Bengal BJP to invite open applications from professionals willing to contest KMC polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) The West Bengal Bharatiya Janata (BJP) will invite open application from professionals from certain fields who are willing to contest the polls on behalf of the party in the forthcoming election by the year-end for the formation of the new board for Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). A drop box will be placed at the BJP's old state headquarters at Muralidhar Sen Lane in central Kolkata where interested professionals from specific fields interested to contest the KMC polls on behalf of the party, said BJP Lok Sabha member from Balurghat seat in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal and Minister of State, Sukanta Majumdar, who is hearing a four-member committee to oversee the party's organisational preparations for the forthcoming polls for the KMC scheduled by the end of this year. Majumdar, the former State BJP President, told media persons on Sunday that the party is inviting successful professionals like engineers, doctors, legal practitioners, journalists and social workers to come forward, contest and if elected to get involved in betterment of civic amenities within the KMC areas. He also said that during the selection of candidates priority will be given on the clean image and acceptability of the candidates concerned and that is exactly why applications from successful professionals from significant fields are being invited. The drop box for the applications at Muralidhar Sen Lane office will be present there from Monday. Interested professionals would be able to submit their application at the drop box as long as the party office will remain open, Majumdar said on Sunday. Meanwhile, a state BJP committee member said that providing health-related services is a crucial civic service that KMC is supposed to provide. So, if KMC can have successful practicing doctors as Councillor, there will be automatic improvements in this sphere of work. At the same time, engineers play a role in various department like assessment and collections, buildings and lighting, among others. Similarly, getting legal professionals as Councillors will be immense help for KMC's legal department. The political parties running the KMC boards have never thought on these lines, the state BJP committee member added. The polling for formation of the new KMC board will tentatively be in the last week of November this year and the results are expected to be announced in the first week of December.
Muslim artisans weave Durgas hair, crafting a unique story of harmony in West Bengal
For many artisans several challenges have emerged over the years, and their efforts are not yielding sufficient income
AITC team probes attacks on Christians in Bengal after BJP win
Kolkata: A fact-finding team of the opposition Mamata AITC on Sunday, October 11, alleged that it found during visits to various parts of West Bengal that mobs vandalised churches, denied Christians burial rights and disturbed their prayers after the BJP came to power in the state in May. The partys Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose 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 .
BJP to contest all 209 wards in Kolkata civic poll, open to fielding eminent citizens, youths
The BJP is gearing up to contest all 209 seats in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation elections, prioritizing the inclusion of professionals in their candidate selection. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar underscored the need for transparency within the KMC and a deep understanding of local issues. The party plans to attract the youth by focusing on discussions surrounding startups and skills training.
Three out of 19 SIR tribunals vacant; ECI awaits names from Calcutta HC
While these tribunals report to Calcutta High Court, ECI provides them with secretarial assistance, including staff and digital platform for online hearings.
Uttarakhand college students meet Bengal Governor under Yuva Sangam initiative
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) A delegation of college students from Uttarakhand interacted with West Bengal Governor R.N. Ravi on issues like learning and cultural exchange as part of the Union Education Ministry's Yuva Sangam initiative, an official said on Sunday. The interaction on October 8 provided the students and faculty members of the Uttarakhand delegation with an opportunity to experience West Bengals cultural identity and traditions, the official said in a statement. The students engaged in a discussion on the importance of strengthening connections among young people from different parts of the country, it said. The visit was organised by the Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, as part of Yuva Sangam Phase VII under the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme, it said. The objective of the programme is to foster national integration and strengthen people-to-people connections among the youth of the country, it said. The interaction provided the students and faculty members of the Uttarakhand delegation with an opportunity to gain valuable perspectives while experiencing West Bengals distinctive cultural identity and traditions. The programme provides participants from 20 paired States and Union Territories with opportunities to engage with Indias diverse cultural traditions, educational institutions, innovation ecosystems and developmental initiatives, thereby deepening their appreciation of the nations unity amidst diversity. The visit of the Uttarakhand delegation, with Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University as its nodal institute, to West Bengal commenced with a warm welcome on October 7. The delegation is being hosted by IIT Kharagpur, which is facilitating opportunities for the young participants to explore the States rich cultural and spiritual heritage, vibrant traditions and educational landscape, said the statement. The visit reflects the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat by encouraging young people to explore new places, interact with diverse communities and build lasting friendships beyond geographical boundaries, said the statement. Through such immersive experiences, Yuva Sangam Phase VII continues to promote national integration, cultural understanding and appreciation of Indias rich diversity, it said.
DRI Busts Indo-Bangladesh Gold Smuggling Racket: 6 Arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has disrupted a major cross-border syndicate, seizing approximately 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at over Rs 11.50 crore in intelligence-led operations across West Bengal. The two-day crackdown on Oct 89 targeted illicit road and rail corridors connecting border zones in Bangladesh and Tripura to commercial hubs in Kolkata, [] The post DRI Busts Indo-Bangladesh Gold Smuggling Racket: 6 Arrested appeared first on Pragativadi I Latest Odisha News in English I Breaking News .
