First cargo vessel leaves Dibrugarh via river route to Bangladesh after Independence
Digital Desk | Dibrugarh (Assam), Oct 5 (IANS) A barge carrying 540 metric tons of methanol left from Bogibeel Terminal here on Monday for Bangladesh's Dhaka, marking the first cargo shipped from upper Assam to a foreign port since India's independence, nearly 70 years after the town's river ghat closed. The methanol, produced by state-owned Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. (APCL) at Namrup, is bound for Pangaon Port in Dhaka. The vessel will travel about 768 kilometres down National Waterway-2 on the Brahmaputra River in India to the Indo-Bangladesh border, then continue along the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR). The vessel will cover a total distance of 1,300 kms from Bogibeel, Dibrugarh to Narayanganj, Dhaka. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal flagged off the vessel DLB Patkai, pushed by the tug Kushal Konwar, from Bogibeel. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma joined the ceremony virtually. The voyage is being observed as a test of whether the Brahmaputra can serve as a commercially viable freight corridor linking the Northeast to overseas markets. Regular methanol shipments to Bangladesh are planned. The shipment became possible after customs and immigration complexes were set up at Bogibeel and Dhubri recently. Our grandparents grew up hearing the steamer whistle at Dibrugarh Ghat. For 70 years, that whistle fell silent, and the ships stopped coming, Sonowal said. Today, a ship leaves Dibrugarh for the world once again. The river never failed us. What it lacked for decades was the will to revive it. Sarma called it a proud day for Assam. Assam's own product, made in Namrup, is now travelling to an international market on Assam's own river. The Northeast is no longer a frontier. It is India's gateway to the East, he noted. Dibrugarh was once among the busiest river ports in eastern India. Government steamers reached the town from Calcutta, now Kolkata, by 1856. In 1882, the Dibru-Sadiya Railway began operating from the Dibrugarh steamer ghat. By 1913, steamers sailed up the Brahmaputra to the town daily, carrying tea, timber and passengers. The 1947 partition cut that route, forcing Assam's goods to pass through East Pakistan to reach Calcutta. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), cargo on India's national waterways rose from 18 million metric tons in fiscal 2013-14 to 218 million metric tons in 2025-26. More than Rs 68 billion (about $770 million) is being invested in waterways across the Northeast, including development of National Waterway-2, a ship repair facility at Pandu, and last-mile connectivity to Pandu Port. Every ton we move on the river means less fuel burnt and fewer trucks on the highway, Sonowal said. He added that India is working with Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar on regional waterway links.
Kolkata High Court Orders Enhanced Security for University Students in West Bengal
The Kolkata High Court mandates West Bengal to improve security measures for university students amid rising campus incidents. Kolkata High Court Orders Enhanced Security for University Students in West Bengal
East Bengal vs NorthEast United IFA Shield Semi-Final LIVE Score Updates: East Bengal face off against NorthEast United in a blockbuster IFA Shield 2026 semi-final in Kolkata.
Bengal BLOs seek security cover for fresh voter enrolment drive after SIR exercise
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) An association of the booth-level officers (BLOs) in West Bengal has written to Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Neelam Meena seeking security cover during the upcoming door-to-door exercise to enroll new voters and re-enroll eligible voters whose names were deleted in the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in the state before the assembly elections held earlier this year. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s instructions, the BLOs will have to go door to door to re-enroll the names of the eligible voters who have been excluded and start the process of registering the names of new eligible voters. After this instruction, a section of BLOs in West Bengal have expressed apprehension of being targeted or attacked by the voters deleted during the SIR process. These BLOs have also identified eight sensitive districts where the apprehension of attacks is maximum. The eight districts identified by the BLO association as most sensitive are North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, Malda, Murshidabad, Uttar Dinajpur and Kolkata. While only certain pockets of Kolkata and Hooghly have been flagged as vulnerable, the remaining six districts have been categorised as fully sensitive. In the letter, the association pointed out that although the BLOs had no role to play in the omission of names during the SIR exercise, they are the most vulnerable targets from a section of deleted voters. We are apprehending security threats door-to-door. Hence, we have written to the Chief Electoral Officer demanding security cover for the BLOs during the exercise. We have demanded that security personnel or necessary forces be provided with each BLO, said association secretary, Swapan Mondal. The concerns have been heightened by memories of an incident in April this year when judicial officers involved in the SIR adjudication process were allegedly attacked and held hostage for several hours at Mothabari in Malda district. If the judicial officers can be harassed in such a manner, what will be the guarantee that our security will also not be compromised during the fresh enrolment process? questioned a BLO, who refused to be named.
Mamata Banerjees TMC Moves Kolkata High Court Over Fund Access Ahead of Durga Puja
Mamata Banerjees faction of TMC seeks court intervention for fund access before Durga Puja amid ongoing legal disputes. Mamata Banerjees TMC Moves Kolkata High Court Over Fund Access Ahead of Durga Puja
Hours after joining BJP, actor Koel Mallick files RS nomination
Kolkata: Bengali film actor Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as Koel Mallick, on Monday, October 5, submitted her nomination as the BJP candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha polls in the presence of West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the partys state president, Samik Bhattacharya. She joined the BJP at its state headquarters here hours 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 .
India housing market sees sharper divergence across cities, price band
India's residential property market exhibited stable sales during January-September when compared to the previous year. Major markets like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata demonstrated positive trends, while NCR faced a significant decline. Higher-ticket homes are increasingly preferred, with sales of properties priced above Rs 1 crore climbing sharply. Sales for lower-priced segments, however, experienced a downturn, reducing buyers' options.
