Vijayawada Police Bust Gang Selling Mule SIM Cards

Vijayawada: The Vijayawada Cyber Crime Police busted a seven-member gang supplying mule SIM Cards to cyber criminals in Visakhapatnam and seized 998 SIM cards, Biometric Machine, and cell phones from their possession. The arrested have been identified as Repaka Ramji (28), Nambala Nithin (30), Telu Pranay Kumar (21), Nanda Rupesh (20), Kagithala Simhadri (21), Pandiri Satynarayana (22) and Bandi Narayana Murthy (29), all belonging to Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram districts. Investigating into a complaint lodged by a senior citizen who was cheated by a cyber fraudster of Rs.30.37 lakh, the cybercrime police said the accused approached the victim through a Whatsapp video call on May 24 where the accused introduced himself as the Mumbai Cyber Crime DCP and said the victim had two SIM cards and two bank accounts in Mumbai, which were used for illegal activities. The police said Raj Kundra, who is accused in many cases in Mumbai, is constantly talking on the phone, and said the accused is depositing the fraudulent amount in the accounts of the complainant. A case has been registered against the complainant in Mumbai on this matter, a fake FIR, arrest warrant and fake documents were sent to the complainant through Whatsapp. Fearing the cyber fraudsters threats and as per the instructions, the victim paid Rs. 30,37,000 in two installments in the accuseds account. The victim realized that he had been cheated as the criminals called the complainant and demanded more money, and complained to the Vijayawada Cyber Crime Police Station. A cyber crime police team found that the SIM cards used by the accused were taken from Visakhapatnam and the cyber crime police team led by Murthi reached Visakhapatnam and found interesting things. During the investigation, the police found that executives who sell SIM cards collect Aadhaar card and thumb impressions of users. After the users take the SIM card and leave, another SIM card is created, activated and sold to anti-social forces for huge sums of money. The police withheld Rs1.21 crore in the bank account to which the victim transferred the amount and they further contacted the bank officials and made arrangements to return Rs.30.37 lakh to the victim. The police found a whopping Rs6.02 crore was deposited into the same bank account through various cyber crime transactions which were immediately transferred to various other bank accounts. NTR District Commissioner of Police (CP) P.H.D. Rama Krishna said it has been found the criminals seem to be committing these crimes from Cambodia and that the accused will be arrested following a thorough investigation.

Nalgonda police bust 11-member thief gang

Nalgonda : The Nalgonda district police on Friday busted an 11-member gang which allegedly stole galvanized iron (GI) bundles and aluminium sheets from the Yadadari Thermal Power Plant at Damaracherla. The police recovered four GI bundles worth `71 lakh, `58 lakh cash, a car and two motorcycles, adding up to `1.49 crore from the possession of the gang members. The gang comprised of Sheik Mohammed, 30, Sheik Muneer, 31, Kambala Ashok, 32, Sheik Razak, 29, Mohammed Feroz, 31, Mandha Srinu, 27, Manda Mahesh, 30, Manda Nagendra Babu, 28, Amit Kumar Bharadwaj, 43, Mohammed Jhani, 31, and Ravindra Prasad (40). Manda Narendra Babu was a security guard while Amit Kumar Baradwaj and Rajendra Prasad were operators at the thermal power plant. They joined hands with the thief gang and carried out thefts of GI bundles and aluminium sheets for one-and-a-half years. Presenting the gang to the media here, Nalgonda police superintendent Chandana Deepthi said officials of BHEL and other construction companies had lodged complaints with the Wadapally police on theft of the material. The police filed three cases and formed a special police team to crack the cases, she added. The arrested gang members confessed that they sold the GI bundles and aluminium sheets to Sharbuddin at Musheerabad in Hyderabad.

Basil Joseph and Nazriya Nazim to lead Sookshmadarshini

Basil Joseph and Nazriya Nazim are set to act together for the first time in Sookshmadarshini, a new film which commenced production on Wednesday. It is helmed by M C Jithin, who made his directorial debut with the 2018 film Nonsense. Sookshmadarshini also stars Deepak Parambol, Sidharth Bharathan, Merin Philp, Akhila Bhargavan, Pooja Mohanraj, Kottayam Ramesh, Gopan Mangat, Manohari Joy, Rini Udayakumar, Jaya Kurup, Muskaan Bisaria, Apab qrna Ram, Abhiram Poduval, Binny Rinki Benjamin, Nandan Unni, Noushad Ali and Athira Rajeev, among others. The film is jointly written by director Jithin, Athul Ramachandran and Libin TB. It has cinematography by Sharan Velayudhan, editing by Chaman Chacko and music by Christo Xavier. Sookshmadarshini is produced by Sameer Thahir, Shyju Khalid and A V Anoop under the banners of Happy Hours Entertainments and AVA Productions. Basil was last seen in Vipin Das Guruvayoorambala Nadayil, alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran, Anaswara Rajan and Nikhila Vimal. His upcoming slate includes Jeethu Josephs Nunakuzhi, Jithin Laals Ajayante Randaam Moshanam, Sivaprasads Marana Mass, Sanju V Samuels Cup, Sreeraj Sreenivasans Praavinkoodu Shappu and production designer Jothish Shankars directorial debut. On the other hand, Nazriyas last appearance as an actor was in the Telugu film Ante Sundaraniki (2022), opposite Nani. In Malayalam, she was seen previously in the Fahadh Faasil-starrer Trance (2020). The actor also recently served as one of the producers for this years blockbuster Aavesham, starring her husband Fahadh Faasil in the lead.

700 km drive with my Jimny: Thoughts after my Delhi-Jammu road trip

BHPian Ksingh544 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Sharing some pictures and thoughts from my recent 700 km drive from Delhi NCR to Jammu. ThoughtsI have a Zeta Manual Grey Jimny. Tyres upgraded to Yokohama 235/70/15s, front grill to matte black and Suzuki logo. The rest of the vehicle is stock.Vehicle bought on January 13th 2024, during the discount period.The Jimny is about to complete 5000 kms (4980 on odo) and as yet hasn't had its first service where the oil and filters are to be changed.Vehicle is performing quite well, I had a very comfortable drive. Almost no fatigue after a 12-hour journey. I break journey every 3 hours for a coffee, water, loo or stretching break.The main highway from Ambala to Rajpura is blocked by farmers again, so had to detour via a few pinds (village) and fields, including a section where the bridge is being built. I felt very sorry for the sedans rattling along as I glided over all this.The Suspension is the champion feature of the Jimny, it tackles every Indian road condition with such ease. I am coming from a Thar 2015 CRDE and have extensively used the Thar 2020 also. The Jimny is a class apart.The stretch from Pathankot to Jammu City is like a war zone, they have torn up the entire highway to build flyovers and made the worst planned diversions. I was doing this run close to midnight and had to be very alert for the sudden turn-offs and oncoming traffic. Again the suspension and handling of the Jimny tackled this very well.The headlights are very poor and I am going in for an immediate upgrade, supplemented with fog lampsOn the highway, I got a mileage of 14 km/l and in the city, it's between 10-12 km/l depending on the driving styleI would have preferred if the Jimny had a few BHP of grunt more, but it's not a deal breaker for me at all. As soon as 1800 rpm is crossed, the Jimny can keep cruising all day long. 1800 to 3500 rpm is my sweet spot, using 2nd to 5th gears.One has to be mindful in extracting the full power in each rev band and as i said if you are mindful it is a very nice & easy drive. I like to top out between 100-110 km/h at about 3200 rpm.A detailed ownership review is in the works, in the interim please enjoy a few shots. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Relentless Rain cripples Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/KOCHI : Normal life came to a standstill after heavy rain pounded south and central Kerala since Wednesday morning, flooding several low-lying areas, and prompting authorities to shift several families to relief camps. The rain also inundated roads, bringing traffic to a grinding halt at many places. Rain damage in Thiruvananthapuram on the rise Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Thrissur districts were hit the worst. In Thiruvananthapuram , water from the Killiyar river, Amayizhanjan canal and other stormwater drains spilled onto the streets and entered houses. Long queues of vehicles were seen on the streets of East Fort and Thampanoor, which resembled mini streams. Sixty-six people from 17 families were shifted to eight camps across the district. Rain batters Ernakulam, several areas inundated Kochi, which had barely recovered from Tuesdays cloudburst, saw waterlogging for the second consecutive day. Kalamassery, North Paravoor, Thrikkakara, Kakkanad, Edapally and MG Road bore the brunt of the rain. North Paravoor and Kalamassery received 130mm of rainfall from 8.30am to 5.30pm, while Choondy received 90mm rainfall during the period. Around 100 people, including those from 20 families, in North Paravoor were shifted to relief camps after their houses were flooded. Several houses were damaged. Heavy rain in Kottayam destroyed two houses and partially damaged 16 over the past two days. Two deaths have been reported in the district this week in rain-related incidents, while one person went missing. As many as 398 people from 103 families have been shifted to the 17 relief camps that have been opened across the district. Meanwhile, the rising water levels in Meenachil and Manimala rivers are posing a serious threat of flooding to low-lying areas. High-range areas of Vagamon and Koottikkal in the district will be at the risk of landslides if the heavy rain persists. Chalai market in Thiruvananthapuram flooded as heavy rain lashed the capital In Thrissur, water entered Ashwini Hospital, causing inconvenience to patients. In Alappuzha, relief camps were opened in Ambalappuzha. HC raps Kochiites The HC blamed Kochi residents for waterlogging, citing people dumping plastic and other waste in public, which then flow into canals and water bodies and block them. Every citizen should think that throwing waste could have been avoided, said Justice Devan Ramachandran Flow chart (Max rain received) Piravom: 200.2 mm (Ekm) Poonjar: 176.5mm (Kottayam) Kayamkulam: 142.2 mm (Alappuzha) Enamackel: 115 mm (Thrissur) - (Tuesday 8.30am-Wednesday 8.30am) North Paravoor, Kalamassery: 130 mm (Ernakulam) TPuram city: 90 mm Cheruvanchery: 90 mm (Kannur) Ulanad: 80 mm (PThitta) - (Wednesday (8.30am-5.30pm)

Intense rain brings Thiruvananthapuram to a halt for hours

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The heavy rain that lashed the capital on Wednesday brought the state capital to a standstill for hours. The IMD had issued an orange alert for the district on Wednesday, and intense rainfall that lashed the district inundated low-lying areas in the city. Killiyar river, Amayizhanchan canal and every other stormwater drains overflowed and submerged roads and inundated several houses displacing many from various parts of the capital city. Various areas in the busy East Fort and Thampanoor areas turned into a stream bringing life to a standstill for several hours during the day. Central Theatre Road, East Fort, KSRTC Bus Stand and Chalai Market were flooded. Many shops in the Chalai Market suffered flooding affecting the business hours. Pongumoodu Main Road in Ulloor ward, Snehapuri and Krishna Nagar Road in Pappanamcode, Ambalakunnu in Melamcode ward, Vanivilakam Road, SS Kovil Road in Thampanoor faced flooding. The overflowing Pattom canal inundated many houses in Thekkumoodu Bund Colony. The team from the City Corporation had to move many families from the houses at Bund Colony to safety. The worst hit were the areas on the banks of the canals and rivers including Amayizhanchan Canal, Pattom Thodu and Killiyar river. Several houses in Aalukadu in Poonthura Manikyavilakam ward, Pulimoodu Lane in Vattiyoorkavu ward, and Abhaya Nagar in Peroorkada ward were submerged in flood water. Many other residential areas and roads in Poonthura Manikyavilakam ward, Karamana Nedungad, Kannamoola Green Lane, Vidyadiraja, Kulapura in Jagathy ward, Peoples Line, Mulluvila in Attipra ward, NS Depot in Vallakadavu ward, Ganganagar in Kamaleswaram, Elankath Nagar in Valiyavila ward, Pazhani Nagar in Sasthamangalam ward also faced flooding. Many families in the areas facing flooding have moved to other places because of the heavy rains which are expected to continue. IMD has issued a yellow alert for the district on Thursday. Eleven people have been shifted to Kalady School. Eight relief camps opened in the district As many as 66 people from 17 families displaced in the heavy rains were shifted to eight relief camps opened by the district administration. There are two camps each in Thiruvananthapuram, Varkala and Kattakada Taluks and one camp each in Neyyattinkara and Nedumangad Taluks.

Congress worker too posts video of voting process on social media

A Congress party worker posted videos on Instagram violating election secrecy by showing voting for Ambala Lok Sabha candidate Varun Chaudhary, with vulgar gestures. The videos garnered significant views and likes.

Scorching Heat Wave Grips Haryana and Punjab

Scorching Heat Wave Grips Haryana and Punjab The ongoing heat wave conditions in Haryana and Punjab continued unabated on Wednesday, with the mercury soaring to 48.8 degrees Celsius in Rohtak. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, also sweltered, recording the hottest day of the season so far at a maximum of 46 degrees Celsius. According to the meteorological department here, while blistering heat swept Rohtak in Haryana, among other places in the state, intense heat also prevailed in Hisar, which recorded a maximum temperature of 48.5 degrees Celsius. Mahendragarh recorded a high of 48.3 degrees Celsius while Sirsa sweltered at 48.2 degrees Celsius. Extremely hot weather conditions also prevailed in Jhajjar and Faridabad, which recorded respective maximums of 48.4 degrees Celsius and 48 degrees Celsius. Ambala recorded a high of 44.3 degrees Celsius and Karnal 42.2 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, Rohtak and Hisar received light showers in the evening, providing temporary respite from the sizzling weather. In Punjab, Bathinda was the hottest with a high of 48.5 degrees Celsius. The mercury reached 46.1 degrees Celsius in both Ludhiana and Pathankot. Faridkot recorded a high of 46 degrees Celsius, Amritsar 45.8 degrees Celsius, Patiala 45.7 degrees Celsius, and Gurdaspur 44.5 degrees Celsius.

INLD Ambala candidate issued notice of election code violation

Farmers hold symbolic protest outside Haryana ministers house in Ambala city

Protests led by BKU SBS president Amarjit Singh Mohri demanding release of arrested activists.

INLDs Ambala seat candidate posts video of voting process on social media

INLD Ambala candidate posts video of voting process on social media

Travel tips: These are the 3 most beautiful hill stations of India, about which not many people know.

When the thought of trekking and camping for a relaxing holiday amidst the coolness of summer comes, the first thing that comes to mind is the option of hill stations. In this heat, people like to go to hill stations so that they can get some relief from the temperature and stay away from the noise. However, this thought comes not only to you but to most of the people who are fond of traveling. In such a situation, huge crowds of tourists reach the most famous and beautiful hill stations in this season. The most popular hill stations include Shimla-Manali, Mussoorie Dharamshala, etc. If you also want to go here for a relaxing holiday, then due to excessive traffic and crowds, the heat will not give you peace here. Although there are some such hill stations, no less than Kashmir Shimla, and Manali, people do not know much about them. Very few people would know that just a few kilometers away from Manali, there is a hill station with equally beautiful views. If you want to visit hill stations like Shimla-Manali and Mussoorie but also want to avoid the crowd, then you can choose some hidden hill stations of India. Here you are being told about some offbeat hill stations, where you can spend your summer holidays. Shanghad village The beautiful village Shanghad is situated in the Sainj valley of Kullu district in Himachal Pradesh. The views of this village are like Switzerland. This is the reason why Sha Maidan is also called Khajjiar of Kullu or the second mini Switzerland of India. The sight of lush green trees, amazing pine trees and colorful small houses in the plains of Shanghad looks like foreign tourism. There is Barshangarh Waterfall, Shangchul Mahadev Temple, Shanghar Meadows, and a wooden tower temple in Raila village, where you can enjoy peace of mind and beautiful views. How to reach Reach Chandigarh, Ambala, or Joginder Nagar railway station from your city. From here you can travel to Manali by road. To reach the destination, one can travel from Manali to Sainj by local bus. Apart from this, after reaching Kullu airport, you will get a bus or taxi from Bhantar to Sainj. Cantal If you are looking for hidden beautiful hill stations then you can go on a trip to Kanatal Hill Station of Uttarakhand. Limited tourists come here, so along with enjoying the natural views, one can spend a relaxing time away from the crowd. One can go camping and trekking in Kanatal. This hill station is 78 km from Dehradun. It is also easy to reach this hill station, 38 km from Mussoorie and 12 km from Chamba. How to reach To visit Kanatal Hill Station, you can travel by bus from Dehradun Railway Station. Even if you are in Mussoorie or Chamba, a taxi or local bus can take you to Kanatal. Kalga Village If you are fond of trekking then head to Kalga village. The kalga-Bunbuni-Kheerganga track could be a better option. It may take three days to complete this 28 km-long track. Kalga village and track is located near Pulga Dam in the Parvati Valley in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Apart from trekking, there is a wonderful view of Manikaran Valley from the top of the hill. The view of the sunset is very beautiful. How to reach Kalga Reach Bhuntar in Kullu district by road and air. Manikaran is at a distance of 25 kilometers from the airport, from where buses or taxis are easily available. Kalga village is 10 km away from Manikaran, from where the track starts. (PC: ISTOCK)

Protest Halts Shri Shakti Express Over Train Cancellations

Protest Halts Shri Shakti Express Over Train Cancellations Two individuals, including a woman, briefly stopped the Shri Shakti Express train on Monday by staging a protest at a railway station here. The protest was sparked by frustration over cancellation of trains and a lack of timely information about the train schedule. A young man and his female relative sat on the tracks as the Shri Shakti Express was arriving at the Jammu railway station from New Delhi on Monday, officials said. The train was stopped briefly at the entry to the station on track number one. The police detained the duo shortly after and the train resumed its journey following a brief halt, they said. A relative of the protestors described their action to be a result of extreme frustration and admitted that it was a wrong step. ''We have been visiting Jammu and Kashmir and have been stranded here for days due to train cancellations. We repeatedly asked the railways for updates on our journey, but received no information. With temperatures exceeding 42 degrees Celsius amid extreme heatwave, we reached a point,'' she said. The officials said that a case was registered against the duo and they were let off later. The Jammu railway station remains crowded with hundreds of passengers waiting for trains amidst ongoing cancellations caused by the farmers protests in Ambala which have been disrupting services for nearly two weeks.

