Category: India

By March 4 last year, 41,054 Indian tourists visited the Maldives but this number came down to 27,224 by March 2 this year – a drop of 13,830 tourists.

Amid deteriorating bilateral relations between New Delhi and Male, the number of Indian tourists to Maldives has dropped by 33 per cent, Male-based Adhadhu reported citing data from the tourism ministry. By March 4 last year, 41,054 Indian tourists visited the Maldives but this number came down to 27,224 by March 2 this year – a drop of 13,830 tourists.

The decline is the result of a campaign asking Indian tourists to visit the country’s Lakshadweep islands instead of the Maldives. This was done after three former deputy ministers made derogatory remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Till March last year, India was the second largest source market for tourists to the Maldives with a 10 per cent market share, the report said. However, India is now in sixth place on the list with a six per cent market share. While the number of Indian tourists has dropped, the number of Chinese tourists has surged in recent months.

India was the top tourist market for the Maldives in 2021, 2022, and 2023 with more than 200,000 tourists each year. However, China is now the top market with more than 54,000 tourist arrivals so far this year. A total of 217,394 tourists arrived in the Maldives during February. Of these, tourist arrivals from China were 34,646 by February 27.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/world/story/indian-tourists-to-maldives-drop-by-33-amid-bilateral-tensions-china-now-top-visiting-nation-420463-2024-03-07

MakeMyTrip moved the Court arguing that because of the Google Ads program, search results for “MakeMyTrip” would throw up sponsored links to Booking.com, a direct competitor.

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea by online travel booking portal MakeMyTrip which had alleged that its trademark was being infringed by Booking.com through Google Ads program. [MakeMyTrip India Private Limited vs Google LLC and ors].

MakeMyTrip moved the Court arguing that because of the Google Ads program, search results for “MakeMyTrip” would throw up sponsored links to Booking.com, a direct competitor.

However, a bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra expressed reservations over whether any case for trademark infringement could be made out since there was no scope of confusion between the services offered by MakeMyTrip and Booking.com.

“There is no possibility of any confusion. If you want to work on MakeMyTrip, then why will you log into Booking.com? This is not an issue which is res integra. They are not using your mark as well … We have understood the matter. Dismissed,” the CJI stated.

Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Gaurav Pachnanda represented MakeMyTrip. Senior Advocates Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Harish Salve appeared for Google.

The plea by MakeMyTrip challenged a Delhi High Court division bench order from December last year.

By way of background, Booking.com had made the highest bid and purchased the ‘MakeMyTrip’ keyword on the Google Ads Program.

As a result, MakeMyTrip pointed out that Google search results for ‘MakeMyTrip’ as a keyword would display sponsored links to Booking.com which is a direct competitor.

MakeMyTrip objected to its business being so diverted to a competitor through the use of such sponsored links. Meanwhile, Google is paid by the advertiser (Booking.com in this case) every time an internet-user clicks on such a sponsored link, MakeMyTrip argued.

In December 2023, a division bench of the Delhi High Court had held that the use of the MakeMyTrip trademark on the Google Ads program would not amount to infringement or passing off under the Trade Marks Act, 1999.

Before the Supreme Court, MakeMyTrip not only questioned the correctness of the division bench order but also objected to such a division bench order being passed on an appeal by Google against a single-judge’s ad interim order.

Notably, the single-judge had earlier granted an injunction in favour of MakeMyTrip.

During today’s hearing, the Supreme Court bench briefly queried how a case for passing-off of trademark would arise in the present case and why MakeMyTrip was challenging an interim order.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/supreme-court-rejects-makemytrip-trademark-infringement-plea-bookingcom-google-ads

The High Court has constituted a three-member panel led by a retired High Court judge to investigate the death of farmer Shubhkaran Singh.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court pulled up the agitating farmer leaders for using “children as shields” while coming down heavily on the Punjab and Haryana governments for failing to fulfil their responsibilities properly.

“Children being used as shields! This is shameful, absolutely shameful. Look at the age of children. It was a war-like situationâ€æ they (protestors) have created such a situation, to say later that women and children were injured,” a division bench of ACJ GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji said.

The court’s reaction came after the counsel representing the Haryana government showed several images of the protest.

The court said it was a matter of great shame that children were being put ahead in the protests. “What kind of parents you are,” the court said.

COURT FORMS PANEL TO PROBE DEATH OF FARMER SHUBHKARAN SINGH
The High Court also asked the Haryana government to justify what led it to open fire on protesters on February 21. The protest turned violent on February 21, leading to the death of 22-year-old Shubhkaran Singh, a farmer from Bathinda district.

The Haryana government counsel said the situation turned violent, and the police force had to use water canon, lathi charge, pellet, and rubber bullets. The government claimed 15 policemen were injured.

The bench also pulled up the Haryana government over the delay in probing the death of Shubhkaran Singh and constituted a three-member panel led by a retired High Court judge to investigate it.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/law/story/farmers-protest-high-court-raps-punjab-haryana-both-states-failed-to-fulfill-responsibilities-2511694-2024-03-07

Nothing is excessively futuristic considering the pace of technological advancement worldwide. With this in mind, Professor Satya Chakravarthy, the founder of ePlane Company and a distinguished professor of Aerospace Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT-Madras), highlighted the ground-breaking progress achieved in developing India’s first flying taxi — e200.

In an exclusive interview with News18, Prof Chakravarthy addressed various aspects of the e200’s design, safety, regulatory considerations, and its potential impact on urban transportation.

The project embarked on a mission to overcome significant technical and logistical challenges to realise a compact, efficient aircraft capable of navigating the complexities of India’s bustling urban landscapes. Prof Chakravarthy said: “We had to make the aircraft very compact so that we can land in tight spaces, fly over crowded skies in India. We want to cover short distances multiple times over before we have downtime for charging the battery.”

Despite the formidable hurdles, ePlane has achieved significant milestones, including successful test flights of a subscale prototype, the e50. Professor Chakravarthy provided a glimpse into the timeline for completing the full-scale prototype and anticipated the maiden flight in October-November, marking a historic moment in India’s aviation landscape.

Ensuring passenger safety remains a paramount priority for ePlane, with Professor Chakravarthy explaining a multifaceted safety strategy designed to mitigate potential risks. He emphasised the rigorous adherence to stringent international standards, highlighting the need to showcase failure rates ranging from 1 in 10 million to 1 in a billion across various components and subsystems.

He Chakravarthy underscored the comprehensive approach to reliability, emphasising the importance of proving the aircraft’s ability to withstand extreme conditions and potential failures.

In detailing the safety features of the e200, the professor outlined multiple layers of redundancy aimed at safeguarding passengers in diverse scenarios. He emphasised the role of redundant systems, including emergency measures such as parachutes and inflatables, to ensure a soft landing in the event of an emergency. Additionally, he highlighted the integration of advanced technologies, such as vertical rotors and aerodynamic design principles, to enhance stability and control during flight.

Moreover, Chakravarthy addressed concerns regarding potential failures in critical components, emphasising the aircraft’s ability to maintain lift and stability even in adverse conditions. He explained the redundancy built into the design, whereby both the wings and vertical rotors can independently support the aircraft’s weight, providing additional layers of safety in case of emergencies. By meticulously addressing potential failure scenarios and implementing robust safety measures, ePlane aims to instil confidence in passengers and regulatory authorities alike, ensuring the utmost safety and reliability of its flying taxi service.

Even if the safety is top-notch, navigating regulatory landscapes may pose inevitable challenges. But Prof Chakravarthy showed confidence in ePlane’s ability to navigate through the process strategically. He acknowledged potential operational restrictions in congested urban areas initially but outlined a phased approach to expand operations based on safety performance and regulatory compliance. “The regulations are essentially a pathway for us to get to the market,” he noted.

Source: https://www.news18.com/auto/indias-first-flying-taxi-to-take-maiden-flight-in-7-8-months-at-double-the-cost-of-an-uber-ride-iit-prof-exclusive-8806405.html

A 30-year-old Indian national, who was allegedly duped into joining the Russian Army, died during the country’s ongoing war with Ukraine.

A 30-year-old man from Hyderabad, who was allegedly forced to join the Russian Army after falling prey to a job fraud, was killed in the country’s ongoing war with Ukraine, officials said on Wednesday.

The family of the youth, identified as Mohammed Asfan, reached out to AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi seeking assistance in bringing him back from Russia. However, when AIMIM contacted the Indian Embassy in Moscow, officials confirmed that Asfan had died.

The youth is survived by his wife and two children.

Reacting to the incident, the Indian Embassy in Moscow took to X (formerly known as Twitter) and said that authorities are in touch with Asfan’s family to send his mortal remains to India.

“We have learnt about the tragic death of an Indian national Shri Mohammed Asfan. We are in touch with the family and Russian authorities. Mission will make efforts to send his mortal remains to India,” it wrote.

Asfan, along with several others, was allegedly misled by deceptive agents who recruited them as ‘helpers’ to assist the Russian Army in the war.

The recent fatality comes weeks after a 23-year-old Indian man from Gujarat, who was working as a ‘helper’ with the Russian Army during its ongoing war with Ukraine, died in Russia.

The man, identified as Hamil Mangukiya from Surat, had applied for a job in Russia through an online advertisement and reached Moscow from Chennai. He was then recruited as an assistant in the Russian Army.

Mangukiya was killed in an airstrike by Ukraine on February 21 in the Donetsk region of the Russia-Ukraine border.

Several Indians have been duped into working as security helpers in the Russian military, with media reports indicating that some are being forced to fight with Ukrainian soldiers in border areas.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hyderabad-man-mohammed-asfan-dies-fighting-russia-allegedly-duped-joining-war-2511350-2024-03-06

Ten people were injured in the blast at the popular eatery at Brookefield area near Whitefield.

In the latest development in the Rameshwaram Cafe low-intensity blast incident in Karnataka, new images of the alleged suspect have emerged. According to National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources, the suspect who came in a BMTC bus, after planting the bomb in the cafe, went to a mosque in the same area where he offered Friday prayers and also changed his clothes. The baseball cap that the suspect was wearing has been recovered from near the mosque, the NIA said.

Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara on Wednesday said the police are pursuing vital clues and getting close to cracking the March one Rameshwaram Café low-intensity blast incident. The police got some vital clues in the past two days, which were promising.

Source: https://www.indiatvnews.com/karnataka/rameshwaram-cafe-low-intensity-blast-new-images-of-key-suspect-emerge-nia-claims-breakthrough-updates-2024-03-07-920282

Keeping in view the threats posed by Pakistan sponsored militants, who might try to disrupt the high profile visit, security agencies in Kashmir are taking no chances.

Reports said MARCOS commandos have been deployed in river Jhelum and Dal Lake to ensure these water bodies aren’t used for any subversive activities. MARCOS of the Indian Navy comprises the toughest soldiers who undergo rigorous training to conduct swift and stealthy responses in water.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/jammu-and-kashmir/air-land-and-water-secured-for-modis-srinagar-visit-2925978

The State Police underplayed the attack on ED officers and shield Sheikh, who is a highly political influential person, the Court said.

The Kerala High Court recently opined that human lives should be given preference over the lives of stray dogs [TM Irshad & Anr. v. State of Kerala & Ors.]

Justice PV Kunhikrishnan pointed out that the threat of stray dogs affects daily life of citizens with children and the elderly being the most affected.

“School children are afraid to go alone to their school because of the apprehension that they will be attacked by stray dogs. It is a habit for several citizens to go for a morning walk. Morning walk is also not possible today in certain areas because of the apprehension of attacks from stray dogs. If any action is taken against the stray dogs, the dog lovers will come and fight for them. But I am of the considered opinion that human beings should be given more preference than stray dogs,” the Court opined.

The Court noted that increasing instances of human-dog conflict in the State have been leading to law and order problems but that commenting on it often gets painted as inhumane.

““Barking dogs seldom bite” is an English proverb. But in reality, it may not be correct in our state at least…If we read the newspapers, we can see regular news in which there is an attack from stray dogs towards small children, youngsters and even old people,” the Court observed.

However, the Court made it clear that attacks on stray dogs must also be prevented and opined that local self government authorities should grant licenses in accordance with the Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 (ABC Rules) to animal lovers who come forward to save the dogs.

“While giving licence, the local authorities can impose conditions in tune with the provisions in ABC Rules 2023. This should be in addition to the duties of Local Self Government Institutions to protect the stray dogs as per ABC Rules. I am of the considered opinion that the dog lovers need not write and speak for the dogs in print and visual media, but they should come forward to protect these dogs if there is bonafides in their words along with the Local Self Government Institutions,” the Court said in its judgment.

It also urged the State and Central governments to frame guidelines or laws for granting licenses to individuals interested in protecting stray dogs.

The judgment was rendered on two petitions moved by residents of Muzhthadam ward in Kannur.

They claimed that they were severely inconvenienced due to the activities of another resident, one Rajeev Krishnan who cared for injured stray dogs in his house. They alleged that over time, the number of strays increased with Krishnan’s house and the surrounding areas becoming extremely unhygienic and unsafe due to the presence of dogs.

They submitted that even though a meeting held at the district collectorate had come up with a plan to address the issue, Krishnan refused to implement the suggestions.

This prompted them to move the High Court seeking orders to ensure that the plan is implemented and the issues posed by the dogs are addressed.

Krishnan countered the petitions contending that he has been maintaining the dogs within his property and that since they are all vaccinated and sterilized, they pose no threat to human beings. He submitted that there have been no instances of dog bites by any of the dogs maintained by him and assured the Court that he would ensure that the neighbors face no inconvenience from all nine dogs that live on his property at present.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/human-lives-should-given-preference-over-stray-dogs-kerala-high-court

A team of CBI sleuths reached Bhabani Bhawan, which is the West Bengal Police Headquarter, to take custody of Shahjahan in connection with the attack on Enforcement Directorate officers in Sandeshkhali on January 5.

The West Bengal government refused to hand over the custody of suspended Trinamool Congress leader Sheikh Shahjahan to the CBI despite a Calcutta High Court order on Tuesday.

A team of CBI sleuths reached Bhabani Bhawan, which is the West Bengal Police Headquarters, to take custody of Shahjahan.

However, they returned without the suspended Trinamool leader.

Earlier in the day, a division bench of Calcutta High Court ordered the West Bengal government to hand over Sheikh Shahjahan to the CBI in connection with the attack on Enforcement Directorate officers in Sandeshkhali on January 5.

The court underscored that the state police “underplayed the entire situation” as Shahjahan was absconding for over 50 days before being arrested on February 29.

Following this, the West Bengal government moved the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s order to transfer the probe from state police to the CBI.

Several members of the Enforcement Directorate were injured after their team was attacked by a mob in Sandeshkhali on January 5.

The attack happened when the ED officers went to raid Sheikh Shahjahan’s house in connection with the alleged multi-crore ration distribution scam.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/west-bengal-refuses-hand-over-sheikh-shahjahan-cbi-calcutta-high-court-supreme-court-2511014-2024-03-05

The company is exploring the development of marker pens as an alternative to glass vials, a move aimed at enhancing convenience and efficiency in the electoral process.

As India gears up for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, all eyes are on Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited (MPVL), a Mysuru-based company known for its production of indelible ink used to mark voters’ fingers. The company is the sole supplier of electoral ink in the country.

MPVL, a State-owned enterprise, has recently secured a significant order from the Election Commission of India (ECI) for 26.5 lakh vials of indelible ink, marking its largest order to date. This order, valued at approximately Rs. 55 crore, is scheduled to be fulfilled by March 15. Each vial, containing 10 ml of ink, has the capacity to mark the designated finger of over 700 voters.

The ECI placed the order in December 2023, and the ink will be distributed to various states including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa, and Tamil Nadu. Uttar Pradesh received the largest quantity of indelible ink, while Lakshadweep received the smallest order. Additionally, MPVL has export orders from 60 nations, further highlighting its global reach and significance in the electoral process.

Managing Director of MPVL, K Mohammed Irfan, expressed the company’s commitment to meeting the increasing demand for indelible ink. He noted that with each election, the demand for the product rises, and the company is dedicated to fulfilling the requirements of various states and nations.

About The Company

Established in 1937 as the Mysore Lac Factory, MPVL has evolved over the years to become the primary and exclusive manufacturer of indelible ink. Initially producing lac and paints, the company expanded into varnish production in 1989, prompting a renaming to Mysore Paints and Varnish Limited.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/mysore-paints-and-varnish-limited-mpvl-indias-only-indelible-ink-supplier-gets-largest-order-ahead-of-lok-sabha-polls-2024-article-108250880

After a frightening incident occurred at a Gurugram café landing five diners in hospital, doctors have cautioned against the consumption of dry ice and liquid nitrogen.

Doctors have cautioned against the consumption of dry ice and liquid nitrogen after a frightening incident occurred at a Gurugram café, where five diners were hospitalised after vomiting blood. Dry ice, which is frozen carbon dioxide, and liquid nitrogen, often used for culinary effects, can cause severe damage if ingested, the experts cautioned.

