Petrol and diesel prices varied across Indian cities on October 3, as global crude crossed $100 amid Middle East tensions, while state-run oil companies kept national average fuel rates largely stable.
Angad Bedi recalls Anushka Sharma sharing a hearty laugh with Virat Kohli in birthday post
Digital Desk | Mumbai, Nov 5 (IANS) Actor Angad Bedi penned a heartfelt note for cricketer Virat Kohli on his birthday. The Tiger Zinda Hai actor called him The King and praised his contribution to Indian cricket. Taking to social media, Instagram, Angad shared a heartfelt birthday message for Virat and wished him a blessed and peaceful year ahead. He also praised the cricketer for his passion and dedication towards the game, saying that his journey would continue to inspire future generations. In his birthday post, Angad wrote, Happy birthday to 'THE KING' @virat.kohli have a blessed and a peaceful year. May you continue to serve Indian cricket with as much passion and gutso so that the future generation learns and embodies your belief and hardwork. He further said that Virat's name would always feature among the legends of the game. Whenever there will be a mention of the legends of the game.. your name will be right up there!! he added. Angad Bedi also shared a carousel of pictures featuring himself and wife Neha Dhupia posing with Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma. One of the photographs captured Anushka sharing a hearty laugh with Virat, offering a glimpse of their cheerful moment together. The couple twinned in blue as they posed alongside Angad and Neha. Actress Juhi Babbar also extended warm birthday wishes to cricketer Virat Kohli, praising his passion, discipline and determination to constantly raise the bar. She also added a playful note, jokingly asking Virat to play a little less when competing against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Happpyyy Birthdayyy @imVkohli So much passion, so much discipline, and that incredible hunger to keep raising the bar every single time. On the aside Virat, its ok to play a little less, when your playing against KKR ..!!! Wishing you lots of happiness, good health and many more unforgettable moments on and off the field!! Jay, Juhi, Jahnavi and Arjun, she wrote. Virat Kohli turned 38 on November 5 and received warm birthday wishes from several celebrities and well-known personalities on social media.
Emami Q2 results: Profit rises nearly 2% at 145 cr, revenue up 36%
The company had posted a PAT of 148.35 crore in the July-September period a year ago, according to a regulatory filing from Kolkata-headquartered Emami
Indias premium housing drives market recovery as sales rise 6 pc in Jan-Sep: Report
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) Home sales across India's seven major residential markets rose 6 per cent year-on-year to 2,14,562 units during January-September 2026, reversing the 12 per cent decline recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, led by demand for premium housing, a report said on Thursday. The report from JLL said that recovery was led decisively by premium housing with apartments priced at Rs 1 crore and above posting 23 per cent Y-o-Y growth and capturing 72 per cent of total sales during the period, up from 62 per cent a year earlier. The recovery was driven by sustained urban migration, upgrades to infrastructure, and shifting lifestyle preferences among homebuyers, the report noted. Developers continued to align new supply with the prevailing premium-led demand pattern, with residential launches across the top seven cities rising 15 per cent YoY to 2,59,425 units during JanuarySeptember 2026. The sub-Rs 1 crore mass housing segment continued to lose ground, with sales falling 23 per cent YoY as affordability pressures and a continued shift in buyer preference toward larger, higher-specification homes reshaped the demand mix. Sales momentum has been led decisively by the Rs 1.5-3 crore segment, which grew 54 per cent year-on-year, while developers have matched this demand with a massive 70 per cent increase in launches, said Siva Krishnan, Senior Managing Director and Head of Residential Services, India, JLL. Sales in the third quarter rose 12 per cent quarter-on-quarter to 76,181 units, led by Hyderabad with 70 per cent growth, followed by Kolkata at 28 per cent and Bengaluru at 13 per cent. Sales declined marginally in Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, by 5 per cent and 2 per cent respectively. Although market dynamics have shifted, with homebuyers placing greater emphasis on quality, location, and amenities, the core demand drivers remain unchanged. Buyers' growing preference for projects by established developers known for superior specifications, prime locations, and reliable delivery timelines points to a more mature home buying audience in India, the report noted.
SMPA Senior Deputy Manager Recruitment 2026
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPA) has released Notification No. P&IR/13/2/2026/4396 for the post of Senior Deputy Manager. Eligible candidates can apply online at onlinevacancy.shipmin.nic.in from 06 November 2026 to 05 December 2026.
Todays Gold Rate in India November 5: Gold prices up in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across metro cities on November 5
SC asks TMC leader Chattopadhyay to approach Calcutta HC over rebel MLAs' disqualification
Digital Desk | New Delhi, Nov 5 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a plea filed by senior Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sovandeb Chattopadhyay seeking disqualification of 10 rebel party MLAs, including Leader of Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee, under the anti-defection law, and asked him to approach the Calcutta High Court. A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the appropriate remedy at this stage would be to approach the Calcutta High Court and granted liberty to the petitioner to file an appropriate petition before it. The apex court also requested the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court to place the matter before a Division Bench for expeditious consideration. During the hearing, counsel appearing for Chattopadhyay submitted that the disqualification petitions had been filed on July 8 and that nearly five months had elapsed without a decision. The counsel argued that the issue was covered by the Supreme Court's earlier directions and sought an early hearing by a Division Bench of the High Court to avoid further rounds of intra-court appeals. Dictating the order, the CJI Kant-led Bench observed that the petitioner should take recourse to the Calcutta High Court and accordingly disposed of the petition at this stage, granting liberty to file an appropriate petition before the High Court. The writ petition, filed by veteran TMC legislator Sovandeb Chattopadhyay, had sought directions for the disqualification of 10 rebel MLAs, including Ritabrata Banerjee and former Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) Mayor Firhad Hakim, under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution. It had also sought directions against the Speaker of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Rathindra Bose, for failing to decide the disqualification petitions within the timeframe indicated by the Supreme Court. This was the second time Chattopadhyay had approached the apex court over the issue. In September, he moved the Supreme Court seeking the disqualification of the 10 MLAs after the Speaker failed to take a decision on the petitions submitted by the Mamata Banerjee-led faction. On September 28, a Bench of CJI Surya Kant, and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana had disposed of the earlier petition, expressing the hope that the Speaker would decide the disqualification proceedings within three months. The apex court had observed that the three-month period was due to expire on October 8, and expressed confidence that the Speaker would take an appropriate decision within the stipulated timeframe. However, with no decision communicated on the disqualification petitions, Chattopadhyay approached the Supreme Court again. Apart from Ritabrata Banerjee and Firhad Hakim, the other MLAs against whom disqualification was sought include Sandipan Saha, Arup Roy, Seuli Saha, Akhruzzaman, Sabina Yeasmin, Rathin Ghosh, Biplab Mitra and Javed Ahmed Khan. The disqualification proceedings stem from an internal party dispute in the Trinamool Congress, with the Mamata Banerjee-led faction seeking action against the 10 legislators under the anti-defection provisions.
