BJP hooligans attacked my house at 2 am: Abhishek Banerjee
Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee has alleged that his residence in Kolkata was attacked by BJP hooligans early on Saturday, sharing a video purportedly showing the incident. The BJP has rejected the charge, while police confirmed a commotion and are investigating. Banerjee also criticised the judiciary and police for alleged inaction on previous incidents.
Seventh attempt on my life in six months: Abhishek after his residence attacked
On the occasion of the birth anniversary of Abhishek Banerjee on November 7, his supporters gathered in front of his house at Kalighat area. A group of BJP supporters appeared and started shouting slogans thief thief.
Late-Night Clashes Outside Abhishek Banerjee
Violence erupted in south Kolkatas Kalighat area during the early hours of Saturday, 7 November 2026, after clashes broke out between workers of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and supporters of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) outside the residence of AITC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee. The clashes occurred between 2:00 AM and 3:30 [] The post Late-Night Clashes Outside Abhishek Banerjees Kalighat Residence Leave 8 Injured During Birthday Celebrations appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Abhishek Banerjee Alleges Attack On Home By BJP Goons, Gets A 'Drama' Reply
Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee has alleged an attack on his home in Kolkata following a clash between his party's workers and the BJP workers last night during his birthday celebration. A shouting match ensued between the two parties' workers around 2 am in front of Banerjee's Kalighat residence after chants labelling someone a hief. The Diamond Harbour MP alleged that the BJP goons threw his supporters to the ground and beat them up with brickbats.
'Under Kolkata Police watch': Abhishek Banerjee alleges midnight BJP attack on home
Abhishek Banerjee Alleges BJP Attack on His Residence in Kolkata
The TMC leader, in a post on X, levelled serious allegations against opposition workers, the Kolkata Police and higher judicial institutions
7th Attempt On My Life: Abhishek Banerjee Alleges Attack On Kolkata Home
A shouting match ensued between the two parties' workers around 2 am in front of Banerjee's Kalighat residence after chants labelling someone a hief.
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee claims residence attacked by 'BJP goons'
Abhishek Banerjee reported an attack on his residence by alleged Bharatiya Janata Party operatives late at night. He expressed concerns about surveillance activities conducted by unidentified individuals claiming to be police. Banerjee criticized the Kolkata Police and higher judicial institutions for their inaction regarding this situation. He called for an immediate investigation into the surveillance and the motives behind it.
Mohammed Shami retires from Tests, continues in white-ball cricket
Kolkata: India pacer Mohammed Shami on Friday, November 6, announced his retirement from Test cricket, bringing the curtain down on a 13-year career, but he will continue to play white-ball formats. Shami ended his international red-ball journey with 229 wickets from 64 matches, making him the sixth most successful pacer in Tests for the country 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 .
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on November 5 blamed the policy of forcible land acquisition during the regime of former Chief MinisterBuddhadeb Bhattacharjee for decline in industrial prospects of the State.
Samserganj encounter: Civil Rights groups report flags loopholes; demands CID officers suspension
Participants from 11 countries attend SRFTI media training
In Salt Lake, road repairs enter lanes and bylanes inside blocks
In next 4 months, cops to spend Rs 2 crore on road markings
New Alipore locals band together to save strays
5 friends douse teen in petrol, set him on fire to create reel
Ashoke Sen delivers lecture at IACS, his 2nd in Kol after Oskar Klein Medal win
IIT Kgp director elected intl science body fellow
Green norms go up in smoke as illegal crackers flood markets
From Dial 100 calls to locked terraces and rocket ban, condos tighten cracker curbs
ER lens on cracker transportation by trains, steps up vigil at stations
Drone, helicopter, lotus, elephant and peacock fireworks add sparkle to Bazi Bazaar
Police step up neighbourhood patrolling, announcements
Catch them young: Police take message of green fireworks to students at schools, apartments
Kolkata sees 22% rise in registered Kali Pujas
Gold, silver prices down, jewellers see a 25% rise in Dhanteras sales
The division bench stated in its order, (Appeal filed by Das) is allowed in part: Reports
Rare bird sightings raise hopes, birders warn Chhath could undo Sarobars ecological recovery
New Market hotel file: Charge sheet likely next wk, to focus blaze source, flammable interior decor
Defence Ministry reclassifies 87 non-military stations as hard; NCC hails enhanced benefits
