Tensions Rise in Kolkata as Congress and BJP Clash Over Controversial Remarks by Religious Leader
A clash between Congress and BJP supporters erupted in Kolkata over controversial remarks made by religious leader Dhirendra Shastri regarding Bengali food habits. Tensions Rise in Kolkata as Congress and BJP Clash Over Controversial Remarks by Religious Leader
IIT Kharagpur launches battle against student suicides
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 14 (IANS) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur has come up with a slew of measures to address mental health issues among students and prevent them from taking their own lives. At least three students of the country's first IIT committed suicide on campus in 2026. The latest incident occurred on August 13, when a 19-year-old second-year mechanical engineering student from Rajasthan took his own life. Five cases of student suicides were reported from the campus in 2025. Even the Supreme Court has expressed concern about the large number of deaths and ordered appropriate remedial measures. After trying several methods, the institute has now laid stress on training of both staff and students. They are being trained to identify signs of stress and take appropriate action. On the occasion of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, 2026, IIT Kharagpur launched SAHACHAR, its in-house wellness buddy programme. The IIT Kharagpur community undertook a series of initiatives in line with this year's theme for World Suicide Prevention Day Changing the Narrative on Suicide, and its call to action, Start the Conversation, the institute has said. A dedicated training module developed by the institute's Counselling Centre was conducted for security guards, supervisors, and hall managers, equipping them with the essential knowledge to identify and respond to crisis situations. A day later, student mentors received training under the Student Mentorship Programme, followed by the formal launch of SAHACHAR. A Yellow Ribbon Drive was also conducted across campus, with students pasting ribbons of hope at various locations. The day concluded with students coming together at night to take a collective candlelight pledge - choosing openness over silence, and conversation over stigma. Students across the world are under a lot of stress today. The stress is more at institutes like this one where there is constant pressure to perform. Even a minor slip can affect a sensitive mind. And these are among the best brains in the world we are dealing with. That is where that human touch comes into play, a mental health expert associated with the institute said. Not all suicides on campus are related to academics, the experts say. Many can be caused by mental distress arising out of personal relationships, both on campus and beyond. That is where the importance of identification comes in. Everybody on campus has to be involved to identify signs. While students will be playing an important role in playing the role of buddies, they will have to be assisted by staff, who will have to be sensitive and adequately trained to identify signs, the expert said.
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Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers engaged in a fight in front of Bhowanipur police station in Kolkata on Sunday. Two Congress leaders Ashutosh Chatterjee and Pradeep Prasad were summoned to the police station in connection with the incident of burning photos of rationally popular religious guru Dhirendra Shastri for his recent comments over the food habits of Bengalis. As soon as they appeared at the police station, Congress workers and supporters started making a ruckus outside for the high-handedness of the police. In turn, BJP supporters also appeared there. An argument started between the two sides. Later, it escalated into a scuffle where the BJP accused the Congress of hurting religious sentiments of Hindus. Congress, in turn, alleged that all this was a conspiracy against them. It may be noted that Dhirendra Shastri recently made objectionable comments about Bengalis eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. According to his comments, those who eat non-vegetarian food during the puja are not religious. There was a strong protest in various quarters against this remark made by Dhirendra Shastri. In protest, Congress workers and supporters burned his photo in Kolkata, following which West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari warned that legal action will be taken against those who burned the photo of the religious guru after which a Congress worker named Atanu Das was arrested. Along with this, two Congress leaders Ashutosh Chatterjee and Pradeep Prasad were summoned on Sunday. Earlier on Saturday night, Pradeep Prasad was removed as the South Kolkata District Congress due to a reshuffle in the West Bengal Pradesh Congress which enraged a section of the Congress. As soon as they appeared at the Bhabanipur police station on Sunday, their followers started protesting outside. BJP also went there in return and raised its voice against the insult of the religious guru. According to a local BJP leader, They have insulted Bengalis before. Our Chief Minister (Suvendu Adhikari) has explained by eating fish that Puja has nothing to do with eating non-vegetarian food. Still, they insulted the religious guru. In response, Ashutosh Chatterjee said, This is a complete conspiracy. Remember, he insulted Bengalis by coming to Bengal. We will show you on the road how to protest against this. It may be noted that West Bengal Congress on Tuesday lodged a written complaint against the religious guru following his controversial statement that non-vegetarian food should be kept away from Durga puja mandaps and during Navratri. The complaint was filed at Bhowanipur Police Station in south Kolkata against the religious guru for his comments on the eating habits of Bengalis and for using several controversial words including 'ganda ganda cooking' and 'pakhandi'.
