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Stay In Your Domain: Gambhir Slams IPL Team Owner After ODI Series Win
Gautam Gambhir: Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir, under scrutiny following the recent Test series defeat to South Africa, delivered a fiery rebuttal to critics after India clinched the ODI series 21 with a dominant nine-wicket victory over the Proteas in the third and final match of the series in Visakhapatnam on Saturday. His strongest remarks were seemingly directed at Delhi Capitals co-owner Parth Jindal, who had publicly advocated for a split-coaching structure in Indian cricket. Addressing the media after the series win, Gambhir, who highlighted the absence of skipper Shubman Gill, sidelined with a neck injury, as a key factor in Indias Test series loss, asserted that individuals outside the cricketing ecosystem should refrain from commenting on matters beyond their expertise. He said: I am surprised that no one was talking about this (Gill's unavailability to bat) and all the discussions were around the pitch and many other things. There were people who had nothing to do with cricket also giving their opinions. An IPL team owner also wrote about a split coaching staff who had nothing to do with the game. People should stay in their domain. If I do not enter anybodys domain, they also have no right to enter my domain. Confirming Gills availability for the upcoming T20Is, Gambhir added: Shubman is ready to gothats why hes been selected. Hes fit, hungry to work, and improve. And look, there are quality players on this side. As Ive said many times, they are world-class players. He said: I am surprised that no one was talking about this (Gill's unavailability to bat) and all the discussions were around the pitch and many other things. There were people who had nothing to do with cricket also giving their opinions. An IPL team owner also wrote about a split coaching staff who had nothing to do with the game. People should stay in their domain. If I do not enter anybodys domain, they also have no right to enter my domain. Also Read: Live Cricket Score India now turns their attention to the five-match T20I series against South Africa, beginning December 9 in Cuttack, followed by games on December 11 (New Chandigarh), December 14 (Dharamsala), December 17 (Lucknow), and December 19 (Ahmedabad). Article Source: IANS
Son killed in clash with father in Kiampur
Rural polls: During nominations in Nabha, candidates clash over house structures
Ghanaur police yet to arrest nomination paper snatcher
AAP slams Congress leaders anti-Sikh remark
Women of a family come together to build their identity at crafts mela
Criminals, absconders held in Panchkula
Astronaut urges youth to take on Viksit Bharat mantle
Students mark Ambedkar death anniv with candlelight march
Centre urged to increase retirement age of Chd aided college teachers to 65
PU hostel suicide attempt reignites concerns over campus mental health crisis
Traditional dress code for PU convocation
MC clears encroachments from city parks
2 Army men killed after car falls into gorge in Mandi
Shimla Winter Half Marathon set for Dec 14
CM announces induction of women in fire services, home guards
NGT orders inquiry into alleged illegal mining by stone crusher unit in Mandi
Nadda to lay foundation of new BJP state office in Shimla on Dec 13
SMAT | Hyderabad thumps Bihar for fifth win, boosts knockout chances
Arshad claims career-best figures of six for nine to set up Madhya Pradeshs big victory over Chandigarh; Goa gets the better of J&K
Himachal Congress will be re-constituted within three months, says State unit chief Vinay Kumar
CHANDIGARH: With an eye on the 2027 assembly elections, the Himachal Pradesh Congress unit president Vinay Kumar said the Himachal Pradesh Congress will be re-constituted within three months. He said that the block presidents would be appointed first, followed by district presidents and then the state working committee. Kumar emphasised the need for unity within the party, highlighting his strong relationships with party members and his aims to bring equality and adequate representation for women and youth, especially from panchayat elections, in preparation for the 2027 assembly polls. All posts come with challenges. For the past year, there has been no Congress organisation in the state. I have been appointed as the state Congress president to unite everyone, as I have good relations with all. Once the team is in place, we will start preparing for the 2027 Assembly elections to repeat the 2022 success, said the three-time MLA from Renukaji Assembly constituency. He said that the diligent efforts were made by the state government during the recent monsoon disaster, particularly evident in the hardest-hit area of Mandi. An upcoming event will commemorate three years of Congress governance and focus on informing the public of the governmental efforts, he added. The 47-year-old Kumar was appointed as the new Congress state chief on November 22 after more than a year without a leader. He took charge on November 30. On November 6, 2024, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge dissolved the Pradesh Congress Committee in Himachal Pradesh, along with the district and block units, effective immediately. Despite this, Pratibha Singh remained in her position as state Congress chief.
