Calcutta High Court Grants Migrant Workers Family Chance to Prove Citizenship
Green firecracker test on Oct 30, Bazi Bazaar dates await police nod
Naseeruddin Shah wants to weaken democracy in country: BJP
The actor had urged all right-minded citizens to support the demands of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute students
After Naseeruddin Shah Backs Students, Kolkata Film Institute Responds
The institute, which operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, said attempts to link disciplinary action to the students' right to protest misrepresented the circumstances that led to the proceedings.
Worse winter pollution looms as Kol breaches PM10 limit
Boost for Kol-Dubai connectivity as carrier adds new flight
Class 11 student abducted, raped & murdered in Gaighata, 1 held
Critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, tagged in Russia, sighted again on Bengal beach
BSF hurls smoke grenades to chase away armed Bangladeshi intruders in Cooch Behar
SRFTI students allege power cut amid protest; institute defends disciplinary action
The students have been staging an indefinite sit-in outside Vice-Chancellor Santosh Ajmera's office since October 12, demanding his resignation and accountability for the attacks on the campus
Weather tomorrow, October 26: The IMD has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and rain across several states as a depression over the Bay of Bengal is expected to intensify into a cyclonic storm. Keralam and Tamil Nadu face rain warnings, while Andhra Pradesh and Odisha could see heavy to extremely heavy rainfall as the system approaches the coast around October 28. Delhi is likely to remain partly cloudy.
Ganga & Fulahar flowing dangerously close in Malda, state to take up project to change river course
KMC polls: Oppn parties step up candidate hunt amid grand alliance buzz
10 women among 33 volunteers trained to manage human-tiger interactions in Sundarbans
Jumbo calf rescued from septic tank, reunited with mother
In export push for 4 GI-tagged aromatic rice, Bengal plans 2 hubs
Tripura CM Flags Missing Files Linked to Left-Era Murder Cases
Eminent painter Jogen Chowdhury dies at 87; Suvendu, Mamata pay tribute
Jogen Chowdhury, a former TMC MP, had been suffering from a myeloproliferative neoplasm, a rare type of blood cancer, for the past 14 months and was undergoing chemotherapy
Kolkata Police compiling list of personnel on duty during stampede for questioning
Kolkata Police is compiling a list of personnel present during the stampede at Chorbagan Durga Puja. This tragic incident occurred on October 17, resulting in 19 fatalities among the crowd. They are particularly focusing on officers responsible for crowd control at entry and exit points. The West Bengal government has established a six-member SIT for a thorough investigation.
Remembering Jogen Chowdhury: Painter, Teacher, and Former Rajya Sabha Member
Indian art lost one of its most distinctive voices on Sunday. Jogen Chowdhury, the painter whose line and figures made him a defining name in modern Indian art, died in Kolkata on 25 October 2026. He was 87. He
CM Suvendu Adhikari, Mamata Banerjee condole demise of Jogen Chowdhury
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 25 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday condoled the death of renowned artist Jogen Chowdhury, saying his contribution in the field of Arts brought international acclaim to the state. Deeply pained and grieved by the passing away of eminent painter and legendary artist, Shri Jogen Chowdhury. A maestro whose distinctive strokes redefined Indian modern art, Shri Jogen Chowdhury was a towering pillar of our cultural world. His immense contributions brought international acclaim to West Bengal. His departure leaves an irreparable void in West Bengal's intellectual and artistic soul, said Adhikari. The Chief Minister further said, On behalf of the Government and the People of West Bengal, I express my profound grief and extend my heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family, friends, associates and legions of fans across the globe. Renowned artist and former Rajya Sabha MP Jogen Chowdhury passed away on Sunday morning. He was 87. The artist was admitted to a hospital in Kolkata with blood cancer and urinary tract infection. According to family sources, he breathed his last on Sunday morning. According to hospital sources, Jogen Chowdhury had been suffering from cancer for the past 14 months. He was undergoing chemotherapy. He fell ill on the day of Shasthi (October 16) and was admitted to the hospital. His condition was critical. Symptoms of sepsis were also seen due to the infection. When his condition deteriorated on Saturday, he was put on ventilation. The artist was honoured with various awards at home and abroad. In 2014, the former Trinamool Congress government sent Jogen Chowdhury to the Rajya Sabha as an MP from West Bengal. He remained in that position until 2020. Following his demise, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee hailed the artist as the pride of Bengal and India. Jogen Chowdhury was the pride of Bengal and India. A great inspiration to artists worldwide, and me personally. My condolences to his family, friends, and admirers all over the world. He was elected as an AITC Rajya Sabha MP from 2014-20 representing civil society, and was awarded the Banga Bibhushan in 2012. His passing away will create an irreparable void in the world of art and culture, said Banerjee in a post on X.
