Brazil legend Cafu to visit Darjeeling, launch futsal teams this weekend
Brazil legend Cafu to visit Darjeeling launch futsal teams this weekend
Darjeeling Railway loco shed collapse injures 8, joyrides halted
Locoshed of Darjeeling's iconic toy train collapses amid heavy rain, 4 injured
Locoshed of Darjeelings iconic toy train collapses amid heavy rain injured
Eight Injured As Darjeeling Railway Locoshed Collapses
Torrential Rain And Gusty Winds Cause Partial Collapse In Darjeeling
7 injured after Darjeeling loco shed roof collapses
Makaibari to tie up with small tea growers in Darjeeling
The group set a goal to purchase 25% of its requirement from the small growers and blend them with its own production. These small growers are supposed to get the equal proportion from the total profit while the Luxmi Group is confident to achieve a 20% boost annually with this new intiative
Darjeeling cops reach out to Tripura Police to reunite trafficking victims with kin
Luxmi Group to launch Makaibari Collective with Darjeeling small tea growers
The initiative will combine tea from Makaibari and independent growers, while helping farmers receive better prices and a share of profits
Makaibari unveils Collective model for Darjeeling's small tea growers
The Makaibari Collective will source organically grown tea from small farmer cooperatives, with profits shared among growers in proportion to the quantity supplied
Low-pressure area to bring heavy rain in Bengal till Sep 4: IMD
Very heavy rainfall is also likely in Darjeeling and Jalpaiguri districts till Tuesday morning due to the weather system
Indian Tea Association issues white paper on Darjeeling & Dooars Tea Industry seeks revival packages
The white paper on Darjeeling highlights the sharp decline in productionfrom 14.49 million kg in 1990 to 5.6 million kg in 2025 while the paper on Dooars & Terai Tea Industry points out at a market asymmetry between small tea growers and organised tea estates
Darjeeling tea industry seeks Rs 113 crore aid from govt as output hits 35-year low
Darjeeling tea industry seeks Rs crore aid from govt as output hits year low
ITA seeks West Bengal tea policy push for Darjeeling, Dooars-Terai
White papers seek financial support, tea-area rejuvenation, factory modernisation and trade reforms to revive production, protect livelihoods and attract investment in North Bengal
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway adds Durga Puja joyrides from October 1
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway adds Durga Puja joyrides from October
PM Modi's expression of 'Dimagi-Naxals' begins to expose all elements of this category
FRAGRANCE OF IDEAS On every Republic Day and the Independence Day of the nation, the President of India addresses the nation on the eve of the most important two days of the Republic. However, in regard to the Independence Day, the whole focus of the nation remains on the address of the Prime Minister from the ramparts of the Lal Qila in Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation consecutivelyfor the 13th time from the ramparts of the Lal Qila on the Independence Day this year. Keeping in view the current socio-political scenario and the background of the parliament's stormy monsoon session thatended two daysearlier to the IndependenceDay, the address received great attention this time from all quarters. Besides the usual referencesto the advancemarch of the nation, the security related issues and the welfare measures of the government (both currently in vogue and those to be taken up in future) the Prime Minister in his speech referred to the finish of the armed Naxalite movement in the countryfor which 31st March 2026 was the deadline fixed by the government.In connection with the successful annihilation of the violent Naxalism, PM Modi made a very pointed reference to those who still keep on harnessing Naxalismin their thoughts and continue to pursue the divisivetheory in the society. He categorizedthem as the 'Dimagi-Naxals'. Hewarned the country against theseDimagi Naxals(intellectual or mental Naxals), stating that while armed Naxalism has been largely eradicated from the forests, its hidden ideological backers and mindset particularly in urban areas still pose a threat by trying to create societal unrest. These peoplecontinue to operate within intellectual spaces, media and power corridors and leave no opportunity to influence people to keep on makingefforts to stage anarchy on streets and in the important institutions of the country. PM Modiurged the public to identify and isolate these ideological elements to keep the youth aligned with national development, its civilizational ethos and the mainstream. In order to add their bit, the Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharke, President of Congress Party and the leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, LoP in Lok Sabha and Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of Congress Legislature party in parliament didn't attend the main function of the Independence Day at Delhi. They virtually 'boycotted' the most important national function echoing their conduct in the recently held monsoon session of the parliament which created a very bad taste on an occasion