Efforts on to make Moodbidri Kambala a zero-waste event

Lake rejuvenation project launched in Kapuluppada

Visakhapatnam: MP M. Sribharat and MLA Ganta Srinivasa Rao inaugurated a lake rejuvenation project in Kapuluppada on Wednesday. This initiative, collaboration between Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), Dhan Foundation and Redington Foundation, aims to restore four interconnected lakes Pothinavari Cheruvu, Baada Cheruvu, Kambala Cheruvu, and Baruva Cheruvu collectively known as Golusukattu Cheruvulu. The key activities include desilting, dredging, strengthening embankments, improving access routes, and protecting the lakes from encroachments. Local farmers, who have generously forgone their crops this season, lead the project. Sribharat said that preservation lakes and maintaining groundwater levels will prevent seawater ingress and ecological damage. He commended the efforts of all stakeholders and expressed hope that this project would serve as a model for sustainable water management in the region. District collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad and VMRDA chairperson M.V. Pranav Gopal and commissioner Viswanathan were also present.

Srikakulam cited as hidden gem for tourism development

Srikakulam is generally listed as an underdeveloped region. However, tourism officials now reckon that it has an untapped asset in terms of tourism development. The district boasts of an extensive coastline spanning 193km, favourable climatic conditions, significant Buddhist sites, historical temples, cultural heritage spots, numerous water bodies, and a set of tribal communities settled in the Eastern Ghats. This unique combination of natural and cultural attractions creates a compelling opportunity to enhance tourism, particularly in coastal areas, they say. Notably, on November 15, 2020, the then district collector of Srikakulam submitted 67 proposals for beachfront development to the state chief secretary through the department of tourism, culture and archaeology. The proposals sought to identify land for the development of resorts, hotels and other tourism-related projects in the coastal areas of the district. Subsequently, the proposals were elaborated with a view to enhancing beach tourism. However, there has been no action followed. The government slept over the matter. According to district tourism officer Narayana Rao, the proposed beachfront development is expected to deliver substantial economic benefits and create job opportunities for local communities. By leveraging the districts natural and cultural resources, Srikakulam is well-positioned to emerge as an attractive destination for tourists seeking avenues for relaxation and adventure. The proposals for the beachfront development include the Kambalarayudupeta beach in Vajrapukotturu mandal, over 80km from the district headquarters and 15km from the Palasa municipality. The beach is surrounded by luxuriant coconut and cashew plantations, which enhance its appeal to visitors. The beach experiences substantial tourist traffic every weekend, with increased numbers during festivals such as Kartheekamasam and the summer season. The planned development of the Kambalarayudupeta Beach is anticipated to create both direct and indirect employment opportunities for local residents, thereby contributing to the region's economic growth. The proposed developments include the installation of beach shacks, facilities, cottages, restaurants and boating services. The Bhavanapadu beach, situated 75km from Srikakulam and 10km from Santhabommali mandal, is noted for its pristine sea-green waters and soft white sands. This beach also features historical attractions, including the Yendla Mallikarjuna Swamy temple and the Telineelapuram bird sanctuary. The Bhavanapadu beach draws a significant number of visitors on weekends and there is particularly high attendance during festivals such as Mahashivarathri and the summer months. Proposed enhancements include public conveniences, beachfront illumination, seating areas and waste disposal facilities. The Pudilanka beach is located approximately 86km from Srikakulam and is positioned as an island within the Vajrapukotturu mandal, identified as a site for eco-tourism. Surrounded by lush coconut and cashew plantations, this beach attracts tourists on weekends. Beach shacks have been developed and visitor numbers have significantly increased during Kartheekamasam and the summer season. The development of Pudilanka Island is expected to foster employment opportunities and contribute to the service sector's growth, illustrating tourism's positive impact on the broader economy. The project proposals include enhancing the infrastructure and amenities to attract larger numbers of visitors. The proposed beachfront projects in Srikakulam underscore the region's tourism potential and promise economic benefits and employment opportunities for local communities.

Haryana govt identifies 370 'corrupt' patwaris, 170 middlemen; orders action within 15 days

CHANDIGARH: For the first time ever the Haryana Government has identified 370 corrupt patwaris (revenue officials) across the state as the revenue department in a confidential report has asked the deputy commissioners concerned to take action against them and report back within fifteen days. In a confidential letter dated January 14, Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue), Anurag Rastogi, highlighted the impact of corruption by patwaris on the public and the governments reputation. The letter stated: As the common man has to go to the patwaris for their work, such corruption by the patwaris adversely affects the image of the government. Many people go to these patwaris to get work done related to their lands, and they put objections time and again to harass the public. Thus, perforce, 'bribe' has to be given to them. Rastogi also asked them to take strict action in the matter and report back to the government within fifteen days. Sources revealed that, in an unprecedented crackdown on corruption within the revenue department, the Haryana government has released a list of 370 patwaris. The list highlights allegations of these officials employing personal helpers and charging convenience fees for routine tasks. Kaithal district tops the list with 46 corrupt patwaris, followed by Sonepat with 41, Mahendragarh with 36, Gurugram with 27, and Fatehabad with 25. Other districts include Kurukshetra with 23, Jhajjar with 20, Palwal with 17, Rewari with 16, Yamunanagar with 14, and Sirsa, Hisar, and Hansi with 13 each. Bhiwani has 10 such patwaris, while Panchkula stands out with none identified. Additionally, the government has identified 170 middlemen accused of collecting bribes on behalf of the patwaris. While Kaithal district has maximum corrupt patwaris 46, followed by Sonepat 41, then Mahendragarh 36, Gurugram 27 such Patwaris, Fatehabad 25,Jahajjar 20, Kurukshetra 23, Palwal 17, Rewari 16, Yamunagar 14, Sirsa, Hisar and Hansi 13 each, Bhiwani 10 while Panchkula has zero. The government has also identified 170 middlemen who allegedly take bribes on behalf of the patwaris. Gurugram has the highest number of middlemen at 26, followed by Mahendragarh with 20. Sonepat, Palwal, and Rewari each have 15 middlemen, while Yamunanagar has 14. Sources revealed that the confidential report was compiled by the state revenue department with inputs from the state intelligence wing of the Haryana Police. The report details the modus operandi of the alleged corrupt patwaris and their duration of posting. According to the report, patwaris in Gurugram allegedly take the highest bribes in the state, charging between Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,000 for land mutations. For issuing fards, they reportedly demand between Rs 200 and Rs 500. Many of these officials are said to rely on middlemen to collect the bribes on their behalf. The report further states that Patwaris some Pawaris posted in Chakhi Dadri takes around Rs 1000 to Rs 2000 for doing land mutation. And others in the district take between Rs 1,500 to Rs 2000. While Faridaba they take between Rs 500 to 700 to locate old revenue files. The letter added that a Patwari posted in Ambala from last 18 months has kept a middle men and for doing land mutation and land measurement and rectifying the record he harasses the public and another Patwari in Amabla Cantonment who has been posted the last two years and Patwari posted in Ambala city for last one year they also do the same. It is learnt that there are 1,378 patwaris in the across the state and 1,313 posts are lying vacant. As recently 2600 patwaris were recruited and they will complete their training thus now there will be no shortage of these revenue officials. The report further mentions that patwaris in Charkhi Dadri charge between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2,000 for land mutations, with others in the district demanding Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000. In Faridabad, patwaris allegedly charge Rs 500 to Rs 700 for locating old revenue files. The report also mentions a patwari in Ambala, posted for the last 18 months, who employs a middleman and harasses the public while handling tasks such as land mutations, land measurements, and record corrections. Similarly, a patwari in Ambala Cantonment, posted for two years, and another in Ambala city, posted for one year, are accused of similar practices. The state has 1,378 sanctioned patwari posts, with 1,313 currently vacant. However, the recent recruitment of 2,600 patwaris, who are undergoing training, is expected to address this shortage soon.

Vishal announces films with Gautham Menon, Ajay Gnanamuthu; wishes to reunite with Sundar C, Vijay Antony

The actor also revealed that Aambala, his 2015 film with Sundar C, will be re-released in theatres soon

Padi pooja begins at Sabarimala temple

SABARIMALA: The four-day Padi pooja ritual, the first time during the Mandala-Makaravilakku festival, began at the Sabarimala temple here on Wednesday. The ritual, which began after deeparadhana, was performed under the leadership of thantri Kandararu Brahmadathan in the presence of melsanthi Arunkumar Nampoothiri. The hour-long ritual, which began with the lighting of traditional lamps at each of the 18 Holy Steps, concluded with performing aarati by the thantri at each step. The five-day Malikappuram procession which began on Tuesday, continued on Wednesday.The procession, which began from Malikappuram after athazha pooja at 9:30 pm, went in front of the Holy Steps, andreturned to Malikappuram at 10:30 pm. On the concluding day of the procession on January 18, the procession will go up to Saramkuthy instead of near Holy Steps andwill return to Malikappuram at 11 pm. The customary procession of Ambalapuzha and Alangadpetta thullal teams was conducted here on Wednesday. The temple will be closed at 6 am on January 20 after the customary darshan by the representative of Pandalam Valiyaraja, and the Thiruvabharanam processions return journey to Pandalam. Virtual queue regn, spot bookings available till Jan 19 The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) on Wednesday said that the spot booking counters for darshan will be open till January 19 along with the virtual queue registration. According to TDB, spot booking facilities are available at Pampa, Nilakkal, Erumeli, Vandiperiyar, and Pandalam.

Sabarimala: Spiritual fervour fills the air as devotees witness Makarajyothi

SABARIMALA: In an atmosphere filled with spiritual fervour and gaiety, thousands of devotees witnessed the auspicious Makarajyothi at Sabarimala temple here on Tuesday. As the air was filled with Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa, thantri Kandararu Rajeevaru performed the special Makaravilakku pooja after adorning the idol of the Lord with the Thiruvabharanam, at 6.40 pm. Immediately after the ceremony, devotees witnessed the Makarajyothi at Ponnambalamedu on the south-east side of the temple.Devaswom Minister V N Vasavan, Tamil Nadu Endowment Minister Sekhar Babu, MP V K Sreekandan, MLAs Pramod Narayan and K U Jenish Kumar, ADGP Sreejith, Travancore Devaswom Board president P S Prasanth, members G Sundaresan and A Ajikumar, devaswom commissioner C V Prakash and Sabarimala devaswom executive officer Murari Babu were present at the ceremony. Earlier at 6.15 pm, the Thiruvabharanam procession was accorded a traditional reception on arrival at Sopanam in front of the golden mast by the Travancore Devaswom Board and members on its way to the temple. In front of the sreekovil, the thantri received the Thiruvabharanam for deeparadhana. Meanwhile, the customary five-day procession from Malikappuram temple began at 9 pm.

Thousands offer prayers at Sabarimala on Makaravilakku day

Sabarimala: A sea of pilgrims on Tuesday braved massive rush and hours-long queues to offer prayers at the famed Lord Ayyappa shrine here on the day of 'Makaravilakku', which marks the culmination of the over two-month-long annual pilgrimage season. Clad in the customary black attire and wearing bead-chain, the pilgrims, cutting across ages, waited in the high-range temple paths since morning to have a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa, the principal deity, on the auspicious day. The humid climate and the long queues did not seem to dampen the spirit of Ayyappa devotees, who chanted the Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa mantra, carrying the 'irumudi kettu' (the traditional bundle a devotee brings to the shrine) on their heads. In the evening, the holy jewels -- 'thiruvabharanam'- were brought to the hill shrine from the Pandalam palace, nearly 85 kilometres away, in a ceremonial procession that had begun two days ago. Soon after the sacred jewels reached the temple, the idol of Lord Ayyappa was adorned with the holy ornaments, the 'deeparadhana' (aarati) was performed and the doors of the shrine were opened. The chants of hymns and mantra intensified in the temple complex when the portals of the shrine were opened. Pilgrims could be seen craning their necks to catch a glimpse of Lord Ayyappa adorned with the holy jewels. The 'Saranam Ayyappa' chants further intensified when the 'makara jyothi', considered a divine light by devotees, flickered a few minutes after the 'aarati', across the eastern horizon above Ponnambalamedu, a remote hilltop eight kilometres from the temple complex. A large number of devotees gathered at various nearby locations to witness the 'makara jyothi'. The lighting of the flame by the Kerala government, with the support of the Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) and forest department at Ponnambalamedu, is a continuance of the practice followed by tribal families who live near the hilltop. The state government and the TDB, the apex temple body which manages the shrine, made elaborate arrangements for crowd management and ensured the safety of devotees at the hill temple and it's premises.

