As part of its centenary celebrations, the Rilbong Durga Puja Committee staged two Bengali dramas, Typist and Protarona, on 23 and 24 October, respectively. Rilbong and Shillong at large, was once renowned for its vibrant theatre culture, and has long been celebrated as a cultural hub that hosted many eminent theatre artistes from Kolkata, including []
Gold, silver prices today, 1 November: Check retail price of 18K, 22K and 24K gold and 999 Fine silver on Sunday in your cities Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
SEBI Chief Prioritises Capital Formation and Investor Protection
Kolkata/New Delhi, Oct 31: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, said on Saturday that the capital markets regulator continuously works towards making Indias capital markets more accessible, efficient and resilient, focusing on facilitating capital formation, improving ease of doing business and strengthening investor protection. Speaking at the Bharat Chamber []
34 days on, impasse continues at SRFTI amid student-authority face-off
Classes and hostels remain shut as six students face rustication and alumni, parents and members of the film fraternity rally behind the protest
Kali Puja still a week away but crackers start to make their presence felt in city pockets
WBSSC to publish result for Group C & Group D before Kali Puja
1 more cyclone in Bay but Kolkata safe: Met
Biddhannagar cops focus on lasers, drones, sky lanterns
Dont let illegal crackers be sold in the first place, urge citizens
Social media agog as food inspectors visit Sealdahs pocket paratha stall
BJPs first official labour union takes off at Kolkata airport
All 300 pending high-rise projects get KMC construction go-ahead
TMC Leaders Aide Sent to Police Custody Over Soil Theft Charges in Kolkata
Abhishek Banerjees aide Sumit Roy has been remanded to police custody for 10 days in a soil theft case linked to illegal land grabbing. TMC Leaders Aide Sent to Police Custody Over Soil Theft Charges in Kolkata
Change of guard at Coast Guard Region North East; Jyotindra Singh takes over as Commandant
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) Jyotindra Singh, IG, Indian Coast Guard (ICG), took over as Commandant, Coast Guard Region North East from Iqbal Singh Chauhan, in Kolkata, on Saturday. An alumnus of the Naval Academy and a recipient of the coveted Sword of Honour, Singh has commanded all classes of ICG ships and held key appointments ashore. He is also a recipient of the Tatrakshak Medal and DGICG Commendations. The change of command was marked by a ceremonial parade held at the headquarters of the region in Kolkata. He takes charge at a time when the ICG is upgrading its assets and inducting modern surface and aerial platforms. The Region North East is extremely crucial for managing the coastal defences along the eastern seaboard. It is in charge of the states of West Bengal and Odisha. In West Bengal, it has an operational base at Haldia that houses both Coast Guard ships and hovercrafts. It also has a hoverport at Fraserganj to monitor activity close to the Sundarbans. The regional headquarters also has an air enclave at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, from where it operates Dornier aircraft. These aircraft carry out regular surveillance of the coastal waters off West Bengal and Odisha, right up to the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) with Bangladesh. In Odisha, it operates surface assets from Paradip and helicopters from Bhubaneswar. While West Bengal has a coastline measuring nearly 721 km, Odisha's portion is about 575 km. Both states have several vital assets along the coast, including major ports, private ones, oil refineries and port-based industry. Odisha also has several defence assets, including test centres, along its coasts. All of these require constant surveillance. The headquarters in Kolkata gets real-time feed about all ships moving in Indian coastal waters off West Bengal and Odisha, from radar stations along the coast. This data is monitored 24x7. Several of the ICG's older assets are being phased out and being replaced by new ones. We are getting advanced hovercrafts and fast patrol vessels. The Chetak helicopters are being replaced by Dhruv MkIIIs. Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are also being built and will start joining the force soon. The Dornier fleet is also getting upgraded, an official said. The Coast Guard is also engaged in a variety of activities, including anti-smuggling, anti-poaching, and anti-piracy operations. It also ensures the safety of the thousands of fisherfolk by issuing timely warnings ahead of depressions and cyclones. The Coast Guard North East Region is also entrusted with protecting the highly endangered Olive Ridley turtles when they arrive to roost and lay eggs along the Odisha coast every year. The force is also the nodal agency mandated to check and control pollution at sea. The new IG's experience, illustrious service record and proven leadership will further strengthen the operational excellence of the Coast Guard North East region, the official said.
