Anand Mahindra praises city in Kolkata for its spotless roads, predicts it will have a 'renaissance'
A prominent industrialist expressed delight at Newtown's well-planned development, sparking online praise for the Kolkata township's spotless avenues and organized layout. While many lauded Newtown as a model for sustainable urban growth, others pointed out the stark contrast with other parts of Kolkata still facing infrastructure challenges, emphasizing the need for city-wide improvement.
Woman pushed off train while resisting snatchers in West Bengal
Kolkata: A woman passenger was seriously injured after she was allegedly pushed off the HowrahPuri Dhauli Express near Kolaghat in West Bengals Purba Medinipur district on Sunday while resisting a snatching attempt, a district police official said. Two snatchers were later arrested by the villagers and handed over to the railway police. Also ReadBurdened by 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 .
2nd Test: Kolkatas Wicket Was Different, This Is Road, Says Kuldeep Yadav
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Kuldeep Yadav who finished with a figure of 4/115 in first innings described ACA Stadium pitch as proper road after Indian bowlers' struggle continued on Day 2 of the second Test. South Africa posted a formidable 489 in their first innings, thanks to Senuran Muthusamys 109 his maiden Test century and Marco Jansens explosive 93. The duos career best scores in Tests took them to a commanding total and put them in a good position to draw the game. Kolkatas wicket was different, this is a road, said Kuldeep Yadav, who returned 4/115, at the press conference here on Sunday. Its challenging and thats why its called a Test wicket. It doesnt happen every day as a bowler. You always think of dominating, but when you get a good wicket then its also very important how you come back. The way we bowled yesterday, we were in very good control but obviously, in one session there was a partnership so we got a little behind in the game. Indias openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal ensured there were no setbacks and reached 9/0 in 6.1 overs at stumps on day twos play against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Due to light conditions deteriorating hugely, it brought another early end to the day, with India trailing South Africa by 480 runs. It was a difficult wicket for the bowlers because I didnt feel that there was a lot of help in this wicket, even for fast bowlers it didnt seem like a lot of help. But yes, this is Test cricket and you should enjoy it. The more you learn, the more you mature, you shouldnt think so much about the wicket. Kuldeep Yadav finished with four wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two apiece. Simon Harmer was the only South African batter not to reach double figures in an otherwise commanding display for the Proteas. The final session began with Siraj providing India the breakthrough they desperately needed when Muthusamy attempted for a hook, but failed to keep it down and was caught at fine leg, ending his career-best knock of 109 that had blunted India since he came out to bat at 201/5. Personally, I felt yesterday in the first session there was a bit of moisture in the wicket so I got a little bit of turn there. After that it was very good to bat on, said Yadav. There wasnt any turn yesterday as well as today. Jadeja and I have been talking about it but the wicket is very good to bat on. I mean, obviously its very good to have an attacking mindset but you have to understand how the wicket is playing and you cant just go attacking all the time and just leak runs, he said. Jansen continued to take charge - launching two towering sixes off Jadeja and taking a four and six off Siraj to push South Africa past 440, before Bumrah ripped out Simon Harmers off-stump. Jansen continued to find boundaries and also featured in a defiant last wicket stand with Keshav Maharaj for 18 runs. But Jansen fell agonisingly short of a maiden Test hundred - chopping on to a Kuldeep googly for 93. But his innings included seven sixes - the jointhighest tally in a knock for a lowerorder batter in India. With South Africa making a score more than any first-innings total to lose a Test in India, they have left themselves well-placed to push for a rare series win on Indian soil. Jansen continued to take charge - launching two towering sixes off Jadeja and taking a four and six off Siraj to push South Africa past 440, before Bumrah ripped out Simon Harmers off-stump. Jansen continued to find boundaries and also featured in a defiant last wicket stand with Keshav Maharaj for 18 runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With Jansen and Wiaan Mulder being economical, India managed to be watchful till stumps arrived. With three days left in the game, pressure will be huge on India to level the series and save themselves from a second series loss at home in two years. Article Source: IANS
Navy to commission first of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft in Mumbai
NEW DELHI: Amid Pakistans plans to augment its underwater combat capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to commission Mahe, the first of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday. The ceremony will be presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff. In a statement, the Indian Navy said, The commissioning of Mahe will mark the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian. She will serve as a Silent Hunter on the Western Seaboard powered by self-reliance and dedicated to safeguarding Indias maritime frontiers, the Navy added. With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class showcases Indias growing mastery in warship design, construction, and integration. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, Mahe represents the cutting edge of Indias Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative in naval ship design and construction. Compact yet powerful, the ship embodies agility, precision, and endurance qualities vital for dominating the littorals. Designed with a blend of firepower, stealth, and mobility, the ship will undertake submarine-hunting missions, coastal patrols, and the protection of Indias vital maritime approaches. Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ships crest features an Urumi, the flexible sword used in Kalaripayattu, symbolising agility, precision, and lethal grace. The ships being manufactured at CSL are part of the Navys larger plan to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capability. The Mahe-class ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors. They are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as well as low-intensity maritime operations and mine-laying tasks. The ASW-SWC ships are 78 m long and the displacement is approximately 900 tonnes. They can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots with an endurance of up to 1,800 nautical miles, the Navy said. Two contracts for sixteen Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft ships eight each to be built by CSL, Kochi, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata were signed in April 2019. Given Indias vast 7,516.6-kilometre coastline with twelve major ports, 184 minor ports, and 1,197 island territories, coastal surveillance for anti-submarine warfare operations is considered critical. The induction of these specialised ships, featuring a lower draught, is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navys shallow-water ASW capability, with improved performance of weapons, sensors, hull-mounted sonar, and towed sonar systems. The Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft have been named after ports of strategic importance along Indias coastline, and will carry forward the legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers that bore the same names. Chinas role in Pakistans underwater capability build-up China continues to be Pakistans largest arms supplier, with the ongoing Hangor-class submarine project being the latest example. Under the programme, eight new submarines are scheduled for induction into the Pakistan Navy, with the first likely to be commissioned in the first half of 2026. Three of these have already been launched by Chinese manufacturers. Significantly, all these submarines will be equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, which allegedly enhances the submerged endurance of submarines several-fold. An AIP system allows a submarine to remain underwater, away from enemy sensors, for extended periods without surfacing. None of Indias submarines currently possess AIP technology.
Rebel TMC MLA vows to lay foundation stone for Babri Masjid in West Bengal's Murshidabad
KOLKATA: Rebel Trinamool Congress MLA Humayun Kabir is all set to lay the foundation stone for a Babri Masjid in Beldanga, Murshidabad district, a political hotbed with around 70% minority vote share in West Bengal, on December 6, the 33rd anniversary of the demolition of the historic mosque in Ayodhya in 1992. The move has prompted the BJP to allege that it is a sinister move of the ruling party in the state for electoral benefit ahead of the assembly elections scheduled in AprilMay next year. Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee, along with her nephew Abhishek Banerjee, the partys national general secretary, is scheduled to lead a peace march in Kolkata on the same day. Humayun, MLA from Bharatpur constituency in Murshidabad, will head the foundation stone ceremony for the project, estimated at around Rs 125 crore, on 20 bighas of land in Beldanga. The project, which includes a Babri Masjid, a college, a hospital and a six-storied rest house, will come up on 20 bighas of land. I have already prepared invitation letters and will distribute them among dignitaries and guests, including political leaders from my own district, Murshidabad, only, to attend the programme on December 6, the MLA told the TNIE on Sunday. I dont need any approval from my party leadership for the initiative. I wont invite my party supremo or other leaders because they will be busy with another programme the same day in Kolkata. About a year ago, I announced the project to set up a Babri Masjid, and my party leadership is well aware of it. To avoid attending the programme, they have decided to participate in a peace march in the city, Humayun said. He added that the Muslim community across the country had assured him of financial support for the project, initiated by a trust the West Bengal Islamic Foundation of India where he serves as general secretary. Around 10% non-Muslims, mainly Hindus, will be part of the trust, he said. Humayuns move to set up the mosque has triggered a major political row in Bengal. Political analyst Prof Biswanath Chakraborty said, Murshidabad district has 70% Muslims, and Humayun Kabir knows their socio-economic problems. To mobilise vote banks ahead of the assembly polls, he has decided to set up the masjid in his home district. It is too early to comment on its political impact in the coming months until the project progresses and he makes any political decision. Rahul Sinha, veteran BJP leader and former state party president, said, He has been using such tactics to create pressure politics because he has been sidelined in the party for long. We are conveying messages to the general Muslim community, asking them to know their MLA like Humayun Kabir, who has been doing politics with mosques. TMC leaders, especially MLA Humayun Kabir, are known for the politics of hatred. He does politics purely for appeasement. He is intentionally creating communal tension in Bengal, Sinha added. The Bengal Imam Association (BIA) has also strongly opposed Humayuns move. He should clarify his political stand first. What was he doing when he was in the BJP and supported the partys communal agendas? While staying with the saffron camp, he was silent about the mosque. Now he is doing politics with Muslims for his personal gain, said Md Yahiya, chairman of the BIA. The chief minister, who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, should immediately take action against him and stop the project. What is the necessity of setting up a mosque 33 years after the Babri Masjid demolition? he added. The Trinamool Congress has earlier suspended Humayun on several occasions for anti-party activities, particularly when he joined the BJP in 2019 for about two years. He later returned to the ruling party and was elected MLA from Bharatpur in the 2021 assembly polls.