Of drains, diversions and deluges amid urban chaos

In 2015, residents of Venus Colony in Alwarpet were rudely awakened by a flood that entered their homes and rose to over two feet. The next four days and nights were traumatic with rainwater inside houses and no power, food or drinking water. Later, it was learnt that the water accumulated in Anna Salai and Teynampet had been diverted by the corporation officials to this area. The water from areas as far as Stella Maris College and several colonies beyond it, despite protests by the residents earlier against such a plan, was diverted to a single stormwater drain on Sriram Srinivasa Road. The route for the water to go through was by Luz Church Road to Buckingham Canal, the path had been partially blocked by metro rail construction. From January to August 2024, the corporation took no steps to avert a repetition of such a disaster. Resident associations were holding dialogues with the officials in charge. Suhasini Maniratnam personally met the governments senior officials with an appeal for help. In response to a new storm, a water drain to connect Murrays Gate Road to a collection point on Eldams Road was built in a record time of 10 days. The residents invited Regional Deputy Commissioner (Central) Praveen Kumar, who met them on September 3, when over 100 residents gathered to present their requests and suggestions. Works like desilting stormwater drains, reconstructing a defunct drain, and constructing temporary drains to bypass tree roots that were blocking the drains were taken up and are monitored by him through periodic visits around the area. After a short spell of heavy rain on October 15, two major cave-ins on TTK Road and Chinnamba Road were recorded. The arch drain on TTK Road is said to have been built in British times. It has caved in more than once in the recent years. The major causes of such a mess are, Lack of a scientific study by experts, area-wise, to plan the routes for stormwater drains and sewage lines. Neglecting major channels in the city like Buckingham and Mambalam canals which are choked by debris and garbage. Failure to build anew half-a-century-old waterlines commensurate with the burgeoning population in every locality. Stormwater drains have been built in the last few decades in an unplanned, ad hoc, and uncoordinated manner. Raising road levels by two to three feet, whereby all the rainwater flows into buildings and plots on either side. Roads should be the main channels to take rainwater to the nearest canal. The concept of taking rainwater only through drains is illogical and impractical. We hope the corporation comes up with a plan to divert rainwater from far-flung areas and prevent it from reaching a single point in this area. Sujatha Vijayaraghavan (Sujatha Vijayaraghavan, a bilingual writer, has published short stories, poems, articles, plays and travelogues. Her book of articles on the environment was released in 1999 by present CM M K Stalin.)

Samastha leaders agree to bury hatchet

A bitter dispute had erupted between the IUML and a faction within the Samastha, led by Ummer Faizy and Abdul Hameed Faizy Ambalakkadavu.

Karoor YouTuber offers bald head as advertising space for brands

ALAPPUZHA: Talk about advertising getting to ones head! Although innovation and creativity have been cornerstones of the medium, a YouTuber from Karoor, near Ambalappuzha, is taking it to a whole new level: offering the virgin patch on his head to draw attention to products and services. And, in a post on his social media handles, the 36-year-old invited temporary, painted advertisements for money. I want to offer my head as a billboard for good money, shares Shafeek Hashim. I had recently decided to undergo hair transplant for my balding patch of head. But after some contemplation, I realised that baldness is natural, and that there is no shame in embracing it. In fact, I believe being bald is beautiful, and I want to inspire others to feel confident about who they are, he says, waxing philosophical. With that in mind, I came up with a unique idea. I decided to rent out my head for advertising, where brands and companies can feature their logos or messages. I posted the advert on Facebook, Instagram and other social media accounts, says Shafeek. I am a travel vlogger with a growing YouTube channel boasting 28k followers. Through this adventures, your brand will get exposure to a wide and diverse audience. So, if you are a reputed brand looking for a creative and bold way to advertise, let us collaborate! his post read. A screenshot of Shafeeks Facebook post Within 12 hours of posting, I received over a hundred enquiries. But none was tempting enough, says Shafeek. I have made calculations of what I will charge. If brands meet my demand, my head is open for their advertisements, he adds. Shafeek worked as a programme producer and digital content creator in Kerala and Saudi Arabia before settling in Alappuzha to focus on vlogging.

Tamil Nadu professor builds bridges to help village cross woes in Ethiopia

CHENNAI: Peaceful mountains and lush fields greeted a group of students who walked through the earthy paths of the Oromia region in Ethiopia. The students on their field trip got busy exploring the rustic village tucked away in the narrow but panoramic gorges. This was before the group paused their stroll and concerned eyebrows shot up. The group saw an elderly woman struggling to cross a gushing stream. Some students busied their brains for solutions, some pointed fingers at the government for the lack of a bridge, while others gave up deciding there was no way around it. However, one person decided he would not walk away without providing a permanent solution. This was their professor, Kannan AmbalamKannan Ambalam from Ponthugampatti in Madurai. Determined to solve the problem, building bridges became his language of service to this village and many more. In a world where the daily troubles of rural towns fade into the background as bureaucrats advocate to accelerate the urban boom, Kannan decided that his endeavours should be targeted at those at a disadvantage. That same day, the 46-year-old approached the villagers to discuss their challenges. The next day, with their help and basic materials like wood and rope, we built a simple bridge, he said. Seeing their joy as they crossed the river without fear was unforgettable, he added. Having lived in Ethiopia and worked as a public administration professor at Wollega University since 2009, he became a saviour of sorts for rural Ethiopia, championing the daily struggles of villages on the riverside. They had been forced to navigate treacherous rivers to access essential services like education, healthcare, and necessities. Kannan constructed over 100 bridges throughout the Ethiopian countryside, enabling countless people to cross rivers safely. During construction, he stayed in each village, spending time with residents. His initiatives helped reduce school dropout rates, ensuring a better future for children. Kannans passion for social service began as a student at a government school in Palamedu in Madurai. Inspired by his Tamil teacher, Kuppuswamy, who worked tirelessly to improve classroom facilities, Kannan actively participated in community service. He was also a part of the National Service Scheme (NSS) while pursuing a Bachelors in Chemistry at Madurai Thiagarajar College. Aiming to serve the larger society, Kannan aspired to become an IAS officer and pursued an MA in Public Administration at Madras Christian College. Despite seven attempts for UPSC, he could not make the cut, but this did not deter his vision. He went on to complete his M.Phil and PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, and then took up a teaching position in Ethiopia to support his family. Beyond building bridges, this industrious professor has also developed at least 70 water springs across various villages, to help solve chronic drinking water shortages. Now, back home in Tamil Nadu, he continues his service by focusing on improving sanitation and hygiene with plans to construct toilet facilities and provide pucca roofs for houses to ensure improved living standards. Surprisingly, Kannan has no background in civil engineering, he learnt bridge construction entirely through social media and documentaries. In addition to building two micro check dams in Ethiopia, he also noticed that villagers struggle to access water from natural springs. Taking it up, he developed water springs, providing communities with reliable access to clean drinking water. Kannan said, Initially, people back in India werent supportive of my work as they thought it wouldnt last. But I didnt just build bridges and walk away. I followed up regularly and helped with repairs and modifications, if needed. Inspired by his work, many villagers invited him to construct bridges and water springs. One of his memorable experiences took place in the remote Bule Hora village in Ethiopia, which he says is his favourite yet most challenging project. When I visited the village, the residents welcomed me with tears, saying they wished they had found me earlier before lives were lost to the river, he said. In Bule Hora, the river is particularly treacherous. When it rains upstream, the seemingly calm water can suddenly swell, sweeping away anyone who attempts to cross the river. The construction of the bridge was difficult, Kannan said. I had to tie myself inverted to build the bridge, which measured about 20m in length, he noted. Despite challenges, the bridge turned out to be a lifeline for the villagers. The villagers also contributed wood, sand, stones, and man-hours, while I provided steel reinforcements, cement, and pipes for water springs. I worked alongside them, imparting construction techniques, he said. The PhD scholar added that his students in Ethiopia continue to carry forward the legacy of community-driven development, after his return to Tamil Nadu. During his time in Ethiopia, Kannan also attempted to improve sanitation by building toilets. Now, back in Tamil Nadu, he and his current educational institution plans to adopt Salur village in Thirukazhukundram, Chengalpattu. Their goal is to construct 13 toilets and provide pucca roofs for 27 houses. Kannans dedication has earned him prestigious recognitions, including the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award 2023 and the Outstanding Teacher award from Ethiopias Ministry of Education. (Edited by Rohith Sony)

CM hails kambala as a secular sporting tradition

Traditional and secular rural sport Kambala unites everyone: Siddaramaiah

CM inaugurates the third edition of Lava-Kusha Jodu Kare Naringana Kambalotsava in Ullal taluk

Petta Thullal held at Erumely

The teams from Ambalappuzha and Alangad staged the ceremonial mass dance as thousands thronged the streets of the temple town to witness the unique celebration of communal harmony

NIA chargesheets ninth accused in Bengaluru prison radicalisation case linked to LeT

BENGALURU: The National Investigation Agency on Friday chargesheeted a ninth accused in the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) linked Bengaluru prison radicalisation case. In the supplementary chargesheet filed before the NIA Special Court here, Vikram Kumar alias Chota Usman, a resident of Begusarai in Bihar, has been charged under various sections of the IPC and Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and the Explosive Substances Act. The case is related to seizure of arms, ammunition and digital devices, including two walkie-talkies, from the accused persons, who had allegedly conspired to commit terror activities in Bengaluru. The conspiracy was aimed at promoting the proscribed terrorist organisation LeTs goal to disrupt Indias unity, integrity, security and sovereignty, the NIA, which took over the case from the Bengaluru City Police in October 2023, stated. Accused Vikram Kumar had come in contact with T Naseer, a life convict in a terror case, at the Bengaluru Central Prison. Along with others, Vikram, who was then in jail in a murder case, was radicalised by Naseer. Following his release, Vikram remained in touch with Naseer and absconding accused Junaid Ahmed, the NIA said. In May 2023, acting on Junaids instructions, Vikram collected a parcel containing hand grenades and walkie-talkies from Ambala, Haryana, and delivered it to other accused in Bengaluru. The arms etc were intended to facilitate Naseers escape during a court transfer. Junaid Ahmed also funded Vikram as part of the conspiracy to further the LeT activities.

Singer passed away on Vaikunta Ekadashi, considered a blessing

THRISSUR: For devotees of Sree Guruvayoorappan, the devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna sung by P Jayachandran have always been special as the singer could produce a deep emotional connect and sing his heart out in passionate obeisance to the deity. Till his last breath, the legendary singer remained an ardent devotee of Guruvayoorappan. Whenever he got time, Jayachandran visited Guruvayur temple and offered prayers. He always adorned the Kalabham from Guruvayur on his forehead. According to him, it signified the presence of Lord Krishna. He also attributed his voice and peculiar style of singing to the blessings of Guruvayoorappan. It was all his blessing and I am simply an instrument, is what he always said and believed. For the inauguration of the music seminar ahead of Chembai Sangeetholsavam, Jayachandran had visited Guruvayur on November 24. Even when he was ailing, Jayachandran sung Guruvayoorambalam Sree Vaikuntam.. Avidathe Shanghamanente Kandam..., in a trembling voice. As reports of his demise, emerged, artist Nandhan Pillai drew a picture of Jayachandran sleeping on the lap of Guruvayoorappan. It is believed that anyone who dies on Vaikunta Ekadashi day directly enters Vaikuntam, the abode of Mahavishnu, attaining Moksha. Vaikunta Ekadashi was observed on Friday and the passing of the singer on the auspicious day is considered a blessing.

Bihar Man Boards AC Coach With Rs 4 Lakh Opium. This Gave Him Away

During questioning, the man revealed that he boarded the train in Patna and had planned to collect opium packets while he was on his way to Ambala Cantt, and then return to Bihar

Kerala Folk Festival struggles for footfall in eventful capital

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Folk Festival held at the Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan has gone a bit under the radar amid the simultaneous hosting of the Kerala State School Arts Festival and the Kerala Legislature International Book Fair in the capital. On the second day of the festival, the programme titled Nattumalayalam showcased a vibrant blend of traditional art forms from Malabar, including Karingaliyattam, Theyyam, Poothan Thira, Parunthattam, Kavadiyattam, Karakattam, Kalakali, Anakali, Mayilattam, Kattappattu, and various Nadan Kalikal (art forms) and folk songs. These performances highlighted the rich agricultural traditions and ritualistic practices rooted in Keralas agrarian lifestyle. Sadly, most of them are on the verge of extinction. The event was inaugurated by Director of Cultural Affairs Divya S Iyer, with the sparse attendance eliciting a comment. The lack of crowd reflects a decline in artistic sensibilities among the public. To truly appreciate such folk arts, one must have the soul of an artist, she remarked during her address. Despite the small audience, the performances remained vibrant and engaging, with the artists skilfully using a variety of props and interacting directly with the viewers in the koothambalam of the venue.

Curtain-up! Aiming global connect, KPAC poised to unveil 25 iconic plays on YouTube

KOCHI: Poised to share their cherished Malayalam plays with audiences far and wide, the Kerala Peoples Arts Club (KPAC) is preparing to unveil its own YouTube channel. Set to grace the digital realm by the end of January, the channel will showcase digital renditions of 25 iconic productions that once captivated stages around the globe. Classics like Ningalenne Communistakki, Mudiyanaaya Puthran, Olivile Ormakal, and Surveykkallu are among the treasures set to take on new life on the digital platform. This initiative comes as a response to the growing demand for Malayalam theatre on social media platforms, where nostalgia and storytelling continue to captivate audiences. KPAC recently celebrated 75 years in the world of theatre, having presented a total of 67 plays to date. However, until now, we hadnt fully explored the potential of reaching an online audience due to various internal reasons. With the launch of our YouTube channel, we hope to connect with a global audience; including those who once cherished our performances on festival grounds, in auditoriums, or heard about our plays, KPAC secretary A Shajahan told TNIE . KPAC has its own website, too, which is set for a revamp. After launching a new version, the troupe will upload their plays on the website, along with other their popular songs and photographs, the secretary said. The digital revival of Malayalam plays is not without a precedent. For instance, Aayudhapandhayam by Cochin Sangamithra - uploaded to YouTube four years ago - has amassed an impressive 9.7 lakh views to date, a number that far surpasses the audience capacity of any stage performance. Similarly, the two-and-a-half-hour play Perunthachan by Valluvanad Nadham Communication, uploaded in 2016, has garnered over four lakh views on YouTube. Munpe Parakkunna Pakshikal by Ambalapuzha Aksharajwala, Jeevathathinu Aamukham by Attingal Sreedhanya, Neethi Sagaram by Amala Communications and many other plays have garnered more than a lakh views. Currently, a majority of the plays are preserved in two hard disks, Shajahan said. By stepping into the digital space, KPAC will not only ensure the preservation of its artistic works but will also introduce their masterpieces to younger generations, offering them a glimpse into the cultural and political fabric of an earlier era, besides generating revenue parallelly.