CM orders arrest of CPM neta from BJP dais, reopens 2007 Nandigram Suryadaya case
Mohun Bagan Beat Punjab FC 2-1 To Go Top Of ISL Table
Mohun Bagan Super Giant came from behind to beat Punjab FC 2-1 and move temporarily to the top of the Indian Super League standings after their match at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata
2 youths molest college student in Barrackpore, held
JU VC seeks EC meet nod, writes to govt
Bar brawl leaves 1 dead in Sodepur
Kid, parents safe after SUV jumps Maa divider, rams car; traffic hit for an hour
Assault on 4-yr-old, Pocso cuffs on man
SRFTI row: Students, alumni demand independent inquiry
Over 1,000 Runners Take Part In Kolkata Promo Run Ahead Of Puri Coastal Marathon 2026
The City of Joy witnessed an enthusiastic celebration of fitness and community spirit as over 1,000 registered participants came together for the Kolkata Promo Run, organised as a build-up to the much-awaited Puri Coastal Marathon 2026, scheduled to take place on December 13, 2026, in Puri, Odisha.
Samik demands fresh SIR in Bengal, claims voter roll revision incomplete
BJP seniors keep watch as 1,017 cast votes for Tolly technicians poll
Akasa Air Aircraft Suffers Tail Strike During Landing At Kolkata Airport
In a statement, Akasa Air said the flight QP 1925 from Ahmedabad to Kolkata carried out a go-around during its landing at Kolkata and landed safely thereafter.
Ambuja Grp to invest Rs 3,000 cr in Bengals hospitality sector
Police seize morphine, cough syrup; five arrested
Walk for books: Hundreds march in Kolkata against attack on bookstalls
Citizens, activists, professors, and politicians join the march, which was held without any political banner. It was organised in protest against attacks on bookstalls during Durga Puja, blamed on right-wing groups and the BJP
SRFTI students allege continued police presence on campus, raise privacy concerns
Addressing a press conference at Kolkata Press Club, the students' union expressed concern over the continued deployment and movement of police personnel on the campus
SRFTI students allege continued police presence on campus, raise privacy concerns
Addressing a press conference at Kolkata Press Club, the students' union expressed concern over the continued deployment and movement of police personnel on the campus
Capital Market Grows In WB, Key To India's Economic Progress SEB
chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey speaks to media in Kolkata on Saturday: Reports
Akasa Air aircraft suffers tail strike at Kolkata airport
An Akasa Air Boeing 737 MAX 8 experienced a tail strike during landing at Kolkata airport. The flight QP 1925 had taken off from Ahmedabad and successfully completed a go-around. After landing around 7.40 am, all passengers disembarked without any reported injuries. A post-flight inspection revealed that the tail section had contacted the ground. Relevant authorities have been informed and an investigation is currently underway.
Delhi AQI Close To 200 As Mumbai, Hyderabad Slip Into 'Unhealthy' Zone; Kolkata's Air Worsens
Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru remained in the poor category, with Bengaluru recording the lowest AQI among the six major metros.
Ambuja Neotia, IHCL to invest up to 3,000 crore in 9 hospitality projects in Bengal
Upcoming projects spread across Kolkata, Raichak, Digha, Siliguri, Lataguri, Kalimpong and Darjeeling, Ambuja Neotia Group chairman says
IHCL and Ambuja Neotia Group announce new hotels in Kolkata and Siliguri
Ambuja Neotia Group plans to invest Rs 2,700 crore in West Bengal's hospitality sector, which includes new hotel launches. The newly opened AltAir House hotels in Kolkata and Siliguri are part of this initiative. A significant expansion of Taj Chia Kutir Resort & Spa in Darjeeling also forms part of the investment. The collaboration aims to enhance tourism and create unique travel experiences in the region.
Kolkata Police to Question Former Ministers Wife in Fake Durga Puja Pass Scam
Kolkata police are set to interrogate the wife of former minister Indranil Sen regarding a fake Durga Puja pass scam involving her company. Kolkata Police to Question Former Ministers Wife in Fake Durga Puja Pass Scam
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey highlights efforts to improve market access and safeguard investors during a forum in Kolkata. SEBI Focuses on Enhancing Market Accessibility and Investor Protection, Says Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey
East Bengal Begins AFC Women's Champions League Campaign
East Bengal Women's Football Club is set to make history as they kick off their AFC Women's Champions League Group B campaign in Kolkata on Sunday. The 'Moshal Girls' aim to become the first Indian club to reach the quarter-finals, building on a successful season and an unbeaten international run. They face tough competition from Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh City, South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO WFC, and North Korea's 4.25 SC.
