the university's financial committee over "the precarious fund situation and acute shortage of money."

The severe financial crisis that Jadavpur University is experiencing has made the school more and more appealing to alums for financial assistance.

According to a JU official, the university is concentrating on finding ways to reduce expenses rather than increasing tuition, which has remained constant since 2000.

CCTV footage of Chakraborty, the East Midnapore MLA from Chandipur, surfaced on Saturday. It showed the legislator hitting and pushing café owner Anirul Alam to the ground while grasping him by his collar. Then, as several more guys around the two, he is seen pulling Alam outside.

A top Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate officer stated, "We have spoken with the cafe employees who were there on Friday night to get an idea of the sequence of events," but he did not want to be identified.

Additionally, the police have footage from the CCTV cameras that are set up in the cafe.

It has also been alleged that the MLA threatened to close down the owner's firm. "The footage that surfaced was taken on Friday night at approximately 8:20 p.m.," a senior commissionerate officer stated.

The officer reports that three complaints have been made.

Chakraborty responded to a complaint that the cafe's manager, Dipankar, had made on Saturday by filing a countercomplaint. The proprietor of the bistro filed the third complaint.

According to Chakraborty, just a piece of the CCTV tape is being presented, and the segment that showed Alam and other people yelling at the MLA's guards and shooting unit members has been removed.

The video that is being aired only provides one side of the story and is biased. Before they began beating my security staff, the cafe's owner, his staff, and a few other people mistreated them, according to Chakraborty.

A senior commissionerate official stated that the case was being looked into from all possible directions.

While expressing regret for his behavior on Saturday, Chakraborty added that "the cafe owner started hurling abuses at me and Abhishek Banerjee (National General Secretary of the Trinamool Congress)" was what made him lose his composure.

The event happened at the rooftop cafe when the actor was filming a Bengali movie. According to the officer, who cited restaurant staff members the police had spoken to, the café is located in a two-story structure with other cafes and fast-food restaurants on the first level.

According to the officer, issues arose with parking in front of the café.

The tweet from Abhishek

Diamond Harbour MP and national general secretary of the Trinamool Party, Abhishek Banerjee, commented on X on Sunday and said, "Humility and grace are necessary for victory." I kindly want all @AITCofficial leaders and members to acknowledge and work toward upholding the faith that the people of West Bengal have placed in us. Public officials should behave more responsibly since they are elected by the people and have a mandate from them."

After days of significant service disruptions, Sealdah station’s platform extension work has finally concluded on Sunday afternoon. The project, which aims to accommodate longer 12-coach trains by extending platforms 1 to 5, caused large-scale inconvenience, affecting tens of thousands of commuters.

The culmination of the work was not without incident, as a group of frustrated passengers, having waited overnight, vandalized a part of an enquiry counter at Sealdah station on Sunday morning. The lack of clear communication from railway authorities was cited as the trigger for the unrest, prompting the intervention of Railway Protection Force personnel to manage the situation.

The infrastructure upgrade, which began on Friday, led to the cancellation of numerous trains on the Sealdah north and main sections. Commuters faced extended intervals between trains and prolonged waits, with many trains stranded on the tracks for hours.

The ordeal was not limited to local travelers. Long-distance and express train passengers also suffered delays. Raju Adhikari, a 28-year-old resident of Delhi, experienced over an hour’s delay on the Rajdhani Express and an additional two-hour wait without updates for his connecting train to Bongaon. Similarly, Md Nematullah from Bihar endured a prolonged wait from Friday night for the Sealdah-Jaynagar special train, which was repeatedly rescheduled.

Sudipta Sen, a 50-year-old traveler to Guwahati, expressed his frustration directly to the RPF after receiving conflicting messages about his train’s departure time.

Despite these challenges, Eastern Railway highlighted the early completion of the non-Interlocking work, which was finished two hours ahead of the scheduled time. The first train to benefit from the newly extended platform, the Shantipur – Sealdah local, arrived at Platform No. 5 at 1.18 pm, marking the start of improved services for the future.

This project is a critical step in Eastern Railway’s commitment to enhancing commuter experience and is expected to significantly reduce congestion and improve punctuality in the long term. However, the immediate aftermath of the upgrade work has left many questioning the management of such essential projects and the communication strategies employed during times of service alterations.

Mukundapur, a locality plagued by persistent waterlogging issues, is on the brink of a significant change. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has announced that a new drainage pumping station, designed to alleviate the area’s flooding woes, is set to become operational within weeks.

The project, which commenced in January 2022 with a two-year completion timeline, faced delays despite engineers’ aspirations to beat the deadline. The station’s strategic location near several private hospitals is crucial, as it addresses the monsoon season’s challenges that affect thousands of patients and visitors daily. The new system promises an end to the days of navigating waterlogged streets or paying exorbitant fares for short commutes.

With an investment exceeding Rs 160 crore, the project encompasses not just the pumping station but also the installation of underground drainage lines stretching over 6.7 kilometers. This initiative is part of the broader Kolkata Environmental Improvement Investment Program (KEIIP), backed by the Asian Development Bank and overseen by the KMC.

The urgency of the situation is underscored by the experiences of healthcare facilities like Manipal Hospitals, Mukundapur (formerly AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur), where water ingress into basements has been a recurrent problem. Residents too have voiced concerns over flooded parking lots and lift wells in their apartment complexes.

The new drainage system, a hybrid of open drains and upgraded underground sewer lines with increased capacity, hinges on the pumping station’s functionality. “The station will receive water through the new conduits and employ high-powered pumps to channel the water into a canal, effectively removing it from the city,” explained a KMC engineer.

The project’s delay can be attributed to the need to fill part of a pond for the station’s construction, necessitating the creation of a new pond nearby to compensate for the environmental impact.

As the final touches are being put in place, with pumps installed and power connections secured, Mukundapur’s residents and visitors can look forward to a monsoon season free from the disruptions of the past. The KMC’s commitment to this project reflects a proactive approach to urban infrastructure challenges, promising a drier, more accessible future for one of Kolkata’s key localities.

Gangtok, Sikkim: The state capital of Gangtok will host the chief minister P.S. Tamang's and his council of ministers' oath of office on Monday. The Sikkim government is preparing for this event. It is anticipated that a sizable crowd would attend, including locals, fans of SKM, and elected officials.

In the latest Assembly elections, the P.S. Tamang-led Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM) party won 31 of 32 seats, securing a resounding triumph. Tamang will serve as Sikkim's chief minister for a second term thanks to this resounding victory.

The state education department has declared that all schools in the Gangtok municipal corporation region would be closed on this day due to the celebration. The purpose of this choice is to guarantee public safety and lessen traffic during the event.

In order to handle the flow of spectators at the stadium, traffic limitations will be implemented. On June 10 from midnight until eight o'clock in the evening, heavy trucks will not be allowed on the Singtam-Ranipool-Gangtok section of NH10. In addition, from midday to seven o'clock on the same day, a car ban will be in effect between Traffic Point-Hospital Dara and the district administrative center in Sichey.

To maintain peaceful behavior during the event and regulate car traffic, authorities have set out designated parking places. To put these safeguards into action and ensure a seamless and successful event, the administration and local police are collaborating closely.

The swearing-in ceremony is a landmark event in the political history of Sikkim and a proof of the state's democratic system. The SKM's triumph and the forthcoming ceremony highlight the party's solid standing and the confidence that the people of Sikkim have in them.

Kolkata: The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) has announced the resumption of several key civic projects that were delayed due to the Lok Sabha elections. These projects include drainage work along the Eastern Metropolitan (EM) Bypass, compensation to farmers in Dhapa, and repairs to the city’s water supply network.

During the election campaign, the Trinamool Congress emphasized civic services, with councillors conducting door-to-door visits to address issues related to water supply and drainage, as well as the distribution of welfare scheme benefits.

The EM Bypass, a critical artery of the city, experienced significant waterlogging following rains in May, attributed to choked gully pits and a lack of cleaning. A senior KMC official acknowledged the need for a proper drainage network and cleaning of existing sewer lines, which was impeded by the inability to obtain police permission to block sections of the bypass during the elections.

Mayor Firhad Hakim has expressed his intent to seek police permission once again to carry out the necessary work. Affected areas included service lanes near Ruby Hospital and stretches opposite Silver Spring and in front of Captain Bheri.

The construction of the Kalighat skywalk, another significant project aimed at easing pedestrian access to the Kalighat temple, has also faced delays. The project, which missed its initial deadlines, has been slowed down due to the absence of workers during the election period. The KMC has yet to announce a new completion date.

In Dhapa, the KMC plans to reclaim approximately 180 acres of land to establish waste processing facilities. Over 820 farmers who have cultivated this land for decades are to receive a solatium of ₹50,000 per cottah. However, the payment process was halted due to the elections, with concerns that it might violate the model code of conduct. KMC officials are hopeful for a swift government approval to proceed with the compensation and the subsequent construction of the waste processing plants.

These plants are part of KMC’s initiative to address the city’s solid waste management, as Kolkata generates about 4,000 tonnes of solid waste daily, but only 525 tonnes are currently processed. The resumption of these projects is expected to significantly improve the city’s infrastructure and quality of life for its residents.

On Saturday, a video showing trash collectors throwing mountains of trash outside a housing complex went viral on WhatsApp.

The housing complex's councilman, Sachin Singh, acknowledged that the rubbish had been disposed of, but he denied that Trinamool members had any role.

"From this ward, we have won by a significant margin. Why would we act in this manner? Singh remarked on Saturday night, "I have friends in that apartment."

"On Thursday night, as soon as I learned about the event, I headed there. I made certain that the trash was collected early on Friday.

Speaking on the Saturday event, Mayor Firhad Hakim stated that he was against such behavior. "Everyone is free to cast any kind of vote they like. This is incorrect. He said, "Will dumping waste make them vote for us?"

CCTV footage from Friday shows guys riding motorcycles tossing something early on Thursday morning towards the gate of a high-rise building in Bhowanipore.

In the video, three males can be seen riding up to the building on Bhowanipore's Chakraberia Road. While the third one sprang off the bike and began removing what seemed to be bottles from a white bag, the other two had their faces hidden.

Numerous residents in the neighborhood claimed to have suspicions that it was the work of nearby Trinamool members.

New Delhi: As the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) gears up for Narendra Modi’s third consecutive term as Prime Minister, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to retain the helm of the top four ministries. Party sources revealed on Saturday that while the BJP will hold onto the key ministries of home, finance, defence, and external affairs, it will “large-heartedly” distribute other significant portfolios among its allies to bolster the coalition’s stability.

Approximately 50 ministers are expected to take the oath at the grand ceremony scheduled for Sunday evening at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Among them, around a dozen will represent the NDA allies, reflecting the coalition’s collective strength in the Lok Sabha.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP), led by Chandrababu Naidu and the NDA’s largest ally after the BJP, is anticipated to secure four ministerial berths, including three cabinet positions. The Janata Dal United (JDU), with Nitish Kumar at the helm, is likely to be allotted two cabinet posts and one junior minister role. Notable figures such as Lallan aka Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Ramnath Thakur, and Sanjay Jha are among the probable candidates for ministerial positions.

Chirag Paswan’s Lok Janshakti Party (LJP), a key ally from Bihar, along with representatives from the Shiv Sena and the Rashtriya Lok Dal, are also expected to join the ministerial ranks.

Despite the TDP’s initial insistence on the Lok Sabha Speaker’s post, it is believed that the party may settle for a substantial financial package for Andhra Pradesh, as indicated by a BJP general secretary.

The swearing-in ceremony is set to be a significant event, with the presence of various foreign dignitaries underscoring its importance. In a move to highlight the government’s commitment to inclusivity, invites have been extended to tribal women, sanitation workers, transgender individuals, and beneficiaries of welfare schemes. The ceremony will also honor the rat-hole miners who played a crucial role in rescuing trapped workers from a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand last year.

While the BJP’s performance in the polls fell short of a solo majority, the event is expected to showcase the strength and unity of the NDA government as it embarks on another five-year journey of governance.

In a significant turn of events, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) managed to secure 12 out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, despite a potential threat from a united opposition. An analysis of the poll data suggests that the BJP’s victory in six constituencies — Maldaha Uttar, Raiganj, Purulia, Bishnupur, Balurghat, and Tamluk — was by a margin less than the combined votes of the Left-Congress alliance. Had the opposition fought together under the INDIA bloc, these seats might have swung in favor of the Trinamool Congress.

The data further indicates that three other constituencies — Bongaon, Jalpaiguri, and Kanthi — could have witnessed neck-and-neck contests, with the BJP’s margin of victory being only slightly higher than the Left-Congress vote count. The possibility of a united opposition seemed plausible after initial meetings in Patna and Bangalore, but internal disagreements and strategic decisions led to a fragmented fight against the BJP.

Trinamool Congress, led by Mamata Banerjee, decided to contest the elections independently after what was perceived as an “inordinate delay” in finalizing seat shares and reservations about the CPM and state Congress chief Adhir Chowdhury. The Congress, failing to reach an agreement with Trinamool, formed a last-minute alliance with the Left.

Despite the divided opposition, Trinamool emerged victorious in 29 seats, while the Left-Congress alliance secured only one. The extrapolated data from the Election Commission, assuming unchanged voting patterns in a bipolar contest, paints a picture of what might have been — a scenario where the BJP could have comfortably won only three seats: Alipurduar, Ranaghat, and Darjeeling.

The analysis sheds light on the evolving political landscape in Bengal. Trinamool’s solo strategy was reportedly based on the belief that a three-cornered fight would split anti-Trinamool votes to their advantage. However, the BJP’s vote share of 38.7 percent, though lower than in previous elections, still marks an upward trend, challenging the hypothesis of a beneficial split for Trinamool.

The BJP’s consistent performance in terms of vote and Assembly seat shares suggests that the party remains a formidable force in Bengal’s political arena. The Left-Congress alliance’s strong showing in several seats led to accusations from Mamata Banerjee of dividing the secular vote, aiding the BJP’s victory. Conversely, the state Congress attributes the lack of a united front to Trinamool’s insufficient seat-sharing offer.

As the opposition rejoices over the BJP not achieving a majority on its own, the need for a cohesive strategy against Prime Minister Modi’s party becomes evident. The future of Bengal’s politics may hinge on the opposition’s ability to set aside differences and present a united front against a resilient BJP.

In the midst of hints that other allies like Jayant Chaudhary of the RLD, Ram Nath Thakur and Lalan Singh of the JD(U), Chirag Paswan of the LJP (R), Jitan Ram Manjhi of the HAM(S), and Jay Nath Thakur of the TDP are being considered as ministers, TDP leader and industrialist Jayadev Galla posted congratulations to the two leaders.

Manjhi's assistant asserted that he has been told he would be admitted into the government.

According to sources, the administration would include partners, and the BJP is anticipated to retain major responsibilities like foreign affairs, defense, home affairs, and finance.

Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Piyush Goyal, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and S Jaishankar are among the prominent members of the BJP who are considered as obvious candidates for Cabinet positions.

The BJP hasn't, however, made any formal comments on its selection of ministers.

Other apparent candidates include former chief ministers Sarbananda Sonowal, Basavaraj Bommai, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The BJP will need to account for its shocking defeats in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh in order to regain support.

It is anticipated that Prime Minister-designate Narendra Modi would meet with his selected ministers prior to the evening ritual of swearing in.

According to sources, a senior BJP official invited the BJP MPs to the meeting but did not specify why.

They stated that it is anticipated that they would be named union ministers this evening.

On 'X', TDP MP Jayadev Galla stated that party member Ram Mohan Naidu will become a cabinet minister and that another member, MP Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, will become a minister of state in the next ministry.

After two complete terms during which the BJP held a majority on its own, Modi is scheduled to take the oath of office on Sunday for a third consecutive term as the leader of a coalition government.

By winning the general elections in 1952, 1957, and 1962, the 73-year-old would match the accomplishment of Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister.

Dignitaries and special invitees are scheduled to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the prime minister and his council of ministers at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 7.15 pm, which will include leaders from the Indian Ocean Region and the neighboring countries of India.

In a significant gesture of diplomatic goodwill, Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu has announced his intention to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. This move is seen as a testament to the strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations.

President Muizzu’s decision comes after accepting an official invitation from the Indian government, marking a pivotal moment in the Maldives-India relationship. The ceremony, scheduled for Sunday, will see Modi take the oath of office for his third consecutive term as Prime Minister.

The invitation was extended by Munu Mahawar, India’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, during a courtesy call at the President’s Office. Prime Minister Modi, through the High Commissioner, expressed his eagerness to have President Muizzu present at the ceremony, which is expected to be a grand affair with leaders from various neighboring countries in attendance.

President Muizzu reciprocated the sentiment, expressing his honor in being part of such a historic event. He also conveyed his anticipation for future collaborations with Prime Minister Modi to further enhance the close ties between the two countries.

The office of President Muizzu, however, has not yet disclosed the details of his departure for India.

Earlier this week, President Muizzu congratulated Prime Minister Modi on his electoral victory and expressed his desire to work together towards mutual prosperity and stability. This upcoming visit will be President Muizzu’s first official trip to India since taking office last November, a visit that is expected to underscore the positive trajectory of Maldives-India relations.

The swearing-in ceremony is not only a celebration of India’s democratic process but also a reflection of India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, aiming to foster strong and amicable relations with its surrounding nations.

As the Maldives and India embark on this new chapter, the international community watches with interest, anticipating the potential for greater cooperation and shared success between the two countries.

He grinned and said the BJP needs to take some lessons as clarity started to dawn.

"I spend eight hours at work. The DDA pays my contractor Rs 17,000 per month in exchange for paying my wage. I get Rs 9,000 from him. This is happening in all of Delhi's DDA parks. The Narendra Modi government is pushing contractual employment while the contractors are taking advantage of us, Kumar said.

Experts and laborers alike stated on Tuesday that the working class is sending a message to the BJP through its lackluster showing in the Lok Sabha elections. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had claimed that the BJP will win 370 seats, but in reality, the party received fewer than 250 seats.

"My spouse also works in a store." Even though we both work, we don't buy our kids books and study materials. Who bears that responsibility? Kumar enquired.

According to Kumar, third-party labor contractors are increasingly being used by the public and private sectors to hire labor.

The security guards hired by contractors for the private flats are paid Rs 9,000 and are required to work twelve hours a day, seven days a week.

For the last five years, there has been no raise in the wage. "Working here is the only option available to me," a security guard at Radhika Apartment remarked.

The working class was looking for new choices because of problems including rising prices, unemployment, and poorly constructed assistance systems, according to Atul Sood, a faculty member at the JNU Centre for Study of Regional Development.

Because of the promise of "achhe din," the working class had higher expectations from the Modi administration. When they consider their current state of affairs, they discover no improvement. Through welfare programs like free rations, the government provides a certain level of survival assistance. The working class needs steady income, but that's not what they can get, according to Sood.

He said that despite government promises, farmer incomes have not doubled by 2022. The Swaminathan Commission's report was not adopted by the government. There is a serious agricultural problem. Farmers' incomes were unchanged. Because no particular steps were taken to boost agriculture, it continued to be a residual sector, according to Sood.

Young people without jobs, he claimed, were also fed up with the administration. They object to programs like Agnipath and the growing contractualization of employment in the public and private spheres.

The team members interacted with the relatives of Tapas Barman and Rajesh Sarkar, who perished in the event, when they visited the Daribhit High School area.

A delegation from the agency has visited the area twice before.

It should be noted that on September 20, 2018, demonstrations over the hiring of some instructors by the nearby high school shook Daribhit. There were gunshots during the protests, and police had to step in. Biplab Sarkar, another young person, was hurt, while Tapas and Rajesh perished.

Following the event, there were political fallout, and the BJP took up the cause, blaming the state police for the firing.

The Calcutta High Court ordered an NIA investigation into the event on May 10, 2023, despite the state's first investigation.

Following the directive, an NIA team went to Daribhit, where they interacted with the relatives of the young people who had died and took statements.

"I met with the team on that visit and shared specifics of the occurrence with them as well. In addition, they obtained copies of my medical records for their inquiry," stated Biplab, who was shot.

The NIA team talked with a few folks at the neighborhood market on Wednesday at around eleven a.m. They then visited Tapas's home and had a conversation with his sister.

The crew then traveled to the scene of the event at Daribhit High School and met Rajesh's father, Nilkamal Sarkar. According to accounts, they observed the area carefully and departed the settlement a few hours later.

Raiganj's recently elected BJP MP, Kartick Chandra Paul, stated that they are in sympathy with the relatives of the Daribhit victims.

"NIA is looking into the matter, and we think the truth will come to light. Paul declared, "Unless the families receive justice, we will not let up on our fight.

Even though the tea community makes up a sizeable component of the voter base in the Alipurduars, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling constituencies, the BJP's winning margins shrank sharply.

Additionally, Mamata Banerjee's party holds leads in two Assembly segments—Malbazar and Nagrakata—in the Dooars tea area.

For instance, the BJP led by 50,244 votes in the Nagrakata Assembly segment in 2019, which is located in the Jalpaiguri district but is part of the Alipurduar Lok Sabha constituency. Trinamool is ahead by 3,547 votes this time.

Additionally, the BJP received 43,838 votes in Madarihat, the home seat of Manoj Tigga, the BJP candidate who prevailed in Alipurduars. The gap has decreased to 11,063 votes this year.

In Kalchini, the advantage has shrunk from 47,432 votes to 14, 865 votes (in 2019). Additionally, the BJP led Trinamool in Kumargram by 7,641 votes this year compared to 28,813 votes in 2019.

These figures make it quite evident that Trinamul is strengthening its position in the tea belt. It is further confirmed by the candidates' victory margins, according to Siliguri-based social researcher Soumen Nag.

The BJP secured the seats of Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling in 2019 with respective margins of 4.13 lakhs, 1.84 lakhs, and 2.43 lakhs of votes.

The margins have narrowed to 1.78 lakhs, 86,993 and 75,447 votes this time.

In the tea belt, Trinamool could only win Malbazar, one Assembly seat, in 2021. Results are decided by voters from tea gardens in around ten Assembly seats.

"It's clear that a large number of tea workers and their families voted in favor of our party due to Mamata Banerjee's numerous social welfare programs. We are optimistic that we will win the majority of the tea belt Assembly seats in 2026, according to Prakash Chik Baraik, an Alipurduar-born Trinamool member of the Rajya Sabha.

Baraik, who had run against Tigga but lost, made the observation that the state's choice to grant the tea workers financial aid and land rights is also assisting them in strengthening their base of support.

According to him, the party has also benefited from other choices like the frequent adjustment of tea wages and the quick action to restore shuttered gardens.

The saffron camp is also conscious that, in the seats they claim to be their strongholds since 2019, their base of support has dwindled over time.

It is accurate to say that, in comparison to 2019, we received less votes in the tea belt this time. In order to create suitable strategies and guarantee that we win every Assembly seat in the tea belt by 2026, our leaders will get down with the results to determine what caused the fall, according to Tigga.

The election results for the two sectors indicate that Muslim votes were split between the Congress and Trinamool, which aided the BJP in gaining the seats.

"The minority population, which supported the party in every election, was the center of attention for the Trinamool rank and file, including the chief minister, during the campaign. However, Trinamool's strategy failed in Raiganj and Maldaha Uttar because the Congress nominated Muslim candidates, reducing the TMC's share of the vote, according to Raiganj political expert Debasish Biswas.

In Raiganj and Maldaha Uttar, the Grand Old Party fielded Ali Imran Ramz and Mostaque Alam, respectively.

Mamata Banerjee, the head of the Trinamool Party, lashed out at the Congress and the candidates running against her. "They are working with the BJP to suppress votes," she claimed.

On Tuesday, when the results were announced, Mamata was proven correct. In Assembly seats where Muslims predominate, the Congress earned leads, but the BJP emerged victorious in both constituencies.

In the Maldaha Uttar Assembly segments of Chanchal, Harishchandrapur, Malatipur, and Ratua, Alam received the most votes. He received 3.84 lakh votes overall and came in third.

With the support of his votes, BJP candidate Khagen Murmu was able to win the seat a second time by a margin over 75,000 votes.

Ramz had the most votes in Chakulia and 666 fewer than Trinamool in Goalpokhar when it came to assembly seats. The Congress received 2.63 lakh votes in total.

The BJP's Kartick Chandra Paul received 68,197 votes to win the Raiganj seat.

Maldaha Uttar and Raiganj have never been won by Trinamool.

However, Trinamool won five of the seven Assembly segments in the Raiganj Lok Sabha constituency in the 2021 Assembly elections. Two were won by the BJP. The two BJP MLAs then became Trinamool members.

Similar to this, the BJP won three Assembly seats in Maldaha, Uttar Pradesh, while Trinamool won four.

The party had chances in both Lok Sabha segments, according to the results of the Assembly election. Nonetheless, we are concerned about the distribution of minority votes following the announcement of the results yesterday (Tuesday). In order to avoid a repeat, we must mobilize our voter base in advance of 2026, said to a Trinamool official in Malda.

Mamata voiced her displeasure with the Congress's choice to field Muslim candidates in Maldaha Uttar and Raiganj once more on Tuesday.

"The Congress would have won both of the seats we had offered it. However, they made a different choice in the state. What was their gain in running from these seats? She enquired.

Of the 84 seats set aside for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and the 47 seats set aside for Scheduled Tribes (STs), the party won 25. The BJP had won 31 ST seats and 46 SC seats in 2019. The party has won 27 ST seats and 40 SC seats in 2014. In 2024, the BJP lost 19 seats in the reserved category in addition to 44 seats in the 226 non-reserved category constituencies.

Political analysts stated that Dalits were resolved to vote this time around against the BJP. As an astute observer of anti-caste politics, Tanoj Meshram, a former civil officer and associate professor of public policy at SPJIMR, Mumbai, noted that politically astute SCs, especially in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, have voted to keep the BJP from winning back power.

The SCs' anti-BJP stance was evident in both states. The social justice movement has been supported by the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh and the Vanchit Bahujan Aaghadi (VBA), which is led by Prakash Ambedkar, the grandson of Bhimrao Ambedkar, in Maharashtra. Dalits have always supported the parties with their votes.

Ten BSP candidates in UP and a candidate backed by the VBA in Maharashtra both won Lok Sabha seats in 2019. In Maharashtra, the VBA received more over 7% of the vote, whilst in Uttar Pradesh, the BSP received around 19% of the vote.

Neither the BSP nor the VBA were able to access their accounts this time. In Uttar Pradesh, the BSP's vote share has decreased to 9.39%, while the VBA's vote share has not yet been posted on the Election Commission website.

According to Meshram, the Dalits have a strong emotional bond with the Constitution since it has greatly aided in their success. "When the BJP announced the 400-paar slogan, they felt that the Constitution was in danger. It is evident that both states voted against the BJP," he remarked.

He used Mumbai North-Central and Ramtek as examples of SC seats.

Congress candidate Shyam Kumar Barve defeated Raju Parve of the Shiv Sena (Shinde) in Ramtek with 6.13 lakh votes. With the backing of the VBA, Kishore Gajbhiye, a former IAS official, ran as an independent.

Dalits make up a sizable portion of the voter base in the constituency, and Gajbhiye, a well-liked contender in the area for Congress in 2019, received 4.7 lakh votes. This time, the Congress refused to issue him a ticket, and even when Prakash Ambedkar, the head of the VBA, ran a campaign for Gajbhiye, he was only able to secure 24,000 votes.

"The Dalits believed that they had to destroy the BJP at all costs. They realized Gajbhiye couldn't win as an Independent with the backing of the VBA. All of them supported the candidacy of the Maha Vikash Aghadi (MVA)," Meshram remarked.

The BJP fielded attorney Ujwal Nikam in Mumbai North-Central; he is thought not to have fought hard as a public prosecutor in the case pertaining to the 2006 killing of four Dalits in Khairlanji. Thus, the Dalits banded together to vote against him.

Despite not being a resident of the Mumbai South-Central Lok Sabha seat, Dalit activist and MLA Varsha Gaikwad ran as a candidate for the Congress and won the Mumbai North-Central seat.

The Samajwadi Party secured 37 seats in UP. "This could not have been possible without the support of the Dalits," he stated. According to Meshram, the Dalits were further drawn closer to the Congress because of the party's stance on a caste census and equitable representation of all socioeconomic groups in government employment.

Meshram claimed that the Dalits were afraid that the next administration will drastically alter the Constitution because of the BJP's slogan of "400+ seats." A 35-year-old tribal man from Wardha, Maharashtra named Chandrasekhar Madavi stated that the "unconstitutional activities" of the BJP were a source of concern for the SCs and STs. "The party is making every effort to hold onto power under Modi. Since the Constitution forbids the use of religion in politics, it is exploiting religion to further its goals, according to Madavi.

Thrissur district Congress president Jose Valloor and former MP T.N. Prathapan were held accountable by State Youth Congress leaders Mohammed Hashim, Abimon Thomas, Mohammed Sarooq, and Kavya Ranjith for the BJP's unexpected win.

As the party rounded up to assess the circumstances that resulted in the BJP stealing the esteemed seat from them, the Youth Congress leaders informed reporters, "The district leadership is responsible for the people's dissatisfaction with the Congress."

However, M.V. Govindan, the state secretary of the CPM, expressed doubts about the change in Congress votes in Thrissur. "The Congress lost 86,000 votes when the LDF received 16,000 odd votes, and Suresh Gopi won with 74,000 odd votes. You now have to calculate," he continued.

Gopi of the BJP defeated the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Thrissur by 74,686 votes. The UDF won 19 of the 20 seats in the state. With 86,965 fewer votes than in 2019, the party that has occupied the seat for a considerable amount of time dropped to third place.

After finishing third in the 2019 elections, Gopi shocked both the LDF and the UDF by winning the central Kerala constituency with 4,12,338 votes, or around 1,18,516 more than he had cast in the previous election.

The accusations inside the Congress surfaced when anti-Prathapan and anti-Valloor banners started popping up across the area, threatening to ban the former MP from ever running in a local body election.

After his sister Padmaja Venugopal joined the BJP ahead of the Lok Sabha Elections, the Congress nominated K. Muraleedharan to succeed the reticent Prathapan, who had won by a wide majority in 2019.

The decision to field Muraleedharan from Thrissur at the last minute was ascribed to Padmaja's switch to the BJP, a counterproductive move by the Congress that caused the party to suffer a significant defeat, even though he was the incumbent MP from Vadakara and planned to run for re-election from the seat.

Following Tuesday's loss, an emotional Muraleedharan declared he would never run for office again. He went so far as to say that the party's decision to move him to Thrissur was a sacrifice.

Muraleedharan stated that no senior politician supported Gopi, despite the fact that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally endorsed him and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for LDF's V.S. Sunil Kumar.

Kerala's long-standing reputation as one of the biggest barriers preventing the BJP from entering the state was lost with Gopi's win. Only neighboring Tamil Nadu kept it intact by denying the BJP even one seat.

State CPI secretary Binoy Viswam attempted to find out where the Congress votes went although acknowledging that even the LDF must look into the causes for its dismal performance. "What became to the Thrissur UDF votes? Like us, the Congress need to look into this setback, according to Viswam.

Minority voters have 16–18 Lok Sabha seats in a state where they make up about 30% of the electorate, making them a desirable voting group for all political parties.

There are sizable Muslim populations in a number of north and south Bengali parliamentary constituencies, including Raiganj, Cooch Behar, Balurghat, Malda North, Malda South, Murshidabad, Diamond Harbour, Uluberia, Howrah, Birbhum, Kanthi, Tamluk, Mathurapur, and Joynagar.

Based on the separation of minority votes between the TMC and the Left-Congress combination, the BJP was able to hold onto Balurghat, Raiganj, and Malda North, according to one expert.

"As anticipated, the TMC did well in minority belts in south Bengal. However, the Left-Congress coalition put up a strong fight in several north Bengali seats to take a larger share of the minority vote, according to political expert Biswanath Chakraborty.

The Left-Congress alliance candidates received more votes than the margin of victory of the BJP nominees in each of the three seats.

In Raiganj, BJP's Kartik Chandra Paul received 5,60,897 votes, while TMC's Krishna Kalyani, his closest challenger, received 4,92,700, according to the results released on Tuesday.

Paul prevailed with 68,197 votes in favor. Ali Imran Ramz, the candidate for the Left-Congress coalition, received 2,63,273 votes.

Sukanta Majumdar, the state unit president of the BJP, received 5,74,996 votes in Balurghat, while Biplab Mitra of the TMC received 5,64,610. It was 10,386 votes in favor. Joydeb Siddhanta, the Left-Congress nominee, received 54,217 votes.

Khagen Murmu of the BJP defeated Prasun Banerjee of the TMC by a margin of 77,708 votes to retain the Malda North seat. In the section, the combined votes of the Left and Congress were 3,84,764.

Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the TMC and chief minister of West Bengal, expressed her annoyance by saying that the BJP was aided in winning three seats in north Bengal by the Left-Congress coalition.

However, the TMC was able to unseat the BJP in the Cooch Behar seat.

But Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, the Congress state president and five-term sitting MP of Baharampur Lok Sabha, losing the coveted seat was the cherry on top for the TMC.

By a wide margin of more than 85,000 votes, voters in the so-called "Congress fortress" chose former Indian all-rounder and Trinamool Congress candidate Yusuf Pathan over Chowdhury.

Due to Chowdhury's loss in Baharampur, one of the state's supposedly final Congress strongholds, the Trinamool Congress had its flag altered and flown outside of the area for the first time.

Minorities in south Bengal voted for the TMC to stop the BJP's progress, and West Bengal's ruling party won all of the Muslim-majority seats there with the exception of the Tamluk and Kanthi Lok Sabha seats.

Minority leaders claim that Muslims in West Bengal, who hold key seats in the Lok Sabha, were leaning toward the TMC led by Mamata Banerjee because they saw it as a credible force as opposed to the Left-Congress coalition.

The Indian Secular Front (ISF) has chosen to go it alone, making it harder for the Left and the Congress to win over minority votes. This is because the saffron party is taking advantage of a number of divisive topics, including the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the Ram Mandir.

Mohammed Salim, the state secretary for the CPI(M), who lost the seat in Murshidabad, stated, "It would have been better had ISF been with us."

After Assam and Kashmir, West Bengal has the third-largest Muslim electorate in the nation.

The TMC secured 29 of the state's 42 parliamentary seats, the BJP won 12, and the Congress gained 1.

Following the outcome of the most recent Lok Sabha election, JD(S) leader H D Kumaraswamy voiced doubts in a statement over the Congress party's capacity to form a government at the Center. The BJP secured 240 seats while the Congress secured 99, according to the results released by the Election Commission of India for 542 out of 543 constituencies.

Answering inquiries over Congress's attempts to form the government, Kumaraswamy said, "Nothing will happen." He was scheduled to attend a meeting of NDA constituents in New Delhi. Along with Kolar's Mallesh Babu, the JD(S) leader won the election as an NDA candidate from Mandya. They emphasized the NDA's impressive showing in Karnataka, where it won 19 of the state's 28 Lok Sabha seats. Just the BJP secured 17 seats, with JD(S) securing 2.

The results indicate a substantial change from the 2019 elections, in which the Congress only won one seat and the BJP, with the backing of an independent candidate, gained 25 seats. With the victory of nine seats, the Congress has strengthened its position in Karnataka this time.

The political forces at work as parties evaluate the post-election environment and plan their next steps in the formation of the government are reflected in Kumaraswamy's remarks.

New Delhi, June 5, 2024 – An Air Canada flight bound for Toronto was the center of a security scare at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport after officials received a bomb threat via email. The alarming claim caused immediate panic among passengers and crew, prompting an urgent response from airport security.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) confirmed that the threatening email was received at 10:50 PM on Tuesday, indicating that an explosive device had been placed on the aircraft. The flight in question was immediately grounded, and a comprehensive search was initiated.

A senior police officer involved in the investigation stated, “Following standard security protocols, a thorough inspection was conducted and nothing suspicious was found.” The relief was palpable as officials declared the threat a hoax, ensuring the safety of all potential passengers.

Authorities are taking the incident seriously, with legal action underway to address the false alarm. The identity of the individual or group responsible for the hoax has not been disclosed, but law enforcement is determined to prevent such disruptions in the future.

This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by airport security in maintaining the safety of air travel against potential threats, whether real or fabricated.

The political landscape of Odisha has undergone a seismic shift as the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader Naveen Patnaik’s 24-year tenure comes to an abrupt end. The results of the recent elections have thwarted Patnaik’s aspirations for a sixth consecutive term and the chance to become the nation’s longest-serving chief minister.

As the clock struck 8:30 pm on Tuesday, the BJD’s hold on the 147-member Assembly had dwindled to just 50 seats, while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) surged ahead with a victory in 79 seats, surpassing the majority mark of 74. The Congress party managed to lead in 14 seats.

In a parallel outcome, the BJP dominated the Lok Sabha elections in Odisha, leading in 19 out of 21 seats, leaving the BJD and the Congress to lead in Jajpur and Koraput, respectively.

A significant setback for the BJD was the loss of Naveen Patnaik in Kantabanji, his secondary contesting seat, although he managed to retain his traditional seat of Hinjili.

The BJP’s strategic portrayal of V.K. Pandian, the chief minister’s close aide and a bureaucrat-turned-politician, as an “outsider” seemed to resonate with the electorate. This narrative, coupled with the controversy surrounding the missing keys of the Ratna Bhandar at the Jagannath temple, was amplified by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his campaign, striking a chord with the Odia populace’s sentiment.

Naveen Patnaik’s political journey has been marked by its ups and downs, especially his relationship with the BJP. Initially reluctant to enter politics, Patnaik was thrust into the limelight following his father Biju Patnaik’s demise in 1997. His subsequent victory in the Lok Sabha by-election from Aska led to his ministerial role in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government and eventually to the formation of a coalition government in Odisha in 2000.

Despite a successful alliance with the BJP for nearly nine years, the partnership disintegrated prior to the 2009 elections amidst allegations of the BJP’s involvement in anti-Christian riots. The BJD’s sweeping victory in the 2009 polls solidified Naveen’s position as the unchallenged leader of Odisha.

However, the entry of V.K. Pandian into politics marked a turning point. His voluntary retirement from the IAS and subsequent involvement in the BJD in October 2023 raised concerns over his influence on the administration. Allegations of undue interference and decision-making on behalf of Naveen Patnaik cast a shadow over the BJD’s image.

The BJP capitalized on this growing discontent, with Modi addressing the issues of Naveen’s health and the question of political succession. Despite Naveen’s late clarification that Pandian was not his successor, the damage was done, and the election results have now set the stage for a new chapter in Odisha’s political narrative.

In the wake of the Lok Sabha election results, senior leaders of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are poised to convene on Wednesday. The meeting is expected to be a pivotal moment for discussing the formation of the new government.

The assembly will witness the presence of key political figures such as JD(U) leader and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, alongside Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu, who is anticipated to take office as the next Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh. Sources indicate that other prominent leaders from the BJP and its allied parties will also be in attendance.

The agenda is set to include a congratulatory session for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on the cusp of securing a historic third term. Discussions will also extend to the architecture of the incoming government, which is expected to diverge from its predecessors, potentially granting greater representation to the BJP’s allies.

Despite the NDA’s comfortable lead with numbers well above the majority threshold of 272 in the 543-seat Lok Sabha, the BJP finds itself below the magic number, a situation unseen since 2014. This development underscores the critical role of its allies in the formation of the government.

The TDP, JD(U), the Eknath Shinde-led faction of Shiv Sena from Maharashtra, and the Chirag Paswan-led LJP (Ram Vilas) have secured 16, 12, seven, and five seats respectively. Their collective contribution is set to be instrumental in the establishment of the new government, marking a significant shift in the political landscape.

The meeting is not only a testament to the democratic process but also a reflection of the collaborative spirit that underpins the NDA’s approach to governance. As the nation watches, the leaders will deliberate on the composition and character of a government that promises to usher in a new era of leadership and policy-making.

After defeating Maniktala in 2021, Sadhan Pande of the Trinamool Congress died in February 2022.

Via an election suit filed in the Calcutta High Court, rival BJP candidate Kalyan Chaubey had contested Pande's victory. The seat has not had representation because a bypoll could not be held due to the election petition.

Local voter Suvendu Dey petitioned the Supreme Court to order the EC to hold the by-election.

The Election Commission was granted one more chance by the court on May 18 to provide the Maniktala bypoll timetable.

The EC's attorney presented a report on the byelection timetable before the bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and K.V. Viswanathan when the issue was called for hearing on Monday. The EC informed the court that the model code of conduct in effect was the reason the report was in a sealed cover.

Judge Viswanathan continued, "The matter ought to be given a quietus in light of the schedule fixed by the EC."

As a result, the court dismissed the case, ruling that no more directives were necessary.

In order to provide warnings ahead of time, they have, on the one hand, started monitoring rainfall and surges in water levels around the clock.

On the other hand, because of the constant downpours, they have made steps to lessen the loss of life and property in the event of a flash flood. There has been a lot of rain in some parts of Sikkim and sub-Himalayan Bengal during the last several days.

A Supervisory Control & Data Acquisition (SCADA) room was opened by the irrigation department in Jalpaiguri on June 1. According to Krishnendu Bhowmik, the department's chief engineer for the northeast, it would collect data on rainfall and the rise in water levels of the Teesta and other rivers using automated rain gauge stations and satellite technology around the clock during the monsoon months.

He claims that thirty rain gauges of the Gangtok regional Met office, twenty-eight rain gauges of the Central Water Commission, and twelve rain gauges of the Bengal irrigation department—all of which are installed in various locations throughout the region—are used to gather data on rainfall and river levels in sub-Himalayan Bengal and Sikkim.

The official stated that there had been significant silt and debris deposits downstream as a result of the October of last year's Teesta flash flood, which was caused by South Lhonak Lake's eruption.

The river bed has elevated by 1.5 meters as a result. Flash floods are possible in the hills and plains near the Teesta catchment areas if it rains a lot. We are making every effort to obtain information ahead of time so that residents in low-lying regions and those closer to the banks may be relocated accordingly, according to Bhowmik.

Additionally, the department has chosen to send out primary (yellow) and secondary (red) notifications along the Teesta's two banks this year prior to the water level reaching the required level.

Given the expansion of the riverbed, it is obvious that the river would soon rise during the monsoon. As a result, Bhowmik said, the alarms would be sent out beforehand.

In order to minimize embankment breaches, the agency has been performing maintenance and repairs in the banks ahead of the monsoon season.

But in order to find a long-term solution, we must wait for the River Research Institute's study, which is being undertaken (located in Haringhata of Nadia). Plans for flood management may only then be created," the official stated.

Senior authorities from the Namchi and Pakyong districts in Sikkim, which are located in the southern sections of the Himalayan state, have been visiting various sites along the banks of the Teesta to assess the situation.

at order to evaluate the situation, joint inspections were carried out last week at Melli, Rangpo Mamring, Adarsh Gaon, Balutar, and a few other locations. A source stated, "It has been determined which areas are susceptible to damage and that prompt restoration work has to be done.

In order to stop floods, the state department of water resources has been instructed to put up Gabion baskets along riverbanks.

"Local authorities would barricade the spots with red ribbons to ensure that people do not venture into vulnerable areas." Additionally, the source stated that official directives have been issued to limit public access to locations along the Teesta River bank that may collapse due to rising water levels.

To protect workers, the forest department of Sikkim has made it mandatory for quarries to close after 5 p.m. as a precautionary measure.

According to a source, "the state department, central agencies, and the Met office regularly exchange information to act well in advance."

Reports of post-election violence started to come in from all throughout the state with just a few hours till the counting was supposed to start. Following Tuesday's counting, the Election Commission reportedly decided to maintain the presence of armed police forces in the state for a minimum of 15 more days due to the violence.

The state will host about 400 companies of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) until June 19, according to a Monday announcement from the EC. The main purpose of the central forces, according to an EC official, would be to prevent conflicts in sensitive locations.

Tension erupted in Sandeshkhali on Monday after a number of women, primarily BJP supporters, claimed that police had been abusing their power and torturing them at the behest of the Trinamool Congress leadership.