From Hat-Trick to Wedding Bells : Maheesh Theekshana's eventful January

On Wednesday, Maheesh Theekshana, the talented Sri Lankan spinner, made headlines when he took a sensational hat trick against New Zealand in the second ODI match at Seddon Park, Hamilton. Despite his heroics, Sri Lanka lost the match by a huge margin. Theekshana's hat trick, which included dismissing Mitchell Santner, Nathan Smith, and Matt Henry in consecutive deliveries (in split overs) was a historic moment as he became the first spinner from Sri Lanka to achieve this feat against New Zealand. Theekshana's remarkable performance earned him praise from fans and cricket pundits alike. However, the loss was a tough blow for the Sri Lankan team, who struggled to keep up with New Zealand's dominant performance. Amidst the highs and lows of his cricketing career, Maheesh has something else to look forward to. On January 17th, he will be tying the knot with his girlfriend, Arthika Yonali, at the luxurious Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo. Arthika is a daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Siyambalapitiya. The wedding is set to be a grand affair, with many of his friends and seniors from the cricketing world expected to attend. In his wedding invitation, which is seen by this reporter, it is written, True love is the greatest adventure. Arthika, a beautiful and supportive partner, has been by Maheesh's side through his journey in cricket. Their love story has been a source of inspiration for many, and their wedding is eagerly anticipated by fans and well-wishers. As Maheesh prepares for his big day, he reflects on his journey from a young boy in Sedawatta, Colombo, to becoming a key

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah will attend Naringana Kambala on January 11, says Khader

289 complaints settled at Karuthalum Kaithangum adalat in Ambalappuzha

Locals object to mosque construction in Haryana, demand valid docs

Tensions prevailed in Haryanas Ambala district where a group of people along with officials from the revenue department raided a mosque located in Jandli area. The mosque, Hazrath Usman Ghani Masjid, is undergoing construction on its top floor. Locals objected to it and demanded the mosque authorities to provide valid documentation to confirm its legality. 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 .

278 complaints settled at Karuthalum Kaithangum adalat in Ambalappuzha

Punjab: State-Wide Bandh by Farmers Against Centre on MSP Paralyses Life

New Delhi/Chandigarh: Life was badly hit across Punjab on Monday following a state-wide bandh call given by farmers who have been agitating against the Centre for a legal guarantee of a minimum support price for their crops. Rail and road traffic was crippled and commercial establishments remained shut in many parts of the state. The protesting farmers held dharnas on several roads as part of their bandh call, throwing commuter traffic out of gear. A shutdown call was given over a week ago by the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha over the Centre not acting on the farmers demand for a legal guarantee for the MSP. As the indefinite hunger strike of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal entered its 35th day on Monday, the Supreme Court will on Tuesday examine the Punjab governments measures to provide treatment to the ailing farmer leader. A team of the Punjab government officials on December 29 had attempted to persuade the septuagenarian to take medical aid, but he declined it, fearing use of forces to oust him from the protest site. In a related development, the Supreme Court panel formed under the chairmanship of retired Justice Nawab Singh has invited the SKM for talks on January 3. It is learnt that the farmers outfit has accepted this invitation. The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces. A jatha (group) of 101 farmers had attempted to march to Delhi on foot three times between December 6 and 14 but were stopped by security personnel from Haryana. Besides MSP, the farmers are also demanding a debt waiver, pension, no hike in electricity tariffs, withdrawal of police cases, and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. On Monday, the farmers observed a sit-in at Dhareri Jattan toll plaza, which affected vehicular movement on the Patiala-Chandigarh National Highway. At Amritsar's Golden Gate, scores of farmers assembled near the city's entry point. Dharnas were also held in Bathinda's Rampura Phul. In Phagwara, farmers held a dharna near the Sugarmill crossing on NH-44, blocking the roads leading from Phagwara towards Nakodar, Hoshiarpur and Nawanshahr. They also staged a dharna at Behram toll plaza on Phagwara-Banga road. Grain markets also remained shut in several places. Public transport remained off roads at several places, while most private bus operators suspended services, abiding by the bandh call. The band's impact was also seen in some neighbouring areas of the state, including Ambala. Hundreds of daily commuters travelling from Ambala to Chandigarh, Mohali, Patiala and other nearby cities of Punjab were thrown off stride because of the shutdown. Buses took alternate routes to go from Ambala to Chandigarh as they had to cross a stretch of the national highway that passes through Punjab. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told reporters in Amritsar that their strike received strong support from transporters, employee unions, traders bodies, and religious bodies. Mr Pandher also said that emergency and other essential services were allowed to operate. He said anyone travelling to the airport to catch a flight, anyone going to attend a job interview, or anyone needing to attend a wedding, were also allowed. All establishments remained shut. Punjabis have shown their unity today and they are extending full support, Mr Pandher claimed. The bandh is successful. Train services have been completely suspended and no train is entering Punjab, he said.

Mangaluru Kambala sees the participation of 171 pairs of buffaloes

Eighth edition of Mangaluru Kambala begins at Goldfinch City

Top 10 Malayalam Films That Made Headlines in 2024

The Malayalam film industry, renowned for its exceptional storytelling and path-breaking narratives, continued its golden streak in 2024. This year saw a mix of thrillers, action spectacles, heartfelt dramas, and experimental cinema, cementing Mollywood's place as one of Indias most innovative film industries. Heres a curated list of the 10 best Malayalam films of 2024 that captivated audiences and critics alike. 1. Aavesham Director: Jithu Madhavan Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Hipzster, Mithun Jai Shankar, Sajin Gopu, Midhutty, Mansoor Ali Khan A comedic action-drama, Aavesham received immense praise for its sharp humor and engaging narrative. Fahadh Faasil, also the producer, delivered a standout performance, making the film a box-office hit. Now streaming on Prime Video. 2. Manjummel Boys Director: Chidambaram Cast: Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathi, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol This survival thriller, inspired by the real-life Kodaikanal rescue incident, thrilled audiences with its intense storytelling. Manjummel Boys is now available on Disney+ Hotstar. 3. Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life Director: Blessy Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, K.R. Gokul, Amala Paul, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Shobha Mohan Adapted from the acclaimed novel by Benyamin, this survival drama explored the struggles of an Indian man in Saudi Arabia. The movie is available for viewing on Netflix. 4. Kishkindha Kaandam Director: Dinjith Ayyathan Cast: Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, Vijayaraghavan, Jagadish, Ashokan, Shebin Benson A mystery thriller set in a monkey-inhabited forest, Kishkindha Kaandam was lauded for its gripping narrative and Asif Alis career-defining performance. Available on Disney+ Hotstar. 5. Bramayugam Director: Vipin Das Cast: Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan, Amalda Liz, Manikandan R Achari This period folk-horror film, rich in folklore and mythology, stood out for its atmospheric storytelling. Bramayugam is streaming now on Sony LIV. 6. Turbo Director: Vysakh Cast: Mammootty, Raj B Shetty, Anjana Jayaprakash, Shabareesh Varma, Sunil, Kabir Duhan Singh A high-octane action drama, Turbo showcased Mammootty in a power-packed role. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a crowd-puller. Its available on Sony LIV. 7. Guruvayoor Ambalanadayil Director: Vipin Das Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Basil Joseph, Nikhila Vimal, Anaswara Rajan This light-hearted comedy about marriage and unexpected revelations became a sleeper hit. Watch it now on Disney+ Hotstar. 8. Varshangalkku Shesham Director: Vineeth Sreenivasan Cast: Pranav Mohanlal, Dhyan Sreenivasan, Nivin Pauly, Kalyani Priyadarshan A coming-of-age comedy-drama, this film depicted the journey of two friends across decades. Varshangalkku Shesham is streaming on Sony LIV. 9. Premalu Director: Girish AD Cast: Naslen K. Gafoor, Mamitha Baiju, Sangeeth Prathap, Akhila Bhargavan This romantic comedy resonated with audiences for its heartwarming story and relatable characters. A sequel is already in the works. Stream it now on Disney+ Hotstar. 10. Ajayante Randam Moshanam Director: Jithin Laal Cast: Tovino Thomas, Surabhi Lakshmi, Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh Set across three generations, this action-adventure highlighted Tovino Thomas's versatility. The movie is available on Disney+ Hotstar. Mollywood's Unforgettable Year From introspective dramas to thrilling adventures, Malayalam cinema in 2024 delivered on every front, blending tradition with innovation. As these films continue to earn accolades, audiences eagerly await what the next year holds for Mollywood.

Eighth Mangaluru Kambala for two days from December 28

Day temperatures drop sharply in North India; intense cold wave persists in Kashmir

NEW DELHI: Day temperatures dropped sharply in several areas of Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh after light rain hit parts of north India on Monday, even as intense cold wave conditions persisted in Kashmir with mercury dipping several degrees below freezing point. In Himachal Pradesh, Shimla and nearby areas also witnessed light snowfall which led to the closure of 30 roads in the state. People in the national capital woke up to a drizzle and fog with the minimum temperature settling at 8.6 degrees Celsius, a notch below the season's average, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The maximum temperatures in Haryana and Punjab witnessed a sharp dip as rain lashed many parts the two states. According to the Met office, Chandigarh, which received light rain during the day, recorded a maximum temperature of 13.7 degrees Celsius, down six notches against normal. In Haryana, Ambala recorded a maximum temperature of 13.2 degrees Celsius, down six notches against normal while Hisar also had a cold day at a high of 14.1 degrees. High altitude areas in Uttarakhand including the famous Himalayan temples received fresh snowfall and icy winds sweeping across the state. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, Yamunotri and Hemkund Sahib in Garhwal Himalayas and Munsiyari in Kumaon region received fresh snowfall intensifying cold throughout the state. The sky remained overcast throughout the day at many places including Dehradun which also received a drizzle. Mussoorie, Dhanolti and Chakrata also received snowfall, much to the delight of tourists. Temperatures dropped sharply. People were seen sitting around bonfires along the roadside to warm themselves. VIDEO | Severe cold freezes waterfalls in Uttarakhand. Visuals from Chamoli's Niti Valley. (Full video available on PTI Videos- https://t.co/n147TvrpG7 ) pic.twitter.com/DwE2bHFrsj Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 23, 2024 Cold weather conditions also prevailed in Karnal during the day at 13.6 degrees while Sirsa recorded a high of 14.8 degrees. However, minimum temperatures hovered above normal at many places in Haryana including Hisar (10.8 degrees), Rohtak (11.8), and Gurugram (11.4). In Punjab, Patiala braved the chill recording a high of 13 degrees Celsius, which was six notches below normal. Amritsar recorded a maximum of 16.4 degrees while Ludhiana recorded a high of 14.5 degrees. The minimum temperatures at many places in Punjab hovered close to or below normal limits, with Gurdaspur reeling under severe chill at 4 degrees. In Jammu and Kashmir, the weather office asked tourists to follow the advisory issued by the traffic police in view of the sub freezing temperatures and icy conditions over roads of important higher reaches in the Kashmir valley. Snowfall in Himachal brings cheer to tourists, orange alert issued Intense cold wave conditions persisted in the valley leading to the freezing of water supply lines while a thin layer of ice covered the surface of several water bodies. Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.6 degrees Celsius on Sunday night, rising by nearly four degrees from the previous night, the meteorological office said. Pahalgam, the base camp for annual Amarnath Yatra in South Kashmir, registered a minimum temperature of minus 5 degrees Celsius, almost unchanged from the previous night, it said. The Met office has predicted a dip of two to three degrees in minimum temperatures over the next 48 hours. Shimla, the Himachal capital, on Monday recorded the season's second light snowfall while some other parts of the state received intermittent rain and snow. The nearby tourist spots of Kufri and Narkanda and the higher reaches of Kharapathar, Chaurdhar and Chanshal South portal of the Atal tunnel, and Samdho also received snowfall. Shimla recorded 8 cm of snowfall while Kalpa recorded 7 cm. As GRAP fails, Delhi pollution strategy looks suspect A few areas in Himachal's lower hills received light intermittent rain, the Met office said. The snow led to the closure of 30 roads, including the national highways between Attari and Leh, and Khab Sangam in Kinnaur district and Gramphoo in Lahaul and Spiti district, the State Emergency Operation Centre said. The snowfall brought cheer to tourists, locals and farmers. The Met had forecast rain and snow in the mid and higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh on Monday, Tuesday and Friday and Saturday. The snowfall also brought cheer to apple growers, raising hope for good yields in the upper Shimla region. Tourism stakeholders said the snowfall was also expected to boost footfall. Local hotelier Sushant Nag said occupancy was set to rise as snowfall drew tourists. However, intense cold wave persisted in the lower hills, including Una, Hamirpur, Chamba and Mandi. The Met office issued an 'orange' warning for severe cold in Bilaspur, Una, Hamirpur and Mandi till Thursday. There was a marked fall in maximum temperatures. Una recorded the day temperature at 16.8 degrees Celsius. Tabo was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius. Power cuts add to Jammu and Kashmir winter woes The Met office said an active western disturbance was likely to affect the western Himalayan region and adjoining plains from Friday. Light rain and snow are likely at many places on Monday and Saturday and at isolated places on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday, causing a gradual fall in temperatures, it said. The high-altitude tribal areas and mountain passes continued to experience biting cold, with temperatures plummeting 14 to 18 degrees below freezing point, the Met office said. In Rajasthan, light rain, triggered by a western disturbance, hit several parts of the state over the past 24 hours, accompanied by dense fog at some places, the Met office said. Rainfall ranging from 1 mm to 10 mm was logged in several areas including Ganganagar, Churu, Bikaner, Anupgarh, Pilani (Jhunjhunu), it said. Fog prevailed at many places of western Rajasthan with Alwar recording the lowest minimum temperature at 7.4 degrees Celsius. A fresh western disturbance is expected to become active on Thursday and Friday and its effect will be seen in Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer and Bharatpur divisions, the weather office said.