Punjab: Railways to revive century-old QadianBeas line
CHANDIGARH: With 14 months remaining before the Punjab Assembly elections, the wait for the 40 km QadianBeas rail line is finally nearing an end after 100 years. The Indian Railways has officially decided to restart work on the project, even though construction had begun nearly a century ago under the British. The line had remained in the freeze category for years due to alignment constraints, land acquisition issues, and local political roadblocks. Sources said that a letter from the Chief Administrative Officer (Construction), Northern Railway, states that the Railway Board has sought the immediate defreezing of the project and the re-submission of the detailed estimate for early sanction so construction can begin. Minister of State for Railways, Ravneet Singh, alias Bittu, directed officials to defreeze the project. He said his focus remains on initiating new projects, completing pending ones, and reviving those abandoned due to unforeseen challenges. I knew the importance of this project. Hence, I asked the officials concerned to remove all impediments and restart construction work. This track will give a major boost to the struggling industrial units of Batala, the regions steel town. He further stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw have made it clear that funding will not be a hurdle for Punjabs railway development. This rail track was planned and sanctioned in 1929 by the British government. The line was to be constructed by the North Western Railway. However, in 1932, the project was halted after nearly 33 per cent of the track had been completed. It resurfaced in the 2010 Railway Budget under the socially desirable projects category, which focuses on inclusive transport access regardless of profitability. However, financial concerns raised by the Planning Commission once again stalled progress. Welcoming the fresh initiative by the Ministry of Railways to revive the long-delayed project, Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa expressed hope that the New Year would finally bring the breakthrough the people of the region have awaited for nearly a century. Bajwa extended gratitude to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and MoS Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu for moving the project out of a prolonged bureaucratic freeze. He recalled that the QadianBeas link was first strongly pursued during his tenure as a Member of Parliament, when he persuaded then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee to prioritize it. He also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2017, urging him to initiate work on the project. He said the rail link represents not merely an infrastructure requirement but a century-old aspiration of the people, as work on this line was first initiated under British rule in 1928 and has faced repeated delays despite its formal sanctioning in 2010. Bajwa noted that the 40-km line, originally estimated at 205 crore, has now escalated to around 840 crore due to years of administrative inertia. The demand highlights the collective will of residents, industrialists, and religious communities across Qadian, Beas, and Batala for its early completion. He emphasized the immense socio-economic value of the project, particularly for Qadian, which serves as the international headquarters of the Ahmadiyya sect and receives a steady flow of domestic and global visitors. He added that the rail link would significantly benefit Batalas industrial sector by providing direct access to the AmritsarDelhi corridor, and would also facilitate the movement of pilgrims visiting Dera Beas and the Baba Namdev Dera at Ghuman, thereby enriching the regions spiritual and cultural connectivity. Bajwa further stressed the strategic importance of the QadianBeas line, explaining that it would provide an alternative supply route to Jammu and Kashmir and greatly strengthen military logistics a factor of considerable national interest. He urged the Ministry of Railways to approve the detailed estimate without delay so that work on the ground may begin promptly.