Mamata AITC alleges 'Hindi imposition', distortion of Bengali over KMC poster campaign
Mamata All India Trinamool Congress accused the West Bengal BJP government of distorting the Bengali language. They cited a cleanliness campaign poster that mixed Hindi and Bengali phrases, which sparked controversy. Party leaders have expressed their dissatisfaction, urging corrections to be made to preserve the integrity of Bengali language. No response has been provided yet from the Kolkata Municipal Corporation regarding the allegations.
DRI officials seize 5.832 kg of gold worth 8.98 crore near Visakhapatnam
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence intercepted a car travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad and arrested two persons for smuggling the gold, believed to have entered via the India-Bangladesh border
DRI seizes gold worth Rs 8.98 crore after high-speed chase near Visakhapatnam
Digital Desk | Visakhapatnam, Oct 11 (IANS) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized foreign-origin gold worth Rs 8.98 crore near Visakhapatnam and arrested two persons. The gold weighing over 5.8 kg was seized from a car after a high-speed chase near Visakhapatnam, the agency said on Sunday. The gold hidden under the car seat was being transported from Kolkata to Hyderabad. According to the DRI, it seized 5,832.90 grams of gold worth Rs 8.98 crore in the market from a car travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad, following a chase and search on the night of October 8-9. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials maintained heightened vigilance along the National Highway. They intercepted the car carrying two passengers after a prolonged chase. After sustained questioning and a systematic search of the vehicle, officials detected a specially fabricated cavity beneath the leg space of the front co-passenger seat. They recovered three packets containing 5,832.90 grams of 24-carat gold of 999 purity from the concealed compartment. According to the officials, the gold had been smuggled into India through the India-Bangladesh border and was being transported to Hyderabad. Officials seized the recovered gold under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. They arrested and produced both passengers before the jurisdictional magistrate, who remanded them to judicial custody. The DRI said in another press release on Sunday that it intensified its crackdown on cross-border gold smuggling from Bangladesh, seizing around 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at more than Rs 11.50 crore in intelligence-led operations conducted on October 8-9 in the eastern region. The operations exposed the use of road and railway networks to transport smuggled gold from border areas towards Kolkata, resulting in the arrest of six persons, the DRI said. The officials seized 50 gold bars, weighing around 6.8 kg and valued at approximately Rs 10 crore, from a four-wheeler at Dankuni Toll Plaza. The vehicle, carrying four persons, was travelling from Banpur, near the Bangladesh border, towards Kolkata. On the same day, DRI teams in West Bengal intercepted passengers on trains at two railway stations, i.e., Malda Town Railway Station and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station and seized around 1 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at around Rs 1.5 crore, from their possession.
Rejected by people in Bengal, Mamata Banerjee in Delhi to keep herself relevant: Dilip Ghosh
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 11 (IANS) After being rejected by the people of West Bengal, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is currently in New Delhi with a herculean attempt to keep herself relevant in national politics, said state Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Minister and BJPs former national vice-president, Dilip Ghosh, on Sunday. Ghosh, also the BJPs former state president, ridiculed her, claiming she would now go to neighbouring Bangladesh and join any movement there to keep herself more relevant. She and her party, Trinamool Congress, have been completely rejected by the people of West Bengal. The combined vote share of the two factions of Trinamool Congress in the recently concluded bypolls to two Assembly constituencies in West Bengal has been less than three per cent. Trinamool Congress is non-existent in West Bengal. So, she has gone to New Delhi to keep herself relevant in the media. She should now go to neighbouring Bangladesh and join any movement there to keep herself more relevant. But still her party will never benefit, said Ghosh while speaking to the media persons. Ghosh also launched a scathing attack against the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)s ongoing protest in New Delhi over the demand for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, which Mamata Banerjee has been supporting. There is foreign funding behind this movement. A conspiracy by the anti-national forces is behind this movement. The government has done the right thing in taking action in the larger interest of the country and its people, said Ghosh. Ghosh is not the first state BJP leader from West Bengal to ridicule Mamata Banerjee over her eagerness to be a part of the CJP movement. On Saturday, BJPs current state president in West Bengal and the partys Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, without directly naming Congress and the Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee, said that a half-dead political force had joined hands with a dead force to stay relevant over the CJP movement. On the occasion of Mahalaya today, the former West Bengal Chief Minister has gone to New Delhi instead of staying in the state. We want her to stay here during this festivity time and visit various puja pandals. We want to see her doing that. Where have all the big Trinamool Congress leaders gone? Bhattacharya asked on Saturday.
DRI Nabs Smugglers With Rs 8.98 Crore Gold In Andhra Pradesh
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized over 5.8 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at Rs 8.98 crores, following a high-speed highway chase near Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Two individuals transporting the gold from Kolkata to Hyderabad, which was smuggled via the India-Bangladesh border, have been arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
BMW Industries starts colour coated steel production to cater demand
BMW Industries has begun manufacturing colour-coated steel to meet growing domestic demand from key sectors such as infrastructure, auto and consumer goods, the company's Managing Director Harsh Bansal said. The new colour-coated steel line, commissioned on Monday, is part of the company's ongoing Rs 800-crore expansion plan at Bokaro in Jharkhand, aimed at offering special steel products, Bansal said. Kolkata-based BMW Industries has until now manufactured steel coils, sheets, pipes and TMT rebars. We have commenced the first phase of our greenfield downstream steel complex with the colour coating line. With this, we have joined the select group of producers in India. The line has been set up as part of the government's PLI Scheme for Speciality Steel, he said. Launched in 2021 by the steel ministry with an outlay of Rs 6,322 crore, the first round of the PLI Scheme aims to promote the manufacturing of value-added steel grades in the country and help the Indian steel industry ..