A viral video on social media showed a group of friends purportedly vomiting blood after they were allegedly served dry ice instead of a mouth freshener.

What Is Dry Ice

• Dry ice, derived from frozen carbon dioxide (CO2) with a surface temperature of -109.3 degrees Fahrenheit (-78.5 degrees Celsius), undergoes sublimation, and does not melt into a liquid form but rather transitions directly into CO2 gas.
• This unique property, combined with its super-cold temperature, makes dry ice ideal for refrigeration but hazardous if mishandled as contact with dry ice can lead to frostbite and tissue damage.
• Dry ice, a discovery of the early 1900s, is said to have entered commercial production in the 1920s and has since been trademarked under the name “dry ice” since 1925.
• Widely utilised in commercial settings, this compound offers diverse benefits across various industries. In the food and agriculture sector, dry ice serves to preserve perishable goods during transportation by inhibiting bacterial growth and slowing decay, ensuring freshness and flavour. Its versatility extends to the entertainment industry as well, where it creates a smoke effect sans open flames.
• It effectively deters mosquitoes from human presence and cleans delicate electronics without the need for corrosive chemical solvents.
• However, handling dry ice requires caution to prevent frostbite. Heavy gloves should be worn when handling it directly, and ingestion must be avoided to prevent internal frostbite. Additionally, dry ice should only be used in well-ventilated areas to prevent carbon dioxide concentration from exceeding safe levels, which can lead to adverse health effects.

According to news agency IANS,  Dr. Tushar Tayal from CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, warned that extended contact with dry ice can cause frostbite and severe damage to the skin and internal organs.

“Liquid nitrogen, while often used in fancy foods for its dramatic effect, can pose significant health risks if not handled correctly. Ingesting liquid nitrogen can lead to severe internal damage, including frostbite and tissue damage. Both dry ice and liquid nitrogen can cause vomiting, bleeding, and other severe health complications,” cautioned Neelima Bisht, Chief of Clinical Nutrition, from Paras Health Gurugram, as quoted by IANS.

Regulatory bodies such as the FSSAI, FDA, and CDC have deemed them unfit for consumption, urging awareness campaigns to educate food business operators and citizens about safe handling practices.

Back in 2019, the FSSAI urged Commissioners of Food Safety of all States/UTs “to initiate a systematic campaign for generating awareness amongst all food business operators and citizens on the safe and proper handling of dry ice as the cooling agent for food products.”

Source: https://news.abplive.com/news/india/what-is-dry-ice-why-harmful-6-diners-gurugram-restaurant-vomit-blood-gurugram-cafe-viral-video-expert-opinion-1669782

‘We can still manage somehow because it’s just my wife and I, but the situation is worse for families who have school-going kids,’ said Vasanth Kumar, the president of the residents’ association of Prestige Falcon City in Kanakapura Road.

Amid the water shortage in Bengaluru, the state government’s recent decision to take over private tankers for supplying water to the driest parts of the city has aggravated problems for private apartment complexes that were dependent on tankers for their daily supply of water. One luxury gated communty, Prestige Falcon City in Kanakapura Road, has even asked its residents to use disposable plates and wet wipes to conserve water.

Speaking to Moneycontrol, Vasanth Kumar, the president of the residents’ association said that the measure was recommended only in case of dire straits. “It was only suggested in case residents ran out of water,” he said.

Kumar told Moneycontrol on Tuesday afternoon that arrangements have been made and they are expecting their water supply to be replenished by 4 pm. The community has also been practicing water cuts with the supply being made available from 6 am to 11 am and from 5 pm to 11 pm.

“But we have asked residents to do all they can to conserve water since we still have about four months to go till the monsoon arrives and we have to use water judiciously,” the 60-year-old said, adding that he and his wife have switched to bathing using a bucket of water instead of using the shower.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/trends/bengaluru-water-crisis-prestige-falcon-city-asks-residents-to-use-disposable-plates-wet-wipes-12405241.html

The blast was preceded by a fire, which was said to be caused by a short circuit. It took three teams of fire brigade and help of locals to douse the fire.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/five-dead-in-cylinder-blast-near-lucknow-2923924

Sushant Singh Rajput’s sister Shweta Singh Kirti has levelled several big allegations. In a recent interview, she opened up about her brother’s mysterious death and hinted that it could have been more than a death by suicide. She urged the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to fasten probe and reveal the truth. Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead in his Mumbai apartment in June 2020. While some suspected to be a case of death by suicide, others had alleged foul play.

“We can really come together and plead to CBI to tell us what exactly happened. There was not enough space the between bed and the fan to hang himself. When you leave an apartment, you have to return the keys. The person who deals with that apartment told us that the keys of his room were missing. Why? Where did it go? They had given the keys. Sushant never used to lock his room’s door. That day, his door was locked. All nearby CCTVs were also not working that day. There are a lot of things which do not make sense,” Sushant’s sister said while speaking to Ranveer Allahbadia recently.

“They are the best investigators in the country. They will be able to figure out something. I am sure they will find out something. If it was a suicide, tell us about it, tell us how did it happen,” she added.

Source: https://www.news18.com/movies/sushant-singh-rajputs-sister-makes-big-allegations-questions-cbi-if-it-was-a-suicide-8805099.html

Gangopadhyay said he would be joining BJP as it is a national party, which is fighting against the corruption of the TMC in Bengal

Justice Abhijit Gangopadhyay resigned as a judge of the Calcutta High Court on March 5 and is set to join Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.

“I will be joining the BJP, possibly on March 7. I am joining the BJP as it is a national party, which is fighting against the corruption of the TMC in Bengal,” he said, according to news agency PTI.

Gangopadhyay, who announced his decision to quit and join politics two days ago, sent his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu with copies marked to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court TS Sivagnanam, news agency PTI reported citing sources.

He arrived at his chamber in the High Court complex in the morning after which the resignation letter was sent.

Gangopadhyay, whose rulings on various education-related issues in the state stirred political debates and pitted him against the ruling Trinamool Congress, said he would address all inquiries related to his resignation after submitting the letter.

“I will resign from the post of Justice of Calcutta High Court on Tuesday,” he said on March 3.

In an interview to news agency ANI, Ganguly had expressed his desire to serve the public, stating that it was his conscience calling. “For the last two or more years I have been dealing with some matters, especially education matters, regarding which a huge corruption has been discovered and unearthed. A large number of important persons in the education sector of this government are now languishing in jail, under trial,” the report quoted Gangopadhyay as saying.

He said the reason for him quitting the job was a call of his conscience and added he would work towards the welfare of the public.

Source: https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/calcutta-high-court-judge-abhijit-ganguly-resigns-may-join-politics-12402661.html

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), the two umbrella bodies that are spearheading the farmer’s agitation, on March 3 gave a call to farmers from across the country to reach Delhi on Wednesday.

New Delhi: The Delhi Police has directed its personnel to ensure strict vigil at the Tikri, Singhu and the Ghazipur borders, and railway and metro stations and bus stands after protesting farmers announced that they would reach Delhi for their protest on Wednesday.

The Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political), the two umbrella bodies that are spearheading the farmer’s agitation, on March 3 gave a call to farmers from across the country to reach Delhi on Wednesday.

“We had temporally removed barriers for commuters at the Singhu and the Tikri borders. The deployment of police and paramilitary personnel is still there and (they) will ensure strict, round-the-clock vigil,” a senior police officer said. The officer further said that additional police and paramilitary forces have already been deployed at railway and metro stations and bus stands.

“No one will be allowed to breach the law,” the officer said. The police said checking will be intensified at different locations and there may be traffic congestion in the city.

Farmer leaders Sarwan Singh Pandher and Jagjit Singh Dallewal on March 3 gave a call to farmers across the nation to reach Delhi on Wednesday for a protest. They also called for a four-hour countrywide ‘Rail Roko’ on March 10 in support of their various demands, including a legal guarantee on minimum support price for crops.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/delhi/farmers-march-to-delhi-police-step-up-vigil-again-2923289

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/spanish-tourist-continues-tour-says-blame-criminals-not-all-people/articleshow/108246321.cms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated India’s first metro line “under any mighty river” in Kolkata today, a landmark project showcasing the nation’s infrastructure development.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated India’s first metro line “under any mighty river” in Kolkata today, a landmark project showcasing the nation’s stride towards infrastructure development.

He also laid the foundation stone of multiple connectivity projects worth Rs 15,400 crore.

The metro railway services flagged off by the Prime Minister include operations from Kolkata Metro’s Kavi Subhash, Majerhat and the Esplanade stations; Kochi Metro, Agra Metro, Meerut-RRTS section and Pune Metro.

The underwater service is part of the Howrah Maidan-Esplanade section of Kolkata Metro’s East-West corridor, which will cover a distance of 4.8 km under the Hooghly river.

The metro service will connect Howrah and Salt Lake — the West Bengal state capital’s twin cities. Three out of six stations will be underground. It is expected to zoom through a 520-metre stretch under the Hooghly in just 45 seconds.

The Prime Minister took the first ride on the underwater metro with several school students.

A video from inside the metro train’s premises, shows Modi interacting with the school children sitting next to him, while some of them stood near him.

He waved to passengers of another metro train when it passed by the one he was riding on.

West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar and the Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Suvendu Adhikari, along with several metro staffers, also accompanied the Prime Minister on the metro train.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by top officials and dignitaries.

“Although the inauguration will take place tomorrow (Wednesday), the passenger services will begin at a later date,” the PTI news agency quoted Kaushik Mitra, the Chief Public Relations Officer of the Eastern Railway, as saying.

The inauguration of the landmark project comes less than a year after Kolkata Metro, in April 2023, made history by running a train through the underwater tunnel as part of trials, which was a first in India.

Speaking to India Today TV earlier this week, Kaushik Mitra said that the underwater metro service is “a gift from our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the people of Kolkata”.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-indias-first-underwater-metro-section-today-in-kolkata-2511094-2024-03-06

In a social media post, PM Modi lauded the young worker, saying it was “heartening to see” that the party had such “dedicated and devoted karyakartas”.

A BJP worker in Tamil Nadu, who on Monday became a father to twins, went to receive Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Chennai airport before seeing the faces of his children.

In a social media post, PM Modi lauded the young worker, saying it was “heartening to see” that the party had such “dedicated and devoted karyakartas”.

“A very special interaction. At Chennai airport, one of our Karyakartas, Shri Aswanth Pijai Ji was there to welcome me. He told me that his wife had just given birth to twins but he hadn’t met them yet. I told him he shouldn’t have come here and also conveyed my blessings to him and his family,” PM Modi said in his post.

“It is heartening to see that our party has such dedicated and devoted Karyakartas. Seeing such love and affection of our karyakartas makes me emotional,” he added.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/tamil-nadu/story/pm-modi-emotional-after-bjp-worker-receives-him-at-chennai-airport-before-seeing-his-twins-2510572-2024-03-05

Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was killed in the missile attack after a missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel’s Margaliot.

An Indian national from Kerala was killed and another two were injured on Monday after an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel’s northern border community of Margaliot, news agency PTI reported citing officials.

Zaki Heller, a spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom, (MDA) told the news agency that the missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community), in the Galilee region in the north of Israel around 11am on Monday.

Who are the Indians?
Patnibin Maxwell from Kollam in Kerala was killed in the missile attack. His mortal remains were identified in Ziv hospital, PTI quoted official sources saying.

Bush Joseph George and Paul Melvin were injured and taken to hospitals for treatment, they said. “George was taken to the Beilinson hospital in Petah Tikva after suffering injuries on face and body. He underwent an operation, is recovering well, and has been kept under observation. He could speak with his family in India,” an official source told PTI.

Melvin was also hospitalised at Ziv Hospital in the northern Israeli city of Safed with slight injuries. He is from the Idukki district of Kerala.

Earlier, MDA had said that one foreign worker was killed and seven others were injured in the attack.

Who fired the missile?
PTI reported that the attack is believed to have been carried out by the Shia Hezbollah faction in Lebanon, which has been launching rockets, missiles, and drones at northern Israel daily since October 8 in support of Hamas amid the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip.

MDA said seven foreign workers were injured altogether in the attack, two of them seriously, and were taken to Beilinson, Rambam, and Ziv hospitals in their ambulances and Israeli Air Force helicopters.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/indian-national-from-kerala-killed-2-others-injured-in-anti-tank-missile-attack-in-israel-report-101709601948480.html

The five customers consumed the mouth fresheners offered by the restaurant staff, following which they experienced continuous vomiting and bleeding from their mouths.

At least five people were hospitalised after they consumed mouth freshener at a restaurant in Gurugram, police said on Monday.

The incident occurred when one Amit Kumar, along with his wife and friends, visited the La Forestta Cafe in Gurugram’s Sector 90.

Police said that after having their meals, the group were offered mouth fresheners by restaurant staff, which resulted in an immediate deterioration of their health.

Those who consumed the mouth fresheners began experiencing continuous vomiting and bleeding from their mouths.

Amit Kumar alleged that despite their worsening condition, the restaurant management did not assist the group and remained indifferent.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/gurugram/story/gurugram-5-hospitalised-after-consuming-mouth-freshener-la-forestta-cafe-haryana-2510459-2024-03-04

SBI was directed to submit details of electoral bonds issued since April 19 to the Election Commission by Wednesday, March 6.

Reiterating New Delhi’s “strong” condemnation of civilian death, Kamboj noted that the “immediate trigger” for the Gaza conflict was “the terror attacks in Israel on October 7, which were shocking and deserve our unequivocal condemnation”.

India on Monday reiterated its call for an “immediate de-escalation and eschewing of violence” in Gaza, release of all hostages and following negotiation for the only way out, two-state solution. During a debate on the US veto last month of a Security Council resolution calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, India’s Permanent Representative Ruchira Kamboj told the UN General Assembly on Monday put forth country’s stance on the issue.

“In order to arrive at a lasting solution, we urge for an immediate de-escalation and eschewing of violence,” she said, adding “the release of all hostages, avoiding provocative and escalatory actions and to work towards creating conditions for an early resumption of direct peace negotiations”.

She held it “unacceptable” that civilian lives, especially women and children suffering as the consequence of the war leading to an unwanted “humanitarian crisis”.

Reiterating New Delhi’s “strong” condemnation of civilian death, Kamboj noted that the “immediate trigger” for the Gaza conflict was “the terror attacks in Israel on October 7, which were shocking and deserve our unequivocal condemnation”.

“India has a longstanding and uncompromising position against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” she said.

She said it was critical to prevent further escalation of violence and hostilities. “It is imperative to avoid the loss of civilian lives in any conflict situation. International law and international humanitarian law must be respected under all circumstances,” Kamboj further added.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/india-calls-for-immediate-de-escalation-in-gaza-releasing-of-all-hostages-article-108218659

It was alleged in the FIR that some people have made public a doctored objectionable video of the MP to tarnish his image after he was declared a BJP candidate.

Barabanki (UP): A day after the BJP fielded its Barabanki MP Upendra Singh Rawat from the same seat, a ‘forged’ obscene video of him surfaced on social media on Sunday, police said.

On the basis of a complaint by MP’s personal secretary Dinesh Chandra Rawat, an FIR has been lodged against an unknown accused, Kotwali police station in-charge Aditya Tripathi said.

It was alleged in the FIR that some people have made public a doctored objectionable video of the MP to tarnish his image after he was declared a BJP candidate.

Police sources said that in the video circulated online a man is seen in an objectionable position with a woman. The person seen in this video is being said to be Upendra Singh Rawat.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/fake-obscene-video-of-bjps-barabanki-mp-surfaces-online-fir-lodged-2920243

V-C Saseendranath has been suspended on charge of oversight and dereliction of duty that allegedly resulted in the death of a second-year student at campus hostel at Pookode in Wayanad

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan on March 2 suspended the Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) at Pookode in Wayanad, M.R. Saseendranath, on the charge of oversight and dereliction of duty that allegedly resulted in the torture, public trial, social shaming, and subsequent death by suicide of J.S. Siddharth, a second-year student, at the campus hostel recently.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Khan said he had requested the Kerala High Court to spare a serving judicial officer for conducting an enquiry into the “gruesome and fatal” incident allegedly perpetrated by Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists in the college.

Mr. Khan said the SFI and the proscribed Popular Front of India (PFI) activists were acting in tandem on college campuses across Kerala. He said the “torment, insult, physical assault and forced starvation” that resulted in Siddharth’s death were not a one-off incident. The SFI has a stranglehold on campuses and hostels, he said.

Mr. Khan said that the “SFI-PFI combine” had turned hostels on several college campuses into their fiefdoms. “Teachers were scared to conduct inspections. The party-controlled teacher organisations play second fiddle to the SFI”, Mr. Khan said.