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 6 (IANS) The Ministry of Defence has officially reclassified 87 Non-Military Stations across India as 'Hard Non-Military Stations' (HNMS), extending enhanced House Rent Allowance (HRA) and accommodation benefits to defence personnel posted to these challenging locations. The policy shift is expected to provide substantial relief to armed forces personnel attached to the National Cadet Corps (NCC). Welcoming the move, the NCC highlighted its broad operational expanse and the positive impact on its staff: The NCC, with its pan-India footprint in 831 locations across the country, truly represents the diversity of Bharat. This measure will be a significant relief to the personnel of NCC posted to remote and challenging areas. The organisation further characterised the reclassification as a meaningful step towards ensuring the financial security and family welfare of its personnel. A Non-Military Station refers to any location, city, or town where military personnel or units are posted but which lacks a dedicated, self-contained military base, cantonment, or exclusive service infrastructure. Unlike traditional military stations or cantonments managed by the Army or Defence Estates, Non-Military Stations have no military-controlled land. In these civilian environments, personnel, including those assigned to NCC units, recruiting offices, or liaison details, live and work within standard civilian communities. Because official married quarters or specialised military housing are frequently unavailable in these areas, stationed personnel are entitled to specific housing benefits, including HRA. Similarly, instead of accessing local service hospitals within a base, military personnel, retired staff, and veterans in these non-military areas rely on healthcare provided through standalone Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) polyclinics and empanelled private or civilian hospitals. Under the updated framework, Hard Non-Military Stations (HNMS) are formally recognised as non-combat or civilian-adjacent postings that present particularly difficult living conditions, remote geography, or a severe lack of suitable family accommodation. Although these sites are not active tactical combat zones, the government and defence administration designate them as hard or difficult posts, comparable to field or tenure postings. Because official family accommodation is often missing or inadequate at these remote administrative, training, and NCC or Sainik School nodes, personnel posted to designated Hard Non-Military Stations are typically permitted to retain their families at a designated or last-held duty station. Alternatively, they can claim HRA alongside Special/Separated Family Accommodation (SPR) benefits under specific administrative orders.
Twenty years after its launch in India, Bigg Boss continues to draw audiences, with its latest season achieving a new viewership milestone. Bigg Boss Hindi Season 20 has crossed 100 crore hours of watch time on JioHotstar in under 60 days, making it the fastest season in the franchise's history to reach the mark. The season, which premiered in September, had earlier recorded the biggest opening day ever for a reality show on JioHotstar. The latest milestone further reflects the show's continued reach and audience engagement, two decades after it first introduced the reality television format to Indian viewers. The show's engagement figures also indicate that audiences are participating beyond watching episodes. More than 350 crore votes have been cast this season, marking a 71% increase compared to the previous season. The number of fans participating in voting has also grown by 48%. Additionally, viewers have created over three times as many memes as last season, while participation in Jeeto, the show's interactive play-along game, has more than doubled. The show's reach extends beyond India as well. Bigg Boss Hindi Season 20 has consistently featured among JioHotstar's top five titles in the UK, Canada and Singapore since its premiere. In the UAE, the show currently ranks No. 1 on STARZPLAY and has remained among the platform's top 10 titles since its streaming debut. Speaking about the milestone, host Salman Khan said, Bigg Boss ka asli game sirf ghar ke andar nahi, ghar ke bahar bhi chalta hai, jahaan audience har moment se judi rehti hai. Reaching 100 crore watch-time hours on JioHotstar is a testament to the incredible love and connection our viewers share with the show. Every season brings something new, but what remains constant is the excitement and enthusiasm of our audience. This milestone belongs to each one of you. Thank you for being such an important part of the Bigg Boss journey! Alok Jain, Head Hindi & English Entertainment Business (Streaming, TV & Studios), JioStar, also spoke about the achievement and the show's growing digital audience. He said, 100 crore hours is a moment of real pride for all of us. Thats more than an hour of Bigg Boss for every person in the Hindi-speaking market, on digital alone, before you even count television. We are excited to have crossed 100 crore hours on JioHotstar with nearly half the season still to go. Its heartening to see viewers embrace a season we have shaped around what they love most about the show. Bigg Boss has always been made for every Indian, and today it is watched from the biggest metros to the smallest villages. This season, we gave our audience even more ways to be part of it: they dont just watch the house, they help run it, voting, polling and debating as the drama unfolds. Our heartfelt thanks go to every viewer who has made the show their own, Deepak Dhar, Founder and Group CEO, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India, added, Reaching 100 crore watch-time