The ladies had taken to the streets, accusing crooks posing as police officers of nighttime crimes. On the island, prohibition orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been enforced in 17 gram panchayats, including Sarberia, which has turned into the most heated place since election day.

A police attempt to raid BJP leader Amay Bhunia's home in relation to violence before to the election caused tension. Conflict erupted when locals, mostly women, built a defense wall to stop the police from executing the raid.

"Police are creating tension to make passage for the goons," stated BJP leader Archana Majumdar, who organized the ladies to protest the alleged police crimes. Majumdar visited the island on Sunday.

On Sunday night, there was fighting between BJP and Trinamool supporters in the Bidhan Pally region of Chinsurah in the Hooghly district. The BJP claimed that its supporters had been beaten up by BJP members.

Allegedly, BJP supporters in the region assaulted the homes of Trinamool workers as payback. The situation was under control thanks to the cops.

Two sacks full of explosives were found in the Murshidabad district's Raninagar neighborhood on Monday.

Supporters of Trinamool were accused of severing the water pipelines leading to the residences of BJP members in Gosaba. The BJP said that thieves near Trinamool broke the water pipes at Hazaripara in Amtali gram panchayat, Gosaba, just after the election.

The claims have been denied by Trinamool.

On Sunday night, there were reports of attacks on ISF supporters by Trinamool supporters in Kultali. Trinamool supporters in Bhangar were allegedly beaten up by ISF activists.

Two Trinamool workers were beaten up by ISF supporters in Kashipur.

According to the ISF leadership, Trinamool had brought at least 100 criminals into the Kasipur region, sparking a fight during which a few explosives were also thrown. Five bikes have been confiscated by the police, and one ISF supporter has been detained.

Voters across the southern states of India have been ensconced in a period of prolonged anticipation as they await the results of the recent elections. The wait has been notably lengthy, with Tamil Nadu voters having cast their ballots as early as April 19, and those in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh having voted on May 13.

This extended wait time of up to 46 days is unprecedented for the southern states, which are accustomed to concluding their voting process earlier than the rest of the country. In the 2019 elections, for instance, results were declared on May 23, with Andhra Pradesh and Telangana voting on April 11 and Tamil Nadu on April 18.

Despite the tedium of the wait, political parties have capitalized on this interval in various ways. Key leaders from the BJP and Congress were redeployed to campaign in other states, such as Maharashtra. AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, a candidate from Alappuzha, was engaged in continuous party duties due to his role.

In Karnataka, a BJP functionary acknowledged the extended wait but highlighted the strategic use of this time for the MLC elections, particularly for the graduates and teachers’ constituencies in Bengaluru, scheduled for June 3, just a day before the Lok Sabha poll count.

The BJP has been strategizing to maintain its lead in the Legislative Council, while also pondering the impact of the 21-lakh additional women voters who participated in the Karnataka elections on April 26 and May 7.

The Congress party, buoyed by its women-centric policies such as free bus rides and financial support for poor women heads of families, hopes to sway the female electorate in its favor.

Political analyst Ande Satyam from Hyderabad rationalizes the delay, citing the logistical complexities of conducting elections in the world’s largest democracy. He notes that while the wait has been longer than usual, the process of moving security forces and counting ballots using EVMs is inherently time-consuming.

In Tamil Nadu, party workers have been vigilantly monitoring the EVM strongrooms via live CCTV feeds, ensuring the security of the votes until the counting day on June 4. Meanwhile, in Kerala, the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) has taken a proactive approach, utilizing the waiting period to clean and prepare over 3,000 government schools for the new academic year.

As the southern states stand on the cusp of learning the outcomes of their electoral choices, the atmosphere is one of cautious optimism and a collective hope for a smooth transition to the next phase of governance.

Odisha’s political landscape has been a theatre of intense electoral combat as the state concluded its four-phase polling on June 1. The electioneering period was marked by the vigorous campaigning of the three principal parties: the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress, and the Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spearheaded the BJP’s charge with a series of rallies and grand roadshows, including significant events at Puri and Bhubaneswar. In contrast, Chief Minister and BJD supremo Naveen Patnaik countered with his own robust campaign trail, punctuated by dual roadshows in the state capital alongside other rallies statewide.

For the first time, Odisha bore witness to a bitter contest between the BJD and BJP, a departure from the traditionally more subdued political engagements. The Prime Minister, abandoning earlier cordial references to Patnaik as a friend, launched a full-frontal offensive against the Chief Minister. Patnaik retorted by rallying the electorate against what he termed “political tourists,” who disparaged him and the state.

Amidst the escalating confrontation between Modi and Patnaik, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi entered the fray, directing his party’s artillery at both the BJD and BJP. The election period was not without its share of turmoil, with sporadic violence and at least two fatalities resulting from clashes between BJD and BJP affiliates.

The release of exit polls has only heightened the suspense, with projections suggesting a potential surge for the BJP in Odisha. This has stirred a mix of apprehension and defiance among the political ranks. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has hinted at a surprising outcome for the BJD, while Naveen Patnaik’s confidant, V.K. Pandian, remains steadfast in his conviction of the BJD’s continued dominance.

BJD’s Sambit Routray has confidently proclaimed a sweeping victory for the party, anticipating a win in 107 to 117 of the 147 assembly seats. The party also aspires to secure at least 13 Lok Sabha seats.

Conversely, Samir Mohanty, the former head of the state BJP unit, has expressed near-unanimous support for Prime Minister Modi’s leadership in Odisha, positioning the BJP as the emerging frontrunner in the state.

Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Biswa Ranjan Mohanty maintains an optimistic outlook for his party’s performance in the state.

Local media perspectives, such as those from Pragativadi editor Birupkashya Tripathy, caution against placing undue faith in exit polls, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of the “silent voters” and the multifaceted societal divisions that could sway the final outcome.

As the state awaits the official tally, the political narrative in Odisha is one of anticipation and the potential for seismic shifts in its governance landscape.

In a significant move, the Election Commission of India has established a fee structure for the verification of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), following a recent Supreme Court directive. Candidates who finish second or third in the elections and wish to challenge the results by verifying the EVMs will be required to pay Rs 47,200 per EVM set.

An EVM set comprises a Ballot Unit, Control Unit, and the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT). This decision comes in the wake of the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha elections, with the Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim assembly polls already concluded and the Andhra Pradesh and Odisha assembly elections underway.

The Supreme Court, addressing concerns about potential EVM tampering, deemed such suspicions as baseless and upheld the current electronic system over the paper ballot method on April 26. However, the court also provided a recourse for candidates placing second and third to request a microcontroller chip verification in five percent of EVMs per assembly constituency, subject to a fee payable to the Election Commission.

The fee, as per the manufacturers BEL and ECIL, is set at Rs 40,000 (plus 18 percent GST) for each EVM set’s “check and verification.” The Election Commission’s SOP outlines additional administrative costs, including labor, CCTV coverage, electricity, videography, and other operational expenses at the district election officer level.

In an effort to make the verification process more accessible, the Election Commission has decided to absorb these administrative costs as part of the election expenditure, which will be borne by the central or state government. Consequently, administrative charges will not be levied on the applicants.

For the fiscal year 2024-25, the total charges for EVM verification, inclusive of GST, amount to Rs 47,200, valid until March 31, 2025. The verification process will be limited to a maximum of 20 ballot units, 10 control units, and 10 VVPATs per candidate.

In cases where both eligible candidates opt for the EVM check, they may each select 2.5 percent of the control units, ballot units, and VVPATs for verification. Candidates must submit their application for EVM verification within seven days following the declaration of election results, as per the administrative SOP issued on June 1.

This development marks a critical step in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, providing transparency and a method for candidates to address their concerns regarding EVM operations.

In the wake of the final phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, Congress leader Ajay Maken has voiced significant concerns regarding a new rule that purportedly prevents candidates’ counting agents from being present at the Assistant Returning Officer (ARO) tables during the vote counting process. This development has stirred controversy and debate among political circles and the electorate alike.

Maken, a seasoned politician who has contested nine elections, expressed his apprehension on social platform X, stating, “Candidate’s Counting Agents’ at the ARO table are NOT being allowed for the first time!!! If true, this is bigger than the alleged EVM rigging! I am flagging this issue for all candidates! I hope @ECISVEEP rectifies it soon.” His post highlights the unprecedented nature of this rule change and its potential implications on the transparency of the vote counting process.

The issue came to light following the conclusion of the marathon seven-phase polling, which saw an approximate voter turnout of 62.36 percent. The Election Commission has since responded to Maken’s concerns, with Delhi’s chief electoral officer clarifying that counting agents are indeed permitted at the tables of RO/AROs.

As the nation anticipates the counting of votes scheduled for June 4, the political atmosphere is charged with predictions and counterclaims. Several exit polls have forecasted a sweeping victory for the BJP-led NDA, with projections of the party improving upon its 2019 tally of 303 Lok Sabha seats. In contrast, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has dismissed these predictions, confidently asserting on X that the opposition INDIA coalition will secure a minimum of 295 seats, thereby achieving a clear majority.

The BJP, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is campaigning for a third consecutive term. Meanwhile, the opposition INDIA bloc is determined to halt the ruling party’s momentum and seize power. With the election results just around the corner, all eyes are on the unfolding political drama that will shape the country’s governance for the next five years.

After the extensive six-week-long Lok Sabha elections of 2024, the nation’s attention turns to the exit polls, which have historically served as a barometer for the electoral mood. This year, the polls have been particularly noteworthy, with a unanimous prediction of a significant victory for the incumbent BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA).

According to twelve different exit polls, the NDA is expected to secure a commanding lead:

• India Today-Axis My India: 361-401 seats
• News 24-Today’s Chanakya: 400 seats
• ABP News-C Voter: 353-383 seats
• Republic Bharat- P Marq: 359 seats
• India News- D-Dyanamics: 371 seats
• Republic Bharat- Matrize: 353-368 seats
• Dainik Bhaskar: 281-350 seats
• News Nation: 342-378 seats
• TV 9 Bharatvarsh- Polstrat: 342 seats
• Times Now-ETG: 358 seats
• India TV- CNX: 362-392 seats
• Jan Ki Baat: 362-392 seats

The projections also suggest that the NDA will maintain its stronghold in Karnataka and Maharashtra, while the Left-led alliance may face a setback in Kerala. In West Bengal, the BJP is anticipated to outperform its previous tally of 22 seats, potentially becoming the largest party in terms of Lok Sabha seats from the state.

However, it is crucial to note that exit polls are not infallible and should be taken with a grain of caution.

At 73, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is widely expected to secure a third consecutive term in office. The opposition, led by the Congress party, has faced challenges due to electoral defeats and defections but remains a key player in the coalition known as INDIA, opposing the BJP.

Reflecting on the 2019 election results, the BJP achieved a solo victory with 303 seats, and the NDA coalition amassed a total of 352 seats. The Congress party managed to secure 52 seats, with the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) garnering 91.

This election cycle, the BJP has set an ambitious target of 370 seats for itself and, with the support of its allies, aims to surpass the 400-seat mark. With 543 seats in the Lower House of Parliament, the majority threshold stands at 272 seats.

The nation now eagerly awaits the official election results, set to be announced on Tuesday, which will determine the political landscape for the next five years.

Ratua-I, West Bengal – On May 22, 2024, the Supreme Knowledge Foundation made another significant stride in its mission to align academic pursuits with industry trends by conducting an expert session titled “Navigating the Silicon World: Exploring Contemporary Trends in the Semiconductor Industry and Crafting Your Career Path in VLSI.” The seminar featured Mr. Shaik Aleem Ur Rehaman from Microsoft, Bengaluru, who brought over a decade of experience in the Semiconductor and VLSI industry to the eager audience.

A Glimpse into Mr. Rehaman’s Expertise Mr. Rehaman’s distinguished career includes pivotal roles at renowned tech corporations such as AMD and Intel, where his work on AI chipsets and high-performance computing cores has been groundbreaking. At Microsoft, he continues to innovate, focusing on next-generation AI accelerators for GPTs and Azure platforms. His session provided a unique opportunity for students and faculty to gain insights from his extensive experience, which also includes contributions to Cypress Semiconductors and Boeing’s R&D team.

Inaugural Address and Session Highlights The event commenced with a ceremonial welcome for Mr. Rehaman, followed by an inaugural address from Prof (Dr) Dhrubasish Sarkar. Dr. Sarkar underscored the importance of VLSI technology and the institution’s vision to establish a Center of Excellence in this domain.

As Mr. Rehaman delved into the foundational concepts of semiconductor technology, he also navigated through the latest industry trends, captivating the audience comprising students and faculty from various departments, including ECE, EE, CSE, and IT.

Interactive Discussions and Career Guidance The two-hour session was not just a technical deep dive but also an avenue for practical career advice. Mr. Rehaman’s narrative served as an inspiration and a guide for students aspiring to enter the semiconductor industry. The interactive discussions that ensued with faculty and senior management created a collaborative atmosphere that enriched the learning experience.

Impact and Future Aspirations The seminar left an indelible mark on the attendees, providing them with a comprehensive understanding of the semiconductor industry’s dynamic nature. The Supreme Knowledge Foundation reaffirmed its commitment to bridging the academic-industry divide, preparing its community to excel in their future endeavors.

With such impactful sessions, the Supreme Knowledge Foundation continues to inspire and equip the next wave of innovators and leaders in the semiconductor and VLSI sectors, ensuring its community stays abreast of technological progress.

The Supreme Knowledge Foundation remains dedicated to fostering an environment where academia and industry converge, nurturing the minds that will shape the future of technology.

The sand art, which covers a 2,000 sq ft area, took around five hours to complete with the help of students from Pattnaik’s institute. Pattnaik explained that since it’s summer and mangoes are a favorite fruit during this season, they decided to incorporate mangoes into their sculpture to encourage electors to vote.

As polling continues for six parliamentary constituencies and 42 assembly segments in Odisha during the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections, Pattnaik’s creative and impactful sculpture serves as a reminder of the importance of participating in the democratic process.

According to reports, an attempt was made to establish that the high-end car was not driven by the minor. However, based on a complaint by the family driver of the juvenile, the Yerawada police have registered a separate offense against the teen’s grandfather and father. They have been booked under IPC sections 365 (kidnapping with intent secretly and wrongfully to confine a person) and 368 (wrongfully concealing or keeping in confinement).

The sequence of events suggests that after the car crash, the teen’s grandfather and father allegedly kept the driver’s phone with them and put him in confinement in his house on the premises of their bungalow from May 19 to May 20. The driver was eventually freed by his wife. Agarwal and his father are accused of threatening the driver and asking him to take the blame by claiming that he was at the wheel when the Porsche crashed into a motorcycle in the early hours of Sunday.

Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar clarified that the juvenile was indeed driving the car, and they had collected all necessary chronological evidence. The teenager is currently in an observation home until June 5. The parents of the two IT professionals who lost their lives in the accident have demanded that the Supreme Court monitor the probe and that the trial be held in their state, Madhya Pradesh.

In a post in Hindi on social media, Rahul Gandhi acknowledged that voters had rejected lies, hatred, and propaganda in the first five phases of voting. He highlighted key issues related to people’s lives, including:

• Recruitment for 30 lakh vacant government posts and the launch of a first job guarantee scheme offering Rs 1 lakh per year for youth.
• Rs 8,500 per month being credited to the accounts of women from poor families.
• Ensuring that farmers are debt-free and receive the right Minimum Support Price (MSP) for their crops.
• Providing daily wages of Rs 400 to laborers.

Gandhi emphasized that voting not only improves individual lives but also protects democracy and the Constitution. He encouraged everyone to participate in this great festival of democracy by casting their votes and contributing to the future of their families.

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will continue to operate its joy rides, but visitors won’t have access to other attractions. The affected locations include the Gorkha War Memorial at Batasia Loop, the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (commonly known as the zoo), Tiger Hill, and the Darjeeling Rangeet Valley Ropeway.

The decision was prompted by the need to facilitate smooth vote counting for the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat, which will take place at Darjeeling Government College. District Magistrate Ananya Das explained, “To avoid traffic congestion on that day, we have sent letters to the authorities of these tourist spots.”

The regional transport officer of Darjeeling also reached out to nine associations representing cab owners and drivers. The goal is to ensure that transporters can make necessary arrangements. Even cab associations based at the New Jalpaiguri railway station and Bagdogra airport, both common transit points for tourists, have been informed.

However, this decision has created challenges for stakeholders in the tourism industry. Debasis Chakraborty, the general secretary of the Eastern Himalaya Travel & Tour Operators Association, expressed concern. “Several tourists have already booked trips and are scheduled to arrive in Darjeeling during the first week of June,” he said. “We’ll need to revise their itineraries due to the closures.”

As the election day approaches, tourists and local businesses alike will need to adapt to these restrictions. While Chowrasta, the popular promenade, remains accessible, other iconic spots will remain off-limits for a day to ensure the smooth functioning of the democratic process.

New Town, West Bengal, India – A thought-provoking street-corner meeting took place on Sunday under the banner of “Save Democracy in New Town.” Unlike traditional political rallies, this gathering featured no party flags, and the speakers refrained from soliciting votes for any candidate. However, their shared ideology was unmistakable: they were Leftists.

The Purpose

The primary objective of this meeting was to jog the memories of New Town residents regarding a critical event that occurred on July 8. On that fateful day, a significant portion of the population was denied their fundamental right to vote during the panchayat election. Outsiders had erected barricades, effectively blocking all roads leading to the polling booth.

Advocacy Through Pamphlets

Passersby received pamphlets that highlighted an ongoing legal battle. A leftist group had filed a case in the high court against individuals associated with the vote boycott call. These pamphlets served as a reminder of the struggle for democratic rights and the importance of active participation in the electoral process.

Communal Harmony Play

As part of the meeting, a poignant play unfolded—one centered around communal harmony. Former neighbors from different faiths reminisced about life across the border and reflected on the changes they had witnessed after crossing over. The performance aimed to emphasize unity and understanding, even in the face of adversity.

Ambikesh Mahapatra’s Address

Among the speakers, Ambikesh Mahapatra—a chemistry professor at Jadavpur University—stood out. He recounted the challenges he endured over a decade ago when he forwarded an allegedly derogatory cartoon featuring Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. His resilience and commitment to democratic values resonated with the audience.

As New Town grapples with its democratic rights, this street-corner meeting serves as a powerful reminder that active citizenry remains essential for safeguarding democracy.

Thane, Maharashtra, India – The death toll from the devastating chemical factory blast in Thane district, Maharashtra, has risen to nine. The tragic incident occurred at the Amudan Chemicals unit, located in Phase 2 of Dombivli MIDC. Authorities are working tirelessly to clear the debris and assess the full extent of the damage.

The Incident

On Thursday afternoon, a boiler exploded at the factory, triggering a massive blast and subsequent fire. The impact was felt not only within the factory premises but also in adjacent areas, affecting nearby factories and residential buildings. The acrid smell of burnt chemicals now permeates the air.

Casualties and Injuries

64 people, including several women who worked in nearby factories, sustained injuries. They are currently receiving treatment at six different hospitals, with AIMS Hospital in Dombivli caring for two dozen patients. Unfortunately, the death toll is expected to rise further as authorities suspect more bodies may be buried under the debris.

Emergency Response

Ten fire engines were deployed to control the blaze, and firefighting efforts continued until late into the night. Kailas Nikam, from the Disaster Management Cell of Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC), confirmed that cooling operations are now underway.

Legal Action

The factory owners are facing serious charges. The Manpada police in Dombivli have registered a case of culpable homicide against them under Indian Penal Code section 304A. Additionally, sections related to explosive substances and hazardous chemicals are being invoked.

Identification Challenges

Tehsildar Sachin Shejal revealed that the bodies of the deceased were charred beyond recognition. They have been sent to government hospitals for post-mortem. Meanwhile, a senior official from the Thane police commissionerate has formed multiple teams to investigate the incident. Government officials responsible for granting permissions and conducting inspections will also be scrutinized.

Chemical Composition

The ill-fated factory primarily produced food colors and utilized peroxides – highly reactive and unstable chemicals. Under certain conditions, these substances can cause violent explosions, as tragically demonstrated in this incident.

Impact on the Community

The blast was so powerful that it was heard up to a kilometer away. Glass windows in nearby buildings shattered, and many houses in the vicinity suffered damage.

As the community grapples with this tragedy, authorities are committed to ensuring a thorough investigation and holding those responsible accountable. Our thoughts are with the victims’ families during this difficult time.

By [Assistant Name]

As the third phase of polling for the Odisha Assembly and Lok Sabha elections approaches, BJP stalwarts have escalated their criticism of the Naveen Patnaik-led government. Prominent leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, and BJP National President J.P. Nadda, have rallied to urge voters to choose a “double-engine government” in Odisha—one that promises accelerated development and freedom from bureaucratic dominance.

Targeting Bureaucracy and “Officer Raj”

The BJP’s attack centers on the alleged influence of bureaucrats in running the state government. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan questioned why Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who leads a regional party, cannot find capable legislators or MPs within the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) to lead the state. Pradhan emphasized that the bureaucracy’s control was detrimental to Odia identity and pride.

The Puri Jagannath Temple Issue

The BJP leaders also directed their criticism toward V.K. Pandian, Naveen Patnaik’s close aide and chief strategist. They raised concerns about the Puri Shree Jagannath Temple, recognizing its emotional significance to Odias. Yogi Adityanath, addressing rallies in Chilika and Kendrapara, highlighted the need to combat the “Babu Raj” in Odisha, emphasizing that administrative officials should not wield excessive power.

Corruption, Mafia Raj, and Dictatorship

Yogi Adityanath warned that when bureaucrats dominate a parliamentary democracy, it leads to corruption, mafia influence, and dictatorship. He advocated for a “double-engine government” to take decisive action against land, sand, forest, and cattle mafias in Odisha. Additionally, he criticized the Naveen government for excluding Odisha from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and raised concerns about the missing keys to the Puri Jagannath temple’s treasure trove.

Assam Chief Minister’s Allegations

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused Naveen Patnaik of being in a “hostage situation.” He claimed that Pandian’s constant presence prevented the Odisha CM from meeting others independently. Sarma suggested that the High Court should assess whether Naveen Patnaik was content or held hostage. He further predicted the collapse of the BJD after the election.

BJP’s Vision for Odisha

BJP National President J.P. Nadda expressed confidence that the people of Odisha would vote for change. He praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s focus on development, contrasting it with past divisive politics. Nadda urged voters to give Naveen Patnaik “rest” and support the BJP.

Revenge at the Polls

In response, V.K. Pandian warned that voters would not forgive leaders who insulted Naveen Patnaik. He hinted at retaliation during the voting process.

On May 25, Odisha will witness polling for six Lok Sabha seats (Sambalpur, Keonjhar, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Puri, and Bhubaneswar) and 42 Assembly seats. Nearly 98.48 lakh voters will exercise their right to vote.

pThe district administration in Kerala has confirmed an outbreak of avian flu (H5N1) at the government-run regional poultry farm in Manarcad. The situation has prompted immediate measures to contain the spread and protect public health.

Euthanization and Cremation

In response to the outbreak, authorities have made the difficult decision to euthanize and cremate all domesticated and pet birds within a one-kilometer radius of the affected poultry farm. This step aims to prevent further transmission of the virus.

Surveillance Zone and Disinfection

The district administration has declared a surveillance zone extending from 1 to 10 kilometers around the poultry farm. Within this area, strict disinfection protocols will be implemented to curb the spread of the disease.

Ban on Poultry Products

To prevent the potential spread of avian flu, a ban has been imposed on the sale and import of poultry products—including chicken, duck, quails, and other birds—in Kottayam district.

Inter-Departmental Response

An inter-departmental meeting convened at the Collectorate addressed the situation promptly. District Collector V Vigneshwari confirmed the avian flu outbreak at the poultry farm, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Animal Husbandry department.

Impact on Poultry Farm

The affected poultry farm in Manarcad had approximately nine thousand chickens. The outbreak was confirmed by the National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases lab in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, after testing samples from the chickens that had succumbed to the disease.

Vigilance and Precautions

As authorities work to contain the outbreak, vigilance and adherence to safety protocols are crucial. The community’s cooperation is essential in preventing further spread and safeguarding both human and animal health.

The death toll from the chemical factory blast in Maharashtra’s Thane district has tragically risen to nine, following the discovery of another body at the accident site. The incident occurred at the Amudan Chemicals unit, located in Phase 2 of Dombivli MIDC.

Culpable Homicide Case Registered

Authorities have taken swift action by registering a case of culpable homicide against the owners of Amudan Chemicals. The devastating explosion has left the community in shock, and investigations are underway to determine the cause and responsibility.

Injuries and Treatment

Sixty-four people, including several women who worked in nearby factories, sustained injuries during the incident. They are currently receiving treatment at six different hospitals. AIMS Hospital in Dombivli is attending to two dozen patients.

Impact and Emergency Response

The boiler explosion on Thursday afternoon had a significant impact, affecting adjacent factories and residential buildings. Ten fire engines were deployed to control the resulting blaze, with firefighting efforts continuing until late in the evening. Cooling operations are now in progress.

Acrid Smell and Assessment

The area surrounding the factory is permeated with the acrid smell of burnt chemicals. Authorities will conduct a thorough assessment (known as “panchnama”) to evaluate the extent of damage and determine the next steps.

Post-Mortem and Investigation

The bodies of the deceased have been sent to government hospitals for post-mortem examination. Unfortunately, due to the severity of burns, identification has become challenging. A dedicated team of police investigators is probing the case, including scrutiny of government officials responsible for granting permissions and conducting inspections.

Chemical Composition and Explosive Nature

The chemical factory primarily produced food colors and utilized peroxides—highly reactive and unstable chemicals that can lead to violent explosions under specific conditions. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) highlighted the hazardous nature of these substances.

Impact Radius and Structural Damage

The blast was so powerful that it was heard up to a kilometer away. Adjoining buildings suffered cracked glass windows, and many houses in the vicinity sustained damage.

As the community mourns the loss of lives, authorities are committed to uncovering the truth behind this tragic incident and ensuring accountability.

The West Bengal state education department has taken a proactive step to address the shortage of teachers in state-aided schools across Bengal. To mitigate the paucity of teachers at the higher secondary level (Classes XI and XII), the department has decided to engage retired teachers.

Addressing the Teacher Shortage

Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, the president of the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE), emphasized the importance of ensuring that students do not face difficulties in their studies due to a lack of teachers. As a result, the department will enlist retired teachers to teach higher secondary classes as needed by each school.

Introduction of Semester System

Starting from this academic year, the WBCHSE, which conducts higher secondary exams in science, commerce, and humanities streams, will introduce a semester system. Classes XI and XII will have two semesters each, and the syllabi across all three streams have been rearranged to familiarize students with the new system.

Teacher Training and Workshops

To prepare teachers for the new semester system, the state education department is organizing workshops in districts. These workshops aim to provide teachers with a clear understanding of the changes and expectations related to the revised curriculum.

Challenges Faced

While addressing the shortage of teachers, senior officials from the education department acknowledged that teacher recruitment has stalled due to various issues. Additionally, several teachers who previously taught higher secondary students have retired in recent years.

The Situation in Siliguri

In Siliguri, an educational district within the Darjeeling district, most of the 67 higher secondary schools face a severe shortage of subject-specific teachers. For instance, there is typically only one teacher per subject in these schools. With around 350 teachers responsible for teaching Classes XI and XII, the student population in Siliguri subdivision schools totals approximately 16,750 across all three streams.

Bringing in Retired Teachers

Given the urgency of the situation, the department’s quick solution involves engaging retired teachers. Schools will be asked to identify and trace retired teachers, appoint them based on need, and provide them with an honorarium.

As the new semester system takes effect, the collaboration between active and retired teachers aims to ensure a smooth educational experience for higher secondary students in West Bengal.

Resource Constraints and Grassroots Strength

Panigrahi acknowledged that the CPM lacks the financial resources to run a high-tech campaign like the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), both of which are spending crores of rupees on their campaigns. However, the CPM’s strength lies in its dedicated cadres. Despite the financial limitations, they have set a target of ₹20 lakh for the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat and have already mobilized ₹15 lakh.

Election Expenditure and Ideological Message

The Election Commission stipulates expenditure limits for candidates contesting Lok Sabha and Assembly seats. While the limit is ₹90 lakh for Lok Sabha seats and ₹70 lakh for Assembly seats, the left parties allege that candidates from ruling and principal opposition parties often exceed these limits significantly.

Panigrahi clarified that the CPM has not received any money through electoral bonds. Instead, well-wishers and sympathizers are contributing via Google Pay. He emphasized that their objective is not just to win the election but also to strengthen their network and disseminate the party’s ideology.

Historical Context and Door-to-Door Campaign

The last time the CPM won the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat was in 1991 when Sivaji Patnaik was elected. Patnaik had previously represented the seat in 1977, 1989, and 1991. In the 2019 elections, the CPM secured only 23,000 votes and forfeited its deposit. However, Panigrahi believes that the number of votes is not the sole measure of success; it is also about conveying the Left’s ideology to voters.

Due to financial constraints, the CPM has opted for a door-to-door campaign. They are also organizing motorcycle rallies and distributing one lakh leaflets and postcards to highlight their manifesto.

Issues Raised and Assembly Seats Contested

Panigrahi highlighted the threat to the livelihood of common people and the relentless attacks on democracy’s four pillars—judiciary, legislature, executive, and media—by the saffron party. The Modi-led government’s actions are concerning, and the BJD’s unwavering support needs to be exposed.

Apart from the Bhubaneswar Lok Sabha seat, the CPM is contesting seven Assembly seats in Odisha. Currently, the party has only one MLA in the Odisha Assembly, with Laxman Munda seeking re-election from the Bonai Assembly seat in Sundergarh district. Other Assembly seats where the CPM is contesting include Nilagiri (Balasore district), Ranpur (Nayagarh), Khurda (Khurda district), Salepur (Cuttack), Morada (Mayurbhanj), and Chitrakonda (Malkangiri district).

The CPM’s commitment to its ideology and grassroots efforts remains steadfast, even in the face of financial challenges. As the election season unfolds, their message resonates with voters who seek an alternative to mainstream politics.

Background

Since February 13, when their ‘Delhi Chalo’ march was halted by security forces, farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points. These locations have become symbolic battlegrounds for their struggle against the central government’s policies.

Gathering at Border Points

Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher confirmed that farmers from various regions, including Shambhu, Khanauri, and Dabwali, have congregated at the border points. Despite facing obstacles, they remain steadfast in their commitment to press the government for their rights.

Accusations and Challenges

Pandher accused the BJP-led central government of preventing them from advancing toward Delhi to continue their protests. The deployment of heavy police forces at the Punjab-Haryana border points has further intensified tensions. The farmers’ frustration is palpable as they seek answers from Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to Patiala.

Political Context

With polling for 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab scheduled for June 1, BJP candidates are encountering farmer-led protests during their campaign. Farmers express their dissent by questioning BJP leaders and displaying black flags—a visible sign of their dissatisfaction.

Demands and Determination

Farmers, representing various farm outfits, remain resolute in their demands. They insist on a legal framework that guarantees MSP for crops. Their frustration over not being allowed to proceed to Delhi has led them to establish makeshift camps at Shambhu and Khanauri border points.

Spearheading the Movement

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha are at the forefront of the ‘Delhi Chalo’ march. Their collective voice echoes across the fields, urging the government to prioritize the welfare of farmers and secure their livelihoods through MSP.

As the protest enters its 100th day, the farmers’ resolve remains unshaken. Their unity and determination serve as a powerful reminder that the fight for farmers’ rights transcends political boundaries and party affiliations. The demand for a legal guarantee of MSP resonates not only in Punjab but across the nation.

NEW DELHI - The Supreme Court on Wednesday dismissed the plea of former Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren, who challenged his arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), accusing him of “misleading” the court.

The apex court, headed by Justice Dipankar Datta, stated that Soren had failed to disclose that a special court had already taken cognisance of the complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and that his bail plea had been dismissed on May 13. “We expected some candour from your client. He should have said that he had already applied for bail. You were pursuing parallel remedies. Your conduct leaves a lot to be desired,” Justice Datta told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who represented Soren.

Soren was arrested on January 31 and had sought bail on par with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who was released on May 13 on interim bail by the apex court to enable him to campaign for the Lok Sabha polls with the condition that he should surrender by June 1.

The ED opposed Soren’s plea, arguing that unlike Kejriwal, he was arrested prior to the Model Code of Conduct coming into force and hence not entitled to any relief on parity with the Delhi Chief Minister.

The bench, which also included Justice Satish Chandra Sharma, expressed disappointment that Soren had failed to disclose the fact that the trial court had on April 4 taken cognisance of the complaint filed by the ED and that his bail plea stood dismissed on May 13 by the same court. Technically, Soren should have approached the Jharkhand High Court, but he had filed the special leave petition challenging his arrest on the ground that the action was illegal and violated his fundamental right to life and liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution.

“This is not the way you (Soren) come before the court without disclosing material facts. There is not a whisper about the April 4 cognisance,” Justice Datta remarked while referring to the appeal filed by Soren in the top court.

“We can simpliciter dismiss your SLP without commenting on the merits. But if you argue on points of law, we will have to deal with it and then that could be damaging for you,” the bench cautioned Sibal.

“We are not asking for bail, we are asking for release. The fault is mine, not the client’s, our intention was never to mislead the court,” the senior counsel submitted, but the bench was not convinced.

“Water supply to Delhi is continuing as per the agreement and nobody can stop it,” Saini told reporters in Karnal. He was responding to allegations made by Atishi, who holds the water portfolio in the Delhi government.

At a press conference earlier in the day, Atishi claimed that the BJP has been hatching conspiracies to target AAP ever since the Lok Sabha polls were announced. She alleged that the BJP, through their Haryana government, has stopped the supply of Yamuna water to Delhi.

“Within five days of the announcement of Lok Sabha polls, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was arrested so that the AAP could not campaign in the polls. After he came out on interim bail, they used the party’s Rajya Sabha MP Swati Maliwal to frame him but even that plan did not work. Then they raked up the old issue of foreign funding to the party,” she alleged.

In response to Atishi’s allegations, Saini claimed that the AAP “wants to divert people’s attention because they have no issues to raise; they speak only lies and indulge in corruption.” He further alleged that Kejriwal did not fulfil the promises he made to the people of Delhi.

Saini expressed confidence that the BJP would win all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana as well as the Karnal assembly bypoll that he is contesting.

He also attacked the Congress, alleging that the party only made announcements but did little work. “As a result, people have lost faith in them,” Saini said, adding that the Congress is crumbling and one doesn’t know when it will collapse.

Shaw, who voted in the 2014 elections, was unable to cast her vote in 2019 due to an error that led to the deletion of her name from the electoral roll. When asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promise of ‘acche din’ (good days), she responded, “To me or anybody that matters to me, no.”

She elaborated that her life has barely improved, and she credits any benefits received from the government — from Lakshmir Bhandar to Kanyashree — to Mamata Banerjee’s state government. She expressed that decisions such as demonetisation and the ill-planned lockdown at the start of the pandemic caused many problems for her and others in her community.

Shaw noted a significant change since 2014, stating, “Way too many people I know talk about religion now, in daily life. There is, sadly, a startling rise in bigotry and Islamophobia, which we never experienced growing up.”

Looking forward, Shaw hopes for an improvement in purchasing power. She pointed out that while prices continue to rise, interests keep falling, and the value of money decreases with each passing day.

From the new government, Shaw hopes for more opportunities for her daughter, who aspires to pursue higher studies and have a flourishing career as an independent woman. She also hopes for more financial assistance under various schemes.

However, Shaw also expressed her concerns. She doesn’t want the new government to prioritize religion or inconsequential issues such as the citizenship matrix in politics and governance. Instead, she hopes for adequate importance to be given to welfare, infrastructure, and reduction of inequality.

Shaw’s voice echoes the sentiments of many Indians who are looking for tangible improvements in their lives and a government that prioritizes welfare and development over divisive politics.

Kerala - The Kerala High Court has quashed the attempt-to-murder charges against state Congress president K. Sudhakaran, who was accused of plotting to kill CPM leader E.P. Jayarajan in 1995.

The court discharged Sudhakaran and another accused, Rajeevan, on the grounds that the allegations of criminal conspiracy in the attempt to kill Jayarajan and possibly other CPM leaders were registered in Andhra Pradesh, where the incident took place. Hence, an FIR in Kerala cannot be justified.

Sudhakaran and Rajeevan had filed a criminal revision petition challenging the 2016 order passed by a sessions judge who had rejected their plea to be discharged from the case.

The incident that led to the case dates back to April 12, 1995, when Jayarajan, who was returning to Kerala by train, was shot at and grievously injured while at Chirala in Andhra Pradesh. Two assailants were arrested and put on trial in Andhra Pradesh. However, neither Sudhakaran nor his supporter Rajeevan were chargesheeted by the Andhra Pradesh police.

A second FIR was filed in 1997 in Thiruvananthapuram based on Jayarajan’s complaint alleging that Sudhakaran and Rajeevan had met at the Thycaud Guest House in the state capital to plot the murder of several CPM leaders, including himself.

Reacting to the court’s decision, Sudhakaran told reporters, “This is a big blow to the CPM and the BJP and their attempts to label me as a criminal and murderer. Poor EP (Jayarajan).”

Jayarajan, who is the convener of the Left Democratic Front, said he would file an appeal in the Supreme Court. “I will file an appeal in the Supreme Court,” he told reporters.

New Delhi - The Congress party has consciously decided to contest fewer seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. This strategic move is aimed at keeping the INDIA bloc united and defeating the BJP, according to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

In an interview with PTI, Kharge clarified that this decision does not reflect any “under-confidence” on the part of the party. Instead, it’s a “compromise struck to ensure victory of the united opposition while giving space to other parties which have strengths in different parts of the country.”

Kharge also praised Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, terming her an “asset” and a star campaigner. He justified her decision not to contest the elections.

When asked which seat Rahul Gandhi should vacate, in case he wins both Wayanad and Rae Bareli, Kharge said it is Gandhi’s personal choice.

The Congress is contesting 328 seats, its lowest-ever, leaving more than 200 seats for the other opposition parties in the INDIA bloc. Kharge explained, “We have taken a conscious decision to contest on a lesser number of seats. This is being done to keep the alliance partners together and that’s why we have made this compromise.”

Despite alliance partners fighting against each other in states like Kerala, Bengal, and Punjab, Kharge asserted, “There is no disunity in fighting against the central government. In states, we are fighting as both INDIA parties are key in some states, otherwise it will benefit the BJP.”

Kharge also addressed the differing assessments of NDA numbers by opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, and Arvind Kejriwal. He stated, “Every leader has a different assessment. But, as I have said, the numbers required for stopping the BJP from coming to power, we in the INDIA alliance have those numbers and we will stop the BJP from assuming power.”

Kharge did not give a definite reply on SP’s Akhilesh Yadav’s statement that there is no need for ED, CBI and they should be banned. He said, “If our government comes, we will review all the laws. Whatever that is being done to harass people, we will oppose it.”

He also questioned why the opposition leaders were being put behind bars ahead of the elections. “Why did they not arrest them earlier when they were in power for the last 10 years? Elections are going on and here leaders are being threatened and harassed and put behind bars, not leaving them even to campaign.”

Kharge justified Priyanka Gandhi not contesting the election, saying it was a decision taken by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and her. “She (Priyanka) is also our star campaigner, along with Rahul Gandhi, as Sonia Gandhi ji is not keeping very good health. They are in demand and thousands come to listen to them.”

The Congress president accused the BJP of “suppressing democracy and opposing the Constitution” and said this is the reason why this election is very significant for everyone - from children to the old, and from print media to television and even social media users.

New Delhi - Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for their comments against him and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi at rallies in Delhi on Monday.

Kejriwal, in a fiery rebuttal to Shah’s remarks, questioned the Home Minister’s insinuations about the loyalties of the people of Delhi, Punjab, and Gujarat. "I want to ask him that the people of Delhi have formed the government by giving us 62 seats, 56 per cent vote share, are the people of Delhi Pakistanis? The people of Punjab have formed the government by giving us 92 out of 117 seats, are the people of Punjab Pakistanis? The people of Gujarat gave us 14 per cent votes, are the people of Gujarat also Pakistanis?” Kejriwal asked.

The Delhi CM further added, “Modiji has chosen you as his successor, but the public will elect an INDIA bloc government on June 4. So control your ego a little…. Your enmity is with me, you can abuse me. But if you abuse the people of the country, then no one is going to tolerate it.”

Shah was quoted by PTI in South Delhi on Monday saying, “Kejriwal and Rahul have no support in India, their supporters are in Pakistan.”

Kejriwal also had a word of advice for Adityanath. “I want to politely tell him that your real enemies are in your party. After the elections, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have made a plan to remove you from the post of chief minister, you deal with them.”

The war of words between the political leaders continues to escalate as the nation gears up for the upcoming elections.

Sandeshkhali, West Bengal - A worker of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has been detained on charges of allegedly molesting a minor girl in the Sandeshkhali area of West Bengal, according to local police.

The complaint, lodged by the girl’s mother, states that the accused somehow managed to enter their house on Friday night and molested the minor. The girl, a Class-8 student, was able to escape and raise an alarm, alerting family members and neighbours.

The Sandeshkhali area, located on the borders of the Sundarbans and about 100 km from Calcutta, has been a hotspot of tension. In February, the region witnessed protests over allegations of sexual abuse and land grab against a now-arrested TMC leader, Shajahan Sheikh, and his supporters.

An officer from the Basirhat Police District confirmed that the accused, believed to be around 20 years old, is currently being questioned in connection with the incident.

A medical examination has been conducted on the girl, and the report is awaited. The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, highlighting the need for increased vigilance and stricter law enforcement.

West Bengal, India - In a veiled reference to West Bengal Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo Mamata Banerjee, state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury has stated that he cannot support someone who seeks to politically undermine him and his party.

Chowdhury’s comments come in the wake of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s assertion that it is not Chowdhury’s place to decide whether Banerjee would be part of the INDIA bloc, should the anti-BJP alliance come to power after the Lok Sabha polls.

Responding to Kharge’s statement, Chowdhury, who is seeking re-election from Baharampur on a Congress ticket, said, “I cannot speak in favour of someone who wants to finish me politically and our party in Bengal. This is a battle for every Congress worker. I have spoken on their behalf.”

Chowdhury clarified that his opposition to Banerjee is based on principle, not personal interest. He stated, “There is no personal grudge but I question her political ethics."

When asked about Banerjee’s comment that she will support the INDIA bloc government from the outside and Chowdhury’s remark that the Bengal CM cannot be trusted and she might go with the BJP, Kharge told reporters, “Mamata Banerjee is with the alliance. She has recently said that she will join the government. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury will not take the decision. The decision will be taken by me and the high command those who don’t agree will go out.”

Chowdhury also alleged that Banerjee had “taken Maoists’ help to discredit the Left in Purulia, Bankura and Jhargram and then abandoned them.”

He added, “I don’t want the state Congress to be used for her personal agenda and then finish the organisation. If Kharge ji speaks against my views, I will continue to speak for Congressmen at the grassroots in the state.”

The TMC is contesting the Lok Sabha elections alone in the state, while the Congress and the Left are jointly fighting.

Darjeeling, India - The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced the introduction of two additional joy ride services of toy trains in Darjeeling, starting from Saturday. This decision comes in response to the steady influx of summer tourists to the scenic hills of Darjeeling.

The joy rides between Darjeeling and Ghum railway stations are a popular attraction for tourists. These rides are facilitated by the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a century-old mountain railway that has been recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO.

Sabyasachi De, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NFR, stated, “We have introduced two special joy rides to be hauled by diesel locos, from today (Saturday). As of now, it has been decided to continue these two joy ride services till June 30.”

Typically, eight joy rides operate daily between Darjeeling and Ghum, which are 14km apart. The new services will add to this schedule. The first additional joy ride train will depart from Darjeeling at 11.25am and reach Ghum at 12.10pm. It will then leave Ghum at 12.30pm and return to Darjeeling by 1pm.

The second service will leave Darjeeling at 1.25pm, arrive at Ghum at 2.10pm, and then depart Ghum at 2.35pm to return to Darjeeling by 3.05pm.