Punjab LoP moves HC seeking extension of nomination deadline for Zila Parishad, Block Samiti polls
CHANDIGARH: Senior Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking an extension of the last date for filing nomination papers for Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections. They are alleging that widespread incidents of tearing, snatching and destruction of nomination forms on December 4 had prevented several candidates from filing valid nomination forms Also, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) demanded that the deadline for filing nominations in all areas where there were complaints of highhandedness and discrimination should be extended to allow for free and fair polls. In his petition, Bajwa maintained, Cases of illegal detentions, persons being waylaid and picked up, and candidates not allowed to reach the venue, etc., took place. There were videos and photos captured that showed persons running away with candidates nomination papers, fights taking place, brawls breaking out, candidates not allowed to reach the venue, NOCs not issued, and officials concerned nowhere to be found, Bajwa added. If, during an election, the very police that are supposed to ensure free and fair elections would start indulging in the abuse of power, undermining the law of the land and restraining the Opposition candidates from filing nomination papers, the faith of the people would be shaken in the democratic process. Therefore, an immediate time-bound investigation is initiated by a Central agency in the matter concerned, he said. Punjab Congress leader Warring accuses AAP government of patronising gangsters to win elections Bajwa sought directions to the State Election Commission to constitute an independent monitoring mechanism or appoint observers to ensure peaceful, fair and transparent polls. He also pressed for an inquiry by the CBI or any other Central agency into the conduct of Patiala SSP Varun Sharma, following the surfacing of an alleged audio recording purportedly directing police personnel among other things to disrupt the nomination process. Advocate Arshpreet Khadial appeared for Bajwa before the Chief Justice to make an oral mention. The request was allowed by the High Court, and now the matter will be taken up on December 8. Senior SAD party leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema also called for nomination of independent Observers for the polls, besides demanding stringent action, including charge sheeting of police and civil officials who had vitiated the election atmosphere by acting as stooges of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The party will also submit the names of Returning Officers who have acted in a partisan manner and rejected forms of opposition leaders en masse, and appeal that they should not be put on duty in the general elections in 2027. Cheema also came down heavily on the State Election Commission (SEC). Buzz over former Punjab CM Amarinder's advocacy for BJP-SAD alliance sparks possibilities of revival of ties He said it was condemnable that at a time when democracy was being murdered in the State, and the SEC had chosen to look away. This raises disturbing questions about the integrity of the SEC as it has failed to supervise the elections fairly and impartially and has also refused to take action against police officers, including Patiala SSP Varun Sharma, who specifically directed police officials to stop opposition candidates from reaching the offices of Returning Officers by resorting to illegal and unconstitutional means. Meanwhile, giving details of mass-level rejection of SAD candidates, Cheema said that in the case of Tarn Taran, out of 72 Zila Parishad seats, forms of party candidates had been rejected in 41 seats. He said in case of Block Samitis, in Tarn Taran, 31 forms across 63 seats had been rejected, in Gandiwind 37 forms across 52 seats, in Khadoor Sahib 43 forms across 151 seats, in Patti 56 forms across 75 seats, in Bhikhiwind 77 forms across 100 seats, in Valtoha 56 forms across 78 seats and in Naushehra Pannuan 40 forms across 83 seats had been rejected. Cheema said similarly in the Block Samiti seats in Majitha, 12 SAD candidates were not allowed to file nominations. He said in Bhoa and Zira, no SAD candidate was allowed to file a nomination. He said in Raja Sansi candidature of 25 out of the 35 SAD contestants were rejected for the Block Samiti elections, and in the case of Baba Bakala, 18 forms across 49 seats were rejected. He also disclosed how in Fatehgarh Churian, 2 forms out of 4 Zila Parishad seats and 14 forms across 25 Block Samiti seats were rejected. He also added that a large number of SAD candidates were not allowed to file their nominations in Qadian, Jaitu, Ghanaur, Nurpur Bedi, Patran, Khanauri, Jandiala and Ajnala
Chandigarh extends exemption for establishments with up to 20 workers under Punjab Shops Act
Chandigarh has adopted the Punjab Shops and Commercial Establishments (Amendment) Act, easing compliance for small businesses. Establishments with up to 20 workers are now exempt from most provisions, while those with more than 20 employees will receive registration approval within 24 hours, streamlining the process and reducing the 'Inspector Raj'.