T Nagar Sathya booked for MLA fund misappropriation

CHENNAI: Former AIADMK MLA B Sathyanarayanan of T Nagar has been booked by DVAC for misappropriating `35 lakh from the constituency development fund for financial year 2018-2019 when he was in office. Six others, including five former Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) officials, have also been booked. Sathya was already booked in a disproportionate assets case by DVAC in September last year. Apart from Sathya, the people named in the FIR are former assistant engineers M Maniraja and G Radhakrishnan, former executive engineer V Periyasamy and former zonal officer S Natarajan. All the five were posted in Zone 10, Kodambakkam, in 2018-2019 when the alleged misappropriation took place. The other person named in the FIR is V A Baskaran, who ran a private company CVT Enterprises. According to the FIR, Sathyanarayanan colluded with the six others and allegedly misappropriated funds in various instances for constructing multi-purpose buildings at Kasikulam in West Mambalam, Brindavan Street in Kodambakkam and Eswaran Koil Street in Kodambakkam. At Kasikulam, he allegedly forged documents with the help of corporation officials to show an already existing building as a newly constructed structure. He also allegedly constructed substandard buildings on Brindavan Street and Eswaran Koil Street. An inquiry by DVAC revealed that Sathyanarayanan had misappropriated funds to the tune of ` 35,68,426, the FIR said. All the seven have been booked under sections 120 (B), 167, 406, 409, and 420 of the IPC; 7(c) of Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018; 13 (2)r/w 13 (1)(a) of Prevention of corruption (Amendment) Act, and 12 r/w 13 (2) r/w 13 (1) (a) of Prevention of corruption (Amendment) Act. In September last year, Sathyanarayanan was booked for allegedly accumulating assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The police also raided his residence in Chennai and other places in Coimbatore and Tiruvallur. DVAC said Sathyanarayanan had a disproportionate wealth amounting to `2.64 crore, which was 16% more than his known sources of income.

Intense heat wave sweeps Haryana, Punjab; Mahendragarh sizzles at 47 degrees

Haryana and Punjab are in the grip of intense heat wave conditions with Mahendragarh recording the highest temperature of 47 degrees Celsius. Various cities like Rohtak, Hisar, Ambala, Karnal, Sirsa, Gurugram, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Pathankot, Bathinda, Faridkot, and Gurdaspur are experiencing high temperatures, as per the Meteorological Department.

Heatwave Grips Haryana and Punjab: Temperatures Soar Above 47C

Heatwave Grips Haryana and Punjab: Temperatures Soar Above 47C Haryana and Punjab continued to remain in the grip of intense heat wave conditions, with maximum temperatures hovering above normal limits on Sunday. Mahendragarh in Haryana sizzled, recording the maximum temperature of 47 degrees Celsius. Rohtak and Hisar sweltered recording maximum temperatures of 46.7 degrees and 46 degrees Celsius, respectively. Ambala recorded a high of 44.8 degrees, Karnal 43.7 degrees, Sirsa 46.8 degrees while sizzling heat wave swept Gurugram at 45.8 degrees Celsius, according to the Meteorological Department. Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, was also under the influence of intense hot weather conditions. The maximum temperature here settled at 44.5 degrees Celsius. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded the maximum temperature of 45.2 degrees Celsius. Ludhiana recorded the maximum of 44.8 degrees, while Patiala 45.7, Pathankot 44.5, Bathinda 45.2, Faridkot 44 and Gurdaspur 44.5 degrees. According to the MeT Department, heat wave to severe heat wave conditions are likely to continue in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh during May 26-29.

Exploring treasures of Eastern Ghats at Visakhapatnam's biodiversity centre

VISAKHAPATNAM: The Eastern Ghats, a mountain range stretching through Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu while skirting parts of Karnataka and Telangana, is home to a rich and diverse ecosystem. Despite not enjoying the same fame as the Western Ghats, this range boasts an impressive variety of flora and fauna, making it a vital area for conservation and study. At the heart of efforts to increase awareness and understanding of this unique landscape is the Eastern Ghats Biodiversity Centre in Visakhapatnam. Located within the Kambalakonda Reserve Forests, the centre spans 30 acres and has been transformed from a small nursery into a hub of ecological education and preservation by the Visakhapatnam Forest Department. The project is a brain child of Vizag DFO Anant Shankar, Sub DFO Dharmar Akshith, and FRO Ram Naresh. The centre includes several parks, such as Aushadhavanam, Karthik Vanam, and Rashi Vanam, each offering distinct insights into the biodiversity of the region. The centre is primarily managed by Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary project officer Yagnapathy Adari and marine biologist Sri Chakra Pranav. One of the centre's standout features is the Nature Information Centre, otherwise described as a walking library. From detailed maps and educational panels to creative art displays, the centre offers a comprehensive look at the region's natural wonders. Visitors can explore sections dedicated to various aspects of the Eastern Ghats, including wetlands, marine life, and butterfly species, all presented in both English and Telugu. A highlight of the Nature Information Centre is its ground floor, which features displays on four of the endangered species of the Eastern Ghats: the Indian pangolin, Mysore slender loris, Jerdon's courser, and Jeypore ground gecko. Another section is a detailed mangrove ecosystem replica which emphasises the critical role of mangroves in protecting the Andhra Pradesh coast from storms and cyclones. Another section is dedicated to the forests of the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. For those interested in subterranean ecosystems, the centre has a small cave section that offers an experience with replicas of cave formations. This exhibit highlights the survival strategies of cave-dwelling species in environments devoid of light. In addition to its educational exhibits, the centre includes a forest produce processing unit that engages tribal women from Visakhapatnam's only tribal village, Sambhuvanipalem. This unit transforms raw materials into eco-friendly products, such as plant pots, pottery, bamboo crafts, natural dye art, and Dhokra art, thereby creating pieces of sustainable art and jewellery, bags, and other items. Recently, the Visakhapatnam Forest Division partnered with Amazon India under the Karigar programme, aiming to enhance the visibility and revenue generation of these forest products crafted by tribal artisans. Kamal Welfare Foundation also pitched in and donated machines for the unit. Not to be missed is the orchidarium at the biodiversity centre, which stands out in its own right. This scientifically designed facility is the first-of-its-kind in Andhra Pradesh, showcasing a vibrant ecosystem of orchids. The enclosed dome structure features an automated mist chamber and houses a variety of species of flowers, with a special focus on those found in the Eastern Ghats. Visitors can marvel at various species of orchids native to the Eastern Ghats, including the Cooktown orchid, Moon orchid, Dancing lady orchid, and several varieties of Vanda orchids. Key varieties on display include Vanda, Dracaena (Laceleaf), Cymbidium (Boat orchid), Phalaenopsis (Moth orchids), and Tolumnia, with multiple species within each group, including various hybrids. Additionally, as part of the conservation efforts for native plants, seeds from various species collected from the forests of neighbouring districts are being raised at the nursery. These plants are either distributed to the public or used for plantation purposes.

No bridge, villagers boycott elections in Haryana's Yamunanagar

CHANDIGARH: A voter turnout of 55.93 percent was recorded in Haryana on Saturday till 5 pm in its 10 Lok Sabha seats and polling remained peaceful, poll officials said, adding that the figure could increase as data is being compiled. In 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the overall poll percentage was 70. Meanwhile, residents of Tapu Majri village in Yamunanagar district, which has a total of 436 votes, boycotted the polling over their pending demand for the construction of a bridge over the Yamuna. If a bridge is constructed on the Yamuna river in the area of our village, we will have to travel only 10 km to reach Yamunanagar, said Ashok Kumar, a villager. According to the EC data, Sirsa recorded the highest turnout at 59.57 percent, followed by Ambala at 58.44 percent, Kurukshetra (58.38%), Rohtak (58.28%), Bhiwani-Mahendragarh (56.11%), Karnal (55.71%), Sonipat (55.49%), Hisar (53.85%) and Faridabad (53.64%). Gurugram registered the lowest turnout at 51.75%. There are 2,00,76,768 registered voters, including 94,23,956 women and 467 transgender people, chief electoral officer Anurag Agarwal earlier said. Voting was also held for the bypoll to the Karnal assembly seat, where Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is in the fray. First-time voters expressed their enthusiasm at being part of the exercise. The youth are a countrys backbone and everyone should exercise their right to vote, said a first-time voter in Panipat. Meanwhile, an independent MLA from Badshahpur, Rakesh Daulatabad, died of a heart attack on Saturday.

3 scuffles in Ambala constituency

LS polls phase 6: Over 61 per cent polling, Bengal's Jangal Mahal region logs 79.47

LS polls phase 6: Over 61 per cent polling, Bengal's Jangal Mahal region logs 79.47 An estimated voter turnout of 61.2 per cent was recorded in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha election on Saturday in 58 constituencies across six states and two Union territories, with the polling percentage in the Jangal Mahal region of West Bengal touching 79.47. Incidents of violence, including an alleged assault on a BJP candidate, minor clashes and protests were reported from West Bengal while there were instances of EVM malfunctioning at some places, including Delhi. Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 63.76 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 54.03 per cent, Bihar 55.24 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 54.3 per cent, Haryana 60.4 per cent, Odisha 69.56 and Delhi 57.67 per cent, according to the figures updated at 11:45 pm by the EC on its voter turnout app. The EC said polling percentage in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir is the highest in 40 years. With the conclusion of this phase, polling is now complete in 486 seats in 28 states and Union territories. The last of the seven phases of polling in 57 seats is scheduled on June 1 and counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. With large parts of India sweltering under a heatwave, arrangements for cold water, coolers, fans and tents were made at several polling stations. Wheelchairs were also kept for the assistance of elderly voters. The EC had directed election officials and state machineries to take adequate measures to manage the adverse impact of hot weather. Over 11.13 crore voters - 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5120 third gender - were eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase. The Election Commission (EC) deployed around 11.4 lakh polling officials at 1.14 lakh polling stations. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir, staged a sit-in outside Bijbehara police station on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Anantnag district against alleged detention of her party workers and polling agents. She also claimed outgoing calls on her mobile number were suspended. Police, however, said those detained were overground workers and the action was taken to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Mehbooba's daughter and PDP leader Iltija Mufti alleged polling was deliberately slowed down at a booth in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, a charge denied by the administration. In the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi minister Atishi and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were among those who cast their votes. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat alleged she had to wait for almost an hour to cast her vote as the battery of the EVM control unit at her polling booth ''drained out''. The District Election Officer later said the battery was replaced within 15 minutes. Besides all the seven seats of Delhi, polling was held in 14 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats in Haryana, eight seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, polling was being held for 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha and the Karnal assembly bypoll in Haryana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kejriwal and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to exercise their right to franchise in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections in large numbers. In Haryana, BJP's Karnal Lok Sabha seat candidate Manohar Lal Khattar and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is contesting the Karnal assembly bypoll, were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Karnal's Prem Nagar. In West Bengal, voting was held in the tribal belt Jangal Mahal region, spanning five districts. A hotspot for identity politics, the region sends eight representatives to Lok Sabha from Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur seats. Out of the eight seats, the BJP won five and TMC bagged three in the 2019 polls. BJP's Jhargram candidate Pranat Tudu claimed his convoy was attacked in Garbeta area of Paschim Medinipur district, following which security personnel escorting him were injured and had to be hospitalised. Tudu also received injuries on his forehead, which needed medical attention. Minor clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling TMC and BJP in the Ghatal constituency over stopping polling agents from entering the booths. In the Midnapore constituency, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul faced ''go back'' slogans from TMC activists. Subsequently, a scuffle broke out between BJP and TMC activists, following which central forces reached the spot to disperse the mob. A group of people shouted slogans against BJP candidate and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay when he reached the polling booth in Tamluk. In Uttar Pradesh, polling was held for Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi seats. Around 82.16 lakh voters, including 40.09 lakh females, were eligible to exercise their franchise in Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur constituencies of Jharkhand. In a bid to increase polling percentage in urban booths of Ranchi, the district administration tied up with a bike-taxi aggregator to provide free pick-and-drop facilities to voters. In Bihar, 86 candidates are in the fray in the eight seats of Valmiki Nagar, Pashchim Champaran, Purbi Champaran, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali. Officials said 107 people were arrested or detained in the state for causing disruptions and attempting to hinder the voting process. Security forces seized Rs 2.86 crore in cash and 3.53 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 9.46 crore from various locations within the eight seats during the day.

Villagers in Haryana's Yamunanagar stay away from polling over demand for bridge construction

Villagers in Haryana's Yamunanagar stay away from polling over demand for bridge construction The residents of Tapu Majri village in Haryana's Yamunanagar district stayed away from casting their votes in the general election on Saturday, saying their demand for the construction of a bridge over the Yamuna river has been pending for long. The villagers recently held a panchayat and threatened to boycott the Lok Sabha election if the state government failed to take steps to fulfil their demand. The village has around 550 voters and only two votes were cast, officials said. The villagers said they will continue to boycott all future elections until a bridge is built over the Yamuna to connect their village with the rest of the district. They said this demand has been pending for long but the administration has never paid heed to it. Due to the absence of a bridge, the villagers have to travel long distances, they said, adding that their problem gets aggravated during the rainy season. Sources said the district administration tried to persuade the villagers not to give up their democratic right, but the villagers remained adamant on their demand. The village falls in Yamunanagar under the Ambala parliamentary constituency. Voting for all the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana was held on Saturday. The state registered a polling percentage of 61.16, according to the figures updated by the Election Commission on its voter turnout app at 11:45 pm.

6th phase: Nearly 60 per cent polling, Bengal's Jangal Mahal region logs 78.27

6th phase: Nearly 60 per cent polling, Bengal's Jangal Mahal region logs 78.27 An estimated voter turnout of 59.92 per cent was recorded in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday in 58 constituencies across six states and two Union territories with the polling percentage in the Jangal Mahal region of West Bengal touching 78.27. Incidents of violence, including an alleged assault on a BJP candidate, minor clashes and protests were reported from West Bengal while there were instances of EVM malfunctioning at some places, including Delhi. Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 63.30 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 54.03 per cent, Bihar 55.24 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 53.38 per cent, Haryana 59.43 per cent, Odisha 61.44 and Delhi 56.12 per cent, according to the figures updated at 10.30 pm by the EC on its voter turnout app. The EC said polling percentage in the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir is the highest in 40 years. With the conclusion of this phase, polling is now complete in 486 seats in 28 states and Union territories. The last of the seven phases of polling in 57 seats is scheduled on June 1 and counting of votes will be taken up on June 4. With large parts of India sweltering under a heatwave, arrangements for cold water, coolers, fans and tents were made at several polling stations. Wheelchairs were also kept for the assistance of elderly voters. The EC had directed election officials and state machineries to take adequate measures to manage the adverse impact of hot weather. Over 11.13 crore voters - 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5120 third gender - were eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase. The Election Commission (EC) deployed around 11.4 lakh polling officials at 1.14 lakh polling stations. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir, staged a sit-in outside Bijbehara police station on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Anantnag district against alleged detention of her party workers and polling agents. She also claimed outgoing calls on her mobile number were suspended. Police, however, said those detained were overground workers and the action was taken to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Mehbooba's daughter and PDP leader Iltija Mufti alleged polling was deliberately slowed down at a booth in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, a charge denied by the administration. In the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi minister Atishi and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were among those who cast their votes. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat alleged she had to wait for almost an hour to cast her vote as the battery of the EVM control unit at her polling booth ''drained out''. The District Election Officer later said the battery was replaced within 15 minutes. Besides all the seven seats of Delhi, polling was held in 14 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats in Haryana, eight seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, polling was being held for 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha and the Karnal assembly bypoll in Haryana. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kejriwal and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to exercise their right to franchise in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections in large numbers. In Haryana, BJP's Karnal Lok Sabha seat candidate Manohar Lal Khattar and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is contesting the Karnal assembly bypoll, were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Karnal's Prem Nagar. In West Bengal, voting was held in the tribal belt Jangal Mahal region, spanning five districts. A hotspot for identity politics, the region sends eight representatives to Lok Sabha from Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur seats. Out of the eight seats, the BJP won five and TMC bagged three in the 2019 polls. BJP's Jhargram candidate Pranat Tudu claimed his convoy was attacked in Garbeta area of Paschim Medinipur district, following which security personnel escorting him were injured and had to be hospitalised. Tudu also received injuries on his forehead, which needed medical attention. Minor clashes broke out between supporters of the ruling TMC and BJP in the Ghatal constituency over stopping polling agents from entering the booths. In the Midnapore constituency, BJP candidate Agnimitra Paul faced ''go back'' slogans from TMC activists. Subsequently, a scuffle broke out between BJP and TMC activists, following which central forces reached the spot to disperse the mob. A group of people shouted slogans against BJP candidate and former Calcutta High Court judge Abhijit Gangopadhyay when he reached the polling booth in Tamluk. In Uttar Pradesh, polling was held for Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi seats. Around 82.16 lakh voters, including 40.09 lakh females, were eligible to exercise their franchise in Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur constituencies of Jharkhand. In a bid to increase polling percentage in urban booths of Ranchi, the district administration tied up with a bike-taxi aggregator to provide free pick-and-drop facilities to voters. In Bihar, 86 candidates are in the fray in the eight seats of Valmiki Nagar, Pashchim Champaran, Purbi Champaran, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali. Officials said 107 people were arrested or detained in the state for causing disruptions and attempting to hinder the voting process. Security forces seized Rs 2.86 crore in cash and 3.53 lakh litres of liquor worth Rs 9.46 crore from various locations within the eight seats during the day.