No direct impact of Cyclone 'Arnab' in Bengal, says weather office
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 25 (IANS) The Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata on Sunday said there would be no direct impact of Cyclone 'Arnab' in West Bengal. However, under its influence, scattered rain along with thunderstorms will occur from October 27 to 30. The Meteorological Office said the depression that has formed over the east-central and adjacent southeast Bay of Bengal is moving southeast at a speed of eight kilometres per hour. By 11:30 p.m. on Saturday, its position was 470 kilometres north-northwest of Srivijayapuram in Andaman, 860 kilometres east-southeast of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, 950 kilometres east-southeast of Kakinada, 1,060 kilometres east of Machilipatnam and 1,130 kilometres east of Bapatla. On Sunday, it will gradually move southwards and turn west-north-westwards over the east-central Bay of Bengal. After that, it will move in that direction and turn into a cyclone by Monday morning. If the cyclone forms, it will be named 'Arnab' and is going to gather more strength over the sea and turn into a severe cyclone by Tuesday morning. The severe cyclone may gradually move north-westwards and take the form of a very severe cyclone. It will reach the Andhra Pradesh coast on Wednesday morning. The cyclone is going to make landfall on the Andhra Pradesh coast between Vapatala and Visakhapatnam in an 'extremely severe' form by Wednesday afternoon. At that time, the storm speed will be 115 to 125 kilometres per hour, and may reach 140 kilometres per hour. Due to the influence of the low-pressure system and cyclone, strong winds will blow over the east-central and southeast Bay of Bengal. The wind speed has started increasing over the sea since Sunday. An alert has been issued on the coast of West Bengal from Tuesday, and fishermen have been asked to stay away from the sea after Tuesday. Those who are there have been asked to return by Tuesday. The wind speed will be 35 to 55 kilometres per hour from Tuesday on the coast of West Bengal. The sea will be rough due to the influence of the low-pressure system and the cyclone. Heavy rain will occur in some districts of South Bengal due to the influence of the Cyclone. Heavy rain is likely in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore, West Midnapore and Jhargram districts on Wednesday and Thursday. Apart from this, heavy rain is likely in Purulia and Bankura on Thursday. Scattered rain, thunderstorms and lightning are likely in Kolkata, Howrah and Hooghly on Wednesday and Thursday. It will continue in North 24 Parganas, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia districts from Wednesday to Saturday. In North Bengal, heavy rain is likely in Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts from Thursday. Scattered rain with thunderstorms and lightning will occur in the remaining North districts. There will be no major change in the temperature in West Bengal for the next three days. After that, the mercury may drop by two to three degrees. The minimum temperature in Kolkata on Sunday morning was 23.4 degrees Celsius, 0.4 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature in the city on Saturday was 31.2 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal.
Renowned painter and former Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Jogen Chowdhury passed away at a private hospital in Kolkata on Sunday morning following a prolonged battle with blood cancer. He was 87. Chowdhury had been undergoing chemotherapy since early 2025. He was recently admitted to the hospital after contracting a urinary tract infection and was [] The post Eminent Painter & Former MP Jogen Chowdhury Passes Away at 87 appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Physicist and Presi alumnus Ashoke Sen first Indian to win Oskar Klein Medal
Gold, silver prices today, 25 October: Check the retail price of 18K, 22K and 24K gold and 999 Fine silver in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai today.