Repo Rate Slashed to 5.25 percent; Softer Rate Cycle Reignites Demand Across Real Estate Sector
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has unanimously cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 5.25 percent. This marks the fourth rate reduction in 2025, totalling a cumulative 125 bps cut since the start of the year. This decisive move comes against a backdrop of easing inflation, stable growth, and an eagerness to boost liquidity and credit flow. For homebuyers, particularly those looking at affordable, mid-income, or even premium housing across NCR and other urban corridors, this signals a fresh wave of affordability. As banks adjust lending rates, borrowers with floating-rate home loans may soon see lower EMIs, reviving demand and giving impetus to property purchases. The softer interest rate environment is thus set to underpin stronger housing demand through the remainder of 2025 and into 2026, a period likely to see many fence-sitters finally turning into homeowners. Repo Rate Slashed to 5.25 percent; Reignites Demand Across Real Estate Sector Real-estate developers welcomed the decision, noting that it could accelerate demand, convert cautious buyers into committed ones, and provide the needed boost to both residential and commercial launches in the coming year. Sandeep Chhillar, Founder and Chairman, Landmark Group , says, " The RBI bringing the repo rate down by 25 basis points marks a strong pro-growth signal and undoubtedly benefits the real estate sector. With home loan rates likely to fall further, affordability will improve, especially for first-time homebuyers. This move is expected to reignite demand, sustain buyer interest, and create a favourable environment for continued growth across the housing market. " Umang Jindal, CEO, Homeland Group , says, The 25 bps rate cut is a welcome breather for the industry, especially at a time when growth is spreading beyond metros. In Tier-II cities, were seeing families upgrade to better homes and businesses look for organised commercial spaces. This reduction nudges both trends forward. It lowers borrowing costs, improves sentiment, and makes it easier for developers like us to fast-track mixed-use neighbourhoods where people can live, work, and shop within the same ecosystem. As we head into 2026, Tier-II markets are set to witness stronger absorption, better retail activity, and sustained demand for quality residential projects driven by aspiration and improved affordability . Sehaj Chawla, Managing Director, TREVOC Group , says, The cumulative softening of rates with the latest 25 bps cut bringing the effective lending environment to 5.25 percentfrom 6.50 percentlast year marks a total reduction of 1.25 percent, which is a major boost for homebuyers. Lower borrowing costs directly translate into higher purchasing power and faster decision-making. Supported by stable inflation and strong GDP momentum, this move sets the stage for accelerated growth across the real estate sector . Harinder Singh Hora, Founder Chairman, Reach Group , says, " Retail thrives on consumer confidence, and the RBIs move to bring the repo rate down to 5.25 percentis exactly the sentiment boost the sector needed. For developers, this signals a stronger investment climate, easier access to capital, and faster decision-making from brands planning expansion. We anticipate higher leasing activity across high-streets, malls and experience-led retail centres in Gurugram, as occupiers move quickly to secure prime spaces before the new year. By 2026, this policy shift will contribute significantly to a more vibrant, liquid, and future-ready retail ecosystem across NCR, benefiting both developers and brands ." Shyamrup Roy Choudhury, Founder and Managing Director, Aura World , says, The 25 bps rate cut is a highly encouraging development for the luxury housing segment, where sentiment and confidence play a far larger role than affordability. Affluent buyers tracking macro trends will view this as a strong green signal to advance large-ticket purchases. Further, the reduced rate will strengthen liquidity for developers building high-spec, design-led communities. As we look toward 2026, luxury housing will continue gaining momentum, powered by wealth creation, asset diversification, and Indias rising global economic position. Ankit Kansal, MD, 360 Realtors , says, The recent decision by RBI to lower the Repo Rate is a welcome step, as it will enable reduction in home loan rates and make property more affordable in numerous urban corridors such as MMR, NCR, Bangalore, Pune and Chandigarh. The inflation rates are benign, and the economy appears to be on a strong footing marked by healthy agrarian output, a rise in rural demand and strong corporate savings. In such a situation, it is seemingly a prudent move to lower the REPO rate and infuse liquidity in the market . Ashwani Kumar, Pyramid Infratech , says, " The 25 bps cut, especially after two consecutive status-quo policy announcements, signals a renewed push toward affordability and market confidence. For Gurugrams end-user-driven corridors, this will encourage families who were delaying decisions due to rate uncertainties. As we enter the year-end buying cycle and prepare for 2026, this move is set to enhance absorption across well-connected micro-markets and support long-term stability in premium housing ." Azad Ahmad Lone, President, Business Development and Operations, Biigtech , says, " The RBIs 25 bps repo rate cut couldnt have come at a better time for NCRs commercial sector. Cities like Noida-Greater Noida are becoming Indias most credible alternative to traditional commercial hubs, due to strong connectivity, a deep talent pool, and highly competitive rentals. Were seeing GCCs and global MNCs actively exploring sizeable office mandates here. This rate reduction will only make capital deployment smoother for new Grade A offices, high-street clusters, and integrated workretail spaces. Moving toward 2026, we expect sharper pre-commitments, longer leases, and a robust pipeline of institutionally backed commercial assets ". As the market absorbs the implications of the RBIs 25 bps rate cut, the momentum clearly tilts toward a more active and confident real estate cycle. Lower EMIs, improved liquidity, and a sentiment boost across buyer segments position the sector for a healthier close to 2025.