Paan-India: How betel shops in Lucknow, Kolkata serve as portal to Nawabi era
ED recovers Rs 14 crore during raids at 44 locations in Jharkhand, West Bengal over coal scam
RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cash and jewellery worth over Rs 14 crore during extensive raids carried out across Jharkhand and West Bengal on November 21, as part of a probe into an alleged illegal coal mining and smuggling network operating across the two states. According to an official statement, the searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and targeted individuals and entities suspected of participating in a longstanding coal theft, transportation, and sale racket. Officials also recovered several property deeds linked to the alleged syndicate, documents related to land dealings, digital devices, and books of accounts belonging to companies reportedly controlled by the accused. In Jharkhand, raids were carried out at 20 locations in Dhanbad and Dumka, covering premises associated with Lal Bahadur Singh, Anil Goyal, Sanjay Khemka, Amar Mondal, and others. In West Bengal, ED teams searched 24 locations across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata, including residences, offices, illegal toll booths, and coke plants tied to individuals such as Narendra Kharka, Krishna Murari Kayal, Yudhishthir Ghosh, Raj Kishore Yadav, Lokesh Singh, Chinmay Mondal, and Nirad Baran Mondal. More than 100 ED officers, supported by CRPF personnel, were involved in the coordinated operation. The crackdown follows multiple FIRs registered by police in both states, which allege that a wide network has been moving coal from Jharkhand into West Bengal using forged or invalid documents. Diaries, registers, seized documents, and digital data, according to ED officials, have corroborated claims of a large illegal supply chain and hinted at the involvement of local authorities. Register entries detailing illegal cash collections and beneficiary lists were also recovered, offering investigators key insights into the financial flow of the suspected racket. The ED said the syndicate was particularly active in border districts and generated huge proceeds of crime. The agency noted that scrutiny of the seized material is ongoing and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses.
Bowlers give India upper-hand, South Africa end day one at 247/6
GUWAHATI, Nov 22: Temba Bavuma paid price for his momentary indiscretion while Tristan Stubbs fell prey to Kuldeep Yadavs guile as bowlers put India on top in the second Test, reducing South Africa to 247 for six on an attritional opening days cricket, here. It was a track with a difference where survival, unlike Kolkata, wasnt difficult but at the same time, it wasnt a belter either where a team could just race away with a flurry of boundaries. The [] The post Bowlers give India upper-hand, South Africa end day one at 247/6 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kolkata airport primary runway to become fully CAT-III compliant from Nov 27
NEW DELHI: Flight delays on foggy days during the winter season are set to become a thing of the past at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport as one of its runways will become CAT-III compliant on both its ends from November 27. This upgradation will ensure that flights can land and take-off even during near zero visibility conditions at the airport. Airport Director Vikram Singh told TNIE , We have installed CAT-III facility on both side of our primary runway. In this runway, the end called 01R was already equipped to handle flights during extremely low visibility conditions six years ago. The other end 19L has also been upgraded now and will be declared CAT-III compliant from Thursday.The other runway is CAT-I compliant. Annually, severe fog in the months of December to February cause flight delays. With both ends of the runway now in a position to manage flights operations in poor visibility conditions, we hope to see no delays this winter, he said. The pilots of flights too need to be trained to operate in a CAT-III environment. Most airlines have incorporated this training for this pilots nowadays, the Director added. The airport witnesses an average of 370 Air Traffic Movements (arrivals and departures) daily with nearly 70,000 passengers using the airport on a daily basis. While domestic flights from hereconnect to most cities, it handles direct international flights to Singapore, Dubai, Thailand, Abu Dhabi and China. Due to the closure of airspace for Indian aircraft by Pakistan for the last seven months, Air India flights from San Francisco and Vancouver also stop here for refuelling enroute their destinations.
Passenger on board Vancouver-Delhi Air India flight develops medical emergency, dies
NEW DELHI: An 83-year-old flyer on board an Air India flight from Vancouver to Delhi via Kolkata developed a medical emergency on board on Friday night. The Punjab native, Balbir Singh, died in a local hospital later. The incident happened on board AI186. The Boeing 777-337 flight with 176 passengers had taken off from Vancouver airport at 5.12 pm on November 20. As it was heading towards Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on November 21 night, the octogenarian, travelling with his sister, developed some health issues and became unconscious, said a source familiar with the matter. The cabin crew called out for help from any doctor on board and a medical professional came forward and performed CPR on him. They also briefed the Kolkata airport authorities about the emergency and doctors and an ambulance were on standby at the airport waiting for the flight to land. he said. Balbir Singh was wheeled out of the aircraft as soon as it landed at 9.55 pm, the source added. The airport doctors treated him first, he added. Airport Director Vikram Singh told TNIE , The flyer was taken to a local hospital where he was declared dead. An Air India source said, Our staff were very responsive throughout. They did whatever possible on board. Other staff members accompanied the patient to the hospital too. The airline staff also facilitated the travel of the sister of the deceased today (Saturday) morning from Kolkata to Delhi. There was no major delay of the flight due to this incident. Ever since the airspace closure by Pakistan, the flight regularly has a 90-minute technical stop at Kolkata to change crew and for refuelling. The same happened on Friday night too and the flight departed as usual, the source added. The body of the flyer will be transported later.
Injured Shubman Gill All But Out Of SA ODIs, Two-Way Race For Captaincy
Shubman Gill, who suffered a whiplash while batting in the opening Test in Kolkata, was forced to miss the Guwahati Test due to the injury.
SIR means govt choosing voters instead of other way round: Economist
Kolkata: Economist Parakala Prabhakar on Saturday claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls means that it is the government choosing the voters instead of the other way round. He also alleged that the aim of the SIR is to weed out those people who the government thinks should not have been 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 .
With South Africa: With South Africa reaching 247/6 at stumps on the first day of the second and final Test of the series against India on Saturday, former Proteas pacer Dale Steyn said the team will be a bit disappointed by losing two wickets towards the end of the day. Having crossed 200 for the loss of four wickets in the final session, South Africa lost Wiaan Mulder (13) and Tony de Zorzi (28) in quick succession as the Indian bowlers fought back. I believe South Africa will be relatively pleased with their position, although theyll be a bit disappointed about losing two wickets towards the end of the day. The new ball came into play, and India were able to break a key partnership of around 40 runs. Had South Africa lost three or four wickets instead, they would have been very happy. Unlike the Kolkata pitch, where wickets fell frequently, this Guwahati wicket demands patience and consistent pressure. India bowled with discipline, maintaining good lines and lengths. When opportunities arose, they capitalised well, supported by excellent catches from Rishabh Pant, JioStar expert Dale Steyn said on Cricket Live coverage. Steyn also highlighted the partnership between de Zorzi and Senuran Muthusamy, who came into the playing XI for this match and is batting on 25 not out at the end of Day One, and said the two batted responsibly as they added 45 runs for the fifth wicket. The partnership between de Zorzi and Muthusamy was very solid. I was a bit surprised to see Muthusamy promoted ahead of Verreynne, but the two batted responsibly and put together a strong stand of 45 runs off 83 balls. Tony de Zorzi might be a bit frustrated, especially taking the new ball late in the day when there was uncertainty about whether play would continue. Losing a wicket shortly afterward can be disheartening, said Steyn. Tony de Zorzi probably expected more swing from Siraj, so he may be annoyed at the shot that got him out. South Africa might have preferred to be five down, but thats cricket the batsmen at the crease now must seize the opportunity. Batting under such pressure is challenging, and sometimes bowling in the right areas makes the job easier, he added. The partnership between de Zorzi and Muthusamy was very solid. I was a bit surprised to see Muthusamy promoted ahead of Verreynne, but the two batted responsibly and put together a strong stand of 45 runs off 83 balls. Tony de Zorzi might be a bit frustrated, especially taking the new ball late in the day when there was uncertainty about whether play would continue. Losing a wicket shortly afterward can be disheartening, said Steyn. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The leftarm wrist-spinner returned figures of 3-48, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja took a wicket each as India got rewarded for their persistence by picking four wickets in the final session. On a good red soil batting pitch, all South African batters got good starts, but none went on to a halfcentury. Article Source: IANS
TMC accuses ECI of bias, links SIR to multiple deaths
Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of acting to appease a particular political party and linked the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to recent multiple deaths, including those of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and ordinary citizens. The party also claimed that 34 people in the state have died 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 .
Air India Passenger Dies After Complaining Of Chest Pain On Vancouver-Kolkata-Delhi Flight
While the flight continued its journey with the remaining 176 passengers, Singh was taken to Charnok Hospital where he was declared brought dead.
Exports clock fall in 14 months: Crisil
KOLKATA, Nov 22: Indias merchandise exports fell 11.8 per cent year-on-year, since August 2024, to USD 34.38 billion in October, Crisil said in its report. This follows a 50 per cent increase in US tariffs on August 27 this year, a move that has subdued exports for the second month in a row, the report said. The decline in exports was broad-based across petroleum products, gems and jewellery and core sectors. Petroleum products exports declined 10.4 per cent year-on-year in [] The post Exports clock fall in 14 months: Crisil appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
One more BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal, family alleges SIR-related stress
KOLKATA: Another Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengal died by suicide on Saturday, just days after a BLO from Jalpaiguri district took her life on Wednesday. The incident has intensified the ruling Trinamool Congresss campaign against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Since November 9, three BLOs have died, including two by suicide. Another officer succumbed to a cerebral attack in Memari, Bardhaman district, reportedly triggered by unbearable work pressure linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Bereaved families of the three deceased have alleged that the deaths were caused by deep depression resulting from the unbearable workload linked to the electoral roll revision drive in the state. On Saturday, the body of 53-year-old BLO Rinku Tarafdar was recovered from her house in Krishnagar, Nadia district. She was found hanging from the ceiling of her room. According to police sources, a suicide note was recovered, stating: There will be tremendous pressure on us (BLOs) if we cant complete SIR-related work by stipulated timelines. It was not possible for me to bear the work pressure. Family members alleged that Rinku took her life because she could not cope with the daily workload. She was a para-teacher but was never accustomed to computerised work like data entry of voter names after door-to-door distribution and collection of filled enumeration forms following thorough verification. She was virtually forced to do the SIR job by the administration. Finally, she killed herself because of depression and stress, they said. 'I cant do this SIR work anymore...': Gujarat teacher dies by suicide, cites BLO workload pressure On Friday, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, requesting a halt to the SIR process. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous. The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning, or clear communication has crippled the process from day one, her letter states. The human cost of this management is now unbearable. Yesterday, an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, died by suicide reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure. Several others have lost their lives since this process began. A revision that previously required three years is now being forcibly compressed into three months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhuman working conditions and forcing common people under the shadow of fear and uncertainty, the letter adds. With reports of BLO and voter deaths allegedly linked to SIR since the national poll body announced the electoral roll revision exercise in nine states, including West Bengal and three Union Territories, the Trinamool Congress has been demanding the withdrawal of the process. Mamata Banerjee has decided to intensify protests against the SIR through rallies and marches to reach out to voters. She is scheduled to kick off anti-SIR and CAA movements by addressing a party rally at Bongaon on Tuesday and participating in a protest march at Thakurnagar, a religious and administrative headquarters of the Matua community in North 24 Parganas district. The Trinamool Congress aims to woo the Matua vote bank, which influences the fate of more than 30 assembly constituencies in three districts, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Jalpaiguri, traditionally during assembly polls in the state. Matuas fear that a large number of voter names from their community may be deleted from the electoral rolls following the SIR. By intensifying its protest against the SIR, the Trinamool Congress seeks to reclaim Matua voters who had supported the rival BJP in previous elections.