India Votes in Penultimate Phase Amid Heatwave and Controversies

India Votes in Penultimate Phase Amid Heatwave and Controversies A voter turnout of 49.20 per cent was recorded till 3 pm on Saturday in 58 constituencies in six states and two Union territories where polling is underway in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. Sporadic incidents of violence were reported from some areas in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal, where the turnout was 70.19 per cent. With large parts of India sweltering under a heatwave, arrangements for cold water, coolers, fans and tents were made at several polling stations. Wheelchairs were also kept for the assistance of elderly voters. The Election Commission (EC) had directed election officials and state machineries to take adequate measures to manage the adverse impact of hot weather. Over 11.13 crore voters - 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5120 third gender - are eligible to exercise their franchise in this phase. The Election Commission (EC) has deployed around 11.4 lakh polling officials at 1.14 lakh polling stations. Jharkhand recorded a turnout of 54.34 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 43.95 per cent, Bihar 45.21 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 44.41 per cent, Haryana 46.26 per cent and Delhi 44.58 per cent, according to the figures updated at 5 pm by the EC on its voter turnout app. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir, staged a sit-in outside Bijbehara police station on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Anantnag district against alleged detention of her party workers and polling agents. She also claimed that outgoing calls on her mobile number have been suspended. Police, however, said those detained are overground workers (OGWs) and the action was taken to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Mehbooba's daughter and PDP leader Iltija Mufti alleged polling was being deliberately slowed down at a booth in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, a charge denied by the administration. In the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi minister Atishi and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were among those who cast their votes. CPI(M) leader Brinda Karat alleged she had to wait for almost an hour to cast her vote as the battery of the EVM control unit at her polling booth ''drained out''. The District Election Officer later said the battery was replaced within 15 minutes. Besides all the seven seats of Delhi, polling is underway in 14 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats in Haryana, eight seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, polling is being held for 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha and the Karnal assembly bypoll in Haryana. Voting began at 7 am and people were seen queuing up at polling stations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kejriwal and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to exercise their right to franchise in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections in large numbers. In Haryana, BJP's Karnal Lok Sabha seat candidate Manohar Lal Khattar and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is contesting the Karnal assembly bypoll, were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Karnal's Prem Nagar. In West Bengal, voting is being held in the tribal belt Jangal Mahal region, spanning five districts. A hotspot for identity politics, the region sends eight representatives to Lok Sabha from Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur seats. Out of the eight seats, the BJP won five and TMC bagged three in the 2019 polls. ''Voting has been peaceful so far. There are no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere,'' a poll official told PTI. In Uttar Pradesh, polling is underway for Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi seats. Around 82.16 lakh voters, including 40.09 lakh females, are eligible to exercise their franchise in Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur constituencies of Jharkhand. After casting his vote, Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan said in a post on X, ''Today, I exercised my right to vote at Shri Krishna Institute of Public Administration, Ranchi. I urge all voters to exercise their right to vote. Ensure your participation in this great festival of democracy.'' In a bid to increase polling percentage in urban booths of Ranchi, the district administration tied up with a bike-taxi aggregator to provide free pick-and-drop facilities to voters. In Bihar, 86 candidates are in the fray in the eight seats of Valmiki Nagar, Pashchim Champaran, Purbi Champaran, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali. In a video message on X, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary appealed to people to vote for a developed India. Polling is also being held in Odisha's six parliamentary constituencies of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Puri and Sambalpur along with 42 assembly seats under these Lok Sabha segments. Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal said voting has been going on smoothly so far in the 10,581 polling stations, barring some reports of EVM glitches. Till now, voting has been completed in 25 states and Union territories and 428 constituencies out of 543. The last phase of polling is scheduled on June 1 and counting of votes will be taken up on June 4.

Haryana Witnesses Smooth Polling with 46.26% Voter Turnout by 3 PM

Haryana Witnesses Smooth Polling with 46.26% Voter Turnout by 3 PM Polling is going on smoothly in Haryana with its 10 Lok Sabha seats recording a voter turnout of 46.26 per cent till 3 pm. Voting is also underway for the bypoll to the Karnal assembly seat where Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is in the fray. The bypoll was necessitated by his predecessor Manohar Lal Khattar's resignation. According to Election Commission (EC) data, after polling began at 7 am, the overall turnout till 9 am was 8.31 per cent, rising to 22.09 per cent at 11 am, 36.48 per cent at 1 pm and touching 46.26 per cent at 3 pm. Officials said polling is going on smoothly across the state. Voting is underway amid tight security and will conclude at 6 pm. There are 2,00,76,768 registered voters, including 94,23,956 women and 467 people from the transgender community, Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal earlier said. According to EC data, Kurukshetra had the highest turnout till 3 pm at 50.17 per cent followed by 49.44 per cent in Sirsa. Gurugram registered the lowest turnout at 41.33 per cent. Ambala recorded a turnout of 48.31 per cent, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh 47.25 per cent, Faridabad 42.33 per cent, Hisar 45.28 per cent, Karnal 46.24 per cent, Rohtak 49.08 per cent and Sonipat 46.14 per cent. In 2019, the BJP had swept Haryana, winning all 10 Lok Sabha seats. For the Karnal assembly bypoll, the voting percentage stood at 41 till 3 pm. A total of 223 candidates, including Khattar, two Union ministers and Congress stalwart Kumari Selja, are in the Lok Sabha election fray in Haryana. These include 207 men and 16 women. From the Karnal assembly seat, nine candidates are in the fray. Agarwal said keeping in mind the current hot weather conditions, the provision of additional resources at polling centres has been made in all districts, including arrangements for cold water, coolers, fans and tents. Arrangements have also been made for wheelchairs and shades for the assistance of voters aged 85 and above and persons with disability. Khattar and Saini were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at Karnal's Prem Nagar. Before casting his vote, Saini offered prayers at a temple and also paid obeisance at a gurdwara. The BJP's state chief and outgoing Kurukshetra MP, Saini was sworn in as chief minister on March 12. While he is contesting the assembly bypoll, Khattar is the BJP candidate from the Karnal Lok Sabha seat. Saini, Khattar and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. Khattar, who is up against Haryana Youth Congress chief Divyanshu Budhiraja, said in Karnal that everyone must come forward to participate in the ''festival of democracy''. Saini, facing Congress' Tarlochan Singh in the bypoll, appealed to every eligible voter to cast their vote. The country has scaled new heights of development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Haryana has also moved on a path of development under the BJP government, Saini told reporters after casting his vote. Hooda and his son Deepender Singh Hooda cast their votes in Rohtak district. Deepender Singh Hooda, who is contesting on a Congress ticket from Rohtak against the BJP's incumbent MP Arvind Sharma, also urged voters to exercise their franchise. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala exercised his franchise in Kaithal while Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala cast his vote in his native village in Sirsa district. Haryana is witnessing a direct contest between the BJP and the opposition Congress on most seats. However, seats such as Hisar are seeing multi-cornered contests. From Hisar, Power Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala, an Independent MLA who joined the BJP ahead of the polls, is contesting against two members of the Chautala clan -- Jannayak Janta Party's (JJP) Naina Chautala and INLD's Sunaina Chautala. Former Congress MP Jai Prakash is also in the fray. First-time voters expressed their enthusiasm at being part of the democratic exercise. ''The youth are a country's backbone and everyone should participate in this festival of democracy by exercising their right to vote,'' said a first-time voter in Panipat. Ranjit Singh Chautala and his family members cast their votes in Sirsa. JJP chief Ajay Singh Chautala and his wife Naina Chautala also cast their votes, along with their sons -- former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala in Sirsa. At the polling booth, Ajay Singh Chautala touched the feet of his uncle Ranjit Singh Chautala and sought his blessings. Naina Chautala, who also sought Ranjit Singh Chautala's blessings, told reporters that elections are for politicians what board exams are for children. ''We have done our work and now it is over to the people,'' she said. In Hisar's Adampur, BJP leaders Kuldeep Bishnoi, his wife Renuka Bishnoi and son Bhavya Bishnoi, an MLA, cast their votes. The Congress' INDIA bloc partner AAP is contesting from Kurukshetra, where it has fielded its Haryana unit chief Sushil Gupta against the BJP's Naveen Jindal and the INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala. Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar are seeking re-election from Gurugram and Faridabad, respectively. From Gurugram, the Congress has fielded senior leader Raj Babbar. Selja is contesting from Sirsa. The JJP has fielded candidates from all 10 Lok Sabha seats, INLD from seven and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from nine. Chief Electoral Officer Agarwal earlier said 20,031 polling stations have been set up. These include 19,812 permanent and 219 auxiliary stations. He said the EC had made ''Chunav ka Parv - Desh ka Garv'' so that citizens participate enthusiastically in the elections. Foolproof security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the elections, Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said.

Haryana Polls 2023: Smooth Voting with Enthusiastic Turnout

Haryana Polls 2023: Smooth Voting with Enthusiastic Turnout Polling is going on smoothly in Haryana with its 10 Lok Sabha seats recording a voter turnout of 36.48 per cent till 1 pm. Voting is also underway for the bypoll to the Karnal assembly seat where Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is in the fray. The bypoll was necessitated by his predecessor Manohar Lal Khattar's resignation. According to Election Commission data, after polling began at 7 am, the turnout till 9 am was 8.31 per cent, rising to 22.09 per cent at 11 am and touching 36.48 per cent at 1 pm. Officials said polling is going on smoothly across the state. Voting is underway amid tight security and will conclude at 6 pm. There are 2,00,76,768 (two crore) registered voters, including 94,23,956 (94 lakh) women and 467 people from the transgender community, Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal earlier said. According to data, Sirsa had the highest turnout till 1 pm at 44.84 per cent, followed by Kurukshetra at 40.06 per cent, while Gurugram registered the lowest at 30.59 per cent. Ambala recorded a turnout of 38.12 per cent, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh 38.37 per cent, Faridabad 33.92 per cent, Hisar 34.99 per cent, Karnal 35.69 per cent, Rohtak 38.15 per cent, and Sonipat 37.07 per cent. In 2019, the BJP had swept Haryana, winning all 10 Lok Sabha seats. In the Karnal assembly bypoll, the turnout at 1 pm was 29 per cent. A total 223 candidates, including Khattar, two Union ministers and Congress stalwart Kumari Selja, are in the Lok Sabha elections fray in Haryana. These include 207 men and 16 women. For the Karnal bypoll, nine candidates are in the fray. Agarwal said keeping in mind the hot weather conditions, additional arrangements, including cold water, coolers and fans, and tents, have been made at polling centres in all districts. Arrangements have also been made for wheelchairs and shades for the assistance of voters aged 85 and above and persons with disability. Khattar and Saini were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at Karnal's Prem Nagar. Before casting his vote, Saini offered prayers at a temple and also paid obeisance at a gurdwara. The BJP's state chief and outgoing Kurukshetra MP, Saini was sworn in as chief minister on March 12. While he is contesting the assembly bypoll, Khattar is the BJP candidate from Karnal Lok Sabha seat. Saini, Khattar and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. Khattar, who is up against Haryana Youth Congress chief Divyanshu Budhiraja, said in Karnal that everyone must come forward to participate in the ''festival of democracy''. Saini, facing the Congress' Tarlochan Singh in the bypoll, appealed to every eligible voter to cast their vote. The country has scaled new heights of development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Haryana has also moved on a path of development under the BJP government, Saini told reporters after casting his vote. Hooda and his son Deepender Singh Hooda cast their votes in Rohtak district. Deepender Singh Hooda, who is contesting on a Congress ticket from Rohtak against the BJP's incumbent MP Arvind Sharma, also urged voters to exercise their franchise. Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala exercised his franchise in Kaithal while Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhay Singh Chautala cast his vote in his native village in Sirsa district. Haryana is witnessing a direct contest between the BJP and the opposition Congress on most seats. However, seats such as Hisar are witnessing a multi-cornered contest. From Hisar, Power Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala, an Independent MLA who joined the BJP ahead of the polls, is contesting against two members of the Chautala clan -- the Jannayak Janta Party's (JJP) Naina Chautala and the INLD's Sunaina Chautala. Former Congress MP Jai Prakash is also in the fray. First-time voters expressed their enthusiasm at being part of the democratic exercise. ''The youth are a country's backbone and everyone should participate in this festival of democracy by exercising their right to vote,'' said a first-time voter in Panipat. Ranjit Singh Chautala and his family members cast their votes in Sirsa. JJP chief Ajay Singh Chautala and his wife Naina Chautala also cast their votes, along with their sons -- former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala in Sirsa. At the polling booth, Ajay Singh Chautala touched the feet of his uncle Ranjit Singh Chautala and sought his blessings. Naina Chautala, who also sought Ranjit Singh Chautala's blessings, told reporters that elections are for politicians what board exams are for children. ''We have done our work and now it is over to the people,'' she said. In Hisar's Adampur, BJP leaders Kuldeep Bishnoi, his wife Renuka Bishnoi and son Bhavya Bishnoi, an MLA, cast their votes. The Congress' INDIA bloc partner AAP is contesting from Kurukshetra, where it has fielded its Haryana unit chief Sushil Gupta against the BJP's Naveen Jindal and the INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala. Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar are seeking re-election from Gurugram and Faridabad, respectively. From Gurugram, the Congress has fielded senior leader Raj Babbar. Selja is contesting from Sirsa. Chief Electoral Officer Agarwal earlier said 20,031 polling stations have been set up. These include 19,812 permanent and 219 auxiliary stations. He said the Election Commission coined the ''Chunav ka Parv - Desh ka Garv'' slogan so that citizens participate enthusiastically. Foolproof security arrangements have been made for the elections, Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said.

Blast in Chhattisgarh's Bemetara: One Killed, Six Injured at Explosives Factory

Bemetara, Chhattisgarh: One person has been confirmed dead and six others injured following a devastating blast at an explosives manufacturing factory in Bemetara district on Saturday. The explosion rocked the unit situated near Pirda village in the Berla development block, according to officials from the district administration. As soon as authorities were alerted, police and rescue teams rushed to the site to manage the situation. While six injured persons from the blast were transferred to Dr. BR Ambedkar Memorial Hospital in Raipur for treatment, one individual was tragically pronounced dead upon arrival, stated the Public Relations Officer of the hospital. The injured are currently undergoing medical care. Fire brigade teams and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) personnel have been deployed to assist in the rescue efforts. The full extent of the damage and the number of casualties will become clearer after the debris at the site is cleared, which is expected to take 3-4 hours. Eyewitnesses who spoke to local news channels reported that approximately 100 people were working at the explosives factory at the time of the blast. They expressed fears that several individuals could be trapped under the debris. This incident comes in the wake of a recent tragedy in Thane district, Maharashtra, where a blast at a chemical factory claimed nine lives and left over 60 others injured. You Might Also Read: Bomb Blast Rocks Residence of BJP Panchayat Pradhan in West Bengal Breaking! Helicopter Carrying Pilgrims Makes Emergency Landing in Kedarnath Breaking! Bus Accident on Ambala-Delhi National Highway: 7 Dead, 20 Injured

High Voter Turnout in Sixth Phase of Lok Sabha Elections

High Voter Turnout in Sixth Phase of Lok Sabha Elections A voter turnout of 25.76 per cent was recorded till 11 am on Saturday in 58 constituencies in six states and two Union territories where polling is underway in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout in the first four hours of polling at 36.88 per cent while Odisha recorded the lowest at 21.30 per cent, according to the Election Commission (EC). Jharkhand recorded a voter turnout of 27.80 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 27.06 per cent, Bihar 23.67 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 23.11 per cent, Haryana 22.09 per cent and Delhi 21.69 per cent, the EC data showed. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir, staged a sit-in outside Bijbehara police station on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway in Anantnag district against alleged detention of her party workers and polling agents. She also claimed that outgoing calls on her mobile number have been suspended. Police, however, said those detained are overground workers (OGWs) and the action was taken to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Mehbooba's daughter and PDP leader Iltija Mufti alleged polling was being deliberately slowed down at a booth in the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, a charge denied by the administration. In the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi minister Atishi, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and outgoing East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir were among those who cast their votes. Besides Delhi, polling is underway in 14 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats in Haryana, eight seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, polling is being held for 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha and the Karnal assembly bypoll in Haryana. Voting began at 7 am and people were seen queuing up at polling stations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kejriwal and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to exercise their right to franchise in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections in large numbers. In Haryana, BJP's Karnal Lok Sabha seat candidate Manohar Lal Khattar and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, who is contesting the Karnal assembly bypoll, were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Karnal's Prem Nagar. In West Bengal, voting is being held in the tribal belt Jangal Mahal region, spanning five districts. A hotspot for identity politics, the region sends eight representatives to Lok Sabha from Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur seats. Out of the eight seats, the BJP won five and TMC bagged three in the 2019 polls. ''Voting has been peaceful so far. There are no reports of any untoward incident from anywhere,'' a poll official told PTI. In Uttar Pradesh, polling is underway for Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi seats. Around 82.16 lakh voters, including 40.09 lakh females, are eligible to exercise their franchise in Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur constituencies of Jharkhand. After casting his vote, Jharkhand Governor C P Radhakrishnan said in a post on X, ''Today, I exercised my right to vote at Shri Krishna Institute of Public Administration, Ranchi. I urge all voters to exercise their right to vote. Ensure your participation in this great festival of democracy.'' In Bihar, 86 candidates are in the fray in the eight seats of Valmiki Nagar, Pashchim Champaran, Purbi Champaran, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali. In a video message on X, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary appealed to people to vote for a developed India. Polling is also being held in Odisha's six parliamentary constituencies of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Puri and Sambalpur along with 42 assembly seats under these Lok Sabha segments. Odisha's Chief Electoral Officer N B Dhal said voting has been going on smoothly so far in the 10,581 polling stations, barring some reports of EVM glitches. Over 11.13 crore voters -- 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5,120 third gender -- are eligible to exercise their franchise in the sixth phase. The EC has deployed around 11.4 lakh polling officials at 1.14 lakh polling stations. With large parts of India sweltering under a heatwave, the poll panel has directed election officials and state machineries to take adequate measures to manage the adverse impact of hot weather.

Record Voter Turnout in Early Hours of Lok Sabha Phase 6

Record Voter Turnout in Early Hours of Lok Sabha Phase 6 A voter turnout of 10.82 per cent was recorded till 9 am on Saturday in 58 constituencies in six states and two Union territories where polling is underway in the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal recorded the highest voter turnout in the first two hours of polling at 16.54 per cent while Odisha recorded the lowest at 7.43 per cent, according to the Election Commission (EC). Uttar Pradesh recorded a voter turnout of 12.33 per cent, Jharkhand 11.74 per cent, Bihar 9.66 per cent, Jammu and Kashmir 8.89 per cent, Delhi 8.94 per cent and Haryana 8.31 per cent, the EC data showed. In the national capital, President Droupadi Murmu, Union ministers S Jaishankar and Hardeep Singh Puri, Delhi minister Atishi, Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and outgoing East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir were among the early voters. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti, who is contesting from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir, claimed that outgoing calls on her mobile number have been suspended. ''I am not able to make any calls since morning. There is no explanation for this sudden suspension of services on the day of polling in the Anantnag Lok Sabha constituency,'' Mehbooba told PTI. The PDP also alleged that its workers and polling agents were detained by police ahead of polling. Besides Delhi, polling is underway in 14 constituencies in Uttar Pradesh, all 10 seats in Haryana, eight seats each in Bihar and West Bengal, six seats in Odisha, four seats in Jharkhand and one seat in Jammu and Kashmir. Simultaneously, polling is being held for 42 assembly constituencies in Odisha and the Karnal assembly bypoll in Haryana. Voting began at 7 am and people were seen queuing up at polling stations. In Haryana, Khattar and Saini were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at a polling booth in Karnal's Prem Nagar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged voters to exercise their right to franchise in the penultimate phase of the Lok Sabha elections in large numbers. ''I urge all those who are voting in the 6th phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections to vote in large numbers. Every vote counts, make yours count too! Democracy thrives when its people are engaged and active in the electoral process. I especially urge women voters and youth voters to vote in large numbers,'' Modi said in a post on X. Kejriwal said, ''Each vote cast by you in this great festival of democracy will be against the authoritarian mindset and strengthen democracy and the Constitution of India. Go to the polling stations and assert that there is democracy in India and democracy will remain in India through your votes.'' Kharge appealed to people to vote against the politics of hatred, rhetoric and distraction. Over 11.13 crore voters -- 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5,120 third gender -- are eligible to exercise their franchise in the sixth phase. The EC has deployed around 11.4 lakh polling officials at 1.14 lakh polling stations. With large parts of India sweltering under a heatwave, the poll panel has directed election officials and state machineries to take adequate measures to manage the adverse impact of hot weather. In West Bengal, voting will be held in the tribal belt Jangal Mahal region, spanning five districts. A hotspot for identity politics, the region sends eight representatives to Lok Sabha from Tamluk, Kanthi, Ghatal, Jhargram, Medinipur, Purulia, Bankura, and Bishnupur seats. Out of the eight seats, the BJP won five and TMC bagged three in the 2019 polls. An interesting fight is on the cards in Delhi with the BJP and INDIA bloc partners Congress and AAP pitted in a direct, one-on-one contest in all the seven seats. In Uttar Pradesh, polling is underway for Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Phulpur, Allahabad, Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi seats. Around 82.16 lakh voters, including 40.09 lakh females, are eligible to exercise their franchise in Giridih, Dhanbad, Ranchi and Jamshedpur constituencies of Jharkhand. In Bihar, 86 candidates are in the fray in the eight seats of Valmiki Nagar, Pashchim Champaran, Purbi Champaran, Sheohar, Siwan, Gopalganj, Maharajganj and Vaishali. Polling is also being held in Odisha's six parliamentary constituencies of Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Puri and Sambalpur along with 42 assembly seats under these Lok Sabha segments.