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Central Govt makes U-turn, cancels Gang Canal anniversary celebration fearing backlash in Punjab
CHANDIGARH: With Punjab Assembly elections just 14 months away and fearing political backlash, the BJP-led Union Government made a U-turn by cancelling the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Gang Canal, which had been scheduled for today at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur. The canal carries water from Punjab to parts of Rajasthan, and the event was considered politically sensitive. This marks the fourth reversal in a little over a month by the Centre in order to avoid further controversy. Sources said Union Minister of Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal, the Member of Parliament from Bikaner, had landed at Amritsar International Airport on Thursday evening en route to Ferozepur. However, he did not leave the terminal and instead boarded a return flight after reportedly being asked to return. According to sources, the decision was taken because holding the event risked unrest, with farmers and political parties preparing protests against the celebrations. Senior Punjab BJP leaders had also alerted the central leadership that proceeding with the event could turn sour for the party in the state. Already the intelligence agencies had warned that Meghwals visit might lead to protests once news of the function became public late yesterday, said an official. Punjab BJP leader Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, formerly with the Congress, had been organising the event at Hussainiwala in Ferozepur district, where the canal originates. For many Punjabis, the mention of the Gang Canal reopens a century-old wound. Sources said top state leaders of the saffron party had instructed the central leadership that the state unit should not be associated with the event. The party has nothing to do with this program, as the interests of the state are paramount, it was an individual event organised by Rana Sodhi. We told the central leadership how this can backfire for the party in the state, and thus the minister was then accordingly instructed by the centre to return. We are grateful that the centre understood the sensitivity of the issue well in time, as the Gang Canal is a contentious issue in Punjab due to water sharing concern, said a senior party leader on condition of anonymity. Despite repeated attempts, Rana Sodhi was not available for comment. Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa had already condemned the BJP for its insensitive and politically provocative decision to celebrate the centenary of the Gang Canal from Punjab's soil. The BJP has once again demonstrated its disconnect from Punjab's history and the emotions of its people, he said. Bajwa reminded that the Gang Canal was constructed by the British in the early 20th century, primarily to appease the Maharaja of Bikaner, whose loyalty to the British Crown was rewarded through generous allocations of Punjab's river waters. To organise a celebratory event on Punjab's land is nothing short of reopening these painful wounds, he said. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said, Punjabs water crisis cannot be papered over with staged events and speeches. The BJP is glorifying a canal that historically drained Punjabs waters, while our fields remain parched. We are not against acknowledging history, but against hypocrisy. First, safeguard Punjabs water rights, fix the canal system, stop water theft, and ensure clean water for every farmer only then celebrate. The Gang Canal project, inaugurated on December 5, 1925 and named after Maharaja Ganga Singh of Bikaner, was built to address famine and irrigation issues in the Bikaner region. Stretching 1,398 kilometers including distributaries, the canal runs along the northeastern Indo-Pak border and remains a vital water source for both regions. This is not the first reversal by the Union Government in the recent past. Earlier, it withdrew the notification regarding the Panjab University senate and syndicate polls, clarified that no final decision had been taken on the proposed bill to include Chandigarh under Article 240 (which would allow the President to appoint a separate Lieutenant Governor for the Union Territory), and rejected the Haryana governments proposal to construct a separate Assembly building in Chandigarh.
Explained: From Nehru to Modi, Why Chandigarh Remains a Wound for Punjab
Modi government may have aborted its moves in Chandigarh, but it ended up reopening old wounds in Punjab.
Punjab Congress leader Warring accuses AAP government of patronising gangsters to win elections
CHANDIGARH: Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring warned the AAP government over promoting anarchy and bloodshed by patronising gangsters to win elections. He also accused AAP of following a strategy of manipulation and coercion, citing former Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodias saam, daam, dand, bhed approach. Warring warned that AAP turned police officers into `yesmen. We will neither forget nor forgive, he made it categorically clear to all such officers. He said AAPs reluctance to hold Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections showed that they feared defeat. Notably, Congress candidates faced intimidation and obstacles in filing nominations, sparking fears that their papers might be rejected during scrutiny due to AAPs grip on the election machinery. He said that the ruling party was scared and panic-stricken of losing the elections as it had already realised that the ground had slipped from beneath its feet. He added that it was only after the intervention of the court that the government was forced to hold the elections. He gave graphic details from across the state about how the Congress candidates for the Zila Parishad and Block Samiti elections were intimidated and prevented from filing their nomination papers. He expressed strong apprehensions that the nomination papers of even those who have somehow managed to file might get rejected at the time of scrutiny, as the ruling party has completely hijacked the election machinery. Replying to a question on the purported audio clip whereby the SSP Patiala is allegedly issuing directions to his subordinates as to how to prevent Opposition candidates from reaching the venue of filing nomination papers, Warring said, the matter must be investigated. He said, if found true, such officers must be dismissed from the services. Most of the SSPs, the DSPs heading police subdivisions and the SHOs and those heading police posts have completely surrendered themselves to the AAP and turned into its errand boys, he said in a scathing attack against the police partiality. Warring asserted that all such officers will be held accountable under the law once the government changes. He said, if a few police officials believe that they will get away in the next regime by doing the same thing for the party in power, then they are mistaken. This must end, and we will end it, he asserted. He denied that Congress patronised gangsters, challenging AAP to explain their own record. Warring highlighted that AAP is bringing gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria from the Assam jail for Tarn Tarans byelection.