Source: https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/death-of-kerala-veterinary-student-governor-suspends-vice-chancellor-of-veterinary-university/article67906765.ece

A joint team of Jhajjar Police, Delhi Police Special Cell and Haryana STF have arrested two shooters namely Saurav and Ashish from Goa

Two persons were arrested from Goa in connection with the killing of Indian National Lok Dal’s (INLD) Haryana unit chief Nafe Singh Rathee, police said on Monday. Nafe Singh Rathee and party worker Jai Kishan were killed after multiple rounds were fired on their vehicle in Bahadurgarh in the state’s Jhajjar district on February 25.

Ashish and Saurabh were arrested from Goa in a joint operation by the Haryana Police’s Special Task Force, the district police and the Delhi Police’s Special Cell.

They were arrested from North Goa, where they were staying in a hotel, police officials in Delhi said and added that they will be brought to the national capital by afternoon.

A senior Delhi Police official said Ashish, Saurabh, Nakul and Atul were the four who opened fire on Rathee and Kishan’s vehicle on February 25.

The Jhajjar Police said the search was underway to nab two more shooters. Earlier on Saturday, a senior Haryana Police officer said that four shooters allegedly involved in the murder of Nafe Singh Rathee had been identified and efforts were on to nab them. Jhajjar superintendent of Police Arpit Jain said the car used by the shooters was recovered from outside Rewari Railway Station.

“Our teams were conducting raids at various places in different states to nab them,” Jain had said.

The police said the car owner had been identified and people who used the car had been rounded up and being asked how the vehicle reached the shooters. A forensic team lifted samples from the vehicle for investigation.

About Nafe Singh Rathee’s murder

Nafe Singh Rathee, the president of Indian National Lok Dal’s Haryana unit, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jhajjar’s Bahadurgarh on February 25. In the attack, INLD worker Jai Kishan who was travelling with Nafe Singh Rathee in the same vehicle also died.

The incident shocked Haryana leaders with many political parties condemning it. Opposition parties had criticised the ruling BJP government, saying that the incident was the result of failure in maintaining law and order.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/two-shooters-arrested-from-goa-for-inld-leader-nafe-singh-rathees-murder-101709523497020.html

The investigative report casts doubt on the accuracy of Jay Shetty’s own narrative and educational qualifications. .

British podcaster and life coach Jay Shetty is under scrutiny after claims emerged that he plagiarized social media posts and lied about his life story.
Jay Shetty’s official website states, “During his school years, Jay Shetty spent vacations living with monks in India, immersing himself in their wisdom and teachings.”

However, a report by The Guardian claims that Mr Shetty, author of the bestselling book ‘Think Like A Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day’, falsely claimed to have spent three years in a temple in India.

The 36-year-old, who was born in London and went to business school, hosts the “On Purpose” podcast, wherein he has welcomed guests like Michelle Obama, Kim Kardashian and the late Kobe Bryant, among others.

He also runs the Jay Shetty Certification School, where “students pay thousands of dollars to learn the Jay Shetty discipline”.

However, the investigative report casts doubt on the accuracy of Mr Shetty’s own narrative and educational qualifications.

The report stated, “After graduating, Shetty forgoes a life of material success to live as a monk himself. Three years later, he has another revelation: his purpose in life is not to live the humble life of a monk but to use his preternatural oratory skills to share wisdom with the world. Thus begins his transformation into a public self-help personality and his swift rise to fame. Shetty’s success is largely predicated on this riches-to-rags-to-riches backstory.”

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/feature/life-coach-jay-shetty-under-fire-over-fake-monk-story-report-5172311

In a revision of his earlier stand, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to the Enforcement Directorate offering to appear before it via video conferencing after March 12 to answer questions related to the excise policy case. The AAP national convenor has so far skipped multiple summonses of the ED, calling them illegal and asking the agency to wait as the matter was in court.

This is the first time Kejriwal has said he is ready to appear before the Enforcement Directorate even if via video-conferencing. In his earlier replies to the ED, the CM had said that he is willing to answer the agency’s questions in the form of a questionnaire.

Kejriwal also has to appear before a city court on March 16. The court has sought his personal appearance in a complaint case filed by the ED over skipping of its summonses by him. The AAP has maintained that the ED should wait for the court verdict instead of sending repeated summons.

The party, in power in Delhi and Punjab, has also alleged that its leader Kejriwal is being “targeted repeatedly” for refusing to quit the Opposition’s INDIA bloc.

“The purpose of ED is not investigation. The BJP has been completely exposed. When the CM is ready to answer, why is the ED not questioning him? The purpose is to arrest Kejriwal. Let the questioning happen via video conferencing,” the AAP said in a statement, also demanding that the proceedings of the ED questioning be telecast live.

In written responses to ED’s previous summons, Kejriwal had termed them summons “illegal”, “unsubstantiated in law”, “politically motivated” and designed to stall the AAP’s election campaigns.

The Kejriwal government in Delhi will present its 10th budget on Monday, the last before the Lok Sabha elections this year and Assembly elections early next year. According to sources, the defining feature of the budget would be ‘Ram Rajya’. Ahead of the 2020 Assembly elections, Kejriwal had recited the Hanuman Chalisa to show that he is a believer of Lord Hanuman. Later in the Delhi Assembly, Kejriwal had vowed to bring in ‘Ram Rajya’ in the capital. He had defined the 10 principles like free and good quality health, education and security for women, among others, which would define the ‘Ram Rajya’.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-skips-8th-ed-summons-reply-through-video-conferencing-on-march-12-8802529.html

The parents of Indian Navy sailor Sahil Verma, who has been missing for a week, demanded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention and a CBI probe into the circumstances leading to his “mysterious disappearance” at sea from a naval ship.

Verma, a seaman in the Indian Navy, went missing from a naval ship — where he was deployed — on February 27. Soon after, the naval authorities launched a massive search operation to trace and find him.

The sailor’s parents Subash Chander and Rama Kumari — who live in Jammu’s Ghou Manhasan area — sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah and Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to ensure that their son returns home safely.

“It is astonishing that a soldier went missing from his naval ship and is not traceable. I have been told that the CCTV cameras installed on the ship did not find anyone falling into the sea. Then where is my son?” Chander told news agency PTI.

Verma’s relatives and well wisher have continuously been visiting their home to extend their support and pray for the sailor’s return.

Earlier, the Western Naval Command — headquartered in Mumbai — termed the seaman’s disappearance as “unfortunate”, adding that a high-level board of inquiry has been ordered.

In a post on X, the Western Naval Command said, “In an unfortunate incident, Sahil Verma, Seaman II, has been reported missing at sea from (an) Indian Naval Ship whilst on deployment since February 27, 2024. The Navy immediately launched a massive search operation with ships and aircraft, which is still continuing.”

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/missing-indian-navy-sailor-sahil-verma-parents-seek-cbi-probe-demand-intervention-pm-modi-rajnath-singh-8802573.html

A seven-judge constitution bench, led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, unanimously declared that parliamentary privileges do not shield individuals from the legal consequences of bribery.

A Spanish travel vlogger, allegedly gangraped in Jharkhand’s Dumka on Friday night, shared the harrowing incident in an Instagram post. Displaying visible bruises on her face, she conveyed the message in a video in Spanish, stating, “Seven men have raped me.”

The woman and her partner, who had travelled from Bangladesh to Dumka on two motorcycles with plans to continue to Bihar and then Nepal, encountered the incident during their travels.

“We are in the hospital, and something happened to us that we wouldn’t wish on anyone. Seven men raped me, and they have beaten us and robbed us, although not many things (were taken) because what they wanted was to rape me. We are in the hospital with the police, it happened tonight in India,” the 28-year-old Spanish travel vlogger shared in her video post on IG, where she has almost 2 lakh followers.

“They attacked us, beat us, put a knife to our necks and said they were going to kill us…There were seven people…,” she added.

The incident occurred at Kurumahat in the Hansdiha police station area, approximately 300 km from Ranchi, on Friday when the couple were spending the night at a makeshift tent.

“The woman and the man stopped a patrol van around midnight. Initially, the patrolling party did not understand much of the incident because the woman was speaking partly in English and partly in Spanish. They were taken to a nearby health centre,” Dumka Superintendent of Police Pitamber Singh Kherwar said. “The doctors then informed the police that the woman had been raped. I received a call around 1.30 am and rushed to the spot for verification,” he added.

Source : https://www.news18.com/india/they-wanted-to-kill-us-spanish-woman-gang-raped-in-jharkhands-dumka-shares-chilling-details-on-instagram-8801514.html

The Rayagada Passenger train hit the Visakhapatnam Palasa train from behind at 7 pm in October last year on the Howrah-Chennai line in Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh.

The driver and the assistant driver of one of the two passenger trains that collided in Andhra Pradesh, leading to the death of 14 passengers on October 29, 2023, were watching a cricket match on the phone, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Saturday while highlighting the cause of the accident.

The Rayagada Passenger train hit the Visakhapatnam Palasa train from behind at 7 pm that day on the Howrah-Chennai line in Kantakapalli in Vizianagaram district of Andhra Pradesh. Over 50 passengers were injured.

Vaishnaw referred to the Andhra train accident while talking about new safety measures that Indian Railways has been working on. “The recent case in Andhra Pradesh happened because both the loco pilot and co-pilot were distracted by the cricket match which was going on. Now we are installing systems which can detect any such distraction and make sure that the pilots and the assistant pilots are fully focussed on running the train,” Vaishnaw told PTI.

He added, “We will continue to put our focus on safety. We try to find out the root cause of every incident and we come up with a solution so that it is not repeated.”

Source : https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/2023-andhra-train-collision-union-railway-minister-ashwini-vaishnaw-says-driver-was-watching-cricket-on-phone-2509725-2024-03-03

Sources said reinstating some of the apps was not linked to the government’s position but with the concerned apps complying with the Play Store Billing policies.

Google has reinstated some popular Indian apps it had removed from its Play Store, including Naukri and 99acres, amid the government’s clear signal that the delisting of Indian apps cannot be permitted.

Sources said reinstating some of the apps was not linked to the government’s position but with the concerned apps complying with the Play Store Billing policies.

Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani, in a post on X, confirmed that many Info Edge apps are now back in the app marketplace.

“Many of the Info Edge apps are back on the Play Store. An effort very well led by (company MD and CEO) Hitesh and the entire Info Edge team. People were up all night for this. Great crisis management,” he said.

Taking a strong view of Google pulling out some apps from its Play Store, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told PTI that the delisting of Indian apps cannot be permitted and that the tech company and startups concerned have been called for a meeting next week.

In an interview, IT and Telecom Minister Vaishnaw said the startup ecosystem is key to the Indian economy and their fate cannot be left to any big tech to decide.

The minister’s comments assume significance as Google on Friday began removing some apps, including popular matrimony apps, from its Play Store in India over a dispute on service fee payments, even as apps and well-known startup founders cried foul.

Source : https://www.deccanherald.com/india/naukri-99acres-some-other-apps-make-a-comeback-on-google-play-store-amid-govts-stern-warning-2919274

In an interactive session at a think-tank, S Jaishankar said there is a need to guard against threats emanating from the cyber domain.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday warned against risks that new technologies like artificial intelligence and deepfakes pose for national security and said attempts of foreign interference through the cyber domain are growing.

In an interactive session at a think-tank, Jaishankar said there is a need to guard against threats emanating from the cyber domain.

“When we think of security, it is not just the defence of the borders, it is not countering terrorism alone…. But there is the daily routine which is so susceptible today to manipulation and this is growing,” he said.

“I would say frankly, in many ways, today foreign interference in this country is growing. It is important for the average person to understand how the world is changing because it is an era of AI (artificial intelligence) and deepfakes,” Jaishankar said.

The external affairs minister was speaking at the Ananta Aspen Centre.

“They will not come out of thin air. They are today at a certain level. There was a whole culture and a process which has allowed it to happen,” he said.

Jaishankar was asked whether India is becoming a surveillance state as the map of security threats to the ordinary Indian has increased exponentially.

Source : https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/wont-come-out-of-thin-air-s-jaishankar-warns-of-ai-deepfake-threat-5164839

According to the officials, they had received specific intelligence about the vessel recently about the dual-use consignment from “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd” and the consignee as “Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd” of Sialkot and it was berthed in Mumbai on January 23.

Indian security agencies have detained a Karachi-bound ship at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port on suspicion that it contained a dual-use consignment that could be used for Pakistan’s nuclear and ballistic missile programme, officials said Saturday. The consignment has been seized. The ship had originated from China’s Shekou port and was heading towards Karachi.

Reportedly, the Malta-flagged merchant ship, CMA CGM Attila, was stopped on January 23 at the Nhava Sheva port on a specific intelligence received by security agencies. Officials said that on inspection, a consignment having a Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machine, manufactured by an Italian company, was recovered. The officials suspect it was meant for use in Pakistan’s nuclear programme.

According to the officials, they had received specific intelligence about the vessel recently about the dual-use consignment from “Shanghai JXE Global Logistics Co Ltd” and the consignee as “Pakistan Wings Pvt Ltd” of Sialkot and it was berthed in Mumbai on January 23.

However, further examination and probe indicated that the consignment, which was over 22,000 kg, was shipped by “Taiyuan Mining Import and Export Co Ltd” and was meant for “Cosmos Engineering” in Pakistan, the officials claimed. After examination, officials confirmed its potential use in Pakistan’s nuclear initiatives, notably in manufacturing crucial components for missile development.

CNC machines fall under the Wassenaar Arrangement, an international arms control regime aimed at curbing the spread of items with dual civilian and military applications, in which India is an active participant.

The CNC machine was used by North Korea in its nuclear programme. Officials said that investigation showed several discrepancies in the shipping details like bills, which they claimed indicates potential evasion tactics used to allegedly conceal the true recipients.

Source : https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/ship-to-pak-stopped-at-mumbai-port-on-nuclear-cargo-suspicion-9192563

While on its way to Newark, New Jersey, a United Airlines spokesperson said that two passengers who appeared to be intoxicated started being disruptive.

Two unruly passengers forced a United Airlines flight bound for New Jersey to land early in Maine, an airline official said.

According to flight tracking website FlightAware, United Airlines Flight 883 took off from London Heathrow at 7.52am on Friday.

While on its way to Newark, New Jersey, a spokesperson for the airline said that two passengers who appeared to be intoxicated started being disruptive.

The Boeing 767, carrying 150 passengers, went off course and landed at Bangor International Airport in Maine at 9.59am (2.59pm GMT).

The spokesperson said the duo were then removed, and that they will be banned from future flights.

Bangor Police Department officers confirmed that two passengers were removed, and that the FBI and Customs and Border Protection are handling the investigation.

Source: https://news.sky.com/story/two-intoxicated-passengers-force-united-airlines-flight-bound-for-new-jersey-to-land-in-maine-13084827

Hyderabad: Three workers died after they inhaled a toxic gas while cleaning a sewerage manhole here on Friday, police said.

A 40-year-old worker who first entered the manhole at Kulsumpura in the city collapsed and two others who tried to rescue him also fell unconscious, police said.

One of the three workers was pulled out and rushed to a hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

The bodies of two others were retrieved by the personnel of the Disaster Response Force (DRF) of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC).

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/telangana/3-people-die-of-asphyxiation-while-cleaning-manhole-in-telangana-2918444

At least ten people were injured in a bomb blast at the popular Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the man who placed the bag containing the IED has been identified on CCTV.

A bomb blast occurred at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe on Friday afternoon, injuring at least ten people.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the blast was caused by an IED and said a man placed a bag containing the device inside the cafe.

Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the accused has been identified on CCTV. According to him, the accused is around 28 to 30 years of age.

The couple, both in their thirties, lived with the woman’s young son in Kolkata. The man had shared a photo of the three of them together on the fateful day.

A 32-year-old man was stabbed to death by his live-in partner in Kolkata. Just hours before his death, he had shared a photo of him with the woman and her son, with the caption “family”.

The woman, identified as Sanhati Paul, is divorced and has a young son. She is a professional makeup artist and was in a live-in relationship with Sarthak Das, a photographer.

Das’s social media account had several pictures of him and Paul, and with Paul’s son. His relationship status was also changed to “engaged”.

Das and Paul, both in their 30s, were reportedly having some relationship issues over the past few days. On Wednesday, the woman allegedly stabbed Das with a sharp knife several times.

Paul then informed the cops about the crime.

On receiving the call, a police team reached Paul’s apartment in Dumdum area and found Sarthak Das lying in a pool of blood with several stab marks on his body.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead.

Paul confessed to the crime during interrogation, police said.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/kolkata/story/kolkata-woman-murder-live-in-partner-sanhati-paul-sarthak-das-dum-dum-2509114-2024-03-01

The 60-member Nagaland assembly also resolved to appeal to the Centre to work out regulations for movement of people across the boundary

The Nagaland assembly on Friday adopted a resolution urging the Union government to reconsider its recent decision to fence the Indo-Myanmar border and suspend the Free Movement Regime (FMR) with the neighbouring country, becoming the second state after Mizoram to take such step.

