AIR 6 in JEE, IIT Delhi graduate and IAS officer at 21; he left It all for music: Meet classical singer Kashish Mittal

Kashish Mittal, a former IAS officer and IIT Delhi graduate, surprised many by resigning from his position. He chose to dedicate his life to Hindustani classical music. Mittal had a deep passion for music since childhood. He is now a recognized artist performing Khayal gayaki. His performances, including a recent viral rendition, have garnered significant attention and appreciation.

Eliminate differences among sects in Veerashaiva-Lingayats: Somanna - Deccan Herald

Eliminate differences among sects in Veerashaiva-Lingayats: Somanna Deccan Herald

Veerashaiva Lingayat mutts of Guru, Virakta traditions should come together: Somanna

The Minister of State for Railways has emphasised the need for the coming together of these mutts in the interest of the community

Jharkhand: Elderly woman accused of witchcraft stripped, slashed and tonsured; one arrested

RANCHI: An elderly woman was stripped and parts of her body slashed with a blade after being thrashed by a group of people accusing her of practicing witchcraft in Hazaribagh. The mob not only tortured her, but also forcefully tonsured the woman's head at Pretshila at Gayaji. Interestingly, all seven accused are her relatives. The incident happened in Jabariya village under Barhi police station in Hazaribagh at around 10 pm on Friday (July 18), and lasted till 3 am on Saturday (July 19). The victim filed a complaint in this regard at Barhi police station on July 20. After the matter came into light, the police arrested one accused and sent him to jail on Monday. According to the complaint filed by the victim at Barhi police station, seven people from the same village entered her house on Friday night and stripped her, accusing her of practising witchcraft. After stripping her, the woman was thrashed badly and various parts of her body were cut with a blade, letting blood ooze out, stated the FIR. The accused drained the woman's blood, allegedly to perform a ritual, the FIR further said. According to the woman, the accused demanded a sum of Rs 80,000, and took Rs 20,000 from her. After torturing her, the accused brought the wounded woman to Barhi market and left her there on Saturday night. The woman managed to walk back to her home shortly after. The next day, the woman went to the police station with her son, and filed a complaint against the accused persons. According to police, investigations are on, keeping in mind all aspects into consideration. One of the accused persons, Shambhu Yadav, has been arrested and sent to jail, while the search is still on for the other accused persons, said officer in-charge of Barhi Police Station Aabhas Kumar. No accused will be spared, he added.

Lingayat heads plot counter to Jarkiholi brothers surge in Belagavi

Women trolled, threatened, and silenced: Need for bridging the legal gaps

By A. L. Gayathri and Moumita Barman In a society where shame and stigma continue to burden women disproportionately, new and vicious forms of online gender-based violence and harassment have emerged as powerful tools of intimidating and silencing women. From relentless trolling and rape threats to the circulation of morphed images, the digital sphere, once 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 .

IIM Bodh Gaya Management Trainee cum Counsellor Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online

The Indian Institute of Management Bodh Gaya (IIM Bodh Gaya) has released an official notification for the recruitment of Management Trainee cum Counsellor posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official IIM Bodh Gaya website. The last date to submit the application form is 24-07-2025.

Interfaith gathering opposes Waqf, Bodh Gaya Temple Acts

Prime accused, three held from Kolkata in Patna hospital murder; plot linked to nearby house

PATNA: Bihar Police on Sunday claimed to have arrested the prime accused, Tausif alias Badshah, along with his three associates from near Kolkata in West Bengal in connection with the killing of a convict on parole, Chandan Kumar alias Chandan Mishra, inside a private hospital in the state capital on July 17. The arrested accused allegedly revealed to the police that the plan to kill Chandan Mishra was hatched at the residence of Nishu Khan, a close relative of the main accused, Tausif Khan. The residence of Nishu, who is physically challenged, is located at Samanpura behind Paras HMRI Hospital where the incident took place. Patna Police, in a statement issued on Sunday, confirmed the arrest of four individuals, including Tausif and Nishu Khan, from Kolkata in connection with the Chandan Mishra murder case. The process of taking all the detainees to Patna from Kolkata is underway. They are being taken here on transit remand, the press statement said. Police officials associated with the operation told this reporter that the shooters involved in the Chandan Mishra murder case were arrested with the cooperation of the Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police. Their active cooperation led to the arrest of the prime accused and his three associates, a police officer said. A woman identified as Alpana Das, who was found with the prime accused in a flat in Kolkata, has also been detained for interrogation. A car has also been seized from the spot. The vehicle is believed to have been used by Tausif to travel from Patna to Kolkata via Gaya, sources in the state police headquarters disclosed on Sunday. Police swung into action based on intelligence input that the main accused had travelled to Kolkata via Gaya after allegedly dropping his sister there. Tausif, along with his two accomplices, is said to have travelled to Kolkata via Gaya, Barhi, and Ranchi. The intelligence inputs prompted an intensive search operation within the limits of Anandpur, Kolkata Leather Complex, and Bhangar police stations. A white SUV, seen in CCTV footage with five suspects, was a key lead in tracking the movement of the shooters after executing the crime in the hospital. The mastermind behind the murder of Chandan Mishra has been identified as Sheru Singh, who is currently lodged in Purulia Jail in West Bengal. According to police sources, Sheru, from his cell in Purulia Jail, contacted some of the associates of Chandan Mishra to allegedly plan his assassination. The conspiracy was allegedly hatched after Chandan came out of jail on parole for treatment. Tausif reportedly informed Sheru in Purulia Jail after Chandan was admitted to Paras Hospital in Patna on July 15. Subsequently, the murder plan was allegedly carried out with precision, including a prior recce of the hospital and his ward by the shooters. A source in the STF said that Harsh alias Harish Kumar had conducted a recce of the ICU in which the deceased Chandan Mishra was admitted after his operation. Besides Tausif and Sheru, other suspects have been identified as Monu, Balwant, Abhishek, and Nilesh. Sources said that a heated argument had taken place between Chandan and Sheru over 14 katha of land under the jurisdiction of the Industrial police station in Buxar district. According to police sources, a white collar individual linked to a land dispute might also be involved in the killing of Chandan Mishra. The person is said to have strong connections in the corridors of power and could be a missing link in the case. Police sources said that Balwant from Buxar is also linked to the land dispute. An ADG-rank officer who is closely monitoring the police operation in the Chandan Mishra murder case said, We are looking into every detail and will soon reveal the truth behind the murder. We will not spare anybody in the case.

Arms, ammunition recovered in Gaya village

Saiyaara is copy of THIS 20-year-old Korean film? Netizens notice similarities and react: 'Mohit Suri khel gaya'

As Saiyaara continues to roar at the box office, netizens found the original source from which Mohit Suri got inspired for his romantic musical with Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda.

Panchamasali rift: Trust decides to choose a new seer

Rift between the incumbent seer of Panchamasali Peetha at Koodalasangama and the Akhila Bharat Lingayat Panchamasali Samaj Trust has reached its pinnacle with the latter deciding to choose a new seer to the Panchamasali religious chair

Doctor Shot By Bike-Borne Assailants In Gaya, Condition Critical; Tejashwi Takes 'Taliban' Swipe

The attackers reportedly fired three rounds, with one bullet hitting the doctor in the jaw, leaving him in critical condition.

Benefits never reached poor under RJD-Congress rule, alleges PM Modi at Bihar rally

PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday urged people to save Bihar from the ad intentions of the RJD and Congress, accusing both parties of doing politics in the name of the poor, backwards, Dalits and Adivasis over the years. What to speak of giving equal rights to the poor, backwards, Dalits and Adivasis, they cannot give even respect to the people outside their families, Modi commented in a public rally in Bihar Motihari, while obliquely targeting RJD chief Lalu Prasad after a portrait of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar was placed near his feet by one of his supporters during his birthday celebrations. Avoiding responding to the allegations being made by RJD and its allies about the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) of the election rolls in Bihar, Modi said that RJD had put the brakes on the development of Bihar as even benefits were not reaching the poor when RJD and Congress were in power. He said that UPA released only around Rs 2 lakh crore when it was in power at the centre as it was taking revenge against Bihars NDA government headed by Nitish Kumar and the state itself. PM said, I stopped this old politics as the central assistance to Bihar increased manifold after the formation of the NDA government at the Centre in 2014. PM Modi said that NDA government at the centre provided more funds to Bihar for its development than that of the previous UPA government led by Congress. He also listed mis-governance during the previous RJD-Congress government in the state. We (NDA) have provided pucca houses to people in Bihar more than population of Norway, Singapore and New Zealand, he pointed out. Highlighting the achievements of the NDA government, PM Modi said that tremendous results have been coming out of women empowerment as over 20 lakh women have become lakhpati Didis in Bihar alone. He lauded by efforts made by Nitish Kumar for women empowerment through Jeevika Didis and their self-help groups. PM Modi said that Bihar had to be made a developed state if the eastern India had to be taken forward on the path of growth. Today, development work is happening in Bihar so fast because there is a government working for Bihar at the centre and in the state, he remarked. Our resolve is that in the coming times, Motihari should be known in the east just like Mumbai is in western India. Just like there are opportunities in Gurugram, Gaya should also have similar opportunities. Like Pune, there should be industrial development in Patna. Like Surat, Santhal Pargana should also develop. Like Jaipur, new records of tourism should be made in Jalpaiguri and Jajpur. Like Bangalore, the people of Birbhum should also progress, he added. PM Modi thanked Nitish for taking initiatives for the welfare of youths. Nitish Kumars government is giving jobs to youths in support of the Centre, he said, adding that Mudra Loan scheme was being strengthened to provide loans to make youths self-reliant. PM Modis visit to Motihari, district headquarters of East Champaran, is the 53rd tour to Bihar since 2014 and third in one and a half months. Earlier, PM Modi laid foundation stone and inaugurated development projects worth over Rs.7,200 crore.

Magadh University 2nd Merit List 2025 Out at magadhonline.in Direct Link to Download UG Course Merit List

Magadh University 2nd Merit List 2025: Magadh University, Bodh Gaya Merit List 2025 has been released on magadhonline.in. Here is the direct Link to check your UG Course Merit List Online.

Man, Neighbour Die By Suicide In Warangal

According to police, the man has been identified as Velpugonda Swamy, a lorry driver residing in Indira Colony Phase2 of Enumamula village. The woman, Elishala Gayatri, lived next door and was pursuing a degree in Warangal city.