Cyclone Arnab to hit Andhra coast by October 28; heavy rain forecast in parts of Bengal
Firhad opts out of KMC contest, hints at retirement after end of MLA term
Over 150 Dengue Cases Reported In A Week In Howrah
Demand-Supply Gap: Fruit & Veggie Prices Soar On Lakshmi Puja Eve In Kolkata Markets
Week After Kolkata Stampede Horror, A Quiet Immersion For Chorbagan Durga Idol
On Saturday, around 30 men brought out the idol that had drawn large crowds to one of the most artistic Durga Puja pandals this year in Kolkata. The pandal remains sealed for investigation.
Rs 500 For 7-Inch Lakshmi Idol, Prices Double This Year
Chorbagan victims families struggle to cope with loss of loved ones
A week on, Chorbagan neighbourhood mourns in silence
KMC wraps up immersions as puja organisers send off over 4,000 idols
Locals bid farewell to Durga idol at Chorbagan with a heavy heart
Emotional scenes unfolded when the Durga Puja idol was taken out of the pandal for immersion. People brought out a candlelight procession in memory of the deceased at the Durga Puja Pandal on October 17. 19 people had lost their lives in the stampede
Cyclone Arnab to trigger rain in city, south Bengal from Tuesday
Kolkata sees surge in hand, foot and mouth disease in children
Watchtowers, wide lanes to manage book fair crowd
2 cousins drown in Barasat pond
Salt Lake eateries shut after food safety raid
Track block may hit rail ops today
Christian families in West Bengal get police protection after alleged attacks to renounce religion
An FIR was registered at the Chandrakona police station based on a complainant which accused 13 persons connected with the Bajrang Dal of attacking Christian families and pressured them to return to Hinduism
Naseeruddin Shah criticises SRFTI administration as fresh graffiti appear on campus walls
NCC felicitates cadets who aided Chorbagan stampede rescue
In sombre farewell, Chorbagan bids adieu to idol after stampede tragedy
Cops seek voice samples of 2 announcers, move HC for nod
Firhad opts out of KMC contest, hintsat retirement after end of MLA term
Bharnobari tea garden lockout leaves 1,800 jobless
BJP to give its old guard spl attention in civic body polls
Abhaya forum seeks fresh RG Kar inquiry
BJP Rules Out Alliance With Trinamool Rebels For Kolkata Civic Polls
BJP state president Samik Bhattacharya was emphatic in stating that the party's doors for NCPI-backed candidates are closed.
Bomb threat on Phuket-Kolkata flight leaves 188 passengers stranded on tarmac for 2 hours
Rs 1,200cr for Sundarbans, Muriganga bridge by 2029: CM at Kakdwip
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 24 (IANS) The idols of Chorbagan Sarbojanin community Durga Puja in Kolkata were ultimately taken for immersion on Saturday but without necessary farewell rituals being performed every year by the local women yearly on this occasion. After the idols were brought out of the Puja pandal on Saturday evening, the local people assembled in front of the idols for a brief period and prayed for the souls of the 19 people killed in a tragic stampede on the night of October 17. Even the traditional ritual where the women bid farewell to Goddess Durga with vermillion, betel leaf and sweets were not practised this time. After the stampede tragedy on the night of October 17, it was mutually decided that this time the idols will be taken for immersion without performing the regular rituals. Instead, we prayed to Maa Durga to provide strength and courage to the family members of the deceased persons in the tragic stampede. We also apologised to Maa Durga for not performing her farewell rituals, a local woman said while speaking to the media persons. Initially, there were confusions on when the immersion of the idols of Chorbagan Sarbojanin will happen, as the administration then decided that the pandal and idols will be kept intact until the investigation in the stampede is completed. However, on Thursday, Justice Anindita Roy Saraswati (retired), the Chairpersons of the state-government constituted judicial probe panel to investigate in the matter, permitted immersion of the idols but only after keeping the pandal structure. Therefore as per the instructions, the Chorbagan Sarbojanin organisers, instead of handing the exercise of bringing out the idols from the Puja pandals themselves, hired 40 expert and professional porters to conduct that exercise, so that the pandal structure was not disturbed anyway. The entire exercise was conducted under the supervision of a team of police officers from the Kolkata Police. After a brief halt outside the pandal, the idols were taken to the banks of river Ganges, under police supervision for immersion with the usual enthusiasm of the local people in being part of the journey totally missing. Besides, the judicial probe panel, a special investigation team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police is conducting a separate and parallel probe in the matter. Already nine persons have been arrested in this connection, of which two are accused of making a misleading announcement that triggered the panic among the devotees present in the pandal on the night of October 17, which ultimately led to the tragic stampede.