India shares 1,643-kilometre border with Myanmar, running through four northeastern states —Manipur, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland. Of this, Nagaland shares a 215-km border with Myanmar. The FMR, established in 2018 as part of the Centre’s Act East policy, allows cross-border movement up to 16 km without a visa.

The 60-member Nagaland assembly also resolved to appeal to the Centre to work out regulations for movement of people across the boundary in consultation with the people inhabiting the border areas, and for suitably bringing in the village council authorities concerned in the entire system of regulations.

The resolution, moved by deputy chief minister Yanthungo Patton, said Naga people live on either side of the international border and the Centre’s decision to suspend the FMR and fence the Indo-Myanmar boundary “will seriously disrupt the age-old historical, social, tribal, and economic ties of the Naga people living on both sides of the international border.”

“These measures will cause immense hardship and inconvenience, and also agony to the Naga people living in the Indo-Myanmar border areas due to the fact that the traditional land holding system straddles across the international border in many areas, and people have to cross the international border on a daily basis for their normal cultivation activities,” it stated.

The resolution was unanimously adopted by a voice vote.

“In view of the special and unique situation mentioned above, this House, hereby, resolves to appeal to the Government of India to reconsider its decision, and to abandon the plan of suspending the FMR and fencing along the Indo-Myanmar border,” the resolution added.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/now-nagaland-opposes-fencing-of-india-s-border-with-myanmar-101709318600551.html

Four SFI leaders among 10 arrested in case, search on for eight more accused

A student of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences in Kerala’s Wayanad district, who was found hanging inside the men’s hostel on February 18, was allegedly tortured at the campus before his death. Four leaders of the Students Federation of India (SFI) were among 10 people arrested in connection with the case.

According to sources, 20-year-old J S Sidharthan, a second-year Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry student, was allegedly tortured because he had danced with senior women students at the college on Valentine’s Day.

Police have identified 18 students as accused in the case.

The four SFI leaders whose arrests were recorded on Friday were college union president K Arun, SFI unit secretary Amal Ihsan, and unit members Asif Khan and S Abhishek. The SFI, the student wing of the ruling CPI(M), has sacked the four arrested students.

Police have also intensified their search for eight others suspected to be directly involved in torturing Sidharthan. Of the 18 accused, five were his classmates.

Police had initially registered a case of unnatural death, but have now framed charges under Indian Penal Code sections related to abetment of suicide, wrongful restraint, and voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, as well as the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act.

The postmortem report said findings were “consistent with death due to hanging”. It also said Sidharthan had “sustained multiple blunt injuries, including tramline contusion of 2-3 days on the body suggestive of assault”. Tramline contusion occurs when the skin is struck by a rod or rectangular-sectioned object.

Sidharthan’s father Jayaprakash, who works as a supervisor with a construction firm in Dubai, suggested that his son would not commit suicide. “My son is a bright student, he would never take such a decision. He had opted for a veterinary course due to his love towards animals. He wanted to pursue higher studies after the course. A section of his classmates was envious of him. We want police to probe the role of the students’ dean at the university and the hostel warden. Without their knowledge, such a brutal incident would not happen,” he said.

M Shibu, Sidharthan’s uncle, said, “We were told by students that seniors were irked over Sidharthan dancing with girls of their batch (on Valentine’s Day). The next day, he left the Wayanad campus and went home to Thiruvananthapuram as there was no class on February 16 and 17…”

“While he was travelling by train to Thiruvananthapuram on the night of February 15, he was told by a classmate to return to the campus. He said he wanted Sidharthan to submit a paper the next day… He alighted in Kochi and returned to the campus that night itself. When his mother asked about his whereabouts on February 16 morning, Sidharthan said he was on his way back to the campus,” Shibu said.

Back on campus, Sidharthan was allegedly tortured for the next two days under the leadership of the arrested students. He was allegedly stripped in front of other students and beaten severely with a belt.

“After torture and mob trial, he was shut up in a room. He was not given food nor was he allowed to take it. The gang was observing his health. Although his mother repeatedly called Sidharthan, he did not attend any calls. He later told her that there was no issue, and that he would call back,” his uncle Shibu said.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/thiruvananthapuram/kerala-student-found-hanging-in-college-was-tortured-for-dancing-with-seniors-on-valentines-day-9191119/

Devoleena Bhattacharjee seeks PM Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s help to look into the matter of a friend in the US who was shot dead recently

Investigators found a 9v battery, a timer and a few nuts and bolts scattered around the crime scene. The suspect was identified as a man aged between 30 and 35 years.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/minor-blast-at-bengalurus-rameshwaram-cafe-4-injured-2917542

Viswanathan Anand is a legend in the world of chess

Viswanathan Anand is not only a legend of Indian sport but he seems to have great sense of humour too. On Friday, the man, who has been instrumental in making chess attractive for many Indian kids, posted an interesting plea on social media medium X. “At the Airport! My Kidnappers, let me go. @alexandrabotez @itsandreabotez,” he wrote. At first sight, such a post would raise tension. The comment went viral on social media too. However, Viswanathan Anand quickly started a X thread to allay any fears of his fans.

Alexandra Botez and Andrea Botez are chess players, who also double up as content creators on social media. Viswanathan Anand’s post was in jest and it involved a chess move.

“Alexandra Botez told me I had to solve a chess position to win my freedom. Andrea asked what Black should play in this position. I told her Kd5, and they let me go,” Anand later added in a X thread.

“Extra explanation: Since this is a race, black should play Kd5 Slowing the white king march to the Queen side. And a quicker hostage release!” he added further.

Viswanathan is a five-time world champion. Anand also became the first grandmaster from India in 1988, and has the eighth highest peak FIDE rating of all-time. Last year he said that this is a golden time for Indian chess. Anand was quoted as saying that he was amazed by the fact that most of the current lot possesses a 2,700-plus Elo rating, especially below 20 years of age, terming it “special”.

“I’m throwing in the title early, but they are a golden generation. They are all in the 2,700-plus group (Elo rating). And they’re all under 20. That just does not happen; it’s really something special.

“And what this means, and the reason I call them the golden generation, is they’re going to spend the next ten years at the top. With varying career trajectories, of course, but they’re going to spend the next 10 years being rivals and colleagues and friends and everything.”In Friday, he posted an interesting line on X.

Source: https://sports.ndtv.com/chess/my-kidnappers-let-me-go-viswanathan-anands-post-viral-provides-details-5157689

Nitin Gadkari said that the Congress posted the 19-second audio and visual clipping by “concealing the contextual intent and meaning” of his interview.

New Delhi: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Friday sent a legal notice to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party general secretary Jairam Ramesh for sharing a “twisted, distorted” version of one of his interviews on X.
Mr Gadkari said that the Congress posted the 19-second audio and visual clipping by “concealing the contextual intent and meaning” of his interview. He claimed the “sinister act” had been done with the sole intent to “fan and create confusion, sensation and disrepute” to him.

The 66-year-old has asked the Congress to delete the post “within 24 hours of receipt of this legal notice” and also demanded a written apology within three days.

Calling the video clip factually incorrect, he said that it was an “intentional attempt” by the Congress leaders to “insult and demean” him, “coupled with your intent to provoke members of Bhartiya Janata Party to develop ideological rift”. He claimed that the clip has resulted in “big reputation damage, defamation and great loss of credibility”.

“The interview has also been twisted, distorted and presented on your microblogging site ‘X’ wall by uploading the above video which is bereft and devoid of contextual meaning,” read the notice.

In the video shared on X by the Congress, Mr Gadkari can be heard saying, “Villages, poor, labourers and farmers are unhappy…The villages do not have good roads, there is no water to drink, there are no good hospitals, there are no good schools”.

The Cabinet Minister of Road Transport and Highways said that the Congress clipped the parts where he highlighted how much efforts were being made and the same is also giving good outcomes in the tenure of the present Union Government.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/nitin-gadkari-sends-legal-notice-to-congress-chief-mallikarjun-kharge-over-defamatory-post-5159128

The division bench said that after watching the series, it did not find anything prejudicial to the prosecution and hence, rejected CBI’s application

The Bombay High Court on Thursday rejected the application filed by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking stay on the release of the documentary series “The Indrani Mukerjea Story: Buried Truth” [CBI v. Netflix India & Ors.]

A division bench of Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Manjusha Deshpande watched the show and found nothing prejudicial in it against the ongoing trial in the murder case of Sheena Bora where CBI has booked Mukerjea as the prime accused.

“We didn’t think there is anything. We initially thought there maybe something and hence we also saw (the series). Public perception is the least of our concerns. What even she (Indrani) has said (in the series), everything is in public domain. Honestly we have not found anything that goes against the prosecution. We felt that you had a genuine apprehension and, therefore, we gave you the opportunity to view the series and we did not even let the other party argue on that day. You cannot presume the accused to be guilty,” the bench said.

The CBI approached the High Court after the special CBI court had rejected its application to stay the release of a documentary series.

The CBI submitted that the series contains interviews with the accused and some witnesses as well.

Additional Solicitor General Devang Vyas, appearing for the agency, argued that since the CBI had seen only the trailer, it was not aware of how many witnesses were shown in the series.

The High Court then suggested Netflix on February 22 to hold a screening for the lawyers and the judges involved so that they can view the series and take a call. The release of the series was consequently postponed by Netflix.

After watching the series, the bench stated that it did not find anything prejudicial to the trial and proceeded to reject the application.

Netflix was represented by Senior Advocate Ravi Kadam. The producer of the series was represented by advocate Abhinav Chandrachud.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/bombay-high-court-rejects-cbi-plea-seeking-stay-netflix-series-indrani-mukerjea

Gujarat’s Jamnagar city is preparing for the pre-wedding celebrations of Mukesh Ambani’s youngest son Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant. The three-day lavish ceremonies will be held between March 1 to March 3.

Billionaires and business tycoons across the world, Bollywood celebrities and top politicians are expected to attend Annat and Radhika’s wedding. Rihanna is expected to put up a stellar performance over the weekend. Her team arrived at Jamnagar on February 28. While tech biggies like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are also expected to have already landed in India for the extravaganza.

From Gautam Adani To Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg Here is the anticipated guest list, as per India Times.

• Gautam Adani
• Mark Zuckerberg
• Bill Gates
• Nikhil Kamath, Zerdha Co-founder
• Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India.
• Sundar Pichai, Alphabet CEO
• Shah Rukh Khan
• Pawan Munjal, CEO Of Hero MotoCorp
• Nandan Nilekani, Former Infosys CEO
• Carlos Slim, Mexican Business Magnate

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/anant-ambani-radhika-merchant-wedding-from-gautam-adani-to-bill-gates-and-mark-zuckerberg-heres-guest-list-article-108114775

A week after the death of the young farmer, Shubhkaran Singh’s death amid a farmers’ protest, the Punjab Police has registered a case of murder against an unidentified person. The Punjab Police has registered has registered a case under sections 302 (murder) and 114 (abettor present when an offence is committed) of the Indian Penal Code at the Patran Police station in Patiala. The case has been registered against an unidentified person, according to the FIR, registered on the complaint of Shubhkaran’s father. Besides, an autopsy report of Shubkaran, 21, revealed “metal pellets” found inside his head. Shubhkaran was killed on 21 February during clashes between protesting farmers and Haryana security personnel at the Khanauri border point.

Here are the top-5 updates on farmer Shubhkaran’s death:

• Protesting young farmer Shubhkaran Singh died of a firearm injury to the head, according to the post-mortem examination report, which also detected “foreign bodies” in his head.

• A CT scan conducted before the autopsy detected several metal pellets in his head. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the autopsy report revealed an injury mark on the occipital region (the rearmost region of the skull) in Shubhkaran’s body.
• Doctors have handed over metal pellets found in Singh’s skull to the Police as per HT report. The pellets may be sent to ballistics experts to ascertain the nature of the firearm that was used, the English daily added.
• Shubhkaran Singh was cremated in his native village of Balloh in Punjab’s Bathinda district on Thursday. His body was kept at the mortuary in Rajindra Medical College and Hospital in Punjab since February 21. 

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/farmers-protest-punjab-cops-register-case-in-shubhkaran-s-death-autopsy-reveals-metal-pellets-inside-head-5point-11709254878075.html

The Court ordered that after Ram Rahim surrenders on March 10, the State shall not consider his case for further parole without the Court’s permission.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday ordered that the Haryana government shall not grant any further parole to Dera Sacha Sauda Chief and rape and murder convict Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh without the Court’s permission [Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee v. State of Haryana and others]

The self-styled godman is presently out on parole from January 19 and has to surrender on March 10 at 5 PM. He has been repeatedly granted the benefit of parole since 2022.

A division bench of Acting Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Lapita Banerji ordered that after Ram Rahim surrenders on March 10, the State shall not consider his case for further parole without the Court’s permission.

“In the meantime, the said respondent may surrender on the date fixed i.e. 10.03.2024 and thereafter the State- authorities shall not consider his case for grant of further parole till further orders without the permission of this Court. The State of Haryana shall also file necessary custody certificate to the effect that the said respondent has surrendered on the date fixed,” the Court said.

According to the data presented before the High Court today in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) petition, Ram Rahim was released for 91 days each in 2022 and 2023.

During the pendency of the PIL filed by Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee last year against one such parole order, the Court remarked that Haryana government still chose to grant Ram Rahim the “indulgence of parole” three times for a period of 30, 21 and 50 days.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/punjab-and-haryana-high-court-bars-haryana-granting-further-parole-gurmeet-ram-rahim

Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested on Thursday after a 55-day run by Bengal police in connection with a mob attack on a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials last month.

The Calcutta High Court showed “no sympathy” towards TMC leader Shahjahan Sheikh as it turned down his advocate’s request to raise a bail plea. On Thursday, when Shahjahan’s advocate brought up the anticipatory bail petition, the Chief Justice declined and instructed him to revisit the matter on Monday, the next scheduled hearing date for the court.

“My anticipatory bail was rejected. I was arrested last night. I cannot mention before the regular bench now,” Shahjahan’s advocate pleaded the court. “Come on Monday. We have got no sympathy for that person. Please come on Monday, not now,” the bench remarked.

Shahjahan Sheikh was arrested on Thursday after a 55-day run by Bengal police in connection with a mob attack on a team of Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials last month. The TMC strongman is also accused of harassment and usurping land in Sandeshkahli, an island in Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

The Calcutta HC, in a stern remark, told Shahjahan’s advocate that there are 43 cases registered against him, enough to keep him busy for 10 years.

“Mr Counsel, this man has some 43 cases against him. Mind you, now for next 10 years, this man will keep you busy. You will have to handle all his cases till next 10 years at least,” the Chief Justice said, according to Bar and Bench.

The now-suspended TMC leader, who had been evading authorities for 55 days, was remanded into 10-day custody after he was produced before a Bengal court.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/no-sympathy-for-that-person-calcutta-high-court-to-shahjahan-sheikhs-lawyer-article-108121340

Gates said that he talked about Articificial Intelligence, women-led development, innovation in agriculture, health and climate adaption and taking lessons from India to the world, among other things, with the Prime Minister.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Thursday.

Gates said that he talked about Articificial Intelligence, women-led development, innovation in agriculture, health and climate adaption and taking lessons from India to the world, among other things, with the Prime Minister.

“It is always inspiring to meet with @narendramodi and there was a lot to discuss,” Gates said in a post on X.

He added, “We talked about AI for public good; DPI; women-led development; innovation in agriculture, health, and climate adaptation; and how we can take lessons from India to the world.”

The Prime Minister called the meeting “wonderful” and said in a post on X, “Always a delight to discuss sectors which will make our planet better and empower millions of people across the globe.”

Earlier on Thursday, Gates also met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/bill-gates-meets-pm-narendra-modi-talks-microsoft-2508858-2024-03-01

The BBMP has identified 3,044 establishments that have yet to comply.

Bengaluru: Starting today, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will seal and shut down shops and establishments that do not allocate 60% of the space on their nameboards to Kannada. Despite requests from traders for an extension, the civic body has adhered to its original order, which was first announced last December.

This requirement applies to all commercial establishments, including industries, enterprises, trusts, hospitals, recreation centers, and hotels. The BBMP has identified 3,044 establishments that have yet to comply.

The state government notified the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Act of 2024 on February 26, after it was passed in both the assembly and the council. The Act mandates that establishments ensure their nameboards display 60% of their content in Kannada, prominently placed in the upper half of the nameboard.

Before the Act was notified, the BBMP had announced the requirement for 60% Kannada space on nameboards last December, setting February 28 as the deadline.