Is Bengali cinema losing its rootedness?
Has Bengali cinema forgotten how to look at Bengal? From the invisible lives of Dhapa to the textures of a language that is slowly losing its density, filmmakers Ashish Avikunthak, Indrasis Acharya and Ishaan Ghose ask what has slipped out of the frame, and whether cinema can still find its way back
Todays Gold Rate: Gold prices down in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
22, 24 carat Gold prices down across metro cities on October 31
Gold, silver prices today in Hyderabad, 31 October for investors: What are latest prices per kg and per 10 gms in Charminar City? We also bring retail prices of 18K, 22K and 24K gold and 999 Fine silver across cities Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
Five former TMC ministers arrested under BJP rule, only one gets bail
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 31 (IANS) Only one of the five former ministers of the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government arrested during the first six months of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led regime in West Bengal is currently out on bail. The cases concern alleged wrongdoing during the previous Trinamool Congress government's tenure. The arrests of former ministers began with former state Fire Services Minister Sujit Bose. Three other former ministers were subsequently arrested: Dilip Mondal, who served as Minister of State for Transport; Ujjal Biswas, the former Correctional Services Minister; and Udyana Guha, who held the North Bengal Development portfolio. The latest to join the list is Indranil Sen, former state Tourism Minister and Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs. The singer-turned-politician was arrested earlier this week in connection with an alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to festival tours associated with the UNESCO-tagged celebration. Of the five former ministers, Biswas is the only one currently out on bail. Sen is in police custody, while the other three, along with Bose, are in judicial custody. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested Bose in connection with the multi-crore cash-for-jobs case involving municipal recruitment in West Bengal. Mondal, Biswas and Guha were arrested by the West Bengal Police in cases involving allegations of corruption, extortion and political violence. Sen was arrested by Kolkata Police earlier this week. He is the only one among the five against whom the ED and the city police have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged fake Durga Puja pass scam linked to tours organised around the UNESCO-tagged festival. The case against Sen has drawn particular attention in view of the ED's investigation, after the name of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee figured in the agency's findings. Earlier this month, the ED issued a statement naming Banerjee in connection with a transaction involving Octave Records, a company owned by Sen. According to the agency, nearly Rs 30 lakh was allegedly transferred from the company's accounts to Banerjee through banking channels. Sen, however, maintained that the payment was made towards royalty. Separately, a judicial inquiry commission constituted by the West Bengal government to examine alleged institutional corruption during the previous Trinamool Congress regime has initiated an inquiry involving Sen.
Gold, silver prices today, 31 October: Check the latest prices and up-down movement for precious metal investors in Garden City. We also bring retail prices of 18K, 22K and 24K gold and 999 Fine silver across cities Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai.
The civic body polls are likely to be held in the next few weeks even as the fate of many voters lie in a limbo
Jkhand cop gives 410g liver to daughter
City docs ask for cap on insulin price
Primary scholarship exams held
More Cops On Kolkata Roads For 3 Days From Dhanteras
Kolkata Police launches probe after man in Denmark gets three traffic challans in three months
Sweet sales soar despite inflation, LPG short-supply headwinds
Police rescue two abducted in gold loan fraud
School pays tribute to war veterans
Civic volunteer found hanging at home
Ahead of Diwali, govt plans single-window system for speedy Phanush licence in Kol
Bengal shifts 12,000 people to safety as glacial lake outburst hits Bhutan
PTI Kolkata/Guwahati West Bengal shifted 12,000 people living along the Sankosh in Alipurduar district to safety, while Assam closely monitored the situation in vulnerable areas of Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts after the rivers water level rose following a glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) in adjoining Bhutan, officials said. Water level in the Sankosh, which forms []
Police to seek govt financial help for Gaighata encounter victims family
After NHRC, state wing sends notice to Kolkata Police commissioner
Custom workout & nutrition modules to help manage frailty at home for seniors
Cop assaulted during helmet drive, 3 arrested
7-hour traffic block in Sealdah div to hit train ops
Technology meets talent: IIT Madras Acrophase Initiative launches under-19 sports scholarship