hours is a moment were deeply grateful for. Every one of those hours is a testament to the love and appreciation of a viewer who chose to spend their time inside the Bigg Boss house, and we dont take that for granted. For over two decades, this show has grown because the audience has made it their own. The way our audience engages with the show is a testament to how Bigg Boss has defined unscripted content in India, and that is what makes us want to make it bigger, better and bolder with every season. To our viewers, thank you for your love and loyalty. To Salman Khan, our partners at JioStar, and the entire Endemol Shine India team, thank you for the passion and hard work that goes into making the show every day. Were proud of this milestone, and we promise to keep working to give you more reasons to tune in. In India, the show's viewership spans major cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad, along with Lucknow, Surat, Jaipur and Nagpur. The latest season has also attracted younger audiences, with Gen Z accounting for 45% of its total watch time. Meanwhile, connected TV viewership has continued to grow, indicating increased family viewing on larger screens. The season has also secured partnerships with 24 sponsors across multiple categories, including FMCG, e-commerce, beauty and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, real estate, consumer electronics, kitchen and home appliances, and on-demand home services. Currently available in six languages, Bigg Boss remains JioHotstar's biggest entertainment franchise and a key part of JioStar's Always On Unscripted offering. Bigg Boss Hindi Season 20 streams 24x7 on JioHotstar. The format is owned by Banijay Entertainment and produced by Endemol Shine India. Also Read : Bigg Boss 20: Yung DSA ADMITS cheating on girlfriend 10 times, fears losing her
Delhi AQI At 373 As GRAP 3 Curbs Kick In; Mumbai, Kolkata Record Unhealthy Air Quality
From Delhi's AQI of 275 to Bengaluru's 60, here's how air quality compares across six Indian cities.
Zomato Limitless Delivery launched in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata and 4 other cities: How it works?
Zomato, a popular food delivery app, just launched Limitless Delivery in major Indian cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, and a few others. This new feature will enable the customers to let you order food from restaurants as far as 40 kilometres away, as long as they are in the same city. Basically, customers will no longer be stuck with whatever is close by, where customers could reach out their favourite restaurants that might have been out of range before.
Dhanteras boosts gold and silver coin demand in Kolkata
The News Mill
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 6 (IANS) West Bengal Finance Department issued a notification announcing the state governments decision to bring all non-teaching employees in 25 state universities and all employees of three state education boards and councils under the 7th Pay Commission. The three education boards and councils whose employees will be brought under the 7th Pay Commission are West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE), West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) and the West Bengal Board of Madrasah Education (WBBME). As per the notification issued by Prabhat Kumar Mishra, the Additional Chief Secretary to the State Finance Department, while the state government had constituted the 7th Pay Commission for State Government employees as well as certain other categories of employees and decided the terms of reference, the Governor, R.N. Ravi, had decided that the Commission will also examine the existing pay structure and conditions of service of the regular non-teaching employees in the state-aided universities and all employees in the three education boards and councils. The Commission will make necessary recommendations as early as possible, read the notification. However, the notification did not provide any information on the rate at which the salaries of the concerned education workers will increase. The notification had also not given any clarification on what the new salary structure will be, when it will be effective, and how the arrears will be settled. It is believed that a decision in this regard can be taken only after the commission's recommendations. After the new government took over, there have been expectations among the state government employees regarding the Pay Commission, dearness allowances at par with those of central government employees accrued on it. The Chief Minister, Suvendu Adhikari, had also announced that the 7th Pay Commission would be formed to restructure the pay structure of the state government employees. After that announcement, the state government started the initial process of forming the 7th Pay Commission.
Delhi AQI At 275 As GRAP 3 Curbs Kick In; Mumbai, Kolkata Record Unhealthy Air Quality
From Delhi's AQI of 275 to Bengaluru's 60, here's how air quality compares across six Indian cities.
To Make A Social Media Reel, Kolkata Man Forced To Drink Petrol, Set Ablaze
A bid to create viral social media content takes a horrific turn as attackers allegedly douse a man with petrol and set him ablaze in Kolkata.
To Shoot Reel, Kolkata Man Forced To Drink Petrol, Set On Fire. 3 Arrested
The victim managed to escape by running away and removing his burning clothes. Local residents helped take him to the hospital.