Bengal BJP plans to retain over 50 pc of old faces in Kolkata, Howrah civic polls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) The West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party is planning to retain more than 50 per cent of its existing candidates for the upcoming Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporation elections, a senior party leader said on Thursday. Leaders and workers who joined the BJP before and after the 2021 Assembly elections and have established popularity in their respective areas will also be considered for candidature in the remaining seats, he said. However, the state leadership will have to obtain clearance from the party's central leadership before finalising the list of candidates. There is speculation that the civic elections in Kolkata and Howrah may be held in the third week of December. The election notification is expected after Kali Puja on November 8, prompting the BJP to complete its candidate selection process by November 15. The party has already received applications from aspiring candidates. State leaders are now visiting different mandals to seek feedback from grassroots workers on the prospective candidates. This exercise is expected to be completed by November 11. The feedback will subsequently be placed before the state committee. The party's core committee, along with the election committees for the Kolkata and Howrah municipal corporations, will then finalise the names. BJP central observer Sunil Bansal will also attend the meeting, the senior leader said. The BJP is exercising caution in candidate selection this time to avoid discontent within its organisational ranks. State president Samik Bhattacharya had earlier said that preference would be given to workers who had maintained a long association with the party and contributed to its organisational activities. He had made it clear that merely joining the BJP shortly before the elections would not guarantee a councillor's ticket. However, organisational seniority will not be the sole criterion. The party will also consider a candidate's acceptance among local residents, personal image, public outreach and prospects in the constituency, the leader said. The BJP is attaching considerable importance to the Kolkata and Howrah civic elections. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar has been entrusted with overseeing the Kolkata polls, with Raju Banerjee as co-in-charge. State Commerce and Industries Minister Tapas Roy is the convener, while MLA Ritesh Tiwari is the co-convener. The state leadership is working on the final selection process before forwarding its recommendations to Bansal, who is overseeing the municipal corporation elections. Rajya Sabha MP Rahul Sinha, who is in charge of the Howrah civic polls, will also submit his proposed list of candidates to the party's central leadership for consideration.
Zoho launches restaurant POS platform in India, offers free plan for small businesses
Zoho has launched its restaurant POS platform in India, offering free access to outlets with annual billing of up to Rs 12 lakh, with Kolkata-based Asha Sweets becoming its first customer.
MassArt secretary arrested in Durga Puja ticket scam case in Kolkata
A week back former Trinamool era minister Indranil Sen was arrested byKolkata Police in the same case
Bengals new industrial policy to be announced today, focus on ease of doing business
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari will announce the state government's new industrial policy on Thursday, with a focus on 'ease of doing business' by removing unnecessary government regulations for investment proposals and ensuring quick approvals. At the same time, state secretariat insiders aware of the contents of the new industrial policy said there will be proposals to resurrect the states incentive policy for investors, which was done away with during the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress regime, in a more structured and comprehensive manner. The draft industrial policy had been designed as per the policies adopted by industrially developed states, a state secretariat insider said. The state cabinet cleared the draft industrial policy on October 28. Now the final industrial policy will be announced on Thursday afternoon after an administrative review meeting at the state Secretariat 'Nabanna'. The new industrial policy has been drafted by a group of ministers, and industrialists, industry associations, and economic experts were also consulted. Since the state government wanted the new industrial policy to be more structured and comprehensive, making a balance between various factors like investors interest, employment generation possibilities and the interest of the other stakeholders like landowners whose land will be acquired for industrial projects, the deadline for announcing the same was postponed again and again, said sources in the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation (WBIDC). Initially, it was announced that the new industrial policy would be announced on August 15 on the occasion of Independence Day. However, that did not happen, and the deadline was postponed repeatedly. Finally, on October 28, the draft industrial policy received the state cabinet nod, and it was announced that the policy would be formally announced on Thursday. As regards the proposed incentives to be announced for investors in the new industrial policy, state secretariat insiders said the focus would be on attracting investment to backward areas so that industrial projects developed there can be linked to socio-economic development in the area. The incentives can be in the form of waiver of electricity tariff for the initial years of project implementation and operations, state government bearing a certain percentage of interest on loans taken by the entrepreneur concerned, and reimbursement of the companys contribution in employees' provident fund, among others, a state government official said. After taking charge as the ninth Chief Minister of West Bengal in May this year, Suvendu Adhikari announced that a comprehensive new industrial policy will be formulated and announced within the current year to facilitate big-ticket investment in the state. Accordingly, a group of ministers was entrusted with the task of drawing up the new policy in June, Before the announcement of the new industrial policy, the Chief Minister had claimed that the policy had been prepared with a focus on creating an ideal investment ambience in the state, removing red-tapism in approvals, and ensuring massive employment generation.
Gold and silver prices today, 5 November: Check the latest 24K, 22K gold and 999 silver retail rates across Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and other major Indian cities, along with MCX market updates.
Gold prices continued to rise in early trade on November 5 as the US dollar weakened to a more than one-month low.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 5 (IANS) The cash worth Rs 1,02,79,000, which was recovered by the police from a party office of the Trinamool Congress at Sarisha under Diamond Harbour Police district in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, was actually planted by the police administration, alleged the party's general secretary and Lok Sabha member Abhishek Banerjee. The Diamond Harbour Police had claimed that they got information about the huge cash at the Sarisha party office during the interrogation of Abhishek Banerjees aide, Sumit Roy, who is currently in police custody in relation to a multi-crore soil-theft case registered at Kalitala-Ashuti Police Station under the jurisdiction of the same police district. However, rubbishing the police's claims, Banerjee issued a social media post late Wednesday night claiming that the cash was planted deliberately at the said party office, which was allegedly vandalised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed goons six months back. The deliberate planting of fake and fabricated evidence at a property vandalised six months ago by BJP goons, which subsequently became a scene of crime under police investigation, is a brazen attempt to subvert justice, manipulate the investigation and misuse the machinery of law, claimed the Diamond Harbour MP in his social media post. In his social media post, Abhishek Banerjee cautioned that those responsible for this alleged conspiracy of planting the cash at the property will ultimately be held accountable. Let this be an unequivocal warning to those orchestrating this sinister conspiracy and those acting at their behest: You will be held personally accountable for every act of fabrication, manipulation and abuse of authority, said Banerjee. He also warned the police administration not to mistake political patronage, official position or the misuse of police powers for immunity from prosecution. The law will catch up with every individual involved, regardless of rank, position or political affiliation. Prepare yourselves to face the full force of the law. There will be no compromise, no retreat and no escape from legal accountability, Banerjee added. On Monday, although the Diamond Harbour Police District confirmed that the party office -- where the cash was recovered -- belonged to the Trinamool Congress, it did not clarify who was actually responsible for running the office. It is still unclear why this huge amount of cash was kept in the Trinamool Congress party office and where it came from. The police are trying to gather more information about the source of this money. However, the police's initial probe has found that it is related to the case of soil theft registered at Kalitala-Ashuti police station.