Andhra Pradesh: DRI seizes foreign-origin gold worth Rs 8.98 crore in Visakhapatnam, two arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 5.83 kg of foreign-origin gold worth Rs 8.98 crore from a car travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad in Visakhapatnam, and arrested two persons in connection with the case. Acting on specific intelligence, the DRI maintained heightened vigilance along the National Highway and intercepted the vehicle after a prolonged chase. According to the DRI, sustained interrogation and a systematic search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a specially fabricated cavity beneath the leg space of the front co-passenger seat. Three packets containing 5,832.90 grams of foreign-origin gold of 24-carat purity (999 fineness) were recovered from the concealed cavity. The gold was valued at Rs 8.98 crore at market prices. The gold was reportedly smuggled into India through the India-Bangladesh border and was being transported to Hyderabad. The recovered gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Both persons were arrested and prod...
DRI seizes gold worth Rs 8.98 crore en route to Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 5.83 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at Rs. 8.98 crore, from a specially fabricated cavity in a car travelling from Kolkata to Hyderabad. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials maintained heightened surveillance along the national highway and intercepted the car carrying two passengers at Visakhapatnam after a 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 .
Kolkata's Eden Gardens lights up for Mahalaya celebrations with drone show and Durga installations
Kolkata's Eden Gardens lights up for Mahalaya celebrations with drone show and Durga installations
In Frames | Kumartuli: where clay comes alive
In the historic lanes of Kolkatas potters quarter, majestic idols of Goddess Durga come alive this Puja season as tourists, photographers and social media enthusiasts throng the open-air workshops to witness the meticulous craftsmanship behind the art
Trinamool Congress alleges attack on MLA in South 24 Parganas
Kolkata: Trinamool Congress MLA from Baruipur Purba assembly seat Bibhas Sardar was allegedly attacked by BJP workers while returning home from Jaynagar after attending a party programme on Saturday night, the TMC claimed. The party alleged that the attackers threatened Sardar, with one of them purportedly telling him, You have become such a big devotee 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 .
Woman Found Dead at Kolkata Hospital, Rat Bites Suspected
The hospital official said a preliminary assessment suggested rats might have gnawed at the body, though a detailed inquiry is still needed to establish the circumstances.
West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari praises zero incidents during Tarpan rituals in Kolkata
The News Mill
ED Freezes 139 Bank Accounts of Gupta Power Infrastructure in Money Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate has frozen 139 bank accounts of Gupta Power Infrastructure in a money laundering investigation in Kolkata. ED Freezes 139 Bank Accounts of Gupta Power Infrastructure in Money Laundering Case
Father-Son Duo Eye Sudoku Glory
As the 19th World Sudoku Championship and 33rd World Puzzle Championship open in Kolkata from October 11 to 18, the pair are aiming to make their mark, with the Indian team targeting a top-five finish.
24-day drive to boost flyer services ends
Cop-Railways Meet On Puja Traffic, Security Management
Burglars Loot Rs 7.4 Lakh, Gold From Kolkata Flat
13k ball pens create Durga installation at south Kol puja
Kol to remain dry for next few days: Met
Trial run: Finally, a metro rake bridges Chingrighata gap
10,000-dhak drumroll, 1,000 shankha, 3,000 drones welcome Durga to her earthly abode
Flyover road surfaces get festive coat of paint
Adani soft-power push: From sponsor to culture investor
Civic bodies shift gear as Kol, Salt Lake pre-puja road repair drive enters last leg
RTO, Tout Held For Rs 90k Bribe Get Jail Custody Till Oct 12 In Kolkata
West Bengals BJP government kicks off first Durga Puja celebration with mega event at Eden Gardens
Chief Minister says Durga Pujas will now follow proper religious traditions, adding that 12,400 more community Durga Pujas are being organised in the State this year
Optimistic about anti-goonda bill getting Centres nod soon: CM
KMC tree ambulance saves trees nailed by advertisers
Kolkata bars set to pass on Scotch price saving to you
Rare Four-Graft Minimally Invasive CABG At Kolkata Hospital
CJP protests: TMC chief Mamata Banerjee, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal released from detention
Mamata Banerjee was detained by Delhi Police along with five MPs during protests in the capital. She stated they were held in a prison van for two hours without proceeding to their intended location. In a video, she expressed her intent to protest against the ongoing issues affecting the youth. Banerjee announced she will not return to Kolkata and will participate in the INDIA march.