The Kangra valley has been left shattered after Wing Commander Naman Syal, 34, of the Indian Air Force, was martyred when his Tejas fighter jet crashed in the United Arab Emirates on Friday while taking part in the Dubai Airshow 2025. The indigenous aircraft went down during a practice and demonstration flight in the afternoon local time, with visuals showing the jet losing altitude before hitting the ground and bursting into flames, sending thick smoke into the sky and leaving spectators at the prestigious airshow stunned. Wing Commander Syal, a resident of Patialakad village in Nagrota Bagwan, was known for his discipline and exceptional service record. He completed his schooling at Primary School Dalhousie, Army Public School YoL Cantt Dharamshala, and Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira in Himachal Pradesh, before joining the NDA in 2009, as reported by The Indian Express . His father, Jagan Nath Syal, a retired Army officer and former principal, recounted the devastating moment he learned of the crash to The Indian Express . I last spoke to my son yesterday. He told me to see his performance during the air show on TV channels or YouTube. Around 4 pm today, I was searching for videos of the ongoing air show in Dubai on YouTube when I saw reports about the plane crash. Immediately, I called my daughter-in-law, who is also a Wing Commander, to check what happened. Moments later, at least six Air Force officers arrived at our house, and I realised something bad happened. The Syal family, including his mother Veena Syal, is currently at Namans home in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, while his wife, also an IAF officer, was undergoing training in Kolkata. Jagan Nath Syal described his son as excellent in studies and someone who dreamt big about his life. This incident left us completely shattered, he told The Indian Express . Wing Commander Syal is survived by his wife and their six-year-old daughter. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed profound sorrow on X, saying, The news of the tragic death of Himachal Pradeshs Kangra districts brave son, Naman Syal ji, in the Tejas aircraft accident at the Dubai Air Show is extremely saddening and heartbreaking. The nation has lost a courageous, dutiful, and valiant pilot I bow to the indomitable bravery, sense of duty, and dedication to national service of the brave son, as reported. The tragedy sent waves of grief across the Kangra valley. Villagers gathered outside the Syal family home late into the night, many in shock, lighting bonfires to keep warm as they tried to come to terms with the loss of the brave officer. Pilot lost control or blackout due to g-forces: Defence expert Capt Anil Gaur Looking at the nature of the Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show 2025, defence expert Captain Anil Gaur (Retd.) speculated that the incident might have occurred due to the pilot losing control or a blackout due to the g-forces induced by gravity. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Captain Gaur said that the exact cause of the crash can only be determined after the data from the cockpit is retrieved. Expressing condolences to the family of Wing Commander Naman Syal, who tragically lost his life in the crash, Captain Gaur said, It is sad that our Tejas jet was crashed during the Dubai air show and our brave pilot lost his life. From the visuals, it seems that the jet lost control during the acrobatics, or there might have been a pilot blackout. Blackout here means the excessive gravitational force. Pilots wear a G-suit so that the blood does not pool in their legs; there might have been an issue with that. What exactly happened can only be determined once the cockpit data is retrieved. I express my condolences to the family of the pilot, he added. Excessive g-forces can cause blood to pool in the lower body, potentially leading to a pilot blackout. The Indian Air Force announced the death of the Pilot after a Tejas aircraft crashed and burst into flames at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday. An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief, a statement by the Indian Air Force said. The IAF said a court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident in which the pilot succumbed to fatal injuries. The plane went down while performing an aerial display before a large crowd, local media reported. Khaleej Times reported that the fighter jet crashed into the ground soon after take-off. Photos and videos shared online show plumes of black smoke billowing into the air from the aircraft on the ground. The news outlet cited one eyewitness as saying, As soon as the plane took off, it crashed. I am not sure which aircraft it was. (With inputs from Agencies)
Special Intensive Revision: West Bengal CEO says most BLOs working well
SIR Review: West Bengal's electoral roll revision is progressing with 99% of booth-level officers working hard. The Chief Electoral Officer highlighted their crucial role. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 assembly elections are advancing. The first-level checking of EVMs and VVPATs has commenced in Kolkata. This process ensures the machines are ready for the upcoming polls.
Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR a Starbucks Reserve location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening Indias coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, Indias coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from Indias key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical model farms in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing model farms within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen Indias entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, India is one of our fastest-growing markets. Were partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. Its a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup . Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape Indias thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tatas footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India . Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for Indias ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the companys plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating Indias coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the worlds finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of Indias coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening Indias coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks . About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.
Why do terrorists use ammonium nitrate often?
Recently, the nation witnessed two major blasts: the first at the Red Fort complex in Delhi on November 10, and the second at the Nowgam police station in Srinagar on the night of November 14. However, there was no car bomb or terrorist attack the second time; a large amount of explosives recovered by the investigating agency was stored in the Nowgam police station, which exploded during the examination. Experts initially concluded that the explosives behind the two incidents were primarily made from ammonium nitrate, combined with fuel oil and detonators. The possibility of other powerful explosives such as PETN, SEMTEX, and RDX was feared, but it was later revealed that their quantity was small. Blast effect It is a white crystalline powder substance, which is commonly used widely as a nitrogen-rich fertilizer to increase crop yields. The country has just witnessed how dangerous the use of this seemingly harmless chemical can be. A powerful shock wave is generated during the explosion, which causes the surrounding area to shake and the explosion to spread. Thats why it is widely used in the mining and construction industries. This chemical, comprised of ammonium (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3-) ions, is a powerful oxidizer. Simply said, it provides enough oxygen for the reaction; nevertheless, other ingredients are necessary to initiate ignition! In chemistry, ammonium nitrate is stable and safer than other explosives when kept under controlled conditions; however, when exposed to intense heat or stirring, the gas released from it will ignite an explosion if there is a liquid organic compound or a readily available incendiary substance such as a detonator. Nitrous oxide (N2O) and water vapor (H2O) are initially produced from ammonium nitrate at high temperatures (around 300C). NH4NO3N2O + 2H2O At higher temperatures, they break down to form nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and water (H2O). 2NH4NO32N2+O2+4H2O Explosive reactions can also make other gases, such as ammonia (NH3), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). NO2 is the one that makes the reddish-brown clouds that we observe when explosions occur. When thermal oxidation events happen at very high temperatures and pressures, they make these gases. NH4NO2 is ideal for creating improvised explosive devices (IEDs) since it looks safe and stable yet has a lot of hidden destructive power. Ease of access It is readily accessible in the market. In an agricultural nation such as India, there is significant demand, resulting in ample supply. It can be stored with ease. Other military-grade explosives, including RDX, do not face similar restrictions on ammonium nitrate for the general public. The terrorists exploited this scenario. Furthermore, it exhibits greater stability compared to first-line explosives and can be transported using regular cars, enabling attackers to accumulate substantial quantities with minimal effort. In recent times, the repeated use of ammonium nitrate has become a cause of serious concern for the security of the country. The Government of India, in 2012, enacted the Explosives Act and the Ammonium Nitrate Rules, which lay down a set of rules for its manufacture and marketing, such as compulsory licensing; not to be stored in crowded places; to be stored away from the locality with high walls; to have adequate fire extinguishers; import and export activities to be limited to certain ports; not to be sold in the open; to be sold only in packet form, etc. Not only is it necessary to create laws, but also to put them into action. The dual use of NHNO often hinders its fruitful application. To combat this ongoing threat, it is essential to use modern technology, raise public awareness, and maintain strict surveillance from the administrative place. Shamim Haque Mondal Physics Division, State Forensic Science Laboratory, Kolkata
A Dumping Ground, Under Control Of Encroachers Is Now Indias 30th Test Cricket Venue
Barsapara Stadium (also known as the Assam Cricket Association Stadium) in Guwahati is staging a Test match for the first time ever. After what happened at Eden Gardens, the pitch and the new venue both are in focus now. The BCCI head curator Ashish Bhowmick is looking after the pitch and since this is home turf, his responsibility is much more. The India -South Africa Test at Barsapara Stadium, situated on the outskirts of Guwahati and inaugurated in 2012, is a historic occasion for Assam as this the first venue in the North-East where a Test is played. The local people after watching IPL games and the ICC Womens World Cup matches, will now watch the real stuff. Few years back, who would have thought that Guwahati shall give BCCI its Secretary Devojit Saikia and now the city is 30th venue in India to stage a Test. Earlier the centrally located Nehru Stadium was the centre of states most of the sporting activity including cricket and now cricket has its own home. The Assam government has plans to make Nehru stadium a FIFA Olympic-standard football stadium. Some facts about the Barsapara Stadium: *The wicket is made of red earth and expected to remain firm longer. * Capacity: 37,000 * Due to the geographical location of the state and India following a single time zone, players will experience something new. Instead of a usual Test match start of 9.30 AM, the Guwahati Test will witness a 9.00 AM start with toss at 8.30 AM. Lunch and Tea reversed. The first break from 11.00 AM to 11.20 AM. Lunch will be taken at 1.20 PM, and the final session will run from 2.00 PM. Tea before Lunch has was seen in the initial day-night Tests in Australia, but probably for a day Test, its a new start. * This year, the ICC Womens Cricket World Cup 2025 got off to a historic start here and the opener between India and Sri Lanka was watched by 22,843 fans, a record for the most attended group stage fixture at any Womens World Cup (Previous record: 15,935 set during the India-Pakistan ICC Womens T20 World Cup in 2024). * The construction of the stadium started in 2006 (in 2004 the foundation stone was laid by the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi). In 2012, the stadium was inaugurated by State PHE Minister Gautom Roy, who was also the president of ACA, and thereafter hosted its first professional game an East Zone Senior Women's Inter-State One-Day Championship match between Assam and Odisha. *The first international match here took place in 2017, a mens T20I between India and Australia and this marked the return of international cricket to Guwahati after seven years. *Womens T20Is were held here in 2019, and England were the visitors. * The rise of Assam in cricket circles coincide with the emergence of a new talent from east, named Riyan Parag, the first male cricketer from the state to go on to play for India and his IPL side Rajasthan Royals made Guwahati their second home. *The Stadium also hosts the Assam Cricket Association Academy. *In 2010, the stadium was officially renamed Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium by the ACA to honour the renowned lyricist, musician, and filmmaker. *An area of 59 bighas of land was allotted to ACA by the State Government and after clearing a portion from encroachers, the construction started. So, this is a story of a dumping ground, converted into a Test venue. * Klorophyll (India) Sports Turf Technology & Construction Private Limited has constructed the main field covering approximately 16800 sq. m., which is first of its kind in the entire country, as it is 100% sand based USGA perched water table profile installed with a detailed subsoil drainage network on grid pattern. The region is subject to very heavy precipitation, so the subsoil drainage system is designed to withstand cloudburst, such that play can start within minutes of a rain stoppage. * The main field has eight pitches on the wicket square, and there are ten pitches on a separate practice wicket area covering more than 2000 sq. m. * In 2020 the IPL had a new venue in Guwahat and was scheduled to host two of Rajasthan Royals' home matches (against Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders), making it the first city in the north-east of India to host an IPL match. However, the IPL was shifted to Dubai during the pandemic. The IPL returned to Guwahati in 2023 and Rajasthan Royals played against Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Charanpal Singh Sobti