Kolkata airport gets second bomb scare in two days, threat found on Phuket flight
A bomb threat message was discovered in the toilet of a flight, leading to security concerns. Authorities quickly isolated the aircraft and evacuated passengers to ensure their safety. Personnel from the bomb squad and security forces thoroughly searched the plane but found no suspicious objects. This incident followed a similar threat found in a women's washroom the previous day.
Naseeruddin Shah backs Kolkata film institute students, accuses BJP of vendetta
Naseeruddin Shah backs Kolkata film institute students, accuses BJP of vendetta
Naseeruddin, Payal Kapadia stand in solidarity with SRFTI students
Kolkata: Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah and filmmaker Payal Kapadia have expressed solidarity with agitating Satyajit Ray Film & Television Institute (SRFTI) students, who have been protesting against attacks allegedly by RSS-linked organisations on the film institutes campus. In a video clip posted on social media, Shah launched a scathing attack on the ruling BJP in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Attack on Bengali Christians: Arrest the accused, Congress to Shah
Kolkata: Congress MP KC Venugopal on Saturday, October 24, wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah urging him to immediately arrest those accused of assaulting three Christian families and allegedly forcing them to renounce their faith in West Bengals Paschim Medinipur district. Venugopal, who is also the chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PC), described 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 .
'Written in lipstick', message aboard a Phuket-Kolkata flight sparks bomb scare at Kolkata airport
A day after, there is yet another incident of bomb scare at the Kolkata airport, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport. A message reading Bomb inside aircraft was found written on the mirror of a...
Kolkata police seek voice samples in stampede probe
Kolkata Police are seeking court permission to collect voice samples from two arrested individuals in connection with the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede. This is to match their voices with loudspeaker announcements that allegedly caused panic, leading to the death of 19 people on October 17. The investigation involves examining audio/video footage and statements from 60 people, while the puja pandal is being preserved for further inquiry.
Kolkata stampede: Police seek voice samples of 2 accused over loudspeaker announcement, move court
A loudspeaker announcement that a portion of the Chorbagan puja pandal was collapsing allegedly sparked panic among revellers, triggering a stampede-like situation
Nineteen people, including two children, were crushed to death at a Kolkata Durga Puja pandal when a sudden downpour and a panic-inducing announcement triggered a deadly surge inside a reportedly unsafe structure. The tragedy raises urgent questions about crowd management, official negligence, political accountability and the duty of the state to protect life The post Death By Devotion appeared first on India Legal .
The unsung modernist | 'Figures of Resilience' exhibition @ Kolkata's Art Exposure Gallery
The unsung modernist | 'Figures of Resilience' exhibition @ Kolkata's Art Exposure Gallery
Todays Gold Rate in India October 24: Gold prices up in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across metro cities on October 24
Gold, silver prices today, 24 October: Check the price of 18K, 22K and 24K gold and 999 Fine silver in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai today.