Practically kidnapped: Mamata, TMC MPs detained in Delhi for nearly 4 hours
Tripura plans Rs 100 cr revival of Dumboor hydel plant
ED freezes 139 bank accounts of Bengal-based corporate firm in money laundering case
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday confirmed to have frozen 139 bank accounts of Gupta Power Infrastructure Limited (GPIL), a company registered with West Bengal, in connection with a money-laundering case in which the central agency had been investigating for some time. According to a statement issued by the ED, the decision to freeze the bank accounts was taken after the officers of the agency's Kolkata-based eastern regional office conducted raids and search operations at nine locations in West Bengal and neighbouring Odisha on October 5 this year, which were linked to GPIL, its associated entities and persons connected with its management, in relation to an investigation into bank fraud committed by the West Bengal company. The central agency claimed that following the raid and search operation, various incriminating documents, devices and records were found and seized, as per the provisions of Prevention of the Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. ED, the investigation arm of the Ministry of Finance, also claimed that besides 139 bank accounts related to GPIL, and a number of mutual funds and shares held in the name of the corporate entity and its associated individuals were also frozen. In addition, the ED claimed, three high end cars (two Mercedes and one BMW) were also confiscated. The contents of the seized material and financial transactions are currently under investigation, the ED statement said. The ED's investigation in the matter was initiated on the basis of an FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), where it was alleged that GPIL availed substantial fund-based and non-fund-based working-capital facilities from a consortium of banks, with Canara Bank as the lead bank. The consortium exposure was around Rs 3,590 crore, including Canara Bank's sanctioned exposure of around Rs 1,174 crore. However, as claimed by the ED, later GPIL allegedly manipulated its drawing power and borrowing capacity by substantially inflating the stock reported to banks vis--vis the stock reflected in its audited financial statements and including around Rs 280 crore worth of project and EPC stock as eligible stock for availing working capital facilities. Further, disputed and doubtful receivables, including claims rejected by the NCLT, were continued to be represented as eligible receivables, while a major discrepancy of around Rs 1115.15 crore was observed in the receivables reported by GPIL, indicating possible inflation of its current assets and consequent enhancement of borrowing limits, the ED statement said.
Police complaint filed against Abhishek Banerjee over 'misleading' Rejinagar bypoll post
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) A Returning Officer (RO), acting on behalf of the Election Commission of India (ECI), has lodged a police complaint against Trinamool Congress general secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee over allegedly misleading information shared on social media regarding the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll results. On Friday, while the counting was underway, Abhishek Banerjee, also the nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claimed in a social media post that in a particular booth for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, the winning BJP candidate, Sakharav Sarkar, received more votes than the total number of registered voters at that particular booth. In the post, the Diamond Harbour MP claimed that at Booth No. 109 in Rejinagar, the BJP candidate secured 909 votes even though the total number of registered voters was 772. The district electoral officer (DEO) & district magistrate (DM) promptly issued a counter statement, rejecting the claims by Abhishek, and said that, as per the electoral roll for that polling station, the total number of registered electors was 1,109, of which 972 votes were polled across all candidates contesting in the Rejinagar bypoll. On Saturday, the concerned RO, on behalf of the ECI, registered a police complaint against Abhishek Banerjee at the Rejinagar Police Station. Both Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee are currently in New Delhi to participate in the movement by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Now, it remains to be seen whether the Diamond Harbour MP would be summoned to the Rejinagar Police Station for questioning in this matter. The bypolls for Rejinagar and Nandigram Assembly constituencies in East Midnapore district of West Bengal were conducted on October 6, and the results were declared on October 9. The BJP candidates got elected from both constituencies with massive margins. The party increased its tally in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly to 209.
27 watershed projects in Bengal benefit 2.2 lakh farmers
9 months on, Sunalis son Apon still has no birth certificate
Tribal Affairs Ministry says 25 lakh titles distributed under Forest Rights Act
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) As many as 25 lakh titles have been distributed out of the 54 lakh claims received till August 31 under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA), an official said on Saturday. Speaking at the Second Regional Review Conference on implementation of FRA in Kolkata, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), said on Friday that out of over 54 lakh claims received nationally, about 11 lakh claims still remain pending at different stages. The official said over 18 lakh claims have been rejected, noting that Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Assam account for substantial pendency concentrated in particular districts, according to a statement. He highlighted that the Regional Conference focuses on the following key priorities such as timely disposal of pending claims and review of rejected claims in accordance with the Act and Rules, reconciliation of FRA data, digitisation of FRA case records, incorporation of recognised rights into revenue and forest records, acceleration of recognition of Community Forest Resource Rights and Habitat Rights recognition for PVTGs. The Conference brought together senior functionaries of the Tribal Welfare, Revenue and Forest Departments and Tribal Research Institutes of eight States, namely West Bengal, Assam, Tripura, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, said the statement. Additionally, senior officials of Andhra Pradesh were invited to share the best practices the State has undertaken on digitisation, integration of FRA titles into government records, taking up proactive measures on convergence of livelihood schemes with FRA titleholders and providing credit facilities to the right holders, said the statement. District officials- Collectors, Sub-Collectors and ITDP/ITDA Project Officers- from districts having a large pendency of FRA claims also attended to review the status of implementation and deliberate on a coordinated way forward. The Conference follows the First Regional Review Conference held in Bengaluru on September 10 for the Southern States. Secretary, MoTA, said that the FRA places the rights, dignity and aspirations of forest-dwelling communities at the heart of inclusive and sustainable development. She emphasised that recognised rights must be incorporated into Revenue and Forest records with accurate maps and that convergence with programmes for productive land use, housing and livelihoods must become a regular part of implementation. The Director, FRA, MoTA, presented the national scenario, including pendency in high-pendency States and priority districts. Her presentation also covered the importance of incorporating the Record of Forest Rights into revenue and forest records in line with the Ministrys advisory of June 24, 2026 and Habitat Rights under the Ministrys guidelines of January 5, 2026.