The authority to close down establishments has been granted to the BBMP’s health department. Under the Act, the BBMP has the power to cancel trade licenses. Although the Act permits the imposition of fines, the Directorate of Kannada and Culture may need a few more days to finalize the rules.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/shops-firms-without-60-kannada-on-nameboards-to-be-sealed-shut-down-today-2914860

The source of the controversy is the rocket ‘s red nose, which features four golden stars arced around the right side of a larger fifth star – the same emblem on the Chinese national flag.

Chennai: A newspaper ad hailing the creation of a second launch pad for India’s space agency ISRO – in Tamil Nadu’s Kulsekarapatinam – has triggered a furious row after an image of the Chinese flag figured prominently on the rocket in the poster. The ad was commissioned by Tamil Nadu’s Animal Husbandry Minister Anitha Radhakrishnan, who did so in his personal capacity, highlighting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s role in bringing this long-pending project to the state, NDTV was told.
Mr Radhakrishnan has been unavailable for comment, but Thoothukudi MP Kanimozhi (in whose constituency the ISRO facility will be built) has defended her party. She acknowledged the error – attributed to the artwork designer – and said the issue does not merit the backlash it has received.

The poster itself shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi – who was in the state, one in which his Bharatiya Janata Party has traditionally struggled for votes, this week to drum up support before the general election – and Chief Minister MK Stalin side-by-side, with a rocket in the background.

The source of the controversy is that rocket – its red nose features four golden stars arced around the right side of a larger fifth star. This is the same emblem that marks the Chinese national flag.

Mr Modi and the BJP have been quick to pounce on the error.

The PM ripped into the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, which thumped the BJP (then allied with the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam) in 2019 general and 2021 state elections.

“DMK does not do work and takes false credit. They paste their stickers on our schemes. But now they have crossed the limit… they pasted China’s sticker to take credit for the ISRO launchpad…”

“They are not ready to accept India’s progress in the space sector. They do not want to present India’s space success to the world. They have insulted our scientists and our space sector.”

Mr Modi’s sharp attacks have been amplified by the BJP’s state unit boss, K Annamalai, who posted a long and emotive post on X, in which he slammed his rival’s “total disregard for our country’s sovereignty” and labelled the rocket issue a “manifestation of DMK’s commitment to China”.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tamil-nadu-minister-china-flag-isro-rocket-ad-pm-bjp-on-warpath-over-ministers-china-flag-on-indian-rocket-ad-5143747

Manipur Police commandos laid down arms in protest after an armed group vandalised the residence of ASP Imphal West and abducted him. The commandos were unhappy with senior officers over limited action.

A section of Manipur Police commandos on Wednesday staged a symbolic protest by ‘laying down their arms’ over allegations that senior officers asked them to restrain themselves after an armed group of nearly 200 militants vandalised the residence of Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Imphal West and abducted him and his security guard from outside his house. The abduction was in retaliation for an attempt to detain militants in the ethnic violence-hit state, NDTV reported.

Later, the officer and his guard were rescued. “The ASP Imphal West and his security guard were rescued from Kwakeithel Konjeng Leikai area and admitted to Raj Medicity for medical treatment. A case has been registered in this regard and an investigation has started,” the Manipur Police said in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

Viral videos on social media from Imphal purportedly showed dozens of commandos laying down their weapons at a compound of their unit. “…they are unhappy with the state government for not giving them a free hand to tackle armed miscreants,” Hindustan Times reported.

The Manipur police statement did not name the group behind the abduction of the official. But people having direct knowledge of the matter said radical Meitei outfit Arambai Tenggol was involved in the incident.

Media reports said the ASP Imphal West was abducted after some members of the Arambai Tenggol were detained earlier in the day for brandishing weapons and stealing vehicles.

Arambai Tenggol members have been accused of murder, attacks on security forces, extortion and arson. Kuki groups have said that the group has the support of politicians.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/manipur-police-commandos-stage-arms-down-protest-after-asp-imphal-west-gets-abducted-house-vandalised-11709116389276.html

Intel India president Gokul V Subramaniam expressed grief over Mr Saini’s death saying the prolific inventor would be remembered as a valuable mentor at Intel.

Former Intel India head Avtar Saini, who led the design of the Pentium processor, died on Wednesday morning after a speeding car rammed his cycle in Navi Mumbai, police said.
The 68-year-old was killed while he was riding his bicycle along with other cyclists at around 5.50 am on the Palm Beach Road in Nerul. Fellow cyclists said Mr Saini’s bicycle was hit from the back by a speeding taxi. As the driver tried to escape, the cycle’s frame got wedged under the car and Mr Saini was dragged for some distance.

Even though he was wearing a helmet, Mr Saini suffered severe injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.

The driver of the cab was caught by the other cyclists and handed over to the police. A case of rash driving and causing death due to negligence has been registered against him, police said, adding that he has not been arrested.

A resident of Chembur, Mr Saini lived alone after his wife died three years ago. His son and daughter live in the US and he was due to visit them next month.

Intel India president Gokul V Subramaniam expressed grief over Mr Saini’s death saying the prolific inventor would be remembered as a valuable mentor at Intel.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/cities/avtar-saini-former-intel-india-head-hit-by-cab-while-cycling-in-navi-mumbai-dies-5148021

Jamtara Train accident News: The accident happened when Anga Express came to an abrupt halt after a fire erupted. The scared passengers, who came out to save themselves from fire, were mowed down by another train, Dainik Jagran reported.

Two people lost their lives while many sustained injuries after they were crushed by a train near Jharkhand’s Jamtara on Wednesday evening. According to preliminary reports, the incident took place near Kaljhariya in Jamtara-Karmatand.

Railway administration, railway police and local administration have reached the spot. Officials are actively working to admit the injured persons to hospitals, reported Dainik Jagran.

Source: https://english.jagran.com/india/jamtara-train-accident-jharkhand-karmatand-indian-railways-casualties-injured-damage-report-jamtara-news-latest-updates-10136731

The video has garnered approximately 4 million views on social media, accompanied by nearly 300,000 likes on Instagram.

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft and a philanthropist, is currently on a visit to India, and his various excursions have created considerable attention and discussion on the internet.
In a recently shared video on social media, Bill Gates was captured relishing a cup of chai from a renowned tea stall in India. The footage shows Mr Gates engaging with Dolly Chaiwalla, a celebrated tea vendor and a familiar presence on social media, while enjoying a cup of chai prepared by him.

Watch the video here:

The video opens with Mr Gates placing an order for “one chai” with Chaiwalla. Chaiwalla then prepares the tea in his signature style, using a special cart. The final shot shows Gates enjoying the piping hot tea from a glass.

The video concludes with Mr Gates taking a sip of the hot beverage from a glass and posing for a photo with Dolly Chaiwalla, accompanied by the text “Looking forward to many chai pe charcha,” which translates to “looking forward to many conversations over chai.” This suggests Gates may be looking forward to further interactions and discussions during his visit to India.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/one-chai-please-watch-bill-gates-enjoys-tea-made-by-dolly-chaiwala-5145781

The Himachal Pradesh Congress government, led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, appeared to have successfully navigated the political crisis.

The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has managed to contain the political crisis that arose after the cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election and the resignation announcement of a minister. The Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government passed the budget on Wednesday, and Minister Vikramaditya Singh stated that he will not press for resignation until talks with leaders conclude, giving a breather to the Congress.

Chief Minister Sukhu has called for a meeting of Congress MLAs and Ministers as the party leadership ruled out the possibility of a change of guard in the state. The Speaker is expected to address the media at around 11 am.

HIMACHAL POLITICAL CRISIS | LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

• Congress leader Vikramaditya Singh, who had stepped down as a minister, on Wednesday evening said that he wouldn’t press his resignation until a dialogue with party leaders was not completed. He, after meeting party central observers, claimed that the government was never in crisis.

• The Himachal Pradesh Assembly speaker, meanwhile, reserved his order on the Congress’s demand to disqualify the six MLAs from the assembly, whose cross-voting in the Rajya Sabha election triggered turbulence in the state.

• Chief Minister Sukhu dismissed speculation that he was resigning. He said, “Neither the high command, nor anyone else has asked me for resignation” and added that the Congress government will complete its five-year term in the state.

• Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday expelled 15 BJP MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, for ‘misconduct’ and allegedly shouting slogans in the Chamber of the Speaker.

India exercised its ‘Right to Reply’ to give a befitting reply to Pakistan and Turkey, who mentioned Jammu and Kashmir at the 55th Human Rights Council of the United Nations.

At the 55th Human Rights Council of the United Nations, India exercised its ‘Right to Reply’ for a staunch response to Turkey and Pakistan for the mention of Jammu and Kashmir on the platform. India’s First Secretary at the UN Human Rights Council, Anupama Singh, rejected Pakistan’s allegations, and mentioned the country’s own track records on human rights, describing it as “truly abysmal”. Turkey was warned, with Singh stating that Jammu and Kashmir is India’s “internal matter” and such “unsolicited comments” on the issue should be refrained from in the future.

In the reply to Pakistan, India highlighted three ‘reds’ that Anupama Singh described the neighbouring nation was “soaked in”.

“We cannot pay any further attention to a country that speaks while being soaked in red – the red of the bloodshed from the terrorism it sponsors around the world; the red of its debt-riddled national balance sheets; and the red of the shame of its own people feel for their government having failed to serve their actual interests,” she said.

India highlighted three points in its response to Pakistan’s mention of Jammu and Kashmir at the UN platform. The first one was that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an “integral and inalienable part of India” and the constitutional measures taken by the Indian government to ensure “socio-economic development and good governance” in the Union territories are “matters internal to India”.

“Two, a country that has institutionalised the systemic persecution of its own minorities and has a truly abysmal human rights record, commenting on India which is demonstrably making great strides in achieving economic progress and social justice, is not merely ironical but perverse,” Anupama Singh pointed out.

She highlighted incidents of persecution against minorities, pointing out the August 2023 Jaranwala issue wherein 19 churches were gutted, and 89 Christian houses burnt down.

“A country that hosts and even celebrates UNSC-sanctioned terrorists, commenting on India, whose pluralistic ethos and democratic credentials are exemplars for the world, is a contrast for everyone to see,” Anupama Singh said in her speech.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/india-right-to-reply-pakistan-turkey-united-nations-human-rights-council-jammu-and-kashmir-ladakh-2508414-2024-02-29

The clarification was made after the ED and CBI told the Court that they have serious reservations about West Bengal Police probing the allegations against the TMC leader.

The Calcutta High Court on Wednesday clarified that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) are at liberty to arrest absconding Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and it is not the West Bengal police alone that can arrest Shahjahan [Court on its own motion vs State of West Bengal].

Shahjahan has recently been in the news after he was accused of sexual assault and land-grabbing activities in Sandeshkhali, besides having close ties to an accused in the ration scam case.

The clarification was made after the ED and CBI told the Court that they have serious reservations about West Bengal Police probing the allegations against the TMC leader.

Advocate General Kishore Datta mentioned the matter before a bench led by Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharyya, seeking some clarifications in earlier order passed on February 26.

During the hearing, Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dhiraj Trivedi appeared for the ED and submitted that if the local police is permitted to probe the case, they might destroy the evidence.

“The single-judge, in the order of constituting an SIT to probe attack on ED officers, had clearly asked the local police not to probe the case. We have an apprehension that the local police will dilute the entire case against him,” Trivedi told the judges.

Appearing for the CBI, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju, weighed in and submitted that the central agency has serious grievances against the State Police in investigating the case.

“Our apprehension is that if the State Police arrests Shahjahan, they might dilute the case against him. Ultimately, if the probe is transferred to the CBI… Even we want him to be arrested but not by a wrong agency. We have a serious grievance against the State agency. We are saying that the State Police are colluding and once they are colluding they would not let the case reach its logical end,” the ASG submitted.

The ASG made it clear to the Court that the CBI does not want a joint probe with the State Police and would want to proceed independently. He, therefore, urged the bench to hear the submissions on this aspect on February 29. However, the bench said it would hear the case on March 4, as fixed earlier.

The bench, however, proceeded to clarify that both the CBI as well as the ED are free to arrest Shahajahan.

“A person, who is an elected representative of the public and elected to the office to head the Zilla Parishad, cannot be permitted to abscond. He cannot evade law,” Chief Justice Sivagnanam observed.

Source: https://www.barandbench.com/news/sandeshkhali-violence-calcutta-high-court-says-cbi-ed-liberty-arrest-tmcs-shahjahan-sheikh

On the complaint of Shiv Sena office bearer Akshay Panvalkar, a case has been registered by the Santacruz police under sections 153 (a), 500, 505 (3), 506 (2) and 34 of the IPC.

Mumbai: The Santacruz police have registered a case against the interviewer and the user of Facebook and Twitter accounts for allegedly making defamatory statements about the Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis on a YouTube channel and threatening to kill him. The complaint alleges making provocative statements with the intention of inciting riots between the two communities and making statements that will disturb public peace.

On the complaint of Shiv Sena office bearer Akshay Panvalkar, a case has been registered by the Santacruz police under sections 153 (a), 500, 505 (3), 506 (2) and 34 of the IPC.

Video Threatening To Kill Fadnavis Was Shared On Facebook

According to the complaint, on Tuesday evening, while the complainant was browsing Facebook, the interviewer in a tape was making statements about killing Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis. Also this time he also made a statement that there will be a dispute between the two castes. Fadnavis was also defamed. This video went viral on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. It was uploaded on Facebook by the user ‘Yogesh Sawant 7796’. Also, this video has been uploaded on Twitter by a user.

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/maharashtra-dcm-devendra-fadnavis-receives-death-threat-on-social-media-case-filed-in-santa-cruz-police-station

His arrest comes a day before PM Narendra Modi’s state visit on March 1st.

West Bengal Police have arrested the TMC leader and main accused of the Sandeshkhali case, Shahjahan Sheikh, after 55 days of a manhunt in the Minakhan area of North 24 Parganas and taken him to Basirhat Court. His arrest comes a day before PM Modi’s state visit on March 1st.

According to ANI, Sheikh Shahjahan will be produced before the Basirhat Court at 2 pm today.

After Shahjahan’s arrest, TMC Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale hit out at Narendra Modi while defending the Mamata Banerjee government.

Before the TMC leader gained notoriety for his involvement in the Sandeshkhali unrest, his supporters assaulted the ED officials and CAPF during an attempted raid on his residence related to the ration scam.

The ADG South is also scheduled to hold a media briefing at the SDPO Minakhan office in Malancha at 9 am.

The Calcutta High Court clarified on Monday that there is no injunction against his arrest. “There is no restraining order on his arrest. A stay on investigation does not imply a stay on arrest. With an FIR filed and him identified as a suspect, he must be apprehended,” the High Court affirmed.

This statement followed TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee’s assertion that his government was not shielding Shahjahan but adhering to a directive from the High Court.

After HC clarification, WB police arrested Shahjahan within 72 hours: TMC

Taking to X, Saket wrote, “West Bengal Police have arrested Sandeshkhali accused Sheikh Shahjahan this morning. As our National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee had rightly pointed out – it was a Calcutta HC stay order that had restrained the police. We had also committed that Sheikh Shahjahan would be arrested WITHIN DAYS if the Hon’ble HC freed the hands of the police.”

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/sandeshkhali-violence-main-accused-shahjahan-sheikh-arrested-after-55-days-of-manhunt

The court considered the perversity of the crime as an aggravating circumstance and said that there were no grounds for leniency towards the accused, “who has shown no signs of repentance.”

A 24-year-old transgender has been awarded a death sentence by the Mumbai Court on Tuesday for raping and murdering a three-month-old girl after the infant’s family could not offer customary ‘Vidai’ at the time of birth of the baby due to the pandemic in 2021. The court termed the act as ‘barbaric and inhuman.’

The special judge for cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), Aditee Kadam said that the social fabric of the society gets damaged beyond repair due to such heinous crimes. However, a co-accused was found not guilty because the prosecution was unable to establish the case against him beyond a reasonable doubt.

The accused kidnapped the infant who lived nearby and killed her after raping her in July 2021, as per the prosecution. The accused had asked for a saree, Rs 1,100 and a coconut as part of the customary ‘Vidai’ given at the time of the birth of a baby. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the family was unable to offer, which led to the heinous crime.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/mirror-now/crime/mumbai-transgender-gets-death-sentence-for-raping-killing-3-month-old-girl-article-108056773

Santhan was lodged at the Special Camp in November 2022 after the Supreme Court ordered his release along with that of five others, including S Nalini and Murugan. Another convict, A G Perarivalan, was released in May 2022.

Sowmya Janu created a commotion by allegedly assaulting a traffic home guard on duty for stopping her from driving on the wrong route

Sowmya Janu made a name for herself in the Telugu entertainment industry with her versatile performances. Over the years, she has garnered a huge fanbase. However, she has found herself in legal trouble. As reported by the Free Pree Journal, on Tuesday evening, a video of her allegedly assaulting a traffic home guard who was on duty surfaced on the internet. The incident took place in Hyderabad’s upscale Banjara Hills area. The video of her creating a commotion has been doing the rounds on social media since Sunday.