Waqf And Bodhgaya Temple Acts: AIMPLB, BBM to hold conference in Nagpur

Floodwaters disrupt life in several Gaya villages

BDO suspended for sharing resignation letter alleging harassment during electoral roll revision

PATNA: The axe has finally fallen on a Block Development Officer (BDO) for sharing his resignation letter on social media, in which he accused his immediate senior of harassment during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Hari Om Sharan, who serves as the BDO of Barsoi block in Katihar district, has been suspended with immediate effect. Departmental proceedings have also been recommended against him. Confirming the disciplinary action, Katihar District Magistrate Manesh Kumar Meena said on Wednesday that BDO Hari Om Sharans reply to the show-cause notice served on him earlier was found unsatisfactory. Hence, he has been put under suspension, he added. District Magistrate Meena said that the BDO would also face departmental proceedings for posting his personal grievances against his senior on social media platforms. The DM clarified that Sharan had never formally submitted his resignation letter to the office. Meena further stated that it came to his notice that the BDO assumed duty after tendering an apology for his misconduct towards his senior, Dixit Shwetam, who is posted as Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO). The action has been taken for conduct unbecoming of a public servant, he said. The BDO had submitted a five-page resignation letter addressed to District Magistrate Manesh Kumar Meena, alleging harassment by the SDO Dixit Shwetam during the SIR work under his jurisdiction. Sharan claimed that he was touring 10-12 panchayats every day for the SIR work, even while suffering from backache, and also inspected digitisation camps and carried out other related tasks. He alleged that despite his efforts, the SDO kept insulting him in the presence of subordinates and other employees, even using abusive language and accusing him of not taking interest in the SIR work. SDO also threatened me to complain to the district magistrate and the Election Commission for not performing the SIR work properly, he alleged. The BDO further claimed that the app developed for the SIR work had been working very slowly for several days, and the work was affected by internet interruptions in the area, yet the SDO held him responsible. I have no option but to resign from my post under such circumstances, he said. Refuting all allegations levelled against him, SDO Dixit Shwetam said the accusations revealed a perverted mentality in someone who considered being asked to do his work as mental harassment. He said the BDO was using his backache as an excuse to rest and spend time playing the harmonium and singing at home. There is so much workload during the ongoing voter revision exercise, but still the BDO does not work, he added. Shwetam claimed that the BDO was doing all SIR-related work from his house while the uploading of enumeration forms was ongoing in all 29 panchayats, and asserted that Sharan had not visited any of these panchayats. Meanwhile, in Gaya, a Booth Level Officer (BLO) named Gaurishanker was suspended after allegedly demanding money from eligible electors in exchange for providing them verification forms. Shanker was assigned work under Manpur block in the district. Manpur Block BDO Ved Prakash said an FIR had also been registered against the BLO concerned. The action against the BLO has been initiated after an audio of his conversation with an elector went viral on social media, he revealed. He added that the one-day salary of 35 BLOs and 26 BLAs engaged in supervision of the SIR of electoral rolls in Manpur block had been withheld due to slackness. In addition, disciplinary action has also been initiated against BLO Anjali Rani of Paliganj in rural Patna. Earlier, five BLOs were suspended for dereliction of duty in Begusarai district.

Jabalpur: Collector Gives Clean Chit To Illegal Madhai Mosque On Gayatri Mandir Land

In Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Saturday, 12th July, the Jabalpur collector posted on his official Facebook account declaring that an investigation had found no illegal construction at the Madhai Masjid which has long been a point of dispute. In response, Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal led a protest and symbolic funeral procession of Continue reading Jabalpur: Collector Gives Clean Chit To Illegal Madhai Mosque On Gayatri Mandir Land The post Jabalpur: Collector Gives Clean Chit To Illegal Madhai Mosque On Gayatri Mandir Land appeared first on OurVoice | WeRIndia - Analysis & Opinion .

If There Was A Deal...: Lingayat Leader's Tacit Support For DK Shivakumar

The Congress' Karnataka headache just won't go away, with at least two religious leaders from the Lingayat community - one of the most influential in the state and a key voter base during elections - backing DK Shivakumar over Siddaramaiah.

Rights panel steps in as illegal parking and stalls choke road in Thiruvananthapuram

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (KSHRC) on Tuesday directed public works department and police officials to take urgent measures to ensure smooth movement of pedestrians and vehicles on the Sasthamangalam Sri Ramakrishna Mission Hospital Road. The directive followed a complaint filed by Ravindranath, secretary of the Sasthamangalam Residents Welfare Association, highlighting the difficulties faced by residents due to unauthorised stalls and illegal parking along the narrow stretch of road. KSHRC chairperson Justice Alexander Thomas instructed the Traffic ACP (North) to ensure vehicles are parked only on one side of the road. The commission also mandated permanent deployment of traffic police personnel in the area to strictly enforce the new rules. The directive has been forwarded to the Thiruvananthapuram municipal secretary, executive engineer of the public works department (roads), and Traffic ACP (North). A request has also been made with the corporation secretary to remove all illegal stalls encroaching upon the roadside. Despite assurances from the traffic police that corrective steps were under way, the commission issued fresh, strict instructions after residents said no action was taken on the ground. Welcoming the commissions intervention, the residents voiced hope for long-term relief from congestion and safety hazards. Parking of two-wheelers and cars on this interior road causes constant traffic congestion. The police must penalise those violating parking rules. We are hopeful the commissions intervention will finally resolve the issue, said Gayathri Mohan, a resident. Saju, another resident, raised concerns about the poor condition of the road in front of the government primary school. Blacktopping (paving with black bituminous material) of the road, especially near the school, must be completed urgently. The damaged stretch often leads to traffic blocks and poses a risk to schoolchildren, he said.

Scuffle at Thiruvananthapuram corporation council meet over sanitation worker appointments

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dramatic scenes unfolded at the city corporation council meeting on Monday as BJP councillors staged a protest over alleged corruption and political favouritism in the appointment of sanitation workers. The protest, which turned chaotic, delayed the council proceedings by over 30 minutes leading to police intervention and a scuffle. Several women councillors from both the BJP and LDF were injured in the scuffle. The BJP councillors questioned the recruitment of Kazhakoottam councillor for the sanitation workers post. The controversy stems from the recruitment process for 56 sanitation workers posts. Alleging lack of transparency, backdoor appointments and political bias in the selection process, BJP councillors disrupted the council session that was scheduled to begin at 2.30 pm. The protest began when BJP councillors entered the council hall ahead of the scheduled session and started raising corruption slogans against the ruling party. BJP women councillors holding placards, climbed onto the Mayors dais. In response to this, the LDF councilors also hurled corruption allegations against the BJP councillors making the situation worse. This led to a scuffle in which several councillors including women from both BJP and the LDF sustained injuries. Despite the continued protests and chaos, the Mayor resumed the council session amid heavy police presence and passed all the listed agendas including the controversial appointment of sanitation workers. The women police personnel struggled to keep the situation under control as the BJP councillors refused to back off from the protest. The session became more stormy when the LDF councillors tore and threw away the banners put up by the BJP inside the council hall. Even after removing them, BJP councillors continued their protest shouting slogans and accusing the administration of blatant misuse of power and corruption in the recruitment. The controversy surrounds the selection process for 56 sanitation worker posts, for which nearly 403 candidates were recently interviewed. Health standing committee chairperson Gayathri Babu said that the recruitment was done through employment exchange and refuted the corruption allegation. She also clarified that this is not the first time a councillor is applying for a job via the Employment Exchange. However, the BJP has decided to intensify their protest in the coming days demanding the cancellation of the recruitment list. UDF parliamentary party leader P Padmakumar alleged that the clash between the LDF and BJP was a result of mutual political bargaining. He said that a list of 671 candidates was received from the district employment exchange on May 15, 2024. Despite conducting interviews in the following weeks, the list was kept locked away by the ruling council. They deliberately delayed the recruitment process to protect a councillor from disqualification. They wanted to prevent a by-election in Kazhakoottam ward as one of the candidates is a sitting councillor. There should be an investigation into the matter of how this councillors name appeared in the recruited list, he said. Meanwhile, the LDF is gearing up to take legal action against the BJP councillors for consistently disrupting the council sessions.

Miscreants lock up Lingayat Panchamasali Peetha; police step up security

Three boys drown in Gaya

Delhi horror: Mechanic pours petrol on man over parking dispute, cigarette triggers fiery blast inside car

In Delhi's RK Puram, a sanitation worker named Rahul Chauhan suffered severe burns after a dispute with a mechanic, Gaya Prasad, escalated. Prasad allegedly poured petrol on Chauhan, who was smoking a cigarette in a car, causing a fire. Police have registered a case of attempted murder and are searching for Prasad, while Chauhan is receiving treatment for his injuries.

Cashless treatment under RGHS to halt from July 15 as private hospitals protest over unpaid dues

JAIPUR: Private hospitals across Rajasthan are set to suspend cashless treatment under the Rajasthan Government Health Scheme (RGHS) from Tuesday, affecting lakhs of government employees, pensioners, and their families. The decision comes after months of non-payment from the state government, with dues totalling approximately Rs 980 crore. Hospital administrators claim they can no longer sustain operations without receiving pending reimbursements, despite repeated appeals and warnings to the government. On Sunday, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) convened a meeting in which representatives from private, corporate, and charitable hospitals discussed the financial crisis and challenges they face under RGHS. The Rajasthan Alliance of Hospital Associations submitted a memorandum to the state government proposing urgent reforms to save the scheme. These included immediate payment of dues, a 45-day fixed payment cycle, simpler documentation, reactivation of the TMS portal, formal recognition of an advisory committee, and long-term structural improvements. Dr. Vijay Kapoor, president of the Private Hospitals Association, said nearly 1,000 private hospitals have not been paid under the scheme for over seven months. He stated that while the hospitals never intended to enter into conflict with the government, the lack of dialogue and delay in payments have left them with no choice but to halt cashless services starting Tuesday. The RGHS was originally launched in June 2018 during the Vasundhara Raje government and was revived in 2021 by the Ashok Gehlot-led administration. In 2022, Rajasthan became the first state to offer a fully digital and paperless cashless treatment facility to government employees, pensioners, and their families. However, since the change in government, the scheme has faced repeated disruptions. In early 2024, chemists protested against non-payment by suspending the supply of medicines under the scheme for two days. Although RGHS guidelines mandate reimbursement to pharmacies within 21 days, persistent delays and bill rejections led many chemists to stop participating in the scheme. At one point, pending dues for medicine reimbursements alone reached Rs 600 crore. Many private hospitals, too, began restricting access to RGHS patients during peak hours, often citing administrative or procedural issues. Among those most severely impacted are pensioners. Many complain of being denied essential medicines, while others say approved drug lists have shrunk significantly, with over 200 medicines reportedly removed. Dental care is also currently unavailable under RGHS, as no dental hospitals are recognised under the scheme. Several pharmacies have stopped accepting RGHS prescriptions altogether, citing non-payment and cumbersome billing procedures. On Monday, the Rajasthan Pensioner Samaj submitted a memorandum to Additional Chief Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, Gayatri Rathore, demanding immediate resolution. Rathore said the scheme is being reviewed and assured that new guidelines would be issued soon. Feedback has been collected from RGHS officials, TPAs, hospital associations, and pharmacies. Adding to the crisis is widespread misuse of the scheme by some government employees. There have been numerous instances of fraudulent claims, including the purchase of non-essential items like cosmetics and Ayurvedic products, as well as unauthorised inclusion of in-laws as dependents. Over 2,000 such cases have been reported statewide. Forged doctor seals, fake bills, and inflated medicine claims have reportedly led to embezzlement worth crores of rupees, further undermining the scheme's credibility and sustainability. As the healthcare crisis escalates, political tensions have also intensified. Former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC Chief Govind Singh Dotasara, and Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully have openly criticised the Bhajanlal Sharma-led government, accusing it of attempting to dismantle the RGHS. Gehlot alleged that the government has pressured private hospitals to halt services without addressing payment issues, while Jully has written to the Chief Minister, warning that the schemes collapse would severely impact lakhs of families. With no immediate resolution in sight, the suspension of services threatens to push Rajasthans public healthcare infrastructure into deeper crisis.