Kota maternal deaths: Clean chit to suspended doctors raises fresh questions
Digital Desk | Jaipur, Oct 5 (IANS) Questions are mounting over accountability in the Kota maternal deaths case after senior doctors, suspended following the deaths of several new mothers and kidney failure among other women, were reinstated. The doctors had faced action amid findings of serious treatment and protocol lapses, but enquiry committees set up by the Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma-led Rajasthan government, have now reportedly given them a clean chit, raising a crucial question: If there was no negligence, why were they suspended and if serious lapses did occur, who is responsible? The sequence has triggered a fundamental question in Rajasthan: If there was no medical negligence, why were senior doctors suspended in the first place and if serious lapses were identified, who is accountable for the deaths and debilitating complications suffered by the patients? The Kota maternal death case has once again come under scrutiny following the reinstatement of three senior doctors of Kota Medical College including Dr. B.L. Patidar, Dr. Khushbu Meena and Dr. Navneet Kumar. The three were suspended in May after the deaths of new mothers and reports of kidney failure among other post-delivery patients. Four enquiry committees from Kota, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Delhi have now reportedly found no medical negligence attributable to the doctors, paving the way for their reinstatement. However, the clean chit has opened more questions than it has closed. The government's initial response in May was unequivocal. Inspections and preliminary enquiries reportedly flagged failures in treatment protocols, absence of senior doctors in the post-gynaecology ward, problems inside the operation theatre, sanitation concerns and questions surrounding medicines and emergency facilities. On May 11, Medical Department Principal Secretary, Gayatri Rathore, reportedly acknowledged that a preliminary enquiry had found shortcomings in adherence to protocols in the operation theatre. Dr. B.L. Patidar and Dr. Khushbu Meena were suspended over alleged negligence in treatment and supervision. Action was also initiated against nursing staff and hospital officials. Now, months later, the doctors have been cleared. That is the question the government must answer publicly. The initial investigation had reportedly thrown up a disturbing list of issues. Excessive fluids and antibiotics were allegedly administered to women after childbirth. Dampness and fungal growth were found in the post-gynaecology ward and Operation Theatre. Questions were also raised over alleged fumigation before culture samples were collected. Culture samples from the ward and OT reportedly failed twice. On May 11, when the condition of a patient identified as Pinky deteriorated, an ambulance equipped with a ventilator was reportedly unavailable. Another inspection on May 17 reportedly found filth and fungal growth in the gynaecology ward. Then, on May 26, the Drug Department reportedly found an Oxytocin injection sample to be substandard. Yet the final outcome has now cleared the three suspended doctors of medical negligence. For the families of the five women who died, the controversy is not an administrative file. For women such as Ragini Meena, Aarti, Dhanni, Pinky and Sushila, who reportedly suffered kidney failure after childbirth, the consequences continue. The women have demanded that the government make the enquiry committee and forensic reports public and explain what caused their kidney failure. They reportedly remain dependent on dialysis and have described severe physical and psychological distress, including episodes of temporary vision loss. Their demand is simple: Tell them what happened and who is responsible. The investigation is not entirely over. Samples of nine medical devices from the new hospital were reportedly sent to a laboratory in Kolkata for testing. Their reports are still awaited. That makes the government's responsibility to maintain transparency even more important. Patients' relatives said that the government cannot allow the issue to end with the reinstatement of three doctors. If the doctors were wrongly suspended, the government must explain why such serious action was taken on the basis of the initial findings. If the initial findings were correct and there were genuine failures in treatment, hospital management, sanitation, medicines, emergency response or adherence to protocols, then who will be held accountable, they added. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Chief Secretary V. Srinivas recently directed officials to strengthen emergency transportation arrangements for pregnant women, particularly those with high-risk pregnancies. Officials have been asked to improve coordination between maternal healthcare services and ambulance operations and regularly review ambulance utilisation. The measures are important, but they do not answer the central question arising from Kota. Five women died. Others were left facing prolonged kidney treatment. Doctors were suspended, then reinstated. Reports remain pending. The Rajasthan government now owes the patients, their families and the public a clear answer as relatives of new moms, who have left their kids orphaned due to system failure, ask who ultimately, is responsible for the maternal deaths.
Spider-Man from Kolkata spreads joy in dhoti-panjabi ahead of Durga Puja | WATCH
Kolkata is gearing up for Durga Puja, and amid the rush of preparations, an unexpected superhero has caught everyone's attention. A man dressed as Spider-Man was spotted at an idol-making workshop, bringing a fun and...
Calcutta HC asks Bengal govt to ensure students safety within university campuses
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) A Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Monday, directed the West Bengal government to ensure the safety of students on university campuses throughout the state. While hearing on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking adequate security measures within the university campuses throughout the state, the Division Bench of the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice Ravindra Vithalrao Ghuge and Justice Om Narayan Rai, observed that mere installation of the CCTV cameras within the university campuses was not enough, and that the state government should play a more proactive role in ensuring students safety on the campuses. Several university authorities have already submitted their reports to the Calcutta High Court on the security measures adopted by them on campuses. Most of the reports mentioned that CCTV cameras have been installed within the campuses. Reacting to these reports, the Division Bench made the observation that mere CCTV installations were not enough to ensure students safety on campuses. The Division Bench also said that, besides ensuring students safety on the campus, proactive measures should be taken to maintain a proper academic ambience within the university campuses. The Division Bench also observed that the university should be strict about not allowing any anarchy on campus. In this regard, the court called for special security focus at the Diamond Harbour Women's University. There should be no lapses in the security arrangements there, the Chief Justice observed. On Monday, the Division Bench sought security-related reports from other universities, which have yet to submit these to the court. The next hearing on the matter will be on December 10. Recently, there have been allegations of attacks by outsiders at the Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) in Kolkata. Clashes broke out on the SRFTI campus several times in a span of just a week. Earlier, there were clashes between the Students Federation of India (SFI) and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) within the iconic Jadavpur University (JU) campus.
Four new airports to come up in West Bengal in two years: K Rammohan Naidu
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced the development of four new airports in West Bengal. These new airports will be located in Charra, Kalaikunda, Balurghat, and Hasimara. Naidu indicated there is a need for a second airport in Kolkata to meet demand. The UDAN scheme will see an investment of Rs 29,000 crore in the state over ten years.
Gautam Gambhir Reveals Shreyas Iyer's 'Rare' Captaincy Quality That Left Him Stunned
Gautam Gambhir and Shreyas Iyer share a strong bond that dates back to 2024, when they were part of the Kolkata Knight Riders setup in the IPL. While Gambhir served as the team's mentor, Iyer led the side as captain, and together they guided KKR to their third IPL title.