Haryana Lok Sabha Polls: Early Voter Turnout and Key Contests Unveiled

Haryana Lok Sabha Polls: Early Voter Turnout and Key Contests Unveiled Haryana recorded a voter turnout of 8.31 per cent in the first two hours of polling for its 10 Lok Sabha constituencies. Polling is also underway for the bypoll to the Karnal assembly seat where Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is in the fray. The bypoll was necessitated by his predecessor Manohar Lal Khattar's resignation. There are 2,00,76,768 (two crore) registered voters, including 94,23,956 (94 lakh) women and 467 people from the transgender community, Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Agarwal earlier said. According to Election Commission data, the Bhiwani-Mahendragarh constituency recorded the highest turnout during the first two hours after polling began at 7 am at 10.26 per cent while Faridabad registered the lowest at 5.46 per cent. Ambala recorded a turnout of 6.92 per cent, Gurugram 6.20 per cent, Hisar 7.44 per cent, Karnal 9.29 per cent, Kurukshetra 9.92 per cent, Rohtak 10.22 per cent, Sirsa 9.81 per cent and Sonipat 9.33 per cent. In 2019, the BJP had swept Haryana, winning all 10 Lok Sabha seats. A total of 223 candidates, including Khattar, two Union ministers and Congress stalwart Kumari Selja, are in the Lok Sabha elections fray in Haryana. These include 207 men and 16 women. Voting began amid tight security and will continue till 6 pm. Khattar and Saini were among the first to cast their votes at their respective booths. Saini, accompanied by his family members, cast his vote in his native Mirjapur Majra village in Ambala district's Naraingarh. Khattar exercised his franchise at Karnal's Prem Nagar. The BJP's state chief and outgoing Kurukshetra MP, Saini was sworn in as chief minister on March 12. While he is contesting the assembly bypoll, Khattar is the BJP candidate from Karnal Lok Sabha seat. Saini, Khattar and Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda appealed to voters to come out in large numbers and exercise their franchise. Khattar, who is up against Haryana Youth Congress chief Divyanshu Budhiraja, said in Karnal that everyone must come forward to participate in the ''festival of democracy''. Saini, facing the Congress' Tarlochan Singh in the bypoll, appealed to every eligible voter to cast their vote. The country has scaled new heights of development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi while Haryana has also moved on a path of development under the BJP government, Saini told reporters after casting his vote. Hooda, whose son and Congress leader Deepender Singh Hooda is contesting from Rohtak against the BJP's incumbent MP Arvind Sharma, also urged voters to exercise their franchise. Haryana is witnessing a direct contest between the BJP and the opposition Congress on most seats. However, seats such as Hisar are witnessing a multi-cornered contest. From Hisar, Power Minister Ranjit Singh Chautala, an Independent MLA who joined the BJP ahead of the polls, is contesting against two members of the Chautala clan -- the Jannayak Janta Party's (JJP) Naina Chautala and the Indian National Lok Dal's (INLD) Sunaina Chautala. Former Congress MP Jai Prakash is also in the fray. First-time voters expressed their enthusiasm at being part of the democratic exercise. ''The youth are a country's backbone and everyone should participate in this festival of democracy by exercising their right to vote,'' said a first-timer voter in Panipat. Ranjit Singh Chautala and his family members cast their votes in Sirsa district. JJP chief Ajay Singh Chautala and his wife Naina Chautala also cast their votes, along with their sons -- former deputy chief minister Dushyant Chautala and Digvijay Chautala. At the polling booth, Ajay Singh Chautala touched the feet of his uncle Ranjit Singh Chautala and sought his blessings. Naina Chautala told reporters that elections are for politicians what board exams are for children. In Hisar's Adampur, BJP leaders Kuldeep Bishnoi, his wife Renuka Bishnoi and son Bhavya Bishnoi, an MLA, cast their votes. The Congress' INDIA bloc partner AAP is contesting from Kurukshetra, where it has fielded its Haryana unit chief Sushil Gupta against the BJP's Naveen Jindal and the INLD's Abhay Singh Chautala. Union ministers Rao Inderjit Singh and Krishan Pal Gurjar are seeking re-election from Gurugram and Faridabad, respectively. From Gurugram, the Congress has fielded senior leader Raj Babbar. Selja is contesting from Sirsa. The JJP has fielded candidates from all 10 seats, INLD from seven and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) from nine. Chief Electoral Officer Agarwal earlier said 20,031 polling stations have been set up. These include 19,812 permanent and 219 auxiliary stations. Foolproof security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the elections, Director General of Police Shatrujeet Kapur said.

Stage set for sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls, two former CMs among prominent candidates

Stage set for sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls, two former CMs among prominent candidates The penultimate round of the mammoth Lok Sabha battle will see polling on 58 seats across seven states and a union territory on Saturday with the Election Commission having made all arrangements to ensure smooth and peaceful polling. The sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls includes eight seats in Bihar, all 10 seats in Haryana, one seat in Jammu and Kashmir, four in Jharkhand, all seven seats in Delhi, six in Odisha, 14 in Uttar Pradesh and eight in West Bengal. A total of 889 candidates are in the fray. Forty-two assembly constituencies in Odisha are also going for polls in the sixth phase. Assembly elections are being held in the state simultaneously with the Lok Sabha elections in the state. All parliamentary seats in Delhi and Haryana will go to the polls in this phase. The prominent candidates in the fray include two former Chief Ministers - Manohar Lal Khattar and Mehbooba Mufti. Khattar is contesting as the BJP candidate from Karnal and Mehbooba Mufti as the PDP nominee from Anantnag-Rajouri. Some of the prominent candidates in the fray include Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra and former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi. Bansuri Swaraj, Somnath Bharti, Manoj Tiwari, Kanhaiya Kumar, Dinesh Lal Yadav alias 'Nirahua', Dharmendra Yadav, Abhijit Gangopadhyay, Agnimitra Paul, Naveen Jindal, Raj Babbar, Deepender Singh Hooda, Kumari Selja and Aparajita Sarangia are among other prominent candidates in the fray. Some of the key seats in this phase include New Delhi, North-East Delhi, North-West Delhi and Chandni Chowk in the national capital and Sultanpur and Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh. Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag-Rajouri, West Bengal's Tamluk, Medinipur, Haryana's Karnal, Kurukshetra, Gurgaon, Rohtak and Odisha's Bhubaneswar, Puri and Sambalpur are some of the other key seats. Stakes are high for the BJP as also for Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and other constituents of INDIA bloc in this phase of the election. The riveting contest in Delhi has AAP and Congress jointly taking on the BJP, which won all seven Lok Sabha seats in the national capital in the last two elections. While Congress is contesting on three seats in the national capital, AAP is contesting on four. The two parties are part of the INDIA bloc. The BJP campaign has been bolstered by rallies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and other party leaders. Senior leaders of Congress have also held rallies in the national capital. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who has been released on interim bail by the Supreme Court in the Delhi excise policy case, also sought votes for AAP and Congress candidates. AAP and Congress have also joined hands in Haryana where BJP won all the seats in 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Some seats in the state, including Hisar, are witnessing multi-cornered contests. Apart from BJP and Congress, the electoral stakes are high for INLD, Jannayak Janata Party in Haryana. The state will also go for assembly polls months after the Lok Sabha election. Odisha is also seeing some key battles in Sambalpur, Bhubaneshwar and Puri. Election Commission said that the concerned CEOs and state officials have been directed to take adequate measures to manage the adverse impact of hot weather or rainfall wherever predicted. Polling stations will have ample shade, drinking water, ramps, toilets, and other basic facilities to ensure that polling takes place in a comfortable and secure environment. The Election Commission appealed to voters to turn out in large numbers at polling stations and vote with responsibility and pride. It specially reminded voters in urban centres like Delhi, Gurgaon, Faridabad about the right and duty to vote and break the trend of urban apathy. Polling has already has been completed on 428 parliamentary constituencies for 25 states and UTs in the first five phases of general elections. Over 11.13 crore voters include 5.84 crore male, 5.29 crore female and 5120 third gender electors are eligible to exercise their franchise in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls. Around 11.4 lakh polling officials will be involved in conducting his phase of election. Over 8.93 lakh registered over 85-year-old voters, 23,659 voters above 100 years and 9.58 lakh PwD voters have been provided the option to vote from the comfort of their homes in the penultimate phase of Lok Sabha polls. Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency of Jammu and Kashmir will also vote tomorrow. The poll panel had revised the date of polling from May 7 to May 25 after it received representations for shifting the poll date. The Lok Sabha will be completed on June 1 after the seventh phase of polls in which voters from 57 constituencies will exercise their franchise. The results will be declared on June 4. A look at key constituencies in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls. DELHI: All seven constituencies will be voting in this phase. BJP won all seven seats in 2014 and in the 2019 general elections. 1) Chandni Chowk: BJP has replaced sitting MP Harsh Vardhan with debutant Praveen Khandelwal to face Congress' JP Agarwal, who is a veteran of Lok Sabha battles. He has fought parliamentary elections 10 times and has been elected four times to Parliament. 2) East Delhi: Harsh Deep Malhotra of the BJP is pitted against Aam Aadmi Party's Kuldeep Kumar, popularly known as Monu. Kuldeep Kumar is MLA from Kondli seat. 3) New Delhi: Bansuri Swaraj, daughter of late Union minister Sushma Swaraj, is facing AAP's Somnath Bharti from the seat. 4) North East Delhi: BJP's sitting MP Manoj Tiwari is pitted against Congress' Kanhaiya Kumar, a student leader from JNU, who contested the 2019 Lok Sabha polls unsuccessfully as a CPI candidate from Bihar's Begusarai. 5) North West Delhi: Former BJP MP Udit Raj is seeking to make a comeback from the reserved constituency. The former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer is pitted against Yogender Chandolia of the BJP, who has served as mayor of North Delhi. 6) South Delhi: BJP's Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, MLA, is facing Aam Aadmi Party's Sahi Ram Pehalwan in this constituency. 7) West Delhi: Kamaljeet Sehrawat from the BJP is facing Mahabal Mishra from AAP. Mishra is a three-time MLA and a former MP. BIHAR: Eight out of the total 40 constituencies in the state will be polling in this phase. 1) Valmiki Nagar: The constituency was earlier known as Bagaha. JD(U) has pitted Onil Kumar as the NDA candidate against RJD's Deepak Yadav. 2) Paschim Champaran: BJP's sitting MP Sanjay Jaiswal is facing Madan Mohan Tiwari of Congress. 3) Purvi Champararan: BJP's Radha Mohan Singh is in the fray as NDA candidate against Rajesh Kushwaha of Vikassheel Insaan Party and of INDIA bloc. Vijay Kumar Sahani of Rashtriya Jansambhavna Party is also in the fray. 4) Sheohar: Lovely Anand of the JD-U is contesting against Ritu Jaiswal of RJD. 5) Vaishali: Sitting MP Veena Devi of the LJP (Ram Vilas) is facing Vijay Kumar Shukla of the RJD. 6) Gopalganj: Sitting JD(U) MP Alok Kumar Suman is taking on Prem Nath Chanchal of Vikassheel Insaan Party and Dinanath Manjhi of AIMIM. 7) Siwan: RJD's Awadh Bihari Chaudhary is pitted against Vijay Lakshmi Devi of JD(U) 8) Maharajganj: BJP's Janardan Singh 'Sigriwal' is contesting against Akash Kumar Singh of the Congress. HARYANA: The state bordering Delhi has multi-cornered contests on some of its 10 seats with a former Chief Minister also in the fray. 1) Ambala: This city, which is famous for appliances manufactured here, is seeing a contest between BJP's Banto Devi Kataria, who is the widow of late MP Rattan Lal Kataria, and Varun Chaudhary of the Congress. Kiran Punia of the JJP and Gurpreet Singh of the INLD are also in the fray. 2) Kurukshetra: A three-cornered contest is taking place between BJP's Naveen Jindal, AAP's Sushil Gupta, and INLD's Abhay Chautala. 3) Sirsa: Former Union Minister Kumari Selja of Congress is pitted against Ashok Tanwar of BJP. 4) Hisar: Ranjit Singh of the BJP is facing INLD's Sunaina Chautala, JJP's Naina Chautala and Jai Prakash of Congress. 5) Karnal: Former Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar is taking on Congress' Divyanshu Budhiraja. 6) Sonipat: Mohan lal Badoli of BJP is pitted against Satpal Brahmachari of the Congress. 7) Rohtak: Incumbent BJP MP Arvind Sharma is facing Deepinder Singh Hooda of the Congress and Ravinder of JJP. 8) Bhiwani-Mahendragarh: BJP's Dharambir Singh is pitted against Rao Dhan Singh of Congress and Bahadhur Singh of the JJP. 9) Gurgaon: Union Minister MP Rao Inderjit of the BJP is facing actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar. 10) Faridabad: Union Minister Krishan Pal Gujjar is facing Congress veteran Mahendra Pratap Singh while the JJP has fielded Nalin Hooda and INLD has fielded Sunil Tewatia. JHARKHAND: Four out of a total of 14 constituencies in the state will see polling in this phase. 1) Giridih: AJSU's Chandra Prakash Chaudhary is pitted against JMM's Tundi MLA Mathura Mahato and student union leader Jairam Mahato. 2) Dhanbad: BJP's Baghmara MLA Dulu Mahato and Congress' Anupama Singh, wife of the party's Bermo legislator Kumar Jaimangal, are in the electoral battle. 3) Ranchi: Congress' Yashaswini Sahay, daughter of former Union Minister Subodh Kant Sahay, is facing BJP's sitting MP Sanjay Seth. 4) Jamshedpur: BJP's sitting MP Bidyut Baran Mahato is contesting against JMM's Baharagora MLA Samir Mohanty. ODISHA: Six out of total 21 seats will face polls in this phase. 1) Sambalpur: Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is contesting against Nagendra Kumar Pradhan of Congress and Pranab Prakash Das of the BJD. 2) Keonjhar: In this constituency reserved for the Scheduled Tribes, Ananta Nayak from the BJP is facing Binod Bihari Nayak of the Congress and Dhanurjaya Sidu of the BJD. 3) Bhubaneshwar: In the capital city of Odisha, BJP's Aparjita Sarangi is in contest against Syed Yashir Nawaz of Congress and Manmath Kumar Routray of the BJD. 4) Dhenkanal: Rudra Narayan Pany of BJP, Sushmita Behra of the Congress and Abhisnash Samal of BJD are in contest from this constituency. 5) Puri: BJP's Sambit Patra is facing Arup Mohan Patanayak of the BJD and Jay Narayan Patnaik of the Congress. 6) Cuttack: Bharturari Mahtab of the BJP is facing Suresh Mohapatra of the Congress and Santrut Misra of the BJD. Uttar Pradesh: Fourteen out of a total of 80 constituencies will be voting in this phase. 1) Sultanpur: BJP's Maneka Gandhi is up against Bhim Nishad of the SP and BSP's Udraj Verma. 2) Pratapgarh: Sitting MP Sangam Lal Gupta of the BJP is facing SP Singh Patel from the Samajwadi Party. 3) Phulpur: Praveen Patel of the BJP is facing SP's Amaranth Maurya and Jagannath Path of BSP. 4) Allahabad: This pilgrim city will see a contest between Neeraj Tripathi of the BJP and Ujjwal Rewati Raman Singh of the Congress. 5) Azamgarh: Dinesh Lal Yadav 'Nirahua' of the BJP, Dharmendra Yadav from the SP and BSP candidate Sabeeha Ansari are in fray. 6) Jaunpur: BJP candidate Kripashankar Singh is facing SP's Babu Singh Kushwaha and Shyam Singh Yadav from BSP. The other constituencies going for polls in this phase are Ambedkar Nagar, Shrawasti, Domariyaganj, Basti, Sant Kabir Nagar, Lalganj, Machhlishahr and Bhadohi. West Bengal: Eight out of 42 seats in the state will go to the polls in this phase. 1) Tamluk: The headquarters of the Purba Medinipur district will see a contest between BJP's Abhijeet Gangopadhyay, Debangshu Bhattacharya of Trinamool Congress and Sayan Banerjee of CPI-M. Abhijeet Gangopadhyay is a former High Court judge. 2) Kanthi: This parliamentary constituency will see contest between Shomendu Adhikari of the BJP, Uttam Barik of the TMC and Urbasi Banerjee of Congress. 3) Ghatal: BJP's Hiranmoy Chattopadhyay is pitted against Deepak Adhikari of the Trinamool Congress and Tapan Ganguly of CPI. 4) Jhargram: The reserved is seeing a face-off between BJP's Panat Tudu, Kalipada Saren of TMC and Sonamani Tudu of CPM. 5) Medinipore: BJP's Agnamitra Paul is contesting against June Maliah of Trinamool and Biplab Bhat of CPI. 6) Purulia: Jyotirmay Singh Mahato of BJP is in the fray against Nepal Chandra Mahato of the Congress and Shantiram Mahato of the Trinamool Congress. 7) Bankura: Subhas Sarkar of BJP is facing Arup Chakraborty of TMC and and Nilanjan Dasgupta of CPM. 8) Bishnupur: Khan Saumitra of BJP, a sitting MP, is contesting Sujata Mondal of TMC and Sital Chandra Kaibartya of CPM on the reserved seat. Jammu and Kashmir: The Union Territory has seen enthusiastic turnout in the earlier phases. Anantnag-Rajouri is seeing keen battle between People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti, Mian Altaf of the National Conference, and Zafar Iqbal Manhas of Jammu and Kashmir Apni Party. (ANI)

Ambala Constituency of Haryana Lok Sabha Election 2024: Date of Voting, Result, Candidates List, Main Parties, Schedule

Banto Devi Kataria and Varun Chaudhary are prominent candidates for Ambala Lok Sabha seat in the upcoming elections.