IND vs SA second Test: South Africa elects to bat; Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy in playing XI
South Africa lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Kolkata by 30 runs.
Delhi Police nabs UP gangster in Kolkata
'Vanished From The Books': Air India Sells 40-Year-Old Plane It Didn't Know It Owned
Air India completed the sale of a four-decade-old Boeing 737-200 plane that it did not know it owned. The plane was grounded and left forgotten at a remote bay in Kolkata Airport.
Good news for Kolkata commuters! More trains to run on this line from...; check details
The first train will depart at 6.32 am from Salt Lake Sector V and at 6.30 am from Howrah Maidan.
An old Air India Boeing 737-200, lost to records for over a decade, has been sold. The aircraft, over 40 years old, was found at Kolkata airport. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed the sale. This marks the removal of a forgotten relic from the airline's past. The jet was originally delivered in 1982.
India vs South Africa, 2nd Test - Who will win today IND vs SA match?
IND vs SA , 2nd Test , Cricket Tips :South Africa stunned Team India in Kolkata and pulled off a famous win, defending just 123 runs. They beat India in their own spin trap, which will be on the minds of the hosts. The second test will be held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Saturday at 9 AM IST. Shubman Gill has been ruled out after sustaining a neck injury, and Rishabh Pant has been given the responsibility of leading the side. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second test, but he didn't play the first test. So, there will be no change for South Africa. IND vs SA: Match Details Date : November 22-26, 2025 (Saturday-Wednesday) Time : 9:00 AM IST Venue : Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati IND vs SA: Live Streaming Details Tune into Star Sports Network to watch the live action of the second IND vs SA test. For live streams, Indian fans can switch to the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs SA: Head-to-Head Total Matches : 45 India : 16 South Africa : 19 Drawn : 10 IND vs SA: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Guwahati is expected to be more in favor of spinners. The wicket will slow down with time, and it will break out. That will make the ball turn sharply with an uneven bounce. That is how the pitches in India behave for tests. IND vs SA: Possible XIs India : KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (wk & c), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj South Africa : Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj IND vs SA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Without Gill, a lot will depend on how KL Rahul bats. He is the most experienced batter and has performed in these conditions. Temba Bavuma is the key for South Africa; he has the determination to play long in these conditions. Probable Best Bowler Kuldeep Yadav bowled well in Kolkata and will be a threat to South Africa in this game. For South Africa, Simon Harmer will be key because of his wicket-taking ability. Today Match Prediction : South Africa had a great first game, while India were poor. But it is hard to beat India in consecutive home tests. Hence, we predict India to win this game. IND vs SA Match 2nd Test, Today Match IND vs SA, IND vs SA Prediction, IND vs SA Predicted XIs, Injury Update of the match between India vs South Africa Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
'We're Not Bangladeshi': How SIR in Bengal is Taking on a Communal Colour
Urban areas like New Town, and Gulshan Colony in Kolkata with high Muslim density have been targeted by media.
Ruturaj Gaikwad To Lead Maharashtra In 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: India opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named Maharashtras captain for the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting on November 26, said the Maharashtra Cricket Association announced on Friday. Gaikwad heads into the tournament on the back of strong form for India A in their 50-over series in Rajkot, where he amassed 210 runs, including a century. Maharashtra will play its groupstage fixtures at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and will start their campaign against Jammu and Kashmir on November 26. Apart from J&K, Maharashtra will also face off against Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Chandigarh in their Elite Group B league matches. Meanwhile, Shubham Khajuria has been named captain of the J&K team. The squad includes fast bowler Umran Malik and hardhitting batter Abdul Samad, both of whom bring valuable experience to the side whose fortunes in the Ranji Trophy have been on a high. For their white-ball games, they will have the services of their guest player leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin, who previously played for Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh. Previously, Jharkhand named wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as their captain for the tournament, where they are slotted in Elite Group D, alongside Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, and Tripura in Ahmedabad. Karnataka, meanwhile, have named Mayank Agarwal as their captain, with availability of Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna and KL Rahul depending on their selection for the ongoing multi-format series against South Africa. Previously, Jharkhand named wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as their captain for the tournament, where they are slotted in Elite Group D, alongside Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, and Tripura in Ahmedabad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jammu & Kashmir squad: Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Khajuria (c), Vivrant Sharma, Musaif Aijaz, Abdul Samad, Yawer Hassan, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (vc), Abid Mushtaq, Vanshaj Sharma, Ashwin Murugan, Yudhvir Singh, Auqib Nabi, Umran Malik, Nasir Lone, and Sunil Kumar Article Source: IANS
2nd Test: South Africa Will Look To Be Ruthless And Take On Opportunities, Says Bavuma
World Test Championship: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said his side will play in a ruthless way in the second Test against India, starting at the Barsapara Stadium on Saturday, and look to seize every opportunity in their quest to get a 2-0 series win. South Africa defeated India by 30 runs in a lowscoring contest at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, to take a 10 lead in the twomatch series and extend their impressive run since winning the World Test Championship in June. The result also marked the Proteas first Test victory in India in 15 years. Having recently drawn 11 in Pakistan, Bavuma & Co. now have the chance to script history by securing a first Test series triumph on Indian soil since Hansie Cronjes team achieved the feat in 2000. Ultimately, every game you've got to play to win. I think our mindset is not on protecting the lead that we have. We want to play from the front, and we will continue to do so. In terms of the game, we'll play what's in front of us. We understand that, yes, light does become an issue, but we don't want to go in there with that defensive type of mindset. Whatever opportunities are there within the game, we'll look to be ruthless and take them. But if there's an opportunity for it to be 2-0, then so be it, Bavuma told reporters on Friday. He also expressed full confidence in the experienced Lungi Ngidi to step up for the Proteas following the absence of Kagiso Rabada due to a rib bone stress injury. I think he wasn't under any delusions about him not being included within this (original) Indian team squad. Communication is a big thing within the team. I think with that being said, the guy has a lot of experience, and in a game like this where you want to be able to call upon your experience. I think it would be a little bit unfair on maybe bringing in a younger seamer to come and potentially do a role in this game. When Lungi was bowling yesterday, he was bowling as well as he's ever bowled. The last Test he played, you know, he did quite well. So, you know, there's confidence there. We'd like to feed off that confidence and the opportunities there for him to do well, he added. Bavuma further said the pitch in Guwahati appeared to be a typical subcontinental wicket offering assistance to batters in the first few days before gradually turning in favour of the spinners as the match progresses. When Lungi was bowling yesterday, he was bowling as well as he's ever bowled. The last Test he played, you know, he did quite well. So, you know, there's confidence there. We'd like to feed off that confidence and the opportunities there for him to do well, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So think of all the fundamentals that come with playing in the subcontinent. First innings becomes crucial from a batting point of view to really set the game up. And your spinners, in our case, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, supported by Aiden, (Markram) have them come into the game within the second or later half of the game, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Rohan Pariyars Renaissance-inspired Kolkata showcase brings the women of Medici dynasty to life
An evening of Renaissance art, music, and couture transformed Kolkatas Victoria Memorial into a shimmering crossroads of two civilisations
Pant Will Handle It Fine As Indias Captain For Guwahati Test Against SA, Says Ponting
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to be fine in handling the captaincy role for India in the upcoming second Test against South Africa, saying his vast experience will serve him well to lead the hosts in the absence of Shubman Gill. Pant will become Indias 38th Test captain when the Guwahati Test begins at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Saturday, after regular skipper Gill was ruled out due to a neck injury sustained in the first game at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A series-levelling win in Guwahati will also help India to climb to third place in the World Test Championship standings. It's never easy to come in and fill in for someone as a stopgap captain, especially when you've just lost a Test match a few days before. Rishabh is a reasonably experienced Test match player now though as well. I think being a wicket keeper probably helps to see the way that the game is evolving and what's happening in the game. He has done at IPL level now for the last few years, obviously done it in Delhi (Capitals) before that. I think he'll handle it fine, said Ponting on the ICC Review show. Pant and Ponting previously shared a captaincoach dynamic at Delhi Capitals before the former moved to Lucknow Super Giants, while the latter shifted to Punjab Kings. Pant brings considerable leadership experience from whiteball cricket, as well as captaining India in the T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. Though Pant will captain India in red-ball cricket for the first time, he will bank on his experience of leading Delhi in Ranji Trophy and more recently, of leading India A in the two-game series against South Africa A at the BCCI CoE ground in Bengaluru. Ponting is keen to see how Pant would modify his style of play in Guwahati due to the leadership duties. Pant and Ponting previously shared a captaincoach dynamic at Delhi Capitals before the former moved to Lucknow Super Giants, while the latter shifted to Punjab Kings. Pant brings considerable leadership experience from whiteball cricket, as well as captaining India in the T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The IPL is probably almost as big as a Test match for a lot of these guys because of the crowds and the scrutiny that comes in an IPL game. I think the modern players are a bit more ready for that and a bit for those leadership roles and the enormity of the situation than they might have been 15 years ago. So I think Rishabh will handle it fine, he added. Article Source: IANS
IND vs SA Test series: South Africa fast bowler Rabada ruled out of second test against India
We will finalise the starting 11 tomorrow when we have had a look at the wicket, but it looks a little bit fresher than Kolkata with a bit more grass on the wicket, so that suggests it will play a bit better, captain Temba Bavuma told reporters
After Shubman Gill, Kagiso Rabada ruled out of India vs South Africa Guwahati Test
South Africa faces a blow as star pacer Kagiso Rabada is out of the second Test against India in Guwahati due to a rib injury. Captain Temba Bavuma confirmed the absence, noting the Guwahati pitch is expected to differ from Kolkata's. This marks the Barsapara Stadium's debut Test match, adding an element of the unknown for both teams.