ECI replaces Nandigram inspector-in-charge a day before high-stakes bypoll
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Monday ordered the immediate replacement of the inspector-in-charge (IC) of Nandigram Police Station in East Midnapore district of West Bengal, a day before the constituency votes in the Assembly bypoll on Tuesday. Ajay Kumar Mishra, who was serving as the IC of Nandigram Police Station, has been replaced by Debasish Sarkar, who was the IC of the traffic control room in East Midnapore district. In a statement issued on Monday afternoon, the Commission directed that the transfer be implemented immediately and a compliance report be submitted to it by Monday evening. The ECI did not disclose the reason for the sudden change. The timing of Mishras removal, just a day before polling, has also drawn attention. The bypolls in Nandigram and Rejinagar in Murshidabad district will be held on Tuesday, with counting scheduled for October 9. The two constituencies will witness extensive security arrangements, with 71 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) deployed for the elections. Of the 71 CAPF companies, 37 will be deployed in Nandigram and 34 in Rejinagar. A total of 15,119 state police personnel will also be deployed across the two constituencies, according to election authorities. Nearly 24 per cent of polling booths in both constituencies have been identified as sensitive, with 323 such booths in Nandigram and 315 in Rejinagar. The Nandigram bypoll was necessitated after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who had won both Nandigram and Bhabanipur in this years Assembly elections, chose to retain Bhabanipur and vacated the Nandigram seat. The BJP has fielded Hasirani Rath, mother of slain Adhikari aide Chandranath Rath, as its Nandigram candidate. Chandranath Rath was killed in Madhyamgram, North 24 Parganas, on May 6. The Congress candidate is Milan Pradhan, who returned to campaigning after securing interim bail from the Calcutta High Court in connection with cases dating back to the 2007 Nandigram agitation. The Rejinagar bypoll was necessitated after AJUP leader Humayun Kabir, who won both Rejinagar and Naoda, chose to retain Naoda. --ANS
Legal notice sent to 3 doctors over ex-Bengal CM Banerjees medical reports being made public
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) Arka Kumar Nag, counsel of former West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, on Monday, sent a legal notice to three top doctors attached to state-run S.S.K.M. Medical College & Hospital and state-run Bangur Institute of Neurosciences, both in South Kolkata, over a particular medical report of the former Chief Minister being made public in violation of patient-doctor confidentiality. The notice was sent to the S.S.K.M. Director, Dr. Manimoy Bandyopadhyay, Bangur Institutes Medical Superintendent & Vice-Principal (MSVP), Dr. Pijush Kumar Roy, and the Head of the Department of Neurology at Bangur Institute, Dr Atanu Biswas. In the notice, a copy of which is available with the IANS, the counsel of Mamata Banerjee had stated that incomplete and biased details of the medical issues have been published on the basis of the reports that have been made public. In the two-page notice sent through email, Nag had also raised the question on whether Mamata Banerjees permission was sought before making the report public, in violation of patient-doctor confidentiality. In the notice, Nag had claimed that if this information was leaked without his client's permission or without following the due legal process, appropriate action should be initiated against the officials concerned. The legal notice was served amid an explosive allegation made by the current West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, on Saturday, accusing his predecessor of making a false claim of her leg being fractured during the poll campaign at Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district for the 2021 state polls. While speaking to media persons in this matter on Saturday afternoon, CM Adhikari also allegedly quoted a radiodiagnosis report from the Bangur Institute of Neurosciences dated March 11, 2021, which said that there was no sign of fracture in the limb of the former Chief Minister during that period. He also said that a separate investigation in the matter will also be initiated; once the results of the bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal, scheduled on Tuesday, are declared on October 9. However, Trinamool Congress legislator from Beleghata Assembly Constituency in North Kolkata, Kunal Ghosh, a prominent face of the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress, challenged the authenticity of the report and indirectly said that the radiodiagnosis report might have been doctored. Ghosh, a journalist-turned-politician, said that since the current dispensation in West Bengal is run by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), questions were bound to arise regarding the authenticity of the report. Ghosh also made a social media post claiming that it was not the practice of doctors or institutions to ever reveal anyone's personal medical information. Two days after Kunal Ghosh's post, on Monday, Mamata Banerjee's counsel served a legal notice to the three doctors over the former Chief Minister's alleged medical records being made public. In the legal notice, the three doctors have been questioned whether any medical documents of the former Chief Minister were given to the current Chief Minister and if 'yes' then whether the authorities concerned had followed proper legal procedures before doing that. Mamata Banerjee's counsel had stated that if the entire matter was done without following the legal process, action should be initiated against the officials concerned. In the notice he had also asked the doctors to ensure that Mamata' Banerjees medical confidentiality should not be violated and misleading information should not be circulated in future. To recall, in 2021, Mamata Banerjee contested as Trinamool Congress candidate from Nandigram and was defeated by Adhikari by a margin of little less than 2,000 votes. Later, she got elected in a bypoll from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in south Kolkata and retained her chair as the West Bengal Chief Minister for the third consecutive term. Mamata Banerjee was reportedly injured while campaigning for the 2021 Assembly elections in Nandigram. At that time, she campaigned for the elections with a plaster on her leg after being wheelchair bound.
Lawyers, CPI(M) supportersofficeface attackin West Bengal; Mamata calls attacks unacceptable
Legal professionals and politicians condemn repeated attacks on advocates in the State
Nagaland Woman Allegedly Molested At Five-Star Hotel In Kolkata; Man Held
Kolkata police arrested a man on Sunday for allegedly molesting a woman from Nagaland at a five-star hotel on EM Bypass. The incident occurred in the early hours when the woman, a resident of Dimapur, was waiting to greet the Brazilian football team visiting the city for a match. Following her complaint at Pragati Maidan... The post Nagaland Woman Allegedly Molested At Five-Star Hotel In Kolkata; Man Held first appeared on Northeast Today .