Poor condition of a vital link road at West Mambalam troubles motorists

Another body recovered in Mohali building collapse site; Army, NDRF intensify operations amid fear of more trapped

One more body was recovered by the Indian Army and the NDRF on Sunday from the site where a four-story building collapsed on Saturday evening in Punjab's Mohali, leaving several people feared trapped under the debris. One male body was recovered during the ongoing rescue operation, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mohali, Damandeep Kaur said, according to an official statement. The identity of the deceased was being ascertained, the statement said. Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night, with personnel from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) leading the operations. Visuals from Sunday morning showed officials recovering a body from the debris. With this, the death toll in the tragic incident has risen to two. VIDEO | Indian Army and NDRF teams rescue one more body, trapped under the debris of a collapsed building in Mohali, Punjab. The multi-storey building collapsed on Saturday evening, with at least five people trapped in its rubble. A 20-year-old woman died in the incident on pic.twitter.com/snvLNWnLUY Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 22, 2024 A 20-year-old woman from Theog in Himachal Pradesh, has lost her life in the building collapse. Rescued from the debris, she was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Another individual pulled from the rubble remains in critical condition at the hospital. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue their efforts, with two more people feared to be trapped under the debris. A man hailing from Ambala Cantt told reporters at the site that his 29-year-old son, who used to visit a gym in the building, was missing. The building, which housed a gym in the basement and had four floors, collapsed due to excavation work being carried out at the adjacent plot by the owners of the building, police said. Police have booked two building owners in the incident. Rescue work underway after a multi-storey building collapsed on Saturday, at Sohana village in Punjab's Mohali district, Sunday. As the operation continued at the site, required equipment and machinery were made available to the rescuers, in addition to those brought by the NDRF and Army. IndianArmy reacted swiftly for the rescue. In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, #IndianArmy Columns along with #NDRF and State rescue teams have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Engineer Task Force with debris clearance machine & JCBs are operational at site. Top debris removed & efforts being done to reach the basement, Western Command, Indian Army, said in a post on X. #MohaliBuildingCollapse : Swift Action & Relentless Efforts Indian Army responded swiftly to rescue persons trapped in the tragic collapse of a four storey building at Mohali. An Engineer Task Force of 80 Army personnel alongwith earthmoving equipment have been working overnight https://t.co/w9WBSNCEwE ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 22, 2024 (With inputs from PTI)

Army, NDRF continue rescue operations as building collapses in Mohali; one killed, several feared trapped

Punjabs Mohali witnessed a tragic incident on Saturday evening as a four-storey building collapsed, leaving several people feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night, with personnel from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) leading the operations. Early Sunday visuals from the site showed officials continuing their operations. Medical teams, along with an ambulance, have also been deployed at the site since Saturday evening. #WATCH | Rescue operation by the personnel of the Indian Army and NDRF continues after a multi-storey under-construction building collapsed in Punjab's Mohali yesterday. pic.twitter.com/VZGyAVWZLl ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2024 At least one person, a 20-year-old woman from Theog in Himachal Pradesh, has lost her life in the building collapse. Rescued from the debris, she was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Another individual pulled from the rubble remains in critical condition at the hospital. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue their efforts, with three more people feared to be trapped under the debris. A man hailing from Ambala Cantt told reporters at the site that his 29-year-old son, who used to visit a gym in the building, was missing. The building, which housed a gym in the basement and had four floors, collapsed due to excavation work being carried out at the adjacent plot by the owners of the building, police said. Police have booked two building owners in the incident. Rescue work underway after a multi-storey building collapsed on Saturday, at Sohana village in Punjab's Mohali district, Sunday. As the operation continued at the site, required equipment and machinery were made available to the rescuers, in addition to those brought by the NDRF and Army. IndianArmy reacted swiftly for the rescue. In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, #IndianArmy Columns along with #NDRF and State rescue teams have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Engineer Task Force with debris clearance machine & JCBs are operational at site. Top debris removed & efforts being done to reach the basement, Western Command, Indian Army, said in a post on X. #MohaliBuildingCollapse : Swift Action & Relentless Efforts Indian Army responded swiftly to rescue persons trapped in the tragic collapse of a four storey building at Mohali. An Engineer Task Force of 80 Army personnel alongwith earthmoving equipment have been working overnight https://t.co/w9WBSNCEwE ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 22, 2024 (With inputs from PTI)

Protest against overpass at Ambalapady intended to protect interests of some businessmen, alleges Hitharakshana Vedike

SC asks Punjab govt to shift fasting farmer leader Dallewal to makeshift hospital

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday asked the Punjab government to shift fasting farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal to a nearby makeshift hospital at the Khanauri border where his health can be monitored round-the-clock. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan asked the Punjab government Advocate General Gurminder Singh to file an undertaking during the course of the day about shifting the 70-year-old Dallewal to the makeshift hospital setup near the protest site at Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana. Singh informed the bench that on Thursday the farmer leader has cooperated and underwent several tests, including ECG and blood tests. He said that Dallewal's health condition appears to be stable as of now. The bench said it will take up the matter again at around 2.30 pm. On Thursday, the bench referred to civil rights activist Irom Sharmila continuing her protest for more than a decade under medical supervision and asked the Punjab government to convince Dallewal to undergo a health examination. It had pulled up the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests on Dallewal, who is on an indefinite fast. Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for crops. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces. The Haryana government set up the barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi National Highway in February after it was announced that the farmers would march to Delhi in support of their demands, including legal guarantee of MSP for their produce. Farmer leader Dallewal faints, regains consciousness after ten minutes; Haryana Khaps call for maha panchayat in Hisar

SC Slams Punjab for Skipping Farmer's Medical Test

New Delhi : Pulling up the Punjab government for not conducting medical tests of farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, on an indefinite fast at the Punjab-Haryana Khanauri border, the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the state government to convince him to undergo a health examination, saying even Irom Sharmila continued with her protest under medical supervision. The apex court assured the farmer leader that the bench would talk to him once he was safe. The 70-year-old farmer leader has been on an indefinite fast for the last three weeks. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said while no one was trying to uproot the farmers' protest, it only wanted to ensure Mr Dallewal's safety, calling him a mass leader. Take the case of civil rights activist Irom Sharmila, she continued her protest for years under medical supervision. Similarly, Dallewal can also continue his protest under medical supervision, said Justice Bhuyan. Taking note of Punjab government doctors statement that Mr Dallewal was alright even without conducting basic medical tests, the bench said: A over 70-year-old person on hunger strike for past 21 days and suffering from various health ailments is alright. How it can be? Have you conducted his blood tests, ECG test and required investigation? Court will talk to him (Jagjit Singh Dallewal) once we satisfy ourselves that he is safe, Justice Surya Kant further said. The farmer leader had reportedly conveyed through Punjab officials that he wanted to address the court. The top court asked Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh to persuade Mr Dallewal to take medical treatment for a week at least saying others could continue with the protest. Mr Singh sought a day to convince Dallewal and convey the court's sentiments for ensuring his wellbeing. The bench then posted the matter on December 20. Mr Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border since November 26 to press the Centre into accepting the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of Minimum Support Price on crops. Farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by the police forces. The Haryana government set up the barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi National Highway in February after it was announced that the farmers would march to Delhi in support of their demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP for their produce.

Temperatures drop in Delhi, Punjab; slight respite from cold for Kashmir

NEW DELHI: Cold weather conditions persisted in parts of north and west India on Sunday with the mercury dropping several notches in Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. Kashmir and the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received some respite from the intense cold as minimum temperatures rose. The respite for Kashmir is likely to be short-lived as the meteorological department has predicted a cold wave in parts of the valley over the next three days. Delhi's minimum temperature dropped to 4.9 degrees Celsius, 3.1 notches below normal, but cold wave conditions did not prevail, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The mercury settled at a low of 8 degrees Celsius in the city on Saturday. The capital recorded a maximum temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 0.2 notches below normal, the IMD said. The weather department has forecast moderate fog in Delhi on Monday. The minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to settle at 5 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius respectively. Punjab and Haryana also remained in the grip of cold weather conditions with Faridkot recording the lowest temperature in the region at 1 degree Celsius, according to the meteorological department. Punjab's Gurdaspur and Bathinda recorded a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius and 4.6 degrees Celsius respectively at night, it said. The mercury settled at a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius in Pathankot, 3.9 degrees Celsius in Amritsar, 6.8 degrees Celsius in Ludhiana and 3.8 degrees Celsius in Patiala. In Haryana, Hisar shivered at 1.7 degrees Celsius and Narnaul recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius. Bhiwani recorded a low of 4 degrees Celsius, Gurugram 5.6 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 5.2 degrees Celsius and Ambala 5.7 degrees Celsius. The weather office said that Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures rose by three to five notches in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh while cold wave conditions gripped the lower hills as the weather remained dry. Tabo was the coldest place in the state at night with a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius and Shimla was the warmest at 12.2 degrees Celsius, 6.5 notches above normal. The adjoining resorts of Kufri and Narkanda recorded a low of 9.8 degrees Celsius and 6.4 degrees Celsius respectively. In the lower hills, Una recorded a minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius and Sundernagar 0.6 degrees Celsius. The local meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' warning for cold wave at isolated places in the lower hills and plains till Thursday and predicted dry weather in the state over the next seven days. Cold wave conditions will prevail in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and parts of Kangra districts, the weather office said. There was no significant change in maximum temperatures in Himachal Pradesh. Solan was the hottest during the day at 24.7 degrees Celsius followed by Shimla at 19 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal. Kashmir saw a slight respite from intense cold wave conditions as minimum temperatures rose across the valley, though they remained below the freezing point. The summer capital of Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 4.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, the meteorological department said. Gulmarg, a tourist destination popular for skiing, registered a minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius -- a rise of nearly four notches from the night before. Pahalgam, the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, logged a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, three notches higher than the previous night. Konibal, a hamlet on the outskirts of Pampore town, was the coldest place in the valley with the mercury settling at a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was minus 4 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, 3.7 degrees Celsius in Kupwara and 2.8 degrees Celsius in Kokernag. According to the meteorological office, the weather in the valley is likely to remain mainly dry till December 21. Minimum temperatures are predicted to drop and a cold wave is likely over many stations during the next three days, the weather office said. In Rajasthan, cold wave conditions prevailed in most parts and Fatehpur recorded sub-zero temperatures for the third consecutive day on Sunday. According to the meteorological department, the minimum temperature in Fatehpur settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius. Churu recorded a minimum temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius; Bhilwara 2.2 degrees Celsius; Sangaria, Pilani and Sirohi 2.6 degrees Celsius; Chittorgarh 3.2 degrees Celsius and Alwar 4 degrees Celsius. The mercury settled below 10 degrees Celsius at several other places in the state.

Farmers suspend rally to Delhi after tear gas shelling in Haryana

New Delhi: Protesting farmers on Saturday suspended their Delhi chalo for the day after some of them suffered injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana security personnel as a fresh jattha of 101 farmers tried to cross the police barricade in the Shambhu area along the border with Punjab. Farmer leader from Punjab Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they will decide the next course of action soon. The farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha(Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for minimum support price (MSP). The farmers' unions have also been pressing the Centre to initiate talks with them to address their issues. Briefing the media, Pandher said, The two forums have decided to call back our jattha . Around 17 farmers have sustained injuries during the Haryana security personnel action. The farmer leader alleged that chemical mixed water was used to disperse the farmers and more teargas shells were used this time. The police officials, however, refuted the allegation. Mr Pandher further said while the debate is going on in Parliament on the 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution, No one is raising the voice for farmers in Parliament... Over here we want to know which Constitution applies to our protest. How can a jattha of 101 farmers pose a threat to the country's law and order? Another farmer leader Manjit Singh Rai alleged that rubber bullets were also used by security personnel to disperse the protesting farmers, as a result of which one farmer was seriously injured. Both the forums have decided to call back the jattha for today and the next course of action will be taken after a meeting, Rai said. On the next course of action, Pandher said a tractor march will be taken out in states except Punjab on December 16. A ail roko protest will be held on December 18 from noon to 3 pm in Punjab. The Haryana security personnel fired teargas shells and also used a water cannon to disperse the protesters. The action came after the group of farmers, who resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after noon on Saturday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, reached the barricades put up by the Haryana security personnel. Ambala's superintendent of police S.S. Bhoria told the farmers that they should take permission from the authorities concerned if they intend to protest in Delhi. We will also help you reach there, he said. The spot where you are standing in protest, according to the Supreme Court order of July 24, directions were issued to maintain the status quo at the Shambhu border so that no untoward incident occurs, SP Bhoria told them. On Saturday, the protesting farmers made their third attempt to march towards the national capital. Farmers had made the two earlier attempts on December 6 and December 8 but were not allowed to proceed by the security personnel.