Each of these joy rides will feature three first-class chair car coaches, allowing a total of 89 passengers to travel on each train.

This initiative by the NFR is expected to enhance the tourist experience in Darjeeling, offering more opportunities for visitors to enjoy the picturesque journey between Darjeeling and Ghum.

North Dinajpur, West Bengal - A tragic accident involving a North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus claimed the lives of two passengers and left at least 20 injured on Saturday morning in North Dinajpur district.

The bus was en route to Siliguri from Calcutta when the driver lost control on NH27 at Manora, an area under the jurisdiction of Chakulia police station. The bus turned on its side, causing significant injuries to the passengers on board.

Local residents rushed to the scene to assist the passengers in exiting the bus. A team from the Kanki police outpost also arrived promptly to aid in the rescue efforts.

The deceased have been identified as Rita Biswas, 52, and Indrani Roy, 70, both residents of Calcutta. Their loss has left their families and the local community in mourning.

According to police sources, at least 20 passengers sustained injuries in the accident, with four of them in critical condition. The critically injured passengers were initially rushed to Kishanganj Medical College & Hospital in Bihar. They were later shifted to North Bengal Medical College & Hospital in Siliguri for further treatment.

Several other injured passengers received treatment at a local health centre, helping to alleviate the strain on the larger hospitals.

The police have seized the vehicle involved in the accident and have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident. As the community comes to terms with this tragic event, the focus now turns to ensuring the swift recovery of the injured and preventing such accidents in the future.

Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh - Arun Pandey, a 32-year-old businessman from Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, has been making strides in his business despite the challenges he has faced. His store, located on Rampath in Ayodhya, falls under the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat.

Pandey’s business, which primarily dealt with mobile phone accessories, was not doing well initially. However, in 2023, he made a strategic decision to diversify his offerings. He bought a refrigerator for his store and started stocking cold drinks and bottles of water for sale. Recently, he has also started selling photos and replicas of the new Ram temple, tapping into the religious sentiments of the local population.

Pandey’s efforts have paid off. He now earns about 80 per cent more than what he did in 2019. His personal life has also seen improvements. He bought a motorcycle two years ago, a significant upgrade from 2019.

The neighbourhood too has seen positive changes. The road in front of his house, which was once dilapidated, was widened and repaired last year. The area now enjoys 24-hour electricity, a marked improvement from the past.

Pandey’s daughter attends a private school in Ayodhya, reflecting his commitment to providing quality education for his child.

However, Pandey’s journey has not been without its challenges. He admits to encountering more corruption in his daily life, a reality he feels is hard to escape for those wanting to move forward and do business. He believes that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing a good job, more needs to be done to eradicate corruption.

Pandey’s story is a testament to the spirit of resilience and adaptation. Despite the challenges, he continues to innovate and adapt, ensuring his business thrives while also contributing to the local economy.

Kashmir - Amid the towering peaks and verdant valleys of Kashmir, a melody often wafts through the air, emanating from the numerous mosques and shrines that dot the landscape. This is the sound of Durood, devotional tracts set to traditional tunes and collectively hummed. Despite disapproval from conservative Islam, this social and spiritual custom remains an integral part of Kashmiri culture.

However, if one listens closely, beneath the harmonious hum, there lies a poignant undercurrent of sorrow. Individuals and groups gather in corners, hugging posts, ceaselessly crying and murmuring prayers. Their cries, sometimes escalating into desperate wails, punctuate the daily humdrum of Kashmir.

Above the mundane, there floats a pensive, unassuaged air so insistent it makes prayer sound like a dirge. By twilight, it rises from the houses of God, becoming a sullen shroud that defies cameras as well as banishment. The numbers of the dead and the vanished are too high to count, and the people refuse to forget. Each evening, crying resumes beneath the portals of mosques and shrines, rising to the skies like a shroud in flight. No place has cried so uninterrupted as Kashmir, where crying has become its song.

One such place of solace is the ziyarat (shrine) of Baba Reshi, nestled among the lofty pines above Tangmarg in north Kashmir. Here, under an ornate canopy, lie the remains of the revered Sufi saint, Payamuddin Sheikh, a provider of benevolent shelter and solace. People arrive in unceasing droves, seeking benediction, quite indifferent to the sporadic tableaux of electioneering.

The Baramulla Lok Sabha contest has turned keener than most. In the fray are a former chief minister (Omar Abdullah), a former separatist (Sajad Lone), and a forever rebel (Engineer Rashid), who has come from behind to spice up the campaign. Engineer Rashid, a former MLA, is also behind bars, lodged in Tihar for the last five years on terror funding charges. His son Abrar is leading the “jail ka badla vote se lenge” charge with energy that has riveted the attention of both the Omar and Sajad camps.

Yet, even in a vale so tiny, it is possible to reach locations untouched and unbothered with the clamour of elections. The tourism industry doesn’t mark out routes to them, the guides will never take you there, the state stays mostly away and averse, the politicians barely even remember. Barely even at the time they require this realm most, at election time.

“Hamara siyasat se matlab nahin, siyasat ka hamse nahin (we have nothing to do with politics, politics have nothing to do with us),” says Basheer Khan, a cloth merchant in the one-lane bazaar of Kamblinar. His aversion to the vote is just that: aversion. Quite simply about not giving anything to politics because it gives nothing to you.

We had arrived in Kamblinar quite by accident. We had climbed up the arrow road from Srinagar to the Tangmarg shrine, rounded the hill and humped over Gulmarg, and plunged down the back of the forests. Quite suddenly, the clamour of tourist Kashmir had faded and an ante-dated Kashmir had taken over. There was barely a dwelling to be seen that wasn’t ramshackle, barely a field that wasn’t being worked with bare human hands. The air was scented with the voluptuous foliage of spring, and doves darted about, beating the silence with their wings. The road had vanished and rubble had taken over. From somewhere, needling the azure sky, rose a muezzin’s call to prayer.

Pune, Maharashtra - A horse was injured and several vehicles were damaged when a hoarding collapsed due to strong winds in Pune city, Maharashtra, according to local police.

The billboard fell to the ground between 5 pm and 6 pm on Saturday, outside a wedding hall near the Kavdi Pat toll booth on the Pune-Solapur Highway. The incident was confirmed by an official at the scene.

This event follows a similar incident in Mumbai’s Ghatkopar area, where a giant illegal billboard collapsed on a petrol pump due to gusty winds and unseasonal rains. That incident resulted in 16 fatalities and left 75 people injured.

Preliminary information about the Pune incident suggests that the hoarding collapsed due to strong winds, falling on a horse and several vehicles, including one brought by a band party, outside the Gulmohar Lawns wedding hall.

The injured horse was promptly rescued and taken for treatment, the official added. The extent of the damage to the vehicles is currently being assessed. Further updates will follow as more information becomes available.

Delhi - The Delhi Police have sought seven days custody of Bibhav Kumar, an aide to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with the alleged assault on AAP Rajya Sabha member Swati Maliwal. The police described the case as “serious,” stating that the “brutal assault” could have been “fatal.”

Metropolitan Magistrate Gaurav Goyal, who remanded Kumar to five-day police custody, was informed by the investigating agency that Kumar had been uncooperative and evasive in his responses.

North District Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Anjitha Chepyala, who signed the remand paper, stated, “This is a very serious case where a Member of Parliament, a public figure, has been brutally assaulted which could have been fatal. Despite specific questions, the accused has not cooperated in the investigation and has been evasive in his replies.”

The remand application corroborated Maliwal’s testimony before the magistrate with medical evidence. According to Maliwal’s allegations, Kumar screamed, threatened, and used abusive language against her, in addition to “brutally assaulting” her, dragging her, and banging her head on a centre table.

The application stated that the “most vital evidence,” the digital video record (DVR) of the spot, had yet to be provided to the police. A junior engineer in the CM’s residence, who admitted that he did not have access to the DVR and CCTV cameras, provided a video of the dining room, but it was found to be blank at the time of the alleged incident.

The remand application further stated that Kumar was present at the chief minister’s residence on Saturday and provided evasive replies when questioned. “His presence at the scene of the crime (SOC) raises a strong possibility of tampering with crucial evidence, including electronic evidence. The accused is an influential person and having worked more than nine years in an authoritative position can influence, and pressure the witnesses in the CM house,” it said.

The application explained that after being terminated as the CM’s personal secretary in April 2024, Kumar was still working in the CM’s residence and needed to be questioned about the capacity and authority under which he was working.

Another case was registered against Kumar in Noida for allegedly assaulting an on-duty public servant. “Since a brutal attack is made on a public figure who is a sitting MP, a sustained interrogation is very much required to find out the motive behind brutal attack and to ascertain the conspiracy angles or involvement of some person or organisation having inimical to our country,” the paper said.

According to Kumar, he had formatted his mobile in Mumbai on Friday and that his mobile phone was password protected. “Without the personal presence and assistance of the accused, as this instrument is password protected, the phone and its apps cannot be accessed. Also, he has to be taken to an expert to retrieve the mobile data and to ascertain the factum of formatting of the mobile phone of the accused, which is an important piece of evidence,” the plea for remand said.

The application concluded by stating that Kumar, being in a “position of command” and having “access to the SOC,” could threaten witnesses and tamper with evidence.

Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri has announced his retirement, revealing that he discussed his decision with cricket superstar Virat Kohli before making it public. The 39-year-old Chhetri, the most capped Indian footballer with 150 matches and the country’s top scorer with 94 goals, will retire after the World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 in Calcutta.

Chhetri’s announcement came on Thursday, driven by what he described as “rather inexplicable instincts”. He chose Kohli, a close friend, as one of his confidantes before going public with his decision.

During an online media interaction from Bhubaneswar, where he is currently part of a national camp for the World Cup Qualifiers, Chhetri said, “I did speak to Virat (Kohli) before my retirement decision, he is very close to me. I discussed it with him because we both understand that we would know this thing exactly the way it is.” He added that they both understand the ups and downs of sports and the aspect of retirement.

Kohli acknowledged the communication from Chhetri and stated that his fellow Delhiite was at peace with the decision. In a short video interview on RCB’s ‘X’ page, Kohli said, “He (Chhetri) is a great player. He messaged me as well informing that he’s going to do that. But I would actually say I felt like he is at peace with the decision.”

Chhetri’s retirement marks the end of an illustrious career that has significantly contributed to Indian football. His decision, taken in consultation with Kohli, highlights the deep bond they share and their mutual understanding of the challenges and transitions in the world of sports.

The majority of the Indian cricket players, along with the jumbo support staff, are set to fly out to New York on May 25 for the T20 World Cup. The rest of the team will leave only after the IPL final on May 26.

Initially, members of teams failing to qualify for the IPL play-offs were supposed to leave for New York on May 21, two days after the final league game of the IPL on May 19. However, plans have since changed, and now the first batch will leave on May 25.

According to a BCCI source, “The likes of skipper Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant, Arshdeep Singh, Axar Patel are some of the players along with support staff who are expected to leave on May 25.”

The source added, “Earlier, the departure date for the first batch was May 21 but since India is playing only one warm-up game (vs Bangladesh on June 1), the players will get to spend some extra days at home.”

Only those players who are part of the IPL final will stay back and will leave for New York on May 27. This schedule will also give the squad adequate time to reduce jet lag and have at least three to four quality net sessions before the Bangladesh warm-up game.

India will open their campaign against Ireland on June 5 in New York, followed by the marquee clash against Pakistan on June 9.

The Indian squad for the T20 World Cup includes Rohit Sharma (Captain), Hardik Pandya (Vice Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant (WK), Sanju Samson (WK), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohd. Siraj.

Actress Preity Zinta took to Instagram on Friday to reflect on the only antagonist role she has played in her 26-year-long Bollywood career. She paid tribute to her character Sonia Sinha from the 2003 medical drama “Armaan”, directed by Honey Irani.

In her post, Zinta described Sonia as an “emotional bag of contradictions”, who was happy and sad at the same time, deeply insecure, and very low in confidence. Despite having a good heart, Sonia was too lost and insecure to listen to it. She lived in her own world, yet managed to destroy everyone else’s.

Alongside her note, Zinta shared a clip featuring Gracy Singh (Dr Neha Mathur) and Anil Kapoor (Dr Akash Sinha), shedding light on Sonia’s manipulative nature and her deep-seated insecurities. Sonia suspects that her husband Akash is having an affair with his colleague Neha and comes up with ways to create a rift between them.

Zinta thanked Honey Irani for giving her the opportunity to play such a complex character. She wrote, “Here’s to my one n only villainous role. A big thank you to Honey Irani for trusting me with this role & for giving me wings to fly. More power to you. Thank you to the entire cast n crew for all the support & for all the madness.”

The actress also expressed her desire to take on more such challenging roles in the future. She mentioned, “I wish I can do more crazy roles like this now that I’m back to work.”

Preity Zinta was last seen alongside Vir Das in an episode of the American sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat” titled “The Magic Motor Inn” in 2020.

Director Sourav Chakraborty is back with the second season of the political-drama series “Rajneeti”, set to delve deeper into the power dynamics in the politically volatile fictional town of Rijpur. Titled “Abar Rajneeti”, Season 2 of the series is slated to premiere on Hoichoi on May 24, as announced by the makers alongside a trailer on Friday.

The official handle of the streaming platform shared the trailer with a captivating caption: “A new warrior is entering the battlefield to seize the throne of Rijpur. The political game is about to become even more terrifying! What new twist will the politics bring this time? #AbarRajneeti: Official Trailer | Series directed by @souravact premieres on 24th May, only on #hoichoi.”

রিজপুরের সিংহাসন দখলের লড়াইতে মাঠে নামছে এক নতুন যোদ্ধা। রাজনৈতিক এই খেলা হয়ে উঠতে চলেছে আরও ভয়ঙ্কর! কোন দিকে মোড় নেবে এবারের রাজনীতি?
#AbarRajneeti: Official Trailer | Series directed by @souravact premieres on 24th May, only on #hoichoi@roy_ditipriya02 @KGunedited… pic.twitter.com/VE0vLpWUxu

— Hoichoi (@hoichoitv) May 17, 2024

Ditipriya Roy reprises her role as Rashi, the daughter of political bigwig Rathin Banerjee (played by Kaushik Ganguly) and Mallika (played by Konineeca Banerjee). The previous season ended with the sudden death of Rathin due to a heart attack during an election campaign, leading Mallika to take up the reins of the party. When Rashi learns that Mallika might have orchestrated Rathin’s death, she decides to enter the political fray as well. With the mother and daughter facing off, the politics of Rijpur is bound to heat up.

Adding to the intrigue, Rathin’s elder brother Pratim Banerjee (also played by Kaushik Ganguly), who was absconding all these years, has returned. Meanwhile, Rashi’s childhood friend Shaunak (played by Arjun Chakrabarty) and her doctor Debojit (played by Aniruddha Gupta) also emerge as important players in this game of thrones.

“Abar Rajneeti” is the latest addition to Sourav Chakraborty’s collaborations with Hoichoi. His last web series “Chemistry Mashi”, which marked Debasree Roy’s OTT debut, premiered on Hoichoi in February. With the return of “Rajneeti”, viewers can expect another thrilling exploration of political power struggles and personal dynamics.

Actress Madhuri Dixit Nene celebrated her 57th birthday on the sets of the dance reality show Dance Deewane, as shown in a video she shared on Friday. Madhuri, who serves as one of the judges on the show, was seen sporting a pink sari with floral motifs.

The video captures Madhuri cutting two cakes with the crew of the show and spending time with fans and participants on stage. “From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and everyone who took the time to send me birthday wishes. Your thoughtfulness made my day truly special. Here’s to celebrating many more years together,” Madhuri wrote alongside the video shared on Instagram.

Fans flooded the comments section with birthday wishes for the actress. One fan wrote, “Happiest birthday mam aap jiyo hazaro saal …God bless you always.”

Prior to her birthday celebration, the Dil To Pagal Hai star shared a set of pictures from a pink-themed photoshoot. She was seen wearing a pink blouse with polka dots and a paisley-printed long skirt.

Madhuri is reportedly set to feature in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 alongside Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, and Vidya Balan. She currently serves as a judge for Season 4 of Dance Deewane, which premiered on Colors TV on February 3. Her birthday celebration on the sets of the show added a special touch to her ongoing journey in the world of dance and entertainment.

The Election Commission has decided to deploy over 60,000 personnel of central forces and 29,172 of state police for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls in Bengal on May 20. The number of forces for this phase will be higher than the previous four legs of the current elections.

The forces will manage 13,481 polling stations spread across 7,845 premises in seven constituencies. The decision to deploy 650 companies of central forces, averaging almost 7.8 central armed paramilitary forces (CAPF) personnel per polling premise, was made in response to vulnerability reports from the constituencies.

These reports have indicated that 7,711 of 13,481 polling stations, which is over 57 per cent, are categorised as sensitive in the seven constituencies. During the fifth phase of elections, Hooghly, Serampore, and Arambagh in Hooghly district, Bongaon and Barrackpore in North 24-Parganas, and Howrah and Uluberia in Howrah district will go to the polls.

Data show that the sensitivity level in the fifth phase is higher compared to the preceding four phases in which 18 constituencies had gone to the polls. The rate of sensitive booths rose from 14.52 per cent in the first phase to 32.19 per cent in the second phase, 40.21 per cent in the third phase, and then dropped to 21.35 per cent in the fourth phase.

The commission has been particularly careful about Hooghly and Arambagh, where the number of sensitive booths is more than 80 per cent. An extensive arrangement has been made to ensure peaceful polls. The commission has requisitioned additional forces from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs so that people can exercise their franchise fearlessly.

The commission’s data show that approximately 87.25 per cent of polling stations in Hooghly and approximately 85.17 per cent in Arambagh are labelled as sensitive. The commission has deployed a staggering 198 companies of central force only to oversee security in the Hooghly and Arambagh segments.

Furthermore, approximately 67.19 per cent of polling stations in Barrackpore and around 59.53 per cent in Serampore are classified as sensitive, prompting the commission to deploy 65 and 64 companies of the CAPF, respectively. The poll body has also assigned 94 companies for Bongaon, 135 companies for Uluberia, and 81 companies for Howrah.

Considering the history of violence during elections in Barrackpore and Arambagh, the commission is not taking any chances. Apart from deploying the maximum number of central forces in the two constituencies, the commission has taken several corrective measures to ensure peaceful elections in these segments.

To fulfil the requirement of the final three phases, the EC has already asked for more forces from the Centre. Sources in the commission said the Centre had already sanctioned 203 companies, taking the total force count to 799 companies.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, on Friday, reassured the tribal population in Jungle Mahal of her government’s commitment to protect their land rights and properties. This comes amid alleged attempts by a section of people across the country to seize adivasis’ plots.

Banerjee spoke at two back-to-back election rallies in Jhargram and Ghatal, supporting Trinamool Congress candidates Kalipada Soren and Dipak Adhikar (Dev), respectively. She also participated in a roadshow in Kharagpur town, canvassing for party candidate June Malia.

Addressing the rally at Gajashimul village in Gopiballabhpur, which falls under the Jhargram Lok Sabha segment, Banerjee said, “I know that those who have money have been trying to seize land from the poor tribals. I have enacted laws to protect their land. Transfer of tribal land will not be allowed and no person from another community will be allowed to buy land of the tribals as well in the state.”

The BJP had won the Jhargram seat, reserved for Scheduled Tribes, in 2019. However, Mamata’s aggressive campaigning in Jungle Mahal and Trinamool’s efforts to protect tribal land rights resulted in the party winning all seven seats in the Jhargram Lok Sabha constituency in the 2021 Assembly polls.

Banerjee further stated that her government would protect the properties of the tribals and their “pattas” from being snatched, enabling them to live with “dignity”. She said, “Snatching of land and properties of the tribals as well as their humiliation will not be allowed. This is our commitment.”

While the BJP was in power in neighbouring Jharkhand, the state government had tried to amend the Chottanagpur Tenancy Act and Santhal Parganas Tenancy Act, which bar the sale of land belonging to tribal people. Amid protests, the Jharkhand government had also tried to set up business ventures on the land owned by tribals.

According to Section 14A of the West Bengal Land Reforms Act, 1955, the transfer of tribal land to non-tribal population is prohibited except with the permission of a revenue officer, apart from certain purposes like improvement of land and investment. The Mamata government strengthened the 1955 law through amendments to protect adivasis’ plots.

Banerjee urged the people in Jungle Mahal to be “careful” about the BJP, which she alleged was trying to create tension in the area. She also assured Kurmis of considering their demand for recognition as ST.

Later, speaking in Ghatal, Banerjee announced that work for the much-awaited Ghatal masterplan, aimed at controlling floods, had begun.

Animesh Roy, the Trinamool pradhan of Lalbazar panchayat in Cooch Behar, was shot at while returning home from a party meeting on Thursday night. District Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of orchestrating the attack, a claim the saffron party has denied.

According to sources, Roy was indiscriminately fired upon by alleged BJP-backed goons, resulting in him being shot in his right thigh. “As BJP leaders realised they would lose the Cooch Behar Lok Sabha seat, they are resorting to violence. They planned to kill Animesh,” said Partha Pratim Roy, the Trinamool spokesperson in Cooch Behar.

Following the attack, Roy was rushed to the Mathabhanga subdivisional hospital and later shifted to a nursing home in Cooch Behar. A team from the Sitalkuchi police station is currently investigating the incident.

On Friday, senior Trinamool leader Abdul Jalil Ahmed visited the injured party leader at the nursing home. “We have information that the BJP is involved. The police should find out those who fired at our party leader,” said Ahmed.

However, district BJP leaders have dismissed the allegations, attributing the attack to infighting within the Trinamool party. “There is acute infighting in Trinamool across Cooch Behar. We suspect the attack is its fallout. The BJP is not involved,” said BJP district general secretary Biraj Bose.

In related news, the Cooch Behar District Merchant Chamber of Commerce observed a business strike in Cooch Behar town on Friday. The strike was in demand for cuts in charges for mutation or change of shop owner’s name and trade licence fee, as well as improved infrastructure.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo has been vocal about the alleged non-payment of Central dues to the state under various schemes like the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for the last three years, totalling more than Rs 1.65 lakh crore.

Banerjee asserted, “Bengal will avenge this injustice by the BJP”. She added that the people of Jhargram, Ghatal, and Medinipur have given a clear message – the ‘Bishorjon’ (immersion) of ‘Bangla-Birodhis’ (those against Bengal) is certain.

This statement comes amidst a political climate where the TMC and the BJP have been at loggerheads over various issues. The alleged withholding of funds and the subsequent impact on the state’s development projects have been a significant point of contention between the two parties.

Banerjee’s strong words signal a firm stance against what she perceives as injustices perpetrated by the BJP, and a call to action for the people of West Bengal to stand against these alleged wrongdoings.

“Rae Bareli has an important role in India’s progress, in giving direction to the country. It has been Uttar Pradesh’s political and ideological centre for years, and it was Rae Bareli that showed the path in the freedom struggle,” he said.

Gandhi further stated that Rae Bareli should be the first to show the path to Uttar Pradesh’s progress and development, and then Uttar Pradesh should once again lead India towards progress and development.

In the last Lok Sabha elections, Rahul Gandhi had contested from Amethi but lost to BJP’s Smriti Irani. After representing Amethi from 2004 to 2019, he has shifted his political focus to Rae Bareli this time.

Gandhi also took a swipe at top BJP leaders, emphasizing the importance of family ties and respect in politics. He said, “When you do politics, if you do not respect your family and cannot maintain your relations in the family, you cannot keep ties outside (the family) too.”

He further added, “If you lie in your daily life, you will lie in politics.”

While reminiscing about his childhood spent in Rae Bareli, he shared memories of his grandmother’s wisdom, his father’s favourite jalebis, and the cakes made by his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. He emphasized that despite their deep involvement in politics since childhood, politics never came between their relationships.

Priyanka Gandhi also urged people to remain focused on their aim for ensuring development and progress in their lives by using their vote as a weapon. She said, “Do not get diverted at any level in this election. Remain focused like Arjun and keep focusing on your target like Arjun’s aim on the eyes of fish. Your vote is the biggest weapon in your hand. Use it effectively and this will change your future.”

This call to action from the Gandhi siblings comes at a crucial time as the country gears up for the upcoming elections.

Salam, who is visibly Muslim, speaks of the constant ethnic profiling he faces - from bank tellers, parking lot attendants, and fellow passengers on the train. His family conversations have taken a darker turn, with both parents focused on raising their daughters in a country that increasingly questions or even tries to erase the markers of Muslims’ identity.

The family often debates whether to stay in their mixed Hindu-Muslim neighborhood in Noida, just outside Delhi. Mariam, their oldest daughter and a graduate student, leans toward compromise, anything to make life bearable. She wants to move. But moving anywhere but a Muslim area might be difficult. Real estate agents often ask outright if families are Muslim; landlords are reluctant to rent to them.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rise to national power in 2014 swept a decades-old Hindu nationalist movement from the margins of Indian politics to the center. He has since chipped away at the secular framework and robust democracy that had long held India together despite its sometimes explosive religious and caste divisions.

This creeping Islamophobia is now the dominant theme of Salam’s writings. In one book, he chronicled the lynchings of Muslim men. In a recent follow-up, he described how India’s Muslims feel “orphaned” in their homeland.

Despite the challenges, Salam maintains a stubborn optimism that India can restore its secular fabric. He clings to the hope that India is in a passing phase. He remembers a time when coexistence was largely the norm in an enormously diverse India.

Meanwhile, in the state of Tamil Nadu, family conversations among Muslims are very different: about college degrees, job promotions, life plans — the usual aspirations. In this state, often-bickering political parties are united in protecting secularism and in focusing on economic well-being. Its chief minister, M.K. Stalin, is a declared atheist.

Jan Mohammed, who lives with his family of five in Chennai, the state capital, said neighbors joined in each other’s religious celebrations. In rural areas, there is a tradition: When one community finishes building a place of worship, villagers of other faiths arrive with gifts of fruits, vegetables and flowers and stay for a meal.

A thousand miles north, in Delhi, Salam’s family lives in what feels like another country. A place where prejudice has become so routine that even a friendship of 26 years can be sundered as a result.

This tale of two Indias paints a stark picture of the struggles faced by Muslims in a largely Hindu-first India. It is a reminder of the importance of coexistence, understanding, and respect for all religions in a diverse country like India.

The protest was led by Mahila Morcha president, Richa Pandey Mishra. The protesters, who were carrying bangles, demanded Kejriwal’s resignation over his silence on the incident. Mishra stated that the Mahila Morcha intended to hand over the bangles to Kejriwal as a symbol of his inaction over the incident involving Maliwal that took place at his official residence.

On Thursday, the Delhi Police registered an FIR in connection with Maliwal’s alleged assault. Kumar, the personal assistant of Kejriwal, was named as an accused in the FIR. The FIR was registered after a two-member team led by Additional Commissioner of Police P S Kushwaha recorded Maliwal’s statement. The team spent nearly four and a half hours at Maliwal’s residence in central Delhi.

Kumar has been summoned by the National Commission for Women (NCW) on Friday over the matter. The NCW’s involvement underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the need for a thorough investigation.

The protest by the Mahila Morcha highlights the ongoing tension and political unrest in the capital, with the alleged assault on Maliwal serving as a flashpoint for broader concerns about women’s safety and political accountability.

The Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha’s protest and demand for Kejriwal’s resignation signal a deepening political crisis in the capital, with the AAP government under increasing pressure to address allegations of misconduct within its ranks.

The Rescue Operation

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) commissioner Bhushan Gagrani announced the end of the 66-hour-long search and rescue operation on Thursday morning. However, men and machinery were working overtime to clear the debris four days on.

The Incident

The incident occurred on Monday evening when a 120 feet x 120 feet billboard collapsed onto a nearby petrol pump during gusty winds and heavy unseasonal rains, trapping people and vehicles under its giant wreckage.

The Aftermath

The civic chief called off the rescue operation at 10.30 am after reviewing the situation at the petrol pump. However, the work of clearing the debris continued till late evening with the help of JCB, dumpers, cranes, and other equipment.

The rescue team retrieved the last two bodies trapped in a car below a girder shortly after midnight on Wednesday. A BMC official stated that as many as 73 vehicles, including 30 two-wheelers, 31 four-wheelers, eight autorickshaws, and two heavy vehicles — all damaged in the crash — were retrieved from the site and handed over to the police as their owners came forward to claim them.

The Response

Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) were deployed for the search and rescue operation since Monday evening. The Mumbai Fire Brigade had deployed 12 fire engines and several other vehicles for the exercise. All these were withdrawn after the operation was over.

Another civic official stated that the Fire Brigade has still kept three fire tenders and some senior officials posted there as a precautionary measure considering the fuel stock in the tanks of the petrol pump.

Candidates on Tenterhooks

All 26 candidates in the fray here, especially the main ones — BJP’s Raj Bhushan Choudhary and Congress’s Ajay Nishad — are keeping their fingers crossed on what the farmers’ anger may bring to the electoral platter.

The Pride of Muzaffarpur

Muzaffarpur is the only place where GI (Geographical Indication) tag ‘Shahi litchis’ — known for their sweetness, subtle rosy fragrance, taste, extra juicy pulp and small seed — are grown. The fruit has fans across the globe.

The Litchi Crisis

Deep furrows line the foreheads of the cultivators at a time when everyone should have been discussing the ongoing elections. Litchi is a cash crop for them, providing extra bucks amid the farming of foodgrains.

“The abnormal heat this April has taken a toll. A huge chunk of the fruits dropped and those that survived have become stunted. I had plans to supply the fruits to Patna and use the money to buy a motorcycle but it will have to be postponed. The problem is that we have to do everything on our own. No government supports us and we have to fend for ourselves,” says Pramod Kumar, sitting with his friend Lalo Paswan, at his litchi orchard at Kanti in the constituency.

The Widespread Distress

The distress at the litchi production hub is widespread. Bhola Nath Jha, a top litchi producer of Muzaffarpur, who was once instrumental behind the now defunct Litchi Growers’ Association of Bihar, asserts that the state and central governments have not done anything for those who are cultivating the fruit.

The Government’s Role

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at an election rally in Muzaffarpur earlier this week, mentioned facilitating the GI tag for Shahi litchis. His comment has come under criticism from the farmers, who pointed out that such tags were useless unless the government facilitated forward and backward linkages.

The National Research Centre on Litchi

The National Research Centre on Litchi, established by the Union government in 2001, is trying to address the various issues pertaining to the fruit and its cultivation.

The Election Scenario

With the elections being held amid this scenario, people are lambasting the two main candidates, Nishad and Choudhary. Two-time BJP MP from Muzaffarpur Nishad switched over to the Congress after being denied a ticket. His father Jai Narain Prasad Nishad had won the seat four times.

The BJP’s Grip and the Job Crisis

The region, comprising four parliamentary seats - Banda, Hamirpur, Jhansi, and Jalaun - has been under the BJP’s control since 2014. However, the narrative this time around is not so straightforward. The lack of job opportunities is a major concern. Naman Kumar Dwivedi, a resident of Mauranipur in Jhansi, voices his frustration over the Modi government’s failure to create jobs. Despite this, Naman, a polytechnic graduate, plans to vote for Modi again, citing the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and improved road infrastructure.

The Promise and the Pitfall

However, not all share Naman’s optimism. Jawahar Patel and Suman Devi Singh of Baruasagar area express their disillusionment with the BJP government. They feel trapped by the promise of free electricity, which has resulted in mounting bills. Patel, a farmer, also laments the rising costs of fertilisers and electricity, which he feels outweigh the benefits of the Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme.

Protests and Problems

Bundelkhand has witnessed over three dozen protests in the last two years over issues like drinking water supply under the Namami Gange Programme and corruption in the free foodgrain distribution system. The poor receive only 3.5kg of the promised 5kg of foodgrain per month.

The Political Landscape

An anonymous editor of a literary magazine in Chitrakoot analyses the situation: “The Samajwadi Party doesn’t appear honest in its fight against the Modi government. The only seat where we can see an INDIA bloc candidate campaigning is Jhansi, where the Congress has nominated Pradeep Jain Aditya.” He believes that the situation is in favour of the INDIA bloc as people have not received any substantial benefits from Modi’s welfare schemes.

The Caste Equation

Bundelkhand is broadly divided between Brahmin, who have some influence on a section of the OBC and Scheduled Caste electorate, and non-Brahmin voters. The editor elaborates: “Mayawati’s Bahujan Samaj Party is damaging the BJP’s prospects in two seats. The BSP has fielded Mayank Dwivedi, son of a former BSP leader, from Banda and Nirdosh Kumar Dixit from Hamirpur. The Brahmin vote may be split in both seats.”

As the region gears up for the polls, the voters of Bundelkhand are grappling with a multitude of issues. The outcome of the election will be a reflection of how well the political parties have addressed these concerns.

A Life on the Road

Wani, who has been a transporter for most of his life, now makes occasional taxi sorties for tourists more as a hobby than as an occupation. He fondly recalls his days as a truck driver, traveling across the country, and takes pride in the durable friendships he has struck in many places beyond Kashmir.

Family and Livelihood

Living with a large joint family who own small retail businesses and orchards around their village, Wani’s life is filled with love and companionship. Despite earning less compared to 2019, he has few complaints. “I make enough to keep me going in a relaxed fashion,” he says.

Savings and Expenditure

With age, Wani’s earnings and savings have decreased. However, he remains unbothered. “At my age, what money I make and what possessions I have, I want to enjoy with my wife and family,” he shares.

Government Schemes and Corruption

When asked about the impact of central or state government schemes on his life, Wani maintains that he is a self-made person. “I live off what I have, and I am happy,” he states.

While he has little to do with government or public affairs now, he acknowledges the existence of corruption. “They want money for every little thing, they steal money in contracts. This I know of from what I hear, but it is nothing new or strange,” he remarks.

Education and the Next Generation

Wani has ensured a good education for all three of his sons. “I educated all three of my sons, through school and then to give them additional skills. They are all well-employed, have their own families, and they are capable of running their affairs. We all live together, which is a blessing,” he says with pride.

As Srinagar voted on May 13, Wani’s story serves as a reminder of the simple joys of life and the importance of contentment.

In an editorial in the party’s Tamil mouthpiece “Murasoli”, the DMK claimed that 26 individuals have lost their lives due to NEET in Tamil Nadu alone. The party has consistently maintained that the test is “an altar, on which lives are lost.”

The editorial further stated that a total of 119 students who were pursuing coaching to clear NEET have died by suicide over the past eight years. It also revealed that last year alone, 24 aspirants ended their lives, a fact disclosed by the Rajasthan state government itself.

The DMK provided year-wise data on the suicide of students who had enrolled in coaching centres in Rajasthan, indicating that the deaths due to NEET continue.

The party also cited specific incidents of cheating and irregularities linked to NEET in states including Gujarat, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra. It questioned if this was not a betrayal of about 24 lakh aspirants.

“Scrapping NEET is the only solution to prevent suicide by students and halt incidents involving cheating (to illegally clear the test),” the editorial asserted.

The incidents highlighted include a second-year MBBS student’s alleged impersonation in Maharashtra and some students leaving the exam hall early from a centre at Swai Madhopur in Rajasthan, allegedly to help aspirants still writing their answers at the same centre.

Just this week, 24 persons, including eleven students, 13 others who were invigilators, and parents, have been arrested in Patna, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Jharkhand in connection with the leak of the NEET question paper, the DMK daily reported.

The DMK continues to advocate for the abolition of NEET, highlighting the tragic consequences and irregularities associated with the test. The party believes that this step is crucial to protect the lives and futures of students across the country.

The Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, under which Rs 1,000 is paid to women in the general category and Rs 1,200 to those belonging to Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), has been a significant success. Shah’s assurance is seen as the BJP’s acknowledgement of the scheme’s impact.

“Mamata didi has been saying that if the BJP comes to power, the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme will be stopped. But I assure you that the BJP will not stop any scheme at all,” Shah said to huge applause in Howrah’s Uluberia. He added that Rs 100 would be added to the monthly dole, accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of spreading a “lie” that the programme would be scrapped if Trinamool was not in power.

The scheme, announced in the run-up to the 2021 elections, is believed to have played a major role in Trinamool sweeping the polls for a third time with women voting for the party in large numbers. Since then, in subsequent polls, the scheme had become a game-changer with women backing the ruling party, prompting the Opposition, particularly the BJP, to accuse the government of trying to “buy votes” using government funds.

Shah’s Tuesday announcement shows that the BJP has woken up to the reality and wants to show its commitment to continue the scheme at a time when state leaders had been attacking the intent of the “dole”. Shah’s comment comes in the backdrop of a recent remark by a BJP leader from north Bengal, Dipa Chakraborty, who threatened to stop Lakshmir Bhandar if the saffron camp came to power.

Responding to Shah’s announcement, Trinamool leader and minister Shashi Panja said: “Amit Shah was in Bengal today. In his speech, he said he would enhance the money of the Lakshmi Bhandar scheme by Rs 100. Is he offering a bribe to the women of Bengal? As the BJP has sold the modesty of Sandeshkhali women for Rs 2,000, Rs 1,000 or Rs 500, today Amit Shah showed the audacity to offer a bribe of Rs 100 more under Lakhsmir Bhandar.”

This incident underscores the political tensions in Bengal and the significant role of welfare schemes in influencing electoral outcomes.

The plea coincides with BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari's claim that more companies of central forces would arrive in the state for Phases V, VI and VII.

Prior to the election announcement, the commission had sought 920 companies of central forces. If the latest requisition is accepted, the total companies deployed in the state may exceed 1,000, said a source on the poll panel.

The latest request comes after the conclusion of the fourth phase of polls, which was marred by during which there were multiple incidents of violence, including an attack on the convoy of Dilip Ghosh, the BJP candidate for Bardhaman-Durgapur.

Ghosh's convoy faced attacks twice on Monday, allegedly by workers of the Trinamool Congress, first at Manteshwar and then at Kalna gate in Burdwan town. These attacks resulted in vandalism of his vehicles and injuries to his security guards.

"Tomorrow (Wednesday) onwards, thousands and thousands of CAPF (central armed paramilitary force) personnel will be in Bengal.... You just wait and see what happens to Trinamool in the fifth, sixth and seventh phases of the polling," Adhikari had said after the polling for the fourth phase ended on Monday.

Sources on the poll panel have said at present, 596 companies of central forces are in the state and the central government had committed to send another 166 companies of CAPF before the fifth phase, taking the total force count to 762.

According to commission officials, out of 762 companies, 613 companies will be deployed on poll duty and the remaining 149 companies will be used for manning the strong rooms and maintaining law and order in other districts.

“The ministry has also told the commission that they will send another 258 companies of central forces before the sixth phase, which will take the total force count to 1,020 companies. This will stay till the end of the polls in the state,” a senior official at the chief electoral officer’s office said.

The commission decided to deploy more forces in the last three phases of the election after reports of violence in several areas in the fourth phase during which only 596 companies of central forces were present in the state.

During the third phase — when four constituencies went to the polls — the commission had deployed 406 companies of central forces, averaging at 5.5 Central Armed Paramilitary Forces (CAPF) personnel per booth. In the fourth phase, during which eight constituencies went to the polls, the average came down to approximately 3.7 CAPF personnel per polling station.

Though there was presence of central forces in all the booths, several senior officials in the commission believe that the sparse presence of central forces on patrolling duty was partly responsible for the violence.

"There were only 71 QRT in the four constituencies and as a result, the force could not reach the troubled spot in time," a senior commission official said.

The new system, powered by advanced AI algorithms, has been installed at 16 points across Sikkim in its first phase. “Depending on the feedback from police, we will install the system at additional places in the second phase,” said Raj Yadav, the secretary of the transport department.

The system automatically detects the validity of documents like insurance and fitness pollution, and immediately generates e-challans. “Since the data of all vehicles in the country have been uploaded on NIC (National Informatics Centre), the system on reading the registration number can scan the document details of the vehicle,” explained Yadav.

In addition to identifying document defaulters, the system, which includes cameras, can detect and fine traffic violations such as speeding, jumping signals, and improper lane usage among others.

This is the first time that an AI-driven traffic management system has been introduced in the region. Since the start of the trial period, there has been a rush of people in Sikkim updating their documents, especially pollution certificates.

The new system is also expected to ensure better traffic control in Gangtok, where traffic congestion is a common issue, especially during peak tourism seasons. “For example, if there is no congestion on a particular stretch, the traffic signal would continue to remain green thus ensuring smooth traffic flow,” said Yadav.

The police have stated that the system would ensure that time is not wasted unlike when physical checking of vehicle documents was done. “Transparency will also be strengthened,” added a local driver.

This initiative marks a significant step towards leveraging technology for efficient traffic management and is expected to set a precedent for other regions in the country.

The team, which included members of the vigilance department and other officials, had gone for an inspection when the cage used to transport personnel collapsed due to a rope breakage. The incident led to the team being trapped several hundred feet underground.

Superintendent of Police, Neem Ka Thana, Praveen Nayak, confirmed that ten persons have been rescued so far and efforts are ongoing to rescue the remaining five. The rescued officials include Hansraj, AK Sharma, and Preetam in the first round; GD Gupta, Vanendu Bhandari, AK Bohra, Niranjan Sahu, and Bhagirath in the second; and Ramesh Narayan Singh and Karan Singh Bohra in the third round.

Neem Ka Thana Collector Sharad Mehra assured reporters that the remaining personnel would also be rescued soon. Dr Mahendra Singh, a member of the medical team, revealed that three of the rescued individuals were sent to SMS hospital in Jaipur with fractures and other injuries.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has instructed officials to expedite the relief and rescue operations. He stated, “Information was received about the accident caused by the breakage of the lift rope in the Kolihan mine of Hindustan Copper Limited in Khetri, Jhunjhunu. The concerned officials have been instructed to immediately reach the spot and speed up the relief and rescue operations and provide all possible help and health facilities to the affected.”

The incident has highlighted the risks faced by mining personnel and the need for stringent safety measures. Further updates on the rescue operation are awaited.

The hoarding, which was illegally erected on a piece of land owned by the Government Railway Police (GRP), collapsed onto a petrol pump in the Chheda Nagar area on Monday evening amidst dust storms and unseasonal rains.

Rescue teams have so far extricated 89 persons from under the collapsed hoarding. Of these, 14 were declared dead while the other 75 were injured, according to officials.

National Disaster Response Force’s (NDRF) Assistant Commandant Nikhil Mudholkar stated, “We have spotted two bodies stuck under the third girder of the collapsed hoarding but we are facing difficulties in reaching the spot. One needs to crawl to reach there.”

The NDRF personnel have removed the first girder after cutting it overnight and are now removing the debris with the help of earthmovers and excavators. They will now cut the second girder, and there are more than five such girders at the crash site.

Once the girders are removed, it will be known how many people are still trapped under the debris, the official added.

A small fire broke out at the incident site during the search and rescue operation on Wednesday morning, but it was immediately doused by the fire tenders deployed there.

The search and rescue operation is ongoing, and further updates are awaited as the city reels from this tragic incident.

The 2008 riots have left such a deep impact on the psyche of the people that the mere mention of elections sends shivers down their spine. Sunil Mallick, a 45-year-old goat herder, wishes for the elections to end as soon as possible, fearing that it could stir Kandhamal’s communal cauldron yet again.

Living in the resettlement village of Nandagiri under G. Udaygiri block since 2009, Mallick was among the thousands of Christians rendered homeless in the wake of the 2008 communal violence triggered by the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008, at his Jalaspeta Ashram in Tumudibandha, another tribal-dominated area in the district.

The direct fallout of the murder was the collapse of the alliance between the BJP and the BJD in March 2009. The riot wounds are still fresh for the marginalised people like Mallick, who dreams of returning to his native Betticola village in the same block, but knows it is a futile yearning.

As you move through the district, your vehicle is stopped at different points by police who are being extra vigilant not just because there is an election ongoing but also due to the communally charged atmosphere of the area.

At the Swami’s Jalaspeta ashram, Sandya Rani Panigrahi, a retired government high school headmistress, presides over the teaching of 261 girls studying from classes VI-X. Besides, 40 girls are being trained in the study of the Vedas.