Bengal bypolls: Nandigram, Rejinagar voting on Tuesday under heavy security cover
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) The bypolls to the Nandigram Assembly Constituency in East Midnapore district and the Rejinagar Assembly seat in Murshidabad district in West Bengal will be held on Tuesday under an unprecedented security cover. A total of 71 companies will be deployed for the bypolls to the two Assembly constituencies -- 37 in Nandigram and the remaining 34 in Rejinagar. In addition,15119 state police personnel will be deployed -- 819 in Rejinagara and the remaining 700 in Nandigram. It is learnt that almost 24 per cent of the total booths in each of the two constituencies are sensitive booths -- 323 in Nandigram, and 315 in Rejinagar. There will be Central forces personnel in all the polling booths as well as in the quick response team formations. There will also be 100 per cent web-casting in all the polling booths in these two constituencies, said an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The bypolls will be held on Tuesday, and the results will be announced on October 9. Nandigram is all set to witness a four-cornered contest between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress, Ritabrata Banerjee-led Democratic Trinamool Congress and the CPI. The BJP candidate from Nandigram is Hasirani Ratth, the mother of the Late Chandranath Rath, the former personal assistant of the West Bengal Chief Minister, Suvednu Adhikari, who was assassinated at Madhyamgram in North 24 Parganas district on May 6. The former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led Mamata All Indian Trinamool Congress is not in the election fray at Nandigram this time, as its candidate Sanchita Pradhan Dey withdrew her nomination at the last moment. In the Assembly polls earlier this year, Suvendu Adhikari was elected simultaneously from Nandigram and Bhabanipur in South Kolkata. However, he decided to retain Bhabanipur, thus necessitating bypolls for Nandigram. Rejinagar is all set to witness a six-cornered contest this time involving BJP, Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP), Congress, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, Democratic Trinamool Congress, CPI(M) and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP). In the Assembly polls, the AJUP candidate Humayun Kabir won both the Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly seats in Murshidabad district. Later, he chose to retain Naoda, thus necessitating a bypoll for Rejinagar.
Navratri vs Durga Puja: Why Are They Celebrated Differently Across India?
A garba night in Ahmedabad and an evening among the pandals of Kolkata can feel like two different festivals. In a sense, they are. Navratri begins on Sunday, 11 October, with Ghatasthapana. Durga Puja begins on 17 October, with Maha Shashthi.
Crude prices eased on Monday, Oct. 5, as crude oil exports from the Middle East rise amid the ongoing US-Iran attacks; domestic fuel prices remained steady
Koel Mallick officially joins BJP day after Rajya Sabha nomination, says 'blessed and delighted'
Former Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP and Bengali film actor Rukmini Mallick, popularly known as actress Koel Mallick, on Monday (October 5) officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kolkata, a day after the party nominated her as its candidate for the upcoming Rajya Sabha by-election in West Bengal.
Bangla Classics and Pujo Adda Afternoons at Tavern-Behind-Trincas Kolkata
From 15 to 20 October, the band Tavern-er-Taal will perform twice a day, bringing together three generations of Bengali music across the six days of Durga Puja.
One killed after car plunges into 200-ft gorge in Bengal's Kurseong
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 5 (IANS) At least one person was killed and five others were injured after a car plunged into a ditch about 200 feet below in the hills in north Bengal's Kurseong, the police said on Monday. The accident took place on Sunday night on the Kargil Dhara road in Kurseong. It is learnt that six friends were going from Kurseong to Siliguri in a four-wheeler on Sunday. Around 9 p.m. to 9:30 pm, due to heavy rain in the Kargil Dhara area, which is 10 km above Rohini in Kurseong, the car lost control and fell into a ditch about 200 feet below. Following the accident, locals quickly started the rescue work. After receiving information about the incident, the disaster management group of the state and a police team reached the spot. They were rescued and taken to the hospital. One of the six friends was declared dead by the doctor. The rest are undergoing treatment at the hospital. According to the police, all six are residents of Siliguri. On Sunday night, the car lost control in Kargildara and fell into a ditch about two hundred feet below. The locals somehow rescued two of them. However, rain on one side and darkness on the other hindered the rescue work. Three of them were still trapped in the car, said an officer of the Darjeeling District Police. Later, the police and the disaster management team rescued the remaining three people who were trapped in the car. Out of the five injured, two are undergoing treatment at the primary hospital in Kurseong. The remaining three have been shifted to a hospital in Siliguri. The body of the deceased has been sent for autopsy. It may be noted that the hills in north Bengal have been witnessing a prolonged spell of rain in the last few days due to the withdrawal of monsoon from the state. As a result, drivers have been advised to exercise caution while going up and down hills, especially during the rainy season and at night.
Noida 'sex pest' held at Kolkata hotel after Brazil match
COMEX gold gained 0.52% to $4,183.8 an ounce on Oct. 5, while domestic gold stood at Rs 1,50,570 per 10 gm. Check major city-wise prices
Love jihad, land jihad laws in six months: Bengal CM
Vows UCC in Bengal KOLKATA: Bengal chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced that his government plans to introduce a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in the state, following the example of Uttarakhand and Gujarat, and enact stringent laws against what he termed love jihad and land jihad within six months. Adhikari made the announcement at []
Festive travel squeeze: Domestic airfares jump up to 68% as flight options narrow
Domestic airfares on key routes have surged ahead of the festive and year-end travel season, with Delhi-Hyderabad fares up 68% year-on-year and Mumbai-Kolkata 51%. Airlines have cut domestic flight frequencies by 5% while keeping seat capacity broadly stable, but higher ATF prices and constrained departures are adding pressure on fares.
Mamata Banerjee Condemns Attack on Kolkata High Court Lawyer
Mamata Banerjee denounces the violent attack on lawyer Shamim Ahmed in West Midnapore, calling for action against the perpetrators and better lawyer protection. Mamata Banerjee Condemns Attack on Kolkata High Court Lawyer
Flight path clash cloud over Kalyani airport
Great Calcutta Killings essay topic in Lok Bhavan competition
Kolkata Pockets Get Rain With Lightning Strikes, More Likely On Tues & Wed
Rain Plays Spoilsport A Day Before KMCs Road Repair Deadline
Kumartuli Struggles To Keep Idols Safe From Sharp Showers
Kolkata restos & bars make most of football-puja shopping crowd combo
After Brazil bout hype, Kolkata lukewarm to Uruguay showdown
State schools introduce financial literacy lessons for classes 6-10
Pension plans, CM health scheme top KMC camp queries
BJP MLA, min spar over dengue spread
Bodies of elderly couple found in Kolkata, suicide suspected
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) The discovery of the bodies of a couple from a house in the Nayabad area on the southern outskirts of Kolkata created a sensation on Sunday. The incident took place in Nayabad's Nawa Malanch area under Panchasayar Police Station. The deceased have been identified as Asit Ash (66) and Mandira Ash (68). They were reportedly living in the area for a long time. According to the police, a call was received at Panchasayar Police Station around 9 a.m. on Sunday morning that the door of a house at 27, Nawa Malanch was locked from inside. It was also reported that a person was seen hanging inside the house. After receiving the information, officers from Panchasayar Police Station reached the spot. In this incident, Additional Commissioner (Detective Department) of Kolkata Police Kunal Agarwal said, The incident is being investigated. Detectives of the Homicide Department of Kolkata Police went to the incident spot. Kolkata Police has also registered a case of unnatural death. According to the police, they went to the house and found that the door of the house was locked from inside. In the presence of locals, the police opened the door and entered the house. Asit Ash's body was found hanging from the ceiling fan. His wife, Mandira Ash, was lying on the bed in the house. The police quickly brought Asit down. Later, both of them were taken to NRS Medical College and Hospital. However, the doctor declared both of them dead. Initial investigation revealed that Asit and Mandira had been living in the house for a long time. The police have started an investigation after examining the situation in the house. Several items, including a towel, have been recovered from the spot and confiscated for the sake of the investigation. The relatives of the deceased have been informed by the police. An autopsy has been arranged for the two bodies to determine the actual cause of death. The police will proceed with the further investigation based on the autopsy report and information from the spot.