Plain water used in cannon to disperse protesting farmers, Ambala SP refutes allegation of using chemical water

Farmers suspend Delhi foot march for the day as 18 injured after Haryana cops opened tear gas, water cannon

SHAMBHU: Once again the farmers suspended their Dili Challo foot march for the day after eighteen farmers suffered injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana Police at the Shambhu border (Punjab and Haryana border. Soon after walking for a few metres from their protest site at Shambhu border, the group of 101 farmers Jatha was stopped at the barricade by Haryana police and paramilitary forces. A few farmers who were injured were taken to a nearby hospital in ambulances stationed at the protest site. Farmer leader and convener of Kisan Mazdoor Morcha Sarwan Singh Pandher said that the two forums Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have decided to call back our the group of 101 farmers (jatha) after 17 to 18 farmers were injured as they tried to march towards Delhi but were stopped at the multilayer barricading done by the Haryana Police and the police personnel lobbed tear gas shells and used water cannons. Pandher alleged that this time chemical mixed water was used to disperse the farmers and more teargas shells were used. Farmer leader Manjit Singh Rai alleged that rubber bullets were also used by security personnel and one farmer was seriously injured. Deputy Superintendent of Police (Ambala Cantonment) Rajat Gulia denied this allegation. This was the third attempt by protesting farmers to march towards the national capital. Farmers had made two attempts on December 6 and December 8 but were stopped by Haryana Police. They have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after the Haryana police stopped their marches to Delhi. As farmers resume Delhi march, Haryana cops use tear gas, water cannon against them at Shambhu border Farmers shout slogans as security personnel use water cannons to disperse them during their agitation at the Shambhu border, in Patiala district, Punjab, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. The farmers are pressing the Centre for various demands including a legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops, debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. The farmers were adamant on going to Delhi and urged the security personnel to proceed. Earlier, Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta and Ambala Superintendent of Police S S Bhoria talked with some protesting farmers for over half an hour, trying to convince them to get permission from Delhi to go towards the national capital. Superintendent of Police of Amabla S S Bhoria told the farmers that they should get permission from the authorities concerned if they intend to protest in Delhi. We will ourselves help you reach there, he said. We are peacefully marching on foot, therefore, we should be allowed to proceed. We want the government should listen to the problems of farmers and labourers. We want to go to Delhi peacefully, said a farmer leader.

Shambala and Caradoc shine

As farmers resume Delhi march, Haryana cops use tear gas, water cannon against them at Shambhu border

CHANDIGARH: Haryana security personnel fired teargas shells and used a water cannon to disperse a group of protesting farmers from heading towards Delhi at the Shambhu border point on Saturday. A few farmers who were injured and taken to a nearby hospital in ambulances stationed at the protest site, officials said. The action came after a 'jatha' (group) of 101 farmers, who resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after 12 noon on Saturday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, reached the barricades put up by the Haryana security personnel. The farmers are pressing the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price for crops. Earlier, Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta and Ambala Superintendent of Police S S Bhoria engaged in talks with some protesting farmers for over half an hour, trying to convince them to get permission from Delhi for going towards the national capital. However, the farmers were adamant on going to Delhi and urged the security personnel to proceed. Soon after walking for a few metres, the group was stopped at the barricading by Haryana security personnel, including paramilitary forces. Security personnel use water cannons to disperse farmers agitating at Shambhu border, in Patiala district, Punjab, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. We want to go ahead in a peaceful manner. Our voices should not be crushed like this. More than half of the country's population are connected with agriculture, their voice cannot be supressed, a farmer leader argued with the Haryana officials on the other side of the barricades. We are peacefully marching on foot, therefore, we should be allowed to proceed. We want government should listen to the problems of farmers and labourers. We want to go to Delhi in a peaceful manner, the leader said. Ambala's Superintendent of Police S S Bhoria told the farmers that they should take permission from the authorities concerned if they intend to protest in Delhi. We will ourselves help you reach there, he said. The spot where you are standing in protest, according to the Supreme Court order of July 24, directions were issued to maintain status quo at Shambhu border so that no untoward incident occurs, Bhoria told them. Farmer leader Pandher says no protest march to Delhi on Tuesday, slams Centre's 'double speak' Appealing to the protesting farmers to move back, Bhoria referred to the apex court, saying a high-powered committee constituted by it would talk to the protesting farmers and make recommendations to the court. Farmers should not get violent and do peaceful agitation. They should adopt the Gandhian way of protests because their grievances are being looked into, a bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan had said on Friday. The bench had directed the Centre and Punjab government representatives to immediately meet Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who is observing a fast unto death. Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta told the protesters that the matter was sub-judice and the next date of hearing has been fixed for December 18. This is the third attempt by the protesting farmers to march towards the national capital from the Shambhu border point. They had made similar attempts on December 6 and December 8 but were not allowed to proceed by security personnel in Haryana. Farmers raise slogans as they gather at their protest site at Shambhu border, in Patiala district, Punjab, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. The farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP. They have also been pressing the Centre to initiate talks with them to address their issues. The Ambala district administration has already clamped a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. Earlier in the day, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages in Ambala till December 17. The order to suspend mobile internet in Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru villages in Ambala was issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order. All India Kisan Congress Working President Bajrang Punia with farmers at their protest site at Shambhu border, in Patiala district, Punjab, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024. Meanwhile, farmer leader Dallewal's fast unto death at the Khanauri border point entered the 19th day on Saturday. Doctors have already recommended his hospitalisation, saying because of the prolonged fast, he has turned weak. However, the protesting farmers have formed a security ring around Dallewal so that the state authorities could not remove him from the protest site. The Punjab Police had forcibly removed Dallewal from the Khanauri border point on November 26, just hours before he was going to start his fast unto death. On Friday, SKM leader Rakesh Tikait met Dallewal and also called for unity of farmers' groups for a joint fight. Dallewal has been on a fast-unto-death at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre to accept the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of MSP on crops. Farmers under the banner of SKM (Non-Political) and KMM have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Besides a legal guarantee on MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in the electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of the farmers who died during a previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

Families affected by alleged pollution in Ambalamugal to further intensify their months-long protest

Around 23 families in ward 16 of the Vadavucode-Puthencruz panchayat remained affected for decades by the alleged pollution by the plants of the Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd (HOCL) and the Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL)

Punjab: Tear gas, water cannon used against protesting farmers at Shambhu border

Chandigarh: Haryana security personnel fired tear gas shells and used a water cannon to disperse the protesting farmers from heading towards Delhi at the Shambhu border point on Saturday. The action came after a 'jatha' of 101 farmers, who resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after 12 noon on Saturday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, reached the barricades put up by the Haryana security personnel. A few farmers were injured in the tear gas shelling and taken to a nearby hospital in ambulances stationed at the protest site. Earlier, Ambala Deputy Commissioner Parth Gupta and Ambala Superintendent of Police S S Bhoria engaged in talks with some protesting farmers for over half an hour, trying to convince them to get permission from Delhi to go towards the national capital. However, farmers were adamant about going to Delhi and urged the security personnel to allow them to proceed. The farmers are pressing the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) for their crops. After walking for a few metres, the group of farmers was stopped at the barricade by Haryana security personnel. It was the third attempt by protesting farmers to march towards the national capital. Farmers had earlier made two attempts -- December 6 and December 8 -- but were not allowed to proceed by security personnel in Haryana. The farmers under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. They have also been pressing the Centre to initiate talks with them to address their issues. The Ambala district administration has already clamped a prohibitory order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans the unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. The Ambala police had earlier said the farmer outfits, which are agitating for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price and other demands, can march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration.

Punjab : Internet services suspended in Ambala, security enhanced at Shambhu border

While farmers were preparing for the third attempt to march to Delhi, mobile internet services were suspended and security was enhanced at Shambhu border on Saturday. Sanyukt Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have announced ...

Protesting Farmers to March Towards Delhi from Shambhu Border

Farmers protesting at the Shambhu Border over various demands have announced plans to intensify their agitation. According to farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, a group, or Jattha, of 101 farmers will begin their march towards Delhi today at 12 noon. #WATCH | Visuals from the Haryana-Punjab Shambhu Border where the farmers are protesting over various demands. According to farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher, a 'Jattha' of 101 farmers will march towards Delhi today at 12 noon. pic.twitter.com/Tfb1F8dSqE ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024 The protest has drawn attention to the farmers unresolved issues, with leaders emphasizing their determination to push for their demands. Security has been heightened in the area in anticipation of the march. Meanwhile, Haryana Minister Anil Vij said that the Supreme Court has suggested that the farmers should pass their protest for some time. I think the farmers should listen to the court, he said while speaking to ANI. #WATCH | Ambala | On farmers protest, Haryana Minister Anil Vij says, The Supreme Court is hearing the case and has asked for some time. The Supreme Court has suggested that the farmers should pass their protest for some time. I think the farmers should listen to the court. pic.twitter.com/RYUpfWrQOo ANI (@ANI) December 14, 2024

Punjab: 'Jatha' of 101 farmers to resume foot march towards Delhi

101 farmers resumed their march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on Saturday, demanding a legal guarantee for MSP. Haryana suspended internet and SMS services in 12 Ambala villages. This marks the farmers' third attempt to reach the capital since December 6, facing barricades and restrictions. Meanwhile, farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast unto death entered its 19th day.

Haryana govt suspends internet services from Dec 14-17 in parts of Ambala after farmers' call for 'Delhi Kooch'

Haryana suspends mobile internet, SMS, and dongle services in Ambala from December 14-17 due to farmers' 'Delhi Kooch' call. This aims to prevent misinformation and maintain law and order. Essential services remain unaffected. A group of 101 farmers plans to march to Delhi on Saturday, continuing their protest against agricultural laws.

Farmers protest: Haryana stops mobile internet, bulk SMS services in 12 villages

Chandigarh: Hours before the resumption of the farmers protest march to Delhi from the Shambhu border, the Haryana government on Saturday suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages in Ambala district to maintain public peace. The suspension will remain in force till December 17, according to an order issued by Additional Chief 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 .

Ahead of farmers' march, Haryana suspends mobile internet, bulk SMS services in 12 Ambala villages

CHANDIGARH: Hours before the resumption of the farmers' protest march to Delhi from the Shambhu border, the Haryana government on Saturday suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 12 villages in Ambala district to maintain public peace. The suspension will remain in force till December 17, according to an order issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Sumita Misra said. It has been brought to my notice by additional director general of police, CID, Haryana and deputy commissioner, Ambala that in view of the call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers' organisations, there is an apprehension of causing tension, annoyance, agitation, damage of public and private property and disturbance of public peace and tranquillity in the area of districts Ambala, the order said. Misra said the order to suspend mobile internet in Dangdehri, Lehgarh, Manakpur, Dadiyana, Bari Ghel, Choti Ghel, Lharsa, Kalu Majra, Devi Nagar (Hira Nagar, Naresh Vihar), Saddopur, Sultanpur and Kakru villages in Ambala was issued to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order. The suspension shall be in force from 6 am on December 14 to 11.59 pm on December 17, it said. A 'jatha' (group) of 101 farmers will resume their foot march to Delhi at 12 noon on Saturday from their protest site at the Shambhu border on the Punjab and Haryana border. The farmers are marching to force the Centre for a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. They are also pressing the Centre to hold talks with them to resolve their issues. A heavy deployment of security personnel has already been made on the Haryana side of the border. Earlier, the Haryana government had suspended mobile internet services, bulk SMS and dongle services from December 6 to 9. In the fresh order issued on Saturday, Misra said, There is a clear potential of disruption of public utilities, damage to public assets and amenities and disturbance of public law and order in district Ambala on account of misuse of internet services by way of spread of inflammatory material and false rumours, which are being/could be transmitted/circulated to the public through social media/messaging services on mobile internet services, SMS services and other dongle services. In order to stop the spread of misinformation and rumours through various social media platforms, such as WhatsApp, Facebook Twitter on mobile phones and SMS, for facilitation and mobilisation of mobs of agitators and demonstrators who can cause serious loss of life and damage to public and private properties by indulging in arson or vandalism and other types of violent activities. Therefore, in exercise of powers conferred upon me, I do hereby order the suspension of the mobile internet services, bulk SMS and all dongle services provided on mobile networks except voice calls, said the order. The order is being issued after taking utmost care of public convenience by exempting individual SMS, mobile recharge, banking SMS, voice calls, internet services provided by broadband and lease lines of corporate and domestic households, thus not affecting the commercial or financial interest of the state and basic domestic needs of individuals, said the order. The farmers are gathered under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

Farmers To Resume 'Delhi Chalo' Protest March After Days Of Halt Today, Internet Ban In Ambala | Updates

Farmers Protest: Today's protest march marks their third attempt to enter the national capital after unsuccessful bids on December 6 and 8.

Our group will move to Delhi at noon, says farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher

A group of farmers will begin a peaceful march toward Delhi to protest, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said, urging the government to engage in talks. Ambala authorities clarified the farmers lacked permission for the Delhi protest.