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West Bengal Shuts Down 252 Madrasas After Review, Sends Show-Cause Notice To 100 More
The West Bengal government has issued closure notices to 252 madrasas and show-cause notices to another 100 as part of a statewide verification drive. Minority Affairs Minister Khudiram Tudu said the institutions facing notices must produce valid authorisation or face closure. The survey, ordered in June, examined madrasa management, student enrolment, funding sources and registration status across Kolkata and 22 districts. Officials said 2,132 madrasas currently have valid approval, while 2,396 are unapproved. The action has triggered a political row, with BJP state chief Samik Bhattacharya and BJP leader Agnimitra Paul defending the move, citing concerns over radicalisation and alleged anti-national activities. TMC MLA Kunal Ghosh opposed the remarks, saying madrasas are an education system and should not be linked to terrorist allegations.
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BJP's Samik Bhattacharya welcomes Bengal govt's notice for closure of 252 madrasahs
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and Rajya Sabha member, Samik Bhattacharya, on Sunday welcomed the decision of the state government for closure notices to 252 madrasahs in the state, most 'kharijis' (unrecognised). The state government had at the same time slapped show-cause notices to 100 more madrasahs in the state asking them to cite reasons why similar closure notices will not be served to them. The closure and show-cause notices were served to these entities, after the state minorities affairs and madrasah education department conducted a review of the functional aspects of different madrassas in the state, including their management systems, number of teachers, student attendance, infrastructure, syllabus and source of funding. Speaking to the media persons on Sunday afternoon, Bhattacharya referred to late Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, the last Chief Minister of the previous Left Front government, while advocating in favours of such khariji (unrecognised) madrassas. Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee also said once that militants are being bred in such khariji madrasas. As soon as a controversy arose over his comments, he had to bow to pressure from his party. If the Left Front government had listened to Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee that day, this situation would not have arisen in the border districts, the State BJP President said. He also added that while Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee had to succumb to the pressure from his own party in the matter for some reasons, the current BJP government in West Bengal will not succumb to any such pressure. Education is not a medium of any religious control or rituals and practices. Education should be the path to building knowledge, rationality, scientific temperament, and humane values. Keeping pace with time, we must make our education system more modern, technology-driven, employment-oriented, and progressive, Bhattacharya said. According to the State BJP President, since education is the backbone of the nation it should not get trapped in the web of superstitions and narrow-mindedness. If that happens, then the nation's progress is obstructed. Our goal is to achieve such an education system where no child's future is determined based on their religion or identity, Samik Bhattacharya said. The BJP wants a superstition-free, scientific, modern, and progressive education system where there will be equal opportunities for all. Our goal is one nation, one education system, he added.
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Former Bengal Minister's aide arrested in Hooghly for selling land illegally
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) The police on Sunday arrested Arnab Sinha Roy, a contractor from Singur in West Bengal's Hooghly district and a close aide of former State Minister Becharam Manna on alleged charges of selling land fraudulently. He was produced before the Chandannagar Sub-district Court on Sunday after a case was filed under the non-bailable section. While being taken to court, the arrested contractor said that all the allegations were false. He was framed through a political conspiracy. According to the complaint, a person named Tarapada Mandal, a resident of Jhankari village in Bara area of Singur police station, died in 2001. It is alleged that Arnab sold his property fraudulently in 2014. The sons of the deceased lodged a complaint in this regard in 2017. They claimed that they had approached the then MLA and State Minister Becharam Manna regarding this matter. However, nothing was done. After the change of government in the state this year, one of Tarapada's sons, Vishwanath Mandal lodged a fresh complaint with the police. Based on this, the police arrested two people. Based on that information, the police also arrested Arnab. According to local sources, Arnab has a good relationship with former Minister Becharam and his wife Karabi Manna. He has done various immoral things by exploiting his closeness to influential people. On the other hand, the complainant Vishwanath Mandal said, About 90 per cent of our family's land has been sold illegally through fraud. There are other instances where land belonging to common man were similarly captured by immoral means. We want our land back. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) claimed that Arnab did not hold any post in the Trinamool Congress. Due to his closeness to Becharam Manna, he got the post of contractor organisation of the Public Works Department from the Zilla Parishad. It is alleged that since the Minister was in charge at that time, no action was taken even if a complaint was made against him.