Jadavpur University Domain Expert Recruitment 2026
Jadavpur University has invited eligible candidates to attend a Walk-in Interview for the post of Domain Expert. The walk-in interview will be held on 27 November 2026 at School of Cultural Texts and Records (SCTR), Rabindra Bhavan (5th Floor), Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Candidates should report at 11:00 AM. Further details are available at jadavpuruniversity.in.
Kolkata graduate, 22, questions salary race: 'How much money is enough?'
A young engineering graduate from Kolkata is contemplating realistic salary expectations while starting his career. He seeks financial security without the pressure of affluent spending habits seen around him. Discussions on desired salaries and lifestyle choices have led to valuable insights from Reddit users. Varied perspectives highlight the importance of aligning income with personal financial goals. Ultimately, he aims to build a comfortable life without chasing high salaries unnecessarily.
'For a social media reel': Kolkata teen blindfolded, doused in petrol and set on fire
Kolkata Teen Set Ablaze For Reel; Family Alleges Financial Dispute
A teenage boy in Kolkata was blindfolded, doused in petrol, and set ablaze by three accused, allegedly for a social media reel. The victim's family claims the attack stemmed from a financial dispute. The incident occurred on October 27, and the accused, including two minors, were arrested on Thursday. The victim is stable and undergoing treatment for burn injuries.
Juhi Chawla features in Apple's 2026 Diwali campaign, titled Step Into the Light, which brings together Indian textiles, traditional dance and technology. Created in collaboration with Indian fashion label Raw Mango, the campaign is part of Apple's Shot on iPhone series and has been filmed entirely using the iPhone 18 Pro. Directed by Raw Mango founder Sanjay Garg, the film is set against the backdrop of Rajasthan's Tijara Fort. It features a group of dancers dressed in traditional Indian textiles, including Chanderi, Mashru and Varanasi brocades. The dancers perform to a folk interpretation of 'Roop Suhana Lagta Hai,' the popular song from Juhi's 1994 film The Gentleman. The campaign takes a nostalgic turn towards its closing moments when Juhi makes an appearance in festive outfits from Raw Mango. One of her looks features a striking purple ensemble. The choreography also draws inspiration from her original performance in the song, bringing a connection between the actor's earlier work and the campaign's contemporary presentation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by apple (@apple) Juhi Chawla revisits her iconic song through Apple's Diwali film The choice of 'Roop Suhana Lagta Hai' gives the campaign a connection to Juhi's filmography while placing Indian textiles and folk performance at its centre. Through the collaboration, Apple and Raw Mango bring together fashion, music and visual storytelling, with the iPhone 18 Pro serving as the sole filming device. The campaign also offers a glimpse of Juhi Chawla's association with the fashion and entertainment space at a time when she has largely stepped back from taking on regular film assignments. The actor has not announced any upcoming movie projects for 2026 or 2027 and remains involved in her business interests. Among her prominent business associations is Kolkata Knight Riders, the IPL franchise she co-owns with Shah Rukh Khan and her husband Jay Mehta. Her investments and business interests have also contributed to her reported wealth, estimated at around Rs. 7,790 crore in the Hurun India Rich List 2025. Also Read:Alisha Chinai makes SHOCKING revelation She was SHORTLISTED with Juhi Chawla for Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak: I didnt go for the final auditionAamir Khan was QUITE upset
Todays Gold Rate in India November 6: Gold prices down in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across metro cities on November 6
Tanishq's 22K gold rate stood at 1,31,900 per 10 grams on Dhanteras, November 6, while Malabar Gold priced it at 1,31,500. Here are the latest 22K and 24K rates, price trends and buying muhurat.
Presidency University Project Fellow Recruitment 2026
Institute of Health Sciences, Presidency University, Kolkata has released the official notification for the post of Project Fellow. The last date to send the application by email is 15 November 2026. Further details are available at presiuniv.ac.in.