Baccha Aa Gaya Was Ganja Seller's Code, Couple Actually Came With Child

An operation to bust a ganja distribution network in Hyderabad's IT corridor, Gachibowli, sprang a surprise when officials found that a couple had come to buy ganja with their 4-year-old child

As Bihar heads to polls, crime wave fuels law and order concerns

PATNA: Back-to-back killings targeting businessmen, politicians, lawyers, teachers and ordinary citizens have raised serious concerns about Bihar's law and order, with police blaming the surge on the widespread availability of illegal firearms and ammunition. Over the past 10 days, a string of killings including those of businessman Gopal Khemka, BJP leader Surendra Kumar, a 60-year-old woman, a shopkeeper, a lawyer, and a teacher has rocked the poll-bound state. According to the latest State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) data, the state recorded 1,376 murders with an average of 229 each month between January and June, compared to 2,786 in all of 2024 and 2,863 in 2023. According to senior police officers, proliferation of firearms, which are illegally manufactured or procured without a valid license, coupled with unchecked availability of ammunition, have contributed to the recent spurt in violent crimes. Bihar has consistently ranked among the top-five states in terms of violent crimes, including those involving firearms, according to National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figures. The state has held second position in violent crime rate in 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2022, NCRB data said. NDA turned Bihar into 'India's crime capital': Rahul slams Nitish, BJP over murder of Patna businessman Talking to PTI, DGP Vinay Kumar, said, Land disputes and property matters are the main reasons behind most of the killings. In such cases, role of police is limited and it starts after the crime takes place. Our force has achieved 100 per cent detection rate. The DGP, however, claimed that organised crime has come down compared to last year. Proliferation of firearms, illegally manufactured or procured without valid licenses, coupled with unchecked availability of ammunition are issues which are being looked into by the authorities, he said. A state with such a large population, having over 60 per cent population under the age of 30 and unemployed, is bound to be vulnerable to law and order problems, Additional Director General of Police (Headquarters) Kundan Krishnan said. To check violent crimes, there is a need to plug the gaps in the existing system and standardise the process of issuing arms licenses, Krishnan, who is also the ADG of the Special Task Force (STF) of Bihar Police, told PTI. According to the National Database of Arms Licenses-Arms License Issuance System (NDAL-ALIS) portal (Ministry of Home Affairs), Bihar has 82,326 firearms holders and 77,479 active arms licences. Out of 141 licensed arms dealers in the state, only 114 are operational, while 27 have been found inoperative. This poses a serious threat of misuse. We have brought the matter to the notice of the authorities concerned. Licenses of such dealers must be suspended, Krishnan said. An analysis of district-wise firearm licences in relation to population reveals that Bhojpur has the highest density, with 205 firearms and 196 licensees per lakh population, surpassing Patna, which has 161 firearms and 156 licences per lakh. SCRB data further shows Patna as the leading district in Arms Act cases, averaging 321.7 cases annually, followed by Begusarai (167.7), Muzaffarpur (158.3), Nalanda (117.9), and Vaishali (117.8). In the last 10 years, the number of recovered country-made firearms has more than doubled from 2,356 in 2015 to 4,981 in 2024, it said. A correlation between arms Act cases and violent crimes shows Patna again topping the list, averaging 82 violent incidents annually, followed by Motihari (49.53), Saran (44.08), Gaya (43.50), Muzaffarpur (39.93), and Vaishali (37.90).Most violent crimes in the state involve the use of firearms. However, ammunition used in these crimes are manufactured by licensed industrial units. Therefore, the identity of the 25 inoperative arms dealers out of 138 listed in the state can be exploited by criminals to illegally procure arms/ammunition, the ADG added. Talking to PTI , Jitendra Rana, Inspector General (IG) of central range (Patna), said, It is not true to say that gun-related violence has increased in Patna. Yes, it is true that some sensational murder cases have taken place. But, the accused have also been arrested in those cases and arms and ammunition were also recovered. Commenting on the surge in violent cases, Abhayanand, former DGP, told PTI, I must say that the existing criminal justice system is not able to match up to the crime. The legislature must make laws to give more power to police to check such crimes effectively. Reacting to surge in crimes, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in a post on X said, If the crumbling law and order and rampant corruption in Bihar aren't making anyone angry in the state, then we must say that the person's sense of justice and human compassion has died. Ignoring the government's failures and public sentiments in the name of caste and religion is disastrous for Bihar and the people of the state. Under the NDA's rule, 65,000 murders have taken place so far !!! Does the unconscious Chief Minister dare to make a statement on any such incident?. ! #Crime #Bihar #NDA #Corruption Tejashwi Yadav (@yadavtejashwi) July 10, 2025 Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha recently told reporters that, Increasing criminal incidents involve the sand mafia, land mafia and liquor mafia. These mafias are linked to the RJD. RJD members want to spread anarchy in Bihar before the elections.

Now Showing: Movies for all with audio descriptions

The waves crash against the shore as a small boat scrapes onto the sand. Dharmadas helps his wife, Vasanthi, and their two sons, Nithushan and Mulli, onto the unfamiliar beach. The air smells of salt and damp earth. Behind them lies Valvettithurai as a memory now. Ahead, Rameswaram and a sense of hope. This opening scene in Tourist Family , a Tamil film, was screened with audio description at AbilityFEST2025 in Chennai. It is rich with mood and movement, which most of us can easily understand with wholesome visuals, emotions, and sounds. But what happens when someone cant see the screen? Or hear the nuance in a voice? After watching a movie, many cinema buffs share thoughts about it the moment they walk out of the theatre. They post Instagram stories, write reviews on Letterboxd, or talk about it with friends. But for many Persons with Disabilities (PwD), even this basic connection to a story the joy of reacting to a scene or simply followingwhats going on depends on something far more fundamental: access. To create meaningful access, we need to recognise that disability is not a single, uniform experience. For instance, visual impairment can range from partial sight to total blindness. Each person may need different forms of support.Professor Miranda Tomkinson, an Anglo-Indian academic who has a hearing and visual impairment, made it clear at the screening. He communicates using a tactile device through his communicator and a psychotherapist, Haripriya. I dont want sympathy. I want understanding. Disability is not a tragedy; ignorance is. The media only shows some kinds of disabilities. They pick only a few. What about the rest of us?, he asked. Subtle moments like a lingering glance between characters, the way they express sadness and happiness at the same time, or the sudden appearance of a puppy were all made audible at the Tourist Family screening. It meant that many in the audience could enjoy the film independently some, for the first time. Haripriya noted that even where you sit in the theatre can matter. We sat in the middle of the theatre but we switched to the last seat because the brightness from the screen can be overwhelming, she said. The professor, who has completely lost his vision, spoke about how important it is to feel connected through film. Movie means we can connect, he said. But the problem is speed. We talk fast. Without interpretation, that is hard. A device like this [tactile communicator] helps us watch and connect. There should be awareness not just about blindness but about the uniqueness of every disability.He now wants to direct a film for PwD. Haripriya said, He believes that films can create awareness. But first, the stories have to come from our lived experience. Not as charity as truth. Tools that connect Despite recent mandates, access remains uneven. In line with the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued new guidelines on March 15, 2024, mandating accessibility in films shown in Indian theatres. Producers must now submit two versions of each film to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC): a regular version for public release and another with accessibility features like audio description (AD), open or closed captioning (CC/OC), and Indian Sign Language (ISL) interpretation. The rollout is phased. Since September 15, 2024, all films released in more than one language were required to include at least one accessibility feature for each language. From January 1, 2025, films submitted to the National Film Awards and key festivals had to include both AD and closed captions. By March 3, 2026, all feature films including trailers and teasers must carry AD and CC/OC to be certified. Despite being part of the CBFC checklist for multi-language releases, audio description doesnt always make it to the theatres. Implementation still varies widely. Theatres may lack the necessary infrastructure, and on OTT platforms, the gap is even more visible: though technically feasible, many films even when certified are streamed without accessibility features. High-profile releases like GOAT and Good Bad Ugly have excluded them entirely. Still, there are pockets of real progress. One example is the work being done by Qube Cinema, who provide digital cinema technology and solutions. We started this team back in 2021, said Rabhinder Kannan, creative director at Qube Cinema. I handle all the localisation services here. We have a team that does subtitles, one that does audio description, and another that does closed captions for movies, he said. Weve since built decentralised teams Chennai for Tamil, Hyderabad for Telugu, Bombay for Hindi and Punjabi, Kochi for Malayalam. That way, native speakers work directly on each film. The CBFCs guidelines found their first real test with Pushpa 2 , which required AD and CC across languages. Thats when the mandate kicked in, Rabhinder said. Since then, every multi-language release has had to comply. To address theatre-level access, Qube collaborated with mobile platforms like Moviebuff Access, Greta, and now cinedubs. The AD content is released through the app. People can play it on their phone and sync it with the movie, he explained. No need to wait for a special show. This shift has a real impact. Previously, visually impaired viewers had to rely on specific shows with wired headphones or awkward audio mixes. Now, if I have a friend with vision loss, we can watch Kuberaa in any theatre, said Rabhinder. They just use the app with earphones. No special infrastructure. No dependence. In the past eight months alone, QUBE has created AD tracks for nearly 40 films. By next year, that could go up to 400, he added. Testing and tuning Crafting AD is more art than automation. We avoid overlapping with dialogue or key sound effects, said Angayarkanni, a content editor. If something clatters, we explain it briefly. But we let the mood carry the weight. Her colleague, SG Sreedhar, who leads the Audio Services team, added, We use a neutral tone. A sad scene should feel sad but we dont perform it. Violent or emotionally charged sequences demand particular care. We include necessary details but avoid anything disturbing, Angayarkanni said. During hero intros or songs, we only describe the essentials so the music stays intact. This process is iterative. We do test screenings with visually impaired users, Rabhinder said. Sometimes they want more detail, sometimes they say, Let the movie breathe. That feedback helps. Still, AD is usually squeezed into tight deadlines during post-production, as an afterthought. Ideally, it should be integrated from the beginning. If music directors could work with us, we could avoid frequency clashes, he said. Actor and director Revathy, who organised the AbilityFEST, agreed. Fifteen years ago, we did Taare Zameen Par with audio description back when no one even knew what AD was. We used an app and headphones even then. She believes the tools are here; consistency is whats missing. Weve always wanted to prove this could be done. With OTT and mobile tech, it should become normal. But implementation takes time, she said. Sound designer Sean Rolden added that AD needs to be built into the audio mix from the start. In a rain scene, for example, sound effects matter. We try to carve out space so music and AD can coexist. Composers and AD teams need to collaborate. Thats the only way to make it seamless, he said. The road ahead While theatre sees progress, home access remains elusive. OTT adaptation is still a work in progress, said Rabhinder. Were slowly seeing change. Television is harder still. We havent cracked it yet, he admitted. Its a different ballgame technically and logistically. And that gap matters, especially for audiences who primarily access films through television. Weve found that many visually impaired audiences still watch movies on television channels, he noted. Pavithra, a visually impaired Class 10 student, is one such viewer. She regularly watches films on Sun TV and says shes a fan of horror movies especially those by Raghava Lawrence and the Aranmanai series. Her classmate, Shabeer Ahamed, recalled going to see Good Bad Ugly in theatres, relying on his brother to describe what was happening on screen. If there was a fight, or if someone was drinking tea, he told me, he said. That changed with the public screening of Tourist Family and Sitaare Zameen Par at the AbilityFEST, which featured audio description for the first time in Tamil. For students like Pavithra and Shabeer, the difference was profound. Audio description is a great tool, Shabeer said. This time, no one had to tell me what was going on. Moments like these reflect the growing momentum for change. From April 1 next year, every movie that gets censored and released in India will have to carry audio description and closed captions, said Rabhinder. Its a big move by the government to make the movie-watching experience more inclusive. Policies may set the stage, but real change begins with how society chooses to respond. Haripriya put it plainly, Tomorrow, something might happen to any of us. But acceptance is not there. Even educated people try to normalise disability without understanding it. Speaking about the unease many feel around tactile communicators like herself, whose closeness to the deafblind often draws curiosity, she said, Awareness begins at home. Families have to build that sensitivity. Only then will society stop treating it as something to pity, hide, or exclude. Access is more than a window. When rooted in empathy, it becomes a pathway to genuine inclusion and ongoing innovation.