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Number of dengue affected in West Bengal this year crosses 5,000
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) The number of dengue-affected people in West Bengal during the current calendar year has crossed the 5,000 mark, according to the latest statistics provided by the state Health Department. As per the most recent bulletin issued by the Health Department on Sunday, the number of dengue-affected people in the state, as of September 11, is 5,002. However, the alarming factor is that the total number of dengue-affected people till the same date in August was less than 2,500. This means that over the last month, over 2,500 additional individuals have been freshly affected by dengue, a senior Health Department official said. As per the latest statistics provided by the department, the maximum number of affected people so far has been from the Murshidabad district at 1,072, followed by Kolkata at 500 and North 24 Parganas at 450. This is as per the trend every year, since in almost all the last few years these three districts have witnessed the maximum number of dengue-affected people, the official said. However, even amid the massive rise in the number of newly affected persons over the last month, the Health Department officials are finding a silver lining. On September 2, the Health Department issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on monitoring and prevention of dengue cases in West Bengal, where the main focus was on door-to-door monitoring and immediate blood tests of people identified as having dengue symptoms. The sudden rise in the number of newly affected people proves that the SOP guidelines have been followed diligently, the official said. At the same time, the official stressed that the figures also prove that this year, at least, there had not been incidents of underreporting of affected figures by showing dengue as unknown disease, as was rampant during the last few years. The Health Department has directed all the district authorities to start a massive campaign till October 15 to get people with dengue symptoms tested. At the same time, the district authorities have been advised to keep the department regularly informed with reports on how many people with fever have been found each day and how many people have been tested for dengue.
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1,100-Kg Modak Takes Centre Stage In Kolkata Ahead Of Ganesh Chaturthi
Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, Kolkata's iconic sweet shop Balaram Mullick and Radharaman Mullick has crafted a massive 1,100-kilogram modak, putting Lord Ganesha's favourite sweet at the centre of the festivities. Decorated with figs, cashews and almonds, the giant modak is expected to be a major attraction during the ten-day celebration. Alongside the showstopper, the sweet shop is also offering nearly 40 varieties of modaks and laddoos, blending traditional recipes with contemporary flavours for devotees and visitors.
Youth arrested for raping mentally challenged woman in Bengal's Baruipur
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) The police have arrested a youth for allegedly raping a mentally challenged woman in Baruipur of South 24 Parganas district in West Bengal. A senior officer of Baruipur Police District said on Sunday that a case has been registered against the youth based on a complaint lodged by the family of the woman. According to the police, the victim is mentally challenged. She was alone at home in the afternoon on Saturday. Allegedly, a local youth entered the house and attacked the woman using that opportunity. It is alleged that she was raped. The woman was also threatened that she would be killed if she opened her mouth. Later, when other family members returned home, the woman narrated the entire incident. Meanwhile, tension spread in the area as soon as the woman's complaint became public. On receiving the news, the police from Bakultala police station reached the spot. Based on the complaint of the victim's family, the accused youth was arrested and taken to the police station on Sunday morning. On receiving the news, locals gathered in front of the police station. Many also sat and protested in front of the police station. They demanded that the police should not just arrest the accused but ensure that the accused gets strict punishment. High-ranking police officers came and spoke to the protesters. They assured them of strict action. After receiving the assurance from the police, the protesters cleared the road in front of the police station. The police have registered a case under specific sections and started an investigation. The arrested person is also being interrogated, said the police officer. It may be noted that a man was arrested for sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter in the same Baruipur area on Friday. According to the police, the elder daughter had filed a complaint against the father with the local police. The girl claimed that she left home due to sexual assault, which she was subjected to by her father. The elder daughter alleged that the father is doing the same to her younger sister. Based on that complaint, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station have arrested the accused.