Northeast India can emerge as strategic gateway to South and Southeast Asia: Experts
Digital Desk | Guwahati, Nov 6 (IANS) Northeast Indias growing geopolitical significance, its strategic location at the intersection of South and Southeast Asia, and its potential to emerge as a key gateway for regional connectivity and economic integration were highlighted by experts during a two-day series of academic engagements in Guwahati organised by the Chintan Research Foundation (CRF). The dialogue titled Northeast India in a Changing Geopolitical Order: Connectivity, Borderlands, Frontier Governance and Strategic Opportunities was organised by the CRF in collaboration with Girijananda Chowdhury University (GCU) and Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) on November 4 and 5, respectively. The discussions emphasised that Northeast India should not be viewed merely as a peripheral region or transit corridor, but as an active participant in India's regional and international engagements. The regions geographical proximity to Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar and other Southeast Asian countries offers significant opportunities for cross-border trade, connectivity, energy cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. However, these opportunities must be balanced against challenges relating to border management, security, migration, infrastructure gaps and the aspirations of frontier communities. In his special address at GCU, during a One-day Dialogue titled Bangladesh-Northeast India Interface: Connectivity, Borderlands and Geopolitics, Shishir Priyadarshi, President, CRF, emphasised the need for sustained engagement with Bangladesh, citing the 'Woodpecker Approach' of patience and consistent efforts. He highlighted CRF's role in fostering dialogue and research and called for greater inclusion of Northeast India's perspectives in India's foreign policy. The panel discussions highlighted Bangladesh's strategic importance for Northeast India's connectivity through ports, inland waterways and cross-border networks, while examining the Bay of Bengal's growing geopolitical significance, the influence of external powers and the potential of borderlands for economic cooperation. During the second days seminar titled Indias Northeast in a Changing Geopolitical Order: Connectivity, Frontier Governance and Strategic Opportunities, ADBU Vice Chancellor Jose Palely stressed the importance of viewing international borders as spaces of economic opportunity and social interaction, with frontier communities recognised as important stakeholders in governance and development. The sessions across both engagements examined the opportunities and challenges associated with regional connectivity and strategic cooperation. The two-day discussions also highlighted the importance of the Akhaura-Agartala railway link, access to Bangladesh's seaports, inland waterways and road networks, alongside major regional initiatives such as the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway and the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project. The speakers also emphasised the need to improve intra-regional connectivity, upgrade border infrastructure, simplify customs procedures and strengthen institutional coordination. The potential of developing alternative connectivity routes through Bangladesh, including the Agartala-Kolkata road link, was also discussed in the context of reducing excessive dependence on the Siliguri Corridor. The geopolitical discussions addressed China's growing strategic presence, concerns surrounding water security and the Yarlung Tsangpo River, the strategic importance of the Siliguri Corridor, cross-border drug trafficking and the evolving political situation in Myanmar and Bangladesh. The speakers underscored the importance of India's Act East and Neighbourhood First policies, while highlighting the need to translate connectivity initiatives into tangible economic and developmental benefits for local communities. The potential for wider regional cooperation through platforms such as BIMSTEC was also emphasised. The experts called for greater participation of Northeastern states in shaping India's external engagement with neighbouring countries, including through para-diplomacy and stronger institutional cooperation. The discussions emphasised that the region should not merely facilitate connectivity between India and its neighbours but must also emerge as a principal beneficiary of regional cooperation. The two-day engagements underscored that transforming Northeast India into a strategic gateway to South and Southeast Asia requires more than infrastructure development. It called for sustained diplomatic engagement, effective frontier governance, regional cooperation, inclusive development, and the active participation of border communities in shaping the region's future.
Bengal Biennale 2026: Artists, theme, dates and venues
From Rabindranath Tagore, Nandalal Bose and Chittaprosad to contemporary artists and emerging practitioners, the second edition of the Bengal Biennale explores ecology, memory, displacement and belonging through Banalata, across Kolkata and Santiniketan.
According to Drik Panchang, the gold-buying muhurat for Kolkata begins at 10.30 am on November 6 and continues until 6.37 am on November 7.
Anti-submarine warfare Amini delivered to Indian Navy in Tamil Nadu's Kattupalli
Anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft Amini, indigenously designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata, was delivered to the Indian Navy at Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu on Thursday. Defenders of the Deep -
Gold and silver prices today, 6 November: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
I faced lot of hate: RCB star reveals how he was trolled whenever Gill hit a ton
Venkatesh Iyer experienced significant online backlash from Kolkata Knight Riders supporters after Shubman Gill's release. Fans would often criticize him on social media whenever Gill performed well. He revealed his thoughts about his situation ahead of the IPL 2026 auction, mentioning his previous approach to Shah Rukh Khan. After being released, Iyer moved on and joined Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where he noticed the strong fan connection.