Gaj Utsav Promotes Elephant Conservation, Reaches 426 in Jhargram, Purulia
Body of mom who drowned saving son found
Ex-BLRO held in Birbhum DCR case
CM leads BJP Nandigram push on last campaign day, eyes minority votes
Right-wing protesters revisit SRFTI, clash with cops
US tech entrepreneur with deep India ties seeks Raja Krishnamoorthi's Illinois seat (IANS Interview)
Digital Desk | Chicago, Oct 4 (IANS) Jennifer Davis was still in college when she and her husband started a technology company, and decades later, the business had hundreds of employees, substantial operations in India and had given the Wisconsin farm girl an intimate view of immigration, entrepreneurship, and the Indian American experience. Now, the Republican and first-time political candidate wants to take that experience to Congress. Davis is running for Illinois' 8th Congressional District seat being vacated by Indian American Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi, who has represented it in the Congress for a decade. In an exclusive interview with IANS, Davis laid out an unusual political biography: the sixth of nine children, a mother of 10, a technology entrepreneur, a longtime employer in India and a political newcomer who says the Congress needs lawmakers who understand artificial intelligence, data centres, blockchain, and the rapidly changing technology economy. She also spoke about H-1B visas and immigration, President Donald Trump, government debt, online threats to families, and the Indian American community that has become an important part of the district. Davis grew up on a farm in Wisconsin. Her parents also owned an auto repair business, where she got her first paid job. She later went to university to study education, Russian history, and English. Politics existed at home, but across party lines. My dad was a Democrat, my mom was a Republican, she said, recalling a period when such political differences within a family seemed less consequential. Her original plan was to teach. Instead, she and her husband started a technology company while she was still in college. By graduation, the business was established enough that teaching no longer made financial sense. Davis remained in the company for her career. The business expanded to India in 2002, initially opening an office in Kolkata and later moving its operations to Hyderabad. Her husband had initially gone to India looking for consultants. Davis recalled that he soon reached a different conclusion. I know what the problem is, that we were trying to buy labour, but instead we need to invest in people, she quoted him as telling her. They established their own operation. By the time the company was sold to private equity in 2019, Davis said it had about 240 employees. She estimates that 300 to 400 people worked for the business over its history. Davis remained in an operating role until January 2023 and then served as a board member until April 2025. Her relationship with India, she said, consequently developed long before she entered politics. I really fell in love with the culture when we started to go to India, she said. Indians made up the majority of employees in her business, she said. Davis described personally helping Indian employees and their families move to the United States, meeting them at airports, and helping them find familiar grocery stores and settle into their communities. When we ask a lot of questions, and we become curious, we become -- it doesn't seem foreign anymore, she said. And you become a friend instead of a foe or an adversary. And we don't have to focus on what makes us different. We can focus on what makes us the same. Davis' personal story is also defined by a large family. She and her husband have 10 children, seven biological and three adopted, and seven grandchildren. Her youngest child is now 19. Davis said that gave her the time to contemplate something she had never seriously considered before running for public office. The decision began taking shape in January 2025. Eight of her 10 children have left Illinois, she said, and their departure sharpened her concerns about taxes, politics and the opportunities available to the next generation. You have two choices when you complain about something: you either need to be quiet or do something about it, Davis said. The opening created by Krishnamoorthi's departure presented that opportunity. Davis said a congressional seat also suited her professional background because of the growing importance of immigration and technologies including AI, data centres, and blockchain. We have people in Congress that don't have those skills, and Congress is supposed to represent the people, she said. 261004_0925 Her first campaign priority, she said, is economic. Davis talks about affordability but argues it cannot be separated from government debt and the role government plays in either encouraging or obstructing opportunity. Her second major emphasis is technology. She has written a white paper proposing what she calls a Digital Dome, based on the argument that while America has formidable military defences, ordinary families remain vulnerable to threats entering their homes through digital devices. Our bedrooms and our, you know, our phones are being invaded every single day by predators, Davis said. She said parents and grandparents often lack the expertise or tools to respond, creating a responsibility for government. Davis also contends that too few members of Congress possess substantial technology experience, something she believes becomes increasingly consequential as lawmakers confront AI and other emerging technologies. 261004_0925 Perhaps more striking for a Republican seeking a Democratic-held seat is Davis' assessment of the man she hopes to succeed. Raja's represented me for the last decade, and I feel like he's represented the district very well, she said. After deciding to run, Davis said she met mayors across the district and asked what Krishnamoorthi had done that they appreciated and what they wished he had done differently. Regardless of what the letter is behind his name, if he did a good job serving the people, then that's what I should, you know, that's the thing I should emulate, she said. Davis acknowledged that she has not studied Krishnamoorthi's voting record in detail. But based on conversations with local officials, she said, I think that he, they were happy with his performance. Krishnamoorthi's Indian heritage also makes the transition particularly significant in a district with an established Indian American population. Davis argues that her decades of professional and personal engagement with Indians give her an understanding of some of the community's concerns. Immigration is near the top. What's going on right now with the H-1Bs is really hard and not really fair, she said. She also raised the difficulty international students can face in moving from education to employment in the United States. There is not a good transition from a student visa to the work permits, Davis said. We have to create a really strong pathway to citizenship for people who want to create an American dream. Davis said Indian Americans have demonstrated how immigrants can become deeply invested in the country, and identified education, immigration and political representation among issues particularly important to the community. That's why Raja was so important to them because they felt like one of their own was there representing them, she said. I'm obviously not