Major Fire Breaks Out at CESC Distribution Office in Kolkata
A significant fire erupted at the CESC distribution office in Kolkata, prompting an extensive firefighting response. No casualties reported. Major Fire Breaks Out at CESC Distribution Office in Kolkata
Bengal orders closure of 252 madrasas, serves notices to 100
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has ordered the closure of 252 madrasas and sent show-cause notices to about 100 others after a statewide survey found that several institutions lacked required approvals and basic infrastructure, officials said on Sunday, September 13. Minority Affairs and Madrasah Education Department Minister Kshudiram Tudu said madrasas that have requisite approvals Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Digital Desk | Bhubaneswar, Sep 13 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said on Sunday that the three-day investment outreach in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from September 9 to 11 will prove to be one of the biggest milestones in the state's journey towards achieving the goal of a Samruddha Odisha. Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister was also accorded a grand welcome by party leaders and workers at the Bhubaneswar Airport upon his arrival after concluding his five-day visit to the UAE from September 8 to 12. Briefing the media, CM Majhi said, Our effort is aimed at promoting Odisha's economic growth and, in particular, creating employment on a large scale. We have placed a major focus on how more employment opportunities can be created and how more employment can come to the state. This will certainly prove to be one of the biggest milestones in our efforts to build a prosperous Odisha. He also added that the double-engine government in Odisha have been consistently making the best possible use of the political and administrative capabilities to give priority to industrialisation and create new employment opportunities. The Chief Minister noted that after the 'Utkarsh Odisha Make in Odisha Conclave' in Bhubaneswar in January 2025, the state government has been making continuous efforts to mobilise investment through outreach programmes in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Gujarat to Singapore. During the visit of Chief Minister Majhi, Industry Minister Sampad Chandra Swain, and senior government officials to the UAE from September 8 to 12, extensive discussions and deliberations were held on September 9, 10, and 11 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai regarding investments in Odisha. During the UAE visit, discussions were held with around 400 industrial leaders and representatives through a total of 52 business meetings, six roundtable meetings, and 46 one-to-one meetings. Chief Minister Majhi also said that the delegation also held discussions with the representatives of Oman and Jordan during his investment outreach initiative. During this visit, a total of eight Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed and 16 Investment Intents were generated, fetching investment proposals worth Rs 2,43,162 crore for the state. CM Majhi said this initiative will create 6,18,725 direct opportunities. Including indirect jobs, around nine lakh total employment opportunities will be generated, he added. The Chief Minister said that along with the previously secured investment proposals worth more than Rs 20 lakh crore, the state's total investment proposals have now reached Rs 22.5 lakh crore. He said the efforts are underway to realise the vision of a prosperous Odisha by 2036 and to transform the state into a 500-billion-dollar economy within the next ten years. CM Majhi noted that following the initial success, the state government's next target is to implement the investment proposals and MoUs quickly and commence production.
Fire breaks out at CESC office at Bengal's Panihati
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) A devastating fire had broken out at the distribution office of private power-generation-cum-distribution company, CESC Limited, at Panihati in North 24 Paragans district of West Bengal on Sunday. Although no casualties had been reported at the time the report was filed, the intensity of the fire had been quite massive. The fire had started spreading and a couple of shanties in the adjacent areas have come under the grip of fire. The intensity of the fire was so massive that the initial fire-fighting attempts by the local people failed completely. The state fire services department was immediately informed, and four fire-tenders initially reached the spot and started the first fighting exercise on a war-footing. In due course, five more fire tenders arrived at the spot and joined the firefighting exercise. At the time the report was filed a total of nine fire-tenders were engaged in the fire-fighting exercise. The intensity of the fire is quite massive. So, we have asked for requisition of more fire tenders. They are expected soon. Right now, our attempts are to restrict the fire within that building and prevent it from spreading to the nearby shanties and constructions, a state fire services department present at the spot said. There is a residential area behind this building. The firefighters are keeping an eye on it to ensure that the fire does not spread there. Residents of the slum have been made aware of that by the state fire services department. Besides water, the firefighters are also using foam to extinguish the fire. Fire officials are hopeful that they will be able to bring the fire under control at the earliest. On the other hand, since the building is on busy Barrackpore Trunk Road BT Road, traffic was disrupted on Sunday afternoon because of the fire. The police are also keeping an eye on the situation in the area. It is not yet clear how the fire broke out. However, the initial assumption of the fire department is that a transformer in the CESC building exploded somehow, which caused the fire.