Former Haryana CM Khattar seeks blessings at Baba Lakkar Nath temple before Lok Sabha election in Haryana

Former Haryana CM Khattar seeks blessings at Baba Lakkar Nath temple before Lok Sabha election in Haryana A day before the sixth phase of Lok Sabha voting, BJP candidate for Karnal Lok Sabha seat Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday visited the Baba Lakkar Nath temple in Bazida Roran to seek blessings. Khattar will cast his vote at booth number 174 located in Prem Nagar on Saturday. While talking to the media, Khattar appealed to the public to vote in large numbers. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has fielded Manohar Lal Khattar, a two-time Chief Minister of Haryana, as its candidate for the Karnal Lok Sabha seat. He will be contesting against Divyanshu Budhiraja from the Congress, Virender Maratha from the Sharad Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, and Devendra Kadyan from the Jannayak Janta Party (JJP). This four-way battle makes the Karnal constituency a critical and closely watched contest in Haryana. Polling will take place in the 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana and for the Karnal assembly by-poll on Saturday. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini is contesting the Karnal byelection. Ten Lok Sabha constituencies in Haryana include Ambala, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Faridabad, Gurugram, Hisar, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Rohtak, Sirsa, and Sonipat. The BJP had won all 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana in the 2019 general elections. In the 2014 elections, the BJP won 7 seats, while the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) won 2 seats and the Congress secured only one seat. Campaigning ended for the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections on Thursday in which 58 constituencies spread across eight states and a UT will go to the polls on Saturday. The general elections are being held across seven phases. The first five phases were held on April 19, April 26, May 7, May 13, and May 20 while the subsequent phases are scheduled on May 25, and June 1. Votes will be counted on June 4. (ANI)

Farmers' Protests, Employment Key Issues In Ambala

Campaigning for the Lok Sabha is at their peak across the country. After phase 5 of the polls, political parties have put their full strength to canvass for phase 6. NDTV is on the ground to find out the mood of the people.

Ambala Lok Sabha elections 2024: Check full schedule

Kabosu, the Shiba Inu Who Inspired Dogecoin, Dies at 18

Kabosu, the beloved dog who inspired the creation of dogecoin and other meme tokens like shiba inu, has passed away, her owner announced in a blog post early Friday. At the time of her death, she was over 17 years old. In a heartfelt message, Kabosu's owner wrote, We will be holding a farewell party for Kabo-chan on Sunday, May 26th. It will be held at Flower Kaori in Kotsu no Mori, Narita City, from 1pm to 4pm. Kabosu, the Japanese shiba inu famous for the doge meme, had battled leukemia and liver disease. She was 18 years old at the time of her passing. Kabosu's viral meme picture became the inspiration behind dogecoin (DOGE), which was created in 2013 as a playful cryptocurrency. DOGE's unexpected success led to the emergence of a variety of dog-themed tokens, including shiba inu (SHIB) and floki (FLOKI), which have collectively become a significant sector in the cryptocurrency industry. Atsuko Sato, Kabosu's owner, shared the news on Instagram, saying, To all of you who loved Kabosu, on the morning of the 24th of May, Kabosu crossed the rainbow bridge. Thank you all so much for your support over the years. She added, She went very peacefully without suffering, as if falling asleep while feeling the warmth of my hands petting her. Thank you all so much for loving Kabosu all these years. Kabosu's legacy as the face of the doge meme and her impact on internet culture and cryptocurrency will be remembered by her fans worldwide. Breaking! Helicopter Carrying Pilgrims Makes Emergency Landing in Kedarnath Breaking! Bus Accident on Ambala-Delhi National Highway: 7 Dead, 20 Injured

Seven killed, 20 injured as truck hits minibus in Ambala

AMBALA: Seven people, including an infant, died and 20 were injured when a minibus collided with a truck here in the early hours of Friday, police said. The accident took place near Mohra village on the Ambala-Delhi Highway. The bus was carrying around 30 people from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr who were going to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. All of them were relatives, police said. Due to the impact of the collision, the front portion of the minibus was badly damaged. Seven occupants of the bus, including a six-month-old girl, died and 20 people were injured, they said. After hearing the screams of the passengers, passers-by pulled the injured out of the mangled bus. Later, with the help of police, the injured were admitted to two nearby hospitals, they added. The bodies have been kept in a mortuary for post-mortem examination. The truck driver fled from the spot, leaving behind his vehicle. A case has been registered against the driver and efforts are being made to nab him, police said. One of the injured told reporters that all passengers were relatives and they left for the Vaishno Devi shrine on Thursday evening.

7 killed, 20 injured as truck hits minibus in Ambala

Ambala: Seven people, including an infant, died and 20 were injured when a minibus collided with a truck here in the early hours of Friday, police said. The accident took place near Mohra village on the Ambala-Delhi Highway. The bus was carrying around 30 people from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr who were going to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir. All of them were relatives, police said. Due to the impact of the collision, the front portion of the minibus was badly damaged. Seven occupants of the bus, including a six-month-old girl, died and 20 people were injured, they said. After hearing the screams of the passengers, passers-by pulled the injured out of the mangled bus. Later, with the help of police, the injured were admitted to two nearby hospitals, they added. The bodies have been kept in a mortuary for post-mortem examination. The truck driver fled from the spot, leaving behind his vehicle. A case has been registered against the driver and efforts are being made to nab him, police said. One of the injured told reporters that all passengers were relatives and they left for the Vaishno Devi shrine on Thursday evening.

Breaking! Bus Accident on Ambala-Delhi National Highway: 7 Dead, 20 Injured

HARYANA: A tragic bus accident occurred in the early hours of May 24 on the Ambala-Delhi-Jammu National Highway, resulting in the deaths of seven people and injuries to twenty others. Dr. Kaushal Kumar, Medical Officer at Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt, confirmed the fatalities and injuries, stating, Seven people died and more than 20 were injured in a bus accident on the Ambala-Delhi-Jammu National Highway. The accident happened early today. Video footage from the scene shows a severely damaged bus with rescue teams working on-site, while traffic continues to flow. A fire truck was also present to aid in the rescue operations. The bus was carrying pilgrims to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the accident. This story is developing, and more details will be updated...... These 3 Indian-Origin Students Killed in Road Accident in US Boat Capsizes in Maharashtra's Ujani Dam, Six Missing After Sudden Storm Breaking! Tragic Accident in Chhattisgarh: 15 Tribals Dead After Pickup Overturns, Falls into 20-Foot Pit

7 Members Of Family Killed, Over 20 Injured In Tragic Bus Crash On Highway In Haryana

Ambala: At least seven members of the same family were killed and more than 20 sustained injuries after a mini-bus they were travelling in collided with a truck on the National Highway in Ambala district of Haryana on Friday. The victims were pilgrims travelling to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. According to Dr Kaushal Kumar, [] The post 7 Members Of Family Killed, Over 20 Injured In Tragic Bus Crash On Highway In Haryana appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Seven killed, 20 injured as truck hits bus in Ambala

The bus was carrying around 30 people from Uttar Pradesh who were going to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir

At least seven killed, over 20 injured in bus accident on Ambala-Delhi-Jammu National Highway

7 members of family from Uttar Pradesh travelling to Vaishno Devi killed in road accident on Delhi-Ambala highway

Ambala, May 24: Seven people lost their lives while 10 others were injured after a tempo traveller they were travelling in crashed into a truck on Delhi-Ambala National Highway near Mohra village early Friday morning. The victims were on their way from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh to Vaishno Devi to pay obeisance. According to the [] The post 7 members of family from Uttar Pradesh travelling to Vaishno Devi killed in road accident on Delhi-Ambala highway appeared first on Northlines .

Tragic Bus Accident Near Ambala: 7 Dead, 20 Injured

Tragic Bus Accident Near Ambala: 7 Dead, 20 Injured At least seven people died and 20 were injured when a minibus was hit by a truck here in the early hours of Friday, police said. The accident took place near Mohra village, close to Ambala Cantt. The bus was carrying around 30 people from Uttar Pradesh who were going to the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir, police said. The injured were taken to a nearby hospital, they said.

7 Killed, Over 20 Injured After A Bus-Truck Collision on Ambala-Delhi-Jammu National Highway

7 members of family killed, over 20 injured in bus accident on highway in Ambala

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Seven dead, 25 injured after truck rams bus in Haryana's Ambala

Seven dead injured after truck rams bus in Haryanas Ambala

In battle for Haryanas Ambala, BJP banks on pro-women schemes; Cong leans on its pillars of justice

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In battle for Haryana's Ambala, BJP banks on pro-women schemes; Congress leans on its 'pillars of justice'

The Ambala Lok Sabha constituency in Haryana is poised for a tough contest between the BJP's Banto Devi Kataria and the Congress's Varun Chaudhary on May 25. Kataria, widow of former MP Rattan Lal Kataria, hopes to retain the seat, leveraging BJP's welfare schemes and PM Modi's popularity. Chaudhary, a sitting MLA and son of veteran leader Phool Chand Mullana, focuses on local issues and Congress's manifesto. The farmers' protests and recent leadership changes could influence the outcome.

Ambala agriculture officer suspended for negligence in election duty

Farmers gather at Shambhu, Khanauri to mark 100 days of Delhi Chalo protest

AMBALA, May 23: Farmers have assembled at Shambhu and other border points to mark the completion of 100 days of the ongoing protest to press the Centre to accept their demands, which includes a legal guarantee of MSP for crops. The farmers are camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points since February 13 when their Delhi Chalo march was stopped by security forces. Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said farmers gathered at Shambhu, Khanauri and Dabwali [] The post Farmers gather at Shambhu, Khanauri to mark 100 days of Delhi Chalo protest appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

A trail down Theayagaraya Road

CHENNAI : If you are passing through Pondy Bazaar during the evenings, you might get frustrated with the traffic congestion. In the mornings, this favourite shopping avenue of Chennaiites is a picture of calm with an avenue of huge trees providing you shade. You can hear the chirping of parakeets that nestle in the branches, see them flying from one tree to another, find people going for a walk on the pavements, and people sitting under the Banyan trees and Peepal trees to read the morning newspaper in silence. This road of Theayagaraya Nagar, as we find it today, was laid a hundred years ago, during 1920s. During the morning hours of May 19, a group of 15 enthusiasts gathered on this road for the Storywalk Through T Nagar conducted by Vikram Sridhar, a performance-based storyteller, and theatre practitioner, to explore the history and evolution of the place. The essence of a storywalk is to walk slowly with a free mind. We all have shared memories when it is about places and in a storywalk, we exchange the history of a place with our memory connected to it, said Vikram. He started the walk by showing the explorants the Theayagaraya Nagar on the map of Chennai city, and pointed out its rectangular curvature. Theayagaraya Nagar being bound by four roads the Mount Road, Usman Road (then called as Mambalam High Road), Burkit Road, and Bazullah Road gets its unique shape, which cannot be found in the maps of other areas, said Vikram, adding, The first planned area of Chennai city was T Nagar, making it a part of east Mambalam. Places and stories Before forming Theayagaraya Nagar, the entire area was accumulated in the village of Mambalam. In 1921, due to housing shortage, the west side of the Long Tank of Mylapore, a lake in those days, was filled in and converted into a residential colony, therefore creating the now T Nagar. Vikram asked the explorants if they wondered why the village of Mambalam is called as West Mambalam now. He explained that while the eastern side of the lake became Theayagaraya Nagar, the west side of the lake came to be called West Mambalam. In 1923, a park was also constructed at the heart of Theayagaraya Nagar, and was named after the Raja of Panagal, giving it the name Panagal Park. This locality was named in honour of Sir PT Theayagaraya Chetty, one of the founders of the Justice Party during our countrys freedom struggle. When people started calling the contracted version of Theayagaraya Nagar that is T Nagar, there was a fear that in the long run, people might forget the full name and the history behind it. When Kalaignar Karunanidhi was the chief minister of Tamil Nadu, he ordered the MTC buses passing through this area to have their name boards mention Theayagaraya Nagar and not its short form, which continues even today. During the storywalk, Vikram also mentioned that the names of streets and roads here are named after prominent political leaders belonging to the Justice Party. Vikram said, Only some roads require a walk through, to witness it in full, and one such road in India is the Sir Theayagaraya Road. Whether it is for shopping or eating out, taking a stroll down this road will get all of your senses into work. There are several stories around the history of this shopping hubs name. In Pondy Bazaar, the part Bazaar has Persian roots, and Pondy was named after Pondicherry, the native place of Chokkalinga Mudhaliar, who came to Chennai for on-site visit in 1933 and had built the first ten shops on Theayagaraya Road, making it into a place for merchandise. The Tamil name Soundarapandianar Angadi, which is also given to the R4 police station, is named after WPA Soundarapandian, a Justice Party politician. Street shopping This place was once famous for selling different kinds of wigs and was filled with make-up artistes, and till 2013, this road was known for street shopping. This whole road was dominated by hawkers before they were shifted to the corporation complex. Most of the shopping would be done on the streets rather than inside the shops on Theayagaraya road, noted Vikram. He also showed the street that housed old buildings Rajkumari theatre, the first theatre in Theayagaraya Nagar, and the Nagesh theatre. These theatres are no more, however these buildings are known as Big Bazaar and Vijaya Mahal respectively. Vikram went on to talk about some eateries and their history. The Geetha Cafe and Restaurant was opened in 1954, a time when eating out was considered a taboo. This restaurant served as an eatery for the traders who would come to sell their goods in Pondy Bazaar. Even today, this restaurant has many people thronging for coffee and breakfast. The famous Sri Krishna Sweets had set up their first shop in Chennai on Singaravelu Street, now shifted to Venkatanarayana Road. People would wait in a queue to get the samples of their renowned mysurpa. Chintamani Softy and Juice Parlour, that has been on the street for over 50 years, is now attracting numerous people after the introduction of their softy machine. Deluxe, the first non-vegetarian restaurant in T Nagar, famous for its appam-paaya, butter chicken and their iconic briyani, is now replaced by a Malaysian restaurant. You might think that T Nagar now is synonymous with clothe shopping. It was so then too with some popular names popping up in the market. In the 1930s, when Madras witnessed crisis in womens clothing, the founder of the Naidu Hall clothing store opened in 1939 at the basement of the present showroom in Theayagaraya Road, manufacturing brassiere and sold it from door to door. Milan Jyothi Garden, that exists even today, was another clothing shop that manufactured easy-laundering clothes. While the boards of the shops and the building architecture have changed over the years, what remains the same is the aroma of coffee beans from Narsus Coffee Shop and the fragrances of flowers from various florists that fill the busy road. Walking is a non- technological way of remembering our past. Every person should take a stroll in the area where they have lived or are living now, to recollect and relive their memories and the historical past, said Vikram.

Karumadikuttan, Keralas link to Buddhism, in a state of neglect

ALAPPUZHA: If someone made a list of important yet neglected religious and cultural sites in Kerala, the Karumadikuttan monument near Ambalappuzha would certainly make the cut. The structure, located in the village of Karumadi at Thakazhi, is one of Keralas oldest connections to Buddhism. Located around 19km south from Alappuzha town, it is home to Karumadikuttan (literal meaning: Boy from Karumadi), a 3-ft-tall black granite statue of Lord Buddha. It is missing the left arm. Though home to an ancient and important link to the states history the statue is believed to be as old as the 9th to 14th century and a definite tourist attraction, the place remains without basic facilities. Despite witnessing good footfall every day, the monument does not have an information centre, toilets, street lights, or drinking water. In 2014, Archaeology Department took measures to protect the over 1,200-year-old monument. It carried out maintenance work and built a compound wall and a resting hall. However, the place still has no facilities for visitors, said Nishu Boudh, the convener of the annual Buddha Purnima celebrations conducted at the monument. One security guard was appointed for the monument. Meanwhile, the land allotted for the structure has been encroached upon. The district administration and tourism department should promote the monument, said Nishu, adding, Due to the absence of streetlights, the entire structure and the road leading to it is covered in darkness at night. Nishu said since 2014, the Kerala Buddhist Council, an apex body of various Buddhist organisations has been celebrating Buddha Purnima at Karumadi. Over 1,000 devotees from the state and outside take part in it, he said. This year, the celebration will be held on Thursday. In 2014, Rajasekhran Pillai of Karumadi, who claimed he had a portion of the broken left hand of Karumadikuttan, handed it over to the archaeology department. It is being kept at Krishnapuram Palace in Kayamkulam. As per historical accounts, Karumadi was known as Sreemoola Vasam, where Buddhist monks propagated Buddhism during the 9th and 10th century. As per historical documents, the statue was set up at that time, but was later lost. The statue was discovered in 1930 by Sir Robert Bristow, a famous port engineer who developed Kochi port and Willingdon Island. He installed the statue on the land near the place where it was discovered. On May 5, 1965, the Dalai Lama had visited Karumadi and confirmed that the statue was set up here to propagate Buddhism in Kerala. During his visit, the Dalai Lama handed over `6 lakh for the preservation of the statue. The money was used to build the road leading to Karumadikuttans statue.