As reported by the media publication, she was driving her Jaguar car on the wrong route in Banjara Hills. Janu was stopped by the home guard, who was diligently carrying out his duties. Instead of cooperating with him, she became aggressive and started to verbally abuse him for obstructing her route. The report adds that the eyewitnesses recount that despite multiple attempts by the onlookers to intervene, she persisted. The actress even went as far as to physically attack the guard, ripping his clothes, and snatching his phone, with which he was recording the incident.

Source: https://www.spotboye.com/south/telugu/sowmya-janu-assaults-a-traffic-home-guard-telugu-actress-rips-his-clothes-when-stopped-for-taking-the-wrong-route-reports/65dea292f6feda780aa919d0

Egypt warned on Tuesday that Israel’s planned ground invasion of Rafah in southern Gaza would have “catastrophic repercussions” for peace in the Middle East.

Foreign ministers from Arab League countries told the United Nations Human Rights Council that some nations were turning a blind eye to the suffering in Gaza.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said the extreme polarisation exposed by the Gaza war had laid bare the double standards of some members of the UN’s top rights body.

Israel has said a truce with Hamas would delay, not prevent, a ground invasion of Rafah on the Egyptian border, where an estimated 1.4 million Palestinian civilians have sought refuge from the war.

“The world is witnessing the most heinous crimes and violations against the Palestinian people,” Shoukry said.

He called for an immediate ceasefire and urged Israel not to attack Rafah.

“Any military action in the present circumstances would have catastrophic repercussions that undermine peace in the region,” he warned.

The war in Gaza began after the Hamas militant group that controls the Palestinian territory launched an attack on October 7 that killed about 1,160 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli figures.

Hamas militants also took hostages, 130 of whom remain in Gaza.

Israel’s retaliatory bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza have killed at least 29,878 people, most of them women and children, according to the territory’s Hamas-run health ministry.

Shoukry said some countries on the 47-member Human Rights Council in Geneva were shying away from the firm action they had taken over other conflicts.

“It seems that life in Gaza is not worthy enough of their attention, that the massacre of tens of thousands of children fails to shake their otherwise all-too-sensitive conscience,” he said.

“The lives of Gaza’s children are seemingly less valuable than others.

“This preludes the… collapse of the international system, including this council.”

Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah al-Yahya said the “brutal crimes of the Israeli occupation forces against defenceless civilians” had led to “catastrophic crisis and destruction”.

Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the world “cannot keep turning a blind eye” to the “unprecedented human disaster” in Gaza.

Source: https://www.barrons.com/articles/egypt-warns-of-catastrophic-repercussions-if-israeli-attacks-rafah-030f6d2c

Studies across the globe have suggested Rhodamine B, used to make pink cotton candy, if consumed in high doses can be carcinogenic.

Bengaluru: Earlier this month, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry banned the sale of the ubiquitous pink cotton candy, citing the presence of a carcinogen.

The chemical in question is Rhodamine B. An analysis of samples in Chennai found the presence of the cancer-causing chemical, the health minister of Tamil Nadu confirmed.

“Rhodamine B is actually a dye used in fabric, plastic and carpet industries. It is a synthetic, water-soluble chemical dye. It appears green in powder form but turns bright pink when dissolved in water,” explains Deepika Vasudevan, dietician and Olympic sport nutritionist.

Studies across the globe have suggested Rhodamine B consumed in high doses can be carcinogenic. Even occasional consumption of cotton candy containing Rhodamine B could have negative health effects on children as they are more vulnerable and their immune systems are still developing, experts told Metrolife.

Dr Vinayak S, internal medicine specialist, says, “Apart from being carcinogenic, the dye has various harms. Long-term consumption can cause damage to the liver, eyes, and even the nervous system. Animal experiments have shown that the chemical is harmful to the cerebellum.”

Common adulterant

According to the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), a list of synthetic colours are marked as safe for consumption.

“The additives regulation list puts down what colours are allowed and what aren’t. Also there are limits prescribed for each colour. If the colours are used within the limit, they shouldn’t be harmful. This is in accordance with the latest research across the world,” says Ramesh Agarwal, CEO, Food Safety Works, a Bengaluru-based food safety consultancy.

He labels Rhodamine B as a common adulterant, classified as a carcinogen and shunned by the European Union. “In India, the dye is also commonly used to enhance the colour of ragi and sweet potatoes,” he says.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/karnataka/bengaluru/should-bengaluru-be-wary-of-cotton-candy-2913057

The Court also issued contempt of court notices to Patanjali’s founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for flouting previous orders of the Court and making misleading claims.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday passed an interim order imposing a ban on advertisements of Indian multinational conglomerate Patanjali Ayurved’s medicines [Indian Medical Association & Anr vs Union of India and Ors]

A bench of Justices Hima Kohli and Ahsanuddin Amanullah said that Patanjali has been taking the country for a ride by making misleading claims that its medicines would cure certain diseases despite no empirical evidence for the same.

The Court also pulled up Central government for not tackling misleading advertisements despite the present petition against the same having been filed in 2022.

“The entire country has been taken for a ride! For two years you wait when Drugs Act says this is prohibited?” the Court remarked.

The Court, therefore, ordered that Patanjali cannot advertise or market any of their medicinal products which they claim would treat ailments specified in the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.

“Respondents are restrained from advertising and branding their marketed medicinal products specified as treating diseases/ailments as in the rules, until further orders,” the Court said in its order.

The Court also ordered that Patanjali should not make adverse statements or claims against other forms of medicine.

“They are cautioned from making any statements adverse to any medicine system in any form in print or other media,” the Court ordered.

Pertinently, the Court also issued contempt of court notice to Patanjali’s founders Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna for flouting previous orders of the Court by continuing to propagate false and misleading claims regarding their products’ ability to cure diseases.

Balkrishna is the Chief Executive Officer of Patanjali.

“We issue notice to show cause (to Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna) as to why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against them. Reply to be filed within 2 weeks,” the order stated.

The entire country has been taken for a ride.
Supreme Court on Patanjali

The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) in their research said dying cancer cells release cell-free chromatin particles (cfChPs, or fragments of chromosomes) which can turn healthy cells into cancerous ones.

The Tata Institute in Mumbai, a premier cancer research and treatment facility in India, has claimed to have discovered a treatment that can prevent the resurgence of cancer the second time.
The researchers and doctors at the institute worked for 10 years and have now developed a tablet which they claim would prevent the occurrence of cancer for the second time in patients and will also reduce the side effects of treatments like radiation and chemotherapy by 50 per cent.

Speaking to NDTV, Dr Rajendra Badve, a senior cancer surgeon at Tata Memorial Hospital, who was part of the research group, said, “Human cancer cells were inserted in rats for the research, which formed a tumour in them. The rats were then treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. It was found that when these cancer cells die, they break into tiny pieces called Chromatin particles. These particles can travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream and when they enter healthy cells, they can turn them cancerous.”

The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), in their research, said dying cancer cells release cell-free chromatin particles (cfChPs, or fragments of chromosomes) which can turn healthy cells into cancerous ones. Some of the cfChPs may fuse with healthy chromosomes and cause new tumours.

“To find a solution to this problem, doctors gave pro-oxidant tablets with resveratrol and copper (R+Cu) to the rats,” Dr Badve told NDTV. The R+Cu generate Oxygen radicals, which destroy Chromatin Particles.

The ‘R+Cu’ when taken orally, generate Oxygen radicals in the stomach which are quickly absorbed to enter blood circulation. The oxygen radicals destroy cfChPs released in circulation and prevent ‘Metastases’ – The movement of cancer cells from one part of the body to another. The researchers claimed that R+Cu prevents Chemotherapy toxicity.

The researchers in their presentation called it the “Magic of R+Cu”.

This tablet will reduce the side effects of cancer treatment therapy by about 50 per cent and the second time it is about 30 per cent effective in preventing cancer. It can also be effective on the pancreas, lungs, and oral cancer.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/tata-institute-claims-big-breakthrough-in-cancer-treatment-5137416

Gyaneshwar Singh, NCB’s deputy director general (operations), said this is the highest ever seizure of drugs offshore in terms of quantity

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and the Indian Navy have seized the highest quantity of drugs—3500 kg—offshore to date worth over ₹1000 crore and arrested five men suspected to be from Pakistan or Iran from a ship in the Indian waters off the Gujarat coast, officials said on Wednesday.

The five arrested men do not have identity papers. They are either from Iran or Pakistan. This is the highest ever seizure offshore in the country, NCB’s deputy director general (operations) said. (X)
Gyaneshwar Singh, NCB’s deputy director general (operations), said the agency will share more details about the seizure later on Wednesday. “The five arrested men do not have identity papers. They are either from Iran or Pakistan. This is the highest ever seizure offshore [in terms of quantity] in the country,” Singh said.

The NCB has conducted three major operations in the Indian ocean with the Indian Navy over the last two years. In February 2022, they recovered 221 kg methamphetamine from a ship off Gujarat coast. Another 200 kg high grade heroin was seized from a ship near the Kerala coast in October 2022.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/3500-kg-drugs-seized-in-indian-waters-off-gujarat-coast-101709091892486.html

The officer, Additional Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar, posted in the operations wing of the Manipur Police, was rescued after a swift action by police and security forces, the officials said.

Imphal: The Army was called in as fresh tension mounted in Manipur on Tuesday and four columns of the Assam Rifles were deployed in Imphal East after a senior police officer was abducted allegedly by cadres of the Arambai Tenggol, a Meitei organisation, from his residence, officials said.

The officer, Additional Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar, posted in the operations wing of the Manipur Police, was rescued after a swift action by police and security forces, the officials said.

The officer has been admitted to a hospital where his condition is stated to be stable.

Giving details of the incident that took place around 7 pm on Tuesday, the officials said that a group of cadres owing allegiance to the Arambai Tenggol attacked the house of Kumar at Wangkhei in Imphal East.

The reason for this indiscriminate firing was that the officer concerned had arrested six members of the group for their alleged involvement in vehicle theft, the officials said.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/manipur/army-called-in-amid-fresh-tension-in-manipur-assam-rifles-deployed-after-senior-cop-abducted-briefly-2913078

The prosecution complaint was filed on January 25 by the ED before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act court, which is yet to take cognisance of it.

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a fresh chargesheet against Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and some others in a money laundering case linked to alleged issuance of visas to some Chinese nationals in 2011, official sources said.

The prosecution complaint was filed on January 25 by the central agency before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court, which is yet to take cognisance of it, the sources said.

Apart from Karti Chidambaram, the son of senior Congress leader and former Union minister P Chidambaram, the ED has named his close associate S Bhaskararaman and some others in the chargesheet.

The court has listed the matter for hearing on March 16, the sources said.

Karti Chidambaram, 52, is a Lok Sabha MP from Sivaganga seat in Tamil Nadu and the agency has recorded his statement in the case a number of times.

The MP earlier has said the ED probe in this case was a ‘fishing and roving’ enquiry and that he has submitted all documents to the agency.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/ed-files-fresh-chargesheet-against-congress-mp-karti-chidambaram-in-money-laundering-case-2910748

The driver of the vehicle died and six policemen were injured. All injured were being treated at the Government Medical College & Hospital, Purnea.

An escort vehicle from the convoy of Rashtriya Janata Dal’s (RJD) Tejashwi Yadav met with an accident in Bihar’s Purnea late Wednesday night.

The driver of the escort vehicle, identified as home guard Haleem Alam by LiveHindustan, died and six policemen with the convoy were injured in the incident. All injured were being treated at the Government Medical College & Hospital (GMCH), Purnea.

As per a video posted by PTI, a car of Yadav’s convoy met with an accident with another car. The video shows a vehicle pulling the cars away and the front of the car being completely damaged.

One of the escort policemen said, “One of our escort cars met with an accident under the Mufassil police station area. The driver of the car died on the spot and the remaining 6 police officials were injured in the accident. They are being treated in GMCH Hospital. Further investigation is underway.”

Yadav is currently on a ‘Jan Vishwas Yatra’, which began on February 20 and was to continue for 11 days, during which he will travel all 38 districts of the state.

Aaj Tak reported that the incident occurred in close proximity to Bilauri Panorama Height in Purnia. A vehicle from Yadav’s Jan Vishwas Yatra convoy lost control, breached a divider, and collided with a vehicle travelling in the opposite lane. Reportedly, three individuals in the impacted vehicle sustained severe injuries. They have been hospitalised. The condition of several injured individuals is reported to be critical.

As per LiveHindustan, there were three men and a woman travelling in the other car were also injured and were taken to the GMCH.

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/rjd-leader-tejashwi-yadav-convoy-accident-1-dead-101709003289695.html

“Retired district judges are getting pension of ₹ 19,000-20,000. After long service, how will they survive?” questioned Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, while hearing a petition from the All-India judges Association.

The pension amount of retired district judges has raised concern of the Supreme Court, which asked Attorney General R Venkataramani help bring about an “equitable solution”. Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud also pointed out that some High Court judges have approached the Supreme Court over non-payment of salaries as they were not allotted new GPF accounts after their promotion from the district judiciary.
“Retired district judges are getting pension of ₹ 19,000-20,000. After long service, how will they survive?” questioned the Chief Justice of India, while hearing a petition from the All-India judges Association.

“This is the kind of office where you become completely incompetent. You can’t jump into practice suddenly and go to the High Court at the age of 61-62 years,’ he added.

“We want a proper solution to this. You know the district judge is really suffering,” Justice Chandrachud said.

The Attorney General, who was representing the Central government in the matter, said he would look into the issue.

Earlier, the court had issued directions about the pay and service conditions of judges, going by the recommendations of the Second National Judicial Pay Commission.

The states were asked to clear arrears and High Courts were asked to form committees to ensure proper implementation.

The commission’s recommendations cover the pay structure, pension and family pension and allowances, besides dealing with the issue of establishing a permanent mechanism to determine the subjects of the service conditions of the district judiciary.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-will-retired-district-judges-survive-supreme-court-on-pension-5132422

From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to actress Madhuri Dixit, glowing tributes poured in for the ghazal maestro.

Source: https://www.deccanherald.com/india/his-ghazals-touched-souls-of-people-tributes-pour-in-from-all-walks-of-life-for-pankaj-udhas-2910967

Nithin Kamath, Co-Founder and CEO of the discount broking platform Zerodha, recently revealed that he suffered a mild stroke six weeks ago. In a candid post, Kamath attributed the stroke to a combination of factors, including the passing away of his father, poor sleep, exhaustion, dehydration, and intense workouts.

Kamath described his journey from experiencing significant facial drooping and struggling with reading and writing to gradually recovering.

He now expects a full recovery within 3 to 6 months. The doctor advised him to recognize when to ease off and take care of himself, even for someone who maintains a fit lifestyle.

Despite the setback, Kamath remains resilient. He was also nominated as a non-official member of the government’s reconstituted National Start-up Advisory Council (NASC) in December 2023. The NASC aims to foster innovation and support startups in India.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/gadgets-news/zerodha-co-founder-nithin-kamath-has-an-important-health-tip-for-everyone/articleshow/108025490.cms

Replying to her post, the Delhi customs informed that she wasn’t co-operating, and creating a “fuss” about bag checking. The department also shared video footage to support its claim.

In response to Kashmiri journalist Yana Mir’s outrage about a ‘bag checking’ incident at Delhi’s IGI airport, Delhi customs department responded by saying, “privileges are not above law”. Customs department also stressed that bag scanning of international passengers is done ‘routinely’.

Notably, earlier in the day on Monday (26th February), Kashmir-based Journalist Yana Mir had shared a video on X (formerly Twitter) alleging mistreatment by the Delhi customs officials when she arrived at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. According to her claim, the customs officials asked questions as if they considered her a “brand smuggler”.

Taking to X, Mir shared a post along with the video of the bag scanning that had gone viral. In the post, she wrote, “How I was welcomed back to India: Madam scan your bag, open your bag, why you have Louis Vuitton shopping bags? Did you pay for them? Where are the bills???? What Londoners think of me: INDIAN MEDIA WARRIOR. What Delhi customs thinks of me: Brand Smuggler.”

Replying to her post, the Delhi customs informed that she wasn’t co-operating, and creating a “fuss” about bag checking. The department also shared video footage to support its claim.

To her post, the Delhi Customs (Airport and General) replied, “Bag scanning of international passengers is done routinely. While other paxs (passengers) put their luggage inside the scanner without any fuss Ms Yana Mir felt needlessly offended. Staff remained courteous throughout. Privileges are not above law. Footage tells the story.”

In another reply, it added, “Ms Yana Mir didn’t cooperate at all when requested to get her bags scanned. Her luggage was ultimately picked up by airline staff and Customs officer for scanning as seen in the footage.”