School guard shot while foiling robbery attempt in West Bengal's Asansol
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) A night guard at a school in West Bengal's Asansol sustained serious injuries when he was shot by robbers as he fought back against them, police said on Sunday. The robbers intercepted the motorcycle-riding guard, identified as Haridas Layek, on a deserted road under the cover of darkness last night. However, he resisted their attempts, leading to a brief scuffle. Unable to overpower him, the robbers fired multiple shots at him before fleeing the scene. Layek has been admitted to a hospital, and his condition is said to be stable. According to the police, Layek works as a night guard at Srihari Global School in Asansol in West Burdwan district. He hails from Dhaguri village under the Alladi Panchayat in Salanpur area and comes to work on a motorcycle every night. He had set out from home as usual on Saturday night, and while he was travelling along National Highway 19, a group of masked robbers intercepted him. After forcing him to stop, the robbers brandished weapons and attempted to take away his valuables. When he resisted, they fired two rounds in quick succession, hitting him in the leg. Despite the injury, the young man continued to fight back against the attackers. Eventually, the robbers abandoned Haridas on the road and fled. Upon receiving the news, officers from Salanpur Police Station arrived at the scene. The guard was rescued in a bloodied state and taken to Asansol District Hospital, where doctors performed surgery on his leg that same night. On Sunday morning, the police recovered an empty cartridge casing from the scene. A search operation is underway to locate the miscreants, and 'naka' checks are being conducted in the area. CCTV footage from the vicinity is also being examined to nab the miscreants. Senior police officials, including Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner Pranab Kumar, DC (West) Sana Akhtar, and DC (Central) Dhruba Das, visited the scene. The attempted robbery on a deserted road at night has sparked panic in the area. --IANS
Congress leader summoned by police for burning Bageshwar Baba's photo over Durga Puja remark
The case relates to a September 8 demonstration outside the Bhawanipur police station in south Kolkata over remarks made by Mr. Shastri about Bengalis, Bengal's culture and food practices during Durga Puja
Absconding Trinamool leader arrested in Chennai for attacking Bengal businessman
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Trinamool Congress leader and deputy head of Bishpur Panchayat in Hingalganj in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, Shahidul Sheikh, who was absconding in a criminal case involving a businessman, was arrested in Chennai, police said on Sunday. Sheikh was accused of being involved in the incident of attacking a local businessman and setting his shop on fire. The police said that Sheikh, who had been absconding since the incident, was finally arrested in Chennai on Saturday night. According to a senior police officer of the Basirhat Police District, the Trinamool leader will be brought to Hasnabad on Sunday evening. The police will produce him in the Basirhat Sub-division Court on Monday. They will likely seek the accused's custody from the court. According to the police, on May 18, Trinamool leader Sheikh and his team were accused of beating up Nitai Das, a businessman from Bailani Bazar in Hingalganj. Allegedly, Nitai's shop was burnt down that night. As a result, Das suffered a loss of several lakhs of rupees. After investigating the incident, the Hasnabad police station started searching for Sheikh. Not only this incident, but a case was also filed earlier against him at the police station on multiple charges, including embezzling money from the panchayat, extorting money in the name of providing houses under the Awas Yojana, bombing and issuing threats. The police had been searching for him after the latest case was filed. After receiving information from a source, officers from Hasnabad police station went to Chennai. They arrested Sheikh in a joint operation with the Special Operation Group (SOG). The phone's tower location was tracked. Finally, the police came to know that he was hiding in Chennai. After that, a team from Hasnabad police station left for Chennai to arrest him. He was arrested on Saturday night. The arrested person will be produced before a court in Chennai today, Sunday, to seek his transit remand. After that, he will be brought to Hasnabad police station. The police are investigating his role in the incident. A search is on for others who were also involved in the incident, said the police officer.