Angry villagers torch police vehicle after death of man in Gaya

NDA, Opposition trade barbs after SC allows SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar

PATNA: The Supreme Courts decision to let a contentious voter list revision in poll-bound Bihar proceed has deepened political divisions, triggering sharp exchanges between the ruling NDA and the Opposition. On Thursday, the top court refused to stay the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and asked the Election Commission (EC) to consider Aadhaar, Voter ID and ration cards as valid documents during the exercise in the poll bound state. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister and senior BJP leader Vijay Kumar Sinha said the BJP and NDA welcomed every decision of the judiciary and criticised the Opposition for double standards on the issue. They (the Opposition) say that they trust the Election Commission, but at the same time they insult the constitutional institution. If there is 100 percent voting, awareness is created among voters, and everyone gets the right to vote, why do they have objections to this? he asked. NDA partner JD(U), headed by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, said the Supreme Court order was a ap on the knuckles for the Opposition, which had called a bandh a day earlier in protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). JD(U) spokesperson Rajiv Ranjan Prasad said, Leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav had hit the streets yesterday in what looked like an attempt to put pressure on the apex court a day ahead of the hearing. However, the court order is a rap on the knuckles for these parties, which were questioning the authority of the Election Commission, even though its powers are well defined in the Constitution. The SIR has been getting an enthusiastic response. It is likely that the exercise would be complete before the next date of hearing on July 28, added the JD(U) leader. Inside the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar: Process, concerns and political fallout Meanwhile, Shakti Singh Yadav, spokesperson for the top opposition party RJD, alleged that the comments made by the Supreme Court while hearing the petition on the SIR exposed the Election Commission. He said the Supreme Court told the EC to consider Aadhaar, voter ID, and ration cards as proof for Bihar poll revision, which the Opposition had been continuously demanding. This will come as a big shock to those who are planning to remove the names of the poor, Dalits, backward, extremely backward, and minorities from the voter list, Yadav claimed. CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, another key Opposition leader in the state and one of the petitioners, issued a statement claiming he Supreme Court order corroborates the basic fears and objections of the electorate. Bhattacharya hailed the court's advice to the EC to include Aadhaar, voter ID cards, and ration cards in the acceptable list of documents as being in the interest of justice and voicing common demand of every voter on the ground. He also urged the apex court to ake note of two other basic worries, which include o acknowledgement receipts upon submission of enumeration forms and the isk of disenfranchisement faced by migrant workers, who may not be in a position to return from their places of work to fill up these forms. However, the Left leader scoffed at the EC for citing numbers to claim smooth and rapid progress of the drive. Meanwhile, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said that an Indian citizen above the age of 18 under Article 326 had the fundamental right to vote. He said the Election Commission could not deprive anyone of their right to vote by entangling them in useless documents. We are hopeful of getting justice from the court, he remarked. PN Jha, a retired central government employee from Patna, said the Election Commission should include Aadhaar, ration card, and voter ID in the list of valid documents for the SIR exercise. He said this would make the exercise easier, as people were currently facing problems due to the exclusion of these documents. Vicky Kumar, a graduate student at Magadh University in Bodh Gaya, said all these cards should be considered valid for the SIR exercise. He added that the revision of electoral rolls should have been held either after the last Lok Sabha elections or after the upcoming assembly polls. Election Commission must justify need for Bihar voter roll revision

Internal survey reveals resentment over roll revision, BJP says concerned

NEW DELHI: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the Bihar electoral rolls, aimed at removing fake voters, appears to be placing the BJP, which holds more sway than its NDA allies in the state, on the back foot. The partys internal pre-poll survey teams are reportedly encountering public resentment due to concerns that their names may be removed from the rolls under SIR. SIR has started putting us on the wrong wicket. Whenever we call the voters over their phones to know what they expect from the BJP and how they would help the BJP realise their dreams, the majority of the people express their resentment against the SIR and the BJP, said a member of the partys telephone-based survey team. The SIR has triggered widespread protests, including a large-scale Opposition-called bandh in Bihar on Wednesday, just ahead of the assembly elections. Inside the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar: Process, concerns and political fallout Ramesh Kumar of Hajipur claimed, When I got a call from the BJP tele-survey team about how I would be helping BJP in the upcoming Assembly election, my anger got the better of me because many of my family members received slips asking them to submit documents in order to remain in the electoral rolls. Our names have been on the voters list for over a couple of decades, and now the ECI, which is doing SIR at the behest of the BJP, is asking me for proof of my citizenship. Rahul Gandhi accuses EC of voter manipulation in Bihar, draws parallels with Maharashtra Another survey team member revealed, Due to the ongoing SIR exercise, 6-7 out of 10 people contacted for their views and expectations from the BJP bluntly vented their anger against the party. It is not a good sign for the party before the election. Many affected citizens, even long-time BJP supporters, claim the SIR has forced them to reconsider their support. Aap kuch bhi chhap do, BJP wale apki baton ko nahi manenge aur SIR chalte rahega. Result will be very drastic this timeearth-shattering for BJP, said Nirmal Kumar, a BJP worker from Patna. He added, I also gave a dressing down to the caller the moment he asked me how I would be helping the BJP in this election. SC to hear on July 10 pleas challenging EC's decision to undertake revision of electoral rolls in Bihar Preferring anonymity, several BJP workers and leaders from both the party and its alliesJDU and LJP (RV)expressed frustration over the exercise. They said many rural voters, who dont possess birth or residential certificates, have been asked to submit them to stay on the rolls. Believe me or not, but 15-20% voters of the BJP and 10-15% voters of the JDU would not be able to vote this time as they would not be able to furnish the required documents. They have Aadhaar and EPICs, but those are not accepted, said a senior BJP leader. Rajesh Kumar from Gaya said 50-60 BJP-supporting families in his village have been asked to provide eligibility documents. Now they would not be able to vote if their names get dropped from the revised electoral rolls. Some BJP members said, The BJP leaders also understand it and are worried about the emerging situation, but they are not venting their protest only because they are disciplined party workers. Pure electoral rolls inevitable for strengthening democracy: CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Bihar SIR Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar asserted that the SIR of Bihar electoral rolls is an inclusive exercise and that it is inevitable for strengthening democracy, while responding to the opposition. Pure electoral rolls are inevitable for strengthening democracy, Kumar said. No more Ye IT-byte kya hota hai for Lalu RJD chief Lalu Prasad had once famously quipped in his characteristic rustic tone, Ye IT-byte kya hota hai? Over a decade on, the partynow led by his cricketer-turned-politician son Tejashwi Yadavhas undergone a dramatic transformation. The RJD has evolved into a tech-savvy political force, employing meticulously crafted, IT-enabled and AI-driven communication strategies to counter the ruling NDA and its key ally, the BJP, both politically and during pre-poll campaigns. Catchy slogans that mock the ruling NDA, AI-driven memes, videos and similar digital tools are now being used by the RJD to offer an Intelligent and Tough (IT) response to NDA allegations, noted an RJD leader who works behind the scenes with a team of tech-savvy youngsters in the partys social media unit. Recently, a digitally animated, AI-generated meme video featuring PM Narendra Modi and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar caused a stir in NDA circles. The video, shared widely across RJDs social media platforms, was set to the satirical soundtrack Jumlo ki barish and gained significant traction. Its IT cell has even dubbed the SIR of rolls Votebandia pun. Rahul Gandhi leads opposition march to Patna's EC office against electoral rolls revision

Shivamogga Rangayana invites applications for recruitment of technicians, artists

Three killed, 15 injured as MUV crashes into tree in MP's Shahdol

SHAHDOL: Three women were killed and 15 other persons, including children, suffered injuries when their multi-utility vehicle (MUV) rammed into a tree in Madhya Pradesh's Shahdol district on Monday, police said. The accident occurred at around 5 am near Jora village, they said. The MUV, bearing the registration number of Chhattisgarh, was carrying 20 persons, mostly women and children. The vehicle occupants were heading back to Chhattisgarh after visiting Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh when it crashed into a tree, Beohari police station in-charge Arun Pandey said. Three women, identified as Gayatri Kawar, Malti Patel and Indira Bai, were killed and 15 other persons suffered injuries, he said. After being alerted by locals, police rushed to the scene. They shifted the injured persons to hospital using ambulances and police vehicles. Four critically injured persons were referred to Shahdol Medical College after they were provided initial treatment at a hospital in Beohari, the official said. The families of the deceased were informed about the incident, the police added.

'In days to come... ': Lingayat seer backs DK Shivakumar for Karnataka CM post; reminds Congress of pre-poll deal

A prominent Lingayat seer has publicly endorsed DK Shivakumar for a higher position in Karnataka Congress, fueling speculation about a potential power shift. The seer's remarks, made at a public event, highlighted Shivakumar's contribution to the party's victory in the 2023 elections and hinted at a pre-election agreement regarding the Chief Minister's role.

Slaps And Sticks Rained On Bihar Teacher After He Hits School Student

Angry parents barged into a school in Bihar's Gaya district, created a ruckus and beat up a teacher who had allegedly slapped their child.

'Ab toh retire ho gaya': Gautam Gambhir's hilarious jab at Rohit Sharma's 'jethani' persona goes viral

India's head coach, Gautam Gambhir, appeared on The Kapil Sharma Show alongside Rishabh Pant, wrist-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, and young opener Abhishek Sharma.

One nation, many kitchens: A decentralised approach to safe food

By Anandini Gupta and A. L. Gayathri According to the World Health Organization, unsafe food causes 100,000+ deaths annually in India (WHO Food Safety, 2024). India faces a persistent food safety challenge, from expired ingredients, contaminated milk, and adulterated spices to unhygienic cooking conditions, and substandard practices in cloud kitchens which continue to pose health 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 .

Naseeruddin Shah slammed for deleting post in Diljit Dosanjh's support: 'Dar gaya, paise bhi toh kamaane hain'

On Monday, Naseeruddin Shah had penned a lengthy note on Facebook, where he made religious remarks against those criticising Diljit Dosanjh's collaboration with Pakistani actress Hania Aamir in the film Sardaar Ji 3.

Viral video: 6 women slip near edge of Bihar waterfall, rescued in nick of time

A harrowing incident unfolded at Languriya hill waterfall in Gaya, Bihar, where six women were swept away by a sudden surge of water. Villagers heroically rescued the women, who were in imminent danger of being swept over a steep drop. One woman is hospitalized due to injuries sustained from colliding with a rock.

6 Women Escape Death In Dramatic Rescue At Languriya Waterfall In Bihar | Video

Six women narrowly escaped disaster at Languriya hill waterfall in Bihar's Gaya after being swept away by sudden water. Villagers rescued them; one woman was injured.

SC Refuses to Entertain Plea Challenging Bodh Gaya Temple Act

The bench said the petitioner should approach the concerned high court.