After Missing Kolkata Game Due To Rib Injury, Rabada Ruled Out Of Second Test
Seamer Lungi Ngidi: After missing South Africas 30-run win over India in the first Test at Kolkata, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second Test against India in Guwahati and the subsequent whiteball series due to a rib bone stress injury. Seamer Lungi Ngidi has already been drafted into the squad as a cover for the injured Rabada. The injury has been closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, and due to ongoing discomfort in the affected area, Rabada has been withdrawn from the remainder of the tour. He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation program with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test, said Cricket South Africa (CSA) in a statement on Friday. The development also means that South Africa could field an unchanged playing eleven for the upcoming clash in Guwahati. Simon Harmer emerged as South Africas standout bowler in the Kolkata Test, claiming eight wickets in a Player of the Match performance. He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation program with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test, said Cricket South Africa (CSA) in a statement on Friday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Temba Bavuma-led South Africa come into the game in Guwahati with an aim to get their first series win on Indian soil after 25 years. Since becoming the World Test Championship winners in June, South Africa drew 11 in Pakistan and then edged India by 30 runs on a challenging pitch with variable bounce at Eden Gardens. South Africa now have a chance to secure a Test series triumph in India after the Hansie Cronje-led Proteas last did it in 2000. Article Source: IANS
Shubman Gill To Head To Mumbai For Further Assessment Of Neck Injury, Says BCCI
Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport: After being ruled out of the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati, Shubman Gill will now head to Mumbai for further assessment of his neck injury, said the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday. In Gills absence, wicketkeeperbatter Rishabh Pant has been named as Indias captain for the second Test, which is a must-win for the hosts after losing the first Test in Kolkata by 30 runs. Gill had flown with the Indian team to Guwahati on November 19, but didnt take part in the practice sessions due to a neck injury, which also needed hospitalisation in Kolkata. Team India captain Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the first Test against South Africa, has been ruled out of the second Test in Guwahati. Gill suffered a neck injury on Day 2 of the Kolkata Test and was taken to the hospital for examination after the end of day's play. He was kept under observation and discharged the next day. He travelled to Guwahati on 19th November, 2025. Unfortunately, he was not fully fit to feature in the 2nd Test and will head to Mumbai for further assessment of his injury. Rishabh Pant will lead the team in the 2nd Test in Gill's absence, said BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia in a statement. It is understood that Gill boarded a flight to Mumbai from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in the early hours of Friday morning. He is likely to consult Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, Head Centre for Sports Medicine, and Director - Arthroscopy & Shoulder Service at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, for chalking out the further course of recovery from the neck injury. Pardiwala is also overseeing the recovery of Shreyas Iyer, who was admitted to a hospital in Sydney for a spleen laceration, with internal bleeding, after clutching his ribcage post taking the catch of Alex Carey during India's third ODI against Australia on October 25. After being discharged from the hospital and continued recovery in Sydney, Iyer is back home in Mumbai, but will need a few more months to be fully match fit. For now, Gill is also in serious doubt to lead India in the subsequent ODI series against the Proteas, starting on November 30. Pardiwala is also overseeing the recovery of Shreyas Iyer, who was admitted to a hospital in Sydney for a spleen laceration, with internal bleeding, after clutching his ribcage post taking the catch of Alex Carey during India's third ODI against Australia on October 25. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pant is now set to be India's seventh Test captain in the last five years and his task will be to ensure India gets a series-levelling win in Guwahati, becoming Indias 30th Test venue. Article Source: IANS
Seven BLOs of Kolkata issued show-cause notices by ECI
The complaint concerns improper and incomplete digitisation of collected enumeration forms, says the official
A powerful earthquake shook central Bangladesh on Friday morning. The 5.5-magnitude tremor caused buildings to sway in Dhaka. At least six people lost their lives. Dozens more sustained injuries. Residents rushed into the streets for safety. The quake was centered near Dhaka. This event highlights seismic activity in the region.
5.7magnitude earthquake in Bangladesh triggers tremors in West Bengal
Kolkata: Tremors were felt across West Bengal and parts of the northeast on Friday morning, as an earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolted Bangladeshs Narsingdi, the National Centre for Seismology said. The quake struck 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi in the neighbouring country at 10.08 am, and at a depth of 10 km, it said. Also 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 .
Pant To Captain India In The Guwahati Test Against South Africa In Gills Absence
Guwahati Test: Rishabh Pant will captain India in the second Test against South Africa beginning at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. Pant steps in to lead India in the must-win game following regular skipper Shubman Gill suffering a neck injury in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Shubman was keen to play the match. He showed resilience even when his body was not permitting. We have taken a decision on who will play in the playing eleven in place of Shubman. The person who will play in the match knows he is playing, said Pant in the pre-match press conference on Friday. Though Gills availability was always in doubt despite travelling to Guwahati with the Indian team, it is understood that he is likely to be released from the squad to rest and seek a specialist consultation in Mumbai for chalking out further course of recovery. It also means that hes in serious doubt to play in the subsequent ODI series against the Proteas, starting on November 30. For now, Pant will become Indias 38th Test captain and just the second wicketkeeper-batter after MS Dhoni to lead the side in the longer format. Pant is now set to be India's seventh Test captain in the last five years and his task will be to ensure India gets a series-levelling win in Guwahatis debut as a Test venue after suffering a 30-run defeat in Kolkata. It also means that hes in serious doubt to play in the subsequent ODI series against the Proteas, starting on November 30. For now, Pant will become Indias 38th Test captain and just the second wicketkeeper-batter after MS Dhoni to lead the side in the longer format. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sometimes if you think too much about big occasions, it doesn't help. I want to be conventional and also blend it with out-of-box thinking. I want to have nice balance and blend both when captaining, added Pant. Article Source: IANS
After sustaining a neck injury during the Kolkata Test, Team India's Test skipper Shubman Gill has been released from the squad ahead of the second match in Guwahati.
Earthquake In Bangladesh Triggers Tremors Across Kolkata, Northeast India
The 5.7-magnitude Bangladesh earthquake today was a moderate seismic event that shook parts of Eastern India.
Earthquake Kolkata: A magnitude 5.7 earthquake originating near Dhaka, Bangladesh, caused noticeable tremors across Kolkata and Northeast India. The shallow quake, with its epicenter 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi, struck at 10:08 am, prompting residents to evacuate buildings as a safety measure. No immediate injuries or damage were reported in the affected cities.
Seven BLOs in Kolkata issued show-cause notices by EC as politics over SIR escalates
KOLKATA: Seven Booth Level Officers (BLOs) of the Beliaghata constituency in Kolkata have been issued show-cause notices by the Election Commission (EC), citing lapses in the digitisation process of SIR enumeration forms, an official said. The complaint concerns improper and incomplete digitisation of collected enumeration forms, he said. The BLOs have been instructed to explain, by Friday afternoon, why they failed to carry out the assigned tasks properly, he said. Disciplinary action may be taken if the explanations are deemed unsatisfactory, he added. The EC is conducting phase two of the special intensive revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in 12 states and Union Territories, including West Bengal, where elections would be due early next year. The exercise began on November 4 and will continue till December 4. The draft electoral rolls will be released on December 9, and the final rolls will be published on February 7.