Gurgaon LS polls: BJP's Rao Inderjit Singh eyeing third win, contesting against Congress' Raj Babbar

Gurgaon LS polls: BJP's Rao Inderjit Singh eyeing third win, contesting against Congress' Raj Babbar Haryana's Gurgaon, which is set to go to polls in the sixth phase of Lok Sabha elections on May 25, will witness the battle between Congress' Raj Babbar, who has been a three-time Lok Sabha Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh, and BJP's sitting MP and former Minister, Rao Inderjit Singh. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, Rao Inderjit Singh of BJP bagged 881,546 votes (60.9 per cent) while Congress' Capt. Ajay Singh garnered 495,290 votes (34.2 per cent). Bahujan Samaj Party's Chaudhary Rais Ahmad stood third with 26,756 votes (1.8 per cent). In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections also, Rao Inderjit Singh of BJP secured victory by garnering 644,780 votes (48.8 per cent) while Zakir Hussain of Indian National Lok Dal secured 370,058 votes (28.0 per cent). Congress' Rao Dharam Pal secured 133,713 votes (10.1 per cent) and came third. Both BJP and Congress are trying to woo the voters of Gurgaon by focusing on local issues. On one hand, Raj Babbar said that he is not too concerned about national issues but local ones and that he is not contesting against any particular person or party but against apathy. I am not thinking about national issues but local. I have an old relationship with Gurgaon. Those who are coming from Delhi don't know that this place is the most backwards in the interiors... My fight is not with any person or party but with problems, I am contesting against apathy, Babbar said. Taking to his official X handle, Babbar claimed that people are not receiving tap water. He said, The major urban areas of Gurgaon are deprived of their basic amenities. The infrastructure is so inadequate that these areas lack piped water supply and suffer from inadequate drainage. These conditions clearly indicate the extent of injustice the people here have faced from the government. Expressing confidence in the victory of Congress, Babbar claimed that his party would sweep the state. Gurugram is where people from across the state of Haryana live. It is a city in which people from all over Haryana and people from everywhere can be seen... Gurugram means Haryana and it is also a cosmopolitan city. This is unique... Looking at their response, it seems that Congress Party is winning all 10 seats in the state, Babbar said. On the other hand, Rao Inderjit Singh, taking to his official X handle, posted a Vision Document for the upcoming term (2024-29) which included Health services will start available in Rewari AIIMS; construction of Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS) with the aim of providing safe, reliable and intercity mobility services; extension of Metro to Sector 9 of Old Gurgaon; connecting Mewat region to rail network through Orbital Rail Corridor with the aim of promoting overall development of Mewat region and connecting it to the mainstream; implementation of Punjab Land Conservation Act, 1900 for Green Gurgaon; to free Dharuhera-Bhiwadi from water logging by constructing water link; and clean Gurgaon Mission in which a strong system of sanitation and waste management to be developed in the entire Gurgaon Lok Sabha in a planned manner. A General seat, the Gurgaon Parliamentary constituency includes nine assembly constituencies of Gurgaon, Badshapur, Sohna, Pataudi, Bawal, Rewari, Nuh, Ferozepur Jhirka and Punhana. Haryana has 10 Lok Sabha constituencies, including Ambala, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Hisar, Karnal, Sonipat, Rohtak, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh, Gurgaon and Faridabad. Voting in Gurgaon is scheduled for May 25. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) won 7 out of 10 Lok Sabha seats whereas Congress could not win any seat in the state. (ANI)

Confronted by farmers, Vij says didnt give order for firing during Feb protest

Ambala: BJP leader Anil Vij on Tuesday said that he had not given any order for firing on protesting farmers at the Khanauri border point in February but as he was the state home minister at that time he takes responsibility for the incident. Vij stated this after farmers stopped his car in village Panjokhara Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil | Song - K For Krishna (Lyrical)

Watch the song 'K For Krishna' from Malayalam movie 'Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil' starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Basil Joseph. 'K For Krishna' is sung by Milan Joy, Aravind Nair, Amal C Ajith and Unni Elayaraja and music of the song is given by Ankit Menon. Lyrics of 'Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil' song 'K For Krishna' are written by Vinayak Sasikumar. To know more about 'K For Krishna' song from Prithviraj Sukumaran and Basil Joseph starrer 'Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil' watch the video.

Miscreants hurl explosives at CPM leaders in Pullur

KASARAGOD: Two miscreants hurled explosives at CPM leaders who were on a house visit at Mutticharal in Pullur on Monday as part of raising funds for the party. The accused are Ratheesh and Sameer, of Kasaragod. Ambalathara police have registered cases against the duo on various charges including negligent conduct with respect to explosive substances (IPC Section 286), attempts to commit culpable homicide (IPC Section 308), and acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention (IPC Section 34). Ambalathara SHO said that Ratheesh hurled explosives at CPM members while they were visiting houses for raising party funds. Sameer was arrested, but Ratheesh is absconding after the incident. In the past, the accused worked for the party but they parted ways after issues developed between them. We have started an investigation, the officer said. Explosives were thrown at CPM members, including Ambalathara local secretary Anoop K V, Ezhammile local secretary Baburaj, DYFI Ambalathara regional secretaries Arun, and party member Balakrishnan. Anoop said, We were visiting houses to raise funds for building the new local committee office building. The man hurled explosives at us and fled from the place after people gathered at the place following the explosion. Ratheesh is a former follower of the CPM, but he was not a member of the party. He was a public nuisance and created trouble in the locality too often. Ratheesh and Sameer used to threaten and attack people after getting drunk. When the explosive was thrown at the CPM members, Amina, 42, of Pullur, who was staying close suffered injuries in her eyes. She was taken to Kanhangad District Hospital for treatment.

Modi misleading people on Congress manifesto: Kharge

JAGADHARI (HAYANA) : Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge called Prime Minister Narendra Modi jhoothon ka sardar and accused him of lying about Congress manifesto to mislead the public. He was addressing his first rally in Haryana in Yamunanagar district. Modi is saying the Congress was planning to redistribute wealth and take away womens mangalsutras. Modi also said in his rallies that if Congress comes to power, it will snatch away all your properties. These are not our words, Kharge said in Haryanas Jagadhri city. If a PM says these things, what should we say? Should such people be given votes again? he asked. He is a jhoothon ka sardar, Kharge said. Congress candidate from Ambala Lok Sabha seat Varun Chaudhary and AAPs Kurukshetra candidate Sushil Gupta attended the rally. Congress is contesting nine seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party, its partner in the INDIA bloc, is contesting the Kurukshetra seat for the May 25 polls. Kharge said the alliance will bring a caste census, and it will do it for the good of the public, not to snatch anyones property. He said the Congress is fighting against the RSS ideology. Kharge on Tuesday asserted that the response of the people towards his party and INDIA bloc has changed significantly and there is a big undercurrent in favour of the alliance which will be able to stop the BJP from getting the majority numbers in Lok Sabha polls. In an interview with PTI, he said it is the people who are now fighting for them and against the ideology of the BJP and the RSS which spreads hatred and division in society. The Congress chief said people feel the fight is now to save democracy and the Constitution and have extended support to the party. Kharge also accused the BJP of repeatedly instigating people and emotionally looting them in the name of Ram temple, Hindu-Muslim and India-Pakistan and claimed they have now understood their true colours. After travelling across the country, we are getting the sense that there is a big undercurrent in our favour. The Congress party and coalition partners of INDIA bloc will get more seats this time. We will be able to stop the BJP from getting the seats required for coming to power. I feel the BJP will not be able to form its government, he said. In INDIA bloc favour Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge is confident of people supporting the alliance. He said, After travelling across the country, we are getting the sense that there is a big undercurrent in our favour. The Congress party and coalition partners of INDIA bloc will get more seats this time. We will be able to stop the BJP from getting the seats required for coming to power. I feel the BJP will not be able to form its government, he said. Asked from where they were getting the confidence, Kharge said the response of people towards them and how they have started supporting them and are fighting for their ideology is giving him such confidence.

Visakhapatnam Forest Department and Amazon India Join Hands To Empower Tribal Artisans

Visakhapatnam: In a move that promises to empower tribal communities and promote sustainable livelihoods, the Visakhapatnam division of the Andhra Pradesh forest department has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Amazon India. This strategic partnership leverages the rich heritage and craftsmanship of tribal artisans residing in Sambhuvanipalem, nestled within the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. The collaboration aims to provide a global platform for these artisans by listing their authentic handcrafted products on Amazon's e-commerce platform. This initiative will not only enhance their visibility but also create new income opportunities and foster sustainable economic development. The Amazon Karigar programme forms the cornerstone of this partnership. Through this programme, tribal artisans will receive valuable training in product value addition, packaging, and branding, equipping them with the skills necessary to thrive in the online marketplace. Additionally, the forest department will establish a dedicated e-commerce hub to streamline operations by managing packaging, storage, order processing, and product dispatch. This partnership with Amazon India signifies the forest department's unwavering commitment to empowering local communities, remarked Anant Shankar, the District Forest Officer of Visakhapatnam. He expressed optimism that this initiative will be transformative for the tribal community in the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary. By providing a platform to showcase their craftsmanship and generate income, the project aims to improve their livelihoods in a sustainable manner.The benefits extend beyond economic empowerment. This collaboration also contributes to forest conservation efforts in the region. By providing alternative sources of income, the project discourages dependence on forest resources, ultimately promoting wildlife protection and environmental sustainability.

Ex-Haryana minister Anil Vij admits ordering firing on protesting farmers

Former Haryana home minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Anil Vij made a shocking revelation on camera acknowledging he ordered the firing on protesting farmers in the state. Vij during his confrontation with civilians believed to be farmers in Ambala district acknowledged his role in the decision to use force to tackle protesting Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Kharge Slams Modi: 'Jhoothon Ka Sardar' Sparks Controversy in Haryana Rally

Kharge Slams Modi: 'Jhoothon Ka Sardar' Sparks Controversy in Haryana Rally Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday called Prime Minister Narendra Modi 'Jhoothon Ka Sardar' and accused him of lying about Congress's manifesto to mislead the public. Addressing his first rally in Haryana here in Yamunanagar district, Kharge slammed Modi for his saying that the Congress was planning to redistribute wealth and take away women's mangalsutras. ''If Congress comes to power, it will snatch away all your properties. After getting X-ray done, where is mangalsutra, where is gold, silver and will take it out, give it to others,'' he said Modi said in his rallies. ''If you have 2 acres, one acre will be given to others, if you have two buffaloes, one will be given to Muslims. He (Modi) said this These are not our words,'' Kharge said in the district's Jagadhri city. ''If a PM sitting in such a position says these things, then what should we say? Should such people be given votes again?'' he asked the gathering. ''He is a 'jhoothon ka sardar.''' Congress candidate from Ambala Lok Sabha seat Varun Chaudhary and AAP's Kurukshetra candidate Sushil Gupta were also present at the rally. Congress is contesting nine seats, while the Aam Aadmi Party, its partner in the INDIA bloc, is contesting the Kurukshetra seat for the May 25 polls. Kharge said the alliance will bring a caste census, and it will do it for the good of the public, not to snatch anyone's property. He said the Congress is fighting against the ideology of RSS -- a Hindu right body and the ideological parent of the BJP. ''You are snatching the Constitution and we are fighting against it. You want to end democracy and we are fighting it,'' Kharge said. The Congress president said the current fight is between the people and Modi, and the people and the BJP. ''Because, people are fed up with them.'' Kharge also sought BJP's response on its promise of 2 crore jobs each year, Rs 15 lakh in everyone's bank account, and doubling of farmers' income. ''Did you get it?'' he asked the gathering. ''...Did he give (jobs)... How can a PM tell such a lie?'' ''The Prime Minister is a liar. Raise your hands, he is a liar,'' he exhorted the people, adding, ''What is wrong if I call such a prime minister 'jhoothon ka sardar.''' Kharge said he is confident that the INDIA bloc will come to power. ''The Modi government is not coming, I can say that with certainty.''. The Congress leader said the party's election manifesto is for Dalits, the poor, women, weaker and deprived sections, farmers, and the youth. ''It is not for any particular community or religion.'' He lashed out at Modi over the now-repealed three farm laws and death of ''750 farmers'' during their agitation against the reforms at Delhi's borders. '''Tumne sabka saath to liya, lekin sabka satyanash kar diya' (You took support from everyone, but then you destroyed them),'' he said Kharge from the dias also paid tribute to former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi on his death anniversary. He said it was under the leadership of Rajiv Gandhi that the Congress got the biggest mandate with 414 seats in 1984. He hailed him for framing 11 ''important'' policies, including the anti-defection law, laying the foundation of communication, IT and computerisation. ''Today women are sarpanches, Dalits are sarpanches, OBC are sarpanches,'' it is all because of the Congress, he said. He said it was Rajiv Gandhi, at whose initiative, the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18. ''We do not lie like Modi. We have shown what work we have done. ''We did everything, that is why Modi ji you became the Prime Minister of the country,'' he said and listed such projects as Bhakra dam, and factories like HMT, HAL, BEL set up under the Congress. ''You (Modi) say the country is secure because of you. 'Tum to pahad khod ke chuha nikalne wale log hai,''' Kharge said, adding, it was former prime minister Indira Gandhi who divided Pakistan into two and freed Bangladesh. ''You always say I did this and I did that. What Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi did for the nation, that is called work,'' he said. Kharge also took exception to Modi likening Congress's manifesto to a ''Muslim League manifesto'' and said, ''He must read it. If he cannot read it properly, we can send one person from the Congress office to make you understand.'' Kharge, holding a copy of the Constitution in his hands, said: ''This fight is to save the Constitution and democracy in the country.''

Koodiyattam gives couple the stage to script history

THRISSUR: Kirathan aka Kattalan (a reincarnation of Shiva) enters, donned in black and wearing a crown with a symbol of the half-moon and lined with peacock feathers, accompanied by Kirathi (a form of Parvathy) in peculiar pacha outline with white border make-up. The scene is devised to capture the hearts of spectators, even those not very familiar with the classical art form of koodiyattam. As Kiratharjuneeyam, choreographed by Ammanur Rajaneesh Chakyar and performed along with his wife Bhadra, gets recognition, the couple is creating waves. A former software engineer, Rajaneesh decided to immerse himself in Koodiyattam in 2008 to carry on the lineage of legendary performer Ammanur Madhava Chakyar. Rajaneesh is among the brood of rare artists who learnt koodiyattam the traditional way, over a period of 15 years. His passion also led him to take up research. He completed his PhD in koodiyattam from Kerala Kalamandalam in 2023. Bhadra and Rajaneesh met through the social media platform Orkut. As the friendship grew into a relationship, she had just one condition for marriage: Rajaneesh should teach her koodiyattam. Though Bhadra was born into a family with no professional performance artists, she developed an ardent love for traditional art forms. She received training in percussion instruments from prominent artists, including Mattanur Sankarankutty, and even excelled in thayambaka as a youngster. As studies took centre stage, Bhadra failed to pursue her interests. The interest in classical art never went away and when Rajaneesh started working on Kiratharjuneeyam, we decided to perform together, shares Bhadra. It was while working on his PhD thesis that Rajaneesh came across Kiratharjuneeyam, written by Kodungallur Kunjikuttan Thampuran in Sanskrit. We had searched for a copy of the text, which was not even available at the Kerala Sahitya Akademi or the Appan Thampuran memorial library. But we were lucky to find one at the library of the Kodungallur kovilakam. For nearly three years, especially during the lockdown, we put out minds to the text, reading it and then compiling whatever was required to come up with a koodiyattam performance, says Rajaneesh. While Kiraturjana Vijayam is a popular kathakali recital, it was not generally performed in koodiyattam and was more like an unwritten rule not to bring a character of Kattalan to Koothambalam. Koodiyattam is the performance of stories from the epics by a chakyar and nangyar. Though Kerala has been blessed with several chakyar (male) and nangyar (female) artists, Rajaneesh and Bhadra, who are based in Irinjalakuda, are probably the only couple to perform together for a recital. Their performance of Kiratharjuneeyam has completed 16 stages, since its debut in 2021. The couple took great effort to understand the Sanskrit text and decide on the costumes. We had to create an entirely new costume for Kirathan to avoid any resemblance with the characters portrayal in kathakali, he added. From composing the mizhavu rhythm for the score to deciding the meter and appearance of each character, Kiratharjuneeyam changed our perspective towards koodiyattam as an art form, says Rajaneesh. However, the couple are bothered about the declining popularity of koodiyattam. Unlike kathakali, it is still the artists and associated people who create the platform for koodiyattam. This should change, stresses Rajaneesh.

Residents demand underpass at Nettoor ahead of rail doubling

KOCHI: Amid the rising demand for an underpass at the Nettoor railway gate, barely a kilometre from the NH 66, the mobility of people living in the nearly 600 houses in the Ambalakadavu and North Colony wards of Maradu municipality continues to be severely restricted. Coupled with the frequent closure of the railway gate, the absence of the underpass has been making lives difficult for the numerous people for whom the path through the railway gate serves as the main link to the city. Other than the ferry service, the Ambalakadavu Road that reaches NH 66 provides the main access to the city for residents sandwiched between the railway track and the backwaters. However, frequent closure of the gate makes travelling a tough task for us, said V V George, who resides near the railway gate. The residents said the proposed doubling of the Ernakulam-Alappuzha coastal railway line will compound their problems owing to the spike in the number of train services. George said the situation turns especially bad during a medical emergency, as they have to go for a alternative route, which is 2km longer, to another junction. The other exits available are narrow, meaning there will be a traffic block if two cars approach each other at the same time, he said. Nettoor West Residents Association secretary Abdul Salam said the Ambalakadavu area comprises temples and churches, one of which has over 1,500 parishioners. Ferry passengers from Thevara and nearby areas mainly depend on the railway gate route, he said. Stressing the need for an underpass, Ambalakadavu councillor Jaya Joseph said the area will soon be covered under the Kochi Water Metro service. The work is in progress. However, unless there is an underpass, the movement of those arriving or departing from the water metro jetty will be affected, she said. Jaya said a 25-member action council comprising the MP, MLA and the Maradu municipality chairman was formed following an all-party meeting to resolve the issue. In the first meeting of the council, it was decided to raise the issue before the railway minister, divisional railway manager and other authorities concerned, she said. Former Maradu municipality vice-chairman Boban Nedumparambil said once the coastal railway line becomes a reality, the closure of Nettoor-Ambalakkadavu railway gate will become more frequent, increasing peoples challenges. An underpass is immediately needed to resolve the travel issues of residents as well as passers-by, Boban said. He said the civic body, while he was its vice-chairman, had initiated efforts to relocate the railway gate. A sum of Rs 1.10 crore was sanctioned for the same, but the efforts proved futile.