Cyclone threat looms over Bay of Bengal, heavy rain alert for south Bengal from Wednesday
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 24 (IANS) A cyclone is likely to develop over the Bay of Bengal in the coming days, raising the prospect of heavy rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds across several districts of West Bengal from Wednesday, the Regional Meteorological Centre in Kolkata said on Saturday. The developing system is likely to bring heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across large parts of south Bengal over the coming week, prompting the meteorological department to issue an advance weather warning. The meteorological office said a low-pressure area formed over the east-central and adjoining southeast Bay of Bengal on Friday, accompanied by a cyclonic circulation extending up to 5.8 km above mean sea level. The system is expected to intensify into a depression on Saturday and move west-northwestwards. It may further strengthen into a deep depression on Sunday, with the possibility of developing into a cyclone over the sea by Monday morning. The system is likely to gain strength over the following two days and move towards the coastal areas of north Andhra Pradesh and south Odisha. Its influence may bring thunderstorms and heavy rainfall to several parts of south Bengal from Wednesday. Kolkata is likely to experience scattered light rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds from Wednesday to Friday. Wind speeds may reach 30 to 40 kmph during this period. Similar conditions are forecast for Howrah, Hooghly, North 24 Parganas, East Burdwan, West Burdwan, Birbhum, Murshidabad and Nadia districts. Heavy rainfall is also likely in several districts of south Bengal. South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore may experience continuous heavy rain from Wednesday to Friday. Purulia and Bankura are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday. Scattered rain is forecast in South 24 Parganas, East Midnapore and West Midnapore on Tuesday. There is no weather warning for the West Bengal coast until Monday. However, fishermen have been advised against venturing into the sea from Tuesday, when a red warning will come into effect. Wind speeds along the coast are expected to range between 40 and 50 kmph, with gusts reaching 60 kmph. The sea is likely to remain rough. North Bengal may also witness unsettled weather later in the week. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts are likely to receive heavy rainfall on Thursday and Friday. Other northern districts may experience scattered rain and gusty winds reaching 30 to 40 kmph on both days. Meanwhile, Kolkata recorded a minimum temperature of 23.1 degrees Celsius on Saturday morning, 0.1 degrees above normal. The maximum temperature on Friday stood at 32.2 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees above normal.
Maoist couple carrying Rs 7 lakh combined bounty surrenders before Kolkata cops
A Maoist couple identified as Mangal and Malati surrendered before Kolkata Police Commissioner Ajay Kumar Nand on Friday and handed over their weapons. The pair, originally from West Bengal and active in Jharkhand, carried a combined bounty of Rs 7 lakh
Bengal Congress rules out seat sharing in upcoming urban civic polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 24 (IANS) The West Bengal Congress has ruled out any seat-sharing arrangement with either the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress faction or the CPI(M)-led Left Front in the state's upcoming elections for seven urban civic bodies, scheduled for next month. Sources in the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) said that although the Mamata Banerjee-led faction of the Trinamool Congress has sent informal signals about the possibility of a seat-sharing arrangement, the top state leadership has rejected the idea. The state party leadership claimed that the upcoming urban civic body polls are not the right platform for such an experiment. According to the state Congress president, Subhankar Sarkar, any seat-sharing arrangement for the forthcoming urban civic body polls will be meaningless, since past experiences show how such local body polls are transformed into a farcical exercise due to the combined influence of the ruling party and the state administration. This time also there will be no difference, and in all probability BJP candidates will win from almost all the wards in these seven municipal bodies, taking advantage of its leverage. In that case, BJP will have the opportunity to claim victory as a spontaneous public support against united opposition. So, the urban civic body polls are not the ideal opportunity to try this seat-sharing arrangement, Sarkar said. Meanwhile, the CPI(M) leadership has also made it clear that despite being part of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc at the national level, in local body polls, the Left Front will contest independently without any seat-sharing arrangement with any other political force in the state. The question of having any seat-sharing arrangement with any faction in Trinamool Congress is out of the question. At the same time, any understanding with Congress at this point is also not desirable, since we believe that the forthcoming urban civic body polls will be the best opportunity for us to understand where we stand in terms of our organizational strength, said a CPI(M)s central committee member who did not wish to be named. Meanwhile, the Democratic Trinamool Congress, the faction in Trinamool Congress led by Ritabrata Banerjee, made it clear it will contest the upcoming urban civic body polls without any understanding with anyone. On the other hand, the bloc of 20 Trinamool Congress-turned-National Citizens Party of India (NCPI) Lok Sabha members, who claim to be part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is keen for a seat-sharing arrangement with the BJP for the civic polls. The tentative schedule for polls for the seven urban civic bodies, including Kolkata and Howrah Municipal Corporations, is in the last week of November, and the results will be declared in the first week of December.