Petrol Diesel Price Today, October 10, 2026: Motorists across India have received some relief as petrol and diesel prices have remained largely unchanged in several major cities. While fuel rates in metropolitan areas such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai have shown stability, a few cities in B...
BJPs Bengal chief calls CJP stir anti-national, alleges backing by hostile forces
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 10 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) West Bengal president Samik Bhattacharya alleged that the ongoing movement by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, was anti-national in nature and backed by anti-national forces. Every citizen in a democratic country has the right to protest. However, irrelevant forces are trying to become relevant using the present movement. Today's protest is out of frustration. The government is keeping an eye on the issue. Anti-national forces are working in masks. We also have definite information in this regard. Remember, CJP withdrew the previous protest, which was on the NEET paper leak issues, happily, Bhattacharya, who is also BJPs Rajya Sabha member, told newspersons on Saturday. Without directly naming Congress and the Trinamool Congress faction led by Mamata Banerjee, the BJP leader said that a half-dead political force had joined hands with a dead force to stay relevant over the movement. On the occasion of Mahalaya today, the former West Bengal Chief Minister has gone to New Delhi instead of staying in the state. We want her to stay here during this time of festivity and visit various puja pandals. We want to see her doing that. Where have all the big Trinamool Congress leaders gone? Bhattacharya asked. Meanwhile, Mamata, in a video message on social media, alleged that she was prevented from reaching Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and kept confined to her residence in the national capital along with other Trinamool Congress leaders. In the social media video message, she also claimed that as she began staging a sit-in protest at South Avenue, Delhi Police personnel detained the Trinamool Congress leaders and bundled them into a prison van. I wanted to join the movement of the youths at Jantar Mantar. But we were not allowed. Then we started a peaceful sit-in-demonstration in front of our house. But the police detained us and pushed us into a police van, which is now moving around Delhi. The BJP is going all-out to end democracy in India. But they will not ultimately be successful, said Mamata in her social media live message from the police van.
Mahalaya 2026: How Kolkata Is Celebrating The Start Of Durga Puja
Long before sunrise on Saturday, 10 October, Kolkata was already awake. The Mahishasuramardini broadcast, a recital that has opened Durga Puja for the city since 1931, plays at 4 AM on Mahalaya morning. By daylight the scene moved to
Minister Agnimitra Paul Showcases Traditional Alpana Designs for Durga Puja in Kolkata
Agnimitra Paul highlights vibrant Alpana designs for Durga Puja in Kolkata, celebrating Bengals rich culture and art. Minister Agnimitra Paul Showcases Traditional Alpana Designs for Durga Puja in Kolkata
Will replace health secy if he had ordered repair work at RG Kar: Suvendu
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across metro cities on October 10
Rahane bats against impact player rule, calls it of 'no use'
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Oct 10 (IANS) Former India cricketer and IPL captain Ajinkya Rahane hit out at the contentious impact player rule in the Indian Premier League, advocating for the rule to be taken out. Rahane joined the chorus of several cricketers criticising the rule for reducing the growth of all-rounders in Indian cricket, calling it of no use. I think it should be taken out, Rahane, who has led Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals in the league, told Cricbuzz. I remember last year, before the IPL captains' meeting, most of the captains said they don't want the impact player rule. And I think the guidelines or the rules, they have it till 2027. So we don't know if this year they will take it out or after this year (when) the big auction is coming up, in that they will take it out. But ideally, I feel there is no point or use in having an impact rule, he added. The rule has also been hampering the growth of all-rounders in Indian cricket as franchises tend to replace batters with bowlers and vice-versa to get the best possible result with the bat or the ball. Hardik Pandya's absence from the Indian team has often found the Indian team searching for cover-ups, and although Shivam Dube and Nitish Reddy have turned up, they are still far from Hardik's capabilities. Moreover, there seem to be not many all-rounders in the pipeline, especially the fast-bowling all-rounders, which has been a rarity now in Indian cricket. All-rounders are going out of the game, especially in the IPL. And I am a firm believer that you've got to develop your all-rounders. From the Indian team's point of view, all-rounders are really important. So the impact player rule should be taken out. See, why I feel we should take it out is because last year, I don't want to take any team's name, but a few teams were probably at 90/7, 100/7, and they ended up getting 200 because of that one impact (rule), one extra batter with that. So, I feel (we should) give some advantage to bowlers, and also all-rounders should be involved in the games thoroughly. They should take it out, he added.