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) Sports today is no longer about raw physical and mental effort and practice. A lot of it has to do with technology that determines under what circumstances a sportsperson achieves peak potential. Keeping this in mind, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has launched the SBI Foundation ACE Potential Athlete Sports Scholarship for able-bodied national-level athletes aged 1519 years. The programme will support 90 young athletes 45 boys and 45 girls across athletics, swimming, boxing, wrestling, shooting, archery and badminton. Selected athletes will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 40,000, along with sports science-based performance assessments and personalised nutrition guidance from IIT MadrasAcrophase, supporting them as they train and compete at higher levels. Behind every promising athlete are years of training, discipline and the ambition to go further. But talent alone is not enough; the right support can shape how far that journey goes, IIT Madras says. In a LinkedIn post, the institute has said: Acrophase, an IIT Madras initiative, is India's first human performance research centre driven to build superhumans capable of pushing the limits. Through a unique confluence of wearable industry experts, researchers from IIT Madras, and experts in human physiology and biomechanics, we curate performance enhancement programs for people at all levels. We do this by leveraging the benefits of data-driven technology in synergy with expert insights from physiology, biomechanics & behavioural psychology. Acrophase is a social-impact-driven performance science initiative emerging from the research and innovation ecosystem of IIT Madras. The initiative is built on the institutes strengths in engineering, biomedical science, and data analytics. Acrophase translates rigorous academic research into scalable, field-deployable solutions that create measurable societal value. Partnerships with SBI Foundation and the Wadhwani Foundation have enabled Acrophase, through IIT Madras, to support able-bodied and para-athletes across India using inclusive, research-driven performance and capacity-building frameworks, IIT Madras says. Applications have started being accepted from October 7, and the process will continue till November 16. The applicants must be Indian citizens competing at the national level. There will be 18 scholarships for athletics, followed by swimming and shooting with 16 each. Archery will receive 12 places, wrestling and boxing 10 each, and badminton eight. The selection will be based on sporting merit, with preference given to players from lower-income families when candidates are otherwise equally matched.
No forced union tie, no wage bias: Govt to Tolly
Fire on 24th floor of South City condo triggers panic
8pm-10pm window stays for bursting of crackers
No phones, smoke breaks: Workshop lays down rules for Kali Puja priests
18 out of 120 cracker samples fail cop check ahead of Bazi Bazaars
Chorbagan lessons: Wider gates, no dimly lit pandals in Kali Puja
West Bengal govt to set up magic school and museum
IIT-K brings Kolkatas contemporary art to campus
Bengal: Hawkers assault Rashtriya Ekta Diwas rally participants
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) People travelling from West Bengal to Vadodara in Gujarat to participate in the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations were brutally assaulted by hawkers at the Bhusaval station in Maharashtra on Friday. The railway police at Bhusaval confirmed that a complaint has been lodged and several people have been detained for questioning. Further investigation is underway, an official said. We were in a group of 99 people from the Jhargram district in West Bengal, selected by the district administration to travel by a special train to Vadodara for the Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations on October 31. When the train stopped at the Bhusaval station, some of us decided to get out and stretch our legs as it had been a long journey, said Nirmalendu Mahato. He, along with his daughter, purchased some bananas from the platform. While Mahato remained outside, the girl went inside the compartment to keep the bananas near their luggage. Trouble started after she rejoined her father on the platform and Mahato started videographing the surroundings. We had heard a lot about Bhusaval and its bananas, so it was only natural for me to make a video. There were some hawkers around, but it was not my idea to focus on them. Suddenly, an elderly man approached me from behind and asked me harshly to stop making the video. I asked him the reason, when four others approached. Realising that they were out there to create trouble, I turned to send my daughter back into the compartment. This was when they pushed me from behind, Mahato said. His co-passengers noticed the incident and accosted the hawkers, resulting in a minor scuffle. The team from Jhargram, which comprises police and administrative officers from the district, then approached the elderly man who had started the whole thing. When he was asked why he started the whole ruckus, the man left. We believed that was the end of the matter. However, he returned in a few minutes with over 20 men and started assaulting us. At least a dozen members of our group received injuries to their faces, shoulders, backs, and other parts of the body. We somehow managed to get into the train and get in touch with the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Mahato said. The injured, including Mahato, received treatment at the next station, where a complaint was also registered by the railway police. After reaching Vadodara, they were taken to a hospital for medical examination. On the evening of October 30, senior police officers from Bhusaval reached Vadodara and spoke to us in detail. A DSP of West Bengal Police, who was part of our group, also provided details. We were told that seven of the miscreants have been identified