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AIIMS INI SS 2025 list of shortlisted candiates for Stage 2 released: Check details here
AIIMS and PGIMER Chandigarh have released the list of candidates shortlisted for Stage-II (Departmental Assessment) under the INI Super-Speciality Online Test for DM/M.Ch. courses, January 2026 session. Shortlisted candidates, who cleared Stage-I on 22nd November 2025, will appear for video-conferencing-based assessments between 9th and 13th December 2025. Official updates and the list are available on www.aiimsexams.ac.in
Bhakra Dam in Himachal is set to be delisted, centre forms panel to oversee the process
CHANDIGARH: For the first time since its commissioning, the Bhakra Dam is set to undergo a desilting operation, with sedimentation having reduced the storage capacity of the Gobind Sagar reservoir by nearly 25 per cent since 1963. The Union Jal Shakti Ministry has constituted a 10-member committee to oversee the process, following the Himachal Pradesh governments in-principle approval to the Bhakra Beas Management Boards (BBMB) proposal for desilting the Sutlej River at Bilaspur, upstream of the dam. According to highly placed BBMB sources, the state government will now place the proposal before the Assembly for formal approval. If cleared, BBMB plans to conduct the desilting as a one-year pilot project. Officials said the reservoir currently receives an estimated 3839 million cubic metres (MCM) of silt annually, significantly higher than the originally projected 3334 MCM. The dam was designed to handle 33.61 MCM of silt each year. Experts estimate that nearly 2526 per cent of the reservoir has already been filled with silt. Though sediment is still about 10 km from the dam, the steadily advancing deposits are eroding its water-holding capacity. If unchecked, the reservoirs capacity could shrink by 3540 per cent by 2050, they warned. Bilaspur has been identified as the most feasible site for the desilting operation because water levels there remain low for nearly eight months a year, making excavation easier. Its location along the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) corridor also allows for smooth transport of extracted sediment. NHAI will be requested to use the excavated material for road embankments and earth-filling, potentially reducing construction costs. As per the proposed revenue-sharing plan, proceeds from the mineral-rich silt will be divided among Himachal Pradesh, BBMB and the partner states. Himachal, being home to the dam and its reservoir, will receive the largest share, including standard royalties from sand mining, while BBMB will retain additional revenue. Separately, BBMB has proposed a Rs 6,500-crore, 1,500 MW pumped-storage project as an extension of the Bhakra Dam at Dobar village, about five kilometres upstream from the existing structure. Planned under the public-private partnership (PPP) model on a build-own-operate basis, the project follows surveys that identified four viable sites across the reservoir.