A bastion of Hindutva forces, the ashram is a place of pilgrimage for the votaries of RSS and its affiliates. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a meeting in Phulbani, the Kandhamal district headquarters, on May 11.

Chief minister and Biju Janata Dal (BJD) chief Naveen Patnaik is doing everything possible to ensure that his secular image remains intact given that some damage has been done by the failed partnership talks between his party and the BJP for an alliance ahead of the polls.

Debabrata Bisoi from K. Nuagaon does not doubt that the people will again vote the BJD to power. “Try as they might, the BJP’s game plan will never succeed here. Here only Naveen’s charisma works and it will be no different this time,” he said.

Kandhamal votes on May 20. As the region braces for the elections, the people yearn for peace and stability, hoping to leave the painful memories of the past behind.

The order was issued by a bench comprising of Justices B R Gavai and Sandeep Mehta. The bench ruled that the arrest of Purkayastha under the anti-terror law was not valid.

NewsClick, a popular news portal, had come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that it had received substantial funds from China. The funds were allegedly used to “disrupt the sovereignty of India” and cause disaffection against the country, according to the First Information Report (FIR).

The FIR also alleged that Purkayastha conspired with a group known as the People’s Alliance for Democracy and Secularism (PADS). The group was accused of sabotaging the electoral process during the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.

The Supreme Court’s decision to declare the arrest as “invalid” is seen as a significant development in the case. The court’s directive for the immediate release of Purkayastha is expected to be executed promptly.

This case has drawn significant attention, raising questions about the freedom of the press and the use of anti-terror laws. The Supreme Court’s judgement is likely to be a reference point in similar cases in the future.

Further details of the judgement are awaited. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

The day began with the devotee paying obeisance to Mother Ganga, a ritual that holds deep significance in Hindu culture. “What could be a greater good fortune for me than this darshan and worship?” the devotee asked, their voice filled with reverence and awe.

As the sun rose over the city, casting a golden glow on the sacred river, the devotee offered prayers for the well-being of their fellow residents of Kashi and their family members across the country. They prayed to Mother Ganga for happiness, prosperity, and health, their words echoing off the ancient stone steps leading down to the river.

The devotee’s day was a testament to the enduring faith and spirituality that is deeply woven into the fabric of Kashi. Their experience serves as a reminder of the power of prayer and the comfort it can bring, not just to the individual, but to the community as a whole.

As the devotee concluded their morning rituals, they uttered a final prayer: “Jai Maa Ganga!” A fitting end to a day that began with reverence and ended with hope, a day that encapsulated the spiritual heartbeat of Kashi.

The first incident took place at Manteswar, one of the seven Assembly segments in the Bardhaman-Durgapur Lok Sabha constituency. Ghosh and his rival, Trinamool candidate Kirti Azad, had a brief encounter, shaking hands and exchanging greetings. However, the cordiality was short-lived.

Ghosh arrived at Tulla village in Manteswar around 1 pm after receiving complaints that his polling agent was not allowed to sit in the booth by Trinamool supporters. As his car, accompanied by central security personnel, arrived, some villagers believed to be Trinamool supporters waylaid the vehicle. They thumped on the bonnet of the white Scorpio and some even lay down in front of the car.

As Ghosh’s security personnel and police tried to push back the mob, an argument ensued. Ghosh was seen pushing around one of the agitators during the altercation. As the situation escalated, the alleged Trinamool supporters started pelting Ghosh and his security personnel with stones and bricks. One of the guards suffered an injury after a brick hit his head.

The police and the security guards baton-charged the mob, resulting in one person getting injured. The agitators also vandalised the vehicles of the security guards and some media personnel covering the incident. Ghosh later informed the Election Commission about the incident.

Later in the afternoon, Ghosh was again attacked at Kalna gate in Burdwan town. Alleged Trinamool supporters hurled bricks at Ghosh’s convoy, damaging the rear windshield of his SUV and injuring another security guard.

Ghosh stated that the attacks had occurred in the presence of the state police. Trinamool, on the other hand, alleged that four of its supporters were injured when Ghosh’s security guards resorted to a baton charge. The party rejected the charges that it was involved in the protests against Ghosh.

The incidents have raised serious concerns about the safety and security of political candidates in the run-up to the elections.

The surrender took place before a special court in Asansol, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The alleged scam pertains to mines in West Bengal’s Kunustoria and Kajora areas in and around Asansol.

The Supreme Court had earlier granted Majhi interim protection from arrest on the condition that he would cooperate in the investigation. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which initiated its investigation in 2020, is scheduled to file the chargesheet in the case on May 21.

Four people, including Gurupada Majhi, known to be Lala’s accomplice, were earlier arrested in connection with the alleged scam. While the three other suspects managed to secure bail, Gurupada Majhi remains lodged in Tihar Jail.

The surrender of Anup Majhi is seen as a major breakthrough in the case, potentially paving the way for further revelations in the investigation of the coal pilferage scam.

Mintu, a booth president and core committee member of the local gram panchayat, was attacked by a group of unidentified goons while he was returning home at Chenchuri village in Ketugram. The assailants hacked him with sharp weapons and later threw crude bombs at him to ensure his death.

On Monday, the police arrested two local residents — civic volunteer Bhulon Sheikh and toto driver Shamsur Sheikh — in connection with the murder. “The two were produced today (Monday) before the Katwa subdivisional court that sent the duo in police custody for seven days,” said a police officer.

The murder has sparked a political blame game. Trinamool leaders accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM, of orchestrating the murder. Rabindranath Chatterjee, Trinamool’s East Burdwan district president, said, “Mintu was one of our active party workers and a local leader. The CPM-backed goons who had targeted him for the past few months killed him brutally. We demand the police to take stringent action against those involved in this brutality.”

However, the victim’s wife, Tuhina Khatun, initially claimed that her husband was killed due to a factional feud within the Trinamool Congress. “My husband was killed by goons who were hired by local leaders. This is because of TMC’s factional feud,” she told reporters. Later, in her police complaint, she aligned with the party’s stance and stated that her husband was killed by CPM-backed goons.

CPM leaders have denied the allegations. “We don’t believe in violence. The person was killed by his party colleagues and his wife endorsed it,” said CPM leader Achinta Mallik.

The incident has cast a shadow over the electoral process in the region. Ketugram, although located in the East Burdwan district, is part of the Bolpur Lok Sabha constituency that voted on Monday in the fourth phase of the election. The brutal murder just hours before the polls has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of political workers in the state.

The delay in obtaining permanent affiliation has been due to the lack of land ownership, a major criterion for affiliation. However, in March this year, the state land and land reforms department handed over the ownership of the land, where the college building stands, to the college authorities.

Poonam Biswa, chairperson of the governing body of the college, said, “Once the general elections are over, we will submit our application at NBU, seeking permanent affiliation.” The affiliation will enable the college to upgrade its infrastructure and introduce new courses, benefiting the students immensely.

The college, located at Kawlay in ward 6 of Mirik town, is situated on a three-acre plot that previously belonged to the state tourism and the state forest departments. After obtaining a no-objection certificate from the tourism department, the college authorities conducted a joint survey with the forest and land and land reforms departments. Following the survey, the state handed over the land to the state education department.

Biswa further added that they would soon convene a meeting of the governing body of the college to adopt a resolution for permanent affiliation from the NBU. “A copy of the resolution will be handed over to the NBU authorities and the inspector of college IC to speed up the process,” she said.

In the Mirik subdivision, there are 14 higher secondary schools. After passing Class XII, students of these institutions have limited options for further studies. The college currently offers undergraduate courses in English, Nepali, history, geography, and political science. “Most of the students are from humble economic backgrounds and cannot afford to go out and study in colleges at Darjeeling or Siliguri,” said a teacher at the college.

With only 10 permanent faculty members at present, the college is in dire need of more teachers. Nima Lama, the teacher-in-charge of the institution, said, “Once we get the necessary go-ahead from the NBU, we will expand the existing infrastructure and apply for UGC grants. The affiliation will help us to introduce new streams and appoint more teachers.”

As Mirik College stands on the threshold of a new era, the students and teachers eagerly await the changes that the permanent affiliation will bring.

Amid the chanting of Vedic mantras, Modi performed aarti at the ghat. From there, he took a cruise ride to the Namo Ghat and then reached the Kaal Bhairav temple. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath accompanied him during his visit to the temple.

In a post on social media, Modi expressed his deep connection with Varanasi, saying, “My relationship with my Kashi is amazing, inseparable and incomparable… all I can say is that it cannot be expressed in words!”

The Prime Minister held a dazzling roadshow in Varanasi a day prior to his nomination filing and pledged to serve the holy city more in his third term. He later shared a clip from the roadshow, expressing gratitude for the love and blessings showered on him by the people of Kashi.

Several BJP leaders, Union ministers, and chief ministers of BJP and NDA-ruled states, including Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh and Eknath Shinde of Maharashtra, arrived in Varanasi to accompany Modi to the collectorate for his nomination filing.

Following the nomination process, Modi is set to hold a meeting with BJP workers at the Rudraksha Convention Centre. The voting in Varanasi will take place in the seventh phase on June 1. As the election date approaches, the city is abuzz with anticipation, waiting to see if Modi’s hat-trick aspiration will come to fruition.

The split in the NCP, engineered by the BJP, has left a mark on Maharashtra’s political landscape. Now, the decision rests with the people. “The people will decide who represents the real NCP — Pawar Saheb or Ajit Dada?” Vekhal questions.

Maharashtra, with its 48 Lok Sabha seats, has emerged as a key battleground in this general election. The state could potentially make or break Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim of returning to power for a third straight term with even greater numbers than in 2019.

However, the ground reality in Maharashtra could dash Modi’s, and the BJP’s, hopes. “People are confused because they have lost trust in politicians who are changing colours faster than a chameleon,” says Omkar Landge, a young voter in Pune. He holds the BJP responsible for splitting the Marathi parties using the “CBI-ED”.

Both Uddhav Thackeray and senior Pawar, powered by a strong regional sentiment, have been drawing huge crowds at their rallies. The two leaders are fighting an existential battle, having lost the “ownership” of their respective parties and their symbols to their relatives.

In addition to the sympathy factor linked to Marathi pride, the anger among the electorally influential Marathas over the non-implementation of their demand for reservation under the OBC quota and the anger among farmers over the steep rise in prices of fertilisers, appears to have eclipsed the Modi factor in the state to a great extent.

The biggest fault line in this election, however, is the undercurrent of tension between the Marathas and the OBCs over reservations. The BJP-backed Eknath Shinde government in the state has sought to play it safe by allotting a 10 per cent separate quota for the Marathas in state government jobs and admission in state government-run educational institutions, not touching the OBC pie. This has angered the Marathas but at the same time not pleased the OBCs as well.

The real battle for Maharashtra, however, is expected to play out in the Assembly polls later this year and the Lok Sabha results will set the stage for it, with the fate of regional satraps at stake “under attack from the Modi-Shah BJP”.

35 of Maharashtra’s 48 seats voted in the first four phases. The remaining seats will vote on May 20. As the state gears up for the final phase of voting, the question remains - who will the people choose?

The last rites of the veteran politician will take place around 6 pm in Patna on Tuesday, according to party sources. "The mortal remains of Sushil Modi will be brought from Delhi to Patna around 11.30 am and taken to his house in Rajendra Nagar. Later, his body will be taken to the Bihar assembly and the BJP state headquarters where party workers will pay their tribute to the departed leader,” said a senior Bihar BJP member.

The funeral will take place at Digha Ghat Crematorium in Patna. BJP national president J P Nadda is likely to be present at the ceremony. Modi will be cremated with full state honours, as per a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office.

Modi served as the deputy chief minister of Bihar from 2005 to 2013, and again between 2017 and 2020. His contributions to the state and his party have been significant and his loss will be deeply felt.

Last month, Modi had taken to social media to announce that he was battling with cancer and would not be able to campaign in the Lok Sabha elections. His passing marks the end of an era in Bihar politics. His dedication to public service and his resilience in the face of adversity will continue to inspire many.

Meet Anwesha Dasgupta, a 21-year-old Bharatnatyam artiste and BCom student at Shyamaprasad College in Calcutta. Hailing from New Barrackpore, North 24-Parganas, she will be casting her vote in the Dum Dum constituency.

Key Issues

Anwesha believes that the government should increase funding for higher education. “Students are compelled to seek admission in private institutions due to the lack of government colleges or university seats,” she says. This issue, she feels, will significantly influence her vote.

Expectations from the New Government

Anwesha hopes that the new government will ensure citizens have the freedom of speech. “People are afraid to speak on different issues,” she observes. Another pressing concern for her is unemployment. “I have seen my seniors, even after completing their education, failing to secure jobs. The problem of unemployment should be looked into,” she asserts.

What the New Government Shouldn’t Do

Anwesha has grown up witnessing increasing division among people of different religions and castes. She yearns for a government that promotes unity in diversity. “I want to see a government that speaks for unity in diversity,” she states.

As the elections approach, the voices of first-time voters like Anwesha will be crucial in shaping the political landscape. Their concerns and expectations reflect the aspirations of a young, vibrant India ready to step into the future.

The stage is set for a fierce three-cornered battle between incumbent BJP MP Jyotirmoy Singh Mahato, TMC’s former state minister Shantiram Mahato, and Congress’s veteran Nepal Mahato. All three candidates represent the Kurmi scheduled caste community.

The BJP, which won the confidence of the Kurmi community to dislodge the TMC from the seat in 2019, is now facing a strong challenge from the TMC. The latter has announced in its poll manifesto that it will stand by the community’s demand for ST status and pursue the Centre for its approval.

Political analyst Debashis Ghorai, a professor at Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University, suggested that with most political parties fielding Kurmi candidates, there could be a split in Kurmi votes, making the contest tough for the TMC.

The BJP is focusing on criticising the TMC’s governance policies and highlighting corruption and development stagnation in the region. The party is also promising to develop the region’s industrial landscape and aims to sway the local Hindu vote bank by capitalising on emotive issues like the Ram Temple consecration.

The TMC, on the other hand, is banking on the development card, citing Mamata Banerjee’s plans to launch a Rs 62,000-crore industrial park project in Raghunathpur and a slew of social welfare schemes.

Congress candidate Nepal Mahato echoed the electorate’s concerns about lack of industrialisation and employment opportunities. He alleged that issues like drinking water, employment, and tourism have been continuously neglected by the TMC government, while the BJP’s sole agenda was to polarise the society on religious grounds.

The saffron party first gained prominence in Purulia during the 2018 panchayat elections, seizing several seats from the ruling party. In the 2019 general elections, the party made significant strides in the forest-covered Jangalmahal area of central Bengal, including Purulia, winning all constituencies in the region.

The constituency comprises seven assembly segments – Purulia, Baghmundi, Manbazar, Balarampur, Kashipur, Para SC, and Joypur – with an electorate of over 14 lakhs. Purulia goes to polls in the sixth phase on May 25.

The incident occurred around 10.30 pm at Bhamuria under the jurisdiction of Neturia police station. Four of the deceased were passengers and the driver of the e-rickshaw, locally known as ‘toto’, while the fifth victim was the motorcyclist. None of the victims had been identified until Saturday night.

Witnesses reported that the truck, which was heading to Barakar in West Burdwan from Purulia, suddenly jumped from the down lane to the up lane and turned in the opposite direction. The truck first hit the e-rickshaw and then the motorcycle from behind, almost crushing both under its wheels.

Following the collision, the truck rammed into a tree and came to a halt. The driver managed to escape from the scene.

Local residents rushed the injured passengers to a nearby hospital, but all were declared dead upon arrival. Angered by the incident, residents blocked the road and vandalised a bus that arrived in the area soon after the accident.

The blockade was lifted after police intervention. However, on Saturday morning, local people again blocked the highway, demanding the arrest of the driver. The police later assured them that a search was underway to arrest the driver.

Shringla made this announcement while delivering a lecture at Southfield College in Darjeeling on Saturday. He spoke of the “interconnected nature of global affairs” and the way India’s image had transformed over the years. He also encouraged students to train on skills and spoke on techniques to crack the UPSC.

The Darjeeling Welfare Society, a nonprofit headed by Shringla, will set up UPSC coaching centres in Darjeeling. “The Darjeeling Welfare Society and Southfield College will soon be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for establishing a coaching centre,” said Shringla, who until recently was the chief coordinator of India’s G20 Presidency.

Shringla has previously served as India’s foreign secretary and the country’s ambassador to the United States, high commissioner to Bangladesh, and ambassador to Thailand. His vast experience has made the BJP keen to use his expertise in this region.

Although Shringla has remained mum on his political aspirations, his supporters are rooting for his entry to Parliament through the Rajya Sabha route. His name was strongly proposed by a lobby within the BJP as the party’s candidate from Darjeeling, but the decision to drop him as the BJP nominee was taken at the very last moment.

Shringla, 62, has a road at Bakerganj in Barishal district of Kalaskathi Union in Bangladesh named after him as a symbol of Bangladesh-India friendship. The 2.7km “Shree Harsh Vardhan Shringla Road” was inaugurated on August 7, 2023, by local MP Nasreen Jahan Ratna Amin.

Shringla visited Kalaskathi when he was the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh from 2016 to 2019. The area has important memories of the Bangladesh liberation war, with a Satindra Smriti Gandhi Ashram founded in 1946 by the then Gandhian leader Satindranath Sen and his associates.

Kharge had addressed back-to-back Lok Sabha election rallies in Samastipur and Muzaffarpur in Bihar on Saturday. Congress leader Rajesh Rathorre, in a video message on X, claimed that not only was Rahul Gandhi’s helicopter checked in Kerala, but now party president Kharge’s helicopter has also been checked in Bihar’s Samastipur.

Rathorre, who is the chief spokesperson of the Congress’ Bihar unit, shared a video showing a helicopter surrounded by officials, including police. He claimed that the chief electoral officer of Bihar was personally monitoring the checking of Kharge’s helicopter in Samastipur.

Rathorre called on the Election Commission (EC) to clarify whether such checking of helicopters of Congress leaders is routine and whether similar checks were also conducted on top leaders of the NDA. “The EC should make all such records public, otherwise it will be construed that it is only targeting Opposition leaders to stop them, and is letting NDA leaders go freely,” he said in his video message.

The Congress spokesperson further stated that the EC should release videos of all leaders who have been checked, in the interest of transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

Patnaik’s statement came in response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s claim at an election rally earlier in the day that the swearing-in ceremony of a “BJP chief minister” would be held in Bhubaneswar on June 10. “Nothing will happen on June 10. BJP will not be able to win the hearts of the people in the next 10 years, forget about June 10,” the chief minister retorted.

The Chief Minister also questioned why Biju Patnaik, the former Chief Minister of Odisha and his father, was not being considered for the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award. “There are so many brave sons of Odisha, a few of whom you spoke about today. Don’t any of them, including Biju Patnaik, deserve the Bharat Ratna?” Patnaik asked.

Patnaik reminded the people of Odisha of the promises made by Modi and the BJP in 2014 and 2019, including controlling prices of essential commodities, creating 2 crore jobs, reducing prices of LPG, petrol and diesel, and providing mobile connectivity in remote areas. He criticized the central government for remembering Odisha only during the elections.

He also expressed disappointment over the Centre’s allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for promoting Sanskrit, while no funds were allocated for Odia, despite it being a classical language. “I had sent proposals for recognition to classical Odissi music and you have rejected them twice,” he said.

Patnaik accused the Prime Minister of forgetting the farmers of the state and his promise of doubling the Minimum Support Price (MSP). He also criticized the central government for neglecting to revise the royalty on coal, which he described as Odisha’s natural wealth, for 10 years.

In an indirect reference to BJD leader VK Pandian’s assertion that he is the natural successor to all great values of Patnaik, Modi said, “I am here to invite you to the swearing-in ceremony of the BJP chief minister in Bhubaneswar on June 10. A son or daughter of the soil who understands the state’s culture, language and tradition will be made the CM.”

Odisha will vote for its 21 Lok Sabha seats and 147-member assembly, simultaneously, in four phases, starting on May 13.

In a response to Kharge’s letter, the commission on Friday called it an attempt to push a biased narrative under the guise of seeking clarifications. Gehlot, in a post on X, criticized the commission’s language, stating it seemed more like that of a political party than a constitutional institution.

“The Election Commission is seen standing with one party in these elections and that is creating doubts in the minds of the common people,” Gehlot said. He added that such a reaction is not good for the Election Commission’s image.

Gehlot expressed surprise that the Election Commission is reacting to internal discussions between parties but is not taking cognizance of the complaints raised by the opposition parties. “In Rajasthan, the Congress filed more than 20 complaints but it did not even issue notices on them,” Gehlot added.

Kharge, on his part, found it surprising that the poll authority chose to respond to a letter he wrote to INDIA bloc leaders but ignored several other complaints he raised directly to it. In a letter addressed to the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners, he said the poll panel is showing no urgency in dealing with “blatantly communal and casteist” statements being made by leaders of the ruling party.

Kharge clarified that his letter was an open letter clearly addressed to the Congress’ partners and not the commission. “It is surprising that the Election Commission of India wanted to respond to this letter while ignoring several other complaints given directly to it,” Kharge said in his letter to the poll authority on Saturday.

He further pointed out the contradictory stance of the poll authority’s letter, which on one hand, says the commission respects citizens’ right to ask questions and, on the other, “threatens citizens in the form of an advise to exercise caution”.

The Congress’ appeal came in the wake of the last-minute withdrawal of nomination by the party candidate Akshay Kanti Bam on April 29, who subsequently joined the BJP.

In response, the BJP has urged voters to reject the NOTA option and re-elect party MP Shankar Lalwani by a significant margin. The BJP has been victorious in the Indore parliamentary constituency for the past 35 years and is aiming for a victory margin of at least 8 lakh votes this time.

The Congress is targeting the BJP with the slogan “Note ka Jawab Nota”, to which the saffron party has retorted, “Your coin is counterfeit”.

Madhya Pradesh Minister Tulsi Silawat has uploaded a speech by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, in which Bhagwat appears to discourage the use of NOTA.

State Congress president Jitu Patwari stated that even though the party candidate is not in the fray, Congress workers should consider NOTA as their nominee.

In response, MP BJP chief VD Sharma said, “Your candidate voluntarily withdrew his nomination papers at the last moment. People are not stupid. Your coin is counterfeit and you are asking the public to vote for NOTA. This won’t prevail.”

Notably, Lalwani had defeated his nearest Congress rival by 5.47 lakh votes in the 2019 elections. A total of 14 candidates are in the fray from Indore, which has 25.13 lakh eligible voters. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Indore recorded a 69 per cent polling when 5,045 voters had opted for NOTA.

The political drama continues to unfold as the polling day approaches, with the NOTA option becoming a significant point of contention between the two major parties.

The constituency, which is the largest Lok Sabha constituency with 32 lakh voters, boasts a diverse population that speaks Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali, and Odiya. The music from yesteryears echoes through the streets, a testament to the rich cultural heritage of Malkajgiri.

The diversity of the population dates back to the British era when a large number of Tamils migrated to work on railway projects. As a center of defense forces, including the Secunderabad cantonment, many armed forces personnel have made Malkajgiri their home.

Public sector units such as Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, which manufacture electronic voting machines or EVMs, have attracted job-seekers from Kerala, Karnataka, and other states.

In 2019, A. Revanth Reddy, the representative of Malkajgiri, ascended to the position of Chief Minister after leading the Congress to a credible win. However, the political landscape in Malkajgiri is complex and ever-changing.

The Congress has fielded Sunitha Mahender Reddy, who quit the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) in February. The BJP has given another chance to Etala Rajender, who lost in the state elections just five months ago. Their BRS rival is Ragidi Lakshma Reddy, a local through and through.

Despite winning all seven Assembly seats in the Malkajgiri Lok Sabha segment, the BRS lost the election. With the defection of many leaders, the BRS has been in a tailspin, raising questions about who would get the BRS votes.

Etala Rajender, a former health minister who quit the BRS over serious differences with then Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao in June 2021, is eyeing a political resurrection. Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has promised a Metro rail among a slew of infrastructure projects for his former constituency.

However, N. Ramachander Rao, BJP’s national executive member and president of its Hyderabad unit, is confident about the party’s success. He believes that the BJP is on the upswing, and the Congress and BRS candidates are weak.

Rao is confident that the BJP will eventually take BRS’s place in Telangana. “We will be filling BRS’s space and also capture some Congress space in Malkajgiri, Chevalla, and Mahbubnagar,” he added.

BT Srinivasan, a resident of Malkajgiri and general secretary of the United Federation of Resident Welfare Associations, sees Rajender as the better option this time. “The people had supported Revanth Reddy in 2019. But I doubt they will repeat it this time,” he said. “This is a Mini India in every sense. But I think, this time Malkajgiri is backing Etala (Rajender).”

As the political tensions rise, the people of Malkajgiri continue to live in harmony, their lives echoing with the music of yesteryears, a testament to the unity in diversity that defines this ‘Mini India’.

Residents of Radhakantapur, a village under Mangalpura panchayat in Habibpur block under Malda Uttar constituency, had announced their decision to boycott the elections since Tuesday morning. Led by women, the villagers launched a daylong demonstration, protesting that their demand for the construction of a road and a bridge had remained unmet for years.

The situation escalated when irate residents held the polling team hostage and later attacked the police over the votes cast, thwarting their poll boycott plan. Two police officers were injured in stone-pelting by villagers. The police retaliated with batons and teargas to disperse the crowd and eventually rescued the polling team and officials of the block administration from the spot. Raids were conducted in the village to apprehend those involved in the violence.

Jyotsna Mondal, a villager, said, “We continued the demonstration and no one voted. Around 3.30pm, some officials from the block office reached the booth with two women who were outsiders. They cast their votes. As we protested, the BDO assured us that no vote had been polled in the booth and they would show us the EVM to prove their point.”

However, after polling time (6pm), as the polling team was wrapping up and sealing the EVM, villagers approached them. “We asked them to show the EVM to confirm no vote was cast in the booth. They denied showing us the EVM,” Mondal added.

Around 300 angry villagers assembled at the booth and detained the polling team. The team members passed the information to the block, prompting the BDO and other officers to hurry to the spot. They tried to convince the villagers to set the polling team free, but the latter detained them as well.

As a police team reached the spot to rescue the polling team and other officials stuck in the booth, some villagers resorted to brick-batting. An inspector of police and a woman assistant sub-inspector were injured as they were hit by bricks and stones.

The police resorted to lathi-charge and burst teargas shells to disperse the mob. While the injured police personnel were taken to hospital, others, including the polling team, were rescued from the village.

Later at night, police started conducting raids in the village to nab the attackers. However, most men of Radhakantapur had left the village to evade arrest, said sources.

The police and the administration have registered separate cases in connection with the incident. Senior administrative officials of the district, when contacted, said three votes were polled in the booth. “Those are EDC (election duty certificate) votes. People on poll duty can get EDC and vote in any booth. Three such voters have voted in the booth,” said an official.

He added: “Villagers have no legal authority to check an EVM. They should have understood it instead of getting angry.”

The Siliguri Challengers Trophy was officially inaugurated by Siliguri mayor Gautam Deb on Wednesday evening at the stadium. The second edition of the tournament, which has been held since last year, will see participation from 12 teams.

Teams from Siliguri and Jalpaiguri will be joined by those from Nepal, Sikkim, and a team from the Northeast Frontier Railway. “Only four matches will be played in the afternoon, that is, from 1pm. The remaining eight matches will be held from 6pm in floodlight. The final match is scheduled for May 15,” said a representative of the club.

Manoj Verma, the cricket secretary of the Siliguri Mahakuma Krira Parishad, the subdivisional sports body, expressed optimism about the tournament. He said, “The first edition of the tourney last year was a success. This time, we have come up with certain new attractions and arrangements and hope the event will be successful.”

The return of cricket to the Kanchenjungha Stadium, especially in the IPL format, is a significant development for the sport in the region. It not only provides a platform for local talent to showcase their skills but also brings the excitement and thrill of T20 cricket to the people of Siliguri.

Singh, who is challenging Rahul Gandhi in a high-profile electoral contest, also claimed that the Gandhi scion will lose by a larger margin than his mother, Sonia Gandhi, had won in the 2019 polls. Sonia Gandhi had defeated Singh in 2019 by over 1,67,000 votes, marking the lowest margin of victory that Sonia Gandhi has had in the five elections, including a bypoll, that she has fought from the constituency.

“People have great trust in Prime Minister Narendra Modi and under his leadership, the country as well as the hard-earned income of the people is safe. People of Rae Bareli also trust the prime minister,” Singh told PTI in an interview.

He further added, “So, in such a scenario, I don’t think the Congress candidate will be able to hold his ground before the BJP candidate in Rae Bareli.”

When asked about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra camping in Rae Bareli and campaigning for her brother Rahul, Singh said it could be a topic of discussion for media people who have come from outside but her camping here was a non-issue for the people of Rae Bareli.

“In 2022 assembly polls, she stayed here and asked for votes in every nook and corner, but in all the assembly seats Priyanka Gandhi camped here and ran around, about 16,000 votes were bagged in assembly segments. Is it the same Priyanka Gandhi?” he said, taking a swipe at the Congress general secretary.

Singh alleged that the Gandhi family has hatred for Rae Bareli-Amethi and that is why it neither fielded anyone from there in the Lok Sabha polls since 1952 nor sent any native person to Rajya Sabha.

“Rahul Gandhi ji has opened ‘mohabbat ki dukaan’. So much hatred is filled in the Gandhi family’s mind for Amethi-Rae Bareli. From 1952 till now, Gandhi family never gave a Lok Sabha ticket to a person born to a mother from Rae Bareli,” Singh claimed.

He further claimed that no son of Rae Bareli was sent to Rajya Sabha and the Gandhi family did not make anyone from Rae Bareli even an MP’s representative.

“MP’s representatives have also been brought from outside. Today it is before the people. Could only a person brought from Ludhiana who is Priyanka Gandhi’s clerk fight the polls from Amethi? Were there no Congress leaders in Amethi?” he said.

Singh also refuted suggestions that Rae Bareli was an electoral fortress of the Congress.

“Fortress is one which has four-five MLAs, eight block pramukhs, 10 zila panchayat members from the party. The Congress does not have a pradhan or block pramukh, or MLA, MLC, or zila panchayat president,” he said Singh claimed the Congress doesn’t even have an MP and even though the certificate of MP is with Sonia Gandhi but on the grounds of principles, she is not the MP.

He concluded by saying, “Rahul Gandhi does not have the support of the parties that Sonia Gandhi did, so there is no doubt that the number of votes by which Sonia Gandhi won in 2019, Rahul Gandhi will lose by a bigger margin than that.”

The main contenders for the three seats in the Muslim-majority region are powerful local parties, the National Conference and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). They will contest against each other but both say they are opposed to the Hindu nationalist BJP and will align with the Congress party-led opposition alliance.

Analysts and opposition parties suggest that the BJP decided to skip contesting the election because the outcome is likely to contradict Modi’s narrative of a peaceful, more integrated Kashmir since he removed the region’s semi-autonomous status in 2019 and brought it under New Delhi’s control.

“Why are they absent from the election?” asked Omar Abdullah, a leader of the National Conference and a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir state. “Clearly there is a gap between what the BJP claims to have done and the reality on the ground,” he said, speaking in his home in Kashmir’s main city, Srinagar.

Modi asserts that his 2019 decision brought normalcy to Kashmir after decades of bloodshed and promises to bring investments and jobs soon. The federal Home (Interior) Minister Amit Shah backs up the government’s position by claiming that youths now hold laptops in their hands instead of stones that they used to throw at security forces in the past.

As part of the move, Jammu and Kashmir state was split into two federally ruled areas - the Muslim-dominated Kashmir valley with the Hindu-dominated Jammu plains, and mountainous, Buddhist-dominated Ladakh. The government imposed a harsh lockdown on Kashmir at the time and Abdullah and almost all other local leaders were held in custody for months.

Ravinder Raina, the chief of the Kashmir unit of the BJP, said the party’s decision to skip the election was part of a broader strategy, although he declined to give specifics. “The BJP will not fight, but support a candidate who will work for peace, happiness, brotherhood and democracy,” in each of the three seats, he said. The BJP has not yet announced which of the many small parties in the fray it will support.

Interviews with over a dozen residents, political leaders, security officials and analysts in Kashmir and New Delhi indicate that discontent and alienation continue to simmer in the heavily militarised Himalayan region. Besides the three-decade insurgency, Kashmir is divided into India-controlled and Pakistan-controlled sectors and claimed in full by both nations. The nuclear-armed enemies have fought two of their three wars since independence in 1947 over Kashmir.

India claims that Islamic Pakistan has supported the insurgency in Kashmir, while Islamabad says it only provides moral support to the people there. Abdul Hameed, a 50-year-old garment store owner in Pulwama town near Srinagar, said the federal government had kept the lid on Kashmir since 2019, masking the true situation. “But it is like a spring. Right now they have crushed it. But who knows when will it burst open again,” he said.

Although there are fewer restrictions on people’s movements compared to five years ago, there are still tens of thousands of troops in the valley to enforce the peace. For decades, residents and human rights groups have accused Indian security forces of atrocities against the mainly Muslim population. The government says cases of abuse are isolated acts and it prosecutes any soldier found guilty of human rights violations.

Indian military data shows there are over 100 active militants in the region, who allegedly target security forces and workers from other parts of India. Militants killed an air force soldier in an attack on a military convoy on Saturday, officials said.

“The absence of an elected system over here is an indication of the fact that things are not as they are portrayed,” said Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a retired law professor in Srinagar. “They (the BJP) should have treated (this election) as a referendum in their favour. But they seem to be scared.”

In the May 2019 general election, the BJP contested all three seats in Kashmir, losing them to Abdullah’s National Conference. This year, BJP is contesting the two seats in Jammu and one in Ladakh, all of which it had won in 2019.

Mehbooba Mufti, the chief of the PDP, is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, which many believed might have been the BJP’s best bet to enter Kashmir in this election.

In 2022, a federal government-appointed commission changed the borders of constituencies in Kashmir and Jammu. To Kashmir’s Anantnag, which had around 1.6 million largely Muslim votes in 2019, it added around 1 million mostly Hindu voters from Jammu’s Poonch and Rajouri districts.

Mufti told Reuters that by clubbing them, the Modi administration was “changing the balance of the voters”. The BJP, she said, wants to “disempower and they want to divest, dispossess Muslims, especially the Kashmiris.”

National Conference’s Abdullah also claimed that the redrawing of the district was done to give BJP an “advantage”. But they still didn’t field a candidate, which “tells you just how bad things must be for the BJP”, Abdullah said.

However, BJP’s Raina said that the redrawing has made the constituencies more representative of the region.

Travelers at Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, and Kannur airports faced disappointment when flights to Gulf nations were called off at the last minute for the second consecutive day. This sudden cancellation has sparked frustration and caused inconvenience among passengers who relied on the airline’s assurance for their travel plans.

“I was assured by Air India Express yesterday that I can travel to Qatar on Thursday. But they did not keep their promise. I was told at the last moment that my flight has been cancelled again for the second consecutive day,” an aggrieved passenger at Karipur airport in Kozhikode told reporters.

Another passenger, who claimed his work visa would expire today, told a TV channel at Thiruvananthapuram airport that when his flight to the Gulf region was cancelled yesterday, he was given a ticket for today. “When I arrived here (Thiruvananthapuram airport), the airline told me that the flight was cancelled. If I do not reach my place of work by tonight, my visa will expire and I will lose my job,” he said.

Another passenger at the Thiruvananthapuram airport said that AI Express asked him to take a ticket on another airline, but he was unable to do so. “Why can’t they help us get tickets on another airline? Let them charge us for that,” he said.

Air India Express has issued termination letters to around 25 cabin crew members who reported sick that led to the cancellation of more than 90 flights, airline sources said on Thursday. The Tata Group-owned airline has also given an ultimatum to the remaining cabin crew members reporting sick to join back duty by 4 pm on Thursday or face termination, they added.

Air India Express has also cancelled at least 60 flights for Thursday due to the non-availability of cabin crew, the sources said, and added that mass leaves by a section of the cabin crew have caused immense inconvenience to passengers.

Thailand has extended its visa-free entry until November 11, 2024. The facility, which was implemented on November 10, 2023, was initially set to expire on May 10, 2024. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan government has announced the extension of its visa-free facility until May 31, 2024. The country had started offering visa-free entry as a pilot project in October of the previous year. In both countries, the facility is valid for 30 days for visitors from India.

Officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand reported a sharp increase in the number of tourists from India since the implementation of the visa-free facility. Between November 2022 and April 2023, Thailand welcomed 755,066 visitors from India. This number rose to 968,000 between November 2023 and April 2024, marking a 28.2 per cent increase in the number of visitors from India compared with the previous year.

“India is a very important market for us,” said Sirges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s New Delhi Office. “This helped the Thailand government decide to extend the visa-free facility.”

In Calcutta, tour operators anticipate that the extension will boost travel to these destinations, especially during the summer and Puja vacations. City-based businessman Mukesh Hathiramani, who was planning a trip to Singapore with his wife to visit their daughter, changed his plans after learning about the extension of the visa-free entry facility in Thailand. Hathiramani and his wife will now travel to Thailand on May 19 for an eight-day trip, where their daughter will join them.

“The facility has boosted group travel and destination weddings to both Thailand and Sri Lanka. We expect the number of tourists to these countries to exceed even the pre-Covid period,” said Anil Punjabi, a national committee member of the Travel Agents Federation of India, representing the eastern region.

Typically, an Indian citizen would need to spend Rs 3,000 for a Thai visa and maintain a balance of Rs 70,000 in their bank account, according to tour operators. The visa-free entry facility, therefore, presents a significant saving for Indian tourists.

Students were able to access their marksheets online starting at 3:00 PM IST on the official WBCHSE website. This website allows students to download their digital marksheets for future reference. For those who prefer a physical copy, mark sheets and certificates will be available for collection from designated distribution centers across West Bengal starting May 10.

The WB HS results 2024 marksheets were available on the official website wbresults.nic.in. Candidates who appeared for the exams entered their WB HS roll number and date of birth to check the result and download the marksheets.

The results for the class 12 science, arts, and commerce streams were announced in the official press conference. The board has yet to release the list of toppers and the overall pass percentage. Last year, the overall pass percentage for WB HS Result 2023 was 89.25%, with girls achieving a pass percentage of 81.26% and boys surpassing at 91.86%. The total number of candidates who appeared for the examination was 737,807.

This is an exciting day for students who appeared for the exam. Remember, the website might experience high traffic due to the large number of students checking their results simultaneously. So, be patient and keep refreshing if you encounter any delays. Congratulations to all the exam takers! Stay tuned for more updates on the West Bengal Board HS Result 2024.

Four seats in Malda and Murshidabad districts — Malda Uttar and Dakshin, Jangipur and Murshidabad — went to the polls on Tuesday. However, a significant number of migrant workers from these districts did not return home to vote.

“I went home last month on the occasion of Eid-Ul-Fitr (on April 11). Again, I have to go home in June for Eid-Ul-Adha (on June 17). That is why I thought of staying back and didn’t go home to vote,” said Manirul over the phone.

Ahead of the elections, migrant workers usually return home in groups to vote. In Malda and Murshidabad, there are around 10 lakh people who work in other states. However, this time, many like Manirul and Wasim Akram, a construction worker from Farakka of Murshidabad district who works in Mumbai, chose to skip the elections due to economic constraints and religious commitments.

Political parties, including the Trinamool Congress led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, had repeatedly urged the migrant workers to return home and vote. “Those working in other states should come and vote. Or else, your name might be struck off the electoral roll in the pretext of the CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and the NRC,” Mamata had warned at public meetings in these districts.

Malda and Murshidabad have a minority population of around 50 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively, which makes the ruling dispensation of Bengal focus on this vote bank. However, the spectre of the CAA and the NRC, which Trinamool had presented during its campaign, didn’t seem to have the desired effect.

“In democracy, everybody should vote. Simultaneously, we can’t ignore the economic reality. It is indeed tough for a migrant worker, serving in a far-flung state, to visit his home thrice in three months,” said Mou Chatterjee, a teacher in political science based in Malda.

Political parties are yet to assess how many migrant workers turned up to vote. In Malda, a rough estimate made by parties indicated that barely one lakh workers, who serve in neighbouring states, voted on Tuesday.

Ashok Das, the vice-president of Trinamool’s Murshidabad district committee, admitted that fewer migrant workers voted this time. “It is true that most of them stayed back at their workplaces as they will come home next month. We got the reports at the last moment and thus didn’t have time to organise them and bring them here to vote,” said Das.

Subhadeep Sanyal, the Malda district INTTUC president, blamed the protracted poll season conceived by the Election Commission of India. “It is impractical to expect that a migrant worker, especially one who is from the minority community, would be able to come home thrice in three months because of religious events and elections. As far as we know, only a few of them have come to vote. It is because of the long election schedule drawn by the Election Commission that they couldn’t vote,” said Sanyal.

Thakur, a matriculate, lives with his mother, wife, and four children. He has been a part of the Khadi Gramodyog staff since 2014. A responsible citizen, Thakur has exercised his right to vote in both the 2014 and 2019 elections.

When asked about Prime Minister Modi’s promise of ‘Acche Din’, Thakur expressed his disappointment. “Not at all,” he said, citing rising inflation and unemployment as major concerns. “There is no money in hand, while corruption and pollution have shot up,” he added.

Thakur also pointed out the failure of the government in fulfilling its promise of providing pucca houses to all the poor people under the Indira Awas Yojana (now known as PM-Awas Yojana). He claimed that the benefits have not reached the real poor but have been availed by well-off people in the rural areas.

Reflecting on the changes since 2014, Thakur said, “Trouble and tension have increased for the common man for everything. Notebandi (demonetisation), GST, high fuel and cooking prices are some of the examples.”

The issue of unemployment is what Thakur would like to see addressed immediately. “The youth are roaming aimlessly here and there without jobs, and are resorting to crimes,” he said.

Thakur’s expectations from the new government are clear. He wants the government to work for the masses instead of just the rich, and bring down inflation and corruption. He also hopes that the new government will not pursue policies that would further increase inflation, pushing low-income groups into poverty.

As Darbhanga gears up to cast its vote, the voices of citizens like Ramanand Thakur echo the expectations and aspirations of many. It remains to be seen how the new government will respond to these concerns.

The parties lodged separate complaints related to poll violence, voter intimidation, and assaults on poll agents within the first few hours of polling. The Election Commission (EC) received 182 complaints by 9 am, most of which were from Murshidabad and Jangipur constituencies.

According to officials, around 32.82 per cent polling was reported till 11 am, with Jangipur recording the highest turnout of 33.81 per cent, followed by Maldaha Dakshin (33.09), Murshidabad (32.72), and Maldaha Uttar (31.73). Additionally, 29.39 per cent voting was recorded in the assembly bypoll in Murshidabad’s Bhagawangola.

In the Murshidabad seat, Left-Congress combine candidate Mohammed Salim claimed that he caught hold of a “fake booth agent” in Rabinagar area of the constituency. He was greeted with “go back” slogans as he tried to enter a booth following allegations of CPI(M) booth agents being heckled by alleged TMC goons.

“The TMC has unleashed a reign of terror in the entire constituency. Strict action must be taken by the Election Commission,” Salim said.

In Jangipur area, BJP candidate Dhanajoy Ghosh faced protests by TMC cadres as he tried to enter some of the booths in the constituency. “If such hooliganism continues, there could be a rerun of Cooch Behar’s Sitalkuchi incident,” he said, referring to the 2021 assembly polls incident when four persons were killed after central forces opened fire to control a mob.

The TMC has complained to the EC against Ghosh, accusing him of intimidating voters. In Englishbazar area, the BJP accused the TMC of beating up their booth agents, similar complaints were lodged by the Congress against the state’s ruling party from Ratua area in Malda.

In some areas, TMC workers staged a protest following allegations that central forces were assisting BJP workers in intimidating voters at some booths in the Maldaha North constituency.

Altogether 73,37,651 voters, including 36,12,395 women and 154 belonging to the third gender, are eligible to exercise their franchise. Voting began at 7 am and will continue until 6 pm. The nation now awaits the results of this crucial election.