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Uncertainty continues over decision on Trinamool name, symbol ahead of Bengal bypolls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 13 (IANS) Even after separate meetings of the Election Commission of India with the two rival factions in the Trinamool Congress, where the arguments of both the factions on their claims over party name and symbol were heard, uncertainties continue over any decision of the ECI before the last day of nominations for the forthcoming bypolls for Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies in West Bengal. After Friday's meeting with the Ritabrata Banerjee-led rebel-majority faction, the Commission sought fresh clarification and documents from the faction in support of its claims on Saturday. Sources said that the Ritabrata-led faction had submitted the clarifications and documents by Saturday evening. An insider from the ECI said that based on the clarifications and documents submitted by the rebel, the Commission, on Saturday night, forwarded a communique to the original-minority faction led by former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking their views in the matter. Meanwhile, sources said, a communique has also gone from the Mamata Banerjee-led faction to ECI seeking details of the documents submitted by the Ritabrata-led faction in support of their claims. Following the fresh evolving development, political observers feel the issue of finalisation on the fate of Trinamool Congress name and symbol before the last date of nominations for the Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies has become uncertain. The last date for submission of nominations for the Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls is September 16. So, with just three days left for that, a decision of the Commission on the fate of name and symbol before that appears highly inconceivable. In that case, both the factions will have to field candidates for Nandigram and Rejinagar bypolls either with free symbols or with symbols allotted to them by the Commission, explained a city-based political observer. The bypolls to Nandigram and Rejinagar Assembly seats will be on October 6, and the results will be declared on October 9. Already, the CPI(M)-led Left Front and Congress have announced the names of the candidates for both these Assembly constituencies. Even Humayun Kabir-floated Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) has also announced its candidate from Rejinagar. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to declare names of its candidates within a day or two, it is still uncertain when the two factions in Trinamool Congress will announce the names of their candidates.
People free to choose food habits, religious practices: Bengal CM
Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said people have the constitutional freedom to choose their food habits and religious practices, in an apparent response to godman Dhirendra Shastri, popularly known as Bageshwar Baba, over his purported remarks on Bengalis eating non-vegetarian food during Durga Puja. Speaking at a summit organised by a private news Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Kolkatas Bonedi Bari Durga Pujas stick to non-veg; reject Bageshwar Babas veg only push
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West Bengal shuts down 252 madrasas, sends show-cause notices to 100
West Bengal's minority affairs department has issued closure notices to 252 madrasas. About 100 other madrasas received show-cause notices for non-compliance. This action follows a survey of unaided and unauthorized madrasas across the state. The department aims to ensure modern education for all students. Further verification and enforcement actions will continue.
Man Arrested for Allegedly Sexually Assaulting His 13-Year-Old Daughter in West Bengal
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Bengal cash-for-school job scam: Accused businessman to turn approver before CBI
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) Santu Gangopadhyay, a Kolkata-based businessman and an accused in the multi-crore cash-for-school-job case in West Bengal, on Saturday wrote a letter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with a plea to become an approver in the matter. Sources aware of the development said that in his letter to the CBI, Gangopadhay had claimed that despite being willing to divulge secrets in the school job scam much earlier, he was found to remain silent because of life threat during the previous Trinamool Congress government. Now, as the Kolkata-based businessman claimed in the letter to the CBI, with the change of government in West Bengal after the Assembly elections earlier this year, Gangopadhay had gained the confidence of revealing everything to the central probe agency and hence he had pleaded to become an approver in the matter. Named in the chargesheet of the CBI in case of recruitment of primary teachers in the state-run schools, Gangopadhyay was also arrested earlier in the matter. However, he is currently released on bail. He was known as an extremely close confidant of the former West Bengal Education Minister and the former Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee, who had also been lodged in jail for more than three years because of his involvement in the school job case. Chatterjee is also out on bail now. Sources said that in his letter to the CBI, Gangopadhyay said how he and Kuntal Ghosh, one of the accused in the recruitment corruption case, delivered the money to a top leader in Trinamool Congress. In the letter, Gangopadhyay also claimed that he and Kuntal Ghosh also faced the ire of that top Trinamool Congress leader for not being able to meet the target of collecting Rs 5 crore from candidates aspiring to be primary teachers in the state-run schools. Sources said that in his letter, Gangopadhay had claimed that even after the change of government in the state he had been getting threat calls from some people involved in the alleged school-job scam. He had also pleaded for the security of his family members.
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'I definitely know how his mind works': Shreyas Iyer on Gautam Gambhir
Shreyas Iyer and Gautam Gambhir have worked together at Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), where they helped the franchise win the IPL title in 2024. Iyer was the captain, while Gambhir was the mentor. Iyer believes Gambhir's aggressive approach and his ability to understand individual players can help the team stay clear about their roles.