Kolkata Earthquake Today: Kolkata experienced mild tremors on Friday morning. Residents quickly evacuated homes and offices around 10:08 AM. The shaking lasted only a few seconds, causing brief panic. No damage or injuries were reported. The tremors were linked to a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Bangladesh's Narsingdi district. Social media buzzed with shared experiences.
Tremors Felt in West Bengal, NE as 5.7 Magnitiude Quake Jolts Bangladesh
Several people in Kolkata and other districts were seen coming out on the streets as a precautionary measure
Strong tremors shake West Bengal, NE as 5.7-magnitude earthquake hits Bangladesh
Tremors were felt across WesT Bengal, including Kolkata and parts of North East on Friday morning after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladeshs Narsingdi district, the IMD reported. The quake occurred at 10:08 am, with its epicentre located about 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi at a depth of 10 km. Several people in West Bengal and the northeast, including Kolkata and Assam's Guwahati, were seen coming out on the streets as a precautionary measure. No immediate reports of damage or injuries have been received. Futher details are awaited.
Tremors Felt Across West Bengal As 5.7 Magnitiude Quake Jolts Bangladesh
KOLKATA, Nov 21: Tremors were felt in several places of south Bengal, including Kolkata on Friday morning, as an earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolted Bangladeshs Narsingdi, the IMD said. The quake struck 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi in the neighbouring country at 10.08 am, and at a depth of 10 km, it said. Several people in Kolkata and other districts were seen coming out on the streets as a precautionary measure. There was no immediate report of any injury or [] The post Tremors Felt Across West Bengal As 5.7 Magnitiude Quake Jolts Bangladesh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 strikes Bangladesh, GFZ says
Mild tremors were reportedly felt in Kolkata as well.
Tremors Felt In Kolkata, Northeast After Earthquake In Bangladesh
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake in Bangladesh sent strong tremors across Kolkata and parts of Northeast India on Friday morning.
IND vs SA 2nd Test: What lies beneath? Surface tension in Guwahati too?
After the uproar over Kolkata's deteriorating pitch, batting coach Kotak expressed his shock regarding the extreme turn of the surface, noting that the team had envisioned a more standard track. He addressed Gambhir's earlier comments, particularly the challenges posed by inconsistent bounce.
5.2-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Bangladesh, Tremors Felt In Kolkata
Mild tremors were felt in Kolkata on Friday after a 5.5-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladesh's Ghorashal area.
Most Intense Earthquake Of My Life: Residents On Kolkata Tremors
An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 struck Bangladesh's Ghorashal, with the tremors being felt in West Bengal's Kolkata.
Kolkata Earthquake: Strong tremors of 5.2 magnitude felt in Kolkata, adjoining areas, Bangladesh
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the quake was located in Ghorasal in Dhaka and the depth of the quake was 10 km.
ED raids over 40 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal against coal mafia
Enforcement Directorate officials on Friday carried out searches at more than 40 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with a money laundering probe involving the coal mafia network. The cases together point to large-scale coal pilferage, causing an estimated loss of hundreds of crores to the government. In Jharkhand, the agency is searching around 18 locations as part of its probe. In West Bengal, the EDs Kolkata unit is conducting searches at 24 premises across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah and Kolkata. These operations pertain to several major cases of coal theft and smuggling, including those linked to Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, LB Singh and Amar Mandal. Premises associated with Narendra Kharka, Anil Goyal, Yudhistir Ghosh, Krishna Murari Kayal and others are also being searched. (This is a developing story)
West Bengal govt convenes meeting with DMs over 2026 assembly polls on Saturday
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has convened a meeting on Saturday with senior administrative officials to discuss preparations for next years assembly polls, sources said. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant is likely to chair the meeting with the district magistrates at the state secretariat, they said. It will focus on the electoral infrastructure and Electronic Voting 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 .
Tremors from Bangladesh quake jolt Indias Kolkata and nearby areas
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Dhaka sent noticeable tremors across Kolkata and several parts of eastern India. The sudden quake caused panic as people in offices, markets and residential buildings rushed outside for safety. The post Tremors from Bangladesh quake jolt Indias Kolkata and nearby areas appeared first on Fusion - WeRIndia .
Don Jr visits Agra, to attend star-studded wedding in Udaipur
LUCKNOW / JAIPUR: Donald Trump Jr, son of US President Donald Trump, on Thursday visited the Taj Mahal in Agra. A group of 126 special guests from nearly 40 countries accompanied him during the tour of the 17th-century marvel. In view of the high-profile visit, the authorities had tightened security and spruced up the arrangements. According to sources, around 200 police personnel were deployed across key locations in the city and the security detail included officers of ACP and ADC rank. This is Trump Jrs second visit to India. In February 2018, he had toured New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata. From Agra, Trump Jr will travel to Udaipur in Rajasthan to attend a high-profile wedding. Sources said he will reach Udaipur on Friday evening and will stay there till Monday. Sources said Trump Jr will be staying at The Leela Palace. The multi-day celebrations, from November 21 to 24, are for the wedding of Netra Mantena, daughter of US-based billionaire Rama Raju Mantena, and Vamsi Gadiraju. The main ceremony is on November 23 at the iconic Jag Mandir Palace, set on an island in Lake Pichola. The guest list includes Hollywood stars Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber, who are expected to perform at the event. Internationally acclaimed South African DJ and song writer Black Coffee is also set to perform at the gala wedding. From Bollywood, Hrithik Roshan, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Vaani Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, and Karan Johar are expected. Event management firm Wizcraft, known for organising the IIFA Awards in Jaipur earlier this year, is overseeing the wedding arrangements.
A month-long fest in Kolkata that will celebrate arts and culture with a dash of politics
Uber partners with NGO Sulabh to direct drivers in nine cities to cleaner toilets
The partnership is in place in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Kolkata.
Seven BLOs in Kolkata issued show-cause notice by EC for poor performance
Seven Booth Level Officers in Kolkata's Beliaghata have been showcaused by the Election Commission for their slow digitization of enumeration forms. This poor performance, with digitization rates between 4% and 8% against a target of 30%, is negatively impacting the assembly's overall progress. The Election Commission has urged officials to expedite the process to meet the December 4 deadline.
Mamata slams SIR as chaotic, coercive, urges CEC to stop exercise
Kolkata: Upping the ante on SIR, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a strongly worded letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, asking him to immediately halt the exercise that she claimed was chaotic, coercive and dangerous. Banerjee said she was compelled to write because the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls 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 .
More pitch trouble? SA coach ahead of Guwahati Test - 'If they cut the grass... '
South Africa's bowling coach, Piet Botha, is uncertain about the grass on the Guwahati pitch for the second Test, but anticipates better batting conditions than Kolkata's unpredictable surface. He expects moisture to aid the new ball in the opening hour, with toss decisions hinging on the wicket's final appearance. South Africa is also monitoring Kagiso Rabada's fitness.