BJP certain to win upcoming local body elections, Opposition divided: Dilip Ghosh
Digital Desk | Newtown, Oct 24 (IANS) West Bengal Minister, Dilip Ghosh, on Saturday expressed confidence in the BJP's victory in the upcoming local body elections, claiming that the Opposition was divided and lacked public support. He also criticised Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, questioned statements made by Mamata-All India Trinamool Congress leader Kunal Ghosh and commented on protests in Kolkata and drug abuse in Punjab. Speaking to reporters, Dilip Ghosh said, The BJP organisation works throughout the year and begins preparing for the elections well in advance. Now that the election time is approaching, decisions are being made and candidate selection is underway. Meetings are being held continuously, in which national leaders, state leaders, and our district in-charges in Kolkata are all working together to prepare the list of candidates, and the names will be announced as soon as the election dates are announced. Responding to statements made by Kunal Ghosh, an MLA from the Mamata-All India Trinamool Congress, Dilip Ghosh questioned the basis of his remarks and the authority under which he was speaking. On what basis is Kunal Ghosh making these claims, and on behalf of which party? Is he the chief spokesperson of any party? He keeps making statements at will. There is no substance or logic in his statements, and there is no logic in it, he said. Meanwhile, on Friday, Kunal Ghosh had said, Regarding what happened at Chorebagan, it is out of fear of the BJP. In the Chorebagan Puja Committee, the top leadership posts are held by BJP individuals and influential people. That is why they didn't catch them. Instead, they started targeting and arresting our workers who had organised the agitation. Harassment started from the morning, and they are arresting people on baseless, useless grounds. Regarding LoP Rahul Gandhi, the West Bengal Minister said discussions surrounding the Congress leader often focussed on his foreign visits rather than his political role, contributions or the electoral performance of his party. Whenever Rahul Gandhi is discussed, the discussion revolves around why he went abroad, when he went, where he went, and when he will return. Why is there no discussion about his role in politics, his contributions, and his party's electoral results, he said. He further said that some people think they can do whatever they want under the banner of the CJP. Some people think they can do whatever they want under the banner of the CJP. No one has such freedom. There is a legal system in the country and India is a democracy. Everyone has the right to protest for their rights and demands, but this must be done within the framework of the system. The police will cooperate, and the government will cooperate. It is not right to protest anywhere, he added. Reacting to a CJP rally in Kolkata, he said protests could be organised across states but claimed that the Opposition in Kolkata was divided and that such demonstrations would not succeed. They will protest not just in Kolkata, but in every state. The Opposition in Kolkata is divided among themselves. Anyone can do anything they want, but no one will succeed. The people here do not support this kind of anarchy, he told reporters. On the issue of drug abuse in Punjab, Dilip Ghosh questioned the Aam Aadmi Party's ability to tackle the problem. He said voters might have supported the party out of frustration with the Congress and other political parties rather than confidence in its ability to eliminate drug abuse. No one expected the Aam Aadmi Party to eradicate drug abuse. Perhaps people voted for them because they were fed up with the Congress or other parties. How can people who are addicted themselves create a drug-free society, he alleged.
Kolkata stampede: Death in the time of Durga Puja
On October 17, a stampede broke out at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, claiming 19 lives. The pandal, erected in a narrow space with dim lighting, was filled with people soon after it started raining. Shrabana Chatterjee and Shiv Sahay Singh report on the lapses that led to the tragedy and the questions it has raised about accountability in West Bengal, where the new governments first Durga Puja celebrations have been marred by controversy
Will start putting 27 puja safety plans in place a year in advance: CM
SIT chief flags narrow exits, poor lighting at puja pandal
A retired judge visited the site of a tragic stampede during Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata. The incident resulted in 19 deaths and 25 injuries, prompting an investigation by the Special Investigation Team. A second announcer was arrested for allegedly causing panic with misleading announcements at the pandal. The emergency exit was reportedly locked when chaos ensued, exacerbating the situation.