of national prestige and honour. On the same day, all these three leaders of the Congress party were seen attending a programme at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi wherein they were seen objecting to the recitation of full national song -Vande-Mataram! This further added to the already existing distaste in this connection. The whole nation witnessed how the Congress top leadership in presence of their workers at their main office insulted the national song. This is indeed the lowest level of position that the Congress stooped to publicly in regard to Vande-Mataram that has been accorded the status of national song by the Indian constitution. In the recently held monsoon session of the parliament, Prevention of Insults to National Honour (Amendment) Bill 2026 was duly passed by the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha. The legislation amends the 1971 Act to place the national song -Vande-Mataram, on par with the National anthem, making intentional interruptions or insults a punishable criminal offense. Intentionally preventing the singing of the song or disturbing an assembly reciting it carries up to three years in prison, a fine or both. Any second or subsequent conviction mandates a minimum jail term of one year. The government of the day in recognition of the people's wishes, sentiments and the pent-up feelings for a long time, took this step to honour the national heritage and provide legal sanctity to the complete song as was written by its author Bankim Chandra Chatterji during its 150th anniversary milestone. The aspirations in this regard were expressed by the people immediately after passing the Bill and particularly during the Tiranga Yatra conducted on the sacred occasion of this year's Independence Day. What Congress leadership did, unfortunately, reflects the mindset that the Prime Minister in his address to the nation referred to when he talked about the Dimagi-Naxals active in the country. A number of politicians, the so-called intellectuals, activists and anti-Modi elements came out declaring that they are 'proud of being Dimagi-Naxals'. These elements included P. Chidambaram, Arvind Kejriwal, Mehbooba Mufti, Renuka Chaudhary and others of their ilks. Though the Union Minister Kiran Rejiju clarified that the label wasn't meant for the general political rivals, but for those who reject the constitution or back separatism and support anarchy and violence in this regard. All the above mentioned characters fit in the definition as recommended by both the Prime Minister and the Union Minister. Here it will be importantto go to some facts of history in this connection. Naxalism in its violent form began in India around 1967 during the peasant uprising in Naxalbari-Darjeeling, West Bengal. It followed the Maoist revolutionary ideology and was led by Charu Majumdar and Kanu Sanyal. Naxalism expanded through violent land seizures, guerilla type attacks on the state forces and preaching pseudo-socialism. They later joined with the Communist Party of India (Maoist) and formed a number of splinter groups to pursue their agenda of armed activity against the landlords and the state of India. The leaders of this extreme-left oriented ideology argued that the socio-economic change required armed revolution and encouraged the extremist ideas in remote villages and tribal areas in a number of states. Though police and paramilitary deployments and actions suppressed the expansion of the revolt, however, it emerged as a major security threat internally. They grew support from some key urban intellectuals and other politically connected activists and leaders and emerged as a real threat in states like Bihar, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa and parts of Telangana. The high intensity violence unleashed by these Naxal-terrorists peaked around the year 2010 with nearly 2,000 violent incidents and hundreds of security and civilian deaths recorded in that single year.The active and passive support by the Urban-Naxals to this violence and the extremists involved in this carnage created a number of problems on ground for the State. On the one hand, the coordinated counter-insurgency measures, effective and aggressive camp setups by the security forces, road building and intelligence tracking reduced major rebel strongholds and on the other hand, the Urban-Naxals put all efforts to protect them legally, politically and by building a false narrative in their favour. On 25th May 2013, the Maoist insurgents in a deadly attack ambushed a full convoy of Congress leaders and workers in Jiram Ghati-Bastar region in Chhattisgarh. The ambush killed around 30 people, virtually wiping out the entire top leadership of the state Congress party. The dead included among others VC Shukla, Nand Kumar Patel, Mahendra Karma and Uday Mudliyar. The government of India in an affidavit to the SC during the UPA rule in November 2013 said that academicians and activists in urban centres had come to control 'mass organisations' organically linked to Maoists under the cover of human rights indicating how governments irrespective of political cover have seen 'urban-naxals' as a threat and noted hat these cadres are in many ways more dangerous than