Devotees Gather by the Ganges for Mahalaya Amavasya Rituals in Kolkata
On Mahalaya Amavasya, devotees perform rituals for ancestors along the Ganges in Kolkata, marking the start of Durga Puja festivities. Devotees Gather by the Ganges for Mahalaya Amavasya Rituals in Kolkata
Pesticides in breast milk? The unasked question in Kashmirs orchards
Srinagar, Oct 09: As chemical pesticides remain part of crop protection in Kashmirs apple-growing belt, an important environmental health question remains unanswered: are women who work in or live near orchards exposed to pesticides that can be detected in their breast milk? Research conducted in other parts of India has found pesticide residues in breast-milk samples collected from nursing mothers. However, comparable published evidence establishing the presence and concentrations of such residues among lactating women in Jammu and Kashmir was not identified in the literature reviewed for this report. The gap is significant for a region where horticulture supports thousands of farming households and women participate in a range of agricultural activities, including pruning, picking, sorting and handling harvested produce. Although these activities do not necessarily involve direct pesticide application, exposure may occur through contact with recently treated plants, contaminated surfaces or soil, spray drift and other environmental pathways. The extent of such exposure depends on the chemicals used, application practices, protective measures and the time elapsed since spraying. The absence of local breast-milk data means that the nature and extent of this potential exposure remain uncertain. Studies elsewhere in India detect pesticide residues Several peer-reviewed studies have investigated pesticide residues in human breast milk across India. A study published in Environmental Pollution in 2021 analysed 81 breast-milk samples collected from Kolkata and Nadia in West Bengal. Researchers detected organochlorine pesticides and selected newer compounds, including pyrethroids and neonicotinoids. Most of the substances investigated showed higher average concentrations in samples from Kolkata than in those from Nadia. In Assam, a study published in Science of the Total Environment in 2011 reported residues of DDT and HCH in breast milk collected from Dibrugarh and Nagaon. Another study, published in the same journal in 2013, analysed 53 breast-milk samples from Punjab and reported several pesticide compounds, including DDT and its metabolites, HCH isomers, endrin, endosulfan, cypermethrin and chlorpyrifos. Research published in Environmental Pollution in 2009 also documented persistent organochlorine compounds in breast milk collected from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. The findings establish that selected pesticide compounds and their metabolites can be detected in human milk. However, the studies examined different populations under different conditions and cannot be used to estimate the prevalence of pesticide residues among mothers in Jammu and Kashmir. Nor do they establish that the same compounds or concentrations occur in Kashmiri women. Kashmirs horticultural sector warrants investigation The question assumes particular relevance in Kashmir, where apple cultivation is an important source of income and agricultural chemicals are used to protect crops against pests and fungal diseases. A study published in the Indian Journal of Medical and Paediatric Oncology in 2010 cited estimates of approximately 7,750 metric tonnes of fungicides and 3,186 metric tonnes of insecticides used annually in Kashmirs orchards. These are historical estimates and should not be treated as current consumption figures without verification against more recent official records. Pesticide-use figures alone cannot establish the level of exposure experienced by farmers or their families. The risks associated with individual chemicals differ, as do the ways in which they enter the environment and human body. For orchard workers, relevant exposure factors include pesticide handling, the use of protective equipment, the interval between spraying and returning to treated areas, and contact with treated crops. Residential proximity to orchards, dietary sources and drinking water may also be relevant. A local investigation would need to account for these factors rather than assume that orchard work is the sole source of exposure. Why breast-milk monitoring matters Certain persistent pesticides, including some organochlorine compounds, can remain in the environment for long periods and accumulate in fatty tissues. Some may subsequently be detected in human breast milk. Other pesticides have different chemical properties and may break down more rapidly. Their presence in breast milk cannot be assumed simply because they are used in agriculture. Scientists would therefore need to identify the chemicals currently used in Kashmirs horticulture and select a suitable laboratory testing panel. Samples would need to be analysed using validated methods, with results reported alongside laboratory detection limits and appropriate quality controls. A study could compare samples from lactating women directly involved in orchard work with those from women who live near orchards but do not handle pesticides, as well as women from areas with less direct horticultural exposure. Researchers could collect information on agricultural activities, pesticide-handling practices, protective equipment, residential location, diet and drinking-water sources. This would help examine whether detected residues are associated with particular exposure patterns. The findings would establish a baseline for the study population, although a cross-sectional study alone could not prove that orchard work caused a particular residue concentration. Detection does not automatically mean harm The detection of pesticide residues in breast milk does not, by itself, establish that a concentration is harmful to an infant. Health risks depend on the chemical, the concentration, the duration and route of exposure, and the available toxicological evidence. Public-health communication must therefore avoid equating the presence of a residue with a confirmed health effect. Breastfeeding should not be discontinued solely because of general reports about environmental pesticide contamination. Women concerned about a specific or substantial exposure should seek advice from qualified healthcare professionals. The more immediate priority is to reduce avoidable exposure among agricultural workers through appropriate protective equipment, adherence to product-specific safety instructions, observance of re-entry intervals and improved pesticide management. Integrated pest management, which combines pest monitoring, preventive measures and targeted chemical treatment, could also help reduce unnecessary pesticide applications. A research gap that needs attention For Jammu and Kashmir, the central question remains unresolved. The studies reviewed for this report do not establish whether pesticide residues are present in the breast milk of women working in the regions orchards, how frequently they might occur or which compounds warrant particular attention. Addressing the gap would require collaboration among agricultural scientists, public-health researchers, environmental laboratories and relevant government departments. Any study involving lactating women would also require ethics approval, informed consent, reliable laboratory procedures and safeguards for participants privacy. Alongside biological monitoring, authorities could improve records of pesticide use and strengthen environmental monitoring to help researchers identify locally relevant exposure pathways. For a region whose agricultural economy depends heavily on horticulture, measuring potential exposure is an important step towards understanding the wider environmental implications of pesticide use. Studies from other Indian states provide a basis for asking the question. Only systematic testing in Jammu and Kashmir can establish what, if anything, is present in the breast milk of women living and working around its orchards.