Army organizes Archery tourney in Zanskar

Excelsior Sports Correspondent KARGIL, June 28: To commemorate Kargil Vijay Diwas, Army, in collaboration with the Zanskar Archery Association, hosted an archery tournament in Zanskar, celebrating local culture, community, and sporting spirit. The event was graced by Executive Councillor Er. Phunchok Tashi as chief guest, along with Col. Yogender Singh Tomar, Col. S.P. Deepak, and Squadron Leader Gayatri (Retd). Presidents of the Zanskar Buddhist Association, Ex-Servicemen Association, and Merchant Association also attended. Sixteen teams participated, with Horker Poyen Kargil winning [] The post Army organizes Archery tourney in Zanskar appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Woman held for killing husband with help of lover in Bihar's Aurangabad

PATNA: In a resemblance to the Meghalaya honeymoon murder case , a woman from Bihars Aurangabad district has been arrested for allegedly plotting and executing the murder of her husband with the help of her lover. According to police, the woman, identified as Puja, conspired with her lover, Kamlesh Yadav, to kill her husband, Bikku, under the pretence of seeking medical treatment in Gayaji. On their return journey, the duo allegedly ran him over with an SUV on a deserted stretch of road, leading to his instant death. Police stated that Puja was apprehended on June 25 following the recovery of Bikkus body from a field in Amauna village under the jurisdiction of Bandeya police station in Aurangabad district. The woman was arrested on June 25 and admitted her involvement. The murder plot was planned and executed by both Puja and her lover, SDPO Rishiraj informed the media. Initially, Puja attempted to mislead the investigating officer with contradictory statements but eventually broke down and confessed to the crime. Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Daudnagar, Kumar Rishiraj, said, The victims body, which was recovered on June 21, bore external injury marks. It was sent for post-mortem examination. Preliminary investigation and statements from the deceaseds family members suggested that Bikku was murdered. Earlier, the deceaseds son, mother, and uncle told investigators that Kamlesh Yadav, a resident of Karma Masood village under Rafiganj police station, would forcibly enter their home, confine them to a room, and maintain a physical relationship with Puja. Kamlesh used to threaten us with dire consequences if we protested, they claimed. SDPO Rishiraj confirmed that raids were underway to apprehend the absconding Kamlesh Yadav. He, however, declined to reveal further details, citing concerns that it might hamper the investigation. He assured that the case was being thoroughly investigated from all angles and would be brought to a logical conclusion soon. Bikkus grieving mother demanded the harshest punishment for the accused. They should be hanged for this crime. An exemplary punishment is needed to serve as a deterrent, she told the media. The case bears a striking similarity to a recent incident in Meghalaya, where a newlywed woman, Sonam Raghuvanshi, killed her husband, Raja Raghuvanshi, with the help of her lover, Raj Kushwaha, during their honeymoon. Sonam later surrendered in court, while Raj was arrested by the police. During interrogation, both confessed to the crime. So far, eight people have been arrested in connection with the Meghalaya case.

Bihar to grant arms licences to Panchayat representatives amid rising attacks

PATNA: In a significant move ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, the Bihar government has decided to issue arms licences to representatives of the three-tier panchayati raj institutions across the state. The decision follows a series of violent attacks on panchayat representatives, particularly mukhiyas (panchayat heads). The state government has directed all District Magistrates and Superintendents of Police to begin processing arms licence applications from elected panchayat members. However, the directive emphasises that the established rules for verifying arms licence applications must be strictly adhered to. The verification process should be completed promptly and without unnecessary delay, the government noted. The proposal, initiated by the Panchayati Raj Department, received approval during a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday. Kumar instructed officials to expedite the licensing process, treating applications from panchayat representatives as a priority. The move comes in the wake of several high-profile killings. Just last week, a mukhiya and his aide were shot dead in Lakhisarai district while returning home from a function. In February, Mahesh Mishra, Deputy Mukhiya of Chiraila Panchayat in Gaya district and a JD(U) block secretary, was murdered. Similar incidents, including murder attempts and threats, have been reported from multiple districts such as Samastipur, Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Saran, Bhojpur, Jamui, and Nawada. Concerned by the deteriorating security situation, panchayat representatives had previously met senior state officials to demand protection. This measure adds to a series of steps taken by the state government to support local representatives ahead of elections expected in OctoberNovember this year. Allowances for panchayat members have already been increased. In another key decision, the government has approved the construction of marriage halls in every panchayat for the weddings of women from economically weaker backgrounds. A budget of Rs 4,026 crore has been sanctioned for the scheme, which will be implemented through 'Jeevika Didis', members of local womens self-help groups.

Papa please, mummy ko chod do: Woman dies by suicide after dowry assault in Bihar, shocking video emerges

Nisha Kumari died in Gaya district, Bihar. Her father accused her husband, Abhishek Kumar, of murder. The accusation stems from alleged dowry demands and abuse. A video surfaced showing Abhishek beating Nisha. Abhishek claims Nisha consumed poison and he was in Patna. Police filed a case against Abhishek and his family. They sent Nishas body for post-mortem.

World Refugee Day: A decade on, Pakistani Hindu refugees in Delhi still await citizenship

NEW DELHI: As World Refugee Day is observed across the globe on Friday, hundreds of Pakistani Hindu families who crossed the border over the past decade with the hope of a better life in India continue to live in limbo. Narrow stretches of kutcha lanes in Delhis Majnu Ka Tila quietly reflect a long wait filled with uncertainty, a wait for identity, dignity, and a place to finally call home. While a section of Pakistani Hindu refugees received their Indian citizenship last year ahead of the general elections, many allege that only about 10 per cent of the camps population has been granted citizenship so far. Meena Kumari (55), who came from Sindh with five of her children 10 years ago, claimed that her entire family is still waiting to be registered as Indian citizens. Ive been living here for 10 years. We were told we would be given citizenship. But till now, theres been no clarity, she said, adding that she left four of her children behind in Pakistan. There is no sanitation here. Weve repeatedly approached authorities, but the situation remains the same. We are also told, from time to time, that we could be removed from this camp, she said. The refugee settlement, located near the Yamuna, is marked by kutcha houses, broken public toilets and overflowing garbage. Toilets built for the residents of the camp have turned into dumping sites and several lanes are in a state of disrepair. Most households in the camp still rely on mud stoves and biomass fuel for cooking. June 20 is observed as World Refugee Day to highlight the plight of displaced communities and their right to safety and dignity. Forty-five-year-old Udish Narayan, who arrived from Sindh two years ago with his extended family, said the lack of citizenship has also affected their employment opportunities. We are not allowed to sell fruits or park our carts on the roadside. There is no work. We were promised citizenship but are still waiting, he claimed. Due to the absence of formal documents, many residents are unable to access government welfare schemes. Despite the challenges of displacement and the uncertainty their families face, children in the refugee camp hold on to big ambitions. Many speak of becoming officers and doctors one day, as they continue their education with determination in the face of hardship. Muskaan and Sangeeta, both aged 12 and students of Class 6, said they wish to become doctors when they grow up. Whereas 5-year-old Gayatri, another child in the camp, expressed her ambition to become an officer someday. The residents said some families were granted citizenship and voting rights ahead of the recent Lok Sabha elections, but the majority are still waiting.

Yuva Sangeethotsava kicks off at Bangalore Gayana Samaja

Chilling video shows locals and NDRF heroically rescuing woman from flooded river in Bihar

In Gaya, Bihar, a dramatic rescue unfolded as the Falgu River overflowed due to continuous rain, trapping residents. Locals and NDRF personnel heroically saved about 12-13 people, including a woman pulled to safety with ropes amidst the surging waters. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, villages are isolated after a bridge washed away, with more rain expected.

India's Artisanal Legacy Shines Bright In PM's Gifts For Canada

This Brass Bodhi Tree sculpture from Bihar is a beautiful and meaningful piece of art. Made by hand from brass, it shows the sacred Bodhi tree where Buddha found enlightenment in Bodh Gaya

Boost Mental Clarity, Focus, And Emotional Balance On Gayatri Jayanti

Gayatri Jayanti marks the appearance of Goddess Gayatri, the divine energy behind the sacred Gayatri Mantra. The post Boost Mental Clarity, Focus, And Emotional Balance On Gayatri Jayanti appeared first on Dharma .

Modi receives warm welcome in Croatia with chants of Sanskrit mantras

NEW DELHI, Jun 18 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Wednesday welcomed in Zagreb with warmth, music and cultural performances, including the chanting of the Gayatri Mantra by a group of Croatian nationals, showcasing the strong cultural bond between the two nations. Modi, who is the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the Balkan nation, was welcomed by the members of the Indian community on his arrival at the hotel, with slogans like Vande Mataram and Bharat Mata ki [] The post Modi receives warm welcome in Croatia with chants of Sanskrit mantras appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

2 Liquor Smugglers Caught By Railway Cops In Bihar With Rs 23,000 Worth Of Beer

Two Nalanda youths were caught at Gaya station with liquor worth Rs 23,000, smuggled from UP. RPF seized the stock, intensifying Bihars crackdown on illegal alcohol trade

Sri Lankas ruling party gets coveted Colombo mayorship

COLOMBO, June 16: Sri Lankas ruling National Peoples Power (NPP) on Monday won the coveted Colombo Municipal Council with its candidate being elected mayor following a secret ballot. The NPPs Vraie Cally Balthazar was elected with 61 votes against her main opposition rival Riza Zarook, of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), who polled 54 of the 117 votes cast by members. Two votes were declared invalid. The outcome was decided after a stormy inaugural meeting lasting nearly two hours, [] The post Sri Lankas ruling party gets coveted Colombo mayorship appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

CM Siddaramaiah sandwiched as anti-caste survey agitation brews in Karnataka

Karnataka's Congress government faces a dilemma over a new caste survey, sparking discontent among OBCs who fear losing advantages from the un-implemented Kantharaj Commission report, which favored them. Lingayats and Vokkaligas, who opposed the previous report, are planning their own surveys. The government aims to complete the new survey in 90 days, following Congress leadership's directive.

Karnataka okays new caste survey amid internal, external political heat

Karnataka government orders a new caste survey within 90 days. This decision follows disputes over the 2015 survey report. Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities alleged undercounting in the previous report. The Congress government faced pressure after gaining Lingayat support in recent elections. Consultations with Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi preceded the decision.

Karnataka Scraps Caste Census Report: Vokkaliga, Lingayat Lobbies Have Their Way

If implemented, the caste census report would have raised the OBC quota from 32% to 51% in Karnataka.

INDIA bloc hit as AAP announces decision to contest solo in Bihar assembly elections

PATNA: Opposition INDIA bloc suffered a major setback after Aaam Aadmi Party (AAP) announced to contest the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar independently. Assembly elections in Bihar are scheduled to be held in October-November this year. AAP convenor Saurabh Bhardwaj said on Wednesday that AAP will contest Bihar polls solo and field its candidates in all the 243 assembly seats. We will not tie up with any political coalition and will field candidates in all the seats, he told the media in Delhi. Saurabh Bhardwajs statement came barely a week after AAP joint secretary Manoranjan Singh revealed that the party has started preparations for contesting assembly elections in Bihar. Singh said that he would try his luck from the Taraiya assembly constituency in Saran district. Bhardwaj said that people from villages in Bihar were in Delhi. The people from Bihar have seen development works carried out by AAP in the national capital during its tenure. We have promised a similar kind of development in Bihar as well, he added. AAP has already launched a mass contact programme under the leadership of Manoranjan Singh. The party has launched Bihar mein bhi Kejriwal outreach programme in the state to mobilise party workers and reach out to voters on the Delhi development model. Bhardwaj said that the partys Bihar in-charge, Rakesh Yadav, has already launched a seven-phase yatra across the state to make people aware of the development of Delhi during the AAP government. Peoples response is very enthusiastic, he claimed. Rakesh Yadav also said that there were no plans to enter into pre-poll alliance with the RJD-Congress in Bihar. AAP has its organisational strength and public following. However, the state unit has proposed to contest the coming elections solo. He said that the party has started preparations on all 243 seats. Booth-level committees will be set up soon, he said, adding that the district-level committee has been specifically told to mobilise support from all sections of society, irrespective of caste and religion. Meanwhile, AAP has coined a new slogan Jin logon ne Delhi se Biharion ko bhagaya hai, uss BJP ko Bihar se Bihari log bhagayenge (those who displaced Biharis from Delhi, those Biharis will throw BJP out of Bihar, with the party eyeing to make its debut in Bihar elections.