Bengal: Left Front announces candidates for Rejinagar, Nandigram bypolls
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) The Left Front, led by CPI(M), on Saturday announced the names of the party candidates for the October 6 bypolls in Nandigram Assembly seat and Rejinagar Assembly Constituency of West Bengal. The West Bengal Left Front Committee issued a press statement announcing the names of the front candidates for the bypolls for these two constituencies. The CPI(M) candidate from the Rejinagar constituency is Sayeed Asad Ali, an advocate in personal life. On the other hand, the CPI candidate from the Nandigram is Shanti Gopal Giri. Left Fronts candidate announcement for the bypolls comes just a day after the Congress announced the names of their candidates on Friday for both Nandigram and Rejinagar. The bypolls for these two constituencies will be conducted on October 6 that is just before the forthcoming Durga Puja festival in the state. The counting of votes will be taken up on October 9. The date by which the elections will have to be concluded is October 11. In the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly elections earlier this year, current Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was elected from both Nandigram and Bhabanipur Assembly Constituencies in South Kolkata. At Bhabanipur, Adhikari defeated his predecessor and former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee by a margin of more than 15,000 votes. Adhikari retained the Bhabanipur constituency, thus necessitating bypolls for Nandigram. On the other hand, former Trinamool Congress legislator Humayun Kabir contested and was elected as an Aam Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) candidate from both Naoda and Rejinagar Assembly constituencies, both in Murshidabad district. Later, Kabir decided to retain Naoda, thus necessitating bypolls for the Rejinagar seat. Kabirs son Golab Nabi Azad is the AJUP candidate for the Rejinagar bypolls this time. Since 2021, Nandigram, because of Suvendu Adhikari, has been a virtual fortress for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Therefore, political observers are not in two minds about the results of the by-elections there. However, political observers say that because of the demography of Rejinagar, this particular Assembly constituency will be quite tough to win for the BJP. On the other hand, Trinamool Congress, which is now divided into three factions, also does not seem to have much poll prospects from Rejinagar this time. Rather, CPI-M and Congress can view the opportunity for increasing their tally in the West Bengal Assembly constituency by one seat. The Rejinagar bypolls might also give some indication about where the minority votes in the state might shift to in the coming days, a Kolkata-based political observer said.
Mukesh, son Anant to visit Bengal, says Suvendu
KMC to mark PM Modis 25 years in public office with month-long events
Shreyas Iyer Gives Big Verdict On Gautam Gambhir's Coaching Skills, Reveals His 'Amazing' Quality
Gautam Gambhir's working style has polarised opinion since he took over the reins of the Indian team but skipper Shreyas Iyer says the head coach is a fantastic man-manager, an attribute he admired while working with him at Kolkata Knight Riders in 2024.
Gautam Gambhir Has Got A Very Aggressive Mindset; I Definitely Know How His Mind Works, Says Iyer
Arun Jaitley Stadium: India captain Shreyas Iyer said he hopes his strong working relationship with head coach Gautam Gambhir will drive clear communication and an aggressive approach in the shortest format in the coming times, starting with Sunday's T20I match against Afghanistan at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Having previously won an Indian Premier League (IPL) title together as captain-mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in 2024, Iyer highlighted the head coach's aggressive mentality and individual player management as key factors in establishing clarity within the squad. The duo didnt get a great start as India lost series in Ireland and England, before Iyer got a 3-0 win over Zimbabwe in July, with CoE head of cricket VVS Laxman being the stand-in head coach. I feel that he has got a very aggressive mindset. He is someone who is always looking to win when he steps onto the field. He wants every individual to perform, which is pretty much given as a coach. So, he builds a lot of trust and confidence amongst the team, and every player knows what their role and clarity is. So, I think all these alignments are very much important when it comes to coaching skills, and he has got an amazing one-on-one player management approach. So, that is essential going forward in the tournament when you have that kind of relationship with every player because all of us are different in our own ways and you need to understand a certain player. Both of us, Gauti bhai and I, have been in this scenario where we need to know the players and how they can deliver for the team. The more matches we win, the more we would be getting to know each other closely. I have worked with him in the past in KKR. So, I definitely know how his mind works and how his approach is going to be, said Iyer in the pre-match press conference on Saturday. Looking at the immediate challenge posed by Afghanistan, who have a host of players well-aware of the Indian conditions due to playing in the IPL, Iyer stressed the importance of