SC Asks Protesting Farmers to Adopt Gandhian Way

NEW DELHI: Prodding the protesting farmers to adopt the Gandhian way, the Supreme Court on Friday observed that the protesters at the Shambhu border could temporarily shift the venue and clear the highways or perhaps even temporarily suspend the ongoing agitation with a view to enable the committee to make its recommendation after due consideration by the stakeholders. The apex court also voiced concern over the deteriorating health of Punjab farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, who has been on a fast-unto-death for the last 17 days, and asked the Centre and Punjab government representatives to immediately meet with the farmer leader and provide immediate medical aid but warned against the use of any force to break his protest. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan said: Farmers should not get violent and do peaceful agitation. They should adopt the Gandhian way of protests because their grievances are being looked into. The top court said it was harsh winters and the agitating farmers at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders should not get violent and disrupt highway traffic. The apex court said a high-powered committee constituted by it, which was stated to be doing a good job, will talk to the protesting farmers and make recommendations to the court, which will eventually be put to the stakeholders for a decision. The bench said: We should not pass any order that is difficult to implement. It is the stakeholders who will ultimately have to take a decision. On the deteriorating health of Mr Dallewal, the top court said, It is the bounden duty of the state of Punjab and the Union of India to take all peaceful measures and provide adequate immediate medical aid to Mr Dallewal without forcing him to break the fast unless it is imperative to do so to save his life. In this regard, the DGP, Punjab, and his officers, along with the representative of the Centre, if it helps in diffusing the crisis, may immediately meet Mr Dallewal and other farmers leaders who are sitting at the dharna so as to convince them that the first priority as of now should be to provide the adequate emergent medical aid to Mr Dallewal. The top court was hearing a plea by the Haryana government against the Punjab and Haryana high courts direction to remove the blockade at the Shambhu border. The Haryana government moved the top court following an order of the Punjab and Haryana high court for the removal of the barricades at the Shambhu border after consultations with the Punjab government. The bench observed that the member secretary (high-powered committee) was present in the court and had assured in its next meeting it will persuade the farmers in the light of the court's suggestions to temporarily suspend the protest or shift to another venue. The bench directed the committee to file a short status report to this effect and the top court will look at the shifting of the farmer leader to a hospital on December 17. Justice Kant told solicitor-general Tushar Mehta and Punjab advocate-general Gurminder Singh to immediately do whatever was needed to preserve the health of the farmer leader. The bench indicated if a need arose, Mr Dallewal could be shifted to PGIMER in Chandigarh or any other hospital in Patiala. Mr Dallewal has been on an indefinite fast at the Khanauri border between Punjab and Haryana since November 26 to press the Centre into accepting the agitating farmers' demands, including a legal guarantee of minimum support price (MSP) on crops. During the hearing of the matter, one of the counsel handed over media reports where it was stated Mr Dallewal, a senior citizen, was on an indefinite fast for the last 17 days and his health was deteriorating. When the Punjab advocate-general sought to highlight the issue of over 2,000 farmers surrounding Mr Dallewal, the bench said Punjab government officials were on the ground talking to him, and therefore, efforts should be made to persuade him to end his fast. Your officers have direct access to him. They are in a position to have a direct dialogue and communication and even other farmer leaders who are sitting with him. They will also realise that the life of Mr Dallewal is more precious than anything else, the bench said. Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by the security forces. The Haryana government set up the barricades on the Ambala-New Delhi National Highway in February after farmer groups announced that they will march to Delhi in support of their demands, including legal guarantee of MSP for their produce. In its interim report, a Supreme Court-appointed panel on farmers' grievances listed reasons for agrarian distress, which, among others, include stagnant yield, rising costs and debts and an inadequate marketing system. The high-powered committee, constituted on September 2 under former Punjab and Haryana high court judge Nawab Singh to resolve the grievances of farmers agitating at the Shambhu border, suggested solutions including examining the possibility of giving legal sanctity to MSP and offering direct income support.

Farmers Suspend Delhi March After Police Action at Shambhu

New Delhi: A fresh jattha (batch) of 101 protesting farmers resumed their Delhi Chalo march from the Shambhu area of the Punjab-Haryana border on Sunday only to suspend it shortly before evening as the Haryana security personnel fired teargas shells to disperse them, which resulted in injuries to the protesters. Announcing the decision to suspend the foot march for the day, farmer leaders said they will decide the next course of action on Monday. As the protesting farmers resumed their foot march, they were halted by a multilayered barricade set up by security personnel who surprised the protesters by offering them tea and biscuits and also showering them with flower petals. The protesters, however, claimed it was all a drama as the police soon lobbed teargas shells and used water jets to disperse them when they insisted on crossing the Shambhu border. The protesters, dubbed as 'marjeevras' (someone willing to die for a cause), were stopped only a few meters into the march. The standoff continued for over three hours, following which it was called off for the day. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher in the evening said six farmers were injured. One of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. Pandher said their protest completed 300 days on Sunday. The next course of action will be decided in a meeting of their forums the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Monday. We have called back the jattha. Whatever happened today was seen by the whole country, said Pandher as he slammed the use of teargas against farmers. The administration used tactics...immediately after showering flowers, they fired teargas shells and rubber bullets at farmers, he claimed. Pandher claimed that mediapersons were stopped by the Punjab police from reaching the protest site as their Haryana counterparts had asked them to keep the media at least 1 km away from the protest site. Another farmers' leader, Baldev Singh Zira, said farmers were moving ahead in a peaceful manner and they were not carrying any weapon and criticised the security personnel for using teargas against them. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal, meanwhile, continued with his fast unto death at the Khanauri border, which entered the 13th day on Sunday. While in Greater Noida, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM), in a statement, said, Farmers who are currently imprisoned in the district jail of Gautam Buddha Nagar have gone on a hunger strike to defend their rights and interests. Ambala police had earlier said the farmer outfits can march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration. The protesting farmers have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, pressing for a legal guarantee for minimum support price and other demands.

Farmers' march stopped at barricades, teargas shells fired

Shambhu: A 'jatha' (group) of 101 farmers resumed its foot march to Delhi Sunday afternoon from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border, but was soon halted by a multilayered barricading erected by the Haryana security personnel.Teargas shells were lobbed and water jets were shot through cannons to disperse the protesters after they reached the barricades. Ambala police had earlier said the farmers' outfits may march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration. The group, dubbed as 'marjeevras', (someone willing to die for a cause), was marching for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price. They were stopped only a few metres away. One of the Haryana security personnel was seen asking farmers to show permission to march to Delhi. First we will identify them to see whether they have any permission. We have got the list (of 101 farmers) but they are not those whose names are mentioned in the list. They are not giving their identities which means they are coming in the shape of a mob, he told reporters at the site. A farmer said, They are saying that our names were not on the list. We do not know which list they have. When we asked them whether they would allow us to move ahead after verifying our identities, they told us then we would have to show the permission. As the confrontation escalated, the security forces lobbed tear gas shells. The gas forced the farmers, many of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, to recede a few metres. Some tried to cover the shells with wet jute bags. Farmers claimed that one of the protesters was injured in the attack and had to seek hospital care. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said their protest reached 300 days on Sunday. Farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Farmer leader Tejveer Singh asked why farmers were stopped from moving ahead when they were peacefully going on foot. What objection does Haryana have? He said the farmers would not have to march to the capital had the Centre accepted their demands. Earlier, the central ministers and BJP leaders raised an objection to farmers going to Delhi with their tractors and trolleys, but now what is their case when are marching on foot, he said. Haryana Police has written to its Punjab counterpart asking it to ensure media personnel are stopped at a safe distance from the protest site for the sake of their safety. It had earlier asked the farmers not to proceed with the march and cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. On Friday too, farmers had to suspend their march after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells. Pandher had on Saturday said farmers hadn't heard from the Centre on the matter. Shortly before the farmers' march on Friday, the Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS service in 11 villages of the Ambala district till December 9. The farmers had earlier attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces deployed at the border points. Besides MSP, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

Haryana police stop farmers as they resume Delhi march

A group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi on Sunday to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, they were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police who cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP, a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

Farmers' March Resumes from Shambhu Border, Halted Shortly After

Chandigarh: A group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi shortly after 12 noon on Sunday from the Shambhu protest site on the Punjab-Haryana border to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP).However, after walking for a few metres, they were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police. Haryana Police asked the farmers to show them the requisite permission to take out the foot march. The Haryana Police had earlier asked the farmers not to proceed further and cited a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) that bans unlawful assembly of five or more people in the district. Protesting farmers had on Friday suspended their march to the national capital for the day after some of them suffered injuries due to tear gas shells fired by security personnel, who stopped them at the Punjab-Haryana border. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. They have also been pressing the Centre to initiate talks with them to address their issues. Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher on Saturday had said that they had not received any message from the Centre for talks to address their issues. The Haryana Police has written to its Punjab counterpart asking it to ensure media personnel are stopped at a safe distance from the protest site for their safety as well as to ensure ease in maintaining law and order. As part of a call given by the farmer unions Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers began its march to Delhi on Friday from their protest site at the Shambhu border to press for their demands. The group was stopped by multi-layered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. Undeterred by prohibitory orders, the farmers attempted to force their way through the barricades but were stopped by security personnel who lobbed multiple tear gas shells to force them to go back to their protest site at Shambhu. Farmers had earlier said that they had appealed to the government to either hold a dialogue with the protesting farmers or allow us to move to Delhi. However, the Haryana Police had said protesting farmers created ruckus and also made their best efforts to demolish police barricades set up at the Haryana side of the border. Ambala police had said the farmers' outfits should march to Delhi after taking permission from the Delhi administration. Shortly before the farmers' march, the Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS service in 11 villages of the Ambala district till December 9. The protesting farmers had earlier attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces deployed at the border points. Besides MSP, the farmers are also demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

Delhi chalo: Haryana police fire teargas at farmers as they near barricades at Sambhu border

CHANDIGARH: Haryana police on Sunday hurled tear gas shells at the farmers as they neared multi-layered barricades at the Sambhu border. The teargas shells forced the farmers, some of whom had covered their faces and were wearing protective eyewear, to get back a few metres. Some were seen covering the shells with wet jute bags The group of 101 farmers resumed their foot march to Delhi from their protest site at the Shambhu border at noon to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, after walking for a few metres, they were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police. Haryana Police asked the farmers to show them the requisite permission to take out the foot march. Their earlier attempt on Friday was also halted when security personnel fired tear gas at the border, leaving several protesters injured. The farmers had been trying to move toward the national capital but temporarily suspended their efforts following the confrontation. #WATCH | Shambhu border | Farmers can be seen wearing face shields as their 'Dilli Chalo' march - protesting over various demands commences today pic.twitter.com/aAZThMSl24 ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 Security has been tightened at Delhi's Singhu border on Sunday ahead of a protest march. Delhi Police is on alert and security has been tightened at the Singhu border. A skeletal deployment has been made at the Singhu border but it may increase as per the situation at the Shambu border, a senior police officer told PTI. The Haryana government has also imposed prohibitory orders and suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages in Ambala district, with the restrictions set to remain in place until next week. Concertina wire barricades are placed on a bridge at the protest site at Shambhu Border before the start of farmers march towards Delhi, The announcement to start the march towards the national capital came after two attempts by farmer groups under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to reach Delhi in February were stopped by security forces. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. Besides MSP, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also among their demands. (Inputs from PTI)

Delhi chalo: Farmers resume protest march from Sambhu border, stopped after few meters

CHANDIGARH: A group of 101 farmers will resume their foot march to Delhi from their protest site at the Shambhu border today to press the Centre for various demands, including a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP). However, after walking for a few metres, they were stopped at the barricading by Haryana Police. Haryana Police asked the farmers to show them the requisite permission to take out the foot march. Their earlier attempt on Friday was also halted when security personnel fired tear gas at the border, leaving several protesters injured. The farmers had been trying to move toward the national capital but temporarily suspended their efforts following the confrontation. #WATCH | Shambhu border | Farmers can be seen wearing face shields as their 'Dilli Chalo' march - protesting over various demands commences today pic.twitter.com/aAZThMSl24 ANI (@ANI) December 8, 2024 Security has been tightened at Delhi's Singhu border on Sunday ahead of a protest march. Delhi Police is on alert and security has been tightened at the Singhu border. A skeletal deployment has been made at the Singhu border but it may increase as per the situation at the Shambu border, a senior police officer told PTI. The Haryana government has also imposed prohibitory orders and suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages in Ambala district, with the restrictions set to remain in place until next week. Concertina wire barricades are placed on a bridge at the protest site at Shambhu Border before the start of farmers march towards Delhi, The announcement to start the march towards the national capital came after two attempts by farmer groups under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to reach Delhi in February were stopped by security forces. The farmers have been pressing for various demands, including a legal guarantee for MSP. Besides MSP, the farmers are demanding a farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also among their demands. (Inputs from PTI)

Delhi HC upholds disability pension for retired Army man

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Saturday upheld a tribunal decision granting disability pension to a retired Army veteran, emphasising that a posting in a peace area does not automatically negate the link between service and disability. A division bench, comprising Justices Navin Chawla and Shalinder Kaur, dismissed the petition filed by the government and underscored that the Medical Board must carefully consider service conditions before denying disability benefits. The case centered on the respondent, who retired in 2012 after serving in challenging terrains, including high-altitude postings such as Leh. Initially, the Medical Board attributed his disabilities coronary artery disease (CAD), primary hypertension, and open angle glaucoma to military service. However, the Board later revised its opinion, stating that the respondents subsequent posting in Ambala, a peace area, negated the service connection. Dismissing this rationale, the tribunal relied on the Supreme Courts precedent, which held that disabilities arising after joining service are presumed to be attributable to or aggravated by service unless proven otherwise. The tribunal also referenced the 2008 guidelines for medical officers, which address the role of stress in aggravating conditions like hypertension, even in peace postings. The HC echoed these findings, rejecting the petitioners argument that Medical Boards opinion was conclusive. The bench stressed that the Medical Boards initial acknowledgment of service-related aggravation could not be disregarded merely due to the location of the officers later postings.