Will do something for Singur, West Bengal CM signals fresh industrial push
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that the government was in talks with Ashok Leyland for setting up a plant at Singur
Christian community hits the road over recent mob attacks on churches
A five-member delegation of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba met the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) State Head, Dr. Jishnu Basu, on November 5; Dr. Basu said that attacks or vandalism on places of worship are entirely unacceptable and cannot be justified under any circumstances
119 warships & counting: Kolkata-based GRSE delivers fifth submarine-hunter to Navy
A new sunrise: Bengal Inc welcomes incentives offered in states new industrial policy
Lightweight gold, silver coins set up Dhanteras mood
Rabindra Sarobar regulars fear return of pre-2019 days
Kolkata Police enforce stricter fines on illegal firecracker sellers
SRFTI classes to stay suspended till Dec 11
3 coaching centre teachers thrash traffic cop, held
Tourism dept launches portal to list verified homestays
Drunk driver crashes SUV, injures two, damages Rajiv Gandhi statue
Korean water cannons guard Maidan Bazi Bazaar
Birth anniversary to celebrate visions of freedom fighter Bipin Chandra Pal
SEC pushes back publication of final voter roll for KMC poll
Presidency played role in Vande Matarams evolution from song to victory slogan
Doctor shops for magnet, uses it to draw another out of 6-year-old girls airway
Bizwoman falls prey to AI voice cloning scam
Body found in abandoned luxury car at Kasba garage
ISL: Erwin nets late winner as Bagan remains on top
The Kolkata outfit has 12 points from five matches while Odisha remains on two from four
MBSG Beats Odisha FC 3-2 In ISL
Mohun Bagan Super Giant defeated Odisha FC 3-2 in a high-scoring Indian Super League match in Kolkata on Thursday. Dejan Drazic scored twice and Lee Erwin netted the winner in the 88th minute, propelling MBSG to the top of the league table.
Bengal govt marks 275 B.Ed colleges as ineligible after failing to meet required criteria
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) Coming as a setback to B.Ed colleges that have mushroomed in the state in the last few years, the West Bengal government has marked as many as 275 such colleges as 'ineligible'. As a result, these B.Ed colleges will not be able to renew their accreditation for the academic year 2026-27. State Higher Education Minister Jagannath Chattopadhyay stated that after the new government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari came to power, he stood at Bikash Bhaban and said that education will not be allowed to be commoditised in any way and the quality of education must be maintained. He added that the Higher Education and Technical Education Department jointly conducted a rigorous inspection drive in B.Ed, ITI, Polytechnic and Pharma colleges. He said that in the first phase, 156 B.Ed colleges were allowed to admit students, adding that about 415 B.Ed colleges that could not meet the criteria were sent 21-day show-cause notices for infrastructure development. Out of them, 9 colleges did not respond, he said. After the second round of inspection, permission has been given to admit students in 237 B.Ed colleges for the academic year 2026-27. The remaining 205 colleges could not meet the quality standards, and due to this, a decision has been taken to stop the admission of students there. The Minister also said that admissions have been suspended in 14 out of 265 ITIs, 38 out of 134 pharma colleges and 1 out of 74 polytechnics. As a result, the future of the students in those colleges is in darkness. Swapan Mandal, General Secretary of the Bengali Teachers and Education Workers Association, said that if 275 B.Ed colleges are closed at once in the state, it will be a disaster in the education sector. He added that the future of the employees and students associated with so many colleges will become uncertain. There will also be a shortage of qualified teacher candidates. The government should immediately intervene in this matter and solve this problem, he said.
In festive season, Kalimpongs marigold growers struggle to find their market
BNP blaming India for violence by workers of Bangladesh Garment Industry
New Delhi has to be vigilant till Hasinas proposed departure to Dhaka next month By Ashis Biswas KOLKATA: Especially among leaders of the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), old habits die hard they must anyhow blame India for their own acute problems of governance at home! Take the recent violent agitation launched [] The post BNP blaming India for violence by workers of Bangladesh Garment Industry appeared first on Northlines .
Partnership to promote student and faculty exchanges, joint research, internships and industry-oriented learning Bilkul Online Ahmedabad | 05 Nov 2026 The post MICA Signs MoU with Kolkatas Bhawanipur Education Society College to Boost Academic Collaboration appeared first on Bilkul Online .
Nothing to be built in Babars name, says Suvendu
Multi-Crore Puja Pass Scam: Ex-Minister's Daughter Faces Police Grilling
Kolkata Police's Detective Department questioned Avery Sen, daughter of former minister Indranil Sen, regarding an alleged multi-crore scam involving Durga Puja pass distribution. An associate, Dhruvajyoti Basu, was arrested and remanded to police custody. Investigators are examining financial transactions between Sen's organisation, his daughter's company, and his wife's accounts.