A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra was hearing a batch of petitions challenging the Calcutta High Court’s April 22 decision. The decision invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in state-run and state-aided schools of West Bengal.

Chief Justice Chandrachud questioned the lawyers representing the state government, “The public job is so scarce… Nothing remains if the faith of the public goes. This is systemic fraud. Public jobs are extremely scarce today and are looked at for social mobility. What remains in the system if their appointments are also maligned? People will lose faith, how do you countenance this?”

The bench pointed out that the state government has nothing to show that the data was maintained by its authorities. “Either you have the data or you do not have it… You were duty-bound to maintain the documents in digitised form. Now, it is obvious that there is no data. You are unaware of the fact that your service provider has engaged another agency. You had to maintain supervisory control,” the bench told the state government’s lawyers.

The hearing is set to resume at 2 pm.

Earlier, the state government had challenged the Calcutta High Court order, claiming it cancelled the appointments “arbitrarily”. The Supreme Court’s remarks have brought this high-profile case back into the spotlight, and the nation now awaits further developments.

Modi stated that the Congress party has started to claim that Dr Ambedkar had a minimal role in the creation of the Constitution, and that Pandit Nehru made the most significant contribution. “The truth is that the Congress parivar deeply hates Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar,” Modi said.

The Prime Minister further accused the Congress of stabbing Ambedkar and the Constitution in the back. He vowed to foil any attempts to erase India’s identity in the name of pseudo secularism as long as he is alive.

Modi also addressed rumors being spread by the Congress that if he secures 400 Lok Sabha seats, he will change the Constitution. He clarified that his aim for 400 seats in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls is to ensure that the Congress is not able to reinstate Article 370 in Kashmir and to prevent the Congress from misusing the OBC quota for its vote bank.

“In the last five years, we had nearly 400 seats, including NDA, supporting regional parties and Independents. We used this number to scrap Article 370,” Modi said. He added that these 400 plus seats were also used to extend the SC/ST quota for 10 years and to appoint a tribal woman as the country’s President.

The Prime Minister’s remarks have stirred up the political atmosphere, and the nation now awaits the results of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls.

The protesters, who raised slogans against AAP and its convener, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, were stopped by the police at a barricade. Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva alleged corruption within AAP and expressed his concern over the party allegedly accepting funds from a banned terrorist outfit.

“There could be political differences among the parties, but there cannot be any compromise with national security,” Sachdeva said. He demanded that those who joined hands with anti-national forces should be booked under sedition charges.

The Lieutenant Governor has recommended an NIA probe against Kejriwal based on a complaint that AAP allegedly received political funding from SFJ. However, AAP has rejected the charge and alleged that the recommendation is “yet another conspiracy” against Kejriwal, orchestrated by the ruling BJP at the Centre.

The situation remains tense as the allegations and counter-allegations continue to unfold. The nation awaits further developments in this high-profile case.

Modi, who has been voting at this location for many years, was accompanied by Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah, the BJP candidate from Gandhinagar. After casting his vote, Modi showed his inked finger to the crowd, signed autographs, and interacted with the people.

In a statement to reporters, Modi said, “Matdaan samanya daan nahi hai, hamare desh main daan ka mahatva hai (voting is not a common gift, in our country importance is given to donation). People of the country should vote in large numbers keeping this feeling in their hearts.”

He also praised the Election Commission for conducting the polls in a voter-friendly manner and adopting modern technology. He suggested that the conduct of Indian elections could serve as a learning process for other democracies and urged global universities to carry out a case study on Indian elections.

Modi highlighted that this year, almost 64 countries worldwide are going to polls and called for a comparison of elections between India and other countries. He said, “This year’s festival of democracy is not only in India but around the world.”

The Prime Minister expressed his faith in the democratic process and urged the people to participate enthusiastically in the ongoing third phase of voting. He concluded by saying, “Today is the day of celebration of democracy. I congratulate the Election Commission, security forces, and officials involved in conducting the first two phases of polls almost violence-free.”

The polling began at 7 am in all the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in Gujarat. The nation now awaits the results of this crucial election.

Accompanied by his wife Sonal Shah, son Jay Shah, and other family members, Shah exercised his franchise in the Naranpura locality. After casting his vote, he showed his inked finger and the victory sign, symbolizing his confidence in the electoral process.

In a statement to reporters, Shah said, “I would like to appeal to all voters across the country and also the voters of Gujarat to participate enthusiastically in this festival of democracy. Choose a stable government which is dedicated to making the country safe and prosperous, which works for the welfare of the poor and India’s pride.”

He further appealed to the people to elect a government that is against corruption and wants to eradicate poverty, make the country self-reliant, developed, and number one in every field in the world.

Shah expressed his faith in the electorate, stating that he believes the people will elect a government that will provide stability, security, and will make India free of poverty. He added, “I offer many good wishes to all the people in the country on this festival of democracy. And I once again appeal to them to participate in this festival of democracy by voting enthusiastically.”

After emerging from the polling booth, the Union minister greeted the people and proceeded to a nearby temple to offer prayers along with his family members, a tradition he has followed on every voting day. The voting trend in Gujarat in the morning has been very encouraging, according to Shah.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody. The case relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta was given a note by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, in which he contradicted the submission of Kejriwal that the statements of approvers were suppressed by the probe agency.

The top court had issued a notice to the ED on April 15 and sought its response to Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest. On April 9, the Delhi High Court had upheld Kejriwal’s arrest, saying there was no illegality and the ED was left with “little option” after he skipped repeated summonses and refused to join the investigation.

The hearing on the plea continues, and the nation awaits the final verdict on this high-profile case. The outcome of this case could have significant implications on the political landscape of the country. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

Kejriwal was arrested on March 21 and is currently lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody. The case relates to alleged corruption and money laundering in the formulation and execution of the Delhi government’s now-scrapped excise policy for 2021-22.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and Dipankar Datta was given a note by Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the ED, in which he contradicted the submission of Kejriwal that the statements of approvers were suppressed by the probe agency.

The top court had issued a notice to the ED on April 15 and sought its response to Kejriwal’s plea against his arrest. On April 9, the Delhi High Court had upheld Kejriwal’s arrest, saying there was no illegality and the ED was left with “little option” after he skipped repeated summonses and refused to join the investigation.

The hearing on the plea continues, and the nation awaits the final verdict on this high-profile case. The outcome of this case could have significant implications on the political landscape of the country. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

Smooth Traffic

The searing heat has altered the city’s peak traffic hours, with most office-bound traffic now over by 9.30am. This shift has resulted in emptier roads for the rest of the day. “Earlier, the morning peak office hour traffic would last up to 11. That isn’t the case on most thoroughfares now,” said a senior police officer. As a result, many people are hitting the road quite early in the day to avoid the heat, leading to less congestion during the usual peak hours.

Missing Sting

Residents have reported a noticeable decrease in mosquitoes. Arnab Mondal, a resident of Naktala, noted that the “sting armies” were missing for most of April. Debashis Biswas, chief vector control officer of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, attributed this to the absence of accumulated water, which is necessary for the breeding of mosquitoes such as Aedes aegypti and Anopheles stephensi, which cause dengue and malaria respectively.

Virus Recedes

Doctors have also observed a decline in viral infections. Chandramouli Bhattacharya, an infectious diseases specialist, suggested that some viruses may not thrive in this heat. He also pointed out that the early onset of summer vacation in schools has contributed to this dip in viral infections, as schools are often hubs for the spread of such infections.

While these unexpected benefits have been a silver lining to the heatwave, residents are reminded to stay hydrated and take necessary precautions to stay safe in the scorching conditions.

Prabodh Mandal, who owns a bhaat-er hotel on the pavement along Fairlie Place, was seen fidgeting with his phone around 2pm on a working day last week. His eatery, which can accommodate eight to ten people, had only two customers. “Usually, between 1pm and 3.30pm, I don’t have time to breathe because of the constant rush of customers. But people have almost stopped coming out because of this heat,” said Mandal, who has been running the stall for over 30 years.

The temperature outside had soared to 43 degrees Celsius around the same time, marking the hottest April day in 70 years in Calcutta. This excessive heat has altered the eating habits of the office para, where hundreds of eateries usually satiate the hunger of tens of thousands of people every day.

Dalhousie and BBD Bag, part of the central business district of Calcutta, are known for their roadside eateries. These stalls, which sell everything from biryani to idli, chowmein to chhole bhature, provide daily food to tens of thousands of office-goers and people who have to visit the area, as well as livelihood to hundreds who own and work at the stalls.

However, most stall-owners have reported a sharp dip in footfall. The deserted stalls on Dacres Lane, Fairlie Place, Bentinck Street, BB Ganguly Street, and RN Mukherjee Road present a picture that regulars are not familiar with. Many vendors have started procuring a fraction of the raw materials they usually would to offset a dip in the number of customers. Despite this, a portion of what they sourced is being wasted every day.

“We usually need around 18kg of noodles every day. Now, we have reduced it to around 4kg. But a portion of the total stock is getting wasted every day,” said Swapan Patra, who cooks noodles, pasta, fried rice, chilli chicken, and such fare on RN Mukherjee Road.

In response to the changing demands, Jiten Prasad, who sells parathas on GC Avenue, has switched to chire-doi (a mix of flattened rice and curd), one of the few items that is selling briskly in the scorching conditions. “In this heat, this is an ideal combination. I am having curd and fruits alternately. I am totally avoiding spicy food and drinking plenty of water,” said Debanjan Sarkar, who works in the customs office on Strand Road.

Despite the heat, South Indian food, like idli and sada dosa, were still finding some takers. A stall on Dacres Lane, the famed “eat street” at Esplanade, which sells milk, milk-based sweets, and lassi throughout the year, saw at least eight people drinking lassi during a 10-minute period.

As the city grapples with the heatwave, the changing food habits of its residents reflect their resilience and adaptability.

The processing plant, located in New Town, has the capacity to process 500 tonnes of waste daily. However, it currently receives only about 90 tonnes each day, according to a KMC official. The waste is often used to fill water bodies or elevate the height of plots, leading to environmental concerns such as increased air pollution.

Recently, residents in Jadavpur reported seeing bricks and concrete chunks dumped along the banks of a local water body. The continuous dumping of solid waste has led to a noticeable reduction in the size of the pond over the years.

According to an order issued by the municipal commissioner last month, “No Completion Certificate will be issued unless the applicant furnishes the certificate issued by the plant operator.” The order also states that construction will not be permitted unless the owner or developer provides a certificate from the plant confirming that the waste generated up to the plinth level was deposited in the plant.

A fee will be levied on the owner for the processing of the waste when the KMC approves a building plan. Owners have the option to send the waste to the plant themselves or request the KMC to collect it. The KMC has approximately 50 vehicles dedicated to waste collection. Those generating construction and demolition waste outside the KMC area are also permitted to send their waste to the plant.

The plant is designed to convert the waste generated in the real estate sector into paver blocks. Plot owners found to be dumping waste in open spaces or water bodies will be held accountable and could face hefty fines. They are advised to verify with their developers whether the waste is being sent to the plant.

As per the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Rules, 2016, individuals found dumping waste in water bodies or sewer lines can be fined ₹2 lakh, while those dumping waste on vacant plots can be fined ₹20,000.

The KMC also plans to request the Public Works Department (PWD), Kolkata Metropolitan Development Authority (KMDA), and the railways to send their waste to the plant.

Approximately 2,45,000 students across the country sat for the ICSE exams, while around 1,00,000 candidates appeared for the ISC papers this year. In Bengal alone, there were about 50,000 ICSE examinees and about 27,000 ISC examinees.

The ICSE 2024 exams were held from February 21 to March 28, and the ISC 2024 exams were conducted from February 12 to April 4. In an unexpected turn of events, the chemistry and psychology tests for ISC were postponed at the last moment and held on a later date.

The council has confirmed that the results will be available on its official websites - cisce.org and results.cisce.org. Schools can also access the results on the Careers portal, and students can check their results on the DigiLocker portal.

Over the weekend, due to the circulation of fake circulars, thousands of anxious students kept checking the council’s website in the hope of accessing their results.

The council has also provided an option for candidates or school heads to apply for a “recheck of results”. The recheck module will be activated after the declaration of results today and will be available until May 10, 2024. During the recheck, three things will be verified - whether there was any totalling error, whether any answer was unmarked, and whether there was any transcription error.

If any candidate is not satisfied with the recheck result, they will be permitted to apply for re-evaluation of the answer script. School heads can also apply for re-evaluation of answer scripts of students of their institutions.

For candidates wishing to improve their marks, the council has provided an option to appear for an improvement test in up to two subjects. The improvement exams will be held in July 2024.

The results of the recheck will be declared on the council’s website, within four weeks of receiving the applications. The council has urged students to remain patient and assured them that every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the results.

In an apparent dig at BJD president and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Modi stated, “Odisha needs a CM who understands Odia language and culture.” He further added that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will form a “double-engine government” in the state after the elections.

Modi claimed that Odisha has not benefitted from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana as the “BJD government did not implement” it in the state. He also pointed out that the Centre had allocated Rs 10,000 crore to Odisha under the ‘Jal Jeevan Mission’ scheme, but the BJD government failed to utilize the funds properly.

The Prime Minister urged the people of Odisha to give the BJP a chance to govern. “You have given 50 years to Congress and 25 years to BJD. Just give five years to the BJP. We will make Odisha the number one state in the country,” Modi said at the rally.

Despite Odisha’s fertile land, abundant mineral resources, and extensive coastlines, Modi claimed that the people of the state remain impoverished.

The BJP has released a visionary manifesto for Odisha, promising jobs for youths and women, and health facilities for senior citizens. “BJP fulfils what it says,” Modi added, emphasizing the party’s commitment to its promises.

The assembly and Lok Sabha elections in Odisha will be held simultaneously, marking a crucial period for the state’s political future.

According to a CISCE official, 99.47% of students passed the class 10 exams, while 98.19% cleared the class 12 exams. “In class 10, the pass percentage of boys is 99.31% while that of girls is 99.65%. Similarly, boys have achieved a pass percentage of 97.53% in class 12 exams while the pass percentage of girls stood at 98.92%,” said Joseph Emmanuel, CISCE Chief Executive and Secretary.

The best-performing schools abroad for class 10 were from Indonesia, Singapore, and Dubai, all achieving a 100% pass percentage. For class 12, the top-performing schools were from Singapore and Dubai.

The ICSE examination (class 10) was conducted in 60 written subjects, including 20 Indian languages, 13 foreign languages, and one classical language. The exams started on February 21 and concluded on March 28, spanning 18 days.

The ISC examination (class 12) was conducted in 47 written subjects, including 12 Indian languages, four foreign languages, and two classical languages. The exams began on February 12 and concluded on April 4, conducted over 28 days.

This year’s results highlight the dedication and hard work of the students, particularly the girls, who have excelled in their respective classes. The CISCE congratulates all students on their achievements and wishes them success in their future endeavors.

Videos and photos shared by official sources depicted ED officials extracting bundles of currency notes from large bags in a room located in a building at Gadikhana Chowk. Central force security personnel were also present at the scene.

The domestic help, allegedly residing at this location, is linked to Sanjiv Lal, the personal secretary of Jharkhand Rural Development Minister Alam. When contacted, Alam stated, “I have no official information regarding this so far.” He added that he had seen on TV that the premises are linked to his official private secretary provided by the government.

ED sources revealed that note-counting machines have been deployed to count the cash, which could range between Rs 20-30 crore. The cash is primarily in the denomination of Rs 500, and some jewellery has also been recovered.

Alam, aged 70, is a Congress leader representing the Pakur seat in the Jharkhand assembly.

The searches are connected to a money laundering case against Veerendra Kumar Ram, the former chief engineer of the rural development department, who was arrested by the ED last year. Ram, posted in Ranchi, had allegedly generated proceeds of crime in the name of commission from contractors in exchange for allotment of tenders to them. The agency had attached assets worth Rs 39 crore of the officer last year in April.

The proceeds of crime were allegedly used by Ram and his family members to live a lavish lifestyle. The money laundering case against Ram originates from a complaint of the Jharkhand anti-corruption bureau (ACB).

This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.

According to the 4 pm bulletin from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh was the most polluted city in the country, with an AQI of 346.

The CPCB warns that ‘very poor’ air quality can cause respiratory illness upon prolonged exposure. The AQI is an assessment of air quality that takes into account pollutants, including PM 2.5 – particulate matter less than 2.5 microns, and PM 10.

Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) chairman Devendra Kumar Shukla acknowledged the deteriorating air quality in certain cities of the state. He attributed this to low wind speed, ongoing construction activities without following pollution control measures, and recent fire incidents in Patna and surrounding areas.

Shukla stated that civic bodies will have to start sprinkling water to check the deteriorating AQI in the state capital. “Rain will certainly bring some immediate relief. The BSPCB will soon intensify its drive to check deteriorating AQI levels in certain cities of the state,” he added.

As guardians of the environment, the BSPCB maintains an unwavering commitment to improving air quality and ensuring the health and safety of the residents. The board urges everyone to contribute to pollution control measures and help create a cleaner and healthier environment.

In an open letter, the academicians refuted Gandhi’s claims that vice chancellors are appointed solely based on their affiliation with certain organisations, rather than merit. They asserted that the selection process is characterized by a stringent, transparent, and rigorous procedure grounded in meritocracy, scholarly distinction, and integrity.

Among the signatories of the letter are Jawaharlal University Vice Chancellor Santishree Dhulipudi Pandit, Delhi University VC Yogesh Singh, and AICTE Chairman T G Sitharam. They insisted that the selection has been completely based on academic and administrative prowess, with a vision to advance universities.

While they did not quote Gandhi’s specific claims, the Congress leader has previously alleged that affiliations with the Hindutva organisation RSS often guide appointments to academia.

The signatories also include Vinay Pathak, VC, CSJM University, Kanpur, Bhagwati Prakash Sharma, Chancellor, Pacific University, Udaipur, and N C Gautam, former VC, Mahatma Gandhi Gramodaya Vishvavidyalaya, Chitrakoot.

They highlighted the significant transition of universities in India, as evident in their ascent in global rankings, prominent accreditations, world-class research and innovations, curriculum facelift narrowing the industry-academia gap, and higher placement prospects. This, they asserted, reaffirms their commitment to academic quality and societal relevance.

The academicians stated, “The array of academic disciplines and professional experiences represented amongst us stands as evidence of the unbiased and inclusive nature of the selection procedure.” They emphasized their dedication to cultivating an atmosphere that values and promotes diversity, encourages independent thinking, and supports scholastic achievement.

They accused Rahul Gandhi of resorting to falsehood and defaming the Office of the Vice Chancellors at large with the intent to derive political mileage out of it. They urged for appropriate action to be taken against him in accordance with law.

As guardians of knowledge and administrators of academia, they expressed their unwavering commitment to maintaining the utmost levels of governance integrity, ethical behaviour, and institutional integrity. They called for everyone involved to exercise discernment in distinguishing fact from fiction, abstain from spreading unfounded rumours, and engage in well-informed, constructive dialogue that supports their shared goal of creating a dynamic and inclusive educational environment.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Soren, urgently mentioned the matter before a bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud. The bench, also comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, stated that it would consider the request.

The appeal comes after the Jharkhand High Court dismissed Soren’s writ petition on Friday. The petition challenged his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and sought bail, which was denied.

Soren was arrested by the ED on January 31 and is currently in judicial custody at the Birsa Munda Central Jail in Ranchi. He was sent to jail on February 15, following a 13-day custody period with the ED.

The Supreme Court’s decision on this matter is eagerly awaited, as it will have significant implications for Soren and the ongoing investigation into the alleged land scam.

Pranpur, located in the Chanderi tehsil of Ashoknagar district, is predominantly inhabited by the Koli community of Dalits. Almost all households here are engaged in weaving, creating exquisite textiles on their handlooms. The village has seen significant improvements, including paved lanes and renovated homes, thanks to the efforts of Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

Scindia, who switched from the Congress to the BJP in 2020, is a revered figure in Pranpur. For the 450-odd weaver households, the Scindias, irrespective of party affiliation, symbolize government support and progress. The Madhya Pradesh government has invested ₹7.45 crore in revamping the village, painting walls with colourful traditional murals and promoting the local handloom industry.

However, the journey of Pranpur’s weavers hasn’t been without challenges. Elderly weaver Ramesh Badkul recalls a time when the weavers were in constant debt to moneylenders and many migrated to become wage labour. The intervention of Madhavrao Scindia, Jyotiraditya’s father and Congress minister, brought about a significant change. He introduced the weavers to companies and set up institutions to buy directly from them, reducing their dependence on traders.

Despite these improvements, the weavers face several challenges. They earn only up to ₹500 for a simple sari that costs around ₹2,500 and takes more than a day to make. Weavers who own their looms earn more than those who don’t. A loom costs around ₹30,000, a significant investment for many.

The weavers’ hopes are now pinned on the Hathkargha Samvardhan Sahayata scheme, under which about 2,000 weavers have received looms with a 90 per cent subsidy from the Union government. However, around 450 are yet to receive it.

The weavers also hope for better healthcare facilities and alternative employment opportunities for their youth. Hemant, son of Ramesh Badkul, advocates for a higher pension for weavers and assistance in selling their saris directly. Despite registering under the Handloom Mark central scheme in 2021, he struggles to sell at larger volumes and convince buyers of their authenticity.

As Pranpur’s weavers navigate these challenges, their story is a testament to their resilience, their rich heritage, and their hopes for a brighter future.

Bakshish, a resident of Talli Gulam village, allegedly tore some pages of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book of the Sikhs, after entering the gurdwara premises. His father, Lakhwinder Singh, stated that Bakshish was mentally disturbed and was undergoing treatment for his condition.

The police have registered an FIR against Bakshish for the alleged sacrilege under section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings or beliefs) of the Indian Penal Code at the Arif Ke Police Station. The complaint was lodged by Lakhvir Singh, chairman of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Committee. However, Bakshish’s father has called on the police to also register a case against those responsible for his son’s death.

According to police, after the alleged sacrilege, Bakshish tried to flee but was caught by some people. As news of the incident spread, villagers assembled at the gurdwara and thrashed the youth, leading to his death from injuries.

Giani Raghbir Singh, the Jathedar of the Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, expressed grief over the incident and termed Bakshish’s death as a reaction to the “failure to punish the culprits and give exemplary punishments by law.” He also asked the Sikh ‘Sangat’ to socially and religiously boycott Bakshish’s family and not to allow his last rites to be held in any gurdwara.

In a statement, the Jathedar said that incidents of sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib have been occurring for a long time under a “well-planned conspiracy”. He criticized the government’s law for failing to stop these incidents or punish the culprits. He stated that the sacrilege in Ferozepur was a very unfortunate incident that has hurt the sentiments of Sikhs.

“For Sikhs, there is nothing above Sri Guru Granth Sahib and incidents of sacrilege badly harm the soul and mentality of Sikhs,” he said. He added that when the rule of law “fails miserably in performing its duty”, then people are forced to seek justice in their own way.

Addressing a rally in the Guna Lok Sabha constituency, Yadav claimed that Rahul had fled to Kerala’s Wayanad constituency from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh after facing defeat. “There is the sea ahead (in Kerala), otherwise it is not clear where Rahul would have gone,” Yadav quipped.

Yadav pointed out that Rahul had initially stated he would contest from Amethi, while his sister would be in the fray from Rae Bareli. However, Rahul filed his nomination from the Rae Bareli seat, currently represented by his mother Sonia Gandhi, a day after Union Minister and BJP candidate Smriti Irani challenged him in Amethi.

Yadav also claimed that Rahul’s brother-in-law, Vadra, had put up posters in Uttar Pradesh expressing his readiness to contest. “He (Rahul) filed the nomination from Rae Bareli by snatching the rights of his sister,” the Chief Minister alleged.

In a veiled jibe at Madhya Pradesh Congress stalwarts Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh, Yadav dubbed them “Rahu and Ketu,” accusing them of playing different roles and causing problems. He pointed out that one of them is from Chhindwara and the other from Rajgarh, a neighboring constituency to Guna.

Digvijaya Singh is contesting from the Rajgarh Lok Sabha constituency. The Guna constituency is set to go to polls on May 7.

One of the five IAF members who was hurt in the attack on Saturday night in the Surankote region of the district near Shahsitar passed away at a military hospital, according to authorities.

They added that the army and police are conducting a well-coordinated combined operation to neutralize the terrorists in a number of locations, including Shahsitar, Gursai, Sanai, and Sheendara Top.

According to the officials, the terrorists are thought to have escaped into a woodland following the incident.

They stated that there hasn't been any "contact" with the terrorists yet and that security officers are carrying out combing operations.

The Heatwave’s Impact

The city has been under the grip of an extreme heatwave for a fortnight, with the maximum temperature consistently hovering around 40 degrees Celsius. This prolonged exposure to intense heat is causing significant health problems, particularly among the elderly.

“Elderly people with medical conditions like chronic kidney or liver disease are on fluid restrictions and diuretics. However, dehydration caused by the prolonged heat spell is forcing them to consume more fluid than advised,” said Dr. Chandramouli Bhattacharya, an infectious disease specialist at Peerless Hospital.

The Health Consequences

The excess fluid intake is leading to fluid accumulation in their bodies, resulting in breathing difficulties and even heart failure in some cases. “We have had patients recently who are complaining of breathing difficulty and even suffering from heart failure because of excess fluid accumulation,” added Dr. Bhattacharya.

Moreover, the heat-induced dehydration is exacerbating conditions such as urinary tract infection (UTI) and pneumonia. A woman in her early 70s was recently admitted to the hospital with UTI and kidney injury. “Dehydration is leading to severe manifestation of such infections. Dehydration aggravated the UTI and caused kidney injury,” Dr. Bhattacharya explained.

Daily Life Disruption

The relentless heat is also disrupting the daily lives of people. “A lot of people, even those who are young, are complaining of general weakness and lethargy. The exposure to heat is also leading to lack of appetite and lack of concentration at workplaces,” said Dr. Sauren Panja, head of critical care medicine at Narayana Health-RN Tagore International Institute of Cardiac Sciences.

A Growing Concern

The situation is particularly concerning for elderly people with medical conditions such as chronic kidney disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many are being admitted to hospitals after suffering from acute dehydration, some even at home.

The prolonged heat is also causing severe gastrointestinal infections, particularly in those who spend a long time outdoors for work. “We are getting many patients with gastrointestinal infections. The patients are saying that extreme heat has increased their water intake and circumstances are often forcing them to drink water whose quality they are not sure of,” said Dr. Amitabha Saha, head of critical care medicine at AMRI Hospitals, Mukundapur.

As the city continues to reel under the heatwave, it’s clear that the situation is more than just a weather phenomenon - it’s a public health emergency. As the mercury continues to rise, so does the need for immediate and effective measures to safeguard the health of the city’s residents.

A survey conducted in 2018, following a Supreme Court order, revealed that Calcutta had 7,272 homeless people. This number is likely to have increased since the outbreak of Covid-19, which has forced many to move to the city in search of work after losing their livelihoods.

Asida Khatun, an 18-year-old who lives with her grandmother on a pavement near Moulali, shared their daily struggle. “It is impossible to stay inside our hut once the sun appears. We move to the pavement across the road and stay there as long as there is shade,” she said. Asida, who quit school after the pandemic, is now looking for a job as a house help.

In Ballygunge Phari, Mina Karmakar and her husband had to buy a battery-run fan for their infant daughter. “We can bear with this heat but I worry about my daughter. She needs a little bit of comfort. She cannot sleep in this heat,” Mina said. The fan, which runs for three hours, needs recharging at a nearby mobile repairing shop for Rs 10 each time.

The families living on these pavements are also adjusting their cooking schedules to avoid the heat of burning biomass twice a day. “We are cooking only at night. We pour water on rice and eat panta bhaat for lunch the next day,” said another woman.

While some of the pavement-dwellers bathe in the open with water collected from municipal taps, others, especially women, prefer paying and bathing in a closed enclosure.

Calcutta has been experiencing above-normal temperatures for at least the past fortnight. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has warned that such long and extreme heat conditions will recur as the world continues to warm.

Sai Rama Raju M, a senior associate at the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS), Bengaluru, highlighted that the actual temperature experienced by the homeless could be even higher than what the weather stations record. “Those living in a part of the city that has less green cover and more concrete and road infrastructure will experience more temperature as concrete absorbs heat,” he said.

Continuous exposure to high temperatures makes the homeless more vulnerable to heat-related ailments and mortality. This vulnerability extends to those working at construction sites, parking attendants, and hawkers as well.

The issue has become particularly prominent in recent weeks, as the use of air conditioners has increased with rising temperatures, leading to numerous complaints from residents about power cuts and voltage fluctuations.

Bappaditya Dasgupta, the Trinamool Congress councillor of Ward 101 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), shared his experience while accompanying Lok Sabha candidate from Jadavpur, Sayani Ghosh, on a door-to-door campaign trail. “There was no power in the area when we went there,” Dasgupta said. “Residents told us about the problems they faced because of frequent power cuts.”

Dasgupta also highlighted that power cuts disrupt water supply, as the pumps used to extract groundwater and supply it to homes in his ward could not function optimally due to voltage fluctuations. “If power supply is impacted, water supply, too, gets impacted,” he added.

A councillor from Kasba echoed these concerns, suggesting that the power cuts and voltage fluctuations “could impact the votes”.

A CESC official attributed the power cuts to unsanctioned load, explaining that many people are installing air conditioners in their homes without informing CESC or upgrading their meters. “We have received applications for 34,000 new ACs between March 1 and April 15. Our calculations suggest that about 1.5 lakh new ACs were installed during this period. Nearly 80 per cent ACs were installed without any meter upgrade,” the official said.

Avijit Ghosh, executive director (distribution) at CESC, explained that an in-built protection mechanism leads to power cuts in the event of overloading in the system. “When many ACs are run in an area without the required meter upgrade, it can lead to overloading. The system will take its own protective measure, otherwise there will be much larger damage that will cause more suffering,” he said.

However, on Friday, the counsel representing one of the accused argued that the chief secretary was not the appropriate authority to grant the sanction. Instead, the CBI should have approached the governor, who appointed his client. The accused, Subires Bhattacharyya, served as the chairman of the West Bengal School Service Commission from 2014 to 2018, and Kalyanmoy Ganguly, another accused in the case, was the president of the state secondary education board from 2021 to 2022.

The CBI had submitted before the division bench that it had applied for approval to initiate the trial against Bhattacharyya and Ganguly from the chief secretary two years ago. However, the top bureaucrat of the state had yet to give his nod.

The bench had thrice issued orders to the incumbent chief secretary, asking him to state why he was not issuing approval for the trial. The chief secretary had on April 24 filed an application in the high court praying for more time to file an affidavit stating the reasons.

Justice Bagchi had given the government time till May 2 for obeying the court order, warning that the state would have to face the consequences otherwise. However, the submission from Bhattacharyya’s lawyer prompted Justice Bagchi to say, “Actually, the CBI does not have the idea from whom it should obtain the approval. This court unnecessarily criticised the state chief secretary.”

The bench has fixed the matter for hearing on May 7 and directed the additional solicitor general to be present in the court during the hearing.

Kasparov, a former world champion who retired in 2005, humorously suggested that Gandhi should “first win Rae Bareli before challenging for the top”. The 61-year-old later clarified that his comment was merely a joke and should not be interpreted as advocacy or expertise in Indian politics.

“I very much hope my little joke does not pass for advocacy or expertise in Indian politics! But as an ‘all-seeing monster with 1000 eyes,’ as I was once described, I cannot fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game!” Kasparov wrote in response to a post by actor Ranvir Shorey.

The Congress recently shared a video of Gandhi playing chess on his mobile phone while on the Lok Sabha election campaign trail. In the video, Gandhi named Kasparov as his favourite chess player and drew parallels between the game and politics.

A social media user made a cheeky comment on Kasparov’s page, expressing relief that Kasparov and Indian chess great Viswanathan Anand had retired early and didn’t have to face the “greatest chess genius of our times”. Kasparov responded to this post with his now-famous quip.

Gandhi, who filed his nomination from Rae Bareli in Uttar Pradesh on Friday and is also contesting from Wayanad, described Kasparov as a “non-linear thinker” in the Congress video. He drew a comparison between chess and politics, stating that once you get slightly better at chess, the opponent’s pieces actually operate almost like your own.

Kasparov, a former world number one for a record 255 weeks, became the youngest-ever undisputed world champion at the age of 22 in 1985. He is now a political activist and a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Recently, when 17-year-old D Gukesh bettered Kasparov’s record of becoming the youngest challenger to the world title by winning the Candidates Tournament in Toronto, Kasparov congratulated him in a post, describing Gukesh as “the Indian earthquake in Toronto”.

Dutta, who retired from the Madhya Pradesh Police, has been living alone since her husband passed away in 2017. She has a family comprising one brother, three sons, three daughters-in-law, and six grandchildren.

Having voted in both the 2014 and 2019 elections, Dutta believes that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has delivered on his promise of ‘acche din’ (good days). “My most ‘accha din’ since 2014 was when the Ram Mandir was built in Ayodhya. I want the Mathura temple to be expanded also,” she said.

However, she also pointed out that not all promises have been fulfilled. “What is there on paper is often not fulfilled. An 80-year old friend has been running from pillar to post to get her unwell daughter enrolled under Ayushman Bharat,” Dutta added.

According to Dutta, the single biggest change since 2014 has been a decrease in social harmony, care for neighbours, and congeniality. She expressed her concern over the increasing retirement age of government employees. “There are educated youngsters struggling to get permanent jobs. Implement VRS for non-performing government staff and give jobs to the deserving ones,” she suggested.

Dutta hopes that the new government will focus on merit-based recruitment and promotions in government jobs. “I was not promoted for 28 years, yet many officers from reserved categories — whom I trained — superseded me,” she shared.

She also expressed her displeasure over the political discourse in the country. “BJP & Congress should not defame each other. I turn off the news when the debates start, politics irritates me now, and the actions of politicians anger me. Parties must work together for people after elections,” she said.

As Bhopal prepares to vote on May 7, Dutta’s views reflect the aspirations and concerns of many voters in the constituency.

Over the past three months, the village’s groundwater sources have dried up, forcing the villagers to walk at least 2 to 4 km in search of drinking water in nearby areas. This grueling task often involves several trips in the blistering heat each day.

The district is facing an acute water shortage due to inadequate rainfall last monsoon season. A tanker supplies water for domestic use every day, but according to villager Amrapali Borde, the water has a yellowish tint and is unfit for drinking and cooking.

“We fetch potable water from water sources located in fields in other villages,” Borde said. However, they often face resistance from well owners who don’t allow them to draw water.

The water crisis is not limited to Tapovan. Nearby villages of Tapovan Tanda, Tupewadi, and Banegaon also depend on water tankers. As of April 30, 282 villages and 68 hamlets in Jalna depended on 419 tankers.

Chayabai Borde, another resident of Tapovan, shared her ordeal, “We walk around 2 km one way in search of drinking water. Sometimes, we make two to three trips as per requirement.” With schools closed for the summer holidays, children are now assisting women in their water hunt.

Banegaon serves as the nodal point for tankers to fill water for supply to Tupewadi, Dhamangaon, Tapovan, Garkheda, and other areas in nearly 25 km of its periphery. Ganesh Sasane, a tanker driver, ferries water to Tapovan from a well, which is 12 km away, every day. “I have to wait for an hour to fill my tanker. I make at least two trips to Tapovan, which has around 400 houses,” he said.

Village sarpanch Jyoti Jagdale told PTI, “There is no major water source like a river or irrigation project in the periphery of our village.” She mentioned that work for a pipeline is underway under the Jal Jeevan Mission scheme, offering a glimmer of hope to the villagers that they will get some relief once it is completed.

The laborers, all Nepali nationals, were not part of the approved firefighting teams, stated an Almora forest authority. They were rushed to the base hospital in Almora for treatment after suffering burn injuries while battling the fire in the Gananath range of the Almora forest division near their factory on Thursday.

The forest fires, which have been raging across the state, have caused a blanket of fog to descend over the tourist resort of Nainital. This has led to an increase in air pollution levels, posing a significant health risk to local residents.

Senior physician Dr. MS Dugtal of a government hospital warned that the escalating air pollution could exacerbate lung issues and asthma symptoms in both young people and the elderly. He advised those with respiratory conditions, such as asthma and chronic bronchitis, to take their medications regularly and stay indoors unless absolutely necessary. Dr. Dugtal also recommended wearing face masks when venturing outside and using air purifiers at home.

Data shows that in the past 24 hours alone, 64 new forest fire incidents have been reported from various parts of the state, resulting in the destruction of 74.67 hectares of forest land. Since November 1 of last year, over 1,000 hectares of forest land have been ravaged by fire in 868 separate incidents.

According to the forest fire bulletin, Kumaon has recorded 456 fire incidents, while Garhwal has reported 344. The ongoing forest fires continue to pose a significant threat to both human life and the environment.

India contributes to two-thirds of the global mortality due to oral cancer and has a younger population at risk. The study analysed the impact of the disease on 100 patients treated between 2019 and 2020 with a follow-up of 36 months. The median age of these patients was 47 years at the time of diagnosis, and the majority of them were male.

The disease-specific survival for early and advanced stages of the disease was 85 per cent and 70 per cent, respectively. “With a total of 671 years lost prematurely, referring to these 100 cases, the loss of productivity was USD 41,900 for early stage and USD 96,044 for the advanced stage. Based on population level rates, the total cost of premature mortality was USD 5.6 billion in 2022, representing 0.18 per cent of India’s GDP,” the study stated.

The study was led by Dr Arjun Singh, Associate Professor at TMC. As the retirement age in India is around 62 years, 91 per cent of the deaths or incurable recurrence of cancers were in the premature age groups, with a median age of 41.5 years.

Both early (70 per cent) and advanced (86 per cent) stage cancers were predominantly found in the middle-class socioeconomic status, with 53 per cent requiring some form of insurance schemes or financial support to complete treatment.

The productivity lost due to premature mortality was calculated using a method known as the human capital approach. Productivity lost due to premature mortality among females and males was Rs 57,22,803, and Rs 71,83,917, respectively, per death, the study concluded.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) may have won the 2014 and 2019 parliamentary polls in Arambagh, but the party’s steady decline in vote share and the BJP’s victory in four of Arambagh’s six assembly seats in the 2021 state polls indicate a challenging battle ahead.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chose Arambagh to kickstart his poll campaigns in Bengal, slamming the Mamata Banerjee government for “betraying the people of the state”. The TMC has replaced its two-time MP Aparupa Poddar with Hooghly Zilla Parishad member Mitali Bag, a newcomer to parliamentary polls. The BJP has nominated Arup Kanti Digar, also a first-timer.

Digar expressed the deep distress of the people, especially farmers, due to recurrent floods. He accused the TMC government of misusing Central funds meant for flood control measures and neglecting the creation of employment opportunities for youths.

Countering Digar’s claims, Bag asserted that women and youths of the constituency have benefitted from various schemes implemented by the Mamata Banerjee government. She criticized the BJP-run Centre for not acting on the Ghatal master plan or the Mayurakshi and Keleghai flood control projects.

The CPI(M), which had won Arambagh ten times before 2014, has fielded Biplab Maitra, a primary school teacher. A district leader of the CPI(M) claimed that the party was virtually wiped out from the seat over the last decade due to “terror unleashed by the TMC”. However, he expressed hope for a better performance this time, citing the discontent among the young generation, particularly unemployed graduates, with the TMC.

Election observers believe that the fight between the TMC and BJP is likely to go down to the wire this time, given the grassroots grievances on development in the area, recurrent flooding, and the school job recruitment sca

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh posed these questions to the prime minister ahead of his Lok Sabha poll rallies in West Bengal. He expressed concerns over the privatisation of the Durgapur Steel Plant, which he claimed would endanger thousands of livelihoods and disrupt the economic life of Durgapur.

Ramesh argued that the privatisation of the plant would also be a severe blow to the small and medium suppliers and contractors who support the plant. This comes at a time when MSMEs in Bengal have already been severely impacted by the triple threat of demonetisation, GST, and the unplanned lockdown.

Ramesh further claimed that the Modi government has failed to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for paddy adequately. While the UPA raised the MSP of paddy by 134% during its tenure, the Modi government has just raised it by 50%, he claimed.

He pointed out that the current MSP of Rs. 2183 per quintal is nowhere near enough to account for inflation and the rising prices of farm inputs. He also claimed that the Modi government has blocked National Health Mission funding to over 11,000 sub-health centres in West Bengal.

These sub-health centres, which are supposed to be called Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres, form the first line of defence for India’s poor. They are staffed by nurses and provide vaccines for children, tablets, and medicines for common fever, malaria, TB, and other infectious diseases.

Ramesh criticised the Modi government for what he called a “petty and vindictive move” to block funds just because the state government refused to rename sub-centres ‘Ayushman Arogya Mandir’ and paint them orange.

The Congress party’s Nyay Patra pledges a legal guarantee for MSPs as per the Swaminathan Committee recommendations. Ramesh asked if the Prime Minister could make a similar promise.

The Congress party’s allegations come amidst concerns over the future of West Bengal’s industrial sector and the livelihoods of its people. The party has called for a commitment from the Prime Minister to protect the public sector and the interests of the people.

Arriving at the Congress office in Gauriganj directly from Fursatganj airport, Priyanka was accompanied by other party leaders, including her brother Rahul Gandhi and her mother Sonia Gandhi. She expressed her desire to “bring back the politics of truth and service.”

The Congress party announced on Friday that Rahul Gandhi would be its candidate from Rae Bareli, a constituency previously represented by Sonia Gandhi until her election to the Rajya Sabha.

“These people contest the election through money power and we will contest on the strength of the people. Now the time has come to give a message to the entire country that we want politics of sewa,” Priyanka said.

She praised Kishori Lal Sharma, who has worked in the Amethi and Rae Bareli constituencies for 40 years, and urged the people to repose their faith in him. “Kishoriji knows well the constituency, its people as well as the problems of the area. He has worked here for 40 years and in this election you will work wholeheartedly to ensure the win,” she said.

In an earlier post on social media, Priyanka welcomed Sharma’s candidature from the Congress bastion. “Our family has a long-standing relationship with Kishori Lal Sharma ji. He has always been engaged wholeheartedly in serving the people of Amethi and Rae Bareli. His passion for public service is an example in itself,” she wrote.

She expressed her happiness that Shri Kishori Lal ji has been made the candidate from Amethi by the Congress Party. “Kishori Lal ji’s loyalty and dedication towards his duty will definitely bring him success in this election,” the Congress general secretary said.

Modi expressed his desire for those involved in the corruption by the Trinamool Congress (TMC) to face punishment, but emphasized his concern for the innocent victims of the scam. “The corruption that the TMC has done in Bengal in school recruitment is shameful. Due to this scam, several genuine candidates have suffered,” he said.

The Prime Minister assured that the BJP will support such honest candidates, providing them with legal help and fighting for their cause. “This is Modi’s guarantee,” he affirmed.

These remarks come a week after the Calcutta High Court declared the recruitment process of the State Level Selection Test-2016 (SLST) in West Bengal government-sponsored and aided schools as “null and void.” The court ordered the cancellation of all appointments made through it, resulting in job loss for around 26,000 people.

The establishment of a separate legal cell and social media platform is expected to provide much-needed support to the affected candidates and teachers.

Teaser Release and Excitement Builds

Netflix has released a teaser showcasing Daniel (portrayed by Ralph Macchio) and Johnny’s (played by William Zabka) students gearing up for their next significant challenge. The excitement is palpable when Martin Kove, portraying Cobra Kai founder John Kreese, announces, “Cobra Kai is back.”

Promises of Surprises in Season 6

The cast and crew of Season 6 have promised a plethora of surprises. In a behind-the-scenes video from the Cobra Kai set, Martin Kove hinted that fans will love what’s in store. Vanessa Rubio, who plays Carmen Diaz, expressed her excitement at finally bringing the sixth season to the eager fans. Xolo Maridueña, the actor who portrays Miguel Diaz, confidently declared that the final season will be a “banger.”