Bengal CM Mamata blames SIR pressure for BLO deaths; urges EC to halt drive in Bengal
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday urging him to take immediate corrective measures to prevent loss of lives owing to SIR-related stress and work pressure. Hours after a Booth Level Officer (BLO) died by suicide in Jalpaiguri district on Wednesday, the chief minister came down heavily on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that precious lives were being lost due to the pressure generated by the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. She urged the commission to immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost. On Thursday, she reiterated the request, asking the ECI to stop the SIR process in the state. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous, Mamatas letter states. She wrote that the absence of basic preparedness, adequate planning and clear communication had crippled the process from the beginning. According to the letter, The human cost of this mismanagement is now unbearable. Yesterday, an anganwadi worker serving as BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, died by suicide reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure. Several others have lost their lives since this process began. A revision that previously required three years is now being forcibly compressed into three months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhuman working conditions and forcing common people under the shadow of fear and uncertainty. Standing beside the BLOs, mostly state government employees such as schoolteachers and ICDS workers, she criticised the office of the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) for serving show-cause notices to BLOs without reason. West Bengal: Chhitmahal tag for 51 enclaves in SIR forms BLOs are now operating far beyond human limits. They are expected to manage their principal duties (many being teachers and frontline workers) while simultaneously conducting door-to-door surveys and handling complex e-submissions. Most are struggling online due to lack of training, server failures and repeated data mismatches, the letter adds. She wrote that instead of offering support, extending timelines or addressing systemic flaws, the office of the CEO West Bengal had resorted to intimidation. Show-cause notices are being issued without justification. BLOs are being threatened with severe disciplinary action simply because the Commission refuses to acknowledge the reality on the ground, the letter says. Mamata urged the CEC to intervene decisively to halt the ongoing exercise, stop coercive measures, provide proper training and support, and thoroughly reassess the present methodology and timelines. Continuing this unplanned, coercive drive not only endangers more lives but also jeopardises the legitimacy of the electoral revision process, she said. Political observers believe the chief minister, who is also the Trinamool Congress supremo, is attempting a strategic outreach by standing beside the BLOs and bringing them into her confidence during the SIR drive. Opposition BJP and CPI(M) alleged that many BLOs were found carrying out SIR work from inside Trinamool Congress party offices or local clubs dominated by the ruling party, enabling dubious and dead voters to re-enter the electoral rolls. They claimed the letter was an attempt to influence BLOs so that Trinamools Booth Level Agents (BLAs) could pressure them to retain fake voters on the list. According to opposition allegations, names of around 6,000 dead voters were found in the electoral rolls during the Kaliganj bypoll in Nadia district. The SIR-charged upcoming election in West Bengal and why it's a cause for great worry
BJP accuses Mamata of halting SIR to shield fraudulently created bogus voter base in Bengal
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday alleged that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was complaining against the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls and resorting to dramatics over it because her political survival depends on shielding a voter base created fraudulently. The assertion came after Banerjee, who is also the Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo, wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging the ongoing special intensive revision (SIR) exercise in the state was being conducted in an unplanned and coercive manner, putting citizens and officials at risk. She also claimed that the SIR exercise has reached an alarming and a dangerous stage, and demanded an immediate corrective action. BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari termed Banerjee's letter to the chief election commissioner signs of desperation and accused her of trying to halt the voter roll cleanup exercise to shield the very ecosystem that kept it in power. Mamata Banerjee writing a letter to the Election Commission on halting the SIR exercise is nothing short of an admission that the TMC's top leadership is rattled. For years, TMC quietly benefited from illegal infiltration and bogus voters, Bhandari alleged in a post on X. Signs of Desperation from Mamata Banerjee! Mamata Banerjee writing a letter to the Election Commission on 'halting the SIR exercise' is nothing short of an admission that TMCs top leadership is rattled. For years, TMC quietly benefited from illegal infiltration and bogus pic.twitter.com/7ybkTtFQpj Pradeep Bhandari( ) (@pradip103) November 20, 2025 Now that the voter list is being cleaned through SIR and fake entries are being removed, Mamata is panicking. A nervous, desperate TMC is trying to shield the very ecosystem that kept it in power, he added. BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya claimed that Banerjee will continue to complain and dramatise the SIR process because she knows he noose is tightening and she risks being defeated in the 2026 assembly polls. Rickshaw-puller attempts suicide as his name was not in 2002 electoral rolls in West Bengal Her political survival depends on shielding a voter base created through fraudulent and illegal means, he charged, adding, In 2026, West Bengal will elect a chief minister for the state, not someone who behaves as though she is the provincial leader of East Pakistan. Malviya said India shares its international land borders with seven countries, stretching a total of about 15,106.7 km. The longest of these is the boundary with Bangladesh, extending 4,096.7 km, touching West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram, he pointed out. The BSF guards this entire stretch, yet West Bengal has witnessed the highest levels of illegal infiltration, he claimed. The reason is clear: Mamata Banerjee's administration has repeatedly been accused of enabling this infiltration -- facilitating documentation, providing cover, and settling infiltrators in electorally strategic areas, the BJP leader added. Malviya claimed the ruling TMC's mandate rests heavily on the seats it wins in the Kolkata Presidency region, which includes Kolkata, and parts of South and North 24 Parganas. These are also the areas that have seen maximum infiltration and the highest concentration of fake voters, he claimed. This region consistently witnesses widespread violence during elections, and the notorious Diamond Harbour is part of it, Madviya alleged. Mamata slams ECI after one more BLO dies by suicide in West Bangal; alleges 'unbearable SIR pressure'
Kotak Hopeful On Gills Recovery, Slams agenda-driven Criticism Of Gambhir Ahead Of Second Test
In T20s: Indias batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has offered guarded optimism on skipper Shubman Gills fitness even as he launched a fierce defence of head coach Gautam Gambhir amid growing scrutiny following Indias 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test in Kolkata. Gill, who suffered a neck spasm during the opening match and did not train on Thursday, will undergo a key fitness test on Friday that will determine his availability for the second Test beginning Saturday in Guwahati. See, he is definitely recovering really well, because I also met him yesterday, Kotak said. Now, the decision will be taken tomorrow evening, because the physios and doctors have to decide whether, even if he is fully recovered, there's a chance of the spasm recurring during the match. That is very important. If there is a doubt, then I am sure he will rest for one more game because it won't help the team otherwise. A player like Shubman, and he's the captain, so any team would miss him. Kotak added that while the Indian team would sorely miss its captain, the squad has the depth to cover for him. But if he is missing out because of injury, we have batters and plenty of good players. They are professionals; they should come and perform for the team. We all wish he plays, but if he doesn't, we will definitely have a good replacement and maybe the guy coming in will score a hundred. If Gill sits out, Dhruv Jurel who batted at No. 4 in Kolkata is among the options. Jurel batted at No. 4, so he is one option. But until we know about Shubman, there is no point in discussing who will play. Once we know, and once we see the wicket tomorrow, we will think about the best combination. Kotak also stressed how Gills absence influenced the first Test. In the last game, nobody discussed much about what our chances would have been had Shubman batted in both innings. The second innings may not have even mattered. If in the first innings he had batted and we had one partnership, with a 100-run lead, we would have been fine. That's not an excuse, but a reality that he couldn't bat in two innings. Kotak hits back at criticism of Gambhir Kotak reserved his strongest words for those targeting Gambhir after Indias fourth home Test loss in a year. Gautam Gambhir, Gautam Gambhir (criticism) is being done. I am saying this because I am a staff member and I feel bad. That's not the way, he said, insisting that some reactions are agenda-driven. Maybe some people individually have agendas. Good luck to them, but it is very bad. He questioned why only Gambhir was being attacked when players also faltered. No one is saying that this batsman did this, this bowler did that, or we can do something different in batting. Kotak praised the head coach for taking responsibility for the turning track at Eden Gardens. Gautam said that he took all the blame on himself. He said that he took the blame because he felt that he should not blame the curators. Technical concerns and changing batting mindsets Kotak acknowledged that South Africa adapted better to the same conditions while explaining how modern batting, influenced heavily by T20 cricket, has altered technique. Technical concerns and changing batting mindsets Also Read: Live Cricket Score On the technical shift, he elaborated: In a Test match, you rely a lot on footwork. In T20s and in power hitting, you focus a lot on creating an early base. So, there will be no footwork in creating an early base. Article Source: IANS
'No one wanted': Batting coach contradicts Gambhir; hits out at Kolkata wicket
India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak strongly defended head coach Gautam Gambhir against criticism following the Kolkata Test loss to South Africa. 'Gautam Gambhir, Gautam Gambhir' (criticism) is being done. I am saying this because I am a staff and I feel bad. That's not the way, Kotak said on Thursday ahead of the second Test starting Saturday.
Rickshaw-puller attempts suicide as his name was not in 2002 electoral rolls in West Bengal
KOLKATA: A 64-year-old rickshaw-puller on Wednesday night attempted suicide, reportedly owing to depression after his name was not in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the 2002 electoral rolls in West Bengal. The incident occurred near the CCR Bridge at Belghoria Railway station in North 24 Parganas district on Wednesday night when the rickshaw-puller Ashok Sarder, a resident of Kamarhati Municipality area, jumped onto the railway track and sustained severe injury. He was rushed to the state-run R G Kar Medical College Hospital in critical condition. Ashoks family members alleged that he was suffering from depression after he couldnt find his name on the SIR in 2002, but his mothers name was there in the voter list. The spelling of his mothers name was also wrong in the last electoral roll revision list. He was desperately looking for documents so that he could include his name during the ongoing SIR process this time, and was psychologically upset, they alleged. Mamata slams ECI after one more BLO dies by suicide in West Bangal; alleges 'unbearable SIR pressure' There have been regular complaints of deaths of voters and booth-level officers (BLO) allegedly triggered by either suicides or severe cardiac arrests and cerebral attacks in Bengal since the announcement of the SIR exercise was made in the state. A female BLO who was an Anganwadi in Jalpaiguri died by suicide in Jalpaiguri district in the state, allegedly because of relentless work pressure in connection with rigorous SIR duty. The incident took place hardly 10 days after another BLO in East Burdwan on 9 November died of a cerebral attack allegedly triggered by the tremendous workload due to the ongoing electoral roll revision drive. With reports of these suicidal and normal deaths and suicide attempts, both ruling Trinamool Congress and opposition BJP got involved in attacks and counterattacks with each other for the past several weeks. Hours after the BLOs death on Wednesday, the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee came down heavily on the Election Commission of India (ECI), saying lives are lost due to work pressure and stress generated by the SIR process in the state. She urged the commission to immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost. The saffron camp alleged that the ruling party has been spreading an atmosphere of panic among common people through regular negative campaigns against the SIR process. (If you are having suicidal thoughts, or are worried about a friend or need emotional support, someone is always there to listen. Call Sneha Foundation - 04424640050, Tele Manas - 14416 (available 24x7) or iCall, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences' helpline - 02225521111, which is available Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 10 pm.)
Playing in all formats for India is a luxury: Kuldeep Yadav
Kuldeep returned home from Australia mid-way through a five-match T20I series to prepare for the South Africa Tests and made a decent impact in Kolkata, taking four wickets despite the hosts losing by 30 runs
'Pitches are hurting their own batters': Ponting warns India after Kolkata collapse
Ricky Ponting takes a critical stance on the pitch conditions in Kolkata, arguing that the extreme turning nature of the surface is counterproductive for India's own batting lineup. He endorses Rishabh Pant as the ideal choice for captain in the upcoming Test, highlighting Pant's vast experience in the IPL.
Bengal man critical after suicide bid amidst SIR-related fear: Police
Kolkata: A 63-year-old man, allegedly terrified over the Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls, attempted suicide by jumping onto railway tracks in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, police said on Thursday. The incident occurred near the CCR Bridge at Belgharia when Ashok Sardar jumped into the tracks on Wednesday night, they said. 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 .
Shubman Gill yet to return to nets; green tinge Guwahati surface under spotlight
Preparations for the second Test in Guwahati are underway, with the Barsapara Cricket Stadium pitch showing a green tinge. Shubman Gill, recovering from a neck spasm, may join practice tomorrow. The red soil pitch is expected to offer pace and bounce, aiming for a balanced surface after Kolkata's criticism.
Bengal SIR: ECI sets target for daily digitisation of enumeration forms
Kolkata: To complete the digitisation of the enumeration form for the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal by the month-end, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has set a target for the daily digitisation of the forms for the booth-level officers. Under this target, each BLO will have to upload 150 enumeration forms 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 .