Source: https://www.opindia.com/2024/02/delhi-customs-yana-mir-igi-airport/

The Haryana Police, investigating the murder of Nafe Singh Rathee, has said a UK-based gangster was suspected to be involved in the case.

A UK-based gangster was likely involved in the killing of Nafe Singh Rathee, Haryana unit president of Indian National Lok Dal and former MLA, the Haryana Police has said.

The police also said they would interrogate a close associate of the gangster, lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, in connection with the case. Earlier, the police interrogated Sandeep, alias Kala Jathedi, one of the top gangsters in Haryana, in Tihar Jail.

During interrogations, Sandeep denied any involvement in Singh’s murder.

Rathee and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) worker Jai Kishan were killed when unidentified assailants sprayed their sports utility vehicle (SUV) with bullets at Bahadurgarh, near Delhi, on Sunday. The assailants who shot dead Rathee in his SUV told his nephew, who was driving the vehicle, that they were sparing his life so that he could inform his family, according to an FIR.

In the FIR, the police named former MLA Naresh Kaushik, Karambir Rathee, Ramesh Rathee, Satish Rathee, Gaurav Rathee, Rahul and Kamal.

The FIR also mentioned five unnamed accused.

Meanwhile, in his police complaint, Rathee’s nephew Rakesh said five unidentified killers, who were following them in a car, came out and fired indiscriminately near the Barahi railway crossing. Complainant Rakesh told police that he was behind the wheel and Rathee was sitting next to him. In the rear seat, two persons, including the INLD worker killed in the incident, were sitting.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/foreign-based-gangster-likely-involved-in-nafe-rathee-murder-haryana-police-investigations-2507526-2024-02-27

India also expressed concerns about attempts by developed countries to club long-standing development issues with new issues of trade and industrial policy

NEW DELHI : India expressed concerns about the increasing use of unilateral trade protectionist measures being justified in the guise of environmental protection, at the World Trade Organization’s 13th ministerial conference that began in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

Speaking at a session on sustainable development and policy space for industrialization, India’s commerce secretary Sunil Barthwal said the country has propagated a sustainable way of living as a key to combating climate change.

These, he said, are based on traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass movement for ‘Life Style for Environment’.

Barthwal expressed concerns about the increasing use of trade protectionist unilateral measures that are being justified in the guise of environmental protection.

Developing countries seek appropriate policy space to find solutions to their concerns, some of which have been left unaddressed for long, Barthwal said.

“India is of the firm view that developing countries require flexibility in the existing WTO agreements to overcome the constraints faced by them in their industrialization,” he added.

He also expressed concerns about attempts by developed countries to club long-standing development issues such as policy space for industrial development with new issues of trade and industrial policy.

Trade ministers and top bureaucrats from 164 countries are meeting in Abu Dhabi to tackle a broad range of topics, including agriculture, fisheries, and the link between trade and sustainable development.

WTO’s member nations will also discuss banning subsidies that contribute to overfishing, extending a pause on taxes on digital media such as movies and video games, and agricultural issues.

However, big deals are unlikely to get through as various countries are yet to agree on key issues. WTO’s rules require full consensus among all 164 member states.

Speaking at another session on ‘Trade and Inclusion’, the commerce secretary said the members mixing non-trade topics with WTO rules can lead to greater trade fragmentation.

“Bringing issues like gender and (micro, small and medium enterprises) in the realm of WTO discussions was not practical because these issues were being discussed in other relevant international organisations already,” Barthwal said.

Issues like inclusion are better addressed through contextual and targeted national measures and these do not fall in the domain of international trade relations, he added.

Barthwal said several developed countries were already considering adopting trade distortive subsidies and had erected non-trade barriers in the name of non-trade issues, expressing concerns about unilateralism and its negative spillover effect on the trade interests of developing countries.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/at-wto-meet-india-calls-out-trade-masquerading-as-environmental-protection-11708963770075.html

An Indian-origin professor at the University of Westminster in London Nitasha Kaul alleged that she was denied entry into India after she landed in Bengaluru to take part in a seminar on the Constitution organised by the Karnataka government.

Bengaluru: An Indian-origin professor at the University of Westminster in London Nitasha Kaul alleged that she was denied entry into India after she landed in Bengaluru to take part in a seminar on the Constitution organised by the Karnataka government. Kaul is an Overseas Citizen of India.

She is a faculty member at the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Westminster. Kaul claimed that she was invited by the Karnataka government for the conference on ‘The Constitution and Unity of India’ being held in Bengaluru on Saturday and Sunday.

Kaul alleged that she was denied entry by the Centre despite having all the valid documents. She landed at the Kenpagowda Airport in Bengaluru on February 23. “Denied entry to #India for speaking on democratic & constitutional values. I was invited to a conference as an esteemed delegate by Govt of #Karnataka (Congress-ruled state) but Centre refused me entry. All my documents were valid & current,” the professor said in one of her tweets.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/indian-origin-uk-professor-nitasha-kaul-alleges-she-was-denied-entry-into-india-despite-karnataka-government-invite-bjp-reacts-article-107990002 

Known to be close to China, Muizzu came to power in November last year with a distinctly anti-India position. One of the first foreign policy decisions taken by him after assuming office was to officially request the Indian government withdraw its military personnel from the Maldives. At present, around 70 Indian troops, along with Dornier 228 maritime patrol aircraft and two HAL Dhruv helicopters, are stationed in the Maldives.

Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu claims about “thousands of Indian military personnel” in the country were debunked by a key opposition leader in the country, who said it was just another lie in a string of misinformation by the former. Abdulla Shahid, a former Maldivian minister of foreign affairs, also added that there are no armed foreign soldiers stationed in their country.

Posting on his social media account X, Abdulla Shahid said, “100 days in, it’s clear: President Muizzu’s claims of ‘thousands of Indian military personnel’ were just another in a string of lies. The current administration’s inability to provide specific numbers speaks volumes. There are no armed foreign soldiers stationed in the country.”

Abdulla Shahid, who is the newly elected president of the Maldivian Democratic Party, further stressed that transparency matters and that the truth must prevail.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/india/maldivian-opposition-leader-abdulla-shahid-debunks-mohamed-muizzus-indian-military-presence-claims-just-another-in-a-string-of-lies-article-107994301

Hey Ira,

Kaise ho? Into your second semester and loving Canada! Time is flying, truly.

Back in India, the exam season looms. Stress is in the air. And the centrepiece of it all, as you know, is Kota. The city’s famous—or infamous—coaching industry, and the pressure-cooker environment in which thousands of youngsters prepare for competitive exams there, gets worse each year.

“I am sorry Papa!”

“Sorry Mamma..”

“Please hume maaf kar dijiyega…” (please forgive me..)

“I (am the) worst daughter. Sorry mummy, papa. Yahi last option hai…” (This is the last option)

These are excerpts from notes left behind by students from all parts of India, enrolled at coaching centres in Kota, who chose death by suicide. Look at what is common in these letters—they all say ‘Sorry’. Not only did these students end their lives, but they also blamed themselves as they took that fatal step. Sadly, we know that is not the truth.

As many as 29 student suicides were reported in Kota in 2023 alone, the highest the city has seen since 2015. That’s more than two suicides a month. Imagine how this news, recurring every 14 days, plays on the minds of the thousands of students studying there. Each of them fully relates to such cases, because the stress that triggers every suicide is felt by them all. Each death must surely shake up every student, scarring them and scaring them about their own future.

Yet we throw them into that cauldron of stress called Kota without a parachute, and with little guidance about what stress is, how it can hit them, hurt them, and even claim their lives.

Cash-Rich Coaching Centers, Yet…
Our morning newspapers routinely carry full-page ads posted by all kinds of coaching institutes, right through the year. They flaunt the mugshots of their top-ranking students, their star lecturers, and often the ‘inspirational’ founder of the centre. Along with real estate developers, paan masala companies and the government, these coaching institutes are among the biggest advertisers these days.

While they do make a lot of money – the size of Kota’s coaching industry is pegged upwards of ₹ 5,000 crore – ​they seem to spend much of it on blowing their own trumpets, and nearly not enough on creating a security net for their students. Perhaps they feel it’s not their problem. Perhaps they feel they are there only to teach, and that the stress of preparing for competitive exams is for students and their families to handle. Not true. If schools and colleges are duty-bound to look out for the mental health of their students, then why not coaching centres? Especially when most students in Kota’s coaching centres spend not months but years there.

I often feel like putting out a full-page newspaper ad with the faces of students who chose death by suicide in Kota. It would help people understand that Kota’s coaching centres do not produce just exam toppers. There is also this other grim list of those who went to the same coaching centres but ended their lives because they were not enabled to cope with pressure. For which, in large part, these coaching centres must accept responsibility.

Mental Health Security Net, What’s That?
“…and, please will the government, will HRD do something about these coaching institutes? They suck and should be shut down as soon as possible.”

Another student, another note. Look at the clarity she had on how the system was broken, but having so little hope that it could be fixed, she punished herself instead, taking her own life.

There must be a few sensitive professors in Kota giving good advice to students, but surely it can’t be left at that. A mental health security net, with its various checks and balances, must be an ‘institutional’ organ. And there should be zero tolerance for coaching centres that do not put such measures in place.

What measures are we talking about? We are talking about a healthy student-to-lecturer ratio, about spacious, brightly lit classrooms and equally comfortable and welcoming campuses. We are talking about regular mental health counselling on-campus, which is easily accessible to students. We are talking about the sensitisation of both faculty and students towards vocabulary that may trigger anxiety and thoughts of self-harm, and of how to look for signs that a peer or a student may be facing mental health issues.

Coaching centres must be assessed for whether they have these measures in place. It is a lucrative business, so they should be made to comply. If not, there should be a heavy price to pay, including the prospect of being shut down. Coaching centres are known to pay off government inspectors to get approvals and certifications. As a result, even now in Kota, dingy, stuffy, crowded coaching centres proliferate, with a destructive ‘do or die’ ethos reigning supreme. We can only hope such centres and government inspectors stop cutting corners and feel responsible for the youngsters dying by suicide.

Living And Dying For ‘Dadaji’s Dream’
“Iss bar hum hard work kar rahe the, but phir bhi result nahi aaya… hamari himmat nahi hogi aapse nazre milane ki isliye… apni life khatam kar rahe hain” (this year I worked hard, yet did not get a better result… I won’t be able to face you, so I’m ending my life)

“Sorry Dadaji, but I am not the engineer kind… sorry for being weak.. but I (have) no strength left..”

These two excerpts from more suicide notes reveal the reality of parental and family pressure, against which many students are trying to fulfil their ‘dadaji’s dream’ (grandfather’s dream) and not their own. Families often pin their hopes on a bright child, committing all their savings to the exorbitant coaching centre fees and rent in Kota. The youngster is expected to excel, get a good rank, get a degree from a prominent college, get a well-paid job, and transform the fortunes of the entire family. No one really asks the youngster what his or her preferences are. It’s dadaji’s dream, no questions asked. Stress? That’s normal. Suck it up. Go to Kota.

And that is the pressure cooker situation the youngster finds herself in. There’s a coaching centre that says it’s there to coach and not ‘mollycoddle’ her, so she can’t turn to them as her mind begins to darken. Her family just wants her to send smiling selfies with her books and keep up the pretence that she’s enjoying fulfilling dadaji’s dream. She can’t turn to her family either. And her peers, all of them in the same rat race, mostly teens struggling with their own troubles, are rarely able to help either. And thus she gradually isolates herself, consumed by the rapidly building stress and anxiety. Until the pressure cooker explodes one day, and ‘Dadaji’s dream’ shatters.

But, Where Are The Psychiatrists And Psychologists?
Ira, you are studying psychology, and you know mental health has a lot to do with how much attention a country’s government pays to it. In India, sadly, mental health gets very little attention. Even as a people, most of us are poorly informed and simply live in denial of mental health issues. The students in Kota face this too.

But while many don’t come forward for treatment owing to the stigma attached to having a ‘mental problem’, the equally important fact is that India is glaringly short of mental health practitioners.

Let’s look beyond Kota for a bigger picture. In 2021, over 13,000 students died by suicide in India. That’s more than 35 a day. A 70% rise between 2011 and 2021. Across India, just under 1,40,000 suicides were recorded in 2019. A 2017 study in The Lancet suggested 14.3% of Indians were dealing with mental illness. That is 200 million people—more than the entire populations of Canada, Germany and France put together!

India though, despite being aware of the scale of the challenge, has a ratio of just 0.75 psychiatrists for every 1 lakh people. This is sorely below our target of three psychiatrists for 1 lakh citizens. Meanwhile, in Canada, the ratio is 13 psychiatrists per 1,00,000 people! Yes, we lag way behind.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/blog/sorry-papa-forgive-me-suicide-notes-from-kotas-coaching-centres-and-a-plea-for-change-5123632

Woman killed: The woman has been identified as Sushilamma, who was living with her daughter in a rented flat near Bengaluru’s Nisarga Layout, close to KR Puram

A 70-year-old woman’s body has been found in KR Puram area in Bengaluru. The dismembered body was put in a drum, which was dumped at a vacant lot near an abandoned house.

The woman has been identified as Sushilamma, who was living with her daughter in a rented flat near Nisarga Layout, close to KR Puram. “The victim was living with her daughter and 2-3 relatives. All their relatives live nearby,” Raman Gupta, the Additional Commissioner East, told reporters.

The police said the perpetrators had cut off the woman’s arms and legs, which are missing.

The body was discovered after the locals complained to the police about the foul smell emanating from the place.

“The incident may have happened yesterday. I am here with senior officers to examine the spot,” Mr Gupta said.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/70-year-old-woman-killed-in-bengaluru-body-chopped-up-in-pieces-5126665

Sikkim, the only Indian state without access to railways, is all set to undergo a connectivity revolution. As per news agency ANI, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the state’s first railway station on Monday (Feb 26).

“Rangpo station is the form of a touristic and defensive point of view for Sikkim and India”, said Deputy Railway Manager of Alipurduar, Amarjeet Agrawal.

“Basically, Sikkim did not have a railway line earlier. The government has signed this project in three phases. In the first phase, Sevoke to the Rangpo rail project; in the second phase, from Rangpo to Gangtok; and the third phase, from Gangtok to Nathula,” the official added.

Sikkim became India’s part on 16 May 1975 as the country’s 22nd state when the monarchy was abolished.

India’s first underground station
The Sikkim railway station will be built as a part of the Sivok-Rangpo railway project, launched back in October 2009. The railway line’s projected length is almost 45km, spanning from West Bengal’s Sivok to Sikkim’s Rangpo.

The line will have five stations in total, including one in Teesta Bazar, which could be India’s first underground halt station. The line will have four open crossing stations (Sivok, Riyang, Melli, Rangpo).

According to project director Mohinder Singh, out of 45 km, three and a half km is part of Sikkim state and 41.5 km is part of West Bengal.

He further adds details about the Teesta Bazar railway station. “Teesta Bazar station could be an underground railway station,” he said.

Source: https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sikkims-49-year-wait-ends-as-indian-state-all-set-to-get-its-first-railway-station-693764

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Niranjan Hiranandani and his son Darshan Hiranandani, the promoters of prominent Mumbai-based real estate developer Hiranandani Group, for questioning in a foreign exchange violation case on February 26

Hiranandani Group co-founder and Managing Director Niranjan Hiranandani and his son Darshan Hiranandani have been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday i.e. February 26, 2024 in alleged violation of provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), news agency PTI reported on Sunday citing sources.

The report said the promoters of Mumbai-based real estate company have been asked to depose at the ED office in Mumbai but they may choose to submit their primary responses through an authorised representative.

It is important to note that about four premises of the real estate major in and around Mumbai were searched by the federal probe agency last week for alleged violation of foreign exchange regulations. Apart from some foreign transactions, the ED is said to be probing the beneficiaries of a British Virgin Islands (BVI)-based trust allegedly linked to the Hiranandani Group promoters.

Darshan Hiranandani lives in Dubai and was in the news recently in the cash-for-query scandal involving TMC MP Mahua Moitra.

After the searches, the Hiranandani Group released a statement, stating it was extending full cooperation to the ED in the FEMA case.

Probe not linked to Mahua Moitra case
The report said the searches against the group have anything to do with the Mohua Moitra—who was expelled as a Lok Sabha MP in December last year—case, which is going on separately. The ED is probing allegations of BJP MP Nishikant Dubey that the TMC leader had asked questions in the Lok Sabha to target the Adani Group and Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the behest of Darshan Hiranandani in lieu of gifts.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/hiranandani-group-promoters-niranjan-and-son-darshan-summoned-by-ed-in-fema-case-11708864009316.html

Farmers protest: The farmers’ bodies have planned to take the tractor march through the Yamuna Expressway, Luharli Toll Plaza, and Mahamaya Flyover.