Two Bypoll results in Bengal vindicate state BJP
Both the CPI(M) and rebel TMC showed their irrelevance amongst rural voters By Tirthankar Mitra KOLKATA: By-poll results are usually predictable going in favour of the ruling party but the victory margin of twin electoral contests at Rejinagar and Nandigram declared on Friday, October 9 came as surprises. Even as a motley Opposition [] The post Two Bypoll results in Bengal vindicate state BJPs success in courting minorities appeared first on Northlines .
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Bengal: Civil Defence Dept Signs MoU with Amateur Radio Club to train volunteers
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) Taking a cue from how communication links were disrupted after the Nepal flash floods, the West Bengal Disaster Management and Civil Defence Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the West Bengal Radio Club (WBRC) on Friday. The WBRC is an organisation of amateur radio operators. Apart from communicating with people across the world, its members help in maintaining radio links during major calamities when mobile networks stop functioning. They are trained to set up communication networks with the bare minimum supplies. During cyclones, floods and earthquakes, when conventional communication links get cut off, the HAMs play a crucial role in ensuring co-ordination between various teams engaged in rescue and relief efforts. All our members have the necessary licences that allow them to operate two-way radio sets. When the need arises, they can set up radio stations within a short period of time and restore communications, Ambarish Nag Biswas, secretary, WBRC, said. The organisation also runs the Indian Academy of Communication and Disaster Management. Several civil defence volunteers from across the state have already received training there and obtained licences to operate amateur radios. Under the MoU, more people will be trained, and experts will monitor their progress in setting up radio stations in remote areas. During natural disasters, the HAMs work as an important link between the wireless sets operated by various agencies. This aids in keeping all teams abreast of developments. The signing of the MoU was an extremely proud moment for us. While we have been doing this for a long time, the amateur radio operators are now officially designated as lifesavers, Subir Dutta, president, WBRC, said. Among those present during the signing of the agreement were IPS officers Sanjay Singh and Debashis Sarkar from the Civil Defence Department and top functionaries of WBRC. The activities of the organisation first came to light during the 1999 Odisha Super Cyclone, when its members reached remote areas, fixed temporary antennae to treetops and restored communication links. More recently, WBRC members rushed to Nepal after the 2015 earthquake devastated parts of the country. They again helped restore vital communication links between various agencies engaged in rescue and relief. A team was also ready to travel to Nepal this year after the devastating flash floods, but did not receive permission from the government of that country. We have always been called in by the West Bengal government during cyclones. We have moved to remote areas and maintained communication links with agencies like the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). This aided vital rescue efforts, Nag Biswas said. Teams from the WBRC have also operated at Sagar Island during the Gangasagar Mela since the time when there was no mobile connectivity there. The HAMs continue to operate during the annual event even now, helping people in distress. Of late, several educational institutions have also got in touch with WBRC to train college students in wireless communication. The members train students on how to obtain licences and operate their own radio stations. We have endeavoured to turn a hobby into a life-saving exercise. Today, our efforts are recognised across the country, Nag Biswas added.
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Bengal bypolls: BJP wins in Nandigram, Muslim-majority Rejinagar
Kolkata: The BJP on Friday, October 9, steamrolled its rivals in Nandigram and scored a surprise win in Muslim-majority Rejinagar, underlining its expanding political reach in West Bengal barely four months after ending TMCs 15-year rule, as a fragmented opposition struggled to mount a challenge in the ruling partys first electoral test. The twin victories 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 .
Bengal RTO Official, Middleman Arrested For Bribery
The West Bengal Anti-Corruption Branch arrested an RTO official and a middleman in Kolkata for allegedly demanding and accepting a Rs 90,000 bribe to renew a bus permit. The arrests followed a trap operation based on a bus owner's complaint.