From Awadh to Bengal: Old Lucknow to come alive in Kolkata this month
The heritage walk, titled Biryani and Beyond, will take place on November 29 and will be essentially a food walk where participants will get to taste traditional but lesser-known delicacies that will be accompanied with stories of migration, culture and cuisine
South Africa eye historic first Test series win in India in 25 years
After a breathtaking victory in Kolkata, South Africa are on the brink of achieving their first Test series win in India in over two decade and a half. Under the inspiring leadership of Temba Bavuma and backed by an exceptional bowling lineup, the Proteas are eager for a historic triumph.
Kolkata woman duped of Rs 78 lakh in phone call fraud, 3 Gujarat men arrested
KOLKATA, Nov 19: Three persons were arrested from Gujarat for allegedly defrauding an elderly woman of Kolkata of over Rs 78 lakh after convincing her that a parcel in her name contained illegal drugs, police said on Wednesday. The suspects were nabbed from different parts of Gujarat by the Cyber Crime Wing of the Kolkata Police, they said. Deepanwita Dhar, a resident of Kolkatas Maniktala, received an automated call on March 9, 2024, informing her that a parcel in her [] The post Kolkata woman duped of Rs 78 lakh in phone call fraud, 3 Gujarat men arrested appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
The Hindu journalists win Laadli awards for gender-sensitive reportage
Reports on the rape and murder of a doctor in R.G. Kar Hospital in Kolkata and a feature on transgender welfare bag accolades
TMC MP Files Complaint Against WB Governor Of Provocation
The governor was then so irritated by the TMC MPs claim that he ordered a search operation by a bomb squad in his security cover and the Kolkata Police at his palatial workplace-cum-residence to show that nothing could be found there: Reports
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee lodges complaints against Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose
KOLKATA: The four-day-long confrontation between West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee escalated further after the veteran parliamentarian lodged complaints against the states constitutional head at Hare Street police station on Wednesday, a day after the Governor filed an FIR with the same police station on Tuesday accusing the MP of making derogatory remarks. Raj Bhavan had lodged the FIR on Tuesday against Kalyan for his statements alleging Bose of giving shelter to BJP goons and stocking arms and ammunition inside the Governors House premises to kill Trinamool Congress workers. Kalyan has been booked under various sections of the BNS, including those pertaining to crime to assault or wrongfully restrain the President or Governor intentionally in a manner that can endanger Indias unity and integrity. Sources at Raj Bhavan said it would file a defamation case against Kalyan in the Calcutta High Court within this week. Several specific complaints have been lodged against the Governor with Hare Street police station. I will urge the police to investigate the complaints, Kalyan told reporters this afternoon. Interestingly, the designation of Bose has not been mentioned in the complaints lodged with the police station. Bose had on Sunday threatened to take legal action against Kalyan for his remarks made on Saturday. The face-off between Bose and Kalyan aggravated further on Monday after the former asked Kolkata Police to deploy its bomb disposal squad with a sniffer dog, disaster management team and civil defence department to conduct search operations inside the Raj Bhavan premises to find out whether arms and ammunition were lying stacked there. Police officials, the bomb disposal squad and CRPF personnel conducted combing operations inside the Raj Bhavan premises, including every room, other parts of the building and the lawns, on Monday afternoon under the Governors physical supervision. The MP had made his remarks on Saturday while reacting to Boses recent statement on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Bose had said the exercise helped purify the voter list. As long as an incompetent governor like you remains, as long as a BJP-servant governor remains, you will never see anything good happening in West Bengal, Kalyan added.
Double disaster for South Africa! Two key players hit by injury scares before crucial Guwahati Test
South Africa have been rocked by a double injury scare ahead of the crucial Guwahati Test, with two key players reporting fitness issues shortly after their Kolkata heroics. The Proteas camp is on alert as both players undergo assessments that could impact their plans for the second Test.
SIR in Bengal: Mamata slams ECI after death of BLO in Jalpaiguri
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed shock over the death of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Jalpaiguris Mal block, alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has imposed inhuman pressure on field workers and led to 28 deaths so far. The chief minister claimed the deceased 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 .
BLO dies by suicide due to work pressure in WB, CM Mamata Banerjee demands ECI to halt SIR exercise
KOLKATA: A Booth Level Officer (BLO), Shanti Muni Ekka, a resident of Rangamati panchayat, died by suicide on Wednesday in West Bengal, allegedly due to tremendous work pressure in connection with the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the State. Hours after the BLOs death, the CM Mamata Banerjee came down heavily on the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that precious lives are lost due to work pressure and stress generated by the SIR process. She urged the Commission to immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost. This incident comes hardly 10 days after a BLO in East Burdwan on 9 November died of a cerebral attack allegedly triggered by relentless work pressure during the ongoing electoral roll revision drive. Deeply shocked and saddened. Today again, we lost a Booth Level Officer in Mal, Jalpaiguri Smt Shanti Muni Ekka, a tribal lady, an anganwadi worker who took her own life under the unbearable pressure of the ongoing SIR work. 28 people have already lost their lives since SIR Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 19, 2025 The deceased, identified as Namita Hansda, was an Anganwadi worker and had been assigned as the BLO for Booth No. 278 in Chak Balarampur, Memari. Shanti Muni Ekka was engaged as a BLO in the rural belt, committed suicide by hanging in a tree close to her residence, according to police. Her body has been sent to the police morgue for postmortem examination. Family members of the deceased alleged that she could not bear the work pressure because of rigorous duty-related distributions and collections of enumeration forms during door-to-door visits to voters. She was suffering from depression as the SIR duty became unbearable to her, they alleged. Mamata slammed the national poll body on her X handle post this afternoon, saying, Today, once again, we lost a Booth Level Officer in Mal, Jalpaiguri Smt Shanti Muni Ekka, a tribal lady, an anganwadi worker who took her own life under the unbearable pressure of the ongoing SIR work. 28 people have already lost their lives since SIR began some due to fear and uncertainty, others due to stress and overload. Precious lives are being lost due to the unplanned, relentless workload imposed by the so-called Election Commission of India. A process that earlier took three years is now being forced into two months on the eve of elections to please political masters, putting inhuman pressure on BLOs. I urge the ECI to act with conscience and immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost, she added. The state OBC minister, Buluchik Baraik, visited the bereaved family members of the deceased BLO.
AIMIM to contest from minority-dominated seats in Bengal Assembly polls
Kolkata: Asaduddin Owaisis All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has started strengthening its organisational bases in West Bengals two minority-dominated districts of Malda and Murshidabad in preparation to fight the 2026 Assembly elections. The party has a special focus on Malda. The state leadership of AIMIM has already started announcing the names of the partys block 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 .
Rise in illegal Bangladeshis attempting crossings amid SIR drives: BSF officials
Kolkata: The number of illegal Bangladeshi nationals attempting to cross the India-Bangladesh border in South Bengal has risen sharply in recent weeks, a surge that is being linked to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a senior BSF official said. According to BSF officials, the flow of undocumented Bangladeshi immigrants trying to 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 .
Mamata slams ECI after death of BLO in Jalpaiguri, alleges 'unbearable SIR pressure'
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed shock over the death of a Booth Level Officer (BLO) in Jalpaiguri's Mal block, alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has imposed inhuman pressure on field workers and led to 28 deaths so far. The chief minister claimed the deceased, an anganwadi worker engaged as a BLO, died by suicide due to the unbearable pressure of the revision exercise being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI). In a strongly worded statement posted on X, Banerjee criticised the Election Commission for what she described as an unplanned, relentless workload ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. Deeply shocked and saddened. Today again, we lost a Booth Level Officer in Mal, Jalpaiguri -- an anganwadi worker who took her own life under the unbearable pressure of the ongoing SIR work, she wrote on X. She said 28 people have already lost their lives since SIR began, some due to fear and uncertainty, others due to stress and overload. Such precious lives are being lost because of the unplanned, relentless workload imposed by the so-called Election Commission of India A process that earlier took three years is now being forced into two months on the eve of elections to please political masters, putting inhuman pressure on BLOs, she said. Banerjee urged the Election Commission to act with conscience and suspend the drive immediately, warning that more lives may be lost if the current pace of SIR work continues. I urge the ECI to act with conscience and immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives, she said. TMC leaders have repeatedly accused the ECI of advancing deadlines and burdening BLOs with excessive field verification tasks in the run-up to the polls. The ruling party has maintained that several workers have collapsed due to long working hours, travel requirements, and pressure to meet deadlines. There was no immediate response from the ECI to the chief minister's allegations. Opposition parties, however, have dismissed the TMC's accusations, saying the government is attempting to deflect responsibility for poor administrative support to field-level workers.
Gill will travel to Guwahati for 2nd Test: BCCI
New Delhi, Nov 19: India skipper Shubman Gill will travel to Guwahati for the second Test against South Africa despite his participation being in doubt due to a neck injury, the BCCI announced on Wednesday. The 26-year-old Gill suffered the injury on the second day of the first Test that India lost by 30 runs in Kolkata. He could not bat after retiring hurt in the first innings and was even hospitalised. The second Test starts on November 22. Shubman [] The post Gill will travel to Guwahati for 2nd Test: BCCI appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
IND vs SA: Gill to Travel to Guwahati With Team; Participation in 2nd Test Still Uncertain
Gill suffered a neck injury on Day 2 of the first Test between India and South Africa in Kolkata
South Africa Hit By Injury Scare Before Guwahati Test; Harmer & Jansen Undergo Medical Tests
Ahead of the second Test against India in Guwahati, South Africa faces major concerns as key players Simon Harmer and Marco Jansen were taken to the hospital with injury and health issues. Both played crucial roles in the Kolkata Test, which SA won ...
India has called in ambidextrous Bengal spinner Kaushik Maity to help prepare for South Africa's spin threat in the second Test at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati. Maity's rare ability to bowl both off-spin and left-arm spin offered invaluable practice to Indian batters after their defeat in Kolkata.