East Bengal went down 1-4 to Hwacheon KSPO of South Korea in their second AFC Women's Champions League 2026-27 group match at the Kishore Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata
Snatchers attack morning walkers, help burgles home
Kolkata woman loses 1.2 crore to cyber fraud
Doctor halts op for lunch, 50-yr-old dies at Howrah hosp
Bengal: INS Netaji Subhas completes Yoga course for Agniveers
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) The first batch of Agniveers who were not retained after four years in service completed an 8-week certified Yoga Course conducted in accordance with the programme at INS Netaji Subhas, the Indian Navy's base in Kolkata, on Wednesday. The programme focused on promoting physical fitness, mental well-being, discipline and resilience. Certificates were awarded to the participants upon successful completion, the Navy said. This happened barely a few hours before the Union Cabinet approved the extension of Agniveers by two years. While the decision to continue in service will rest entirely with the individual, officials believe that a large number of them will do so. Taking a significant decision today, the Union Cabinet chaired by PM Shri Narendra Modi has approved a two-year Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers under Agnipath. I sincerely thank PM Modi for taking the decision of an additional 2-year Second Tour of Duty for Agniveers under the Agnipath scheme. This would also provide enrollment of all willing Agniveers as regular soldiers after the tenure of 4/6 years, who meet the selection criteria, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X. This decision is a continuation of long-term structural reforms of our defence forces, aimed at creating a younger, fitter, technologically equipped and future-ready military. It is not merely a recruitment policy; it is a way forward to prepare India's military for the changing character of warfare, he added. Over 18,300 Agniveers were to exit the armed forces over the next three months after completing their four-year term. Under the Agnipath scheme, soldiers are recruited for a four-year term, with a provision to retain only 25% of them in regular service for another 15 years. Before they are released, the soldiers, sailors and air warriors have been undergoing the yoga course and medical evaluations. The 18,300 personnel, who were to be released this year, account for three-fourths of the 24,400 recruits inducted into the Army, Air Force and Navy in the first round of recruitment. The first batch comprised around 19,000 Agniveers in the Army, 2,850 in the IAF and 2,550 in the Navy, according to official data. However, all three services have expressed satisfaction with the performance of Agniveers across roles and agreed to their retention. Officials had earlier said the scheme could be tweaked in the future to retain more Agniveers with specialised skills. The Army currently has around 270,000 Agniveers, the IAF around 27,000 and the Navy roughly 21,000, the officials said. The government had introduced the Agnipath model in 2022 in a marked departure from the military's decades-old recruitment system. The idea was to maintain a younger and fitter fighting force.
4 call centres busted, 37 held
Animal-familiarisation campaign reaches schools
Patients forced out in New Town nursing homes landlord-tenant dispute
Cops dig up decomposed body of newborn
Police quiz MLA Kunal Ghosh for 90 minutes in Chorbagan row
IIT Kharagpur launches helpline to tackle cyberbullying
Cloud cover pushes max temp to 28.6C
AFC Women's CL: East Bengal Take a Beating But Stay in Knockout Race
East Bengal suffered a 1-4 defeat against South Korea's Hwacheon KSPO in their second AFC Women's Champions League group match in Kolkata. Despite an early lead through Fazila Ikwaput, Hwacheon dominated the second half, scoring three goals to secure the win. This loss puts East Bengal in a precarious position ahead of their final group match against DPR Korea's 4.25 SC.
Beleghata MLA Kunal Ghosh meets transport minister Arjun Singh
Will politics trump last few years green gains: New worry on Kol plate in season of festivities
Bengal: SIT arrests second accused in UNESCO-tagged fake Durga Puja pass scam
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police on Wednesday night arrested a senior corporate official in connection with the multi-crore fake Durga Puja pass scam involving UNESCO-tagged festival tours. The arrested individual, identified as Dhrubojyoti Basu, is a top executive of Mass Art, the corporate entity through which the fraudulent passes were allegedly marketed and sold. Basu was named in the initial First Information Report (FIR) and had been absconding since last week following the arrest of former West Bengal Tourism Minister Indranil Sen. Basus arrest marks the second major action by law enforcement in the ongoing probe, following the detention of Sen, a singer-turned-politician. According to police sources, while Mass Art was officially headed by Sens wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, the entity operated as the brainchild of the former minister and Basu. Investigators allege that the duo established a complex corruption network through the organisation to monetise unauthorised passes under the guise of UNESCO festival access. Madhuchhanda Sen has also been named in the FIR. However, she secured anticipatory bail from the Calcutta High Court and remains out of custody despite undergoing two rounds of interrogation. Authorities confirmed that the couple's daughter, Averi Sen, along with corporate entities linked to her, remain under active financial and administrative scrutiny. Indranil Sen, currently in police custody, is undergoing daily marathon interrogations by the SIT. Investigators have questioned nine other individuals in connection with the case, including Madhuchhanda Sen. Sen is scheduled to be produced before a lower court in Kolkata on November 10. Police officials stated that the SIT is actively gathering forensic and document-based evidence to counter potential bail applications during the upcoming court hearing. The case is being investigated through parallel probes by the Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). City police sleuths originally took Sen into custody outside the EDs Salt Lake office in the northern outskirts of Kolkata last week.
KMC set to rope in pvt agencies to digitise birth certificates
Season of fear, uncertainty returns for Rabindra Sarobar birds
Blue cheer: Democratic sweep crucial for H-1B workers, green card aspirants
Class 58 students to learn coding, robotics in state-run schools
NCC cadets, Bharat Scouts sensitised about Ex Sea Vigil 2026
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) As part of the biennial national-level coastal defence exercise, Sea Vigil 2026, the Naval Officer-in-Charge (NOIC), West Bengal, conducted a sensitisation campaign and familiarisation visit for NCC cadets and Bharat Scouts at INS Netaji Subhas in Kolkata on Wednesday. The cadets were briefed on the core roles of the Indian Navy, Examination Services and War Watching Organisation (WWO); reinforcing youth engagement is a KRA of Sea Vigil 2026. The visit included operational exposure to Fast Interceptor Crafts (FICs) deployed for riverine patrolling across West Bengal waterways, alongside on-site handling and familiarisation with small arms used in maritime defence. The high-intensity coastal security exercise is scheduled to be held on November 18-19, 2026. This will be the fifth edition of the exercise. It was last held in November 2024. The nationwide exercise, spanning the entire 11,098 km coastline of India, had then involved six central ministries, 21 central and state agencies, and key stakeholders from across the maritime security apparatus. Even the Army and the Air Force had participated in the exercise. They are expected to do the same this year. Exercise Sea Vigil is as close to the real thing as it can get. Agencies entrusted with guarding vital assets are tested on their preparedness to tackle emergencies. During the 2024 edition, dud Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) were planted within the Victoria Memorial campus in Kolkata and armed infiltrators had entered the port facility. A waterborne strike was also attempted on defence shipbuilders Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. Security agencies are divided between Red and Blue teams. While the Red teams are the attackers, vital assets have to be protected by the others. Exercise Sea Vigil is designed to bolster the security of Indias coastal assets, including ports, oil rigs, vulnerable areas (VAs), vulnerable points (VPs), and cable landing stations. The focus is on Indias expansive coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), covering 2.4 million square kilometres; the exercise engages all levels of government and security forces, keeping in mind emerging threats. The Indian Navy has been tasked as the lead agency for maritime security since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and Ex Sea Vigil serves as a vital step in ensuring coordination across central and state security agencies for effective coastal defence. In addition to military and security forces, the exercise actively involves local communities, NCC cadets, NSS volunteers, Bharat Scouts and Guides, and fishermen to raise awareness about the importance of maritime security. This public engagement is key to creating a widespread sense of vigilance along Indias coastline. West Bengal is of particular importance for the security agencies, given the vast expanse of the Sundarbans - the world's largest mangrove forest and delta - that is difficult to monitor by security forces. Ex Sea Vigil validates Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and processes adopted by various agencies and the coordination between them in areas like intelligence sharing while safeguarding the country's maritime boundaries.