Synopsis and Premiere Date

The official synopsis for the sixth season sets the stage: “Our senseis and students must decide if and how they will compete in the Sekai Taikai — the world championships of karate.” The season picks up with Cobra Kai eliminated from the Valley. The core cast includes Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Xolo Maridueña, and Peyton List. Fans can mark their calendars for the debut of Cobra Kai Season 6’s first installment on July 18.

A Successful Journey

Since its release, Cobra Kai has been a resounding success. The series, influenced by Robert Mark Kamen’s acclaimed The Karate Kid film series, has captivated audiences worldwide. As the series draws to a close, fans can anticipate an action-packed, highly emotional final season that pays tribute to the beloved characters and the legacy of the franchise.

Two of the most revolutionary technologies of our day are artificial intelligence and machine learning, which are being quickly embraced by a wide range of sectors. These are a few fascinating figures and facts concerning ML and AI.

The Growth of AI and ML

Investment in AI Startups: In 2019, the global market for AI was worth about $39.9 billion. By 2027, it's expected to be worth $733.7 billion.

Investment in AI Startups: In 2019, AI companies raised more than $26 billion.
AI in Business Operations: By 2025, AI will likely be used to help with 95% of customer transactions.

AI and Employment

Job Creation: In spite of what most people think, AI is only going to take away 1.8 million jobs while creating 2.3 million.
Demand for AI Specialists: In the last few years, job postings for AI specialists have grown by 119%.

Machine Learning in Various Industries

Healthcare: ML systems can accurately guess up to 92% of the time when a patient will need to be readmitted.
In terms of money, more than 70% of businesses say that the AI they've used to find scams has paid off.
ML algorithms are used in Retail to make shopping more enjoyable for customers, which leads to a 35% rise in sales.
What's Next for AI and ML
Autonomous Vehicles: It is estimated that by 2030, autonomous cars could make up 60% of US auto sales.
AI in Space Exploration: NASA is using AI to help plan the actions of its Mars rovers.

In conclusion, AI and ML are not just terms but are powerful tools that are driving innovation across various businesses. As these technologies continue to evolve, they will surely play an even more important role in shaping our future.

Please note that the statistics mentioned in this piece are based on different reports and studies and are open to change as new data becomes available.

: Source: Grand View Research, 2020 : Source: CB Insights, 2020 : Source: Gartner, 2020 : Source: Gartner, 2018 : Source: Indeed, 2019 : Source: Harvard Business Review, 2019 : Source: Capgemini, 2020 : Source: McKinsey, 2019 : Source: IHS Markit, 2020 : Source: NASA, 2020

The Centre’s Plea and the SC Registry’s Response

The Centre’s plea, submitted last week, argued that the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has been assigning mobile access spectrum through regular spectrum auctions, aligning with the 2012 judgement. However, the plea also contended that spectrum allocation should not be limited to commercial telecommunication services alone. It emphasized the need for spectrum assignment for non-commercial purposes, such as security, safety, and disaster preparedness.

In its note, the SC Registry dismissed the Centre’s application as “misconceived” and an attempt to seek a review of the original judgement under the guise of seeking clarification. The Registry pointed out that the government had previously withdrawn a review petition against the 2012 judgement in May 2012. Now, it appears that the Centre is attempting to revisit the matter after a significant delay.

The Complex Landscape of Spectrum Allocation

The Centre’s plea highlighted specific scenarios where auction-based allocation might not be optimal. For instance:

• Economic Conditions: When demand for spectrum is lower than supply, administrative allocation may be more suitable.
• Technical Considerations: Spectrum for space communication, where shared usage by multiple players is efficient, could benefit from administrative assignment rather than exclusive auction.

“The third term for Prime Minister Modi signifies not only political continuity but also the triumph of scientific endeavors,” Shah declared. “It symbolizes the success of India’s space missions—Chandrayaan, Mangal Yaan, and Aditya Yaan.”

Shah’s reference to these space missions underscores the government’s commitment to technological advancement and its pursuit of excellence on the global stage. The Chandrayaan mission, which explored the moon, the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangal Yaan), and the upcoming Aditya-L1 mission to study the sun—all exemplify India’s scientific prowess.

However, Shah’s vision extends beyond space exploration. He recounted the challenges faced during previous administrations, particularly the Congress-led governments under Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh. “Infiltrators from Pakistan used to detonate bombs within our borders and escape,” Shah explained. “They believed they could continue their malevolent activities unchecked. But they underestimated Prime Minister Modi’s resolve.”

Indeed, Modi’s tenure witnessed swift and decisive action. Following the Uri and Pulwama attacks, the Indian Armed Forces conducted surgical and air strikes, sending a clear message to those who threatened national security. Shah emphasized that Modi’s leadership ensured a robust response to such provocations.

The Ayodhya Ram temple case also featured prominently in Shah’s address. “When Prime Minister Modi assumed office for the second term, progress accelerated,” he stated. “The legal battle was won, and a groundbreaking ceremony marked the temple’s construction.”

Notably, Shah pointed out the absence of top Congress leaders—Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Rahul Gandhi—at the Ram Lalla’s Pran Pratistha ceremony. Their conspicuous absence, Shah suggested, stemmed from fear of losing their vote bank.

As the Dharwad Parliamentary Constituency prepares for elections, Shah urged voters to support Union Minister and BJP candidate Pralhad Joshi. Joshi’s contributions, including ensuring vaccine distribution and housing construction in Dharwad, underscore his commitment to public welfare.

In a recent political twist, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge of being the eventual scapegoat for the party’s electoral defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. Shah’s remarks come amidst the ongoing alliance between the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi.

The Allegations

Amit Shah did not mince words as he addressed the situation. He cautioned Kharge against spreading “lies” on behalf of the Gandhi family and asserted that the veteran leader would bear the brunt of the poll loss once the election results are announced on June 4. Shah’s statement highlights the internal turmoil within the Congress party and the contentious AAP-Congress alliance.

Kharge’s Critique

Kharge, known for his loyalty to the Congress, has been vocal in his criticism of the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, Shah questioned Kharge’s loyalty, emphasizing that the Gandhi family would prioritize their own interests over his. The 80-year-old leader, who has served the party for decades, may find himself in the crosshairs as the blame game unfolds.

AAP-Congress Alliance

The alliance between the Congress and AAP has raised eyebrows, given AAP’s history of sharp criticism against the Congress government. While the idea of Arvind Kejriwal running the Delhi Congress Committee from Tihar Jail seems improbable, legal experts confirm that there is no written law barring him from serving as Chief Minister while incarcerated. The Enforcement Directorate’s summons to Kejriwal in the Delhi liquor policy case has only added fuel to the debate.

As the political landscape continues to shift, the Congress party faces internal divisions, and the repercussions of this alliance will undoubtedly shape Delhi’s political future.

Naseeb Singh, a senior leader who was part of the Sheila Dixit government in Congress, expressed his concerns. He pointed out that AAP had engaged in “false propaganda” against the Congress during the tenure of the late Sheila Dixit in Delhi and the UPA government at the Centre. Singh questioned why the Congress would align itself with a party that had once vowed to send Sonia Gandhi and Sheila Dixit to jail and even questioned Rajiv Gandhi’s Bharat Ratna award.

“We, the senior leaders—around 30-35 ex-MLAs—who were part of the Sheila Dixit government in Congress, opposed the alliance with AAP,” Singh stated. “How could we ally with a party that used such derogatory language against us? But the high command didn’t heed our concerns and went ahead with the alliance.”

Singh further criticized the candidature of Kanhaiya Kumar and Udit Raj in the Lok Sabha elections, asserting that they did not align with the Congress ideology. He lamented the party’s decision to join hands with AAP, emphasizing that the alliance had caused internal strife among party workers.

Meanwhile, Neeraj Basoya, another former Congress MLA, labeled the alliance with AAP as “totally wrong, unrealistic, and unnatural.” In a letter to Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge, Basoya expressed his disappointment. He questioned how the party could form an alliance with its “natural enemy,” referring to AAP’s past actions against Congress leaders.

“The Aam Aadmi Party is not talking about Congress’ promises or the Gandhi family,” Basoya said. “Their focus is solely on Arvind Kejriwal, who they claim is running the Delhi Congress Committee from Tihar Jail.”

Indeed, the idea of a political leader operating from a prison cell may seem improbable, but legal experts and political pundits confirm that there is no written law barring Kejriwal from serving as the Chief Minister of Delhi while in jail. The summons sent to him by the Enforcement Directorate in the Delhi liquor policy case has only intensified the debate.

As the political landscape continues to shift, the Congress party faces internal divisions, and the AAP-Congress alliance remains a topic of heated discussion. Whether Kejriwal’s influence extends beyond the prison walls or not, the repercussions of this alliance will undoubtedly shape Delhi’s political future.

Historical Background

The origins of International Workers’ Day can be traced back to the 19th century, in the heart of the Industrial Revolution. It was a time when workers were subjected to stark conditions, long hours, and little to no rights. The date was chosen to commemorate the Haymarket affair in Chicago in 1886, where workers were striking for an eight-hour workday.

Significance of the Day

International Workers’ Day is not just a day off from work. It’s a day to recognize and honor the hard work and dedication of workers. It’s a day to remember the labor movement’s achievements and its contributions to our society’s prosperity and well-being.

In many countries, International Workers’ Day is a day of protest for labor rights, social and economic equality. Rallies, demonstrations, and various other events are organized by trade unions and labor rights activists.

Celebrations Around the World

The way International Workers’ Day is celebrated varies greatly from one country to another. In some countries, it’s a public holiday filled with parades and concerts. In others, it’s a day of protest. In some places, it’s a day to relax and enjoy the coming of spring.

In India, for example, it’s known as Antarrashtriya Shramik Diwas or Kamgar Din. It’s an occasion for labor rallies and meetings to discuss labor issues and rights.

In Russia and other former Soviet Union countries, International Workers’ Day is celebrated with parades in major cities, speeches by leaders, and shows of military strength.

In the United States, while Labor Day is celebrated in September, some groups and organizations observe International Workers’ Day on May 1st, with rallies and protests focused on workers’ rights and social issues.

Conclusion

International Workers’ Day is a powerful reminder of the strength of unity and the human capacity to struggle for rights and justice. It’s a day to celebrate, but also a day to continue the fight for fair labor practices, equal rights, and the dignity of all workers. As we celebrate, let’s remember the words of labor activist Rose Schneiderman: “The worker must have bread, but she must have roses, too.” This encapsulates the ongoing struggle for fair wages and dignified conditions – the struggle that International Workers’ Day symbolizes.

The Allegations:

• Shah asserts that PM Modi had allocated a staggering Rs 10 lakh crore for Bengal’s development. However, he alleges that these funds were “gulped by TMC goons,” referring to members of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
• Shockingly, Shah claims that Rs 51 crore was discovered at the residence of just one minister in Bengal, further highlighting the misuse of funds.
• The home minister emphasizes that the upcoming Lok Sabha polls will be a decisive choice between two paths: “Parivarvad Rajya” (dynastic rule) and “Ram Rajya” (ideal governance). He predicts that the current government under CM Mamata Banerjee is on its way out, paving the way for a “Sonar Bangla” (Golden Bengal).

The Political Landscape:

• Shah rallies support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), promising that if the party secures 30 seats from Bengal, the state will ascend to the top position in the country.
• He accuses the TMC of failing to address the issue of illegal infiltration across the border, suggesting that the party prioritizes its vote bank over national security.
• The home minister also highlights the post-poll violence in the district, claiming that a dozen BJP workers were killed after the 2021 assembly elections. He vows to bring the perpetrators to justice.
• Shah criticizes Banerjee’s opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), questioning why she objects to granting citizenship to Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist refugees.

Bengal’s Dilemma:

• The people of Bengal face a critical decision: whether to continue with the current administration or embrace a new vision of governance.
• Shah concludes, “Only Narendra Modi can realize the dream of having the Maa, Mati, Manush government,” referring to the slogan that initially promised a government for the people of Bengal.

The Allegations:

• Yogi Adityanath questioned the recent riots in Bengal during Ram Navmi and Baisakhi. He wondered why the state government had not taken decisive action against the perpetrators.
• Drawing a stark contrast, he highlighted his own track record in Uttar Pradesh (UP). Under his seven-year rule, UP had witnessed no riots or curfews. Festivals like Ram Navmi and Durga Puja were celebrated peacefully across the state.
• The secret to this stability, according to Yogi Adityanath, was his government’s strict action against criminals. He boldly declared, “If these rioters acted like this in UP, I would have hanged them upside down. We would have dealt with them in such a way that seven generations would have forgotten how to riot.”

Didi’s Love for the Mafia:

• In Birbhum and Asansol, Yogi Adityanath took direct aim at Mamata Banerjee. He quipped, “Yahan ki Didi ki mamata to kewal yahan un mafion ke saath hein to Bengal to raund rahe hein, jo Bengal ke saanme sankat paida kar rahe hein…hum in dangaiyon ki sampatti zabt kar ke gareebon mein baant dete” (Didi’s love is only for those mafia who are trampling on Bengal and creating trouble for the state…we would have confiscated the properties of these rioters and distributed them among the poor).
• The CM lamented the crushing of Bengal’s rich culture and traditions. He reminded the audience that this was the same state that gave India both the national song and the national anthem.

The Call for Change:

• Yogi Adityanath urged the people of Bengal to consider adopting the UP model of development. He emphasized that UP had transformed over the years, with no riots, curfews, or anarchy. Girls, traders, and every citizen had equal access to welfare schemes.
• “Why is Bengal deprived of it?” he asked. “There is a need for Bengal to embrace UP’s development model.”

As the political battle rages on, the people of Bengal must decide whether they want to follow the path of stability and progress set by UP. The upcoming elections will determine the fate of the state and its people.

In a significant development, the Indian Supreme Court has intervened in the ongoing West Bengal SSC recruitment case. The Court has stayed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)'s investigation into the recruitment process conducted by the School Service Commission (SSC). Here are the key details:

1. Background:

   • The controversy revolves around the appointment of 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff in state-run and state-aided schools through the SSC.
   • The Calcutta High Court had previously declared the entire panel of 2016 SSC teachers’ recruitment null and void. Consequently, it canceled the appointments of these teachers and staff.

2. Supreme Court’s Intervention:

   • The apex court, comprising Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala, and Justice Manoj Misra, heard the plea filed by the West Bengal government.
   • The government challenged the high court’s decision, arguing that the cancellation of appointments was done arbitrarily.
   • The Calcutta High Court had also ordered the CBI to investigate the involvement of state government officials in approving the creation of supernumerary posts to accommodate illegal appointments.
   • The Supreme Court has now stayed the high court’s order, preventing the CBI from undertaking further investigation against these officials.
   • The matter is scheduled for a detailed hearing on May 6.

3. Previous Years’ Statistics:

   • The controversy has far-reaching implications, affecting the education system in the state.
   • Over the last decade, the pass percentages and the number of candidates appearing for SSC exams have fluctuated. For instance:
     • In 2023, approximately 6,82,321 candidates appeared for the exam, with an overall pass percentage of 86.15%.
     • In 2022, the pass percentage was 86.60%, while in 2021, it was an exceptional 100%.
     • The year 2020 saw a pass percentage of 86.34%, and in 2019, it was 86.07%.

4. Boys vs. Girls:

   • Interestingly, boys have outperformed girls in some years. For instance:
     • In 2022, boys achieved a pass percentage of 88.59%, while girls recorded 85%.
     • The West Bengal government contends that the high court’s decision has disrupted the education system, leaving teaching and non-teaching staff in limbo.

The upcoming hearing on May 6 will determine the fate of these appointments and shed light on the alleged irregularities. Stay tuned for further updates!

The West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) is all set to unveil the eagerly awaited WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2024 tomorrow, May 2. Students across the state are anxiously awaiting their results, which will be officially declared at 9 AM. This year’s result holds significant importance for students as it marks a milestone in their academic journey. With months of preparation and hard work behind them, students are eager to see the fruits of their labor reflected in their results.

Toppers’ List:

• 2023:

  • Devadutta Majhi from North Bardhaman secured an impressive 697 marks (99.57%).
  • Subham Pal, also from North Bardhaman, along with Rifat Hassan Sircar from Ramkrishna Mission Vivekananda Vidya Mandir in Malda, scored 691 marks (98.71%)¹.

• 2022:

  • First Rank: Arnab Ghorai and Rounak Mondal.
  • Second Rank: Koushiki Sarkar and Rounak Mondal.
  • Third Rank: Ananya Dasgupta.
  • Fourth Rank: Abhishek Dutta.
  • Fifth Position: Eleven students secured the fifth position with 689 marks.

Previous Years’ Statistics of WB 10th Results:

Reflecting on the previous year’s results, the performance of students has exhibited fluctuations in pass percentages and the number of students appearing for the exam. Here’s a glimpse:

Boys vs. Girls:

A closer examination of the pass percentage of girls versus boys over the years reveals interesting trends. In 2022, the pass percentage for boys was slightly higher at 88.59%, compared to 85% for girls. Similarly, in 2020, boys outperformed girls with a pass percentage of 89.87%, while girls recorded a pass percentage of 83.48%¹.

Stay tuned for the official announcement tomorrow, and best wishes to all the students awaiting their results!

Missing Road Maps and Slogans

For generations, these parties had relied on captivating road maps and slogans to address the complex Kashmir issue. However, the abrogation of Article 370 stripped them of their trademark formulas related to internal autonomy, self-rule, and “achievable nationhood” for Jammu and Kashmir. These slogans, once powerful rallying cries, now seem obsolete.

The Irony of Change

Interestingly, despite this seismic shift, one or more of these parties may secure victory in the three Valley seats without leaning on their old slogans. The BJP, sensing defeat, has opted not to contest these seats. The National Conference and the PDP, once vocal advocates for Article 370 restoration, now discuss it in hushed tones. Their language revolves around safeguarding the “collective identity, land, jobs, and resources” of Kashmiris, subtly alluding to the special status.

The People’s Conference: A New Perspective

The People’s Conference, previously associated with a formula that was a step away from complete independence (azadi), now finds itself labeled as the BJP’s “B-team.” Interestingly, it has lowered its expectations further. Rather than clamoring for Article 370 restoration, it seems willing to settle for the restoration of statehood.

Changed Circumstances

A former journalist, who shifted to his family business after the 2019 crackdown on dissent, observes that the parties have abandoned their old slogans. Perhaps they recognize that these slogans no longer resonate with the electorate. The tragedy lies in the fact that their new agendas find takers, given the altered political landscape and the urgency to avoid confrontation with the central government.

Conclusion

As Jammu and Kashmir heads to the polls, the absence of familiar slogans and road maps underscores the transformative nature of politics in the region

Missing Road Maps and Slogans

For generations, these parties had relied on captivating road maps and slogans to address the complex Kashmir issue. However, the abrogation of Article 370 stripped them of their trademark formulas related to internal autonomy, self-rule, and “achievable nationhood” for Jammu and Kashmir. These slogans, once powerful rallying cries, now seem obsolete.

The Irony of Change

Interestingly, despite this seismic shift, one or more of these parties may secure victory in the three Valley seats without leaning on their old slogans. The BJP, sensing defeat, has opted not to contest these seats. The National Conference and the PDP, once vocal advocates for Article 370 restoration, now discuss it in hushed tones. Their language revolves around safeguarding the “collective identity, land, jobs, and resources” of Kashmiris, subtly alluding to the special status.

The People’s Conference: A New Perspective

The People’s Conference, previously associated with a formula that was a step away from complete independence (azadi), now finds itself labeled as the BJP’s “B-team.” Interestingly, it has lowered its expectations further. Rather than clamoring for Article 370 restoration, it seems willing to settle for the restoration of statehood.

Changed Circumstances

A former journalist, who shifted to his family business after the 2019 crackdown on dissent, observes that the parties have abandoned their old slogans. Perhaps they recognize that these slogans no longer resonate with the electorate. The tragedy lies in the fact that their new agendas find takers, given the altered political landscape and the urgency to avoid confrontation with the central government.

Conclusion

As Jammu and Kashmir heads to the polls, the absence of familiar slogans and road maps underscores the transformative nature of politics in the region. Whether these parties can effectively communicate their new goals remains to be seen, but the dynamics have undoubtedly shifted.

The JDS took swift action by suspending Prajwal from the party, following revelations about the scandal. The party’s core committee, convened in Hubballi, unanimously recommended his suspension to the national president and former Prime Minister, H.D. Deve Gowda, who also happens to be Prajwal’s grandfather.

Amit Shah expressed his concern, labeling the news about Prajwal as “hurtful.” He emphasized that any insult to “matri shakti” (the power of mothers) and “nari shakti” (the power of women) could not be tolerated. “We stand with the country’s matri shakti and nari shakti,” Shah asserted during a press briefing in Guwahati.

Turning his attention to the Congress, Shah posed a pointed question: “Whose government is in power in Karnataka? It’s the Congress government. Why have they not taken any action so far? Law and order falls under the state’s jurisdiction.”

Shah further directed his query to Priyanka Gandhi, urging her to focus on her own state’s leadership. “Instead of questioning me and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Priyanka ji should ask her (Karnataka) chief minister and deputy chief minister about their government’s actions. Why has there been no investigation? We support a thorough probe, and our partner JDS has also committed to taking action against Prajwal. Such incidents have no place in society, and the strictest measures should be enforced. This is the BJP’s unwavering stance, and there should be no confusion about it,” Shah clarified.

The scandal unfolded after a former cook of Prajwal and his father, H.D. Revanna, filed an FIR accusing them of sexual abuse. Reports suggest that Prajwal fled to Germany following the Karnataka government’s announcement of forming a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine approximately 2,976 “obscene” video clips allegedly linked to him.

The newspaper, relying on unnamed sources, identified a Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) officer in connection with the purported assassination plan targeting Pannun. The gravity of the situation prompted External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal to issue a statement.

“The report in question makes unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations on a serious matter,” Jaiswal asserted. He further revealed that an ongoing investigation is being conducted by a high-level committee established by the Government of India. This committee aims to address security concerns raised by the US government regarding organized criminal networks, terrorists, and related threats.

Jaiswal’s response came in the wake of media inquiries about the controversial report. He cautioned against speculative and irresponsible comments, emphasizing the need for a measured approach.

Last year, US federal prosecutors charged Indian national Nikhil Gupta with collaborating with an Indian government employee in an alleged plot to assassinate Pannun, who remains a wanted figure in India due to terror-related charges. Notably, Pannun holds dual citizenship in the United States and Canada.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing Parliament on December 7, confirmed that India had instituted an inquiry committee to examine the inputs provided by the US. The matter, with its implications for national security, continues to be closely monitored by authorities.

As Patra completed the paperwork, BJD’s Assembly candidate from the Satyabadi Assembly seat, former minister Sanjay Dasburma, also made his way to file his nomination. The sudden convergence of both parties’ supporters led to a charged atmosphere, with slogans echoing through the collectorate campus. The air resonated with cries of “Jai Jagannath,” “Jai Sri Ram,” “Narendra Modi Jindabad,” and “Naveen Patnaik Jindabad.”

The situation escalated rapidly, resembling a battlefield, until Puri Superintendent of Police, Pinak Mishra, intervened with a contingent of police officers, successfully restoring order.

In an exclusive statement, Patra expressed confidence in his electoral prospects: “This time, I am poised for victory. In the previous election, I had only 15 days to campaign. Over the last five years, I have worked closely with the people of Puri, and they are like family to me. Their unwavering support fuels my confidence.”

Patra also emphasized the divine blessings he believes are bestowed upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi and himself: “Lord Jagannath watches over us. Modiji’s pro-welfare initiatives have left a lasting impact, and I have diligently presented my report cards. The electorate will judge me based on my performance.”

Patra, who narrowly lost to BJD’s Pinaki Misra in 2019 by a mere 12,000 votes, arrived at the collectorate in a grand procession. His roadshow, spanning 50 kilometers, commenced from Uttara Chhaka near Bhubaneswar and culminated in Puri, drawing hundreds of enthusiastic supporters.

The electoral contest intensifies as Patra faces off against BJD’s Arup Patnaik, the former Commissioner of Police in Mumbai. Arup is scheduled to file his nomination papers on May 2. Meanwhile, the Congress’s Sucharita Mohanty, who contested the Puri Lok Sabha seat in 2014, is yet to submit her nomination.

In the upcoming election, Patra aims to surpass his previous performance, having secured 5,26,607 votes in 2019 against Pinaki Misra’s 5,38,312 votes. The battle for Puri promises to be closely watched, with each candidate vying for the favor of the electorate.

Name: Gokul Mahato Age: 52 Profession: Farmer Education: High school dropout Family: Wife Place: Kasidhi village, Purulia Constituency: Purulia Profession in 2014, 2019: Farming

Did you vote in 2014, 2019? Yes, I exercised my right to vote in both elections.

Did Modi deliver on his promise of “acche din”? Gokul’s response is unequivocal: “No, I did not feel any impact of ‘acche din’.”

Why not? Despite an increase in his income over the past decade, Gokul finds himself unable to save any additional money due to rising living costs and the escalating prices of essential items.

Has Modi kept his guarantee? Gokul’s frustration is palpable: “What guarantees? Modiji said farmers would experience good times during his tenure. However, I have not witnessed any improvement. I am essentially the same as I was 10 years ago.”

The Single Biggest Change Since 2014: Gokul’s agricultural output tells a story of incremental progress. In 2013-14, he produced five quintals of paddy per bigha. Now, thanks to the agriculture department’s provision of free hybrid seeds over the past three years, he yields eight quintals per bigha.

The One Issue Gokul Wants Changed Now: Better irrigation coverage. With access to reliable irrigation water, Gokul believes he could cultivate two or three crops annually, significantly enhancing his livelihood.

What He Wants From the New Government: Control over the rising prices of essential commodities. Gokul hopes for policies that alleviate the burden on farmers like him.

What He Doesn’t Want From the New Government: Any measures that adversely affect poor people. Gokul emphasizes the need for policies that uplift the marginalized.

As the simultaneous assembly and Lok Sabha elections loom large on May 13, Naidu envisions a resounding victory for the TDP-BJP-Jana Sena Party (JSP) alliance. His projections are ambitious: 24 out of 25 Lok Sabha seats and a commanding 160 out of 175 assembly seats.

The YSRCP, which ascended to power on the promise of securing special status for Andhra Pradesh, now finds itself mired in controversy. The special status issue, once at the forefront of political discourse, has been relegated to the shadows. Instead, citizens grapple with alleged mismanagement across government departments, plunging the state into crippling financial debt. Salaries remain unpaid, pensions withheld, and development stifled.

Naidu minces no words when he asserts that the YSRCP has undermined the very fabric of development in Andhra Pradesh. Despite a decade since the state’s bifurcation, the promised proper capital remains elusive. The incumbent government stands accused of systematically dismantling vital institutions, leaving chaos in its wake.

The morale of civil servants languishes at an all-time low. Apathy pervades every sector, hindering progress. Villages suffer from water scarcity, inadequate power supply, and subpar roads. The common man’s income falls woefully short of daily expenses, exacerbating the plight of the masses.

Naidu points an accusatory finger at the YSRCP’s empty promises. The electorate, he contends, has witnessed grand declarations without corresponding action. This disillusionment has fueled the anti-incumbency wave, galvanizing voters to rally behind the TDP.

In a strategic move, the TDP aligned with the BJP, despite the latter’s limited presence in Andhra Pradesh. Naidu justifies this alliance as a means to alleviate the suffering inflicted by Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s administration. The once-vital special status issue now languishes, rendering further confrontation futile.

Three days prior to his withdrawal, an attempt to murder charge under IPC section 307 was added to an old case against Akshay Bam. According to Patwari, Bam faced intimidation and endured various forms of torture throughout the night, leading to his decision to step back from the electoral race.

The roots of this controversy trace back to an incident in October 2007, where Bam, his father Kantilal, and others were accused in a criminal case. However, the situation escalated recently when the victim filed an application in the court of the judicial magistrate first class (JMFC). The victim alleged that one of the accused had fired upon him, prompting the court to accept the plea on April 24. As a result, Bam and his father have been summoned to appear in a sessions court on May 10.

Jitu Patwari, addressing a rally, expressed concern over the implications of Bam’s withdrawal. He questioned whether the people of Indore still had the right to exercise their vote without fear. Patwari emphasized that this issue transcended party lines, urging all citizens who believed in democracy and the strength of constitutional provisions to stand up against what he termed “dictatorship.”

Drawing parallels, Patwari highlighted a similar incident in Surat, Gujarat. In Surat, BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal was declared elected unopposed after the rejection of Congress nominee Nilesh Kumbhani’s form due to irregularities in the signature of proposers. Patwari criticized the BJP’s actions, asserting that the people of Surat deserved the opportunity to elect their representative through the power of their vote.

Furthermore, Patwari accused the ruling dispensation of misusing official machinery and warned that both democracy and the Constitution were currently under threat.

The fire, which broke out around 5.15 am, resulted in no injuries, an official confirmed. “The fire first broke out in the godown storing plastic material and then spread to the adjacent residential buildings. Since the godown was full of inflammable materials it spread fast,” a senior officer of the Fire and Emergency Services department told PTI.

Both the godown and the residential buildings are located on Govindo Mohan Dhar Lane beside Nakhoda Masjid in the central part of the city. As of now, the fire has been brought under control.

Local residents also assisted the fire brigade personnel in dousing the blaze, the cause of which is yet to be ascertained. Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose rushed to the spot and supervised the operation.

A forensic team will be investigating the fire, the minister added. This incident underscores the potential dangers posed by the storage of inflammable materials in densely populated areas.

Banerjee stated, “We have never won any Lok Sabha seats in Malda. This time, you have to give it a serious thought because if you vote Congress and Left in these seats, BJP will win. These two parties are in cahoots with the BJP. If Trinamool doesn’t win the seats and the BJP is voted to power, it will introduce CAA and NRC and will send you to detention camps.”

While Malda has a Muslim population of around 50 per cent, the community constitutes around 70 per cent of the population in Murshidabad seat. The Trinamool leadership, including Banerjee, is nervous about five-six seats in the ongoing elections. This is because the Congress has fielded Muslim candidates in Raiganj and Malda Dakshin while CPM state secretary Mohammad Salim is contesting from the Murshidabad seat.

Banerjee criticized the Congress and the Left for their actions, stating, “They have fielded (Mohammad) Salim in Murshidabad, and another here (in Malda Dakshin) and another in Raiganj. But Congress will not win in Bengal… it will win in other states. We didn’t go to other states to disturb others (political parties). But here, these people are acting as vote-cutters. I would urge you not to vote for these vote-cutters.”

She went on to highlight the work done by the Trinamool Congress for the minority community, stating, “We have always worked for the minority community. We have 13 Rajya Sabha MPs and among them is Mausam Noor from Malda. We have four MPs from the minority community in Rajya Sabha. This proves our intent to work and move together with all communities.”

Banerjee also addressed the Sarna religious code issue, a longstanding demand of the tribal community, during her speech in Habibpur in Malda Uttar seat.

This appeal by Banerjee underscores the high stakes in the upcoming elections and the intense competition between the major political parties.

According to a state BJP leader, the proposal has been put forward and the Prime Minister did not reject it initially. Therefore, it is highly likely that the city could witness twin road shows of the Prime Minister ahead of the last phase of polls.

The initial plan suggests that the first road show could be held in the northern part of the city covering Dum Dum and Calcutta (North) Lok Sabha constituencies. The second road show has been planned to cover Jadavpur and Calcutta (South) Lok Sabha constituencies. There could be a gap of three to four days between the two road shows.

The plan to hold two road shows in Calcutta by the BJP is significant. The party did not plan any road show by their top leaders in the city ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls after home minister Amit Shah’s road show during the 2019 elections. The road show dealt a blow to the BJP after a 200-year-old statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was ransacked by an unruly mob at College Street following a clash between the BJP and the Trinamool Congress supporters. Many BJP leaders feel that the ransacking of Vidyasagar’s statue had hurt the Bengali sentiment and led to the BJP’s poor performance in Calcutta and on its outskirts in the last Lok Sabha polls.

Sources in the BJP said road shows were found to be more impactful than rallies. A road show attracts people as the Prime Minister would reach their doorstep and they don’t need to visit the meeting place. It also gives a boost to the morale of the party workers as they are engaged for three-four hours at a stretch. Furthermore, it sends a message to the electorate that the Prime Minister is giving importance to each vote in the area.

Political experts said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee adopts a similar strategy when she walks on the road before or after a rally. The BJP is apparently trying to follow the same strategy in the city so that the Prime Minister can connect to the electorate of the city and its outskirts where the party does not have a strong support base.

The BJP has also planned a series of road shows across the state by Shah and party national president J.P. Nadda.

The Gates Foundation has engaged Grant Thornton Bharat, an Indian management consulting firm, to explore the possibility of enhancing alternative incomes among tea workers. The tie-up was facilitated by the Darjeeling Welfare Society.

At Makaibari, the Grant Thornton team is prioritising the cultivation of Dalle Khursani and honey in the garden to create more livelihood opportunities. The team is also helping the 40-odd homestays in the garden to upgrade their marketing skills.

Among the 500 families identified in Makaibari tea garden, 250 families are being encouraged to grow the chilli, while 50 families are currently being encouraged to farm honey. The remaining are being motivated to start dairy farming.

“We want to create market linkages for Dalle Khursani and also honey and we are working towards it,” Chiraj Jain, partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, told The Telegraph.

In 2021, Dalle Khursani earned the GI tag from the Union department of industry promotion and internal trade. A GI is a name or a sign given to a product that relates to a specific geographical location or origin. The GI tag for Dalle Khursani has been earmarked for Sikkim, Darjeeling and Kalimpong.

Despite getting the GI tag, many felt that promotion or utilisation of the tag for the product was largely lacking. “Locals are bottling the chilli but large-scale market linkages have not yet been established,” said an owner of a pickle-bottling unit in Darjeeling. “Also, there is no large-scale farming of the chilli.”

Against this background, the initiative at Makaibari is being welcomed. The chilli is known to have a Scoville scale in the range of 1,00,000 to 3,50,000 SHU (Scoville Heat Units) and is among the hottest varieties in the world. The Scoville scale is a measurement used to trace the spiciness of chilli peppers across the world.

Many in the region swear by the distinct flavour of the chilli. The other product from Darjeeling to get a GI tag is Darjeeling Tea. It was the first product from India to get a GI tag.

Sources said that attempts were also being made to get better prices for honey with better market linkages. “A 750ml of honey is being sold for around Rs 1,000 in the region. The prices can go up,” Jain said.

Makaibari tea garden, which was set up in 1859, has in the past taken up numerous initiatives to enhance the livelihood of the workers. “The garden is also providing cows to the workers with a promise to buy back milk and also dung to prepare vermicompost to be used in the organic garden,” said a source.

The Gates Foundation is also currently working in two other gardens — Panighatta and Moondakothi — at the moment. “We are working with around 2,000 households but our plan is to touch almost 20,000 tea garden households,” said Jain. The Grant Thornton team is based in the tea gardens monitoring every aspect of the project.

“The alternative livelihood model that Makaibari is undertaking has been much appreciated,” said a source. The garden has created a niche for itself in the industry. In 2014, Makaibari’s Silver Tips Imperial was sold at Rs 1.17 lakh per kg.

When Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in 2016, he gifted her a packet of Makaibari tea. The brew from Makaibari was also served to the participants and staff members of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Addressing a public meeting at Ambapua in Berhampur, southern Odisha, Nadda criticized the Naveen government for not implementing the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. He stated that around 10.74 crore families and 56 crore people have benefited from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, but nearly 68 lakh families in the state have been deprived of its benefits due to non-implementation. “The government here needs to be changed,” he said, adding that this election is about taking the state forward.

It’s worth noting that Odisha is implementing its own health scheme — the Biju Swastya Kalyan Yojana for its people.

Nadda also made a veiled attack on bureaucrat-turned-politician V.K. Pandian without naming him, accusing the BJD leadership of promoting an outsider in Odisha. He questioned the absence of Odia leaders to take over the administration and lead the state. “This is the right time to bring the BJP to power and unlock the state’s development potential,” he asserted.

The BJP National President listed out several schemes initiated by the Union government, including housing schemes and water for all, to emphasize that the Centre was taking adequate care of the state. He also announced that the Modi government was planning to provide free electricity up to 100 units to each household.

Nadda made a strong plea for voting the BJP to power in Odisha, citing developmental projects such as the expansion of the railway network, building of new airports, and expansion of national highways initiated by the Centre in the state.

Praising the BJP-led NDA government, he said India had emerged as an economic powerhouse despite facing formidable challenges like the corona pandemic and the economic crisis generated by the Ukraine war. “Our country will be the number three economy in the world within two years,” Nadda predicted.

Trustee Anil Mishra informed a few reporters that the construction was progressing faster than expected, with work on the first floor complete and the number of workers increased. “Our target is to complete the work of the second and last floor by November this year,” he said. The trust had earlier set a 2025 deadline.

Mishra’s comments, which contained no reference to any party, come ahead of the third phase of polling on May 7, involving 94 seats of which 10 are in Uttar Pradesh. They also coincide with an attempt by the BJP to play up divisive, religious planks, apparently borne out of worry that the first two phases may not have gone entirely its way.

Senior Congress leader Dwijendra Tripathi accused the BJP of a “desperate attempt” to milk the shrine further for electoral gain. “The BJP feels it has failed to milk the Ram temple issue properly. Perhaps it is trying to bring it to the centre of the election campaign,” he said.

Congress national spokesperson Akhilesh Pratap Singh echoed these sentiments, stating that the attempt to shoehorn the temple into the electoral discourse would not help the BJP. “People have lost trust in the BJP because of the Ram temple,” he said.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav too told a rally in Kannauj that the BJP was “desperate and is therefore misusing religion”. He added, “Their (BJP leaders’) language changed after they realised that their voters were uninterested in going to the booths. The party is banking on religion to divert attention from its lies.”

The controversy continues to unfold as the general election progresses, with the BJP yet to respond to these allegations.

The Special Cell has registered an FIR under various sections of the IPC and relevant provision of the IT Act. Sources in the Special Cell indicated that arrests are likely to follow across the country.

The complaint was filed by Sinku Sharan Singh, DC, Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C). According to Singh, some doctored videos are being circulated on social media with “the intent of creating disharmony among communities which is likely to affect public tranquility and public order.” The complainant also attached links from which the videos were shared for further action.

A copy of the FIR was sent to the IFSO unit of the Delhi Cyber Police, marking the next step in the investigation.

The mercury touched 45.3 degrees Celsius in Mangapet in Telangana and 45.2 degrees in Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. Several parts of West Bengal and Bihar too were in the grip of a heat wave, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported.

Heat wave conditions have been prevailing over Odisha since April 15 and over Gangetic West Bengal since April 17. In Odisha, Angul was the hottest city with a maximum temperature of 44.3 degrees Celsius, which was 4.1 degrees above normal, followed by Baripada at 44 degrees, which was 6.5 notches higher than normal.

Large parts of Gangetic West Bengal scorched under above normal temperatures as high as 8.6 degrees higher than the usual at Panagarh (44.2 degrees), Kalaikunda at 44.3 degrees (+7.5), Midnapore at 43.4 degrees (+6.6), and Canning at 42.4 degrees (+6.9).

In Kerala, Kottayam recorded a maximum of 38.5 degrees Celsius, which was the highest ever in April. Similarly, Alappuzha matched its highest maximum temperature of 38 degrees Celsius for April. The city had touched 38 degrees Celsius last on April 1, 1987.

Bihar also witnessed above normal temperatures across the state, with Sheikhpura recording 43.2 degrees Celsius which was 5.5 degrees above normal, followed by 42.7 degrees at Banka, which was 5.1 notches higher than the usual for the season.

The IMD continues to monitor the situation closely as the heat wave conditions persist across these regions.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh stated, “For his MA in Entire Political Science, Mr. Narendra Modi must definitely have read Joseph Goebbels on the value of propaganda and taken inspiration from him.” He noted that Goebbels had stated that “If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it.” Ramesh said Goebbels also wrote in 1941 that “The English follow the principle that when one lies, one should lie big and stick to it.” Goebbels was the propaganda minister of German ruler Adolf Hitler.

In his latest interview to a TV channel, which is being headlined, the outgoing PM has yet again blatantly, brazenly and shamelessly lied about the Congress’s Nyay Patra, according to Ramesh. “It once again proves that Mr.Modi’s motto has always been ‘Asatyameva Jayate.’ Truth is slaughtered every time he speaks,” the Congress leader alleged.

The Congress party’s accusations have stirred a heated debate in the political sphere, with the BJP yet to respond to these allegations. The Lok Sabha elections are around the corner, and this development is expected to add a new dimension to the political discourse.

The result left Leeds’s chances of automatic promotion from the second-tier Championship hanging by a thread. They trail Leicester by four points with only one game left to play and are just a point ahead of Ipswich Town.

Leicester remains on track to amass 100 points and can claim the Championship title on Monday with a victory at Preston if third-placed Ipswich fails to beat Hull City. Ipswich can join Leicester in the league next season if they pick up five points from their remaining three matches.

When Leicester City dropped out of the league last term, it marked the end of a decade of unparalleled success for the Foxes. Just seven years earlier, they had won an almost unfathomable Premier League title under Claudio Ranieri, and in 2021, they lifted the FA Cup for the first and only time in their history.

It all started with promotion as Championship title winners in 2013-14, and now the decade has been bookended with another promotion. Jamie Vardy, who was there 10 years ago as a gifted livewire, has now, as a 37-year-old former England striker, helped fire them back to the top flight.

However, it took a fundamental shift in football philosophy to turn Leicester from the flailing Foxes that went down 12 months ago into a promotion-clinching outfit. Manager Enzo Maresca, a treble-winning assistant to Pep Guardiola at Man City last season, has stuck steadfastly to an approach that places patient, deliberate, and possession-based football above all else.

This triumphant return to the Premier League marks a new chapter in Leicester City’s illustrious history, demonstrating the resilience and determination that has become synonymous with the club.

The 32-year-old University of Massachusetts graduate, who is majoring in economics and English literature, was unexpectedly chosen by the BJP when it appeared that incumbent MP Pratap Simmha would be making a third run.

The 47-year-old hardline BJP member and former writer changed his name from Prathap Simha to Pratap Simmha after seeking numerological advice to increase his chances of obtaining a ticket and winning a hat-trick.

Strangely, the name change did not help him earn any favor, since he lost favor after two young people broke into the Lok Sabha on December 13, 2023, from the visitor's gallery, using permits that were provided by Simmha, or rather his office. The fact that the candidate won by 1,38,647 votes in 2019 didn't matter to the party.

With the BJP leaders, who had undoubtedly considered the possibility of fielding Simmha and handing the Congress a handle to whip them, no amount of explanation was effective.

The BJP was counting on Yaduveer's reputation as a Wadiyar family member when it chose him. He is the nephew of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar's final scion and the great-grandson of Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the 25th and last maharaja to rule Mysore (now known as Mysuru).

Since the couple had no children, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar, the widow of Srikantadatta Narasimharaja Wadiyar, had adopted Yaduveer to carry on the family line.

Following his grand-uncle Srikantadatta, a four-term member of the Mysore Lok Sabha from the Congress camp, he is the first Wadiyar to run for office. When Srikantadatta ran for the seat on the BJP ticket in 1991 and then again in 2003 after joining the Congress again, he was unsuccessful.

Yaduveer is up against M. Lakshmana, a candidate for Congress and a prominent member of the Vokkaliga community. The youthful scion is solely reliant on his family's legacy and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "accomplishments."

"You are all aware of our Prime Minister's accomplishments. Whether they be new airports, roads, doubled and electrified railway tracks, universities going from 400 to 1,000, medical colleges going from 349 to 700, or Vande Bharat trains going from zero to forty. Residents of Lingabudi Palya, which is located roughly 22 km from Mysuru city, were informed by the soft-spoken Yaduveer that "this is only a trailer," as our Prime Minister put it.

By 2047, the Prime Minister wants India to surpass the West, and he has set out to do it during the following 23 years. He repeated himself at subsequent corner meetings, saying, "You will see more development in the coming years."