the cadres of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA). Sushil Kumar Shinde (UPA) led Home ministry in 2013 had clearly said 'how urban-naxal warfare was part of a strategyof CPI (Maoist) to mobilise opinion throughbodies tied to the party structure but which maintained a separate identity to avoid legal liability'. It is very unfortunate that P. Chidambaram, Renuka Chaudhary of the same Congress party and others are taking pride in being 'Dimagi Naxals' about which their own government had in the Supreme Court declared the intent and the strategy of these anti-social and anti-national elements. Salwa Judum was introduced as a state-sponsored vigilante movement against the Naxalites isome states in rural India. It was like a counter-insurgency operativein the hands of the local people that had gained bipartisan supportfrom the ruling as well as the opposition parties. Unfortunately, on thepetition filed by one Nandini Sundar, a sympathiser of the Naxals in the Apex Court, Justice B. Sudershan Reddy and Justice S.S.Najjardisbanded the Salwa Judum to the detriment of the anti-Naxal operations initiated by the then government. It was the same Justice Reddy who was later, after his retirement, sponsored by the Congress party and the other opposition parties as a candidate for the President's post. This invariably is a fit case of Dimagi-Naxal that was referred to by the Prime Minister in his speech. The BJP led NDA government immediately after assuming office in 2014 took very serious note of the activities of the Naxals and the Urban-Naxals both. Time specific plans were made to eradicate the Naxal groups. Time-scale strategy and planning was devised to organise large-scale surrenders of these extremists; and security pressure reduced their active zone significantly by the year 2026, marking a sharp decline in their geographic spread and active armed conflicts. As a travesity of justice in this regard, there are still many forces which continue to pursue the Naxal agenda in one or the other form. The expression of Dimagi-Naxals used by PM Modi has surely unmasked these elements and forced them to get exposed before the nation. It is just the beginning in this regard; more to follow in the very near future. (The author is a senior BJP & KP leader, Human Rights Defender and a columnist and can be at: reached at ashwanikc2012@gmail.com )
What Amit Shah's 'permanent political solution' could mean for Darjeeling hills
What Amit Shahs permanent political solution could mean for Darjeeling hills
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on a Friday: 6 best places to celebrate Rakhi with siblings this year
Raksha Bandhan 2026 falls on a Friday, giving siblings across India a rare three-day window to travel together. From Udaipur's monsoon lakes and Coorg's coffee estates to Rishikesh's river and Darjeeling's peaks, these six destinations offer something different for every kind of brother and sister duo.
Centres committee on permanent political solution for Gorkha issue | Explained
The people of Darjeeling hills have been demanding a separate State of Gorkhaland, to be carved out territories of Darjeeling hills and parts of Terai and Dooars for the past several decades.
Bengal CM Adhikari to attend GJM
Kolkata, Aug 23 (IANS) Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will attend the foundation day ceremony of Bimal Gurung-founded Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM), which has long been spearheading the movement for a permanent political solution for the hills scattered over Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Kurseong in the northern sector of West Bengal. Announcing this on Sunday, Gurung, the []
Hotel Owner Arrested In Kolkata Fire That Killed 9, Including 7 Bangladeshis
Of the nine persons killed in the hotel fire, seven were Bangladeshi residents, one was from Jharkhand and one from Siliguri in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
Shah Forms Panel To Draft Gorkha Accord
Mr Shah also entrusted Pankaj Kumar Singh, a retired IPS officer appointed by his ministry as Darjeeling interlocutor, to lead the panel on the issue.
Centre forms panel to finalise 'permanent political solution' for Gorkhas
The Centre on Saturday constituted a committee to draft an agreement and finalise modalities for a permanent political solution to the Gorkha identity issue in the Darjeeling hills and its adjacent areas, officials said after a key tripartite meeting between Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Gorkha leaders and the West Bengal government. The meeting aimed to find a roadmap for the BJP-promised permanent political solution to the long-standing issues and demands of the hill people and their recognition under the ambit of the Constitution. All issues relating to the hill population of West Bengal were discussed in detail. Their demands pertaining to a distinct identity, a permanent political solution and recognition under the Constitution of India were taken up. The Union home minister promised a permanent political solution soon under the umbrella of the Constitution, a statement issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said. To finalise modalities, it was decided to form a .