Farmers suspend Delhi march after clashes at Punjab-Haryana border; six injured

CHANDIGARH: Protesting farmers on Friday suspended for the day their foot march to Delhi as some of them suffered injuries after police fired teargas shells and rubber bullets at the Punjab-Haryana border. Earlier in the day, a jatha of 101 farmers began to march towards Delhi from their protest site at the Shambhu border but was stopped a few metres away by multilayered barricading erected by Haryana cops. As the group reached the barricades, security personnel lobbed teargas shells to force them to retreat to their protest site. Many farmers rushed to cover the teargas shells with wet jute bags to counter the smoke. Some of them were seen uprooting iron nails and barbed wire installed on the road to stop their march. Many of the jatha crossed the initial layer of barricades, but could not proceed further. A few of them were seen pushing an iron mesh put up by security personnel down the bridge constructed over the Ghaggar river. One of the protesters climbed the roof of a tin shade where security forces had been stationed. He was forced to climb down. Water cannon vehicles have also been deployed at the Shambhu border point. The Haryana Police asked the farmers not to proceed further, citing a prohibitory order clamped by the Ambala administration under BNS Section 163, which restricts unlawful assembly of five or more in the district. The Haryana government on Friday suspended mobile internet services in 11 villages in Ambala from December 6-9 as a precautionary measure. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher claimed that five to six protesters were injured. He later announced the suspension of the march for the day and said the injured farmers were taken to a hospital. We have called back the jatha for today in view of the injuries suffered by a few farmers, he said, adding that the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha would decide the next course of action after a meeting. The farmers have been demanding that the Centre give them a legal guarantee for MSP. They have been camping at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13, when their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

Farmers Delhi march: Haryana suspends mobile internet, bulk SMS services in parts of Ambala district

The order has been issued in a bid to prevent any disturbance of peace and public order in parts of district Ambala, in the wake of call for Delhi Kooch given by certain farmers

Mobile Internet Banned In Several Parts Of Ambala Ahead Of Farmers' March

Mobile internet and sending of bulk messages have been suspended - till December 9 - in parts of Haryana's Ambala district, minutes before a farmers group is to begin another 'Dilli chalo' march.

Farmers' protests received huge booster dose from no less than Vice President: Congress

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Friday reiterated its support for farmers' demands and said their protests have received a huge booster dose from no less a person than Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The opposition party's assertion came ahead of a scheduled march by a group of farmers to Delhi from their protest site at the Shambhu border on the Punjab and Haryana border. Also, the remarks come days after Dhankhar, speaking at a ceremony to mark the centenary of ICAR-CIRCOT in Mumbai, said, Agriculture minister, I request you to please tell me, what was promised to the farmer? Why was the promise not fulfilled? What should we do to fulfil the promise? There was a movement last year, and there is a movement this year, too. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh noted farmers are marching to Parliament Friday. Their protests received a huge booster dose from no less a person than the Vice President and Hon'ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha himself, Ramesh said in his post on X. Farmers are marching to Parliament today. Their protests received a huge booster dose from no less a person than the Vice President and Hon'ble Chairman of the Rajya Sabha himself. Farmers and their organisations have been agitating for the following demands - 1. Legal pic.twitter.com/8JZgn06OZf Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 6, 2024 Farmers and their organisations have been agitating for the following demands - Legal guarantee for MSP, setting of MSP at 1.5 times the comprehensive cost of cultivation, as recommended by the MS Swaminathan Commission and one-time debt relief for farmers - just as banks have written off Rs 16 lakh crores of defaulting private companies, he said. They are also demanding decisions on import and export of agricultural commodities be taken by an independent agency in which farmers are adequately represented, he said. The farmers want the PM Fasal Bima Yojana - currently geared towards benefiting insurance companies - to be restructured to meet farmer interests and concerns, Ramesh said, adding, The Indian National Congress fully supports these and other demands put forth by the farmer organisations. Ramesh also shared the NYAY guarantees the Congress had promised in the run up to the Lok Sabha polls which included giving legal guarantee for MSP, fixing of MSP as per the Swaminathan Commission's formula and debt waiver. The farmers are marching to force the Centre for a legal guarantee for minimum support price for crops. A heavy deployment of security personnel has been made on the Haryana side of the border. The Ambala district administration has already issued an order under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting any unlawful assembly of five or more persons in the district. The farmers are gathered under the banner of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha and have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces. Besides MSP, the farmers are also demanding farm debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases (against farmers), and justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence. Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.

Schools Closed Today In Ambala Amid Farmers' Dilli Chalo March | Farmer's Protests | News18

| Schools closed today in amid farmers' Dilli chalo march. What are the demands by the farmers though? n18oc_indiaNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube

'Delhi Chalo' protest: Police on alert, heavy security at borders ahead of farmers' march to capital

The Delhi Police on Friday tightened security at borders ahead of the Punjab farmers' march to the national capital. The police have barricaded the Ambala-Delhi border as the farmers are set to leave from Shambhu Border for Delhi at 1 pm. The announcement to start the march towards the national capital came after two attempts by farmer groups under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) to reach Delhi in February were stopped by security forces. The Ambala administration has imposed Section 163 of the BNSS, restricting the assembly of five or more persons in the district, and issued notices at the protest site near the Shambhu border. Ambala authorities ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the district. The government and private schools will remain closed on Friday, District Education Officer Ambala Suresh Kumar said. A multilayered barricading is already in place at the Shambhu border point -- Rajpura (Punjab)-Ambala (Haryana)-- on National Highway-44. Water cannons have also been deployed at the Shambhu border. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher termed the 101 farmers who will begin the march 'marjeevras', someone willing to die for a cause. Pandher, who said the march would be carried out in a peaceful manner, slammed the Haryana administration's prohibiting the foot march. The march has entered its 297th day and the indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border has entered its 11th day. At 1 pm, a jatha of 101 farmers will move towards Delhi from the Shambhu Border, he told ANI Pandher added that it has been almost 10 months, and not a single one of their demands has been fulfilled by the government at the Centre. He further said that the first jatha of farmers would be led by Satnam Singh Pannu, Surinder Singh Chautala, Surjit Singh Phul, and Baljinder Singh. On Thursday, he said farmers will not take any tractor-trolley with them. The farmers, many of whom have come prepared for a long haul, have brought along vegetables, sacks of flour, lentils, and cooking oil on their tractor-trailers. The protesting farmers, comprising men and women both young and old and school and college students, are travelling in tractor-trailers, cars, and motorcycles. They have set up tents and makeshift kitchens to serve food to the protesters. We are carrying the ration that lasts up to two-three months, said Gurdev Singh, a farmer from Moga town. Farmers have been camping at the borders of Shambhu and Khanauri border points, since February 13. They are primarily seeking a legal guarantee for the minimum support price (MSP) for crops, among other demands, including a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, and no hike in electricity tariffs. The farmers are also seeking justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21. Police from both states have been deployed in strength, and borders have been sealed to prevent the forceful entry of farmers into Haryana. However, there have been no reports of violence or the use of force so far to disperse the protesters. On Wednesday, the district administration of Ambala in Haryana asked Punjab farmers to reconsider their proposed march to Delhi and advised them to seek permission from the Delhi Police before taking further action. Delhi Police, however, said it had not received any request from the farmers to march to Delhi. Delhi Police is on alert, and security has been tightened at the border points of the city. A skeletal deployment has been made at the Singhu Border, but it may increase depending on the situation at the Shambhu border on the Punjab-Haryana border, a senior police officer told PTI. Traffic disruptions are expected due to the security arrangements at the border and in the central part of Delhi, the officer said. The police are also monitoring developments at the Noida border, where another group of farmers from Uttar Pradesh is observing a sit-in. Farmers had earlier attempted to march into the national capital on February 13 and February 21, but they were stopped by security forces at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders on the Punjab-Haryana borders.

Farmers' march: Delhi Police on alert, security deployed at border points

The Ambala administration has imposed Section 163 of the BNSS restricting the assembly of five or more persons in the district and has issued notices at the protest site near the Shambhu border

Security heightened at Ambala-Delhi border ahead of farmers march

Ambala: The security arrangements have been heightened ahead of the Delhi March announced by farmers today. The Police have barricaded the Ambala-Delhi border as the farmers will leave from Shambhu Border for Delhi at 1 pm. The march has entered its 297th day and the indefinite hunger strike at the Khanauri border has entered its 11th day. At 1 pm, a 'jatha' of 101 farmers will move towards Delhi from the Shambhu Border... Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher told ANI. As many as 34 farmers were detained who were going from zero point to Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida, to hold a protest without taking permission, police officials said on Thursday. 34 farmers were detained late night, who were going from zero point to Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal in Noida, to hold protest without taking permission. After taking into custody, they were sent to jail, Noida Police said. On Wednesday, the Uttar Pradesh government formed a 5-member committee to address and find a solution to the ongoing farmers' agitation in the regions of Noida and Greater Noida. According to an official release, the committee will be chaired by IAS Anil Kumar Sagar, who is the Principal Secretary of Infrastructure and Industrial Development in Uttar Pradesh. The committee will consist of 5 members, which indicates a small but focused team with the expertise to handle the matter efficiently. The members include Anil Kumar Sagar, Piyush Verma, Sanjay Khatri, Somya Srivastava and Kapil Singh.The committee is expected to submit its report and recommendations to the government within a period of one month. This move shows the government's commitment to addressing the concerns of the farmers in a structured and systematic way. Earlier on December 3, the Uttar Pradesh police also detained protesting farmers who are demanding compensation and benefits, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

'Jatha' of 101 farmers to march towards Delhi today: All you need to know

Farmers in India are marching to Delhi to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops and other reforms. Security is heightened at the Ambala-Delhi border, with prohibitory orders in place. This follows a previous attempt by farmers to march on Parliament earlier this week and an ongoing hunger strike at the Khanauri border.

Security heightened at Shambhu border ahead of farmers' Delhi March

Farmers intensified their protest, with a Delhi march planned from the Shambhu Border and a hunger strike entering its 11th day. Police heightened security and barricaded the Ambala-Delhi border. Meanwhile, 34 farmers were detained in Noida for protesting without permission. A 5-member committee was formed by the Uttar Pradesh government to address the ongoing agitation.

Delhi Braces For Re-Run of Traffic Snarls As Farmers Plan March Tomorrow

Delhi is bracing for a second bout of traffic snarls this week as protesting farmers plan Dilli Chalo march from Shambhu border. Prohibitory orders banning large gatherings were imposed in Haryana's Ambala this evening.

Train services between Chennai and Tiruchi disrupted because of heavy rain, rising water level near Villupuram

Tiruchi Railway Division arranges a fleet of buses at Mambalapattu, Venkatesapuram and Villupuram railway stations to help passengers in their onward journey; food and drinking water bottle provided at the three stations

Punjab farmers gear up for foot march towards Delhi in small groups from December 6 onwards

CHANDIGARH: Farmers in Punjab, organized in small groups, will begin a foot march towards Delhi on December 6, demanding a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops, along with other long-standing demands. The protest, led by farmer leaders, follows months of demonstrations, with farmers having been camped at Shambhu and Khanauri borders for 293 days. Sarwan Singh Pandher, farmer leader and convener of the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), announced that the first group of farmers, led by prominent leaders Satnam Singh Pannu, Surinder Singh Chautala, Surjit Singh Phul, and Baljinder Singh, will depart for Delhi on December 6. The group plans to march peacefully, walking daily from 9 am to 5 pm, while camping overnight along the way. Their route will take them through Ambalas Jaggi city centre, the Mohra grain market, Khanpur Jattan, and Pipli in Haryana. Pandher stated that further details, including the number of participants in the first group, would be disclosed closer to the march. Guramneet Singh Mangat, another farmer leader, said that while farmers from Punjab march towards Delhi, farmer bodies in Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu would also be organizing marches towards their respective state assemblies, amplifying the demand for a legal guarantee on MSP. This march follows earlier failed attempts to march to Delhi on February 13 and February 21, which were blocked by security forces at the Punjab-Haryana border. Since February 13, farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM) have been protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points, demanding a resolution to their issues. Protesting farmers stay put at Punjab-Haryana borders for heading to Delhi amid heavy police blockade Pandher criticized the central government for halting talks with protesting farmers. The government has not engaged in discussions with us since February 18. They stopped the talks and have ignored our demands for a legal guarantee on MSP, he said. He also emphasized the farmers' rejection of contract farming, stating, Contract farming is not acceptable to us. We demand a legal guarantee on MSP for our crops. In February, a panel of three Union MinistersArjun Munda, Piyush Goyal, and Nityanand Raiheld talks with farmer representatives, offering to buy pulses, maize, and cotton at MSP for five years. However, the proposal was rejected by the farmers. Meanwhile, Jagjit Singh Dallewal, chief of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM), continues his fast unto death at the Khanauri border point, highlighting the urgency of the protest. Apart from the legal guarantee on MSP, the farmers are also demanding a farm loan waiver, pensions for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariffs, the withdrawal of police cases, justice for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence, reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, and compensation for the families of farmers who died during the 2020-21 agitation.