In the battle for Mysuru, between the "royal" and the "commoners," Lakshmana is a member of a leadership group with strong ties to the local community.

Lakshmana withdrew from consideration for a ticket in the state elections of the previous year at the chief minister Siddaramaiah's request.

Lakshmana, a supporter of Siddaramaiah, acknowledged that the chief minister's home area is Mysuru, making it an esteemed contest. Like other candidates for Congress in the state, he is putting a lot of faith in the five promises made by the government.

"I've always wished to compete in this Mysuru tournament and beat Pratap Simmha. During a campaign, he told reporters, "But I am confident of winning this battle and don't believe that sentiments for the Wadiyar family would translate into votes."

Nonetheless, there are older people who continue to have great regard for the Wadiyars, such as Sembiah, a Vokkaliga farmer who lives in Remabai Nagara, about 23 kilometers outside the city.

"I was present when Srikantadatta, the former maharaja, went about meeting people. He told The Telegraph, "Our maharajas are very benevolent; they gave us land, water (for irrigation), electricity, and they educated our children by founding academic institutions."

Sembiah vowed to vote for Yaduveer because he was confident in his abilities. "He will be just as capable as his predecessors and is well-educated. He's got my vote, man in his late 60s said.

The constituencies in Mysore and southern Karnataka cast ballots on April 26.

Sunil Kumar Pandey, age sixty-two

Education and occupation: security guard, 1982 University of Allahabad first-year dropout with a BCom

Location & Family: Son Nilesh (22) and daughter Niharika (23), spouse Sarita Pandey (60)

Do you make more money than you did in 2019?

Up till 2019, I received ₹14,500 a month as a contract postman. I now receive ₹10,000 per month.

Do you save any less than you did in 2019?

I used to deposit ₹1,000 monthly into a post office recurring account till 2022, but now that living expenses have increased, I am unable to save any money.

What features does your home have now that it lacked in 2019?

Nothing save the bare needs

What improvements have been made to your neighborhood since 2019?

Where I reside is a new colony. In front of it is a road, but it is not entirely intact. An estimated 22 hours a day are spent with electricity supplies.

Have any state or federal government programs changed your life? How?

Every year, the survey crew comes to my house, but when they learn that I used to work at the post office, they don't put me on any lists for government benefits. The first requirement to receive such benefits is to obtain a ration card, however they won't consider my application since I had a temporary position with the government.

Do your kids attend school?

With a BSc in mathematics, my daughter earns ₹7,000 a month as a teacher in a private school. Having earned his BCom, my son earns ₹14,000 a month working in a garments showroom. Both have been employed since 2023 and have attended private schools and universities. They assist me in managing the family, but despite inflation, the standard of living has not improved in the past ten years.

In your daily life, how much corruption do you encounter? Could you provide instances from your own life when corruption has a direct impact on you?

I don't have to visit any government facilities. Two years prior, I had attempted to obtain a ration card, but they had declined my request. I didn't attempt to buy them off.

On May 20, Lucknow will cast its vote.

Guardiola said reporters on Wednesday that "Erling Haaland is not ready for tomorrow, (it's) not a big issue but not allowed for this game."

The forward, who has 20 goals this season and is tied for first place in the league scoring rankings with Chelsea's Cole Palmer, also missed Saturday's FA Cup semifinal victory against the Blues because of a muscle injury he suffered three days earlier during the team's Champions League quarterfinal defeat to Real Madrid.

On Thursday, when Phil Foden and John Stones return, City will have a chance to close the gap on leaders Arsenal to just one point while still having a game remaining. Guardiola's team has played 32 games, compared to 34 for Arsenal. Tenth in the standings is Brighton.

After losing to Madrid last week, City's chances of winning the triple crown vanished, but they are still in the race for another victory after winning an FA Cup final spot against Manchester United in a rematch of last year.

Guardiola remarked, "We have had a lot of issues with important players getting injured, but we are still there."

"We made it to the later stages of the Champions League, we are in the FA Cup final, and we are in the Premier League."

"However, you may reach the finish line in this manner and lose all of your titles in a week.

These days, every game matters since every error and failure is challenging. However, we have visited this location several times and are aware of the objectives.

When asked if he agreed with Nottingham Forest's critique of league officiating, Guardiola said yes.

Following their 2-0 loss to Everton on Sunday, Forest released a strongly worded statement on social media site X, alleging that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Stuart Attwell is a supporter of Luton Town.

He said, "Absolutely disagree."

"This kind of thing is going to happen more and more in every league in the world, but naturally, I never doubted that."

"They feel awful after making a mistake. It's typical. They want to perform a good job when they execute the task. The game is really challenging; choices must be made quickly and decisively. It's not simple," he continued.

After three penalty claims were turned down at Goodison Park, Forest lost and now sits only one point above Luton, who are also in the relegation zone. The club was incensed.

The club demanded on Monday that the audio conversation between on-field official Anthony Taylor and video assistant referee Stuart Attwell be made available to the public.

Any lingering concerns about Arsenal's durability were dispelled as soon as Leandro Trossard gave them the lead. Ben White and Kai Havertz then scored twice apiece in a stunning burst of goals after the interval to completely overwhelm a stunned Chelsea.

Arsenal made a strong statement, increasing the pressure on Liverpool and Manchester City with four games left after their remarkable comeback from an Aston Villa home loss and elimination from the Champions League.

After 34 games, Arsenal has 77 points.

The defending champions, Manchester City, have 73 points, but they still have two games remaining, beginning on Thursday with a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

It was the sixth Premier League game this season in which Arsenal scored five goals or more without giving up a goal, and in a race this close, their significant goal differential lead may prove to be decisive.

Just days after their close loss to Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final, Chelsea suffered their worst-ever defeat at the hands of Arsenal, which dealt a fatal blow to their hopes of making it to the European stage. Chelsea is now ranked ninth.

Arsenal dominated Chelsea's goal with 13 efforts in the first half, and if Chelsea's Serbian goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic hadn't made a save, Arsenal would have been ahead by a significant margin at halftime.

Cheered on by the Emirates fans, it took the hosts four minutes to calm down after a raiding Declan Rice drove into the center of the pitch and brilliantly timed his ball for Trossard to score.

Although Petrovic would have been upset to lose to Trossard and Bukayo Saka from a close range, he made up for it with a series of brilliant saves to deny them, and then he responded superbly to save a close-range deflection.

Chelsea, missing 20-goal striker Cole Palmer, had their chances even though they were under pressure, and Axel Disasi was unlucky not to score from a flicked-on corner.

Nicolas Jackson missed a clear header from a Conor Gallagher cross after hitting the post.

However, Chelsea was unable to keep up with Arsenal's increased intensity in the second half.

In the 52nd minute, White doubled the score when Rice's strike bounced to him. Havertz then scored in style after captain Martin Odegaard slipped him through with a beautiful ball.

Havertz, a former Chelsea player, scored low to make it 4-0 before White casually side-footed a volley from an angle.

Chelsea's situation may have been much worse as Arsenal ran wild, but the home crowd exited in a joyful mood as the chance to win a first trophy in 20 years seemed certain.

The inconsistent play of Chelsea has left manager Mauricio Pochettino dissatisfied. "We are very awful on our worst days.

"We can do anything when we are good," Pochettino said to the media.

The movie, supported by Excel Entertainment in association with Sunshine Digimedia, was unveiled in the Indian Navy's brand-new, ultra-modern headquarters, Nausena Bhawan.

The film's creators state that Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, producer Ritesh Sidhwani, co-producers Vishal Ramchandani and Kassim Jagmagia of Excel Entertainment, and producers Abhinav Shukla and Priyanka Belorkar of Sunshine Digimedia were present at the ceremony.

The update was posted on Excel Entertainment's X page.

Operation Trident is presented by Excel Entertainment in association with Sunshine Digimedia. The movie is inspired by the Indian Navy's valiant assault in the Indo-Pakistan War of 1919–1920. Future generations will be inspired by the tale of the momentous victory, the production banner declared.

The notification of "Operation Trident" was also put on X by an Indian Navy official.

"Paying tribute to the long-lasting legacy of Operation Trident. The movie "Operation Trident" had its title launch at Nausena Bhawan in New Delhi, with Adm R Hari Kumar of the CNS in attendance. "The story of the historic victory will inspire future generations, inspired by the bold attack of the #IndianNavy during the #1971IndoPakWar," the post stated.

Sunshine Digimedia and Excel Entertainment are producing the next film.

Banerjee said that the "BJP will be wiped out of the state" and that the party will launch its doors at the appropriate time while doing a road show in the Murshidabad Lok Sabha seat.

"The BJP is attempting to enter the game of party disruption, but they are not successful at it. We retaliated against them by stealing two of their MPs, Arjun Singh and Babul Supriyo. They just inducted Tapas Ray through ED raids. There are presently ten or more BJP leaders waiting to join the TMC, he claimed.

In response to Banerjee's assertion, BJP spokesman Samik Bhattacharya predicted that the "TMC will disintegrate like a pack of cards" following the elections. "These are little more than political platitudes made in response to West Bengal's defeat. The TMC would fall apart like a pack of cards after the Lok Sabha elections, he said.

Following the 2021 assembly elections, eight lawmakers, including national vice-president Mukul Roy, former Union minister Babul Supriyo, and party MP Arjun Singh have joined the TMC.

In 2021, the Trinamul Congress secured 213 out of 292 assembly seats, while the BJP secured 77, bringing them to power in the state for a third consecutive term.

The proverb 'gold blooms on tea bushes,' I used to hear from my elders, inspired the previous generations to labor in tea gardens. Bikash Chhetri (name changed on request), a resident of Darjeeling's Soom tea plantation, stated, "Today, I have sold my family's gold necklaces and am heading to Israel to earn a decent living."

Bikash has enrolled in a one-month caregiving course at a facility on Delhi's Panchkuian Road. Basic Hebrew is also being taught to him. The majority of them end up working as senior caregivers in Israel.

But getting to Israel is not an inexpensive trip.

To get a job in Israel, an applicant needs to be prepared to pay brokers over Rs 16 lakh. The cost decreased from the initial sum of Rs 26 lakh due to the increased demand for labor brought on by the ongoing Gaza war.

"Even after selling cows and gold and asking for loans from family, I have only been able to obtain about Rs 6 lakh. The remaining funds will be contributed by the agents with a five percent interest rate that will be subtracted from my pay, according to Bikash.

The majority of those who are now in Israel, where wages are "quite lucrative," concur that agents make the most money.

In Israel, we receive anything from Rs. 1.2-2 lakh. A young Darjeeling resident named Pravesh (name changed per request) told me that a comparable job in Dubai pays about Rs 20,000 a month. Ramla is about an hour's drive from Tel Aviv, the capital.

When Pravesh, 29, decides to join any tea garden back home, they would welcome him with open arms.

Between 45 and 50 percent of workers miss work due to absences. Following the 104-day strike in 2017, the Darjeeling Tea Association's chief adviser, Sandeep Mukherjee, stated that the exodus from the Darjeeling gardens got severe.

Around 3 lakh people receive direct or indirect support from the 87 tea gardens in the Darjeeling Lok Sabha constituency, which are allowed to sell their output as "Darjeeling Tea" because to their 2003 Geographic Indicator (GI) designation. These tea gardens employ 70,000 people.

One of the main issues facing the sector recently has been a lack of labor. The union and employees place the blame on poor pay and highlight a broader tendency among young people to enter the hospitality sector and other less physically demanding but more fulfilling careers.

In the past, the Darjeeling gardens would finish around 26 rounds of plucking each year. The average now stands at 16–18 rounds, according to a tea grower. In 2023, the sector produced just 6.1 million kg of manufactured tea, compared to 14.5 million kg in the 1990s.

Graduate Pravesh stated that going back to work in the tea gardens was out of the question. Going back to the tea gardens is a strict no-no for the majority of young people my age. Most people choose to work in larger cities for greater pay, even if they are not in Israel, according to Pravesh.

An employee in a tea garden makes Rs 250 per day.

This is an inaccurate portrayal. The cash portion of the pay is limited to Rs 250. The compensation will be Rs 422 if additional fringe perks are taken into consideration, a planter stated.

The parliamentary standing committee on commerce recognized the "meagre wages being paid to tea workers of Darjeeling and other areas of north Bengal which is below the statutory threshold of minimum wages in the country" in a 2022 report that focused on Darjeeling Tea.

In Bengal, a 24-person advisory group on tea minimum wage was established in 2015. Despite holding eighteen meetings, the minimum pay for workers has not yet been decided.

The management, however, emphasizes that poor output, excessive absenteeism, and low price realization in both local and foreign markets are the main causes of the problem facing the Darjeeling sector, which has an annual turnover of about Rs 400–500 crore.

Darjeeling tea gardens are for sale, but no one is interested in purchasing them. Why would gardeners wish to sell their spaces? a planter stated.

Union officials claimed that since the management hasn't "invested back" in the garden by replanting, they should also bear some of the blame. It is anticipated that the declining state of the Darjeeling tea business would accelerate the migration.

But living away from home is not always simple. Due to the almost two- to three-year debt repayment term once in Israel, the workers are compelled to remain there even during times of violence.

For years, many parents are compelled to leave their kids with their grandparents in Darjeeling.

"I experienced gall bladder issues in 2020. Doctors urged me to go back to Darjeeling, but I declined," said Pravesh, who only made one trip back to the city after departing in 2018.

Pravesh related the story of a woman who fell ill and spent three months recovering in Darjeeling. "She paid an additional Rs 15 lakh to return to Israel after an additional four to five months, but regrettably, she became unwell once more. In the end, she lost almost Rs 30 lakh, according to Pravesh.

Bikash hopes to travel to Israel prior to the announcement of the Lok Sabha election results. "I'm hopeful that in two or three years, my luck will turn around. My spouse is in Israel as well. Additionally present is my brother-in-law, who just purchased land in Siliguri and is doing well financially, according to Bikash.

The eldest of the five Mangeshkar siblings, the melody queen, passed away in 2022 from multiple organ failure. The family and the trust established the prize in her honor.

On April 24, the day of Deenanath Mangeshkar's memorial, Bachchan was recognized. Deenanath Mangeshkar was a veteran of theater and music and the father of the Mangeshkar siblings.

The 81-year-old actor, who has starred in over 50 films over the course of his career and is best known for roles in "Zanjeer," "Deewar," "Chupke Chupke," "Mohabbatein," and "Piku," expressed gratitude for the honor.

It's a blessing for me to get this honor today. I never thought I was deserving of an honor like this, but Hridyanath (Mangeshkar) ji made a lot of effort to get me here. He even sent me an invitation to this year's event.

"Hridaynath ji, I'm sorry for the final time, I promise. That's when I informed you I was sick. Despite my good health, I was reluctant to come here. In his acceptance speech for the prize, Bachchan stated, "This year I had no excuse, so I had to come here." The actor claimed that Lata Mangeshkar's voice was once compared to "shehad ki dhaar" (a stream of honey) by his father, the renowned Hindi poet Harivansh.

"Her voice had a honey-like tenderness, and just as honey never stops flowing, neither does her'swar' (chord). Our souls come into contact with "parmatma," or the greater force, whenever someone strikes the correct note. Bachchan remarked, "And Lata Mangeshkar ji's'swar' joins us with God." Bachchan received the prize from singer Usha Mangeshkar, the third oldest Mangeshkar sibling. The second Mangeshkar sibling, famous vocalist Asha Bhosle, was originally scheduled to present the prizes, but she canceled the ceremony due to illness.

The Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar is an annual award awarded to a person who has made a significant contribution to the country, its people, and society. The first laureate was Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was followed in 2023 by Asha Bhosle.

The youngest Mangeshkar sibling, music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, presided over the event. Master musician A R Rahman was presented with the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for his contribution to Indian music at the ceremony.

The multi-award-winning musician Rahman claimed to have a longstanding relationship with the Mangeshkar family. Rahman has worked on several songs with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle throughout the years.

"What an honor it is. This is really motivating. My father, composer R K Shekhar, used to wake up in front of a picture of Lata Mangeshkar ji while he was employed in the southern film business.

"The immense affection I received from you all transformed my life when I started working as a Southern composer. I always remind my family and children the same thing: "Look at the Mangeshkar family, their dedication." We ought to honor the family's commitment today. 57-year-old "I am a student, I learn from all of you," she declared. The non-profit organization Deepstambh Foundation Manobal received the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for their social service-related contributions, while Ashtavinayak Prakashit's "Galib," which was produced by Malhar and Vajreshwari, was named the year's greatest drama.

The Vishesh Puraskar for best film production and actor went to actor Randeep Hooda, while the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar (Vagvilasini Puraskar) went to Marathi writer Manjiri Phadke for her literary contributions.

Hooda declared that the "Swatantrya Veer Savarkar" trophy was a unique honor for him.

In addition to being a well-known national personality, Mr. Savarkar was good friends with the Mangeshkar family. It's an honor for me, and I'm thankful for this affirmation," he continued.

Actor Padmini Kolhapure received the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for film, while actor Ashok Saraf was acknowledged for his contributions to play and cinema.

Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle's niece Kolhapure expressed gratitude to her family for their love and support.

"I owe all I am today to Asha Bhosle, who introduced me to the world of movies. The Deenanath Mangeshkar Award was also granted to my father, Pandharinath Kolhapure, ten years ago. Thus, this prize holds great significance for me. "I accept this award with gratitude as it comes from my family," the actor, who has acted in movies like "Prem Rog," "Woh Saat Din," and "Chimani Pakhar," stated.

The winners also included Atul Parchure for contributions to theater and drama, Bhau Torsekar for editorial services, and vocalist Roopkumar Rathod for his contribution to the world of music.

Vivek Kumar is a lawyer in Mathura, and his income is based on how many people he helps with land register paperwork. Additionally, he plays Sant Ravidas on Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti every year.

Vivek Kumar is his name.

27 years old

Actor and lawyer by profession

Education: LLB

Family: Kaushal Singh Kardam, the younger brother, and parents Karan Singh and Raj Kumari

Location: Mathura's Basant Vihar Colony

Constituency: Mathura

Career in 2014 and 2019: Scholar

Did you cast a ballot in 2019?

No, Modi did not fulfill his pledge of acche din. All he said was platitudes meant to appease the masses. He never gave a damn about the issues that others faced.

What is the most significant alteration that has happened since 2014? Digital India, where everyone is too preoccupied with viewing messages and reels to consider the benefits or drawbacks of the government, has drawn people to the nation.

Which one of these issues do you wish to change right away? Fees for education have gone up three to forty times since 2014. The medical system has broken down. The government has to concentrate on these two matters.

Better and free health and education services are what he wants from the incoming government.

What he wants to see from the incoming government is an end to the current abuse of religion and caste. The government ought to quit changing the Constitution.

On April 26, Mathura casts a vote.

"In a first-of-its-kind endeavor within any government institution in Odisha, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has collaborated with Dr RP Centre, AIIMS Delhi, and Cristoffel Blinden Mission (CBM), Germany, to establish this clinic," said Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, executive director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, to officially open the groundbreaking initiative. The clinic promises to provide eye rehabilitation treatments to individuals in need on a regular basis, changing lives and promoting a sense of empowerment in the process.

In addition to highlighting the value of routine patient follow-up and thanking AIIMS Delhi for their assistance with the "Roshini" initiative, Dr. Biswas also revealed training materials designed to equip Asha employees and volunteers with fundamental understanding about eye care.

A unique set of patients, including some who are socially blind and those with extremely low vision from glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetes, retinal disorders, and other blinding conditions, will benefit from the vision clinics.

The Bengaluru team gave the KKR team a serious fright until they were all out for 221 off the last ball of the game, despite the team scoring a solid 222 for six.

You experience so many emotions that it wears you out and takes a lot off your body. I'm thrilled, yet it's hard to remain composed. "All that matters is that we have two points on the board," Iyer declared during the post-match awards ceremony.

It's quite difficult when there's pressure. Every person, in my opinion, ought to raise their hands and accept accountability. Iyer used Andre Russell's performance (3/25 and 27 off 20b) as a reference to his previous assertion.

"Russell changed the game completely in our favor by taking two wickets, doing the job for us." That mindset is exactly what the squad needs. Iyer didn't condemn the Australian bowler Mitchell Starc, despite the fact that he almost completely destroyed the defense of 21 off the last six balls.

In the 20th over, Starc let up three sixes to Karn Sharma, and RCB came dangerously close to winning.

It's a humorous game in which the bowler has the burden of scoring eighteen runs in six deliveries. A few sixes here and there alters the momentum entirely. It's critical that we remain composed, focus on the here and now, and direct the batter to where you want them to hit. Iyer was thrilled to add a fifty to the team's cause as well.

It was a crucial hit. I wanted to stay and help right the ship till the very end. In the end, we established some significant limits, which made me extremely delighted. Despite the circumstances of the encounter, man of the match Russell stated he has always been confident in his bowling.

I support my bowling every time. I knew I had to come through when I had the ball at a critical moment, and happily I did. It was hard for me to hit a change of speed when I was batting earlier. It was what I wanted to do as a bowler. The slower balls were clinging to one another. Russell took the crucial wickets of Rajat Patidar and Will Jacks, which completely changed the course of the RCB's chase.

"I believe that changing the game was the result of getting the two set batters out, which made me happy." The collapse for RCB was sparked by those two crucial wickets taken by (Sunil) Narine. Additionally, Russell produced a fantastic 19th over in which he dismissed the highly effective Dinesh Karthik.

"With two (overs) remaining, I trained my body to bowl that 19th over. I did my best to load the scoreboard with runs for Starc. I decided to bowl six deliveries to DK and spice things up because he wasn't getting off strike, and happily it did. After suffering their sixth straight loss, captain Faf du Plessis stated that his team will continue to attempt to change the tide for the rest of the competition.

"(We were determined to win)...In terms of effort, 10 out of 10. The expressions on the ground spoke volumes about the work we put in. Our incredible fan base deserves to be smiling, and we want that to happen. We'll need to keep working hard and make an attempt to turn things around.

Leg-spinner Karn, who has no genuine batting experience, hit three sixes off Starc to cut the lead to three runs off of two balls. RCB finished at 222 all out in 20 overs, but Starc made amends by making a return catch to remove Karn (20, 7b, 3x6), and Lockie Ferguson was run out on the final ball.

But in a game full of flips and turns, KKR had the early advantage thanks to opener Phil Salt's aggressive 14-ball 48 and captain Shreyas Iyer's cool-headed 36-ball 50. KKR finished at 222 for six.

Nevertheless, the formidable character of their pursuit did not slow down the Royal Challengers. A solid foundation was set by Will Jacks (55, 32b; 4x4, 5x6) and Rajat Patidar (52; 23b, 3x4, 5x6), who combined for 102 runs for the third wicket off of just 48 balls.

However, after falling behind at 137 for 2, RCB quickly found themselves at 155 for 6. Andre Russell delivered a double punch, dismissing both Jacks and Russell in the space of three balls with his ingenious slower ball variety.

RCB was reduced to 155 for six by Sunil Narine (2/34) who also grabbed two wickets in his penultimate over, but Dinesh Karthik and Impact Sub Suyash Prabhudesai brilliantly combined to keep their hopes alive.

Russell came back to bowl in the last over and removed Karthik with a slower ball, making the equation more difficult for the RCB to overcome—21 runs from six balls. Karn almost pulled RCB over the finish line, but the Knights won the night in Eden Gardens as they masterfully executed the last seconds of a thrilling game.

With five victories in their last seven games, KKR has moved up to second place with 10 points, two points behind leaders Rajasthan Royals.

With just two points, RCB's campaign is all but finished as they are currently ranked tenth. This was their seventh loss in eight games and their sixth straight loss overall.

However, RCB had its moments. Jacks, for example, was at his ferocious best against Starc, hitting him for 22 runs in an over on his way to his second fifty in four matches on 29 balls.

Patidar, the finest bowler for KKR, was taken apart by Jacks' display as he scored fifty runs in only 21 balls, while RCB was able to keep their run rate over twelve.

Before dismissing Starc with contempt, Virat Kohli started out with a first-ball boundary and smashed Harshit Rana for a six in the opening over.

There was a shout of "Kohli, Kohli" around Eden as he retreated to thump it over fine-leg.

However, his inning was controversially ended when Rana made a return catch after Kohli was hit by what appeared to be a waist-high full throw.

Replays showed that the ball was dipping in its trajectory even though he was beyond of his crease when it struck, and the ruling was maintained.

Before leaving the field with his ire evident, Kohli engaged the on-field umpire in a heated conversation.

Varun Chakravathy removed Faf du Plessis for a seven-ball seven in the subsequent over.

Earlier, Salt, the world's No. 2 T20I hitter, was on fire, hammering three sixes and seven fours to give KKR an explosive start on a day when Narine (10, 15 balls) failed to get going. Iyer then took full advantage of the situation, hitting seven fours and one six.

The home team received some late momentum from Andre Russell (27 not out, 20b) and Ramandeep Singh (24 not out, 9b).

At the end of the power play, KKR was reduced to 75/3 by the under-fire RCB bowling team, as KKR lost four wickets in 26 balls during the vital middle period.

Rinku Singh (24) and Venkatesh Iyer (16) were unable to convert their beginnings as RCB continued to chip away at the KKR batting order.

However, Iyer remained composed to score his 20th IPL fifty, his maiden fifty of the current campaign, and KKR continued to advance.

After hitting 50 in 35 balls, he was out in the following ball.

Russell's 27 from 20 balls (4x4) was remarkably calm. At the Eden Gardens, it was Ramandeep Singh's cameo of 24 off nine balls, including two fours and two sixes, that helped them to their third consecutive 200+ score.

With his yorkers and wide yorkers, Siraj bowled well for his 1/40, while Cameron Green was the best bowler back for the RCB with a 2/35.

Although Yash Dayal too scored 2/56, he let up one too many runs.

In the tournament that determines who would challenge the world champion, Gukesh finished with nine points out of a potential fourteen after playing to a comfortable draw with American Hikaru Nakamura in the fourteenth and final round.

Gukesh's victory qualifies him to face China's Ding Liren, the current world champion, in the last quarter of the year.

The young man from Chennai eclipsed the mark set by the legendary Russian player Kasparov, who was 22 years old when he qualified to face fellow countryman Anatoly Karpov in 1984.

"I'm very delighted and relieved. After winning, Gukesh remarked, "I think that helped. I was watching this amazing game (between Fabio Caruana and Ian Nepomniachtchi), and then I went for a stroll with my second (Gregorz Gazevsky).

A financial prize of 88,500 Euros (about Rs 78.5 lakh) was also awarded to Gukesh. 5,00,000 euros was the total prize money awarded to the candidates.

After the legendary Viswanathan Anand, he became just the second Indian to win the coveted competition. The victory of five-time world champion Anand occurred in 2014.

"@DGukesh deserves congratulations for becoming the youngest challenger. The @WacaChess family is really pleased with your accomplishments. I'm really pleased with the way you performed and handled challenging circumstances. Savor the moment," Anand said on 'X' to congratulate the young person, who is also from Chennai, much like him.

Gukesh, who needed at least a draw, gave Nakamura nothing away, sending a strong message that the young player is prepared for the big time and will be the chess world's next major star.

Nakamura was at sea in the Queen's Gambit Accepted and could not find any method to pursue playing for an advantage, therefore the black pieces did not really matter.

After Gukesh gained a pawn, Nakamura had to figure out how to get equal in the rook and opposite coloured bishop endgame that followed. Even though the game went to move 71, the outcome was always clear.

All attention were on the match between Russian Nepomniachtchi and American Caruana, with Gukesh finishing on nine points.

From the first move, the American player outplayed Nepomniachtchi and held a position that was almost winning for many moves.

But now, it was the clock that spoke, as Caruana made a mistake on the 39th move, giving himself a playable situation.

But the race was far from over; Caruana regained his lead and was about to win a second time when, once more, his clock misled him and he was unable to identify the right continuation.

Caruana continued to press without success, and the endgame was a drawn queen and pawns situation.

The match would have required a tie-break if any of these two players had prevailed, since Gukesh and the victor would have shared the lead.

Caruana, Nepomniachtchi, and Nakamura tied for second place with the same amount of points, while Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa defeated Azerbaijan's Nijat Abasov to finish fifth with seven points.

In the last round, Vidit Gujrathi and French player Firouzja Alireza quickly drew to finish on six points overall in sixth place.

Abasov finished last with 3.5 total points, while Alireza finished seventh with five points.

After becoming the third youngest Grandmaster in chess history at the age of twelve, Gukesh has been in the public eye for some time.

He took home a silver medal from the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year.

The world championship's dates and location have not yet been decided.

Aayman Anwar Ali

Regarding a 17-year-old character on film, it reminds me of the 1960 Satyajit Ray masterpiece Devi, which focused on the patriarchal and religious prejudice that characterized rural Bengal in the 19th century. It illustrated how foolish superstitions and blind faith caused the family to fall apart and severely damaged the newlywed woman's mental health. The 17-year-old Dayamoyee's role was superbly portrayed by a youthful Sharmila Tagore.

Kajal Chatterjee

On cinema, 17-year-old Bella Swan from the renowned Twilight series is a trailblazing figure. Bella, who is originally from sunny Phoenix, lands in the little town of Forks, which is frequently shrouded in clouds and precipitation. She finds it difficult to acclimate there. She learns about the Cullen family's secret identity from this point on. Between her and Edward, sparks flare. But when it comes to choosing between a life as a vampire or as a human, she finds herself at a crossroads. She taught us that we should follow our hearts while making decisions.

Sarkar Rumana

In the Mean Girls (2024) film, Auli'i Cravalho plays Janis, a 17-year-old who becomes Cady's first friend at North Shore High, when she was 22 years old. Janis doesn't have many pals. Despite her kindness, she harbors animosity toward a gang of poisonous teenagers at their school known as the "Plastics."

Dayita Chakraborty

The character Caroline Forbes, played by Candice King in the American supernatural drama series The Vampire Diaries, is someone I would want to add to the t2 list.

"Do Aur Do Pyaar" is about a married couple named Kavya and Ani (played by Vidya Balan and Pratik Gandhi) who indulge in extramarital relationships but fall in love again after a vacation to Ooty brings back memories.

With 15 years of experience as an ad filmmaker, Guha Thakurta said she has tried to present a tale about growing out of love without giving it any meaning.

It's a love story, not a movie about adultery. You have the right to find love elsewhere if it's no longer working for you. The term "infidelity" carries a negative connotation. It's a heavy phrase, infidelity. In an interview with PTI, the debutante director said, "We have tried to make sure people don't see it (infidelity) as something we are either promoting or calling it wrong or right."

"This is what happens in urban relationships—they grow out of love." We don't talk about what happens to love as it ages, in my opinion. We as a society must either address these fascinating and crucial issues or accept the reality of what is," the speaker said.

Released on Friday, "Do Aur Do Pyaar" also stars Ileana D'Cruz and Sendhil Ramamurthy. Though film started out slowly at the box office, the romantic comedy garnered positive reviews from reviewers.

The fact that some viewers were able to discern the subtleties in the movie, according to Guha Thakurta, is encouraging.

That "We don't judge any of them" was written by someone. Since that was one of the largest things we've tried, I take that as a major compliment, the 40-year-old stated.

It was crucial to keep things lighthearted and avoid making it seem depressing since things may get serious. That isn't how the entire movie should be. People might not even want to see it, given the serious comments you're making," she said.

According to Guha Thakurta, before Balan joined the project, the producers, Applause Entertainment and Ellipsis Entertainment Production, had already chosen to cast her as Kavya.

"They did consider Vidya. In theory, she had consented to carry it out. Gandhi was chosen to portray Ani after a look-test with Balan, the actress said. "She signed the film only after we had a locked script," the actress stated.

The movie "Do Aur Do Pyaar" has an actor called Nora being romantically involved with businesswoman Ani, while dentist Kavya is having an affair with NRI photographer Vikram. Ramamurthy and D'Cruz, respectively, play the parts of Vikram and Nora.

We were concerned that many people would be afraid to follow Vidya as a second lead. Not many people want to portray the needy girlfriend, so Ileana was excited to play something that is gray. However, she said it in a convincing manner, so you don't become upset with her since you can understand her viewpoint.

We did consider a candidate for Sendhil's role who was not an NRI. However, one of the producers, Tanuj (Garg), was acquainted with Sendhil. He reached out to him and arranged for it to happen. Sendhil agreed, thus we revised the character. In addition to being a wonderful actor, he is really attractive. The director stated, "That's how we wanted it."

The 2017 American film "The Lovers" directed by Azazel Jacobs, starring Debra Winger and Tracy Letts, is adapted into "Do Aur Do Pyaar."

The Hindi translation, according to Guha Thakurta, varies somewhat from the original.

She said that they revised the plot over the course of a year and a half. "Any relationship drama, when you change the country and culture, everything changes, we've also changed the age group of the couple," she stated.

The original plan was for "Do Aur Do Pyaar" and "Crew," starring Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon, to open in theaters on March 29. According to the director, the producers ultimately chose to reschedule the release to prevent a conflict between two "women-oriented" movies.

"The film was shot a year and a half ago, but we never had a release date. There was a sort of churn in the business where no one was visiting theaters. At the time, everyone was anxious about the movie's release.

"March 29 was the original scheduled release date for the movie. "Crew" was scheduled to be published a week earlier at that point. But, the producers didn't want two movies aimed at women to come out on the same day, so they rescheduled the movie from March 29 to March 29 (the "Crew" creators). Therefore, we changed the release date to April 19.

The TMC national general secretary asserted during an election rally in Ranaghat, Nadia district, that someone who asks for citizenship under the CAA while already having citizenship will be labeled as Bangladeshi.

Another 'jumla' of the BJP is the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). You recall how many Hindu Bengalis from Assam were transferred to detention camps by the BJP administration under the guise of the National Register of Citizens. The Diamond Harbour MP stated during the event, "We are always on your side to fight against the BJP's game plan to take away your citizenship."

Banerjee issued a challenge to the BJP-led NDA government at the federal level, demanding that they provide citizenship to applicants under the CAA within a week of the application date.

"If you have a voter identity card, PAN, or ration card, do you still need to apply under the CAA? Under the CAA, do not seek for citizenship. Which BJP leader used the CAA portal to apply? At the event, he stated, "The answer is no."

During her oath-taking ceremony as a Rajya Sabha MP, Matua leader Mamata Bala Thakur said that the NDA government at the Centre was "anti-Matua community" and that she was not permitted to speak the names of her community's idols, Guru Chand Thakur and Hari Chand Thakur.

Banerjee, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has accused the Narendra Modi administration of "withholding" cash from the rural employment program, so denying workers under the MGNREGA plan.

By guaranteeing at least 100 days of paid work in a fiscal year, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 (MGNREGA) seeks to improve the livelihood stability of households in the nation's rural areas.

"When the Centre adopted anti-Bengal measures that harmed the interests of the underprivileged, eighteen BJP MPs remained silent without speaking. While our MPs were punished for voicing public complaints, not one of them had contributed a single rupee to the state," he remarked.

Banerjee opined that the BJP's "one nation, one election theory" will deny people their right to vote in next elections.

He said that the "BJP was curbing the rights of Bengali Hindus to eat fish and other non-veg items in the name of religion and by imposing its diktat."

Sunday saw temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in several parts of south Bengal, with Panagarh in the Paschim Bardhaman district recording the state's highest temperature of 45.1 degrees Celsius, 8.3 degrees above average, the report added.

The meteorological service predicted heatwave temperatures until April 25 for several areas of Gangetic West Bengal, with isolated pockets experiencing extreme heatwave conditions.

It stated that on Sunday, there were heatwave to extremely hot temperatures in a few locations in the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Hooghly, Paschim Bardhaman, and North 24 Parganas.

According to the Meteorological Department, there were one or two areas in Kolkata, Howrah, Nadia, Birbhum, South 24 Parganas, Purba Bardhaman, and Purulia district where heatwave conditions were present.

The greatest temperature of the day, 40.3 degrees Celsius, was recorded in Kolkata and Salt Lake, a nearby satellite city, it continued.

The Ambedkar readings, which had begun two years earlier, were indicated by the Mahatma Gandhi Antarrashtriya Hindi Vishwavidyalaya to pose a risk to the “safety and health of (participating) students and reputation of the university”.

Two of the show-caused instructors were reassigned, and two others were fired from their posts at a campus academic center, after the majority of them declined to apologize.

The institution has been under fire from certain academics for suppressing free expression, especially when it comes to topics like Ambedkar's speeches and writings.

In February 2022, a group of Dalit academic members launched the Ambedkar Study Circle India on campus. Every Thursday, after 6 p.m., it convened in front of the university's Ambedkar monument to read and debate excerpts from his collected writings, which have been released by the Maharashtra and federal governments.

In January of this year, the practice was ordered to cease by the registrar-in-charge, Dharvesh Katheriya, after around sixty-one sessions had been held in the previous two years.

Seven educators received show-cause orders from Katheriya, requesting them to certify that reading Ambedkar's writings would compromise university security and damage its standing.

Teaching the literature in courses is a better idea than having unapproved groups conduct reading sessions. It is inappropriate to have such a reading session in light of the students' health and safety as well as the university's image, the warning stated.

It said the organization had not obtained official clearance.

After expressing remorse, one of the seven teachers left the study group.

In their comments, the other six stated that instructors from different academic departments had started the study circle after alerting the college administration.

All of the participants willingly attended its meetings, which often started with a reading of the Preamble to the Constitution and concluded with the national song, they noted.

They dismissed worries about student health, safety, and the university's image, saying that anyone experiencing problems was welcome to miss the classes.

Furthermore, they claimed that the setting of the event, which included reading and listening to Ambedkar's works and speeches in unison while standing in front of the monument and beneath the open sky, encouraged everyone to have an open mind.

One of the seven instructors, Shailesh Marji Kadam, was moved to the Amravati campus, while Ravindra Borkar was moved to the Prayagraj campus. Borkar requested a stay in court.

Lella Karunyakara, the director of the Buddhist Study Center, and Surjit K. Singh, the interim head of the same center, were both ousted by the authorities. Additionally, a number of non-teaching employees from Karunyakara's office were moved.

Last week, an email was sent to Katheriya asking for his thoughts. His answer is anticipated.

The TISS students' union released a statement late on Saturday night contesting the timeliness of the institute's decision to suspend Ramadas K.S. and accusing it of lacking due process and transparency.

A showcause notice was sent to the PhD candidate at the School of Development Studies last month due to his suspected involvement in "anti-national activities."

On January 12, Ramadas took part in a protest outside the Parliament building against the National school Policy's purported endorsement of school privatization. He was waving a Progressive Students Forum (PSF)-TISS flag. The institution viewed this as a flagrant use of its name and a transgression.

Additionally, Ramadas distributed flyers on social media inviting students to a screening of the documentary Ram ke Naam on January 26 following Prime Minister Modi's attendance at the Ayodhya temple dedication on January 22. Anand Patwardhan's film poses critical issues regarding the Ram temple movement.

However, a student informed The Telegraph that the movie was never really aired. Ramadas's posts on the documentary were referenced in the showcause notice.

Additionally, it states that in January 2023, Ramadas presented the "banned" documentary India: The Modi Question on campus. The documentary, which consists of two parts and was removed from various social media sites by the Indian government, critically examines Modi's tenure as Prime Minister and Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The term "anti-national activity" was used in the warning, although no specific conduct was mentioned.

A few other students received showcause letters for engaging in "anti-national" actions related to the showing of the Modi documentary last year on April 18, the day Ramadan was interrupted.

An empowered committee's proposal led to the decision to postpone Ramadan.

In 2017–18, Ramadas was accepted into the combined MPhil–PhD program. He started the PhD program in 2020. Although he claims to have given up the seat in November, he did reside in a dorm on campus.

The institute, however, felt it appropriate to charge him with occupying the hostel "for an extended period of time" and denying accommodations to other students.

According to a statement released by the students' union, the officially recognized body that represents students, "these notices are being sent out labeling students as 'anti-national' and giving baseless accusations as 'hurting religious sentiments', especially during the country's general election season." This raises serious concerns about the administration's intentions in these areas and is highly suspicious.

Vice-chancellor Manoj Kumar Tiwari has been contacted via email on the claims of opacity in the decision to suspend Ramadas. His answer is anticipated.

Senior advocate Vijay Hansaria, who was appointed amicus curiae in a PIL seeking the expeditious disposal of criminal cases against MPs and MLAs, stated in an affidavit that additional instructions are required for the prompt adjudication of pending trials and their investigation under strict supervision by the respective high courts, given that approximately 501 candidates with criminal cases are running in the first two phases of the Lok Sabha elections.

Citing an NGO report titled "Association of Democratic Reforms for the Lok Sabha elections 2024 Phase I and Phase II," Hansaria, with the assistance of advocate Sneha Kalita, stated that 327 (12%) of the 2,810 candidates (Phase I: 1618 candidates, and Phase II: 1192 candidates) have serious criminal cases against them, accounting for 501 (18%) of the total number of candidates.

"The similar situation occurred during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, when 1500 candidates (19%) out of 7928 had criminal charges, with 1070 candidates (13%) having major criminal offenses. However, 225 MPs (44%) of the 514 elected members of the 17th Lok Sabha (2019–2024) faced criminal charges.

As a result, candidates with criminal histories have garnered a higher number of seats than those without. According to the affidavit, "in this particular context, it is imperative that this court issue additional orders for the prompt resolution of ongoing trials and investigations, subject to close oversight by the corresponding high courts."

"It may be noted that in view of the direction issued by this court in the present proceedings, the steps taken by the respective high courts, and expeditious hearing by the special court MP/MLA, more than 2000 cases have been decided in the year 2023," stated Hansaria, who is supporting the court in the PIL filed by Ashwini Upadhyay for the swift disposal of cases against the lawmakers. But there are a lot of instances that are still outstanding, many of them for a very long time." He presented a tabular chart based on data from several high courts, showing that 2,018 of the 4,697 criminal proceedings against politicians that were decided last year were still pending as of January 1, 2023.

According to the affidavit, 1,746 new criminal charges were brought in 2023 against MPs and MLAs; as a result, as of January 1, 2024, 4,474 cases were still outstanding.

As of January 1, 2023, 766 cases out of 1,300 cases have been decided by Uttar Pradesh's special courts. By December 31, 2023, Delhi, which began the year with 105 cases, had resolved 103 of them.

As of January 1, 2023, 232 cases out of 476 cases against MPs and MLAs were determined in Maharashtra; 13 cases out of 26 in West Bengal; 30 cases out of 48 in Gujarat; 150 cases out of 226 in Karnataka; 132 cases out of 370 in Kerala; and 171 cases out of 525 cases in Bihar, among other large states.

Although many cases are resolved, a significant percentage of them remain for trial for an extended amount of time, according to Hansaria.

Therefore, it is imperative that the High Court request a report from the Special Court MP/MLA presiding officers about all cases that have been waiting for three years or more, together with a copy of the order sheet from the previous year, explaining the cause for the lengthy pendency.

"To ensure that the trial is not impacted, it may be made clear that only a copy of the order sheet—and not the complete case file—is to be supplied. After that, the High Court may provide the necessary directives for the detailed review of every case, positively directing the completion of a trial in less than a year," he stated.

In order to create a model website based on the National Judicial Data Grid model for uploading real-time information on the status of cases against MPs in trial, he sought guidance from the highest court.

"This court may establish a committee for this purpose, with a sitting judge serving as the committee's chairman. The affidavit stated that the committee can be made up of Chief Justices or judges from certain high courts, an e-Committee member, a nominee from the National Informatics Center (NIC), and any other individuals the court deems suitable.

According to Hansaria, some high courts—namely, those in Delhi, Punjab & Haryana, Telangana, Tripura, and Allahabad—have been keeping a close eye on the status of cases that have been pending for longer than three years by issuing detailed orders that effectively monitor the case's progress. In contrast, other high courts have only inquired about the status of the cases.

"This court may consider passing appropriate directions so that the high courts in the Suo Motu writ petitions registered in terms of the judgment and order dated November 9, 2023 to closely monitor the progress and pass suitable directions wherever necessary," read the affidavit.

On November 9 of last year, the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision that ordered high courts to form a special bench to oversee cases for prompt resolution, with the goal of expediting trials in over 5,000 criminal charges against legislators.