Karnataka to conduct fresh caste re-enumeration in 60-70 days: CM Siddaramaiah

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced a fresh caste re-enumeration. The Congress high command directed this action. It addresses concerns from communities excluded in the 2015-16 survey. The re-enumeration will take about 60-70 days. The previous report is principally accepted. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the data is old. Vokkaligas and Veershaiva-Lingayats raised reservations.

Karnataka to hold fresh caste survey amid concerns flagged by stakeholders

NEW DELHI: Ending days of uncertainty, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said his government will hold a fresh caste survey to address concerns flagged by several stakeholders. The announcement came after the partys top brass met Siddaramaiah and his deputy and PCC president DK Shivakumar at the Congress new headquarters in New Delhi, and discussed various issues, including the June 4 stampede in Bengaluru. Siddaramaiah said the new survey will be completed within 90 days. At the meeting, the leadership said the report submitted on the caste census has been accepted in principle. However, concerns were raised by some organisations, religious heads, and a few ministers as the last survey was conducted in 2015. So we have agreed to hold a fresh caste enumeration, the CM said. The decision comes ahead of the state Cabinet meeting on June 12, which will discuss the contentious social and educational survey (caste census) report, which was released in April. Though the report has been discussed in as many as three Cabinet meetings, the state government failed to reach any consensus. Caste census alone won't suffice, conduct socio-economic survey as well: Siddaramaiah tells Centre Shivakumar said the caste census would be redone to allay doubts of various communities over the sanctity of data, and that the government has plans to finalise the resurvey of the caste census in the next Cabinet meet on June 12 Data will be collected through door to door and online surveys. The process would be done in a very transparent manner. We will correct all concerns expressed about the previous caste census. Online option is given so that people of our state can... be enumerated even if they are living outside the state, he said. The state government has been facing heat from opposition and party leaders for unscientific data. Several leaders from Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities opposed the report, saying their numbers were less than what had been previously extrapolated. While the survey pegged total population of backward classes at 70%, Lingayats were about 11% while Vokkaligas were 10.29% of the population. Human lives of great value to congress: Rahul On the stampede issue, a source said Rahul Gandhi told the CM and PCC president that human lives are of great value to the Congress and the government has to be responsive towards people. Kantharaj defends caste survey; slams BJP, dominant caste groups for baseless claims

Meet actress who starred opposite Shah Rukh Khan, later quit films, married to businessman, now back into spotlight with Rs 400crore...

Former actress Gayatri Joshi, now Gayatri Oberoi, showcases a Rs 400 crore luxury home in a YouTube video, marking a rare public appearance since quitting films after...

Caste data set to be re-enumerated in Karnataka to address concerns of some communities

Some caste groups, Veerashaivas and Lingayats most vociferously, have been demanding a re-enumeration, claiming that the old one was unscientific

Congress High Command for resurvey of Karnataka caste census

Ahead of the Karnataka governments special Cabinet meeting on June 12, the Congress high command on Tuesday hinted at a resurvey of the contentious social and educational survey (caste census) report. The decision was announced by Congress general secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal after a meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in the national capital. The Karnataka leaders were in Delhi to apprise the Congress high command of various developments, including the stampede in Bengaluru that killed 11 people on June 4. Though the caste census report was released in April this year, cabinet meetings on the report have been deferred without any resolution. The report has been discussed in as many as three Cabinet meetings without reaching any consensus. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Venugopal said that the Congress leadership has suggested to Siddaramaiah that the Karnataka government re-enumerate the caste census within a stipulated time, as a section of the public raised apprehensions about the existing survey, which was conducted in 2015. Rahul Gandhi, CM of Karnataka, PCC chief of Karnataka, and state in-charge met today. The issue related to the caste census report to be taken up in a special cabinet meeting in Karnataka on 12th June was discussed. Congress believed that whatever the Karnataka government has done on the caste census has to be agreed to in principle. But there are some apprehensions by some sections of the community about the data. Since the caste census was done 10 years ago, the data is a little bit old. The Congress party has suggested that the Karnataka government re-enumerate within a stipulated time, like 60 days, 70 days, or whatever period the government comes up with, he said, adding that the Karnataka CM will give further details on it. INTERVIEW | Need for relook at Karnataka caste survey, says Veerappa Moily The move assumes significance as the state government has been facing heat from the opposition and a section of party leaders, who termed the data as unscientific. Several leaders from the influential Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities have also opposed the report, saying that it was found to be lesser than what had been previously extrapolated. We also discussed the current political situation and the recent unfortunate incident in Bengaluru. CM and PCC President briefed the party leadership on the incident and the action taken by the state government. Venugopal further said that the Karnataka government has already ordered a judicial inquiry into the stampede that took several lives. The incident has invited sharp criticism from the opposition BJP and JD(S), and there have been calls for the resignation of both the CM and the Deputy CM. We are concerned about human lives lost. The state government has ordered a judicial enquiry into what happened. The party doesnt want to interfere with the nitty grittyduring the inquiry. However, we are of the view that there should be a clear-cut pro-peopleattitude on the issue. Another critical issue is that the Central government is completely ignoring Karnataka in funds allocation. The Modi government is doing injustice to Karnataka, he said.

Modi to visit Bihar for 4th time this year on June 20

PATNA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be back in Bihar on June 20, the fourth time this year and his seventh visit to the state after he took oath for the third term in June 2024. This time around, Modi will visit Siwan, considered a stronghold of main opposition RJD, where he is scheduled to address a mega political rally. A team of senior BJP leaders on Monday visited Siwan to take stock of preparations for the Modi rally. During the RJD regime, then RJD MP Mohammad Shahabuddin was said to call the shots in Siwan; merely his name spelt terror across Bihar, observers say. The don-turned-politicians family is considered close to RJD chief Lalu Prasad to this day. On June 30, PM Modi had addressed a rally at Bikramganj in Rohtas district, a part of Shahabad region where NDA performed poorly both in the 2024 Lok Sabha and 2020 assembly elections. Earlier, he visited Bhagalpur and Madhubani. From an administrative point of view, entire state has been divided into nine major regions. Shahabad region comprises Bhojpur, Buxar, Rohtas and Kaimur districts where Oppositions Grand Alliance won 15 out of 22 seats in 2020 assembly polls. In Magadh region, which comprises Gaya Ji, Aurangabad, Nawada and Jehanabad, the opposition bloc secured win on 16 out of 25 seats. A senior BJP leader said the PMs rally has been finalised in areas where the Opposition bloc performed better than the NDA in previous assembly elections. PM will announce several development projects for the region ahead of polls to woo voters. For NDA Shahabad region and adjoining Magadh region may prove to be a challenging battleground as it could win only 18 out of 49 seats in the two regions in the last election. Union ministers Chirag Paswan and Jitan Ram Manjhi besides former Union minister Upendra Kushwaha have been roped in to improve NDAs performance in Shahabad and Magadh regions. Kushwaha told the press on Monday that the NDA could pull a spectacular performance in Shahabad and Magadh regions if all its constituents BJP, JD(U), LJP(RV), HAM and RLM contest the election in complete coordination. A message should go across all sections of the society that NDA is fully united and contesting elections without any misgiving to improve its seat tally in both regions, he said. Oppn tally in 2020 assembly Shahabad: 15 of 22 seats Magadh: 16 of 25 seats Patna: 10 out of 21 seats Kosi: 6 out of 11 seats Mithilanchal: 18 of 47 seats Tirhut: 11 of 42 seats Saran, which includes Siwan: 15 out of 24 seats

How Aadhaar fudging aided Madhya Pradesh cop recruitment scam

BHOPAL: Paliganj town 50 km from the Bihar capital is in news nearly a thousand km away in Madhya Pradesh, thanks to one of its government school teachers, who has emerged as the key solver of an inter-state Aadhaar ID manipulation-enabled examination racket, which helped candidates from the Gwalior-Chambal region crack the 2023 MP Police Constable Recruitment Exam. Ranjan Kumar Gupta, a school teacher from Paliganj appeared in place of ten candidates, including one of the merit holders of the exam who secured 87 out of 100 marks. Besides Gupta, who is now in police custody in MPs Sheopur district, at least five more solvers from the same eastern state also appeared through the same modus operandi for dozens of other candidates in MP, in return for Rs 1 lakh to Rs 4 lakh subject to passing of the candidate. Another solver from Bihars Gaya district, Amrendra Singh Bahubali appeared for eight candidates, for Rs 1 lakh each. He is now in police custody in Alirajpur district, following the arrest of Ramrup Gurjar, the candidate from MPs Gwalior-Chambal region who managed to clear the written test by making Amrendra appear in his place and subsequently cracked the 2024 physical proficiency test on his own, to finally be selected for the constables job. The solvers from Bihar travelled between Patna and MP by air on tickets booked by the examinations main rackets mastermind Amitabh Rawat and aides in Gwalior-Chambal region. They were comforted in big hotels and travelled to examination centres across MP in snazzy cars. The racket mastermind and aides also took special care of the fun and frolic demanded by the solvers from Bihar during their stay in MP , a police officer forming a key part of the ongoing probe told this newspaper. Eyeing to earn big (around `40 lakh after appearing for ten candidates) Ranjan now feels cheated by the mastermind of the racket Morena district-based Amitabh Rawat who is also a school teacher, and a village sarpanchs husband. Carrying a Rs 10,000 reward on his arrest, Rawat, who is now on the run, made Ranjan appear for ten candidates, but paid him just Rs 4 lakh. Ranjan, however, is confident that he wouldnt have failed in getting less than 6-7 candidates pass the 2023 written test to qualify for the 2024 physical proficiency test. The candidates for whom he appeared, included at least three close relatives of the rackets mastermind Amitabh Rawat. Just like us, Ranjan too is keenly awaiting Rawats arrest, but for different reasons, the police officer confided. While Rawat , who is a Meena caste strongman in Morena, ran the biggest racket, smaller rackets run by some other caste strongmen (including Thakurs and Gurjars) were also active in other districts of the same northern MP region.

Rahul Gandhi says PM Modi gave in on caste census, questions silence on Trumps ceasefire claim

PATNA: Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday claimed Prime Minister Narendra Modi conceded to the demand for a nationwide caste census only after coming under pressure. Addressing the Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan at Rajgir in Bihars Nalanda district, Rahul said, My objective is caste census. I told Modi Ji in Lok Sabha that a caste census would be conducted. You know he has a habit of surrendering. I knew that the day we put a little pressure, they would completely surrender. He said he was fighting for the caste census because it would help protect the Constitution and bring overall development in the country. We will also remove 50 percent reservation if we form a government in future. It will start from Bihar, he said, speaking in the home district of Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar. 'We stopped a nuclear conflict': US President Trump on India-Pakistan ceasefire Rahul also targeted Modi over his silence on former US President Donald Trumps repeated claims that he helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan under Operation Sindoor. Trump has made the statement of brokering peace between India and Pakistan many times. Trump has said publicly 11 times, 11 times, that I made Narendra Modi surrender. Narendra Modi is unable to respond, and unable to say that Trump is lying because its the truth, he said. He alleged that the Modi government would never conduct a proper caste census, as it would end their style of politics. I doubt the government conducting caste census properly with no officers from the OBC, tribal community finalising the questionnaire, he added. Rahul also criticised the Nitish Kumar-led state government over what he called a rising crime rate in Bihar . Bihar was once considered the land of truth, justice, and non-violence. It showed the path to the entire world; people from across the globe used to come to study at Nalanda University, he said. People from Bihar are now forced to migrate to other states and even abroad because there are no employment opportunities here. Bihar has now become the crime capital of the country, he said. Earlier, Rahul visited Dashrath Nagar village in Gaya district as part of his outreach campaign in Bihar ahead of the Assembly elections. He met the family of the late Dashrath Manjhi, famously known as the Mountain Man for carving a road through a hill in Gehlor village to connect it with Wazirganj block. Rahul was received by Manjhis son Bhagirath Manjhi, who reportedly expressed his interest in contesting the upcoming Assembly elections from Bodh Gaya, although no formal announcement was made. Rahul later went to Gehlor village and garlanded the statue of Dashrath Manjhi. This was his sixth visit to Bihar in six months. He also held a Mahila Samvad in Gaya and interacted with women.