Indian, but I hope because of my background that I will, you know, serve them well and, you know, be able to represent them. Davis also rejects the idea that being the Republican candidate requires automatic agreement with Trump. Everybody always asks me, like, 'Are you gonna be a rubber stamp for Trump?' she said. Davis compared political agreement to marriage, saying that after decades with her husband she still does not agree with him on everything. To me, I think that the things that he does well, we should support, and the things that we disagree with, we should disagree with, she said. But we have to have a country where we can have civil discourse about the things we agree, agree and disagree on. She said she was very, very happy that the border is closed, while adding: I am very dissatisfied with what's gone on with immigration as a whole. Davis was also cautious in assessing Trump's actions involving Iran. I don't know if what Trump did was right or wrong, she said, arguing that the full consequences could only be judged over time. Was Trump's timing right, how he did it right, all of these things? I don't think any of us know, and history will only tell whether it was right. If she reaches Congress, Davis already has an idea of where she wants to work. Small business is her first choice. Indian Americans are such entrepreneurs, and that's another reason why they're near and dear to my heart, because I love the entrepreneur, she said. Her company had about 3,500 customers, she said, almost all entrepreneurs. Energy and commerce is another preferred assignment, particularly because of AI, data centres, technology and the pressure they place on America's energy infrastructure. Davis said financial services would be her third choice, citing her experience with blockchain and cryptocurrency. For now, her days are consumed by campaigning. Davis said she has personally knocked on thousands of doors and made thousands of calls. Her campaign set a goal of holding 100 small meet-and-greet events. She is also undertaking what she calls the Ride the Line Bike Tour, cycling along the boundaries of the district to make a point about gerrymandering. Davis said she is riding 211 miles around the district o demonstrate to people what gerrymandering looks like and how it really is stealing the vote of the people. The race pits Davis against Democrat Melissa Bean for an open seat that Krishnamoorthi has represented since 2017. Bean previously served in the US House from 2005 to 2011, representing an earlier configuration of Illinois' 8th Congressional District. Krishnamoorthi's departure leaves open a seat with a substantial Asian American and Indian American presence. For Davis, the contest is also an attempt to translate a career spent building a technology company, working with India and navigating immigration and entrepreneurship into a first term in elected office.
Suvendu warns of bedbugs, calls for uprooting anti-national forces
ABVP protest mail to JU against Neha visit
Cops on puja duty from Tritiya, Lalbazar issues traffic curb notice
International Kolkata Book Fair stall allocation goes digital
Suicide pact whiff in deaths of elderly couple at Panchasayar flat
Deer alarms ring across Buxa after decades as shy tigress finally steps out of her enclosure
Kolkata cops bust late-night drug party at city hotel, seize cocaine, MDMA
AIFF to hold General Elections on December 20
The All India Football Federation (AIFF) held its Special General Body Meeting in Kolkata on October 4, where it decided to conduct its General Elections on December 20, 2026. Former Haryana State Election Commissioner Rajeev Sharma was appointed Electoral Officer, while the current Executive Committee
Bengal will be 3rd state to implement UCC, says Suvendu
CPM-backed lawyers attacked, Mamata slams BJP
Another govt official held in corruption case linked to Birbhum stone quarry owner Tulu Mandal
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) The police have arrested another government official from the Mohammadbazar area in West Bengal's Birbhum district in a financial embezzlement and corruption case linked to absconding stone quarry owner Tulu Mandal. The arrested person has been identified as Sabyasachi Mandal. He is a former officer of the Land and Land Reforms Office (BLRO) of Mohammadbazar Block, said the police on Sunday. He was summoned to Suri on Saturday for questioning. During the questioning, inconsistencies were found in the information. Late on Saturday night, he was arrested. According to the police, Sabyasachi is currently working as a Collectorate and Land Acquisition Officer in Jhargram district. According to investigative sources, this officer had special contacts with Tulu Mandal. Sabyasachi is accused of embezzling government revenue and abetting the fake receipt or duplicate carbon receipt (DCR) ring. Investigators claimed that the former BLRO of Mohammadbazar has been arrested on the same charge. He was the BLRO of Mohammadbazar from 2022 to 2025. It may be noted that last month, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of West Bengal Police arrested two people, including the treasurer of the BLRO office, Bishwajit Saha, in the same case. According to investigative sources, several people have been questioned in the Tulu Mandal case for the past few days. Bishwajit Saha was previously called to the police station for questioning five times. He was arrested due to several inconsistencies in his statement. On the other hand, Tulu's very close employee Kausar Ali was also arrested by the police after several interrogations. Investigators claimed that Kausar was responsible for managing several of Tulu's bank accounts in addition to Tulu's unaccounted income. The police also seized several bank cheque books from him. Tulu Mandal had a monopoly on the stone and sand business in several areas, including Mohammadbazar and Nalhati in Birbhum during the previous Trinamool Congress government era. It is alleged that with the help of a section of the administration, he printed these fake DCRs, embezzled hundreds of crores of rupees from the government and amassed a mountain of wealth. This stone mafia has been on the run since the search of Tulu's brother-in-law Minar Mandal's house, during which 28.5 crore rupees in cash and 15 kilograms of gold were recovered. Investigators estimate that Tulu has already fled to Dubai or Turkey. Recently, the government lawyer also applied to the Suri District Court to label him a 'proclaimed criminal' and confiscate his assets.
BJP nominates Koel for Rajya Sabha
Who is Sharmila Mona Sinha? The '3rd daughter' who became a US Hall of Famer
Sharmila Mona Sinha, who grew up in Kolkata, has been inducted into the National Womens Hall of Fame. She became the second Indian woman to receive this honor, following Indra Nooyi. Sinha's journey has included time in investment banking and philanthropic efforts for women's rights. She currently serves as CEO of Equality Now, addressing issues affecting women globally.
Slapped, punched, called jihadi: 3 Kolkata students attacked
Kolkata: Three students from Aliah University were allegedly targeted with communal slurs and assaulted while returning home on September 24 in Kolkata, West Bengal. The incident occurred when Md Ashique Billah, Moyajjem Hossain, and Hasanur Jaman were on their way to the Sealdah railway station at around 2.40 pm from the universitys Taltala campus, where 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 .