Zomato Rolls Out Limitless Delivery in Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Kolkata, More Indian Cities
Zomato's new Limitless Delivery feature gives users access to restaurants located much farther from their delivery addresses, with orders possible from up to 40km away within the same city. The feature is available in Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune and Hyderabad. Users can browse eligible restaurants through a dedicated section on the app or search for them directly. Zomato has also rolled out Host Mode, which hides menu and cart prices while guests add items to a group order.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday issued a strong note of caution against attempts at extortion or attempts to close industrial units through militant trade unionism and threatened instant arrests of the perpetrators in both such cases after the state government unveiled its new industrial policy. There is a dedicated helpline number for registering complaints on extortion. I am requesting the investors to register their complaints on that helpline number. I assure that action will be taken within 15 minutes from the time the complaint is registered and the perpetrators will be dealt with strictly as per legal provisions, said the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister also used a strong note of caution to stall operations in any industrial unit in the name of militant trade unionism. I will not allow any attempt at unnecessary cease-work at any industrial unit. Those who will try to do so will be put in jail. I will ensure that they will stay in jail for a long time. If there is any complaint against any management, there is a proper way to address that by approaching the labour commission, the Chief Minister said. He also launched a scathing attack against the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress over the annual Bengal Global Business Summit meant to be organised during the previous regime to attract investment in the state. Over Rs 650 crore was spent in organising eight such summits. The previous government claimed that memoranda of understanding worth Rs 16 lakh crore were signed in these eight summits. But ultimately nothing fructified. The previous government even showed infrastructure development projects as proposed investments, the Chief Minister said. He claimed that the previous regime neglected the generation of the states own tax revenue and claimed that the state exchequer suffered severe losses because of the patronage of corruption during the previous regime. However, things have started improving in the first six months of our new government. The state's revenue has increased according to the respective periods of the two financial years from April to September 2025 and from April to October 2026, he said. He added that although it is not possible to take any new initiative right now, the revenue collection has increased by Rs 4,000 crore compared to last year. Our goal is to increase the state's own tax revenue by stopping money laundering and extortion and create an environment for investment in industry, the Chief Minister added.
Lightning strikes on mangrove forests are helping create nursery habitats: WII
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) While lightning strikes can be deadly, they are crucial for maintaining large-scale demographic patterns in plant communities, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has ascertained through a study of the dense mangrove forests in the Andamans. Lightning strikes in mangrove forests often result in the formation of small- to medium-sized canopy gaps, characterised by the death of trees in a circular pattern. The study focused on understanding canopy gap attributes and vegetation compositional differences across the mangrove canopy gap succession in the Andaman Islands. The hypothesis was that canopy gaps within the monodominant mangrove forests facilitate a greater number of species to establish in the early gap recovery stage. The species richness declines over time as plants with special adaptations to thrive in the seaward mangrove zones outcompete others. The study revealed that disturbances play a crucial role in determining species richness and composition in many ecosystems. This small-scale disturbance is crucial for maintaining large-scale demographic patterns in the plant communities. We investigated canopy gap attributes and vegetation recruitment by assessing 20 canopy gaps in each of two age categories: New Canopy Gaps (16 years old) and Recovering Canopy Gaps (715 years old) across six sites in the Andaman Islands. Each canopy gap was paired with a control plot in the intact forest. Canopy gap area ranged between 270m and 2463m. Water temperature increased with canopy openness, whereas water pH and salinity were not significantly influenced by the canopy gaps, the institute has said. The study revealed that plant species richness was highest in newly formed canopy gaps and declined with an increase in gap age. Both seedling and sapling densities were two-fold higher in the new canopy gaps than in the intact forest. Rhizophora apiculata Blume, a tall stilt mangrove, was the dominant species in all sampling categories. The study provided baseline information on the vegetation structural changes and species diversity among the regenerating canopy gaps and intact forests. Further, long-term canopy gap monitoring at varying size classes and fixed year intervals would provide crucial insight into mangrove canopy gap succession that helps in understanding mangrove recovery, following a disturbance event, the WII has said. Previous studies have already revealed how the clustered death of trees in a contiguous closed-canopy forest creates an opening that exposes the forest floor to increased sunlight, altering local microclimatic conditions, such as light availability, temperature, soil moisture, and nutrient dynamics compared to the adjacent intact forests. Our study shows that the canopy gaps likely caused by lightning disturbance in mangrove forests are acting as a nursery habitat for plant regeneration and enhancing structural heterogeneity in the vegetation. It allows a greater number of plant species to establish in the early gap regeneration stage, but the species richness declines in the later gap successional stage, indicating competitive exclusion by dominant species, which are better suited to the specific microhabitats, the WII researchers have said. The establishment of a canopy by the growing vegetation is likely to limit the light availability and hinder seedling establishment. Such an understanding of vegetation recovery following disturbance is critical for ecological restoration planning in mangrove ecosystems, the study has said. Our results suggest that only a few species found in early successional stages persist into the mature stage. This highlights the need to select appropriate species for mangrove restoration that suit the specific microenvironment. Overall, canopy gaps within contiguous mangrove stands serve as a regeneration niche for vegetation and promote structural heterogeneity in the mangrove forest. Further, we suggest that the long-term monitoring of vegetation recovery in the canopy gaps would be required to understand the mangrove succession at a finer scale, the researchers said.