Telangana: Former home guard sits on Shanti Deeksha with CM Revanths statue

Hyderabad: A former home guard who was removed from service in the past sat on a Shanti deeksha by installing a bust-sized statue of chief minister A Revanth Reddy in Bellampalli town of Mancherial district on Thursday. Sakinala Narayana, a resident of Radagambala basthi held the protest at his residence near the municipal office in 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 .

Supplementary Budget of Rs 12,156 Cr Tabled in Odisha Assembly

Bhubaneswar: A supplementary budget of Rs 12,156 crore was presented in the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Tuesday by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who also holds the finance portfolio. The budget focuses on reallocating resources and utilising tied-up funds to support public welfare and developmental activities across the state. Highlighting the governments commitment to inclusive growth, the Chief Minister said, This supplementary budget is designed to address the immediate needs of the people and enhance the infrastructure and welfare schemes of the state. Key Allocations of the Supplementary Budget Public Welfare and Infrastructure Development Rs 125 crore for organising Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar. Rs 142 crore for Constituency-Wise Allocations under the Minimum Needs Programme. Rs 299 crore for deploying Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Rs 51 crore for installing CCTV surveillance systems in police stations and outposts. Rs 130 crore for establishing Centres of Excellence in collaboration with Tata Technologies at 22 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs). Rs 26 crore for developing facilities for Srimandira Parikrama and Rs 5 crore for the Ratnabhandara of Lord Jagannath Temple. Rs 120 crore for disaster risk mitigation, modernizing, and extending Fire Services. Farmers Welfare and Food Security Rs 80 crore for reviving and renovating defunct lift irrigation projects through OLIC. Rs 130 crore for sustainable groundwater harnessing in water-deficit areas. Rs 91 crore under the White Revolution Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikash Yojana. Rs 66 crore for flood control and drainage projects. Rs 59 crore for food storage and warehousing under the Procurement Operation Support Scheme. Healthcare Initiatives Rs 644 crore for the Gopabandhu Jana Arogya Yojana. Rs 5 crore for medical colleges and hospitals. Rs 10 crore for health awareness through Information, Education, and Communication campaigns. Women and Child Empowerment Rs 1,196 crore for the flagship SUBHADRA Yojana. Rs 24 crore for supporting the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). Rs 25 crore for the Mission Shakti Samarthya scheme and 5 crore for Mission Shakti Sambala. Other Notable Allocations Rs 92 crore for Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DAJGUA). Rs 60 crore for modernizing and expanding fire services infrastructure. This supplementary budget reflects Odishas strategic focus on addressing key areas like disaster mitigation, infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and womens empowerment. It demonstrates the governments intent to prioritize development and welfare across all sectors, aiming for sustainable progress, the CM said after tabling the Supplementary Budget.

Panel set up to examine whether holding kambala near Pilikula biological park disturbs animals, State tells Karnataka High Court

Kashmir Rail Link to Connect Delhi and Srinagar by January 2025

The eagerly anticipated Kashmir Rail Link, part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project, is expected to become operational by January 2025, facilitating seamless train travel between New Delhi and Srinagar. The service will debut with the high-speed Vande Bharat Sleeper train, promising to revolutionize connectivity to the region. The overnight journey, covering over 800 kilometers, will take less than 13 hours. Passengers will board in Delhi at 7:00 PM and arrive in Srinagar by 8:00 AM, making it an efficient alternative to air travel. The train will feature three classesAC First Class, AC 2 Tier, and AC 3 Tierwith fares ranging from 2,000 to 3,000. Enhanced sleeper facilities and modern amenities are designed to provide maximum comfort during the journey. Key stops along the route include Ambala Cantt, Ludhiana, Jammu Tawi, and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra. The project is expected to greatly boost tourism, enhance trade, and improve overall connectivity between Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. The USBRL project, a challenging feat of engineering, includes state-of-the-art bridges and tunnels traversing difficult terrain. It underscores the governments commitment to improving infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir. This milestone is anticipated to open up new opportunities for the regions socio-economic growth while enhancing ease of travel for tourists, pilgrims, and residents alike.

Vizags Tourist Spots Overflow on Karthika Sunday

Visakhapatnam: The tourist spots in Visakhapatnam experienced an unprecedented influx of visitors on Sunday, coinciding with the ongoing Karthika Month. Families and tourists flocked to popular destinations such as beaches, parks, and scenic Agency areas, leading to record footfall at several hotspots. R.K Beach, Tenneti Park, Kailasagiri, VMRDA Park, Rushikonda, Bheemunipatnam, Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), and Kambalakonda were bustling with activity from early morning. Visitors of all ages participated in various fun events, including tambola, anthakshari, kabaddi, and organized games. Many picnickers were seen capturing memories with selfies against the backdrop of the picturesque locations. The IGZP (Indira Gandhi Zoological Park) alone reported an impressive footfall of 10,006 visitors, generating revenue of Rs 7,64,640 in just one day. This surge in visitors highlights the zoo's popularity as a family-friendly destination. Traffic congestion was noted along the Beach Road stretch between Rushikonda and Naval Coastal Battery due to the high volume of tourists. Additionally, other attractions like Borra Caves welcomed 6,975 tourists, while Lambasingi saw around 3,000 visitors enjoying the cooler climate. The recent dip in temperatures in the Agency area has contributed significantly to this tourist influx. Areas such as Chintapalli, Paderu, Minumuluru, and Vanjangi have recorded minimum temperatures ranging from 12C to 18C, making them ideal for visitors seeking a respite from the heat.

Shambala, Snowfall and Divine Star show out

Devotional hub with international standard to come up at Erumeli

Kottayam: A devotional hub with international standard, including a convention centre, will be developed at Erumeli after the conclusion of Sabarimala pilgrimage season this year, Kerala Revenue Minister K Rajan has said. The minister made this announcement on Wednesday while inaugurating a new vehicle parking facility under the Housing Board at Cheriyambalam, Erumeli, for the Sabarimala season. According to the minister, an additional Rs 20 lakh from the flood relief fund will be allocated to improve the road on both sides of the parking area. A press release from the state government stated that the Housing Board plans to develop an international-standard devotional hub at its site in Erumeli. The project will proceed in three phases, with the first phase focused on providing affordable parking facilities. The second phase will add eateries, a refreshment centre, a cafeteria, and restrooms, while the third phase will include guest houses, cottages, dormitories, and supporting facilities, added the release. Currently, the parking facility has been set up at the half of the six-and-a-half-acre site owned by the Kerala State Housing Board near Cheriyambalam, the release said. The Sabarimala Mandala-Makaravilaku festival will commence on November 16.

Shambala and Kimiko impress

Karnataka HC adjourns hearing on plea against Kambala near Pilikula biological park

Photo exhibition in Hyderabad to be hosted from Nov 21-Dec 2

Hyderabad: The Goethe-Zentrum is hosting a unique photo exhibition in Hyderabad titled Photography Strictly Prohibited: An Exhibition of Photographs of Navroze Contractor. Curated by Sanjiv Shah, Anuj Ambalal, and Himanshu Panchal, this celebrates the work of acclaimed cinematographer and photographer Navroze Contractor. Art lovers can visit the exhibition located at 20 Journalist Colony, Road No. 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 .

Tourist spots abuzz with picknickers in undivided Visakhapatnam

R.K Beach, Tenneti Park, Kailasagiri, VMRDA Park, Rushikonda, Bheemunipatnam, IGZP, Kambalakonda and other places witness huge rush since morning

'Don't Kill Snakes' campaign in Vizag promotes snake conservation

Visakhapatnam :Kiran Rokkam, a dedicated snake conservationist, led an awareness campaign in Visakhapatnam on Saturday to advocate for the protection of snakes. With the message Don't Kill Snakes, the campaign aimed to educate the public on the vital role snakes play in the ecosystem and encourage a more compassionate approach toward these often-misunderstood creatures. Held near the GVMC Gandhi statue, the awareness program attracted attention to the common issue of human-snake encounters in urban areas. Kiran shared his experiences rescuing snakesaveraging five to six rescues each month in Visakhapatnam. He emphasized the dangers faced by snakes when they enter human settlements. Fearing for their safety, many residents respond by attacking snakes with sticks, often causing severe injuries. Kirans intervention helps save these animals, providing them with medical care and rehabilitation. Once healed, he returns them to their natural habitats. During a recent rescue operation, Kiran saved several pythons, which had been injured during human interactions. Following treatment by a GVMC veterinary doctor, the pythons made a full recovery. Kiran then released them back into the wild, specifically at the Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary, after ensuring they were fit for release. As part of the awareness initiative, Kiran also conducted an educational session for local students near the Gandhi statue. The session focused on the ecological importance of snakes, explaining how they help maintain balance in the environment by controlling pest populations. Students were informed about the potential dangers of harming snakes and the long-term benefits of coexisting with wildlife. Kirans tireless work in rescuing and rehabilitating snakes has made a significant impact on changing public attitudes toward these reptiles. By educating the community and highlighting the importance of snakes in environmental conservation, Kiran is helping foster a more harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife in Visakhapatnam. His efforts not only save lives but also contribute to broader conservation goals, encouraging a sustainable coexistence with nature.

Air quality 'poor' in large parts of Punjab, Haryana; Chandigarh 'very poor'

CHANDIGARH: The air quality in several parts of Punjab and Haryana was recorded in the 'poor' category on Saturday, while it was worst in the joint capital city of Chandigarh with an AQI of 322 which falls in the 'very poor' band. According to the Central Pollution Control Board's Sameer App, which provides hourly updates, Haryana's Bahadugarh recorded an Air Quality Index of 314 -- also in the 'very poor' category at 9 am. Among other places in Haryana, the AQI at Sonipat was 290, Hisar (285), Bhiwani (277), Jind (275), Charkhi Dadri (258), Gurugram (259), Faridabad (220), Yamunanagar (213), Rohtak (238), Kurukshetra (202), Kaithal (205), Fatehabad (198), Ambala (160), Sirsa (181), and Karnal (144). In Punjab, the AQI was registered at 264 in Mandi Gobindgarh, 258 in Amritsar, 257 in Rupnagar, 248 in Jalandhar, 197 in Ludhiana, 183 in Bathinda, 176 in Khanna, and 133 in Patiala. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered 'good', 51 and 100 'satisfactory', 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', 401 and 450 'severe' and above 450 'severe plus'. The rise in air pollution levels in the two states and Delhi during this time of year is often blamed on farm fires. Punjab reported 730 farm fire incidents on Friday, taking the total count to 6,029 in the state this season. As the window for the Rabi crop -- wheat -- is very short after paddy harvest, some farmers set their fields on fire to quickly clear off the crop residue for sowing of the next crop.

Temple firecrackers blast: Kerala cabinet sanctions Rs 4 lakh compensation

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala cabinet, that met here on Wednesday with Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the chair, sanctioned Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the four people who died in the major blast at the Anjootambalam Veererkavu Temple in Nileshwaram last week after firecrackers kept for a function caught fire. Last 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 .

T.N. expert finds similarities in Ambalamukku, Aralvaimozhi murders

Dr. Murugan says the accused had stabbed his victims in their necks from behind to damage their vocal cords, presumably to render them speechless

India, Vietnam hold first bilateral military exercise involving armies and air forces

NEW DELHI: Adding to the growing trajectory of the India-Vietnam defence relationship, the militaries of both countries began their bilateral exercise Vinbax 2024 at an enhanced level for the first time. The Indian Army in a statement said, This edition marks a significant increase in scope with Bi Service level participation for the first time by personnel of Army and Air Force from both the countries. The fifth edition of the Vietnam Indian Bilateral Army Exercise Vinbax 2024 commenced on Monday at Ambala. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from November 4-23 at Ambala and Chandimandir. This is a sequel to the bilateral exercise in Vietnam in 2023. The Indian Army contingent comprising 47 personnel is being represented by a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers along with personnel from other arms and services. The Vietnamese contingent comprising similar strength will be represented by troops of the Vietnam People's Army. The aim of Vinbax 2024 is to enhance joint military capability of both sides in employment and deployment of Engineer Company and Medical Teams to undertake engineering tasks as part of United Nations Contingent in Peace Keeping Operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. Terming the exercise as an enabler, the Army said, The conduct of Vinbax - 2024 as a field training exercise with enhanced scope from previous editions of bilateral exercise will strengthen mutual confidence, interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and Vietnam Peoples Army. Additional activities will also be conducted. A 48-hour validation exercise with humanitarian assistance & disaster relief demonstration and equipment display is also part of the schedule to assess the standards achieved by both contingents while executing technical military operations under similar scenarios in UN missions. The joint exercise will also provide an opportunity to the troops of both contingents to learn about the social and cultural heritage of each other. India and Vietnam established a Strategic Partnership in 2007 which was raised to the level of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in September 2016. The interactions and dialogues towards strengthening the relationship included the 14th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue that took place in New Delhi in August. It was co-chaired by the then Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane and Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the range of bilateral defence cooperation issues and noted the transformative progress in the ties after the signing of Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030 in June 2022 during the visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Vietnam. Defence cooperation is one of the strong pillars of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and Vietnam. Vietnam is an important partner in Indias Act East Policy and in the Indo-Pacific Region.