Amit Shah Vows Permanent Political Settlement For Bengal's Darjeeling Hills
Issues related to the problems of the hill community, their demand for a distinct identity, constitutional status and political solution were discussed in detail during the meeting.
Amit Shah meets hill leaders to discuss 'permanent political solution' for Darjeeling
The meeting is expected to focus on the BJP's pre-poll promise of a permanent political solution for the Gorkha community and other residents of the hills who have, for decades, demanded a separate Gorkhaland State
Amit Shah to Hold Meeting on Border Security, Darjeeling Issues
Sources said Shah will review border security, with a focus on coordination among the BSF, SSB, intelligence agencies and the state administration
Kolkata Fire Tragedy Claims Nine Lives, Including Seven Bangladeshis
Kolkata, August 20: The Kolkata police have identified the nine victims who lost their lives in a hotel fire on Mirza Ghalib Lane in central Kolkata on Thursday. Among the deceased, seven are Bangladeshi nationals, while two are Indian citizensone from Giridih district in Jharkhand and the other from Darjeeling district in North Bengal. The ... Read more Kolkata Fire Tragedy Claims Nine Lives, Including Seven Bangladeshis
Low-pressure system moves towards Jharkhand, western districts of Bengal to get heavy rain
The IMD said the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri will receive heavy rainfall until the morning of August 21
The India Meteorological Department issued a fresh weather alert for the nation. Heavy rainfall and thunderstorms are expected in eleven states including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Coastal districts of West Bengal will receive heavy showers until June twenty-fourth. Northern districts of West Bengal could experience heavy downpour from July twenty-sixth to twenty-ninth. Light to moderate rain is forecast for sub-Himalayan districts over the next few days.
Darjeeling toy train accident goes viral after taxi driver claims train was on 'wrong side'
A taxi driver argued with a toy train pilot after a minor collision occurred. The driver claimed the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was on the wrong side of the tracks. Authorities found the vehicle was parked illegally and negligently near the railway line. The taxi was seized and a case was registered against the driver. The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway continues to celebrate its heritage and tourism growth.
Darjeeling tea industry seeks Centre's support amid deepening financial stress
Darjeeling's famed tea industry is facing severe financial strain due to aging bushes, climate woes, and labor shortages, leading to a significant production drop and falling prices. Industry leaders are urging the government for targeted interventions, including a sustainable pricing framework with a Minimum Sustainable Price, and the extension of agricultural and welfare schemes to bolster the sector's long-term viability and resilience.
Guardians of Indigenous Medicine: Tribal Ethnomedicinal Practices of North-East India
Saikat Kumar Basu & Suparna Sanyal Mukherjee The North-East Indian region, comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim, represents one of South Asias richest biocultural landscapes. Biologically and anthropologically linked to the Darjeeling Himalayas of West Bengal, the region is characterised by dense forests, high rainfall, varied altitudes, and exceptional biodiversity. []
Anit Thapa resigns as Chief Executive of GTA
The resignation of Anit Thapa, who was an ally of Trinamool Congress comes a day after West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Darjeeling hills and raised the issue of corruption in the GTA. After the BJP came to power in West Bengal in May 2026, chairperson of several civic bodies including Kolkata Municipal Corporation and Bidhannagar Municipal Corporation had resigned.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari unveils North Bengal roadmap on first Darjeeling hills visit
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has unveiled a comprehensive development plan for North Bengal. He assured residents of the Darjeeling hills that all central government welfare and development schemes will be delivered effectively. Adhikari stated his government's commitment to transparency in recruitment and inclusive growth across the region. Infrastructure, jobs, and public services will be strengthened.