Amid rainfall in Kanniyakumari district, collector inspects Pechiparai, Perunchani dams

KANNIYAKUMARI: Amid rainfall lashing Kanniyakumari district for the past few days, District Collector PN Sridhar inspected water levels in Pechiparai and Perunchuni dams that have neared their respective capacities. While the level of water in Pechiparai dam stands at 45.14 feet, against its capacity of 48 feet, that in Perunchuni dam has been recorded at 47.5 feet against its capacity of 77 feet. Taking stock of the water level in the two dams, Collector Sridhar said that Pechiparai has neared its capacity. Following an inflow of 244 cusecs due to rainfall, around 50 cusecs of water was released from Pechiparai. Perunchani dam received an inflow of 177 cusecs, while Chittar-I and Chittar-II dams received inflow of 40 cusecs and 61 cusecs of water respectively. Based on the instructions of the state government, 31 rescue personnel have been deployed to Kanniyakumari district disaster rescue centre, 30 personnel have been stationed at government higher secondary school at Ezhudesam in Killiyoor taluk, and 40 personnel to Mariya College at Athoor in Thiruvattar taluk. Meanwhile, Mylaudy recorded the highest rainfall in the district, at 65.2 mm. In the last 24 hours till Saturday morning, the district received an average rainfall of 7.98 mm. Nagercoil and Kolipurvilai received 32.4 mm and 20.2 mm of moderate rainfall respectively. Rainfall recorded (in mm) in last 24 hours: Kottaram: 7 Mylaudy: 65.2 Nagercoil: 32.4 Aralvaimozhi: 2.2 Bhoothapandy: 10 Thuckaly: 9.6 Kolipurvilai: 20.2 Mambalathuraiyaru: 5 Chittar-I: 2 Chittar-II: 4 Kalial: 2.4 Kuzhithurai: 2.8 Pechiparai: 5.2 Perunchani: 12.4 Puthen Dam: 11.8 Surulacode: 1 Aanaikedanku: 3 Mullankinavilai: 11.2

'Will revive HMT, link Panchkula with Chandigarh Metro'

Banto Kataria, BJP candidate from Ambala Lok Sabha seat, vows to continue late husband Rattan Lal Kataria's projects and aims to transform Panchkula into a tourist and education hub. She criticizes Congress for scams and vows to revive HMT. Kataria plans to develop Panchkula as a tourism, medical, and industrial hub, with initiatives like film city and Chandigarh Metro extension.

Devarajan Masters statue eclipsed by rolls of construction materials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : At Manaveeyam Veedhi, the cultural hub of the city, stands the commemorative statue of G Devarajan, fondly known as Devarajan Master. However, this tribute to the celebrated composer is now barely visible behind huge rolls of construction pipes and other materials, thanks to the ongoing Smart City project. Once the construction works on Manaveeyam Road were completed, we thought that the materials would be removed. But its still here, covering Masters face. Such negligence towards an iconic figure is unacceptable. Either the statue must be relocated or the materials must be removed as soon as possible, said the artistic community of Manaveeyam. The communitys frustration is palpable, as they see this clutter as more than just a physical obstruction. They say it is a snub to a man who brought great cultural richness to the state. The pile of construction materials is not just an eyesore but a symbol of misplaced priorities, said Hari, a local artist. Smart City project officials have said that the materials will be cleared within a month. The Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society Ltd (ULCCS) is managing the Smart City project. A minor road cutting at Vazhuthacaud needs to be completed. After finishing the work at Manaveeyam Veedhi, the works are ongoing on the Vellayambalam road. All the work is expected to be concluded within a month. The materials stored on the road will be removed once the work is completed, said an official. As the Smart City project advances, the community hopes that the legacy of Devarajan Master will not be overshadowed by the development. They call for a balance between progress and preserving the cultural heritage that defines Manaveeyam Veedhi. The statue of Master is a reminder of the importance of honouring those who have influenced the cultural scene in the state. This respect should be reflected in the citys efforts towards development, added Hari. For years, Devarajan Square has been a focal point for many musical programmes held at Manaveeyam. The square is where annual events are held on the masters birth and death anniversaries, organised by the Devarajan Master Foundation.

Strong government removed Article 370: PM Modi

CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi stepped up his attack on the Congress, saying it was his dhakad (strong) government that brought down the wall of Article 370 in Kashmir which is now moving ahead on the path of development. He emphasized the the progress made by his government and praised Haryanas spirit: Haryana means himmat (courage) and hausla (high morale). Like Haryana, Modi has run the government for 10 years in a dhaakad manner, he said. Addressing his first election rally in the state, Modi said the history of Congress was one of betraying Indias forces. He referred to the Jeep scandal, the first scam during the grand old partys rule. Could a weak government have changed the situation in J&K? Modi asked the gathering. Referring to Haryana contributing a sizable number of soldiers in the armed forces, he said when the Congress was in power, mothers in Haryana were a worried lot thinking about their childrens safety. Have such things stopped now or not? he asked the audience. Today, when you see Rafale aircraft in the skies of Ambala, dont you feel proud? he said. I have come to seek your blessings for the next five years, he said. He slammed the Congress and INDIA bloc partners and said when there is a strong government in power, the enemies think hundred times before doing anything. He said Pakistan, which earlier had bombs in its hands, now has a bheekh ka katora (begging bowl) in its hands. When there is a dhakad sarkar, the enemy is terrified, Modi said. Patriotism runs in the veins of Haryana. Therefore, each house in Haryana is saying phir ek baar Modi sarkar. He remarked, Just 17 days are left for June 4. After four phases of elections, the Congress and INDIA bloc and all their friends and parties have been completely destroyed. These people took several steps against the country; however, the people have given them a befitting reply in the battlefield of elections, he said. The Congress and its partners have drawn a blank in the first four phases of polling, he said. We decided to make India self-reliant and we will work 24x7 for 2047, he asserted. The PM said the welfare of farmers was his priority. Congress did nothing for farmers. They purchased crop of Rs 7.5 lakh crore on MSP in 10 years, but Modi in ten years bought Rs 20 lakh crore crop on MSP that is nearly three times, he said. Among those present at the rally were former Haryana chief minister and the BJPs Lok Sabha poll candidate from Karnal, Manohar Lal Khattar, the partys Ambala and Kurukshetra candidates, Banto Kataria and Naveen Jindal. Today, the sugarcane FRP (fair and remunerative price) is around Rs 350 per quintal, whereas it was Rs 210 during the Congress-led government, he said. More than Rs 650 crore, as part of the Kisan Samman Nidhi, were transferred to the bank accounts of farmers hailing from Ambala, Karnal and Kurukshetra, he added. Referring to the AAP-Congress poll alliance in certain states, he said Congress leaders are holding the jhadoo (broomstick, AAPs poll symbol) in Delhi and Haryana, but claiming that jhadoowala chor hai in Punjab, where the two parties are contesting the election against each other. The PM reiterated his claim that the Congress will redistribute the reservation meant for SCs, STs and OBCs on the basis of religion, and alleged that the opposition party wants to snatch the quota for Dalits in jobs and education.

Kashmir now moving ahead on path of development: PM

Weak Govt wont have changed situation *Dream of bringing back Art 370 will never be fulfilled AMBALA/SONIPAT (Hry), May 18: Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharpened his attack on the Congress on Saturday and said it was his dhakad (strong) Government that brought down the wall of Article 370 and as a result, Jammu and Kashmir is now moving ahead on the path of progress. Tearing into the Congress, Modi said its history has been of betraying Indias forces and soldiers [] The post Kashmir now moving ahead on path of development: PM appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

MHA order: Induct Ambala SP in CBI

A Whale of a Time Awaits Visitors at Vizag Zoo

The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park has initiated steps to bring 10 different species of wild animals and birds. The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park has initiated steps to bring 10 different species of wild animals and birds. Visakhapatnam: Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) has started acquiring a host of exotic animals, including Bengal fox, Himalayan black bear and scarlet macaws, making for a top-notch experience for its visitors. On top of this, IGZP has taken up several other initiatives like installing benches, recreational areas for children and a new animal adoption policy to augment the zoo's finances. IGZP recently welcomed a pair of giraffes from the Kolkata Alipore Zoological Garden. These tall herbivores - a two-year-old male and a four-year-old female - are currently in quarantine under the supervision of zoo doctors. Additionally, four Asian water monitor lizards, scarlet macaws have also been brought to the zoo. New enclosures have been constructed for Bengal fox, Himalayan black bear, hippopotamuses, Indian mar, stamp tailed musk, Asian brown parrots, and more. Spanning across 625 acres, the IGZP in the Seethakonda Reserve Forest in Visakhapatnam offers a unique experience for wildlife enthusiasts. It is surrounded by the picturesque Eastern Ghats on three sides and the Bay of Bengal on the fourth. The park is home to 77 animal species, totalling 835 individuals; this includes carnivores, small mammals, reptiles, ungulates, and birds. Rare endemic and exotic trees and shrubs with water bodies add to the natural beauty. The geography helps in hosting diverse fauna amid two hillocks. The adjoining Kambalakonda Eco Tourism Park, itself, is home to several rare animals. Domestic and foreign tourists are patrons of the Visakhapatnam Zoo. To increase footfall, new cafeterias have been set up. There are ample recreational facilities for children as well. Resting benches and platforms have been placed along all enclosures for the benefit of tourists. In an interesting development, the zoo management has laid down the rules for persons interested in adopting animals. Visitors who adopt animals in the zoo will get tax exemptions under 80G (5) of the IT Act, 1961. Donors who make a contribution of Rs 10,000 to Rs 30,000 can avail themselves of free entry into the zoo for five persons once a year. Donors who contribute Rs 30,000 or more will get a t-shirt, cap, and free entry to participate in all the events held at the zoo. Donors will also receive authorised adoption certificates.

Modi says democracy not in danger

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaffirmed his commitment to democracy and development while delivering a series of fiery speeches across Delhi and Haryana and launching a vigorous attack on the Opposition over its democracy in danger claim if the BJP-led NDA retains power. He said that though four generations of Congress ruled in Delhi, the Opposition party now is not capable of fighting for even four seats here. He urged voters to reject the INDI alliance, alleging that their manifesto is influenced by the Muslim League. Modi, who spoke at his first rally in Delhis Northeast, had earlier addressed two rallies in Haryanas Ambala and Sonipat. In these speeches, he accused the Opposition of wanting power at any cost, even if it means sacrificing the country's security, stability, and respect. He also praised the bravery of soldiers, noting that Haryana has one of the largest numbers of people in the armed forces. I consider it a blessing from God to be chosen to accelerate our country's development. Sixty years ago when I left my home, I was unaware that I would one day hoist the tricolour at the Red Fort. My family was left behind, but today, 140 crore Indians are my family. I am not living for myself but for your bright future and your children's. You are my heirs, and I work tirelessly day and night just for you, said the PM, recalling how Delhi has witnessed a remarkable transformation. He claimed that in their relentless pursuit of votebanks, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc neglects development and schemes. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc held Delhi captive over the CAA, inciting riots, but their falsehoods stand exposed. Refugees, including Dalit families, now receive Indian citizenship. Their communal reservation agenda defies Baba Saheb Ambedkars principles, said the PM. Representatives from 13 diplomatic missions in India attended the PMs Northeast rally as part of BJPs Know BJP initiative, including delegates from Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia, Japan, Mauritius, Nepal, Russia, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. In subsequent rallies in Haryana's Sonipat and Ambala, Modi reiterated his criticism of the Opposition, particularly their alleged attempts to destabilise the country and reverse his government's policies. He declared that the Opposition's dream of reinstating Article 370 in Kashmir would never be realized, asserting that his government had buried it in the kabristan (graveyard). Attacking the I.N.D.I.A. bloc, he said they have a formula of having five prime ministers in five years if they come to power. In the 2024 'kurukshetra', there is development on one hand and 'vote jihad' on the other, he said. I want to ask the people of Haryana... Who will win? He waited for people to respond before saying, Your reply has decided 'Phir Ek Baar', and the crowd responded with, Modi Sarkar. Modi said now the Congress is not even hiding its desh-virodhi agenda (anti-national agenda). They are openly saying they will reverse everything Modi has done in the last 10 years if they come to power. But their dream of bringing Article 370 back will never be fulfilled, he added. On the Opposition naming their grouping I.N.D.I.A., he said, The reality does not change by changing names. This INDI Alliance is a gang of the corrupt (jamaat of ghotalebaaz). They want power at any cost. And what is that cost? It is the country's security, stability, and respect. And five prime ministers in five years. This is their formula to run the government, he said. Will the country benefit if there is a new PM each year? What will they do? Will you allow the country to go back to that period of instability? Referring to Haryana contributing a sizable number of soldiers to the armed forces, Modi said when the Congress was in power, mothers in the state were worried about their children's safety. Have such things stopped now or not? he asked the audience, which responded with an emphatic yes. Patriotism runs in the veins of Haryana, he said, adding that the state understands anti-national forces. Therefore, each house in Haryana is saying - phir ek baar and the crowd responded, saying Modi sarkar. When there is a dhakad government in the country, the enemy thinks 100 times before doing anything, the prime minister said. He said Pakistan, which earlier had bombs in its hands, is now holding a egging bowl. Referring to the AAP-Congress poll alliance in certain states, he said Congress leaders are holding the jhadoo (broomstick, the Aam Aadmi Party's poll symbol) in Delhi and Haryana, but claiming that jhadoowala chor hai in Punjab, where the two parties are contesting the election against each other. The Prime Minister reiterated his claim that the Congress will redistribute the reservation meant for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) on the basis of religion, and alleged that the opposition party wants to snatch the quota for Dalits in jobs and education. The Congress never cared about the small needs of the country's soldiers, including their clothes, shoes, and bullet-proof jackets, he said. He accused the Congress of betraying the ex-servicemen and keeping the One Rank, One Pension issue lingering for four decades.

Modi's 'dhakad' government brought down wall of Article 370: PM in Ambala

Modi's 'dhakad' government brought down wall of Article 370: PM in Ambala Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharpened his attack on the Congress on Saturday and said it was his ''dhakad'' (strong) government that brought down the wall of Article 370 and as a result, Jammu and Kashmir is now moving ahead on the path of progress. Tearing into the Congress, Modi said its history has been of betraying India's forces and soldiers. ''Their first scam was in the (armed) forces,'' the prime minister said, in an apparent reference to the ''Jeep scandal'', without naming it. Modi was addressing his first Lok Sabha poll rally in Haryana. Later, he addressed another rally in Sonipat's Gohana. ''The Congress maintained its track record with new scams till it was in power at the Centre. Be it the Bofors scam, the submarine scam, the helicopter scam -- the Congress used to keep the forces weak. Do you know why? So that in the name of procuring arms from abroad, it could earn huge sums,'' he alleged. Referring to Haryana contributing a sizable number of soldiers in the armed forces, Modi said when the Congress was in power, mothers in the state were a worried lot thinking about their children's safety. ''Have such things stopped now or not?'' he asked the audience that responded with an emphatic ''yes''. On Jammu and Kashmir, the prime minister said a weak government could never have changed the situation in the region. ''Modi's dhakad government brought down the wall of Article 370 and Kashmir is now moving ahead on the path of progress,'' he said. In August 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that had bestowed special rights on Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories. Modi asserted that the welfare of farmers is his priority and said the previous Congress-led government at the Centre spent Rs 7.5 lakh crore to procure foodgrains at the minimum support price (MSP) in 10 years, whereas the current regime's procurement of crops at the MSP was for Rs 20 lakh crore. He also accused the Congress of cheating sugarcane farmers. ''When we came to power, their arrears had run up to Rs 60,000 crore. This year alone, we paid Rs 1.14 lakh crore,'' Modi said. Today, the sugarcane FRP (fair and remunerative price) is around Rs 350 per quintal, whereas it was Rs 210 during the Congress-led government, he said. More than Rs 650 crore, as part of the Kisan Samman Nidhi, were transferred to the bank accounts of farmers hailing from Ambala, Karnal and Kurukshetra, he added. Referring to the AAP-Congress poll alliance in certain states, he said Congress leaders are holding the ''jhadoo'' (broomstick, the Aam Aadmi Party's poll symbol) in Delhi and Haryana, but claiming that ''jhadoowala chor hai'' in Punjab, where the two parties are contesting the election against each other. The prime minister reiterated his claim that the Congress will redistribute the reservation meant for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) on the basis of religion, and alleged that the opposition party wants to snatch the quota for Dalits in jobs and education. ''The Congress has nothing to do with women, farmers and youngsters. For the Congress, its vote bank is everything,'' he said. He also slammed the opposition party for saying it will scrap the Citizenship (Amendment) Act if it comes to power. Seeking to strike an emotional chord with Sikhs, Modi said it was his government that brought the ''saroops'' of the Guru Granth Sahib with full respect from Afghanistan. He said it was his government that started observing ''Vir Bal Diwas'' to commemorate the martyrdom of the sons of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh. Modi said the Ram temple in Ayodhya was built after a 500-year wait. ''The entire country is happy, but Congress leaders utter insulting words about the temple,'' he said. The prime minister said only 17 days are left for June 4, when the Lok Sabha poll results will be announced. The Congress and its partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) have drawn a blank in the first four phases of polling, he claimed. ''When there is a dhakad government in the country, the enemy thinks 100 times before doing anything,'' Modi said. He said Pakistan, which earlier had bombs in its hands, is now holding on to a ''begging bowl''. The Congress never cared about the small needs of the country's soldiers, including their clothes, shoes and bullet-proof jackets, he said. ''India is now selling to other countries weapons that it used to buy from them,'' the prime minister said. He accused the Congress of betraying the ex-servicemen and keeping the ''One Rank, One Pension'' issue lingering for four decades, and said it was his government that fulfilled the promise made to them. India has a lot to offer to the world in the field of nutrition, Modi said, adding that he wants to take the ''jowar'' and ''bajra'' grown by the farmers of Haryana to the world. Voting for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase of the seven-phase election on May 25. Among those present at the Ambala rally were former Haryana chief minister and the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate from Karnal, Manohar Lal Khattar, the party's Ambala and Kurukshetra candidates, Banto Kataria and Naveen Jindal. Earlier, Modi paid tributes to former Union minister Rattan Lal Kataria. Saturday marked the death anniversary of Kataria, who represented Ambala in the Lok Sabha. His wife Banto Kataria is the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate from the seat this time.

'My Dhakad Govt': PM Modi Jibes 'Terrified' Pakistan At Ambala Poll Rally I Watch

Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivers a scathing speech targeting Pakistan during an election rally in Ambala. He said Pakistan is now holding a 'begging bowl' and asserted that a formidable government makes enemies think 100 times before attacking. PM Modi further highlights the trouble caused by Pakistan for 70 years and emphasizes the development underway in Kashmir after the removal of Article 370. With only 17 days till the upcoming elections, he addresses the crowd, promising to fulfill their dreams and strengthen the pillars of a prosperous India.