We will break barrier of 50 pc cap on quotas: Rahul Gandhi in Bihar

Rajgir/Gayaji (Bihar), Jun 6 (PTI) Rejecting outright the 50 per cent cap on caste-based reservations, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday vowed that the barrier will be broken in whichever part of the country his party came to power. The Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha made the promise in Bihar, the state which was a hotbed of the Mandal agitation in the 1990s, and where polls to the assembly are likely in a few months. I wonder where did this idea of a 50 per cent cap come from? The population of the deprived sections is close to

Bihar has turned into 'crime capital of India', says Rahul Gandhi

RAJGIR/GAYAJI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday slammed the Nitish Kumar-led NDA government in Bihar over the law and order situation, alleging that the state has turned into the crime capital of India. Addressing the 'Samvidhan Suraksha Sammelan' in Nalanda's Rajgir, Gandhi also took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for emaining silent on US President Donald Trump's claims of brokering peace between India and Pakistan during the military conflict. Bihar, once considered the land of peace and justice, has now turned into the crime capital of India, the former Congress president asserted. Gandhi also said he was apprehensive whether the Centre could properly conduct the caste census with no officers from the OBC, Dalit or tribal communities finalising the questionnaire. The Modi government will never conduct a real caste census, because the day they conduct a real caste census, their politics will end. There are two models of caste census - a BJP model and the Telangana model. In the BJP model, officers will decide the questions in a closed room. No officers from the OBC, Dalit or tribal communities are there in the select group of officers, said Rahul Gandhi. Telangana is ruled by the Congress. I am fighting for the caste census to save the Constitution and for the overall betterment of the country...Wherever we form government in future, we will remove the 50 per cent cap on reservations. It will start from Bihar, he said. The PM used to say in every speech: 'I belong to OBC'. Then on the caste census, they say that there is no caste in India, Gandhi said. The Congress leader wondered how Narendra Modi became an OBC if there is no caste in the country. On the military conflict between India and Pakistan, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha added: A call came from Trump and Narendra Modi ji immediately surrendered. Trump himself has said it (about brokering peace) publicly at least 11 times. But, the PM is silent on the issue. I know he has nothing to say on this. Prior to this, Gandhi visited the Dashrath Manjhi memorial at Gehlaur, around 40 km from Gayaji town. Manjhi had carved a path, 360 feet long and 30 feet wide, through a ridge of hills using only a hammer and a chisel. After 22 years of work, he singlehandedly shortened the distance between his village and Wazirganj, where the nearest hospital is located, from 55 km to 15 km. He started constructing the road in 1960 following the death of his injured wife on the way to the hospital. The Raebareli MP also interacted with family members of Manjhi at Gehlaur village. Manjhi's son Bhagirath, who recently quit Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U) to join the Congress, on Friday disclosed that he wanted a party ticket in the upcoming assembly polls. Bhagirath spoke to PTI Video ahead of Gandhi's visit to Gehlaur. He said, You can look at our house. We still do not have a pucca house. The first thing that I would like to request of Rahul Gandhi is to provide us with a pucca house.

Dasharath Manjhi's son to seek Congress ticket to contest Bihar Assembly polls

Dasharath Manjhi's son, Bhagirath, recently switched from JD(U) to Congress, seeking a party ticket in the upcoming Bihar assembly polls. He expressed disappointment with Nitish Kumar's past gestures towards his father, emphasizing the family's continued lack of a proper house. Bhagirath plans to request Rahul Gandhi for a ticket from Bodh Gaya constituency during his visit.

Aaj Ka Panchang, June 6, 2025: Tithi, Vrat And Todays Shubh, Ashubh Muhurat

Aaj Ka Panchang, June 6, 2025: Gayatri Jayanti and Nirjala Ekadashi will be celebrated today.

Modis 3rd Bihar Visit To Boost Poll Campaign

Rahul Gandhi To Reach Gaya For Campaigning: Sources

Rahul Gandhi accuses Nitish government of turning Bihar into a hub of crime and unemployment

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government, accusing it of turning the state into a hub of crime, unemployment, and forced migration. His remarks came in response to a disturbing incident in Gaya, where a doctor was allegedly assaulted for treating the mother of a rape survivor. In a strongly worded post on X (formerly Twitter), Gandhi cited a video posted by the Bihar Congress that showed Dr. Jitendra Yadav tied to a tree and brutally beaten. The incident reportedly occurred after the doctor visited the home of a rape survivor in Gaya to provide medical care to her mother. The assailants, believed to be linked to the rape accused, reportedly attacked the doctor in retaliation after one of the accused was arrested. Despite being in power for 20 years, Nitishji's double-engine government could neither provide security, nor respect, nor development to Bihar, Gandhi wrote in Hindi. Crime, unemployment, and migration this has become the real identity of the Nitish-BJP government. Their agenda is to cling to power by making the public helpless. Calling for an end to what he described as the politics of power, Gandhi added, Now it is enough. The time has come to break this cycle of injustice and take Bihar ahead on the path of security, self-respect, and dignity. Congress spokesperson Shama Mohamed also condemned the state of law and order in Bihar. Referring to a separate recent incident where a 9-year-old rape victim was allegedly denied treatment and died, Mohamed said, Who is running Bihar? The Modi-Nitish Kumar government has completely surrendered the state to criminals and goons. Doctor tied to tree, thrashed in Bihar for treating rape survivors mother; three arrested Meanwhile, police in Bihar's Gaya district have arrested three individuals in connection with the assault on Dr. Yadav. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anand Kumar confirmed that an FIR was registered after a video of the assault went viral on Tuesday. The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of Gurpa police station. The rape survivors mother told police that her daughter was raped in 2021 and the case is currently under trial. The recent deposition in court reportedly angered the accused, prompting the attack. They attacked me, causing serious injuries, she told police, adding that the doctor was beaten when he came to provide medical assistance.

Doctor tied to tree, thrashed in Bihar for treating rape survivors mother; three arrested

PATNA: Police in Bihars Gaya district registered an FIR and arrested three individuals on Wednesday for assaulting a doctor for treating a rape survivor's mother. Anand Kumar, senior superintendent of police (SSP), Gaya, said that police swung into action after a video showing a group of people assaulting a doctor after tying him to a tree went viral on social media on Tuesday. The incident took place under the Gurpa police station limits. SSP Kumar said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to inquire into the matter. During investigation it came to light that Dr Jitendra Yadav, who had gone to a rape victims house, was dragged out, tied to a tree and beaten up with iron rods and sticks. He said three of the named accused, Khushboo Kumari, Basanti Devi and Putul Devi, were arrested. Raids are underway to arrest seven remaining accused named in the FIR registered at Gurpa police station, SSP Kumar told this reporter. The victim is undergoing treatment at Magadh Medical College and Hospital. SSP Kumar said police recorded Dr Yadavs statement and initiated further action against the accused, adding that the accused would be arrested as soon as possible. Vinay Kumar, Station House Officer (SHO), Gurpa police station, said that the incident occurred when Dr Jitendra had gone to Harakurha village for treatment. He said that the incident was related to land dispute, he added. The rape survivors mother told the police that in 2021 her daughter was raped. A complaint was lodged at the Patehpur police station in connection with the incident. On May 30, they deposed before the court, he said. One of the accused was arrested in the case, which angered them. They attacked me causing serious injuries, the rape victims mother said, adding that the family members of the accused attacked the doctor when the latter came to her house for treatment.

Three women arrested for attack on Gaya doctor who treated rape survivors mother

Leader of the opposition in Bihar Legislative Assembly Tejashwi Yadav shared the video of the incident on his social media account X saying that the situation in Bihar is worse than that under the Taliban.

Bihar doctor tied to tree, assaulted; RJDs Tejashwi Yadav slams Nitish govt

Patna: In a shocking incident on Tuesday, June 3, a rural doctor was brutally assaulted after being tied to a tree in Bihars Gaya district while responding to a medical emergency. Videos of the blood-soaked doctor emerged on social media. However, the video became viral after Rashtra Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of 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 .

'Worse than Taliban': Tejashwi Yadav shares disturbing video, says doctor treating rape victims mother brutally beaten by accused in Bihar

Tejashwi Yadav, an RJD leader, shared a disturbing video alleging a doctor was brutally beaten and tied to a tree in Gaya, Bihar, for treating the mother of a rape victim.

Dressed To Deceive: 'Mystery Woman' Covered In Gold Busted For Theft Spree At Bihar Station

A woman in flashy attire at Gaya station turned out to be a serial thief. GRP recovered Rs 2.5 lakh in jewellery after her arrest, solving multiple theft cases

Bihar government transfers 45 IAS officers in major bureaucratic reshuffle ahead of state polls

PATNA: Ahead of Bihar Assembly polls due this year, the state government has transferred 45 IAS officers, including several district magistrates (DMs), in a major shake-up. Thirty-one officers of the Bihar Administrative Service (BAS) were also transferred as a part of the rejig, according to an order issued by the General Administration Department on Saturday. Besides, the state government also made new appointments in the Mahadalit Commission and the Scheduled Caste Commission. Patna DM Chandrasekhar Singh, an IAS officer of the 2010 batch, was appointed Commissioner of the Patna division. Gaya DM Thyagarajan S M of the 2011 batch was made the new DM of Patna, the order stated. Mayank Warwade, the previous Commissioner of the Patna division, was made the State Project Director of the Bihar Education Project Council. Darbhanga DM Rajeev Raushan was appointed the Commissioner of the Saran division, while Avneesh Kumar Singh was made the Commissioner of Munger division, and Raj Kumar the Commissioner of Tirhut division, it said. Thirteen IAS officers of the 2010 batch were promoted to the secretary rank. The Bihar government appointed Vishwanath Rishi as chairperson of the Mahadalit Commission, and Devendra Kumar as vice-chairperson of the SC Commission.

Martyrdom of a civil servant

Pradyot Gupta Bichda kuch iss adaa se, ke rutt hi badal gayii.. Ek shakhas saare shehar ko viraan kar gayaa.. It was the dreaded day of May 10, 2025, when Pakistan sponsored fresh motor shelling and drone strikes continued in Indias border districts including Rajouri town, resulting in martyrdom of six persons including Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Rajouri, Dr. Raj Kumar Thappa (JKAS). On that illfated day, residents of villages near the line of control (LOC) in Rajouri district [] The post Martyrdom of a civil servant appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

CBI Arrests ED Officer Taking First Installment Of Rs 2 Crore Bribe Sparking Memefest: Chor Chor Mausere Bhai?

Keede marne ki dawai mein keeda pad gaya, the internet takes a jibe.