Use of technology for greater road safety discussed at IIT Madras
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) The use of Geospatial data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enable advanced road safety interventions came up for discussion during a fireside chat with Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, former judge, Supreme Court of India, and chairman, Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS), and Sanjay Bandopadhyay, member, SCCoRS at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras on Wednesday. The event brought together students, practitioners and innovators, who explored India's road safety challenges and the role of technology in addressing them. The key causes of road crashes, including overspeeding, drunk driving, wrong-side driving, jumping red lights, mobile phone use while driving, unsafe overtaking and driver fatigue and stress, were highlighted by Justice Sapre. He also spoke on the importance of applying first-principles thinking to develop effective solutions. The Road Safety Innovation Hub, developed by the Government of Tamil Nadu with RBG Labs, was also introduced during the session as a platform for students, researchers and entrepreneurs to share, test and advance their ideas. The Road Safety Innovation Hub often works alongside academic partners like the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety at IIT Madras to design, test, and deploy new technologies and data-driven solutions for safer roads. Its core focus area is creating data-backed safety interventions, smart mobility tools, low-cost engineering fixes, and emerging safety technologies to reduce traffic crashes and fatalities. It aligns with similar state and national deep-tech frameworks in India such as Odisha's design-thinking capacity programs and IIT Delhi's Bharat Safety initiative to scale tech-driven road safety. According to data shared in Parliament by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), 1,77,177 people were killed in road accidents in India in 2024. This was a 2.3% increase from the previous year. This effectively means that nearly 485 people die due to road accidents in India every day, and the toll is about 20 per hour. Data reveals that the number of deaths has gone up over the years. While 1,68,491 people were killed in 2022, the toll was 1,72,890 in 2023. About 46.2% of those killed are two-wheeler riders, while 20.6% are pedestrians. About 66.1% of those killed are in the productive age group of 18 to 45 years, while those aged between 18 and 60 make up 83.3%.
Discover Yourself Workshop in Kolkata: Participants Share Their Experiences of Inner Transformation
The three-day Discover Yourself (DYS) Workshop facilitated by Sadathullah Khan, was held at the Aliah University Auditorium, Park Circus Campus, Kolkata, from October 17 to 19, 2026. The workshop was organised by The Sirri Saqti Foundation (TSSF). The workshop brought together the participants to explore self-awareness, the distinction between mind and heart, the influence of [] The post Discover Yourself Workshop in Kolkata: Participants Share Their Experiences of Inner Transformation first appeared on .
First batch of 46th Indian expedition to Antarctica embarks for Maitri
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) The first batch of 16 members of the 46th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica (46-ISEA) has embarked on its journey, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), a laboratory under the Ministry of Earth Sciences said on Wednesday, officials said. The team will be carrying forward India's commitment to advancing polar science, exploring the icy frontiers and strengthening our understanding of Antarctica, it added. The team comprises scientists and researchers from across the country. Among them is Athira A.S., a research scholar at the ICARCentral Institute of Fisheries Technology (ICAR-CIFT) in Kochi. She will be stationed at the Maitri Research Station in Antarctica to undertake research on microbial diversity in the Antarctic terrestrial ecosystem. Her research forms part of the project titled Contaminant Load Evaluation in Antarctic Natural Systems (CLEAN-ANT) (ISEA-63), coordinated by NCPOR. The collaborative research initiative between NCPOR and ICAR-CIFT brings together expertise in polar research, aquatic microbiology and environmental microbiology. Athira's research will focus on Actinomycete Diversity in Antarctic Soil, with the objective of isolating and characterising actinomycetes from Antarctic soil samples to assess their diversity and distribution under the extreme environmental conditions of the Antarctic terrestrial ecosystem, a statement from ICAR-CIFT said. Actinomycetes are a group of prokaryotic organisms classified as bacteria, characterised by their filamentous structures and ability to decompose complex organic materials, particularly in soil and marine environments. They are significant components of the microbial community, especially under conditions of high pH, temperature, or water stress. A key component of the study is to explore the potential of these microorganisms to produce bioactive compounds, particularly antimicrobial substances, including antibiotics, the institute said. Actinomycetes are an important group of microorganisms known for their ability to produce biologically active natural compounds. Investigating their diversity in the relatively unexplored Antarctic environment could provide valuable insights into microbial adaptation and help identify microorganisms with potential novel bioactive properties. The findings are expected to enhance understanding of microbial diversity in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems and contribute to research on extreme-environment microorganisms as potential sources of novel bioactive compounds. Athira's participation in this prestigious national scientific expedition marks an important milestone for ICAR-CIFT in expanding its research activities into polar microbial biodiversity and bioprospecting, ICAR-CIFT has said. Two meteorologists from Shillong in Meghalaya will also be part of the expedition. Partik Kumar and Dheeraj Chaudhary, from the IMD's Meteorological Centre in Shillong, will represent the department in the polar mission. Data collected from that region will help track climate variability and weather patterns across the world. The focus of 46-ISEA is Climate Change and its signatures in Antarctica. While NCPOR operates two year-round stations, Maitri and Bharati, in Antarctica for scientists to carry out research activities, reaching them is restricted between November and March (in the next calendar year), due to its peculiar geographic position.
Sunday PropTech acquires 89-room hotel in Kolkata, marks entry into city
Sunday PropTech Ltd marks a significant milestone with its inaugural acquisition of an 89-room hotel in Rajarhat. This venue will be included in its emerging mid-premium Clubhouse brand, bolstering its footprint in eastern India. Given its advantageous proximity to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, it appeals to business travelers. The company plans to revamp and reposition the hotel, while also identifying additional investment prospects in West Bengal.