ECI rebuts Abhishek Banerjee's claims on Rejinagar bypoll statistics
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) The ECI on Friday rebutted claims made by Trinamool Congress general secretary, Abhishek Banerjee, that in a particular booth for the Rejinagar Assembly bypoll, the winning BJP candidate, Sakharav Sarkar, received more votes than the total number of registered voters at that booth. Earlier in the day, Abhishek Banerjee, nephew of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, claimed that at Booth No. 109 in Rejinagar, the BJP candidate secured 909 votes. However, the total number of registered voters at the booth was 772. Even North Korea would struggle to explain this electoral arithmetic! Mr Gyanesh Kumar, how does a booth produce more votes for one party than its entire electorate? Abhishek Banerjee said in a social media post. Hours later, Murshidabad's District Election Officer (DEO) and District Magistrate (DM) issued a counter social media post, rejecting the claim. As per the electoral roll for Polling Station No. 109 in the 70-Rejinagar Assembly Constituency by-election, the total number of registered electors is 1,109, of which 972 votes were polled across all candidates, the DEO and DM stated. On Friday, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, also rebutted claims made by a social media user identified as DeKoder regarding the impact of voter deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on the results of the West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year. Sharing a video featuring a veteran journalist and former editor, the social media user raised questions about certain categories of voters allegedly being targeted during the SIR exercise and its consequences. Does the analysis of Bengal elections suggest any lessons for the forthcoming state elections? the user asked. In response, the CEO's office said the SIR exercise, conducted under Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, with due process and safeguards, was aimed at protecting the integrity of the electoral rolls and not at deleting genuine voters. The claims made in the video are misleading and speculative. No voter can be deleted without due process. Issuance of notice, an opportunity for hearing, and a speaking order by the ERO are part of the safeguards. Appeals are available at two levels, the CEO's office said in its social media post. The CEO's office also said that electoral data from West Bengal did not support the political narrative being advanced on the issue. According to the office, in four of the five constituencies where voter deletions were the highest, Trinamool Congress candidates emerged victorious. These constituencies were Samserganj, Chowrangee, Metiaburuz and Kolkata Port. Only Jorasanko, among the five constituencies with the highest deletions, was won by a BJP candidate. The five constituencies with the fewest deletions, namely Mahishadal, Bhagabanpur, Indus, Katulpur and Patashpur, were all won by the BJP. There is no data based on the religious identity of electors available with the ECI. Hence, the analysis is based on unverified assumptions, the CEO's office stated. The office also rejected claims in the video that women voters accounted for 62 per cent of exclusions in West Bengal. As per the total data on deletion of invalid entries (excluding adjudication), around 50 per cent, or half, of the deletions relate to women. Therefore, the facts do not support the allegations. SIR is a lawful, transparent and ongoing exercise to ensure that every eligible elector is on the roll and that ineligible entries are removed. Electoral rolls must be based on facts, not speculation, the statement added.
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], October 9: SPRODE INDIA has introduced RAYLITH, a high-contrast Vision Amplification Screen specially designed for compatible RGB laser projectors, including the JMGO N3 Ultimate. The screen combines multilayer reflective Fresnel optics, a speckle-reduction design and a flexible optical surface with a foldable fixed frame. Its Indian-market MRP is 1,25,000.
Video: This Kolkata Cafe Lets You Sip Coffee With 30+ Rescued Cats
Mrs Wilsons Cafe in Kolkata is not just a cosy spot for food and drinks but also a home to more than 30 rescued cats.
BJP cut water supply to Muslim colony: TMC MP writes to UN
New Delhi: Concerned over the protracted disruption in water supply in Kolkatas Jyotinagar Colony, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam has written to the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). In his letter dated October 8, which he shared on his X account on Friday, October 9, Islam described Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Bengal: BJP candidate wins Rejinagar bypoll by victory margin of 75,816 votes
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) Sakharav Sarkar, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate for the bypoll for Rejinagar Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, had been declared elected by a massive margin of 75,816 votes on Friday. While Sarkar secured 1,29,914 votes, Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP)'s Golam Nabi Azad came in the second position securing 54,098 votes. Congress' Abdullahil Kafi was in the third position securing 6,168 votes, followed by Mamata All India Trinamool Congress' Rabiul Alam Chowdhury in the fourth position securing 3,847 votes. CPI-M's Md. Sayeed finished in the fifth position securing just 3,797 votes, while Democratic Trinamool Congress' Safiuzzaman Sheikh came in the sixth position securing 2,044 votes. While the victory of the BJP candidate was to an extent expected from Rejinagar, political observers feel that what is spectacular in the results is the large victory margin, considering that more than 65 per cent of the voters in Rejinagar are in the minority community. However, the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had his own explanations behind the huge victory margin of the BJP from Rejinagar. According to the Chief Minister, the larger number of women voters from the minority community in Rejinagar, who were immensely benefited from the Annapurna Yojana scheme this time had voted in favour of the BJP along with their family members. The Rejinagar bypoll results proved that the minority voters in West Bengal, especially the Bengali-speaking Muslims will no longer be misled by malicious Opposition campaigns accusing BJP of being a communal force. In the Assembly elections earlier this year, AJUP's Humayun Kabir got elected from Nandigram by a huge margin of 58,876 votes securing 51.62 per cent of the total votes polled then. Statistically, the BJP in the Rejinagar bypolls had witnessed more than 100 per cent positive swing in its favour. Earlier this year, Kabir got elected simultaneously from Naoda Assembly constituency, also in Murshidabad district. Later, he decided to retain Naoda, thus necessitating bypolls at Rejinagar. With the victory from Rejinagar, BJP's tally in the 294-seat West Bengal Assembly had now increased to 209.