President Droupadi Murmu confers 15 nurses with the Florence Nightingale Award

NEW DELHI: A prolific academic, Dr Banu M R, a PhD in nursing, who has authored textbooks, published numerous research articles, and is currently serving as an Assistant Nursing Superintendent at NIMHANS, Bengaluru, is among the 15 nurses and ANMs, who were conferred with the prestigious National Florence Nightingale award-2025 by President Droupadi Murmu on Friday. She is also acknowledged for demonstrating exemplary leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic, emerging as a role model for her peers, and playing a pivotal role in establishing the Neuro Rehabilitation Centre and developing a comprehensive intervention package for tobacco cessation during her 25-year nursing career. A health educator, Valiveti Subhavathi, started her journey as an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) at a primary health centre in Guntur district in Andhra Pradesh and slowly rose to the position of management instructor, from which she retired this year after 39 years of exemplary service. Known for her creative health awareness campaigns, for which she wrote and sang songs, Subhavathihas also been awarded at the district level for being the best health educator and performer. K Alamelu Mangayarkarasi, a staff nurse at the government hospital, Srivilliputhur Sub-District Hospital, Tamil Nadu, who played a key role in enhancing obstetrical and family welfare services, as well as in the establishment of the Orthopaedic Operation Theatre, is also among the nurses and ANMs, who were honoured for their exemplary service in strengthening public health delivery and their unwavering commitment to promoting the welfare of the community. Mangayarkarasi, who now serves as a Nursing Officer at the Government Hospital in Srivilliputhur, Tamil Nadu, has also received an award from the district authorities for her outstanding contribution towards improving accessibility to health and family welfare services to the tribal communities in Nilgiris District. Apart from them, two nurses from Delhi and one from Puducherry received the awardat the glittering ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The awardwas instituted by the Union Health Ministry in 1973 as a mark of recognition for the meritorious services rendered by nurses and nursing professionals to society. One nurse each from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Maharashtra, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, and West Bengal was selected for theprestigiousaward. The national award is given to outstanding nursing personnel in central, state/Union Territories and voluntary organisations. Each award includes a certificate of merit, a cash prize of Rs. 1,00,000, and a medal symbolising the nations gratitude for the invaluable service rendered by the health warriors. Among the awardees is L S Manimozhi, a Public Health Nursing Officer under the National Programs for Control of Blindness in Puducherry. She was recognised for her dedication and compassion, especially during times of adversity, such as navigating difficult terrain without proper transportation during cyclones. She was credited for showing exceptional resilience and unwavering commitment to delivering critical support and care to those in need. Union Health Minister JP Nadda congratulated the awardees, saying, This well-deserved recognition celebrates your dedication to serving humanity and will motivate you to keep making a positive impact. Our nurses are the pillars of India's healthcare system, saving countless lives daily, he added. The awardees also included two nurses from Delhi. Dimple Arora, Senior Nursing Officer at Dr RML Hospital, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, volunteered as a relief team member during disasters such as Leh flash floods, H1N1, and swine flu outbreaks.In her 27 years of experience, she is known for her sincerity and dedication during challenging situations. She has undergone various training programs to ensure she delivers the best possible care and keeps her knowledge and skills up-to-date. The other awardee is Major General Sheena P D, Additional Director General, Military Nursing Service. She has an illustrious career spanning 39 years and holds a Diploma in Oncology Nursing and a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Management. A pioneer in oncology nursing and a recognised expert in stoma care, she is widely respected for her exemplary leadership and outstanding communication skills. Her compassion, commitment, determination, and dedication have consistently driven improvements in nursing education and service standards. Her meritorious service has been recognised through numerous awards and letters of appreciation. Union Ministers of State for Health and Family Welfare Prataprao Jadhav and Anupriya Patel were also present. According to the health ministry, the government has taken transformative steps to strengthen the nursing and midwifery profession across the country. The recent enactment of the National Nursing and Midwifery Commission Act will mark a significant milestone in modernising nursing education and regulatory frameworks. Additionally, establishing 157 nursing colleges co-located with medical colleges demonstrates the Governments commitment to building a skilled and competent nursing workforce. These initiatives collectively pave the way for a robust healthcare system, ensuring better health outcomes for all citizens through a well-equipped and empowered nursing workforce, the ministry said.

Nearly 1300 modified silencers seized, destroyed in Rachakonda

Hyderabad: In a crackdown on noise and air pollution, Rachakonda police booked 265 cases and confiscated 1,297 illegally modified motorcycle silencers during a series of special drives. The seized silencers were publicly destroyed at Uppal Bhagayath on Friday, May 30. The drive was carried out under the supervision of commissioner of police G Sudheer Babu, 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 .

PM Modi unveils projects worth over Rs 48,520 cr in Bihars Karakat

KARAKAT (BIHAR), May 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched development projects worth more than Rs 48,520 crore in Bihars Karakat. The PM, who arrived in Patna on a two-day visit to the state on Thursday, inaugurated the four-laning of the PatnaGayaDobhi section of NH22, worth around Rs 5,520 crore and four-laning of the elevated highway and grade improvements at Gopalganj Town on NH27 at a function here. Modi dedicated to the nation the third rail line between Son [] The post PM Modi unveils projects worth over Rs 48,520 cr in Bihars Karakat appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Applications invited for Bangalore Gayana Samajas annual music competition

PM Modi to inaugurate Patnas new airport terminal inspired by Mithila art on June 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the new terminal building of Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport, popularly known as Patna airport, and lay the foundation stone of a new civil enclave at Bihta Airport, about 30 km from the state capital, on Thursday evening. Airport Authority of India (AAI) officials said that the new terminal building of Patna airport will start functioning from June 3. The new terminal building at Patna airport and the new civil enclave at Bihta Airport will accommodate the increasing influx of domestic travellers in and around Patna. AAI officials told The New Indian Express on Thursday that both the new terminal at Patna airport and the proposed civil enclave at Bihta Airport would provide world-class airport facilities and experience. The development of modern infrastructure will strengthen Bihars connectivity, boost tourism, trade and investment opportunities, a senior AAI officer said. The design of the new terminal building at Patna airport incorporates elements of Bihars architectural traditions, drawing inspiration from the regions landscape and Mithila art. The new civil enclave at Bihta Airport showcases a rich blend of historical influences, spanning various periods and dynasties. The new terminal building at Patna airport, built at a cost of Rs 1,200 crore, covers an area of 65,150 square metres, including the basement. It is equipped to serve 3,000 passengers (1,500 arrivals and 1,500 departures) during peak hours and 10 million passengers annually. Passenger facilities such as 64 check-in counters, nine automatic tray retrieval systems (ATRS) in Phase I, five aerobridges, and four conveyor belts in the arrival hall are proposed in the new terminal building. Additionally, an apron has been provisioned for 11 parking aircraft bays and a multi-level car parking (MLCP) facility on the city side, which will increase parking capacity to 1,100 cars. Similarly, the new civil enclave at Bihta Airport is proposed to have an area of 68,000 square metres. It will be equipped to serve 3,000 passengers during peak hours and five million passengers annually up to 2047. Besides, ancillary buildings such as multilevel car parking, service blocks, and others are planned to be constructed to augment the new terminal building. Passenger facilities like 64 check-in counters, 16 self-check-in kiosks, 10 automatic tray retrieval systems, five aerobridges, and six conveyor belts in the arrival hall have been planned, officials familiar with the project revealed. Patna airport is the 20th busiest airport in the country, with a passenger traffic of 38.2 lakh in 202425. The present building was built in 1973, authoritative sources said. Enhanced air connectivity will boost tourism and pilgrimage to Patna, Gaya, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir (Nalanda), Vaishali and Sitamarhi, a senior AAI official claimed.

PM Modi To Lay Foundation For Phase-2 Of Varanasi-Kolkata Expressway Today

In a landmark move to boost infrastructure and connectivity in eastern India, PM Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the second phase of the Varanasi-Gaya-Ranchi-Kolkata Expressway (NH-319B) on Thursday, during his visit to Bihar.

Maoist commander killed in police encounter in Jharkhand's Latehar

RANCHI: Maoist commander Manish Yadav, who had a bounty of 5 lakh on his head, was killed in an encounter with security forces in Latehar in Jharkhand late Sunday night. Meanwhile, another wanted Maoist, Kundar Kherwar, who carried a reward of 10 lakh, was arrested from the encounter site. According to police officials, the gunfight took place in the forests of Karamkhad and Dauna under the Mahuadanr Police Station in Latehar. An intensive search operation is underway in the area to locate other Maoists believed to be hiding in the jungles. Police sources said the encounter began late Sunday night and continued until Monday morning. During the post-encounter search operation, the body of a Maoist was recovered and later identified as Manish Yadav. Palamu DIG Y.S. Ramesh confirmed the incident. Following a tip-off that Maoist Manish Yadav had been seen in the forest with his squad, a police team was formed, and a search operation was launched. However, as soon as the Maoists spotted the security forces, they opened fire. The security forces retaliated, killing Manish Yadav on the spot, said DIG Ramesh. Two automatic rifles and other daily-use items were recovered from the site. With the elimination of Manish Yadav, the leadership of Bihar-based Maoist units in the Budha Pahad training center has effectively ended. A resident of Chhakarbandha in Gaya district, Yadav was considered the last top Maoist commander from Bihar active in the Budha Pahad region. He had been operating in the area for over a decade. Manish Yadav began as an ordinary cadre in the Maoist squad and gradually rose to the rank of sub-zonal commander. His in-laws reportedly live in the same area where the encounter occurred. This marks the second major success for the Jharkhand Police in recent days. On Friday night , Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) commander Pappu Lohra and sub-zonal commander Prabhat Ganjhu were also killed in an encounter. Lohra and Ganjhu had bounties of 10 lakh and 5 lakh respectively on their heads.

Give security cover to former IAS official Sagayam

Kharge slams PM Modi over Pahalgam terror attack, says lives could have been saved had warning been issued

BENGALURU: Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging that the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which claimed 26 lives, could have been avoided had the PM issued a warning based on intelligence inputs. Speaking at a convention in Hosapete, Vijayanagara district, to mark two years of the Congress government in Karnataka, Kharge accused the Centre of security lapses. He claimed Modi cancelled his own Kashmir visit scheduled for 17 April after intelligence alerts, yet no advisory was issued to tourists. Why were those tourists not given police or military protection? Why were they not alerted? Had they been cautioned, 26 innocent lives could have been saved, he said. Kharge further criticised Modi for skipping the all-party meeting held in the aftermath of the attack. When the nation needed unity, Modi chose electioneering in Bihar over national interest. Twice he called an all-party meeting but did not attend. Had we skipped it, we wouldve been labelled anti-national, yet he avoids it and remains a patriot, he remarked. He accused the BJP of monopolising patriotism and said, Congress has also fought for the nation. You have not taken a contract for nationalism. True patriotism lies in unity, not in hollow speeches. Kharge also demanded the dismissal of Madhya Pradesh BJP minister Vijay Shah for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Colonel Sofiya Qureshi. He insulted her because of her name. Remove such people from the cabinet first before preaching nationalism, he urged. SC caste census Addressing Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Kharge raised concerns over non-SC individuals being registered as 'Beda Jangama' in the ongoing SC caste census. Let poor Lingayats receive welfare benefits, but they must not be included in the SC category unfairly. The population of Beda Jangama, historically around 500, is now shown as 5 lakh how is that possible? Such false claims deprive genuine SCs of their rights. Jail those issuing fake SC certificates, he insisted. Kharge also advised Siddaramaiah to ensure proper implementation of the Socio-Economic and Educational Survey (SES-2015), warning against any missteps that could harm the credibility of the caste census movement championed by Rahul Gandhi. Rahul worked hard to push for caste census inclusion at the national level. Dont let Karnatakas mismanagement bring disrepute, he said.