and detained. More people will be booked as the investigation progresses, we were told, Mahato said. According to a senior police official, it was the handiwork of illegal hawkers against whom Central Railway has been taking steps for the last few months. Several hundred illegal hawkers have been identified and removed from stations in that area. However, they keep on returning to the stations on the sly. It seems that they were scared that their activities would get recorded when the video was being made and attacked the passengers, the official said. Whatever the reason, the incident has left a bad taste in the mouth for Mahato and the others, who had left home so happily, proud to be part of the national event, to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Authority of officials who appealed against inclusion of names in Bengal SIR under lens
The officials who filed appeals against the inclusion of the 16.10 lakh voters may not have had the authority to do so under the Representation of the People Act; according to the Act, the CEO/DEO/ERO/AERO are the authorities with respect to electoral rolls
Authority of officials who appealed against inclusion of names in Bengal SIR under lens
The officials who filed appeals against the inclusion of the 16.10 lakh voters may not have had the authority to do so under the Representation of the People Act; according to the Act, the CEO/DEO/ERO/AERO are the authorities with respect to electoral rolls
SMPK Deputy Manager Recruitment 2026
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) has released the official notification for the post of Deputy Manager (Marine Engineering). The last date to submit the offline application is 15 December 2026. Further details are available at smp.smportkolkata.in.
Bengal govt to set up magic school and museum on history of magic
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Oct 30 (IANS) A full-fledged magic school is going to be set up in the state to bring the magic art of West Bengal to the new generation, government officials said on Friday. In addition, a magic museum on the history of magic in Bengal will also be set up to preserve the long history of Bengali magic practice, rare equipment and the contributions of artists. Preparations for the implementation of this plan have begun under the initiative of the State Information and Cultural Affairs (I and CA) Department. The state government has formed an advisory committee to prepare the outline of this project. The country's eminent magician P.C. Sorcar (Junior) is the chief advisor of the committee. He has been joined by several other eminent people who have been associated with the magic art for a long time. Initial discussions have already started on how the school and museum plans will be implemented. The first formal meeting of the advisory committee was held at Nandan Auditorium in Kolkata on Friday. State Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Department (Independent Charge), Purnima Chakraborty, and Secretary of the Department Soumitra Mohan were present there. P.C. Sorcar (Junior), his wife Jayashree Sarkar and daughter magician Maneka Sarkar also joined the meeting. The meeting discussed the curriculum of the proposed magic school, the type of training, the infrastructure of the museum and the possible outline of the project implementation. The issue of establishing magic not only as stage entertainment, but also as an independent art and science-based practice also gained importance in the discussion. After the meeting, P.C. Sorcar (Junior) said that the history of Bengali magic is very rich and ancient and that tradition needs to be preserved in a scientific way. According to him, there is science, practice and special skills behind magic. If this initiative of the state government is implemented, the new generation will get the opportunity to choose magic as a profession. The school can also play an important role in creating interest in this art among the youth, he said. One of the goals of the proposed magic museum is to preserve the history of magic practice in Bengal. According to the Information and Cultural Affairs Department, there are plans to preserve the lives and work of prominent magicians of Bengal, the history of different stages of magic, rare equipment used, old clothes and ancient books. Through this, visitors and researchers will get the opportunity to learn about the evolution of the art of magic and the techniques used at different times. On the other hand, there is a plan to provide training to experienced magicians in the magic school. A specific curriculum may also be created for that training. In addition to teaching magic techniques, there are plans to provide lessons on stage presentation, sleight of hand, holding the audience's attention and the science behind magic. Purnima Chakraborty, Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs Department, said that the aim of this initiative is to institutionalise the ancient arts of Bengal. According to Chakraborty, the state has always given importance to the practice of art and culture. If a magic school and museum are established, it will be possible to present this tradition to future generations in a more comprehensive manner, she said.
Opposition parties demand online search of voters roll and option to file online objections
West Bengal Health Minister Calls a section of Junior Doctors Maoist
Wall defacement: SRFTI issues show-cause notices to six students
HC grants bail to accused in RG Kar corruption case
Dispose of pending references on govt schemes within 7 days, CS tells depts