Monsoon likely to enter north Bengal in three-four days, says IMD
Heavy rainfall is likely over the next two days in the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar
Monsoon Likely To Enter North Bengal In Three-Four Days: IMD
KOLKATA, Jun 8: The IMD on Monday said the southwest monsoon is likely to arrive in West Bengals sub-Himalayan districts like Darjeeling, Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri within the next three to four days. The northern districts of the state are already experiencing pre-monsoon rain with heavy downpour predicted over the next few days. The conditions are favourable for advancement of southwest monsoon into some parts of sub-Himalayan West Bengal within the next three to four days, missing the normal entry date [] The post Monsoon Likely To Enter North Bengal In Three-Four Days: IMD appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Four rescued after car plunges into Teesta River near Sevoke; four dead
NDRF Siliguri teams have successfully rescued four individuals from the Teesta River. The car plunged into the water near Sevoke and Kurseong in Darjeeling district. Among those rescued was a seven-year-old girl. The rescued persons were in critical condition. The incident occurred on Friday, with rescue operations commencing immediately. Further details are awaited regarding the accident and the victims.
West Bengal CM meets Darjeeling hill leaders, acts tough on GTA corruption
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that the West Bengal government will seek benefits Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana (PMCSPY) which the previous government did not subscribe to.
West Bengal Chief Minister Announces Investigation into GTA Corruption
Kolkata, May 20: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced on Wednesday that an investigation into alleged corruption within the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) will commence. The GTA is an autonomous body that manages civil affairs in the hilly regions of Darjeeling, Kurseong, and Kalimpong in North Bengal. The announcement was made during an administrative ... Read more West Bengal Chief Minister Announces Investigation into GTA Corruption
Northern Bengal Voters Show Continued Trust in BJP, Says Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
Kolkata, May 20: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated on Wednesday that voters in Northern Bengal have consistently shown their trust in the BJP since 2019. During a visit to Siliguri in Darjeeling district, the Chief Minister chaired an administrative meeting concerning eight districts in Northern Bengal. Speaking to the media before the meeting, ... Read more Northern Bengal Voters Show Continued Trust in BJP, Says Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari
Kolkata swelters as Meteorological department forecasts heavy rain in North Bengal
Heavy downpour is likely over the sub-Himalayan districts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri, Alipurduar and Cooch Behar from May 21 to 25
Celebrating Himalayan Heritage: DHR Literature Festival 2026 Launched
Guwahati, May 20: The Northeast Frontier Railway successfully hosted the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Literature Festival 2026 to celebrate the industrial heritage of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway, and the rich oral and literary traditions of the Himalayan region. Officials announced this on Tuesday. The four-day festival, held from May 15 to ... Read more Celebrating Himalayan Heritage: DHR Literature Festival 2026 Launched
PM Touches Feet Of 97-Year-Old Makhan Lal Sarkar In Bengal: Who Is He?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi honoured a 97-year-old man at the swearing-in ceremony of Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata this morning. In a grand gesture, PM Modi hugged and touched his feet. This person is Makhan Lal Sarkar, who lives in Siliguri and was one of the seniormost state leaders during the BJP's initial days. Sarkar was the aide of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee, said Bengal BJP chief Samik Bhattacharya. Mookerjee was killed in a mysterious way in a Kashmir jail. Sarkar, who was part of his last journey, has graced us with his presence today, he added. PM Modi honours veteran BJP leader Makhanlal Sarkar ahead of oath-taking ceremony at Brigade Parade ground pic.twitter.com/GoigITiy8f - NDTV (@ndtv) May 9, 2026 Bhattacharya further recalled that Sarkar was arrested by Delhi Police for singing a patriotic song when the Congress was in power. He was taken to court and asked to apologise. But he refused. Sarkar told the judge he didn't commit any crime; that he had only sung a song. The judge wanted to listen to the song, so he sang it again in the court. The judge then asked the police to get Sarkar a first class ticket back home and give him Rs 100 for his journey, said the Bengal BJP chief. Makhan Lal Sarkar - A BJP Veteran Sarkar was the first BJP district president of the Siliguri organisational district and a companion of Shyama Prasad Mookerjee on his historic Kashmir tour. At the age of 97, he remains one of the early grassroots figures associated with the nationalist movement in post-Independence India. In 1952, he was arrested in Kashmir while accompanying Mookerjee during the movement to hoist the Indian tricolour there. After the formation of the BJP in 1980, he became the organisational coordinator for West Dinajpur, Jalpaiguri, and Darjeeling districts. Within just one year, he helped enroll nearly 10,000 members. From 1981 onward, he served continuously for seven years as district president, an exceptional achievement at a time when BJP leaders generally could not remain in the same organisational position for more than two years.