Modi says Art 370 buried in kabristan, Congress should forget dream of restoring it

Sonipat: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Saturday kept up the attack on the Congress, saying it should forget the dream of bringing back Article 370 as it has been buried in the kabristan (graveyard). Addressing a rally at Gohana, his second of the day in Haryana after one at Ambala, Modi referred to the Lok Sabha Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Indias enemies shiver now because of dhaakad government, says PM Modi in Haryana

Ambala, May 18: In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that Indias enemies now think 100 times before planning to do anything as there is a dhaakad (daring) government at the Centre. Speaking at a rally in Haryanas Ambala, PM Modi said Haryana means himmat (courage) and haunsla (encouragement). [] The post Indias enemies shiver now because of dhaakad government, says PM Modi in Haryana appeared first on The Shillong Times .

'Bombs to bheekh ka katora': PM Modi credits its 'dhakad' government with a dig at Pakistan

Addressing a rally in Haryana's Ambala, When there is a 'dhakad' government in the country, enemies also think 100 times before doing anything. Pakistan had been troubling India for 70 years, it had bombs in its hands. Today it has 'bheekh ka katora' (begging bowl) in its hands. When shiver like this when there is a 'dhakad' government. He was referring to Pakistan's bailout packages from the International Monetary Fund.

Indias foes shiver because of Dhakad govt, says PM in Haryana

Ambala: In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, May 18, said that Indias enemies now think 100 times before planning to do anything as there is a dhaakad (daring) government at the Centre. Speaking at a rally in Haryanas Ambala, PM Modi said, Haryana means himmat (courage) and haunsla (encouragement). Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Your dreams are my resolution: PM Modi in Haryanas Ambala

PM Modi said Pakistan had bombs in its hands but now it has a begging bowl

Modi's 'dhakad' government brought down wall of Article 370: PM Modi in Ambala

AMBALA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharpened his attack on the Congress on Saturday and said it was his dhakad (strong) government that brought down the wall of Article 370 and as a result, Kashmir is now moving ahead on the path of development. Modi said the history of the Congress has been of betraying India's forces and soldiers as he referred to the Jeep scandal, the first scam during the grand old party's rule. Could a weak government have changed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir? Modi asked the gathering, addressing his first Lok Sabha poll rally in Haryana. Referring to Haryana contributing a sizable number of soldiers in the armed forces, he said when the Congress was in power, mothers in Haryana were a worried lot thinking about their children's safety. Have such things stopped now or not? he asked the audience that responded with a loud yes. Modi's dhakad (strong and decisive) government brought down the wall of Article 370 and Kashmir is now moving ahead on the path of development, the prime minister said. In August 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that had bestowed special rights on Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories. LS polls fifth phase: Fate of 5 Modi Ministers at stake in 14 UP seats Modi said only 17 days are left for June 4, when the Lok Sabha poll results will be announced. The Congress and its partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) have drawn a blank in the first four phases of polling, he claimed. Patriotism runs in the veins of Haryana, Modi said, adding that the state understands anti-national forces. Therefore, each house in Haryana is saying -- phir ek baar and the crowd responded, saying Modi sarkar. When there is a dhakad government in the country, the enemy thinks 100 times before doing anything, the prime minister said. He said Pakistan, which earlier had bombs in its hands, now has a heekh ka katora (begging bowl) in its hands. When there is a dhakad sarkar, the enemy is terrified, Modi said. INDIA bloc will bulldoze Ram temple if it comes to power: PM Modi Voting for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase of the seven-phase election on May 25. Among those present at the rally were former Haryana chief minister and the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate from Karnal, Manohar Lal Khattar, the party's Ambala and Kurukshetra candidates, Banto Kataria and Naveen Jindal. Earlier, Modi paid tributes to former Union minister Rattan Lal Kataria. Saturday marked the death anniversary of Kataria, who represented Ambala in the Lok Sabha. His wife Banto Kataria is the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate this time. SP, Congress will gift people's property to those who do 'vote jihad': PM Modi

PM Modi Lauds Strong Governance, Aims at Congress Over Article 370

PM Modi Lauds Strong Governance, Aims at Congress Over Article 370 Prime Minister Narendra Modi sharpened his attack on the Congress on Saturday and said it was his ''dhakad'' (strong) government that brought down the wall of Article 370 and as a result, Kashmir is now moving ahead on the path of development. Modi said the history of the Congress has been of betraying India's forces and soldiers as he referred to the ''Jeep scandal'', the ''first scam'' during the grand old party's rule. ''Could a weak government have changed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir?'' Modi asked the gathering, addressing his first Lok Sabha poll rally in Haryana. Referring to Haryana contributing a sizable number of soldiers in the armed forces, he said when the Congress was in power, mothers in Haryana were a worried lot thinking about their children's safety. ''Have such things stopped now or not?'' he asked the audience that responded with a loud ''yes''. ''Modi's dhakad (strong and decisive) government brought down the wall of Article 370 and Kashmir is now moving ahead on the path of development,'' the prime minister said. In August 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Centre abrogated the provisions of Article 370 of the Constitution that had bestowed special rights on Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the erstwhile state into Union territories. Modi said only 17 days are left for June 4, when the Lok Sabha poll results will be announced. The Congress and its partners in the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) have drawn a blank in the first four phases of polling, he claimed. Patriotism runs in the veins of Haryana, Modi said, adding that the ''state understands anti-national forces. Therefore, each house in Haryana is saying -- phir ek baar'' and the crowd responded, saying ''Modi sarkar''. ''When there is a dhakad government in the country, the enemy thinks 100 times before doing anything,'' the prime minister said. He said Pakistan, which earlier had bombs in its hands, now has a ''bheekh ka katora'' (begging bowl) in its hands. ''When there is a dhakad sarkar, the enemy is terrified,'' Modi said. Voting for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in Haryana will be held in the sixth phase of the seven-phase election on May 25. Among those present at the rally were former Haryana chief minister and the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate from Karnal, Manohar Lal Khattar, the party's Ambala and Kurukshetra candidates, Banto Kataria and Naveen Jindal. Earlier, Modi paid tributes to former Union minister Rattan Lal Kataria. Saturday marked the death anniversary of Kataria, who represented Ambala in the Lok Sabha. His wife Banto Kataria is the BJP's Lok Sabha poll candidate this time.

Congress asks why PM Modi has 'broken' promise on MSP, prioritises politics over country's daughters

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday asked why Narendra Modi has roken his promise of giving legal sanctity to a minimum support price for crops and why he prioritises his politics over the country's daughters, as the prime minister hits the campaign trail in Haryana. Referring to the protest by women wrestlers from Haryana, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the prime minister did not take action against his party's MP Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, who is accused of molestation by the women wrestlers. Today's questions for the outgoing prime minister in Haryana: Why has the prime minister broken his promise of legal MSP for farmers? Will Prime Minister Modi always prioritise his politics over India's and Haryana's daughters? Why do atrocities on Dalits pick up in BJP-ruled states like Haryana? he asked in a post on X. Referring to the farmers' demand for legal guarantee on a minimum support price (MSP) for crops, Ramesh alleged that Haryana's farmers have completely lost trust in the duplicitous Modi sarkar. When the farmers' protests were called off in 2021, they left after being reassured by the prime minister and his government that their demands would be met, Ramesh said. Todays questions for the outgoing PM in Haryana: 1. Why has the PM broken his promise of legal MSP for farmers? 2. Will PM Modi always prioritise his politics over Indias and Haryanas daughters? 3. Why do atrocities on Dalits pick up in BJP-ruled states like Haryana? pic.twitter.com/4XuEpLseUU Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 18, 2024 However, over time, the Modi sarkar's dialogue with farmers' organisations slowed down and the BJP appointed a biased committee to deliberate on the MSP question, from which one independent member had quickly resigned. After this betrayal, farmers' organisations were forced to take the streets once again to make their voices heard, he said. Instead of listening to them, the Modi sarkar lathi-charged and tear-gassed them. Last year, Haryana's farmers struggled due to unseasonal rains and storms that caused widespread crop damage. Why has the Modi sarkar continued to ignore their plight? he asked. Modi inciting people, dividing society, alleges Kharge; Uddhav says 'acche din' coming after June 4 The Congress leader claimed that the party's Nyay Patra has promised a legal guarantee for MSP, according to recommendations of the Swaminathan Commission, as well as farm loan waivers and the payment of crop insurance within 30 days. What is the BJP's vision to ensure that Haryana's farmers can make a stable, decent living? Ramesh asked. He also alleged that Modi has once again failed India's daughters. Rather than punishing party MP Singh for his heinous crimes against India's women wrestlers, the BJP rewarded him with a ticket for his son Karan Bhushan Singh from the Kaiserganj Lok Sabha seat, he charged. This has come as a slap in the face to all of India's daughters who put their careers at stake and slept on the streets for days, through sun and rain, in their fight for justice, the Congress general secretary said. It has become clear that in 'Modi ka Parivar', Nari Shakti is just a slogan that is projected while the parivar (family) shelters perpetrators of sexual violence, be it Prajwal Revanna or Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. Will women ever be safe in Modi's India? Will the prime minister's hunger for power always be more important than the safety of India's and Haryana's daughters? he asked. Ramesh also alleged that under BJP rule, Haryana has become notorious for violence and discrimination against the Scheduled Caste community. From being prohibited from using village hand-pumps to outright violence and sexual assault, Dalits have faced constant threats to their dignity and safety in the state, he claimed. When victims of these crimes approach the courts for justice, they are socially boycotted by dominant castes. Why is it that Scheduled Castes have to increasingly fear for their safety in BJP-ruled states? Does Prime Minister Modi feel no shame for the countless atrocities that Dalits have endured under his watch? he asked, urging Modi to break his silence on these issues. Modi will on Saturday address poll rallies in Haryana's Ambala and Sonipat as part of his poll campaign.

Chandigarh Sizzles at a Scorching 44.5C!

Chandigarh Sizzles at a Scorching 44.5C! The maximum temperature in the city reached 44.5 degrees Celsius as hot weather conditions continued unabated in Haryana and Punjab, the weather office here said on Friday. According to the Meteorological Department, the common capital of the two states was hotter by six notches above the season's normal limits. Rohtak and Sirsa in Haryana recorded identical maximums of 45.8 degrees Celsius, while heatwave also swept Hisar, Karnal and Ambala, which recorded temperatures of 45.5, 43.4 and 43.4 degrees Celsius, respectively, it said. Bhiwani recorded a maximum temperature of 43.2 degrees Celsius, the MeT department said. In Punjab, the maximum temperature in Amritsar reached 44.3 degrees Celsius, while in Faridkot it was 43 degrees Celsius, it said. According to the weather office, the mercury settled at 44.4 degrees Celsius in Patiala and Pathankot, and 43.8 degrees Celsius in Ludhiana. Gurdaspur recorded a high of 43 degrees Celsius while Mohali registered a maximum of 43.2 degrees Celsius, it said.

Heavy rain lashes Warangal and Hanamkonda

Karimnagar: Two persons died and three were injured in two separate incidents of lightning amid the heavy rains that lashed the Rajanna Sircilla district on Thursday. According to the police, farmer Ramadagu Chandraiah (45), a resident of Bharat Nagar of Thangallapally mandal, died of lightning when he was doing work in his fields. In another incident, to escape from the heavy rain, some farmers took shelter under a tree in Shatrajpalli village in Vemulawada mandal. Lightning struck them. One person died and injuries were caused to three persons. The deceased farmer was Kambala Srinivas (30). The injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment. Meanwhile, heavy rain with gusty winds caused havoc in Sircilla town and various other places in the district. Several trees were uprooted in gusty winds and these fell on the roads, disrupting the vehicular movement. The roofs of the houses were blown away. With electricity poles uprooted, the power supply was affected at several places. Meanwhile, heavy rain brought relief to the people who were facing problems of the searing summer heat for the past three days in the tri-cities of Warangal, Hanamkonda and Kazipet. Heavy downpour was experienced in the evening for nearly two hours in several colonies in Kashibugga, Khila Warangal, Karimabad, Shiva Nagar, Charbouli, Enumamula, Gudibandal, Kothur Jenda, Vidyaranya puri, diesel colony and main chowrasta in Warangal and Hanamkonda cities. Several streets and roads in these colonies looked like lakes with the heavy flow of floodwater. Gusty winds followed by lightning disrupted power supply to many colonies.

'Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil' Review: Prithiviraj's film is fun and hilarious in parts

Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil Review Prithivirajs film is fun and hilarious in parts

Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil movie review: Prithviraj and Basil Josephs humorous bromance loses steam halfway through

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey director Vipin Das gives us a mindless fun ride with hardly a pause in between, thanks to his two lead actors, but the film finally ends up as average fare

AAP, Congress, INDIA bloc people are Mughaliya gang, says Pushkar Dhami in Ambala

Guruvayoorambala Nadayil | Song - K For Kalyanam

Watch the song 'K For Kalyanam' from Malayalam movie 'Guruvayoorambala Nadayil' starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Basil Joseph. 'K For Kalyanam' is sung by Ankit Menon, Milan Joy, Himna Hilary, Aruna Mary George, Indu Deepu, Sharath, Neelima P Aryan and Parvatish Pradeep and music of the song is given by Ankit Menon. Lyrics of 'Guruvayoorambala Nadayil' song 'K For Kalyanam' are written by Suhail Koya. To know more about 'K For Kalyanam' song from Prithviraj Sukumaran and Basil Joseph starrer 'Guruvayoorambala Nadayil' watch the video.

LS Polls: Haryana with 16 beats neighbour Punjab in fielding women candidates

CHANDIGARH: Four major parties in Punjab have fielded only six women candidates for the Lok Sabha elections, with BJP picking three, Congress two, and SAD one. AAP has not fielded any woman candidate. In neighbouring Haryana, parties have fielded 16 women and one in Himachal Pradesh. The Aam Aadmi Party was the first to announce candidates for all the 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab but it has not given ticket to any woman. Tuesday was the last day to file nominations. BJPs three women candidates are Preneet Kaur, wife of former CM Amarinder Singh, from Patiala; Anita Som Parkash, wife of Union minister of state Som Parkash, from Hoshiarpur (reserved); and former IAS officer Parampal Kaur Sidhu, daughter-in-law of Akali Dal leader SS Maluka, from Bathinda. Preneet was the Congresss MP, but she quit the party and joined the BJP. Congress two woman candidates are Yamini Gomar from Hoshiarpur and Amarjit Kaur Sahoke from Faridkot, both reserve seats. The Shiromani Akali Dal has fielded MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, wife of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, from Bathinda for the fourth time. A former Union minister, Harsimrat defeated Raninder Singh, son Amarinder Singh, from Bathinda in 2009 LS polls. She defeated her brother-in-law Manpreet Singh Badal of Congress in 2014, and current Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring in 2019. A former government schoolteacher, Sahoke resigned from her job in 2013 and joined SAD and was elected as a zila parishad member. She also remained chairman of the zila parishad from 2013 to 2018. She contested assembly elections from Jagraon in 2017 but was defeated. Then she quit SAD and joined Congress. The 49-year old Gomar was AAP candidate from Hoshiarpur and came third. She resigned from AAP in 2016 and joined the Congress. It is unfortunate that AAP has not given representation to any woman in the parliamentary polls. The party often talks about women empowerment and equality but could not find even a single woman candidate, said Partap Singh Bajwa, Congress leader. In Haryana, BJP has given ticket to Banto Kataria from Amabla (reserved) and Congress to former union minister and ex-state unit president Kumari Selja from Sirsa.INLD has announced Sunaina Chautala from Hisar and she faces her cousin sister-in-law Naina Singh Chautala of JJP. Haryana Chief Electoral Officer Anurag Aggarwal said that after withdrawal of nominations, 223 candidates, including 16 women, are left in the contest for the 10 Lok Sabha seats in the state. Hisar has the maximum women candidates three out of 28. Kurukshetra has most number of candidates at 31, but only one woman. At Ambala, 14 candidates, including two women, are contesting. In Sirsa, one woman is among 19 candidates. Karnal has two women candidates, Rohtak two, Bhiwani-Mahendragarh two, Gurgaon one, and Faridabad two. In Himachal, BJP has fielded actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut from Mandi.

PM Modi likely to address rally in Ambala on May 18, Haryana BJP leaders visit rally ground

PM Modi to address rally for BJP's Ambala candidate Banto Kataria in Ambala constituency on May 18. Haryana agriculture minister Kanwar Pal, transport minister Aseem Goel, and MLA Ghanshyam Arora to accompany PM at the rally.

17-Year-Old Cold Case Solved: Delhi Police Apprehends Suspect for Murder, Concealment of Corpse

17-Year-Old Cold Case Solved: Delhi Police Apprehends Suspect for Murder, Concealment of Corpse The Delhi Police has arrested a 57-year-old man who had allegedly killed a woman here 17 years ago, kept her body locked in a trunk and fled, officials said on Tuesday. The man was arrested from the city's Rohini area. Police said accused Virender Singh, a resident of Bihar's Vaishali district, killed the 22-year-old woman in his rented apartment here in 2007 and kept the body locked in a trunk. The body was found the next day. ''After killing her, the accused fled the city. However, during investigation, co-accused Shankar Ghosh was arrested by the local police,'' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Amit Goel said, adding that the accused was declared a proclaimed offender by a court in 2008. The officer further said an assistant sub-inspector of the crime branch was posted at the Kalkaji police station. He was the beat officer of the area where the women was killed. ''He continued to probe the case despite being transferred. He again started gathering information about the accused through people who were directly or indirectly involved in the flesh trade. He got to know that Singh is hiding in Haryana's Panipat. Raids were conducted but the accused could not be traced as he was changing his rented accommodation frequently,'' the DCP said. In February, ASI Ramesh was transferred to the crime branch and he started investigating the case again. ''This time he was able to find the mobile number of the accused and he was identified from the database of tenants. He was apprehended from the Vijay Vihar area in Rohini,'' the DCP said. During interrogation, it was revealed that the accused came to Delhi in 1991 and started living in the Chittaranjan Park area. He was working as a taxi driver. During that period, he came in contact with different people and also got to know about the flesh trade. In 2001, he joined the flesh trade for earning easy money, the DCP said, adding that he used to bring young girls from West Bengal and use them in the flesh trade. ''The victim was purchased by him for Rs 10,000,'' the officer said. On June 4, 2007, as the victim refused to go to work due to illness, the accused allegedly killed her, kept the body locked in a trunk, hid the trunk in his rented accommodation and fled to West Bengal, the DCP said, adding that he stayed in a woman's house in Siliguri. The body was found the next day. ''In 2009, he came to Ambala and joined his friend Labhoo in the flesh trade. In 2013, he shifted to Panipat and continue to carry out the same business. He came back to Delhi in 2019 and started living in Vijay Vihar,'' the DCP said.