ED raids 13 premises in Tripura, Bengal and Maharashtra over alleged fake govt tender racket
Digital Desk | New Delhi/Agartala, Nov 5 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted search and seizure operations at 13 premises across Tripura, West Bengal and Maharashtra in connection with an alleged fake government tender racket operated through a fictitious entity named the 'Directorate of Higher Education'. The central probe agency said on Thursday that the searches were carried out under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, targeting individuals and entities allegedly linked to the racket. The searches were conducted by the ED's Agartala Sub-Zonal office on Wednesday, in connection with an ongoing money-laundering investigation arising from FIR registered at Capital Complex Police station in Agartala, the probe agency said in a statement. It said that the FIR was registered on the complaint of Nagpur based M/s S.K. Sales Corporation, against Abhishek Chandra, a Tripura cadre IAS officer, and co-conspirators, alleging that the firm was fraudulently induced to pay Earnest Money Deposits (EMDs) of around Rs 14.55 crore between September 2024 and February 2025 against purported tenders of the of Tripura government in the mid-day meal and power sectors, which were never floated. The offences registered under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, relating to criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, cheating, cheating by personation and forgery, are scheduled offences under the PMLA, 2002. Accordingly, the ED recorded an ECIR (Enforcement Case Information Report) and initiated investigation under the PMLA, 2002. Investigation has revealed that Abhishek Chandra (presently under suspension) represented himself as the officer controlling tender processes in the Tripura government and introduced the complainant to one Utpal Kumar Chowdhury as the official responsible for processing payments. The EMDs were paid through demand drafts in favour of 'Directorate of Higher Education', which was, in fact, a proprietary concern of Utpal Kumar Chowdhury bearing a name deceptively similar to the genuine government department. Forged tender notices and work orders were allegedly used, and a joint venture with Krishna Chakraborty, represented by her husband Sudip Paul, was used to structure the collection of funds. Partial 'refunds' were made at critical junctures to sustain the confidence of the victim and induce further payments. The ED said that the funds credited into the fictitious entity's accounts were allegedly layered within days, and in some instances within 24 hours, through a network of shell entities, several of which are registered in the names of domestic staff and associates of Utpal Kumar Chowdhury. The proceeds of crime were allegedly utilised for acquisition of immovable properties, including flats in a housing project and a residential property in Mumbai's Shivaji Park in the names of family members of Abhishek Chandra, as well as for foreign travel and luxury goods. Funds were also allegedly routed through an alleged hawala conduit based in Kolkata. The ED is already investigating Utpal Kumar Chowdhury and others, arising out of five FIRs registered in West Bengal and Tripura, wherein the same fictitious entity and modus operandi were used to defraud multiple victims of an aggregate amount exceeding Rs 44 crore. In that case, provisional attachment orders on January 22, 2026 and July 31, 2026, have already been issued. The search proceedings were conducted in the residential premises of Abhishek Chandra and hawala operators and also in the office premises of several companies/entities connected to the money trail, the ED statement said. During the course of search proceedings, voluminous documentary evidences of hawala transactions, several high value property details and other evidences indicating suspicious control over corporate entities were found and seized. Digital devices and records belonging to various accused persons crucial to the current investigation were also seized. Further investigation is underway.