Missed Messi In Kolkata? 22,000 Fans To Get Free India-Uruguay Tickets
Suvendu Adhikari says West Bengal government is considering greater support for Indian football, with Odisha's hockey model offering inspiration.
Bengal CM vows strict laws against
Kolkata: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal will bring stringent laws against love jihad, land jihad and religious conversions after implementing a Uniform Civil Code, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Sunday, October 4, seeking six months to deliver on the promises. Addressing an event here to mark the birth centenary 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 .
Mohun Bagan vs Punjab FC IFA Shield LIVE Score Updates: Mohun Bagan are facing off against Punjab FC in a blockbuster IFA Shield 2026 semi-final in Kolkata.
Vini! Vini! India! India! Chants Echo At Salt Lake
Fans erupted in Vini! Vini! and India! India! chants as the India and Brazil team buses arrived at Kolkatas Salt Lake Stadium.
CPI(M) accuses BJP of vandalising party office in Bengal
CPI(M) accuses BJP of vandalising party office in Bengals Cooch Behar Kolkata: After holding a protest march demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, the CPI(M) has accused the BJP workers of attacking and vandalising its party office. The incident took place on Saturday night in the Jorpatki area of Mathabhanga No. [] The post CPI(M) accuses BJP of vandalising party office in Bengals Cooch Behar appeared first on Mangalorean.com .
A Kolkata derby could be on the cards if Mohun Bagan and East Bengal reach the IFA Shield final.
22, 24 carat Gold prices remain steady across metro cities on October 4
India played their part well and made it difficult for us: Ancelotti
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti carried genuine appreciation for the way India attempted to counter-attack and contributed to what he considered an entertaining and competitive contest at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan. India made five-time world champions Brazil work hard before the Selecao showed their quality and pulled away to a 4-0 victory on Saturday with Estevao and Pedro scoring before half-time and substitute Samuel Lino striking twice after the break. India played their part well. They tried to play their game; they defended, they were organised, they tried to play counter-attack. I think that they played a good game. We had difficulty opening the score, but the moment we opened the score with Estevao, we had more opportunity to control the game better, Ancelotti was quoted by AIFF. Although Brazil kept a clean sheet, Ancelotti admitted that India managed to expose spaces during a few counter-attacks. The Italian also pointed out that Brazil fielded a defensive combination that had not previously played together. I think we defended well. We could have defended better if we had a couple of chances in the counter-attack, but I think for us it's important not to concede a goal, he said. Obviously we have to improve some mechanisms in defence, but we had a new defence that never played together, so maybe not everything was perfect. Again, the message is that we are happy to be here. We tried to do our best; we tried to show our best quality to all the people who love Brazil and love football, and I hope they enjoyed the night. India remained compact during the opening stages and attempted to threaten Brazil through quick transitions. While Morisco had little to do for much of the first half, India tested the Brazilian goalkeeper through Ryan Williams and Manvir Singh after the restart. Reflecting on the overall contest and the atmosphere created by 51,000-odd spectators, Ancelotti said, We feel good. It was a good experience. I think it was a good game, entertaining, with good intensity, and India did their part. The friendly also allowed Ancelotti to assess several members of Brazils emerging generation. He made extensive changes during the second half as the Selecao concluded a three-match international window that had begun with two fixtures against Australia.
Man Arrested for Assaulting Women at Kolkata Hotel During Brazil Football Team Celebration
A man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting two women at a five-star hotel in Kolkata during a celebration with the Brazil football team. Man Arrested for Assaulting Women at Kolkata Hotel During Brazil Football Team Celebration
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) A man has been arrested on the charge of molesting two women in the lobby of a five-star hotel in Kolkata, said the police on Sunday. The incident took place on Saturday night, and based on the complaint, a case has been registered under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at Pragati Maidan police station. Kolkata Police Additional Commissioner (Detective Department) Kunal Agarwal said, CCTV footage of the hotel is being examined. Appropriate action will be taken after investigating the entire matter. According to the police, the woman, a resident of Dimapur, Nagaland, said in a written complaint that she and a companion were in the hotel lobby between 12:30 a.m. and 1 a.m. There, while celebrating with members of the Brazilian football team, an unidentified person touched them in an obscene manner. They felt uncomfortable during the incident and were allegedly molested. The Brazilian football team was in Kolkata on Saturday to play a friendly match with India at Salt Lake Stadium. The Brazilian team won the match after scoring four goals. After the match, the team went to the five-star hotel to celebrate the victory. On receiving the complaint, the Pragati Maidan police station began the investigation. The CCTV footage in the hotel lobby was examined. The suspect was identified by analysing the footage and matching it with the description given by the complainant. Later, the complainant also identified the person by watching the CCTV footage, according to the police. After that, the police checked the accused's movements through the CCTV footage. Finally, he was nabbed from a room in the hotel. Police identified the arrested person as Palash Roy (56), a resident of Lotus Boulevard, Sector 100, Noida, in Uttar Pradesh's Gautam Buddha Nagar district. The officials said that other information related to the incident and the movement of the accused was also being investigated. His presence in the hotel at the time of the incident and every aspect of the complaint are being verified on the basis of CCTV footage and other sources.
Carlo Ancelotti press conference: Brazil manager on India experience, youngsters and Kolkata
Brazil coach reflects on the team's match against India, the performance of young players, the clean sheet and the incredible atmosphere at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium.
U.P. man held for molesting Nagaland women at Kolkata's JW Marriott hotel
According to the police, the incident took place between 12.30 a.m. and 1 a.m. when the two were cheering for the Brazil team in the lobby of this prominent five-star hotel located at EM Bypass area
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2027 to be held in Kolkata
The 19th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention will be held in Kolkata from Jan. 7-9, 2027, the Ministry of External Affairs said.
Haryana man among 2 killed over cattle theft bid in Bengal
Ancelotti Appreciates India's Efforts In Brazil Friendly
Brazil's head coach Carlo Ancelotti praised India's defensive organisation and counter-attacking efforts despite his team's 4-0 victory in a friendly match in Kolkata. Ancelotti highlighted India's ability to create difficult moments for Brazil and used the match as an opportunity to assess young Brazilian talent, expressing satisfaction with their performance during the international window.
Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2027 to be held in Kolkata
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Kolkata, Oct 4 (IANS) The 19th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention will be held from January 7 to 9, 2027, in West Bengal's Kolkata, officials have said. The Convention will be organised by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the West Bengal government and will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Convention will also have a Youth PBD segment. The event will bring together Indian diaspora members, young diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, innovators and other stakeholders from across the world, according to the officials. The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is celebrated to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who returned to India from South Africa on January 09, 1915. According to the MEA, the 19th edition of this flagship diaspora engagement event will build on the success of previous editions to foster the deep connections of the Indian diaspora with India, celebrating their contributions to India and to the world. Further details of the Convention, including registration and programme, will be shared soon. The local Indian Embassy or Consulate can be contacted for any immediate enquiries, the MEA said. The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention was first instituted in 2003 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It was conceived as a formal mechanism to connect with and recognise the overseas Indian community and to strengthen their engagement with India. Since 2015, the MEA has revised the format of the event by organising the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas Convention as a biennial gathering, with theme-based conferences held in the intervening years. This approach enables more focused discussions on specific areas of interest and fosters meaningful interaction and networking among members of the global Indian diaspora. Over the years, the Convention has facilitated the exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences across sectors, strengthening India's ties with its diaspora. President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards and preside over the Valedictory Session. The Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award is the highest honour conferred on a Non-Resident Indian, a Person of Indian Origin, or an organisation or institution established and run by them. The award recognises contributions by members of the Indian diaspora towards enhancing India's image abroad, supporting India's causes and working for the welfare of local Indian communities.
Indian team's gritty show goes in vain as Brazil seal 4-0 win
Khalid Jamils 138th-ranked Blue Tigers put on a commendable performance against five-time world champions, but ultimately succumb to 0-4 defeat in Kolkata
19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Convention to be held in West Bengal from January 7 to 9
The 19th edition of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas (PBD) Convention will be held in Kolkata, West Bengal, from January 7 to 9, 2027, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said. According to a statement issued on Saturday, the three-day flagship diaspora engagement event will be organised by the MEA in partnership with the State Government of West Bengal and will bring together members of the Indian diaspora, young diaspora leaders, entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, innovators and other stakeholders from across the world. The Convention will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while President Droupadi Murmu will confer the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Awards and preside over the Valedictory Session. The event will also feature a Youth PBD segment, providing a platform for young members of the Indian diaspora to participate in discussions and engagement with India. The Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas is celebrated on January 9 every year to mark the contribution of the overseas Indi...
Leopard populations decline in parts of Odisha: WII study
Kolkata: Indias overall large-carnivore population has increased, but the east-central region does not appear to have kept pace. A recent Wildlife Institute of India (WII) study found that leopards continue to face threats such as habitat destruction, poaching and human-wildlife conflict. Sponsored by the Odisha Forest Department, the study showed a declining trend in leopard 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 .
CM: 3,000 drones to fly for Maa Durgas grand welcome
Kolkata to Host 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference, PM Modi to Inaugurate
The 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas will be held in Kolkata from January 7-9, 2027, focusing on the contributions of the Indian diaspora. Kolkata to Host 19th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas Conference, PM Modi to Inaugurate
Fans, who saw Brazil at World Cup venues, glad to catch Selecao in city
Returning officers review booth boundaries ahead of KMC Polls
Beleghata station FOB work starts on E M Bypass
Toto falls into pothole, 1 dead
IND vs BRA friendly: From Chennai to Bhopal, Brazil supporters bring samba flair to Kolkata
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Swachh Bharat drive reaches Antarctica as Indian teams launch clean-up campaign
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 3 (IANS) The Swachh Bharat campaign has moved beyond Indias mainland to 12,000 km south, with the winter teams at the Maitri and Bharati stations in Antarctica undertaking a cleanliness and space-optimisation drive even in the extreme environment. The present temperature in Antarctica is around -48 degrees Celsius. Under the Special Campaign for Disposal of Pending Matters (SCDPM) 6 (Special Campaign 6), the Indian winter team of the 45th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (ISEA) undertook a cleanliness and space-optimisation drive at Maitri and Bharati stations, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) posted on X. NCPOR added that, even in Antarcticas extreme environment, the commitment to cleaner, organised and better-maintained workplaces remains unwavering. The 45th ISEA was led by Scientific Officer Huidrom Nageshwar Singh from the India Meteorological Department. The winter team at Bharati Station includes three Indian women, comprising two scientists and one medical doctor. The winter crew took over after the summer component wrapped up major operations and projects, including cargo delivery, an international scientific collaboration with UAE scientists from Khalifa University, and the deployment of oceanographic floats. Maitri was set up in 1988 on an ice-free, rocky area on the Schirmacher Oasis. The building was erected on steel stilts and has since stood the test of time. Maitri also serves as a gateway to one of the largest mountain chains in central Dronning Maud Land, located south of Schirmacher. It is an inland station about 100 km from the shore at an elevation of about 50 metres above sea level. It can support 25 persons in the main building during summers as well as winters, and about 40 in the summer facility comprising containerised living modules. The station consists of one main building, a fuel farm, a fuel station, a lake water pump house, a summer camp and a number of smaller containerised modules. The main building offers a regulated power supply, automated heating with hot and cold running water, incinerator toilets, cold storage, a PA system, living, dining and lounge facilities, and containerised laboratory space. Communication is through dedicated satellite channels, providing connectivity for voice, video and data with the Indian mainland. Bharati is located about 3,000 km east of Maitri, at the eastern Stornes Peninsula in Antarctica, approximately 35 metres above sea level. The station, with a very small footprint, was commissioned on March 18, 2012, to facilitate year-round scientific research activity by the Indian Antarctic programme. The station can support 47 personnel on a twin-sharing basis in the main building during summer as well as winter, with an additional 25 accommodated in emergency shelters and summer camps during summer, taking the total capacity to 72. The station consists of one main building, a fuel farm, a fuel station, a seawater pump house, a summer camp and several smaller containerised modules. The main building offers a regulated power supply, automated heating and air conditioning with hot and cold running water, flush toilets, a sauna, cold storage, a PA system, and aesthetically designed living, dining, lounge and laboratory spaces. Communication is through dedicated satellite channels, providing connectivity for voice, video and data with the Indian mainland.