Calcutta HC bars Bengal SEC from announcing KMC poll schedule till ward delimitation case verdict
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) A division bench of the Calcutta High Court said on Wednesday barred the West Bengal State Election Commission (WBSEC) for announcing the schedule for the forthcoming polls for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) till the time the court pronounces the judgment in the case, challenging the delimitation of wards in Kolkata civic body is announced. The polling for seven urban civic bodies in West Bengal, including KMC and Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC), is likely to take place in the last week of December, and the results are expected to be announced in the first week of January next year. Before that the delimitation of the wards in KMC had been announced, increasing the number of wards to 209 from the previous figure of 144. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) approached the Calcutta High Court challenging the delimitation process. In the petition filed by CPI-M leader and former party Councillor Dipu Das, she claimed that despite some serious objections to the new ward delimitation being raised and a proposal was mooted for a 'spot visit' and a public hearing in the area to get the opinions of the citizens, no importance was given to those objections and proposals. The petitioner also claimed that several aspects, including the population and geographical location of the wards, were not properly considered in the delimitation exercise. She even claimed that this move was made to give benefits to a specific party. Initially, the matter was heard at the Calcutta High Court's single-judge bench of Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya. However, instead of passing any specific order in the matter, Justice Bhattacharya directed all parties concerned to file affidavits in the matter. Thereafter, the petitioner approached the division bench of Justice Sabyasachi Bhattacharya and Justice Arjun Roy challenging the order of the single-judge bench. The petitioner contended that if the WBSEC would announce the schedule of the KMC before a clear judgment in the matter, her petition would not have any relevance. The matter came up for hearing at the division bench on Wednesday. At the end of the hearing, that division bench said that the WBSEC should not announce the schedule of the KMC polls till the court pronounced its verdict in the matter.
Bengal: Rs 1.40 crore recovered from Kharagpur station; one arrested
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) Rs 1.40 crore was recovered from Kharagpur station in West Midnapore district on Wednesday, an official said. The money was being brought from Tatanagar in Jharkhand to Howrah in West Bengal. Before it reached its destination, it was caught by the Government Railway Police (GRP). A passenger has also been arrested in connection with the incident. According to a Kharagpur GRP official, the incident took place in the morning. Rahul Soni was travelling from Tatanagar to Howrah by taking the Jan Shatabdi Express. When the train stopped at Kharagpur station, the GRP personnel on duty became suspicious after seeing his movements. He was standing on platform number seven in Kharagpur with one bag on his back and two bags in his hand. According to the official, Rahul tried to escape as the GRP personnel advanced towards him. However, he was finally caught. As the GRP personnel started questioning him, Rahul started giving incoherent answers. This further increased their suspicions. Finally, as soon as they started searching his bag, the GRP personnel on duty found bundles of Rs 500 notes in the bag. A total of 280 bundles of notes were recovered from him. Rahul could not give a satisfactory answer about where this huge amount of cash came from. Therefore, the Kharagpur GRP detained him and informed the Income Tax Department. Later, he was also formally arrested. Superintendent of Railway Police (Kharagpur) Jayanta Mukherjee said that the passenger is being interrogated to find out the source of this huge amount of money. According to the GRP official, the arrested person's house is in Howrah. During interrogation, he admitted that he was bringing the money from Tatanagar to Howrah. However, it is still not clear from whom in Tatanagar he was bringing the money and for what purpose. There are reports of such cash being recovered from the Howrah station premises from time to time. Many people are also caught for not being able to show the source of the cash. This time, more than one crore rupees in cash was recovered from Kharagpur station. Incidentally, shortly before this news came to light, Diamond Harbour Police had also recovered more than one crore rupees from a Trinamool Congress party office in Sarisha of South 24 Parganas district.
ISL 2026/27: Mohun Bagan look to guard home turf as Odisha eye breakthrough
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) With nine points from four matches, former winners Mohun Bagan Super Giant will look to consolidate their position on top of the standings in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026/27 when they host Odisha FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata on Thursday. While the Mariners have made a strong start, Odisha have managed two points from their opening three outings and are hoping to gain their first full points. Thus, both teams have a lot to play for in the early season clash. The Mariners have shown ruthless efficiency in recent weeks, recovering from an early setback to string together three consecutive victories. Their latest 2-1 win over Punjab FC highlighted the quality of their attacking options, with Lee Erwin and Dejan Drai both finding the back of the net. Adding to Odisha FC's defensive concerns is the return of Australian striker Jamie Maclaren, who is back in the squad after recovering from injury. Maclaren famously dismantled the Juggernauts with a four-goal masterclass the last time these two sides met at the Salt Lake Stadium, in a 5-1 host victory. Head coach Panagiotis Dilmperis wants his side to show intent from the opening whistle. The team should start from the first second with more concentration and more aggressiveness, he said. Dilmperis also acknowledged the responsibility that comes with being at the top of the table, adding, I don't know if this is a fact that is going to give us confidence, but for sure it will make us more responsible. Bagan will be without Sahal Abdul Samad, who suffered a knee injury against Punjab FC, and Miguel Figueira, who scored the winner against Sporting Club Delhi in the Mariners' first victory of the season. Odisha FC, meanwhile, will look to build on consecutive draws against Inter Kashi and NorthEast United FC. Head coach TG Purushothaman has acknowledged the need for more creativity in midfield and a sharper attacking approach, but believes his side can take confidence from its defensive improvement. After keeping a first clean sheet against NorthEast, Odisha will need to maintain that discipline against the league leaders. Purushothaman underlined the importance of the fixture, saying, It is a survival match. We have to play like that to handle this match. He also pointed to the experience of facing NorthEast United as preparation for the challenge ahead: So, we know how to deal with all the situations right now, and we are confident about this. With Mohun Bagan seeking a fourth consecutive win and Odisha desperate to get their campaign moving, both sides have plenty at stake in Kolkata.
Sanmarg Group acquires Tehelka.com
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) Sanmarg Private Limited has acquired a 100 per cent stake in Tehelka.com Private Limited, marking its entry into the magazine segment and adding to its presence in the digital media landscape, according to a company statement. The group, which publishes a prominent Hindi daily, said it plans to invest further in Tehelka and intends to make the hitherto fortnightly magazine into a weekly publication and will continue to publish in both print and digital formats. Sanmarg has made the acquisition from a group of investors who acquired the entire shareholding of Tehelka.com in 2017. These investors also successfully gave an exit to Tarun Tejpal and other minor investors. There have been no fresh litigations since their takeover. They also confirmed no involvement in any capacity of Tejpal in Tehelka or its operations, the press statement said. Tejpal was earlier forced to step aside as editor after a sexual assault allegation by a colleague; he was later convicted and sentenced. Sanmarg Group said it completed 100 per cent of the acquisition in October this year of Tehelka.com from these investors, along with all assets therein, both print, digital, and IP since 2017. Arvind Chaturvedi has been appointed the new chief editor to head the publication. The press statement also said that the erstwhile owner, Anant Media Pvt Ltd, will fight all previous litigations in which Tehelka was involved. Anant Media also has the sole responsibility for the earlier guarantees as well. The press statement said that the lifetime subscribers of Tehelka shall continue to receive copies and digital subscription access, as applicable. We also want to fully comply with all government rules and regulations, and all applicable rules, standards and regulations as they stand today, to make a meaningful experience of serious journalism for the Indian public, the statement added. Headquartered in Kolkata, Sanmarg is Eastern India's largest Hindi media network.