Ahead of the planned tractor march organised by the Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) and Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) today, the Noida Police has issued a traffic advisory, warning commuters of potential disruptions and diversions in the Delhi-Noida border region. The tractor rally will begin at 12 pm and will continue till 4 pm.
The BKU plans to conduct the tractor march along the Yamuna Expressway, stretching from Mehndipur in Rabupura to Falaida. To ensure the safety of the event, the police have implemented prohibitory orders under Section 144 and deployed additional personnel at key entry and exit points of Delhi and Noida.

The farmers’ bodies have planned to take the tractor march through the Yamuna Expressway, Luharli Toll Plaza, and Mahamaya Flyover.

To manage the anticipated traffic disruptions, the Noida Police has outlined specific measures in their traffic advisory. Vehicles traveling from Chilla border to Delhi can use the Sector 14A flyover via Golchakkar Chowk Sector-15, while those coming from the DND border can use the elevated route via the Film City flyover in Sector 18. Similarly, vehicles from Kalindi border can navigate through Mahamaya flyover via Sector 37.

For commuters using Yamuna Expressway, the advisory suggests using alternative routes and opting for the metro to minimise inconvenience. Goods vehicles on specific routes will face restrictions, and drivers are advised to consider alternative paths to reach their destinations.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/farmers-protest-farmers-tractor-march-today-delhi-noida-border-braces-for-massive-jams-5127992

The con — which drained Shreya Datta, 37, of her savings and retirement funds while saddling her with debt.

Philadelphia, United States: The “wine trader” wooed her online for months with his flirtatious smile and emoji-sprinkled texts. Then he went for the kill, defrauding the Philadelphia-based tech professional out of $450,000 in a cryptocurrency romance scam.
The con — which drained Shreya Datta, 37, of her savings and retirement funds while saddling her with debt — involved the use of digitally altered deepfake videos and a script so sophisticated that she felt her “brain was hacked.”

The scam is commonly known as “pig butchering,” with victims likened to hogs fattened up by fraudsters with feigned love and affection before the proverbial slaughter — tricking them into a fake crypto investment.

The rapid growth of this fraud, thought to be run by crime syndicates in Southeast Asia, has resulted in losses worth billions of dollars in the United States, with victims saying there is little recourse to recover the money.

As it has for many victims, Datta’s experience began on a dating app — Hinge, in her case, where last January she met “Ancel,” who introduced himself as a French wine trader based in Philadelphia.

Datta said she was “charisma bombed” as the conversation quickly moved to WhatsApp. The gym buff with a dreamy smile deleted his Hinge profile to give her “focused attention,” a refreshing experience in the age of fleeting online relationships.

They exchanged selfies, flirty emoticons and did brief video calls in which the suave but “shy” man posed with a dog, later determined to be AI deepfakes.

They texted daily, with “Ancel” enquiring about little things like whether she had eaten, preying on Datta’s desire for a caring companion after her divorce.

Plans to physically meet kept getting pushed back, but Datta was not immediately suspicious. On Valentine’s Day last year, she received a bouquet from “Ancel” sent from a Philadelphia flower shop, with the card addressing her as “Honey Cream.”

When she sent him a selfie, posing with the flowers, he sprayed her with red kiss mark emojis, according to WhatsApp exchanges seen by AFP.

‘Traumatizing’

Between the mushy exchanges, “Ancel” sold her a dream.

“The dream was, ‘I’m retiring early, I’m well off. What is your plan?'” Datta, who is from India, told AFP.

“He’s like, ‘I’ve made all this money investing. Do you really want to work till you’re 65?'”

He sent her a link to download a crypto trading app — which came with two-factor authentication to make it appear legitimate — and showed her what he called money-making trades through annotated screenshots seen by AFP.

Datta converted some of her savings into cryptocurrency on the US-based exchange Coinbase and the fake app initially allowed her to withdraw her early gains, boosting her confidence to invest more.

“As you make astronomical amounts of money trading, it messes with your normal risk perception,” Datta said in hindsight.

“You feel like, ‘Wow, I can do even more.'”

“Ancel” egged her on to invest more savings, take out loans and, despite her reluctance, liquidate her retirement fund.

By March, Datta’s nearly $450,000 investment had more than doubled on paper, but alarm bells went off when she tried to withdraw the amount and the app demanded a personal “tax.”

She turned to her London-based brother, who did a reverse image search of the pictures “Ancel” had sent her and found they were of a German fitness influencer.

“When I realized it was all a scam and all the money was gone, I had proper PTSD symptoms — I couldn’t sleep, couldn’t eat, couldn’t function,” Datta said.

“It was very traumatizing.”

– ‘Brainwashed’ –
Dating sites are rife with disinformation, with Facebook groups such as “Tinder swindler dating scams” and “Are we dating the same guy?” cropping up, and researchers calling out the growing use of AI-generated profile pictures.

But the use of romance as a hook to commit financial fraud is provoking new alarm.

The FBI told AFP that last year more than 40,000 people reported losses totaling well over $3.5 billion from cryptocurrency fraud, including pig butchering, to the agency’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.

But that estimate is likely low, as many victims tend not to report the crime out of shame.

“What’s horrific about this crime is it is meant to take every last penny from its victim,” Erin West, a California-based prosecutor, told AFP, adding that she is “deluged with victims every day.”

Self-harm among victims is a common concern, campaigners say, with most unable to recover their losses and some falling prey to another breed of scammers — fake recovery agents.

Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/how-indian-woman-lost-her-savings-to-crypto-scammer-she-met-on-dating-app-5127960

Haryana Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) chief Nafe Singh Rathee and a party worker were killed after unidentified assailants fired several rounds of bullets at their SUV in Bahadurgarh near Delhi on Sunday, a senior party leader said. Three private gunmen hired by Rathee for security also suffered injuries in the attack.

According to news agency ANI, police have named four suspects in its FIR, including Naresh Kaushik, Ramesh Rathi, Sathish Rathi, and Rahul.

The Haryana INLD chief’s son, Jitendra Rathee, said, “After my father’s death, his body was shifted to the mortuary at around 3 to 3:30 am and an FIR was registered at around 4 am. We will not perform the last rites of my father until the names of the accused mentioned in the FIR are arrested and we are provided security. I think local politicians are involved in this.”

The attack, which came weeks before the Lok Sabha elections, drew sharp reactions from opposition parties, which alleged a breakdown in law and order in the BJP-ruled state.

INLD leader Abhay Chautala said that Rathee and a party worker accompanying him were shot dead. Three private gunmen, whom Rathee had hired for security, also received injuries, Chautala said, adding, “No police security had been given to him.”

Chautala, who later visited the hospital in Bahadurgarh where the bodies were kept, demanded a CBI probe into the incident. Meanwhile, another party leader claimed that at least 20 rounds of bullets were fired at the politician.

Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij said he spoke to officials and ordered them to take immediate action in the matter.

He said the Special Task Force is probing the matter and the culprits will be nabbed soon.

Rathee, aged around 70, was travelling in an SUV when the assailants, who were in a car, attacked him in Bahadurgarh town in Jhajjar district.

Doctors at the hospital said that Rathee had suffered injuries in neck, stomach, spine and thigh and suffered heavy blood loss.

Rathee was elected MLA from Bahadurgarh twice in 1996 and 2005. Chautala accused the government of failing to provide Rathee with security despite there being threat to his life, and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Home Minister Anil Vij.

“The two-time MLA, who is our state unit chief, was not provided with security. In writing, representations had been made to senior police officers and state home minister that he was facing threats and should be provided with security,” he said.

“Rathee had earlier told me that that he was informed by some police personnel that he faces threat. Later, I also spoke to SP Jhajjar over phone and brought this to his notice…. Had he been provided with security, such a situation would not have arisen,” Chautala said.

Jhajjar Superintendent of Police Arpit Jain said that teams of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) and the Special Task Force (STF) of the police were looking into the incident.

Source: https://www.news18.com/india/inld-haryana-chief-nafe-singh-killed-after-20-bullets-fired-at-his-suv-oppn-says-he-sought-security-8792924.html

Using just an alias as a clue, Delhi Police’s Southern Range Special Cell traced Hanif Sheikh, a wanted SIMI terrorist who had been absconding for the last 22 years.

A special cell of the Delhi Police arrested Hanif Sheikh (47), an elusive member of the banned organisation Students’ Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), on February 22. The only clue police had to arrest him was an alias he used while he was editor of a magazine under SIMI.

Hanif Sheikh, described as the most notorious and wanted SIMI terrorist by the Delhi Police, also goes by the names of Mohd Hanif and Haneef Hudai. He had been absconding for 22 years and was declared a proclaimed offender in 2002.

A case was filed against him in 2001 at the New Friends Colony Police Station in Delhi on sedition charges and offences under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

According to the police, Hanif Sheikh was the editor of ‘Islamic Movement’, a magazine under SIMI and was involved in inducting more members to the banned organisation. His identity could not be established by the police and the only clue they had was the name ‘Haneef Hudai’ which was printed on the magazine.

The Delhi Police’s Southern Range Special Cell had been trying to arrest Hanif Sheikh for four years.

HOW POLICE TRACED HANIF SHEIKH
As per the police, Hanif Sheikh played an important role in attending meetings of SIMI in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Karnataka and Kerala. However, whenever police cracked down on the banned organisation’s activities, Hanif Sheikh would slip away from their hands.

To arrest Sheikh, the Delhi Police’s Southern Range Special Cell started to collect information about him from different states. The team deployed their informants in as many as seven states to track Sheikh and his associates.

An informant then told the police that Sheikh had changed his identity and was working at an Urdu school in Maharashtra’s Bhusawal.

Accordingly, a team was set up to arrest Sheikh from the area. On February 22, police identified a suspicious man who was going from Mohmadin Nagar to Khadka Road as Hanif Sheikh. A scuffle between the two sides ensued after police cornered Sheikh.

“Around 2.50 pm on February 22, a person travelling from Mohmadin Nagar to Khadka Road was identified as Hanif. As members of the team began to corner him, Hanif attempted to escape but was arrested after a scuffle,” Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Alok Kumar was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

However, police managed to arrest the absconding terrorist after more than two decades.

WHO IS HANIF SHEIKH?
Hanif Sheikh joined SIMI in 1997 and became highly radicalised after interacting with its members. He then started inducting other young Muslims into the organisation.

In 2001, Sahid Badar, then President of SIMI, appointed Hanif Sheikh as the editor of the Urdu edition of ‘Islamic Movement’. Sheikh wrote several provocative articles on Muslims in India while he was the editor of the magazine.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/hanif-sheikh-arrested-students-islamic-movement-of-india-on-the-run-22-years-delhi-police-2506928-2024-02-25

Immersing himself in the depths of the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat, he offered prayers at the sacred site where the legendary city of Dwarka is said to have vanished following Lord Krishna’s departure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed profound fulfillment on Sunday, declaring that his “decades-old dream was completed today.” Immersing himself in the depths of the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat, he offered prayers at the sacred site where the legendary city of Dwarka is said to have vanished following Lord Krishna’s departure. Dwarka, intricately entwined with the lore of Lord Krishna, once stood as a beacon of opulence and affluence.

Narrating his experience while addressing a rally in Dwarka, PM Modi said, “Today, I experienced those moments with will stay with me forever… I went deep in the sea and did ‘Darshan’ of the ancient Dwarka city. Archeologists have written a lot about the Dwarka city hidden underwater. In our scriptures also, it is said about Dwarka that it was a city with beautiful gates and tall buildings, as tall as the top of the world. Lord Krishna himself constructed this city

Describing further, PM Modi said, “When I went deep in the sea, I experienced the divinity… I bowed down in front of Dwarkadhish. I took a peacock feather with me and placed it at Lord Krishna’s feet. I had always been curious to go there and touch the remains of the ancient Dwarka city. I am full of emotions today… A decades-old dream was completed today…”

Prime Minister Modi had earlier taken to social media site X to post pictures of his underwater expedition. He wrote, “To pray in the city of Dwarka, which is immersed in the waters, was a very divine experience. I felt connected to an ancient era of spiritual grandeur and timeless devotion. May Bhagwan Shri Krishna bless us all.”

Source: https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/decades-old-dream-completed-pm-modi-after-going-underwater-in-deep-sea-to-witness-hidden-ancient-of-dwarka-city

The decision was taken during a state cabinet meeting on Friday night chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

In a significant decision, the Assam Cabinet has scuttled the Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act, 1935 to curb child marriages.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the Act as outdated and emphasized that this move represents a substantial progress in curbing child marriages in Assam.

“The Assam Cabinet, on February 23, decided to repeal the antiquated Assam Muslim Marriages and Divorces Registration Act. This legislation permitted marriage registration even if the individuals hadn’t attained the legal ages of 18 and 21, as mandated by law. This decision underscores our commitment to eradicating child marriages in Assam,” stated the Chief Minister.

In the wake of repealing the law, the state government announced that District Commissioners and District Registrars would be empowered to take possession of registration records currently held by 94 Muslim Marriage Registrars, under the oversight of the Inspector General of Registration.

With Muslims constituting 34% of Assam’s population according to the 2011 Census, totaling 1.06 crore individuals out of a total population of 3.12 crore, this move holds significant implications.

Source : https://www.thestatesman.com/india/assam-govt-abolishes-muslim-marriage-act-to-stop-child-marriage-1503272698.html

Mobile internet services have been restored in seven Haryana districts on February 25, almost two weeks after they were suspended in the wake of farmers’ ‘Delhi Chalo’ protest, reported PTI.

An officials informed that mobile internet services that were suspended 2 weeks ago were restored in 7 Haryana districts on Sunday. The authorities imposed internet ban in Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa on February 11 and that was extended on February 13, 15, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23 and 24 over the regions of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa was restored today.

The mobile internet services suspension order was issued by the Home Department, the order stated that the curbs were imposed “to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in jurisdictions of Ambala, Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Jind, Hisar, Fatehabad and Sirsa, including Dabwali, districts in Haryana”. Officials informed that no fresh order has been issued to extend the suspension of the mobile services in the seven districts.

Residents welcomed the government’s decision as a resident of Ambala remarked, “Restoration of mobile internet services after a gap of several days is a big relief,” said Kamal, reported PTI.

The ongoing ‘Delhi Chalo’ farmer protest is being spearheaded by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha to pressurise the Centre to accept farmers’ demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops and a farm loan waiver. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Friday had said that the protesting farmers camping at the two border points will continue to be stationed there till February 29.

The key points at which protesting farmers from Punjab are agitating since February 13 are Shambhu and Khanauri border crossings that shares border with Haryana where their march was stopped by security personnel.

Source : https://www.livemint.com/news/india/farmers-protest-mobile-internet-services-restored-in-seven-haryana-districts-11708839209771.html

The passengers of the ill-fated tractor-trolley belonged to Etah district and they were going to take a bath in the Ganga river on full moon

Twenty-two people, including eight children, died when their tractor-trolley overturned and fell into a pond in Uttar Pradesh’s Kasganj district on Saturday, officials said.

Source : https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/many-killed-as-tractor-trolley-falls-into-pond-in-uttar-pradeshs-kasganj/article67881553.ece

Renowned sculptor Arun Yogiraj recently shared a rare glimpse into the creation process of the Ram Lalla idol for the Ayodhya temple on Instagram.

Arun Yogiraj, the talented sculptor behind the creation of the Ram Lalla idol gracing the ‘garbha griha’ of the Ayodhya temple, delighted fans by unveiling an exclusive glimpse into the statue’s making process on Instagram. The shared image offers a rare insight into Yogiraj’s meticulous craftsmanship before the consecration ceremony held on January 22.

In a reflective caption accompanying the post, Arun Yogiraj expressed the significance of physically connecting with the sculpture during its creation phase. “At the time of work in progress… Even after feeling confident about the proportions and symmetry, feeling the Ram Lalla through our sensitive touch will make a big difference in the final outcome,” he shared, underscoring the emotional investment poured into each stroke of his artistry.

The image shared by Yogiraj captures him poised before the Ram Lalla sculpture, delicately holding the idol’s chin, symbolizing both reverence and dedication to his craft.

The Instagram post quickly gained traction, amassing over 25,000 likes within a short span of time, with admiration pouring in from all corners. Users flooded the comments section with words of praise, lauding Yogiraj’s skill and dedication. “Great work, so proud of you,” remarked one user, while another chimed in, “This is so beautiful.” Heart emoticons flooded the comment section, showcasing the overwhelming appreciation for Yogiraj’s artistry.

The Ram Lalla idol, a masterpiece crafted from an azure-coloured Krishna Shila (black schist), stands at an impressive 51 inches tall. Depicting Lord Ram as a 5-year-old child standing on a lotus, the statue embodies grace and divinity, capturing the essence of the revered deity.

Source : https://www.dnaindia.com/viral/report-ayodhya-ram-lalla-sculptor-arun-yogiraj-shares-never-seen-before-image-from-idol-carving-process-3079284