Northern India shivers as temperatures plunge; Delhi chokes under very poor air
North India continued to reel under sharp winter conditions on Friday, with large parts of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana recording minimum temperatures well below normal, even as Kashmir saw a brief improvement in the cold due to overcast skies. Delhi, meanwhile, remained choked under very poor air quality as a cold wave was forecast for the day. Rajasthan recorded the lowest temperature in the region, with Fatehpur in Sikar district plunging to 1.9C on Friday morning. The Jaipur Meteorological Centre said minimum temperatures stayed below 10 degrees Celsius across several districts, including Sikar at 3C, Nagaur at 3.1C, Lunkaransar at 3.2C, Churu at 4.5C and Pilani at 4.8C. Dry conditions are likely to persist over most parts of the state for the next week, it added. Bone-chilling cold also gripped Punjab and Haryana. Faridkot, at 3C, was the coldest among the two states. In Punjab, Bathinda recorded 3.2C, while Amritsar, Ludhiana, Patiala, Gurdaspur and Ferozepur reported lows between 5.5C and 6.2C. In neighbouring Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest at 3.5C, while Hisar recorded 3.7C. Karnal, Rohtak, Bhiwani and Sirsa registered temperatures ranging between 5.4C and 7.7C. Chandigarh, the shared capital, reported a minimum of 6.1C. Kashmir, however, witnessed an improvement in night temperatures as cloud cover pushed the mercury above those recorded in recent days. Srinagar, which had plunged to 4C the previous night, recorded a low of 0.4Cover four degrees higher. Qazigund reported 0.2C, Kupwara 0.2C, Kokernag 0.8C, Pahalgam 1.8C and Gulmarg 0C. Konibal in Pulwama district remained the coldest in the Union Territory at 3C. The weather office said light snowfall is possible in the higher reaches later on Friday, while another brief spell is likely on December 8. In Delhi, there was no respite from toxic air as the Air Quality Index stood at 323 at 9 am, firmly in the very poor category. Bawana recorded the highest AQI in the city at 373, while 30 monitoring stations reported very poor levels. The capital saw fluctuating pollution levels through the week, with the AQI rising from 279 on Sunday to 372 on Tuesday before settling at 304 on Thursday. The IMD said a cold wave is expected through the day, with the minimum temperature dipping to 5.6C, nearly four degrees below normal. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 22C, while relative humidity touched 100% in the morning. (With inputs from PTI)
Malayali women's Kashmir adventure fuelled by teen love for thump
It was something they had dreamt of since they were teenagers. A dream that sprouted from a shared fascination for motorcycles, and the thump. They wanted to be riders. For Shyni C V, that passion has now become as essential as breathing. For Uma Mahesh, the enduring love has slowly turned into a realisation. And for Nishi Khan, it felt like finally coming home. The three women, all in their 40s, recently completed a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride. That teenage dream has now evolved into a lifestyle for the trio. Uma, who heads a business in Kochi, knew how to ride a motorcycle by 18. But she mustered the confidence to get one for herself only last year. When I was a young woman, people looked at me differently for riding a motorcycle, she recalls. Stare I got meant I had to stop. And I was given a gender-appropriate two-wheeler instead. But the call of the thump persisted. After years spent building a career and family, she finally decided to go full throttle. I met Shyni, who is an ace rider. She had done five all-India trips, Uma says. Nishi Khan, Shyni C V and Uma Mahesh pose in front of the CRPF camp in Jammu Nishi, too, received her licence as soon as she turned 18. But I was never able to buy a motorcycle for myself, she rues. It was during the lockdown that I rekindled my dream, thanks in part to social media reels. Soon, she bought her dream machine. She also came to know of Shyni during a Womens Day celebration. Quite poetic, isnt it? The trio soon decided to embark on an adventure: a Kanniyakumari-to-Kashmir ride with a cause Say No To Drugs. Among riders in India, Shyni is a familiar figure. Her driving school in Thiruvananthapuram trains women to ride motorcycles. And taking Nishi and Uma on their maiden long-distance ride is something she was always happy to do. The trio set off from Kanniyakumari. But as we started crossing geographies, things became difficult, recalls Uma. What kept us on the road was that thrill, that excitement of reaching a new place. They reached Delhi amid a flood. Our planned schedule drowned in the waters and we were stuck there for a week, Nishi says. Rain followed them all the way to Kashmir. There were floods. All the roads were damaged. It was pouring everywhere, says Uma. The trio at Kanniyakumari It took the trio 20 days to cover over 3,400km from Kanniyakumari to Kashmir. After spending a few days there, Uma returned to Kochi via Goa and Nishi took a detour from Chandigarh with another biker group headed to Ladakh, before returning to Thiruvananthapuram. Shyni, who accompanied Uma till Goa, headed back to Rajasthan for another impromptu all-India ride. Called the first woman Iron Butt of India, she is on her sixth cross-country trip. I reached Guwahati from Patna today. And after speaking at a school to students about the dark side of drugs and addiction, I will ride on first to the ongoing Hornbill Festival in Nagaland, and then to Arunachal Pradesh, Shyni says over phone. Inspired, Uma and Nishir are dreaming of even more journeys.
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