Kolkata airport sees 3.5L festive flyers during 6 puja days
Midnight liquor sales spike after dry Ashtami
Metro ferries 61.5 lakh; Sasthis 12L highest ever
Bay system may strengthen into cyclone, rain alert for Bengal
Kayastha, Garhwali , Pathare Prabhu & more: Indias forgotten micro-community kitchens
2-week internship by SRFTI, Spears Corps
Students sit-in against SRFTI vice-chancellor continues, Cannes award-winner backs protesters
Hooghly high tide helps ghat clean-up before Fri immersions
ER clocks 2.6 cr footfall in Sealdah div
Bengal: Greater conservation efforts to save the ghost of the mountains
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 23 (IANS) With their habitat constantly under threat, conservationists in India have called for greater efforts to monitor snow leopards, known as the Ghost of the Mountains. Snow leopards share their high-altitude habitat with local communities. Indias conservation efforts include community involvement and support for livelihoods alongside protection of snow leopard ecosystems, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) said on Friday on the occasion of International Snow Leopard Day. In India, snow leopards can be largely found in the high-altitude, cold, arid and rugged terrains of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Despite its large distributional range, the population of snow leopards across the world is dwindling, making it one of the most endangered cats in the world. The global population of snow leopards is estimated to be between 3500 and 7000 individuals, according to the Snow Leopard Conservancy - India Trust (SLC - IT). This organisation works for the conservation of the species and other animals in Ladakh and Spiti. It has identified the major threats that this magnificent animal faces. Snow leopards are highly threatened in India due to poaching for their pelts and body parts, a decline in prey base (mostly Blue Sheep and Asiatic Ibex) due to increasing domestic livestock that tend to quickly deplete the high-altitude pasture lands; and retaliatory killings by village communities whose livestock, sometimes 50 at a time, are killed for food by these predators. More recent threats include hydroelectric projects, mining and climate change, SLC - IT has said. The breeding pattern of the animal itself also makes it a highly vulnerable species, as a female snow leopard generally gives birth to only one or two cubs once in two years. So any change affecting their ecology makes it very difficult for these animals to improve their population base quickly. Known to be an umbrella or keystone species, the survival of these animals as the top predator hence becomes critical for the survival of other species in the ecosystem, it has said. According to the Ladakh Union Territory Administration, the Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Report 2024 estimates 718 snow leopards in India, with Ladakh hosting the highest population of about 477. The Indian Army, which has bases close to where snow leopards live, has been playing a key role in the conservation of the animal. It collaborates with civil authorities to protect snow leopards and high-altitude ecosystems in Ladakh. On World Wildlife Day this year, the Fire and Fury Corps signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Forest, Ecology and Environment Department of the Union Territory of Ladakh. Under this agreement, a Joint Snow Leopard Conservation Cell has been established to monitor wildlife movements, share field observations from remote border areas, and curb threats like free-ranging feral dogs. Apart from snow leopards, the partnership protects the Himalayan Wolf, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Ibex, Marmot, and the Black-necked Crane. The initiative aligns with India's commitments under the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).
Kolkata Restaurants See Record Sales In 8 Years
KMC draft voter list likely on Oct 26, to reveal post-delimitation ward, booth slotting
North or South Kolkata, Durga Puja revelry stays low in decibels
New Town Gate restaurant to reopen after fire check
Kolkata Couples Pandal-Hopping Reel On Real Happiness Wins Hearts Online
Cops arrest 2nd announcer whose Pandal-is-collapsing call triggered panic
Kolkata Durga pandal stampede: CM blames 'human error'
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that the Chorbagan Durga Puja stampede, which killed 19 people, was primarily due to human error. He visited victims' families, assured assistance, and announced an inquiry by a retired judge, with the report expected within three months. The CM also plans to meet puja committees on October 26 to discuss future safety measures.