IFL 2026/27: Samaleswari SC set for historic home debut against Dempo SC
Digital Desk | Rourkela, Nov 4 (IANS) Samaleswari SC will make their home debut as they face Goan heavyweights Dempo SC in the Indian Football League (IFL) 2026/27 season at the Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Rourkela on Thursday. Playing their debut campaign, Samaleswari SC showed a good account of themselves in their first-ever match, going down 2-3 narrowly to former I-League champions Gokulam Kerala FC in Kozhikode after conceding in the seventh minute of injury time. Argentine forward Pereyra Diaz emerged as the standout performer against Gokulam Kerala, constantly testing the opposing goalkeeper with sharp efforts before converting his late penalty, while winger Sahil Harijan provided a persistent spark with his driving runs and chance creation down the left flank. Head coach Abdul Azim Siddique, with a squad featuring 14 players with Indian national team experience across levels alongside a strong local contingent, highlighted how hosting IFL matches in Rourkela will provide a vital platform for organic talent in the state. I am very happy that the IFL is here in Rourkela because the organic talent developed in Odisha previously did not have a platform and had to go to Kolkata or other states to play, Samaleswari SC head coach Abdul Azim Siddique said. Under the vision of our chairperson Jayanarayan Mishra to develop Odisha football, we have 10 players from Odisha in our squad, including five graduates from the Maa Samaleswari Sports Academy in Sambalpur, alongside local talents like Vicky Oram, Roshan Panna, Samir Murmu, and Sahil Harijan, he said. Speaking on the balance of his roster and the significance of playing 10 home matches in the state, Siddique added, Because the competition at the national level is very high, we have also brought in five foreign players; two of whom have represented their countries and 14 players who have represented India at the national level. Playing home-and-away matches across the country is the best way to develop football. There is a big difference between watching on television and watching in the stadium, and this platform will inspire the next generation of local players to reach the Indian national team, he added. Samaleswari SC midfielder and former India U-17 FIFA World Cup captain Kiyam Amarjit Singh echoed his coach's call for the local fans to back the team on their home bow. Having the IFL take place for the first time in Rourkela and Sambalpur is a great platform for football in the region, Kiyam Amarjit Singh said. When fans come to the stadium to support us and see local Odia players competing alongside foreign signings from countries like Argentina and Ghana, it builds a strong sporting culture. We are grateful for the support on our opening home matchday and hope the fans turn out in numbers to back the team. Dempo SC travelled to Odisha with a dramatic victory in their first match of the season. The Golden Eagles secured a 1-0 win over debutants FC Bengaluru United in Fatorda, courtesy of an eighth-minute stoppage-time header from Ghanaian defender Uzziel Yaw Asomaning Budu. Despite dominating possession for large spells, Dempo had to wait until the final moments to break down a resolute Bengaluru defence, a testament to their persistence. Budu proved to be the decisive figure, not only anchoring the defence but rising highest to head home the stoppage-time winner, while Bagkar provided a constant creative spark with his probing runs down the left flank and goalkeeper Bhattacharjee made a crucial second-half intervention to secure the clean sheet. Guided by head coach Samir Naik, the Goan outfit is looking to become more clinical in front of goal while showing full respect to a resilient Samaleswari side. Overall, the entire team played well in our opening game; we had good ball possession, created several chances, and stayed organised defensively to get the three points, Dempo SC head coach Samir Naik said. We know we can do better in converting our opportunities. Some of the new players take a little time to adjust, but I strongly believe we have players who can change the game on their own, and I have full trust that we will improve with every match. Assessing the challenge posed by Samaleswari SC and the travel to Rourkela, Naik added, All teams in this league are equal, and there are no favourites. Samaleswari were 2-0 down in their first match, fought back to 2-2, and only lost in injury time, and they have good players who have proven themselves at the ISL level. It was a long journey for us to get here, though the playing conditions are quite similar to Goa, and as professionals we are ready. Aside from Amay Morajkar, who trained individually today and will be assessed tomorrow, the squad is fit, he added. Dempo SC defender Pruthvesh Pednekar reiterated the positive mood in the dressing room ahead of their first away test. Everyone is working hard in training, and the mood in the camp is very positive after getting the three points in our first game, Pruthvesh Pednekar said. In the opener, we controlled possession well and kept pushing until the final minute to get our reward. We are fully focused on executing the coach's plan tomorrow and fighting to bring home all three points. Statistically, the match brings together two sides that were involved in stoppage-time drama on the opening weekendSamaleswari conceding a 90+7th-minute winner after scoring twice in the final 15 minutes (75' and 90'), and Dempo netting the latest goal of Matchday 1 in the 98th minute (90+8'). Dempo also demonstrated strong control on the ball in their opener, commanding 70 per cent possession and stringing together nearly 250 passes in the first half alone, whereas Samaleswari proved dangerous in the second half after the hour mark, generating a flurry of shots on target to erase a two-goal deficit. With Samaleswari SC eager to mark their historic Odisha home bow with their first points of the campaign, and Dempo SC looking to build on their dramatic opening-day victory, Thursday's clash in Rourkela promises a compelling contest.
This Gurgaon couple bought a car for family road trips with their parrot
Asanka and Monisha, who relocated to Gurugram from Kolkata, purchased a pre-owned Toyota Urban Cruiser. They sought a car that could accommodate long road trips and their pet parrot, Jelly. Prior to buying, Asanka ensured the vehicle was inspected and serviced at a Toyota service center. By choosing a pre-owned model, they saved 7-8 lakh compared to purchasing a new one.
Sugar prices jump Rs 4/kg in a month, rise Rs 12-13 over year despite supply steps
Sugar prices in India have risen significantly over the past month in both retail and wholesale markets. Retail prices have now reached Rs 59.50 per kg while wholesale prices stand at Rs 55.40 per kg. Kolkata has the highest retail price at Rs 65 per kg followed closely by Delhi at Rs 64. The government is implementing measures to manage supply, including stock limits and imports. India produced 8.
Todays Gold Rate in India November 4: Gold prices up in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru
22, 24 carat Gold prices up across metro cities on November 4
Sugar Prices Rise Over Rs 4 per Kg in a Month
Retail and wholesale rates climb amid tight supplies and festive demand, with Kolkata recording the highest price among major metros.
West Bengal Forms SIT to Investigate Controversial Encounter in Samserganj
A five-member SIT has been established in Kolkata to investigate the police encounter of murder suspect Samiul Sheikh in Samserganj. West Bengal Forms SIT to Investigate Controversial Encounter in Samserganj
Gold rate today Coimbatore Nov 4 Wednesday: Up or down? Latest price for investors ahead of Dhanteras, Diwali 2026. We also bring retail prices of 18K, 22K and 24K gold and 999 Fine silver across cities Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai.