Additionally, it had requested that special courts postpone such cases only "for rare and compelling reasons." Prioritizing criminal proceedings against members of Parliament, legislative assemblies, and legislative councils was one of the many directives the top court sent out to high courts, district judges, and special courts assigned to hear cases involving legislators.

Speaking to reporters here after receiving a special award from jewelry manufacturer P C Chandra Group, Somnath stated that a number of the spacecraft's equipment are constantly gathering data on a variety of topics.

"We are looking into the sun in a continuous manner - UV magnetic charges observation, corona graph observation, X-ray observation and other things," he stated.

On September 2, 2023, the Aditya-L1 spacecraft—India's first solar mission craft—was launched.

We want to maintain this satellite for five years, so the observation will be examined over an extended period of time. He clarified, "It's not like your quick news that something about the sun was published today; something else will happen tomorrow, and things happen every day.

He stated, "All observations will take place now, but the outcomes will be known later."

"An eclipse occurs when the moon obscures the sun. It is not as though anything occurs within the sun when there is an eclipse. To the topic of whether the mission will shed light on the solar eclipse, Somnath replied, "But obviously, our mission is also collecting data about the sun before, during, and after an eclipse."

In reference to cooperative ventures with other space organizations, he mentioned that ISRO is constructing a satellite known as NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar).

"I think it's time to step back and start a new chapter in my life," the former world number one stated during a press conference on Saturday in Madrid.

Muguruza became the first player to defeat both of the Williams sisters in a Grand Slam title match when she defeated Serena Williams in the 2016 French Open final and Venus Williams in the 2017 Wimbledon final.

The Spanish player finished second in both the 2020 Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2015 in addition to winning ten career titles. 13th on the all-time list, she concluded with a win-loss record of 449-238 and approximately $25 million in prize money.

Her most significant triumph came in the 2021 ATP Finals.

"I am only thirty years old, so the word retirement sounds very harsh, but since I started playing 25 years ago, I have accomplished so much," she remarked.

"I am proud of what I have accomplished because I persisted in pursuing my objectives despite hardships."

Muguruza stopped performing in January 2023. She said in April of that year that she would be prolonging her break from performing, adding, "Spending time with my family and friends (has) really been healthy and amazing."

Muguruza, who was born in Caracas to a Venezuelan mother and a Spanish father, relocated to Barcelona as a young girl in order to pursue her tennis career. At the 1998 French Open, she became the first Spanish woman to lift a Grand Slam championship since Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.

With 361 runs, Kohli holds the Orange Cap and has had an incredible IPL 2024 run that has maintained their attention. It makes little difference if his strike rate is 147 or lower, or if his century against the Rajasthan Royals—which came at a leisurely pace—was 113 not out of 72 balls.

The chance to watch Kohli bat will persuade spectators to repack the stands. Though there will be ongoing discussion over his suitability for the format—especially with the World Cup just over a month away—he is still the popular favorite.

While the RCB players were practicing in the nets, Kohli locked himself in a brainstorming session with the support staff and captain Faf du Plessis in a nearby location.

Not only did they need to regain footing to maintain their IPL playoff prospects, but they also needed to come up with the best strategies to take on the Knights on Sunday. At the Chinnaswamy in Bangalore, 182 runs, including an undefeated 83 from Kohli, were unable to stop KKR from winning handily.

This season, RCB is suffering from yet another terrible run of form, with six defeats from seven games and a bottom-of-the-table position. The question of why RCB struggles season after season even with some of the biggest stars in their ranks remains a mystery.

The top three run producers are Dinesh Karthik, Du Plessis, and Kohli. Karthik's strike-rate of 205.45 in the last overs has been astounding. In their most recent game, RCB fell 25 short of Sunrisers Hyderabad's 288 after he hit an innings-long 83 off 35 balls.

KKR, who suffered a depressing defeat to the Rajasthan Royals on Tuesday, will take consolation from their almost flawless record against the Royals at the Eden.

The home team's strategy will be to slow down Kohli, who has typically had trouble gathering pace on slow wickets. In this case, Sunil Narine could be a good choice.

Kohli's record of 127 runs at a strike rate of 107.62 against Narine is not remarkable. With 118 balls, the off-spinner has four times dismissed Kohli.

Kohli only batted in the nets for spinners on Saturday in an effort to negate the spin danger.

However, there will also be close attention on the match between Kohli and Starc. When Kohli and Starc faced off in their lone IPL match in Bangalore, Kohli scored 33 runs off of 17 balls.

In the Powerplay overs, can the fast bowler be able to end the threat posed by Kohli and seal the fate of the RCB?

In their most recent game, the Titans were completely outclassed by a humiliating 89 runs, all at home against the Delhi Capitals. That loss was devastating to morale.

Punjab also lost their most recent game, but only after really scaring the Mumbai Indians. They will feel more confident after rallying from a 14/4 behind to lose the match by only 9 runs while pursuing a 193-un target.

It's also a positive that two of their lower-order hitters, Ashutosh Sharma and Shashank Singh, have been playing really well in recent games.

However, the main source of difficulty for both sides has been their order of priority.

Shikhar Dhawan, Punjab's captain, is still out of the team, and Jonny Bairstow was benched in their most recent game due to bad play.

However, after seven games, Shubman Gill, the captain of the Titans, is their lone half-centurion.

Naturally, there is a lot of work ahead for both sides.

Even though they managed to score 266/7 in the end, it was not enough to overcome the Delhi Capitals, as the Sunrisers claimed a convincing 67-run victory to take the lead in the rankings with 10 points. The Kolkata Knight Riders are now in third place.

The Sunrisers' scorecard read 103/0 after only five overs when the Capitals, making their maiden appearance at the Kotla this season, chose to bowl first after winning the toss. At that point, Head was hitting 62 off 20 balls, elevating his Powerplay batting to a whole new level.

The dismissals of Heinrich Klaasen and Head progressively hurt the Sunrisers' hopes of reaching 300. The Sunrisers slowed down a little bit with the middle-overs strikes of Kuldeep Yadav (4/55) and the economical Axar Patel (1/29).

However, in the last overs for the Sunrisers, spinner all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed (59 not out off 29 balls) struck his first IPL half-century.

In response, Jake Frasur-McGurk, a young Australian who reached his second IPL fifty off just 15 balls, appeared almost as threatening as Head with his clean hitting (65 off 18 balls). But aside from the 22-year-old, the more well-known players struggled as the Capitals were dismissed for 199 in 19.1 overs. Just 16 runs were scored by captain Rishabh Pant from the first 20 balls he faced.

T. Natarajan (4/19), a pacer, was outstanding for the Sunrisers with his great distances.

Second Silence: Night Owl Bar Manoj Bajpayee's crime thriller Shootout had several plot twists and turns and deceptive elements before identifying a bewildered individual as the ruthless murderer. The writer-director Aban Bharucha Deohans most likely intended to acknowledge diversity, which requires that a gay or transgender person be featured in a story. He incorporated a pitiful monologue for the murderer as well, dwelling on the well-known story of early trauma that turned "them" into a violent, sexually abusive criminal.

When Vidya Balan was exposed as the mastermind lesbian at the conclusion of the movie Neeyat last year, she too performed the same act. In the unwatchable movie Haddi, Nawazuddin Siddique portrayed a transgender character who cuts bodies as if it were an ordinary day at work. However, is this kind of inclusion really necessary if the individual who identifies as sexually diverse is portrayed as a deranged sadist who frequently suffers from borderline personality disorder (BPD)? The most common explanation for criminal behavior is anger, self-pity, or retaliation stemming from complicated sexual relationships and social rejection. However, doesn't that feed into the general public's misperception, disgust, and anxiety about gays and transgender people?

Indeed, a number of unsettling incidents have been connected to the LGBTQ community. The names of horrifyingly aberrant serial killers appeared when one searched the Internet. These two are both American.

John Wayne Gacy murdered, maimed, and tormented 33 people. Until the cops got to him, he was known as the Killer Clown and would act in public as a clown. Remarkably, Gacy had received a short sentence following his 1968 conviction for the sodomy of a small child. If the law had taken decisive action against him following his first recorded sexual offense, thirty-three victims could still be alive today.

The Milwaukee Monster, or Milwaukee Cannibal, was Jeffrey Lionel Dahmer. His horrifying deeds included the dismemberment of 17 people, necrophilia, and cannibalism. He was given a BPD diagnosis, came out as gay throughout adolescence, and shown an early obsession with dead animals.

Although there have been several well-known sexually diverse murders, the proportion of heterosexual offenders is higher. Why should a tiny fraction of the community be represented by a tiny proportion if it doesn't make every heterosexual person a suspect? That's what happens when a movie tries to be inclusive yet unintentionally portrays people as harsh and emotionally unstable.

They become more noticeable as objects of sympathy when the movies, even OTT series, don't link them to violent crimes. Even if the goal is to draw attention to how unjust society is, sympathy tends to seep in. Similar to Season 3 of Made in Heaven, where the labored diversity was a strain. Even this Friday's astonishingly updated LSD2, written by Dibakar Banerjee, played on empathy for the transgender community, saying that "they" couldn't integrate well into society.

Sexuality is not the only factor in diversity. Consider Chote Miyan Bade Miyan (BMCM). The writer-director neglected to balance other elements required for a commercial entertainment because he was too focused on balancing diversity in his characters. Movies like Ali's own Tiger Zinda Hai (2017) and Pathaan (2023) also featured a multicultural cast and settings that appealed for peace amongst nations without labeling any particular community as terrorist. There's no need to battle that because these movies made sure that all the other necessities were balanced. an aspect of BMCM that Ali seems to have missed.

It's similar to combining chemicals in a lab to handle variety. It might blow up in your face if you don't get the combination properly.

The 6.5 km section from Joka to Taratala, which is part of the 15.08 km Joka-Esplanade corridor in south Kolkata, was opened on December 30, 2022, and it was later extended to Majerhat on March 6, 2024.

Starting from Khidderpore, the tunneling procedure will extend to Victoria (Memorial) station. The Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) operations will commence from St. Thomas School grounds.

According to an official, three club tents in the Maidan area—the Rajasthan Club, the Calcutta Police Club, and the Calcutta Kennel Club—will also need to be temporarily moved outside the construction zone in order to make room for the Park Street station.

The Manohardas Tarag waterbody will be dewatered to make room for the building of tunnels beneath it, and the Kolkata Mounted Police paddock will be temporarily moved to Saheed Minar Maidan in order to make space for the construction of the Esplanade Metro station.

A beaming Chowdhury, the chief of the Bengal unit of the Congress and its leader in the Lok Sabha, was spotted alongside CPM state secretary Salim in a hammer-sickle-star uttoriyo on Thursday, the first time the two had been seen together since the election announcement.

"Across Bengal, we are battling together, and we shall support one another. That's as simple as that, declared Behrampore candidate Chowdhury.

The discussions over the last several weeks took conducted via phone conversations and an exchange of chits between Bidhan Bhavan and Alimuddin Street, despite the fact that both INDIA partners were able to finalize an apparently risky, last-minute seat-sharing deal in 40 of the 42 Bengal seats.

Ahead of the crunch of the election season, several in both parties hoped for more cooperative public appearances and activities, at least in light of Salim's anticipated attendance at Chowdhury's nomination filing in a few days.

According to a former top functionary in the Congress state unit, "Salim and Adhir seem to be focused on nothing but winning these two seats, Murshidabad and Behrampore, respectively."

According to an insider in the Congress, Chowdhury's adamant opposition to a truck with Mamata Banerjee is what caused the party to split with the Left in Bengal.

He stated, "But after that, he hardly did anything to make sure we had a good, smooth alliance with them."

"The parleys were immature and lazy, just like 2019 and 2021," he said.

Unknown for his close relationship to Chowdhury, a top state unit official stated that the true goal of INDIA should have been to guarantee the BJP secured the fewest number of the 42 Bengal seats feasible. Therefore, he argued, there was no use in continually putting a wrench in the works to lessen Mamata's chances in this situation.

"We are in a situation where we will contest in a dozen seats and might win zero instead of winning those two or four in alliance with Mamata," the veteran said, alluding to the fact that roughly one-third of Bengal's voters identify as Muslims and that the Congress's support base in the state has long been whittled down to a small number of seats in central and north Bengal with sizable Muslim populations.

Mamata had abandoned INDIA in Bengal and made the decision to run alone because she was appalled by the Congress's excessively long delay in finalizing the seat-sharing agreement and the Left's ferocious opposition to any understanding with her, which Chowdhury too frequently expressed in public.

However, the two partners who have been in and out of relationships since 2016 strangely kept quiet until the Election Commission said on March 16 that the seven-phase polls will begin on April 19.

According to a top CPM politician, "all we got to know was some informal dialogue taking place between Salim, and sometimes also Bimanda (Front chairman Biman Bose), and Adhir."

Chowdhury affirmed the assertion made by the CPM leader, stating: "They have not yet had formal discussions with either the AICC or me." I talked to Salimbhai once.

The Left met regularly to choose its candidates, but there was little indication that it was having official discussions with the Congress or Nawsad Siddique's ISF. The Congress never trusted the ISF, and a few days ago, it pulled out of any potential agreement, leaving the Left in the dust.

"We hoped to reach a consensus with the ISF... When Bose was informed that Bhangar MLA Siddique was blaming the CPM for the setback, he said, "They wanted many (20–22) seats."

Left allies seemed utterly stupid. When asked what was wrong with the seat-sharing talks, CPI state secretary Swapan Banerjee responded, "We are not in any dialogue with the Congress; the talks are taking place between them and the CPM."

The junior Left partners' dread of having to make concessions was the main reason behind their lack of desire for a seat arrangement with parties outside the Front.

Bose talked on how much their supporters in the Front would have to give up.

Salim acknowledged that it was difficult for anyone to give up a seat, saying, "There was no ready-made answer.... We were trying to put together an alliance while working on a formula.

Very little was done to ensure that the agreement would actually pay out in practice because the seat-sharing process was everything but easy.

Today, nineteen days later, Adhir appeared for Salim. Nothing significant between them, according to a top Bidhan Bhavan official, who did not account for sporadic outliers like Congresswoman Soumya Aich Roy, who was running in Jadavpur for the CPM's Srijan Bhattacharya.

These problems may have been avoided with the use of a coordinating system between the two parties. Perhaps in the Assembly elections in 2026," a youthful member of the CPM state committee stated.

Although there are twenty-five candidates running in the constituency, the BJP decided not to submit a candidate. Zaffar Iqbal Manhas of the Apni Party, Mian Altaf of the National Conference (NC), and Mehbooba Mufti of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) will now compete in the main race.

After a contentious delimitation panel divided the Pir Panchal region from the Jammu parliamentary seat and combined it with South Kashmir, the BJP had gone all effort to win the seat. Controversially, the national government also classified the Paharis as a Scheduled Tribe, based on their language. The plan was to court the group, which makes up 25% of the population in the new seat and is predominately Muslim.

The BJP has already abandoned plans to run for the seat and is anticipated to back a supposed proxy from the ally Apni Party, whose Manhas is a Pahari.

Kashmiri Pandit lawyer Deepika Pushkar Nath commented on X, "BJP claims to be the largest political party yet can't even find candidates to contest in Anantnag-Rajouri & other seats in Kashmir."

The group is afraid to engage in direct combat, therefore they are choosing proxies. She said, "This exposes their empty promises & reliance on gimmicks after proclaiming 'normalcy' following abrogation.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, a Congress deserter who is reportedly allied to the BJP, withdrew his nomination from the seat due to supposed concerns that he would split the pro-Apni Party votes.

When he said last week that the BJP will win the hearts and affection of Kashmiris, the union home minister Amit Shah implied that the party would decide not to run for the Valley seats.

"I'm here to urge voters in the Valley to support candidates other than the three dynastic parties—Farooq Sahab, Mehboobaji, and Sonia Gandhi." Shah had stated, "All three work for their sons and daughters, not for you."

In the constituency, campaigning has picked up momentum ahead of South Kashmir's May 7 elections.

Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, charged on Saturday that the PDP was "being greedy" in their pursuit of the South Kashmir seat. In the three Lok Sabha seats in Kashmir, the NC and the PDP are competing against each other despite belonging to the Opposition's INDIA group. The NC refused to give up any seats, citing the PDP's victory in all three constituencies in 2019. The PDP intended to run from South Kashmir.

According to Omar, one of the NC's own buddies was competing for the South Kashmir seat, not the BJP or its B- or C-teams. It's obvious that the BJP is not in this battle. Regretfully, NC is competing there against one of our pals who was with us up until a few days ago. Sadly, they abandoned us in order to get a seat. While campaigning for Srinagar candidate Aga Ruhullah, he told reporters in central Kashmir, "Our contest, at least in South Kashmir, is not with the BJP or its B- or C-teams."

Omar stated that the BJP was still actively participating in the race despite not having a candidate for the Anantnag seat.

They are arguing. The sole distinction is that they are running on the "apple" (People's Conference) and "cricket bat" (Apni Party) insignia instead of their own party emblems. He stated, "We know who the BJP is supporting here, but they have no chance of winning.

Another alleged BJP collaborator is the People's Conference, led by Sajjad Lone. Lone is running from the North Kashmir seat of Baramulla.

The CPI chief, a well-known figure in nationwide protests, took a break from her campaign to talk with The Telegraph in Wayanad.

Who of the INDIA bloc partners, the Congress and the LDF, ought to have withdrawn to prevent a straight fight in Wayanad?
During the INDIA bloc's formative years, the ground reality of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF), competing coalitions in Kerala, was deliberated. It's a state-specific configuration. The leaders of the INDIA (bloc) chose not to interfere with that.

The greatest threat to all secular parties is the rise of communal fascism. Therefore, it had become essential for Left-secular parties to unite in order to confront the communal fascists.

I launched my campaign on March 1st, and a few days after, the UDF selected Rahul as its candidate. The primary opponent should have been considered by their national leadership.

What, in your opinion, made the Congress insist on Rahul's nomination in Wayanad?
I see the Congress's political insolvency in all of this. By running against an ally from INDIA, its national leadership has essentially given the BJP a stick.

Rahul Gandhi was given seats in states dominated by the Congress in order to avoid this struggle. Rahul Gandhi has full responsibility for this. He had the option to decide not to run in Wayanad. To oppose fascism, you embark on a Bharat Jodo Yatra, but afterward, you fight those who support you.

It has been said that a number of Congressmen have adopted a mild Hindutva stance in other states. What is your opinion of the Kerala Congress, which is frequently charged with siding with the Center against the LDF government?
There is no denying that some of its leaders do have a somewhat Hindutva viewpoint. When the state was denied its fair share of grants, taxes, and loan entitlements, its leaders in Kerala did not defend the state.

Is it because the Kerala Congress perceives itself as an isolated entity disconnected from the realities of the country?
They consider Kerala to be a separate nation. They are unaware of the atrocities caused by the rise of fascism. It is the duty of the national leadership to enlighten them if they are unaware of this. Even Rahul Gandhi was caught in that trap.

The Centre provided an old-age pension of Rs 200 for these 76 years. To make it Rs 1,600, the state is contributing Rs 1,400, but even that is insufficient.

Did you think of running against Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram?
Thrissur, Wayanad, and Thiruvananthapuram were the first places my name was associated with. They were only conjecture in the media.

Kerala will cast its ballot on April 26.

Priyanwita Dey's name

19 years old

Work: Currently a first-year political science student at Lady Brabourne College in Kolkata

Location: Alipurduar, Suryangar

Membership: Alipurduar

Did you cast a ballot and if so, why? Because of the new education policy, the economy, jobs, and national security.

What the incoming government should do is make sure that appointments and admissions are granted based on qualifications rather than preferences. It should also attempt to lower gasoline prices and corruption.

What the incoming government should not do is support the use of illicit monies for political purposes or make any concessions in the name of preserving peace and harmony inside India.

On April 19, Alipurduar cast a ballot.

In their ruling on April 15, a division bench of justices Vibha Kankanwadi and S. G. Chapalgaonkar stated that this was a suitable case to assist "young sufferers of marriage" who were unable to connect on a mental, emotional, or physical level.

After a family court in February 2024 denied his 26-year-old wife's motion to dissolve the marriage at the admitting stage, the 27-year-old man approached the bench.

In its ruling, the high court stated that "relative impotency" is a recognized condition that differs from "normal impotency," which is the inability to conceive in general.

In general, relative impotency refers to a state in which an individual may be able to have sexual relations but not with their spouse.

The court stated that a variety of mental and physical factors might contribute to this relative impotence.

It is evident from the facts of this case that the husband is comparatively impotent with regard to the wife. The HC stated that the husband's seeming relative impotence is the reason the marriage hasn't ended.

The supreme court ruled that it was impossible to overlook the fact that this case involved a young couple who were suffering from marital dissatisfaction.

It was stated that the male was reluctant to acknowledge his relative impotence toward his wife, which may have led him to initially blame her for their non-consummation.

But later on, he came clean and acknowledged the same thing, content that it wouldn't leave him stigmatized for the rest of his life. According to the HC, "The acceptance of relative impotence would not brand him impotent in general parlance because the relative impotency is somewhat different from the notion of impotency."

After being hitched in March 2023, the pair split up after 17 days. According to the couple, their marriage was not fully realised.

The male allegedly refused to have a sexual relationship with the woman.

The lady claimed the male had "relative impotency" in her application for the annulment of the marriage that was submitted to the family court.

She said that they were unable to establish a mental, emotional, or physical connection.

In the beginning, the guy claimed in an affidavit submitted to the family court that the marriage was not consummated and he held the lady responsible for it.

Later, he acknowledged relative impotence in a written declaration that he filed.

The man stated that other from not being able to have sex with his wife, he was normal. He added in the statement that he didn't want to be associated with the stigma of being generally impotent.

After that, the wife filed an application asking the family court to use the provisions of the Civil Procedure Code to determine the divorce plea at the admitting stage itself, avoiding the need for a trial.

But the motion was denied by the family court on the grounds that the man and woman had made false accusations of collusion.

The family court ruling was overturned by the HC bench, which also declared the marriage to be invalid.

The performer said she attempts to bring up topics that she believes will at least spark a discourse. Most recently, she appeared in the Disney+ Hotstar film "Patna Shukla," which was centered upon the theme of roll number fraud.

"We all have done commercial hits in our lives but I have always believed that society has given us everything -- name, fame and status -- and at some point in our lives, we should contribute to society and this is the medium that we know the best," Tandon stated in an interview with PTI.

"I would feel like I have made a little contribution if, via this medium, I can raise awareness to a certain degree or convey a message that at least starts a discourse. For this reason, once or twice a year, I choose a single subject that I think will have an impact or that we should discuss," she continued.

Tandon plays Tanvi Shukla in "Patna Shukla," a movie about a small-time lawyer who becomes involved in the struggle for justice after discovering a massive roll number fraud that is hurting a lot of kids.

Positive reviews have been given to the courtroom drama, which also starred Anushka Kaushik, Manav Vij, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Jatin Goswami, and the late Satish Kaushik.

Tandon, 51, stated that the screenplay spoke to her personally and that she accepted the job as soon as producer Arbaaz Khan gave it to her.

"I had no idea that there was a roll number fraud like this until this script was shown to me. It was always on the back pages, which you simply thumb through without reading, and it was never in the headlines.

"It got me thinking that this is so relevant and this is something that needs to be spoken about because this is a scam that is stealing student's lives and future at the beginning." Given that Tandon and Khan are both parents, it felt especially necessary to bring attention to the problem.

"This is something that Arbaaz Khan and my kids, who are the same age as students, firmly believe in. It is necessary to have this talk.

"We continue to advocate for a youthful, robust, and educated India, but who is assisting these con artists? I believe that in order to aid these children who have nowhere to go, we need to provide a particular infrastructure," she continued.

Over the course of her more than 30-year career, Tandon has examined a variety of aspects of the working woman; Tanvi Shukla is another example of a character who successfully juggles motherhood and her job.

"I have deliberately endeavored to present various personas of employed women and the predicament they encounter while managing their personal and professional lives. Even in "Aranyak," her predicament was made very evident. Mothers and women are always expected to take care of their families—whether it be the in-laws, the kids, or the house. The men, meanwhile, are able to focus just on their jobs.

"I have always said that families have to rally around women who are working and be their wings to be able to help them achieve their dreams and excel in their workplace because that is what they want to do." After the successful debuts of "Aranyak" on Netflix and "Karmma Calling" on Disney+ Hotstar, Tandon is now working on three projects on the streaming service: "Patna Shukla" and "Aranyak."

The actor feels that because there is less pressure from the box office, the medium has "relaxed" many directors.

"Everyone wants their show or movie to be a hit, but those constraints that we have to encapsulate everything and establish every character in a cinematic form in two hours, that I think has relaxed the filmmakers a little and enabled them to experiment with the kind of stories they need to tell." Tandon's next film appearances include "Welcome to the Jungle," a comedy film costarring Paresh Rawal, Shreyas Talpade, Tusshar Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, and Akshay Kumar.

In the next season, Shriya's character is ready to take on Dipankpar Sanyal, played by Jaideep Ahlawat. "I am eagerly awaiting the premiere of The Broken News' upcoming season. My character is back, and this time it's vengeful as hell. She said, "There are going to be some unexpected twists and turns for the story and my character."

The actress spoke about how the next season would delve even deeper into the human side of journalism. Seeing the love and passion from the fans heightens the anticipation and provides motivation for the next season. She continued, "It's fascinating how our characters explore the human side of journalism."

The second trailer for Season 2 of Broken News was unveiled on April 16. Radha is the strong character to be reckoned with in the series. Sonali Bendre and Indraneil Sengupta, in addition to Shriya and Jaideep, play important roles in the program.

Awaaz Bharati News and Josh 24/7 are two news networks with diametrically opposed ideologies and a ferocious competition in The Broken News, which is based on the BBC Studios TV drama series Press (2018). The plot centers on a group of vibrant journalists who are trying to manage their personal and professional lives in the face of uncertainty.

The Broken News, written and directed by Sambit Mishra and produced by ZEE5 in association with BBC Studios India. Broken News's first season debuted on June 10, 2022.

In addition, Shriya is eager for the second season of Taaza Khabar, her big project with Bhuvan Bam, to premiere. The release date is set for Disney+ Hotstar.

The Board is furious after the Team India skipper offered a scathing assessment of the regulation, which was put into effect during the 2022–2023 Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 event and has been in existence since last season.

"Since this remark has been made, we will undoubtedly investigate it. IPL governing council chairman Arun Dhumal told The Telegraph on Friday, "We will talk with all parties involved and then make a decision."

Every regulation that is in place has a number of advantages and disadvantages. Nothing about its execution is set in stone, so once the season is complete, we are open to any debate," Dhumal stated.

The captain of Team India stated that he is "not a big fan of Impact Player" regulation during an interview with Adam Gilchrist and Michael Vaughan on the Club Prairie Fire Podcast.

"I generally feel that it is going to hold back (all-rounders) because eventually cricket is played by 11 players, not 12 players," Rohit stated on the podcast. "I don't really like Impact Player (rule). To make the game somewhat engaging for the audience, you are removing a great deal from it.

"But if you look (at) genuinely, just the cricketing aspect of it... I can give you so many examples — guys like Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube are not getting to bowl, which for us is not a good thing," said Rohit.

Following the Mumbai Indians' victory over the Punjab Kings on Thursday, Jasprit Bumrah was also crucial. "With the time restrictions (over-rate penalties) as well and the Impact Player rule, that does not help the bowler too much because the batting line-up becomes deeper and deeper and the bowler becomes half the bowler when you get an extra option," the fast bowler stated.

When Rohit spoke, the June T20 World Cup preparations were in the background. Due to a provision that permits Chennai Super Kings to deploy an additional specialist bowler, Dube, one of the team's potential all-rounders and power hitters, hasn't bowled an over in this season.

The fact that even Hardik Pandya hasn't performed to his full ability in the bowl has worried the national selectors. He has only finished his allotted overs twice, in their away games against Punjab Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad. Since the regulation gave him the opportunity to rely on alternative choices, he has bowled in five of the seven matches.

India's limited-overs teams have always struggled with a deficiency of all-rounders. Such regulations are thought to be out of place in a high-profile franchise league like the Indian Premier League as player growth cannot be impeded by innovation.

A 'X-factor' in the Big Bash League was player substitution, allowing any of the two named replacement players to be fielded at the ten-over point. But there was a catch: the player who was going to be changed in the BBL couldn't have bowled or batted for more than one over. But before the 2022–2023 BBL season, the concept was abandoned in response to input from the teams.

The 'Super Sub' player substitute was a trial that the ICC also tried in 2005 during one-day international matches, but it was abandoned after just one year.

With seven sixes and two fours in his innings of 61 off 28 balls on Thursday, the 25-year-old Punjab Kings batsman put the Bumrah-led Mumbai Indians bowling to the test, raising the possibility of an unexpected loss for Hardik Pandya's club. Despite needing to reach a 193-run goal, Punjab lost the game by 9 runs due to Ashutosh's dismissal.

Ashutosh dived down on his knees to turn a Bumrah yorker attempt into a full toss and hammered it for a six over backward square leg in the 13th over of Punjab's chase.

"Beating Bumrah with a sweep shot was my dream." After the game, Ashutosh remarked, "I was practicing for that shot, but it came against the best bowler in the world. It's just part of the game."

This season, one of the surprises has been the right-handed hitter. He gives appreciation to Sanjay Bangar, Punjab Kings' head of cricket development, for that.

"Sanjay Sir assured me that I could play decent cricket shots and that I am not a slogger. Although it was a brief sentence, to me it meant a great deal. What has changed in my game is that I am just following it; I am not a hard-hitter; instead, I am playing excellent cricket shots," Ashutosh remarked.

"Back home, I was working with my coach Amay Khurasiya, who had told me that the longer you stay on the pitch, the more your team has a chance of winning," he stated.

Ashutosh's rage caused anxiety in the Mumbai Indians camp.

"It's unbelievable how Ashutosh played and struck the ball right in the middle. It's excellent for his prospects. We did discuss it during the break. It tried everyone's nerves," Mumbai skipper Hardik Pandya remarked.

Gerald Coetzee, a pacer for Mumbai, said: "He really brought it to us." All we wanted was to be strategically very clear about what we intended to achieve. However, as I believe everyone observed, it was tense."

Even if things ultimately did not work out as Ashutosh had predicted, he expressed confidence in Punjab to cross the finish line. "I had belief in myself that I would be able to win the game for the team," he stated.

The bum factor

Ashutosh was outstanding in the game once again, dismissing Sam Curran, Rilee Rossouw, and the dangerous Shashank Singh, even though he may have loved his sweeping six off Bumrah.

However, according to former Australian cricket player Tom Moody, Punjab Kings were able to reenter the game because the Mumbai Indians did not employ Bumrah correctly.

"Once more, Mumbai is heavily depending on him to change its fate. When he bowled his first two overs, the Punjab Kings were in complete control. However, it's noteworthy to note that he didn't bowl until the 13th over, according to Moody.

"Right now, he's at the height of his abilities. And that's why I believe the Mumbai Indians let the Punjab Kings to get back into this game."

This season, Hardik's captaincy has come under fire several times. The captain of the Mumbai Indians isn't enjoying himself. Additionally, he was fined Rs 12 lakh for his team's poor over-rate during the game on Thursday.

Now that American Hikaru Nakamura has defeated Frenchman Firouza Alireza, there is a three-way lead at the top.

Gukesh, Nakamura, and Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia, who drew with Praggnanandhaa, came into the lead overnight with 7.5 points each. Fabiano Caruana of the US is now leading the group with seven points.

Gujrathi is next with five points, while Praggnanandhaa is in fifth place with six points.

It is nearly impossible for the pair to place on the podium in the eight-player double round-robin competition, though, as there are just two rounds remaining.

Zhongyi Tan sealed the Chinese dominance in the women's division with a draw against Nurgyul Salimova of Bulgaria.

While Russia's Aleksandra Goryachkina was held to a draw by India's Koneru Humpy, R Vaishali won her second consecutive match.

The International Olympic Committee does not provide prizes, but many state governments and national Olympic bodies do. This is why the track body and its president, Sebastian Coe, broke with convention last week.

"Many believe that this action compromises the essence of the Olympics and its distinctiveness," the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, or ASOIF, stated on Friday.

It also stoked rumors about Thomas Bach's 12-year restriction expiring the next year and the IOC presidential competition. While Coe reaches 68 this year and may be prevented by age restriction regulations, his backers want the Olympic Charter amended to allow him to remain.

Coe committed $2.4 million, or $50,000 for every one of the 48 track and field gold medals, from his sport's portion of the IOC's multibillion-dollar earnings.

According to Coe, a former member of the British parliament, the funding recognized that "athletes are the stars of the show."

According to Lausanne-based ASOIF, "there has been consensus that Olympic revenues should, at least for the more commercially successful and financially independent IFs, be invested as a priority into integrity and development matters."

Many were also taken aback by Coe's announcement, which was made a day after the ASOIF annual conference in Birmingham, England, of which he is a member of the ruling council.

"The announcement from World Athletics has raised a number of concerns among ASOIF's membership in recent days," the organization stated.

Olympic gold medalists frequently gain indirect financial benefits from commercial sponsorships, and one should never place a value on such an accomplishment, according to ASOIF. "This ignores the athletes who are lower on the final standings and have less privilege."

Speaking at a rally in Suti in Murshidabad on Friday afternoon, the Trinamool president launched a scathing attack on the saffron ecosystem, charging the EC and central forces of working along with the Centre to unjustly tip the political balance in Bengal in the BJP's favor.

"I value the service provided by all of our core forces and will always be there for them. Nonetheless, what is occurring now is unusual. They are being exploited as party cadres for the first time, which I categorically denounce," Mamata said.

"I would like to inquire of the Election Commission of India, why are only central forces participating in the Cooch Behar election, while none of the state forces are?" She enquired. "How will the public expect unbiased polls?"

In 5,814 voting places for Cooch Behar, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, there were about 56.26 lakh voters. The EC designated 746 voting places as sensitive out of them.

In Cooch Behar, Nirvachan Sadan deployed 112 central force companies and 4,500 state police troops; in Jalpaiguri, he deployed 75 central force companies and 3,077 state police people; and in Alipurduar, he deployed 63 central force companies and 2,454 state police officers.

"The BJP wants complete control. This is the same mentality that allowed them to dare to remove over 150 Members of Parliament in order to pass 39 laws last year while they were away, the speaker stated.

They intend to take the entire country in this direction. They are holding the most unjust elections, not free and fair, she continued. "They made the whole country feel like a jail. The people will have to choose between saving this country and allowing it to fall apart.

Trinamool, led by MP Abhishek Banerjee, a nephew of Mamata, has been criticizing the EC for its purported plans in Bengal throughout the last several weeks.

The whole bench of the commission has been charged by Abhishek of harboring prejudice against non-BJP parties.

"I want to be very clear: this commission and the BJP-appointed Bangla-birodhi (anti-Bengal) commissioners are both compromised. In a media encounter on April 8, Abhishek said, "The commission that was once our pride has now bowed down to the BJP and sold its spine."

Trinamul said that the central security forces had pushed polling agents at booth 2/139 at Patakamari Junior Basic School in the Mathabhanga-II area of Cooch Behar outside the booth on Friday, during the polling of the three north Bengal seats.

Poll workers are often permitted to sit inside the booths. However, the central troops forced them to sit outside by using arrogance. It's not fair. There is no place for the central powers in it. We have alerted the relevant authorities," a Trinamul official stated.

In response to the Cooch Behar riots, Udayan Guha, the minister of development for north Bengal, also confronted the central soldiers.

"EC mobilized the core troops well in advance of the polls. When BJP cadres were assaulting our people, what were they doing? Guha said.

The BJP asserted that while the central troops performed admirably, several state police officers behaved at the Trinamool's request and improperly mobilized the forces. "The central forces performed admirably, but in the upcoming phases, we anticipate them to be more proactive on the ground. Voters should be able to travel freely from their homes to the polling places. A BJP state general secretary named Jagannath Chattopadhyay stated, "We would also want re-election in some booths.

According to reports, the BJP filed 421 complaints against Trinamool for malpractices with the EC on Friday, with 303 of the allegations coming from Cooch Behar alone.

The chief minister encouraged the populace to unite against the BJP, which she said thrived on prejudice, division, and deprivation, at her rallies on Friday in the Muslim-majority districts of Murshidabad and Suti.

"In Bengal, I halted the National Register for Citizens' (NRC) installation. In Assam, they had turned away 19 lakh applicants. Here, I'll never allow them to do that. The instant an individual applies for citizenship under the revised citizenship legislation, their status as an outsider will be recorded. In her Hariharpara speech, Mamata urged the populace "not to be afraid," alluding to the terrible Assam situation in which 19 lakh people—5.5 lakh of them were Muslims—were outside the final NRC.

"I ask that migrant laborers who returned to the state during the month of Ramadan refrain from leaving before casting their ballots. In the district that sends lakhs of people abroad as migrant laborers, she continued, "Do not give them the chance to put your names on the CAA, NRC lists, and snatch your rights."

The chief minister, whose campaign against the citizenship troika previously paid off politically for her party, made it clear once more that she would not stop harping on the contentious and divisive trident (the National Population Register, the Citizenship Appeals Authority, and the NRC), which is a key poll issue in Bengal, a state with a population that is over 28% minority and roughly 46% SC, ST, and OBC combined.

"Those who do not now own a ration card or Aadhaar card need not be concerned. We are going to perform Duare Sarkar again after the elections. Everything the people require will be provided by us. She addressed Suti, saying, "Whoever is working here and living here, that is their identity."

One of Mamata's top priorities in the Trinamool Congress manifesto for the general election, which was released on Wednesday, is protection from the contentious citizenship tripod of the Narendra Modi regime at the Center, about which she has been unwaveringly focused since February.

"They (the BJP) would take away everyone's identity, even my Rajbanshi, tribal, minority, and Matua friends. They have now included UCC in their agenda. Individuals practice diverse faiths, follow diverse religions, and follow distinct customs. The Trinamool chairman stated, "India's beauty lies in the unity in its diversity."

"I will not implement the CAA, NRC, or UCC while I am alive, but I will stop eating if necessary," she continued.

Mamata didn't waste any time in accusing the BJP of attempting to implement the NRC in Bengal again when it became known that Aadhaar cards had been deactivated in many locations around the state in February. After the CAA went into effect in March, she increased the ante in an attempt to allow it to escalate to a point where the saffron camp could find it challenging to reverse in a state where a large number of people have been living in fear of the Modi government's citizenship matrix.

According to a Trinamul insider, "this resurgence of a deep-seated, collective fear of individual harm in the fairly immediate future is quite likely to yield concrete electoral results."

Mamata reiterated her claim that there was no INDIA alliance in Bengal, citing the fact that her rallies were held in Murshidabad, an area where the Congress and the Left continue to enjoy significant support.

"The state does not have any Indians. We will assist them on a national scale. But in this case, it's just us versus the BJP," said the chief minister, who had ended the alliance because of the Left's unwillingness to reach a consensus with her and the partner Congress of INDIA's excessive delay in finalizing the seat-sharing agreement.

This partnership between the CPM and the Congress would benefit the BJP in the long run. I ask that people vote for the Trinamool Congress and no other party," she continued.

The country's only state having an intangible Assembly seat designated for Buddhist monks and nuns, known as the Sangha, is Sikkim. In contrast to the other thirty-one Assembly seats in Sikkim, the Sangha lacks a defined geographical limits.

The Himalayan state's 111 officially recognized monasteries' Buddhist monks and nuns cast their votes for a candidate who must likewise be a monk or nun.

There are 2,881 Sangha voters overall. Sangha voters use a different electronic voting machine (EVA) but cast their ballots at the same polling place as other voters, according to an official.

On Friday, Sikkim conducted elections for the Assembly and the one remaining Lok Sabha seat.

"The Sangha seat is crucial to our culture and tradition preservation, which dates back to the era of the kings. Ongdi Pintso urged the monks to apply for the Sangha seat whenever he visited another monastery.

Phuntsog Namgyal became the first Chogyal (spiritual and temporal ruler) of Sikkim in AD 1642. Sikkim was controlled by the Chogyal dynasty for 323 years, until the region was integrated with India in 1975.

Priests had a crucial role in the administration of the Chogyal dynasty. But, when the number of monk representatives decreased (some argue that the British had a key role in this regard), the Sikkim king issued an edict in 1958 that included a clause establishing a monastic seat in the Durbar of Sikkim.

Monks have always been involved in government; this practice was upheld when Sikkim became the 22nd state of India on May 16, 1975.

"This is due to the fact that Sikkim has a unique status under Article 371(f) which guarantees to preserve some of the pre-merger Sikkim laws," an observer in Sikkim stated.

Four monks are running for the Sangha seat in the Sikkim Assembly elections of 2024: Tseten Tashi Bhutia of the BJP, Tshering Lama of the Sikkim Democratic Front, Sonam Lama of the Sikkim Krantrikari Morcha, and Norcho Lepcha of the Citizen Action Party.

Sangha MLA in office at the moment is Sonam Lama of the SKM.

Monks acknowledge that the position is quite political. We find it hard to say murdabad and zindabad. Ongdi Pintso remarked, "I try to avoid such phrases since they do not suit our dharma (religion).

Leader of Sikkim R.C. Poudyal challenged the constitutionality of the Sangha seat in a 1993 suit to the Supreme Court. The Sangha seat won the day in court.

Nonetheless, a different population in south India is being drawn to the concept.

The Kodava group, residing in Karnataka's Kodagu region, is requesting quota for itself in the Assembly and Parliament, similar to what happens with the Sangha seat.

Booth: 5/129 for the Lok Sabha seat of Cooch Behar.

Location: Jotpatki, Sitalkuchi, Cooch Behar; Amtali MSK (Madhyamik Siksha Kendra).

Under consideration: The firing of the CISF on April 10, 2021, during the Assembly election polling process at the booth with serial number 5/126 at the time. Violence broke out in the booth, and allegedly the central force opened fire. Four young Muslim men perished amid the gunfire.

Friday footage: Four CRPF officers and a state police officer had been watching over the booth since the morning. Some voters were afraid because of the tragedy that happened in 2021. A Trinamool leader in the area named Keshab Chandra Barman stated, "We gave them confidence and polling was peaceful." There are 1,022 voters in the booth. 848 of them reportedly cast ballots, according to sources.

Booths: 10/01 and 11/155 for the Lok Sabha seat in Alipurduar.

Location: In the Buxa Tiger Reserve in Alipurduar, the elementary schools Bhutiabusty and Gangutia Forest Village are situated.

Highlight: Voters will not be able to use these booths after this since they will be closing. The voters at these booths who were once residents of the reserve forest region have been moved and given rehabilitation under the auspices of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). They will cast ballots in booths at their new addresses starting with the following election.

Friday footage: About 30 kilometers from the site of their relocation, the voters are transported to the polling places by busses that the government has scheduled. Balloons and flowers were used to adorn the stalls. Each voter received lunch, a bottle of drinking water, and chocolates. Bhutiabusty has 76 voters, whereas Gangutia has 305 voters.

Many lingered for a while after voting out of nostalgia.

Booth: Jalpaiguri Lok Sabha seat number 18/176.

Mohantapara Netaji Primary School, Belakoba, Jalpaiguri is the location.

centered on: In the previous year's panchayat election, a gang of armed thugs broke into the voting booth. Voting papers had been burned on fire, and voting boxes had been seized. The poll workers and a few voters had closed the poll booth from within and were waiting for more police to arrive to free the individuals inside. Re-polling was eventually conducted in the booth.

Friday's video: One of the voters who had witnessed the attack in 2023, Bhalobasa Mondal, an elderly homemaker, had gone to cast her ballot on Friday. She mentioned the rural votes from 2023 and added, "There was utter turmoil then." "A few of us remained in the polling booth with the poll workers. As they burned the votes on fire, the assailants were cacophonously yelling. It was awful, the woman remarked.

On the other hand, she said that Friday's vote was orderly. "It's a good thing we won't have to cast another ballot. Due to security concerns, a large number of us abstained from voting during the re-election last year, according to Mondal.