IIHM Scot Malt Tour 2026: Taking Hospitality Education Beyond Borders
Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], November 4: Hospitality education in India is evolving beyond conventional classroom learning, and the International Institute of Hotel Management (IIHM), Asia's largest chain of hotel schools, is taking this transformation across international borders. Through experiential learning in hospitality and strong industry partnerships, IIHM continues to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. Reflecting its philosophy of High Tech, Higher Touch, the institution is redefining hospitality education by creating opportunities for students to learn directly from global industries and explore career possibilities beyond traditional hotel operations.
Blue Heaven Brings Festive Beauty Experiences to Kolkata
India : Blue Heaven, one of Indias leading homegrown beauty brands from the house of Esme Consumer, celebrated the spirit of Durga Puja in Kolkata with immersive on-ground beauty experiences inspired by the citys festive tradition of Durga Puja ki SajDhaj. Marking the brands third Makeup Party edition and its continued collaboration with quick-commerce platform []
5-member SIT formed to probe October 27 encounter killing in Bengals Samserganj
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) West Bengal Police have formed a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the encounter killing of Samiul Sheikh, a murder accused, at Samserganj in Murshidabad on the afternoon of October 27. As per the police version, Sheikh, one of the three accused in the murder of a local BJP leader, Sujit Mondal, was taken to the scene of the crime for recreation of the crime scene, when he tried to escape after snatching the firearm of an escorting police officer. The police claimed that as he fired a few rounds of bullets towards the escorting cops, an inspector present at the spot resorted to counter-firing, in which Sheikh was killed. Now, a five-member SIT has been constituted to probe the encounter matter on the state government's direction, as confirmed by the Deputy Inspector General (Murshidabad Range), Ajeet Singh Yadav, to the media persons. First, an official notification on the formation of the SIT was announced, and subsequently, the five-member SIT was constituted. The SIT will be headed by the Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Deibyendu Tamang. The other four members of the SIT are Swarup Biswas, Abhijit Sarkar, Nilesh Chandra Sarkar and Mithun Halder. While Biswas is an inspector-rank officer, the other three are in the ranks of sub-inspectors. To recall, Sujit Mondal, a local BJP leader and a resident of the Old Dakbanglo area of Samserganj, mysteriously disappeared on August 28. His dismembered body was later recovered. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had then said that Mondal was killed with a meat-cutting knife. The police later arrested the three accused, namely Samiul Sheikh, Tajkira Bibi and Johnny Sheikh. Of the three, Sheikh was killed in the police encounter on October 27. The murder case also sparked allegations of police negligence. Mondal's wife, Sumana Mondal, alleged that despite repeatedly approaching the local police station after her husband's disappearance, she received no assistance. The incident led to disciplinary action against several police officials, including suspensions, transfers and departmental inquiries. The Chief Minister then termed it a 'major blunder'.
SIT probing ex-Bengal Minister Indranil Sen case expanded, four more officers included
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 4 (IANS) Additional officers have been included in the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Kolkata Police probing Indranil Sen, former West Bengal Tourism Minister and former Minister of State for Information and Cultural Affairs, in connection with his alleged involvement in the multi-crore fake Durga Puja pass case linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours. An insider from the city police said that when the SIT was initially constituted, it had five members, and the number has now been increased to nine. The four new officers from the city police are experts in anti-forgery operations. It is learnt that, in addition to the main fake Durga Puja pass case linked to UNESCO-tagged festival tours, the investigating officers have found specific clues about Sen's involvement in tendering irregularities in both the state tourism and information and cultural affairs departments, which has widened the scope of the investigation. That is why, the city police insider said, the number of investigating officers in the SIT has been increased. The SIT members are already in touch with the two state government departments to procure the necessary documents required to carry forward the investigation against Sen, a singer-turned-politician. Sen, who is currently in police custody, is being questioned by the investigating officers for marathon hours daily. Apart from that, the SIT members have questioned nine other people in the matter, the most important of which is his wife, Madhuchhanda Sen, the owner of Mass Art, the entity through which the fake Durga Puja passes were allegedly sold. Sen is supposed to be presented at a lower court in Kolkata on November 10. The city police insider said that before the court visit, the investigating officers are trying to gather as much evidence-based information as possible to prevent the former minister from getting bail in the case. The Kolkata Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting parallel investigations into the alleged scam involving passes for UNESCO-tagged Durga Puja tours. The Kolkata police arrested Sen after he came out of the ED's Salt Lake office on the northern outskirts of Kolkata last week.
Gold and silver prices declined in India on 4 November, ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali 2026. Check the latest retail rates of 24K, 22K gold and 999 fine silver across major cities, along with domestic and international market trends.
Domestic gold prices stood at Rs 1,39,890 per 10 grams on Wednesday morning, while silver was priced at Rs 1,80,800 per kg.
Posters showing Rahul Gandhi dozing off in Parliament surface in Kolkata
Putting up posters in such bad taste against someone who holds a national-level office is unacceptable, West Bengal Congress leadership says
Defeated netas have come together, conspiring to spread anarchy: Suvendu
Sharadwat seeks independent agency probe into Swasthya Sathi scam
Old Kol phanush flyers run between govt depts for nod
BJP netas union rift brings cargo ops to a halt at Petrapole
Birth registers at police stations delay birth cert clearance
After pushback, CISCE asks schools, students to get ready for SHINE, PISA
Venice winner Anuparna Roy seeks resignation of SRFTI VC and revocation of students rustication
Cannes winner Anuparna Roy seeks resignation of SRFTI VC and revocation of students rustication
Calcutta High Court on Free School Street fire
50 offices stay shut in fire-hit building behind Writers, officers suspect short circuit
Dip in gold, silver prices adds glitz to jewellery mkt in festive season
Kolkata advocate attacked after refusing puja subscription demand
In a first, KMC engineers join cops to inspect stability of Kali Puja pandals
Hanuman Ansh director urges dialogue
Walong Day Commemoration commences with wreath-laying ceremony
Digital Desk | Kolkata/Itanagar, Nov 3 (IANS) The 64th Walong Day Commemoration commenced in Arunachal Pradesh with a wreath-laying ceremony paying homage to the brave hearts of the historic Battle of Walong in 1962. The event featured traditional welcomes and vibrant performances by the Mishmi and Meyor tribes, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Arunachal Pradesh. The celebrations featured the flag-off of Battlefield Treks and the inauguration of the Lt. Bikram Singh Football Tournament, honouring the valour and supreme sacrifice of the heroes. Participants from across the country will trek until November 12, ahead of Walong Day, which is commemorated on November 14. The formation also conducted the Walong Half Marathon 2026, themed 'Run for the Bravehearts Remember Walong', at Lohit Valley on October 27, 2026. Both events honour the valour and supreme sacrifice of the heroes of the Battle of Walong in 1962. During this famous battle, outnumbered and under-equipped Indian troops resisted the Chinese advance into Arunachal Pradesh for nearly a month. It was during the Battle of Walong that the Indian soldiers carried out their first attack on the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The battle began on October 21, 1962, with the PLA launching an attack on the Kibithu Post, about 40 km from Walong. Two platoons of Indian troops were attacked by nearly 3,000 PLA soldiers armed with AK-47s, and backed by artillery support. Realising that Kibithu could no longer be held, the 6 Kumaon were ordered back to Walong on October 22. A day later, the Delta Company of 6 Kumaon, under Lt. Bikram Singh Rathore, ambushed the Chinese at a small hanging bridge across the Namti Nullah, about 5 km from Walong. The attack resulted in 200 casualties and injuries to the Chinese side. After this success, the unit was ordered to the West Ridge, overlooking the Walong Landing Ground. The Chinese reinforced and sent an entire infantry division towards Walong. On October 14, the 6 Kumaon launched a fierce attack and captured several Chinese defences in Walong. This was the war's only operation in which Indian troops actually attacked the Chinese, instead of defending territory. The attack continued till November 15, with the Indian forces pushing back the Chinese, despite receiving no artillery or aerial support. On November 16, a large contingent of PLA troops attacked about 100 men of the 6 Kumaon's Delta Company under Lt. Rathore, who had been ordered to hold on to the post till 11 am. The brave officer and his troops continued to repulse continuing attacks by heavily armed PLA soldiers, paying a heavy price. The Chinese had artillery support, but the Indians refused to give up the West Ridge. This continued till well after the deadline of 11 am. The Chinese then fanned out and attacked the defenders from three sides, the other one being a sheer cliff. The brave Kumaonis fought on even after their ammunition ran out. They engaged the PLA troops in hand-to-hand combat till being overwhelmed by sheer numbers. The Indian troops were ordered to withdraw from the West Ridge and the Chinese took control of Walong. However, the Indian troops had held them back long enough, making their further progress difficult. The PLA started withdrawing after the Chinese declared a unilateral ceasefire on November 21. Today, several war memorials stand at Walong. The most significant among them are the Walong War Memorial, Helmet Top Post War Memorial, and the Kibithu Hut of Remembrance Memorial.
Calcutta University fills all 187 vacant BTech seats in single campus round
Thane mans organs saves 3 lives after brain death in Kolkata
42 rare golden coin turtles seized in Howrah
Ghum Winter Festival to mark 27 years of DHRs Unesco heritage status
State signs MoU with NBCC for city and riverfront revamp: Minister
Kolkata Police inducts 4 horses, eyes Republic Day parade
RBI starts 3 surveys to capture inflation expectations, consumer confidence
Reserve Bank on Tuesday announced three key surveys to capture inflation expectations of households and gauge consumer confidence in the country- the studies that provide input for bi-monthly monetary policy. The central bank has announced the launch of the November 2026 round of the Inflation Expectations Survey of Households (IESH). The November 2026 round of the survey is being launched. The survey aims at capturing subjective assessments on price movements and inflation, based on their individual consumption baskets, it said. The study will be conducted across 19 cities -- Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, Raipur, Ranchi and Thiruvananthapuram. In another statement, the RBI said the Urban Consumer Confidence Survey seeks qualitative responses from households regarding their sentiments on the general economic situation, employment scenario, price level, households'
Union Shipping Minister visits Korean shipyard for firsthand account of operations
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Nov 3 (IANS) As part of the government of India's Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, visited the Hanwha Ocean shipyard in Geoje, South Korea, and met Chang-yong Kim, its executive vice president of manufacturing. Ravi Kumar M, ship surveyor-cum-deputy director general (technical), Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), accompanied the minister during the visit. Hanwha Oceans Geoje shipyard covers about 4.9 million square metres. It has a one-million-ton dock and a 900-ton Goliath crane. The yard builds LNG carriers, VLCCs, mega container ships, FLNG units and offshore plants, as well as naval and speciality vessels including submarines. The shipyard delivered its 200th LNG carrier in February 2025. The Indian team got a firsthand view of the shipbuilding operations, reflecting the continued engagement between India and South Korea in shipbuilding and maritime cooperation. Under its maritime policy, the Government of India is aggressively pushing for domestic shipyards to secure joint ventures and technical collaborations with premier foreign partners. Under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the Centre aims to catapult India into the top five global shipbuilding nations by 2047. The Union Cabinet approved a massive Rs 69,725 crore to turn this vision into reality. This fund is being leveraged by the government to attract global players, particularly from South Korea, Japan, and Europe, to anchor new manufacturing hubs and modernise existing yards. South Korea became India's primary maritime partner under the VOYAGES framework signed in 2026. HD Hyundai signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a $4 billion mega greenfield shipyard in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, which will be Indias largest commercial shipyard. India is also aggressively courting Samsung Heavy Industries and Hanwha Ocean for technical support and yard expansions. At the same time, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is in active talks with major Japanese shipbuilders, including Imabari Shipbuilding, Japan Marine United Corporation (JMUC), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to establish joint ventures with Indian yards. Europes largest private shipbuilder, Damen Shipyards, is also expanding its existing joint ventures in India to manufacture electric tugs, ferries, and specialised vessels. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has also signed a MoU with Norway's Kongsberg Maritime. To reduce dependence on foreign shipping companies, the government plans to purchase over 400 vessels worth nearly $23 billion over the next decade for public sector entities, giving foreign joint ventures massive order-book visibility. The government is also offering 15-25% capital support for vessels built domestically under the updated Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Scheme (SBFAS). The Shipbuilding Development Scheme (SbDS) also focuses on building greenfield shipbuilding clusters where the government provides common infrastructure, allowing foreign entities to quickly step in as technical and strategic anchors. To streamline the supply chain, the Korea Marine Equipment Association (KOMEA) opened its first Indian office in Mumbai to help specialised component manufacturers set up local production alongside Indian yards. State-owned Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and major commercial yards are actively looking for global investors. These include Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), which is currently seeking strategic partners for two massive proposed shipbuilding hubs in Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. Both GRSE and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) are looking for advanced global tech integrations. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is also expanding capabilities in green shipping and cruise tourism through recent MoUs with European firms like Germany's Everllence SE.
Posters of Rahul Gandhi Napping Appear in Kolkatas Salt Lake
Posters depicting Rahul Gandhi napping in Parliament have surfaced in Kolkata, raising questions about accountability and political rivalry. Posters of Rahul Gandhi Napping Appear in Kolkatas Salt Lake
Indian Navy Rescues Iranian Vessel From Somali Pirates 3,000 Km From Mumbai
The Indian Navy has rescued an Iranian fishing vessel and all 20 crew members from Somali pirates, over 3,000 km from Mumbai.The 48-hour operation involved INS Kolkata, aerial surveillance, Marine Commandos and an IAF C-17 aircraft.Why was the vessels movement eastward a major security threat?Watch: https://youtu.be/H5hQcc9wx2M