taking one step at a time to build momentum. See, we will go game by game. We don't have to think too much about the future. We are thinking about the first game. We know that Afghanistan is a nice team, and our preparation has also been promising for the last couple of days. Players are in great shape and mindset. So, we have to stay in the present and see to it that we deliver when the time comes. Leading up to the Asian Games, we have got a great opportunity to play against a very quality side. So, looking for a great competition and yes, fingers crossed. We will deliver to the best of our abilities. Iyer also expressed enthusiasm for participating in his first Asian Games, where he will lead Indias gold medal defence, and interact with athletes across different sports disciplines. It is definitely an exciting time for me and also for the team because it is going to be my first time, and there are a couple of players who have already been in the last Asian Games. So, we have to stay in the present and see to it that we deliver when the time comes. Leading up to the Asian Games, we have got a great opportunity to play against a very quality side. So, looking for a great competition and yes, fingers crossed. We will deliver to the best of our abilities. Also Read: Special Cricket Stories Definitely would be a great interaction, and I would be eagerly waiting to go there and interact with them and know what their mindset is. Probably go to one of the games and cheer for them as well. So, yes, we are going as a whole nation and then definitely we want to see to it that we come back triumphant, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Merlin Group Partners With Legend To Set Up Second Yuvraj Singh Centre Of Excellence In Kolkata
Saket Mohta of Merlin Group expressed his delight at joining hands with cricket icon Yuvraj Singh for the second time.
Bengal man arrested for sexually assaulting minor daughter
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) A man in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district has been arrested for sexually assaulting his 13-year-old daughter, police said on Saturday. According to the police, the elder daughter had filed a complaint against her father with the Baruipar police. She claimed that she left home due to sexual assault, which she was subjected to by her father, and alleged that he was doing the same to her younger sister. Based on that complaint, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station have arrested the accused. According to the police, the arrested person is a hawker by profession. Allegedly, in December last year, the accused's elder daughter was subjected to physical abuse. She left home in anger and fear. The younger daughter alleged that her father's misbehaviour was not resolved even after she informed her mother. The mother kept quiet even after knowing everything. It is alleged that after the elder daughter left home, the father continued to sexually assault the younger daughter. The 'victim' claimed that this had been happening for the past few months. She said that there was no situation to tell anyone. She spoke to her sister on the phone. After that, both sisters informed their mother. Even after that, the mother remained silent and refused to accept their allegations. Incidentally, the accused's elder daughter called 100 and informed the police about the matter. Based on that, officers of Baruipur Women Police Station arrested the accused from the Kulpi Road area last night. A case has been registered against the accused under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. Police have applied for his custody to investigate the matter further. Based on the complaint by the daughter, the father has been arrested. We will seek his custody to interrogate him further. Investigation is on, and all the allegations are being looked into, a senior officer of Baruipur Police District said.
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday launched a scathing attack against the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments in West Bengal and accused both the regimes of having a step-motherly attitude towards the Hindu religious rituals. Of the past 49 years, 34 years have been ruled by Communists who called religion the opium of masses. And in the next 15 years, the Trinamool Congress made an all-out effort to convert West Bengal into a Greater Bangladesh. The Chief Minister (Suvendu Adhikari) alleged that there had been a continuous attack on the traditions and culture of the Sanatani Hindu people in the state, the Chief Minister said at the inauguration of a Ganesh Puja at Kestopur in the northern outskirts of Kolkata. Attacking the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), Chief Minister Adhikari added that the party's books stalls in front of the Puja Pandal every year during the four days of Durga Puja never displayed the books by Swami Vivekananda. In those book stalls, you could get foreign books by Karl Marx or by Lenin. But you could never get Indian books such as Hanuman Chalisa or Bhagwad Geeta. It was clearly written there that they did not believe in religion, and they considered religion as opium, the Chief Minister said. He targeted the previous Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government and said that during the 15 years of their tenure in West Bengal from 2011 to 2026, every attempt was made by the previous ruling dispensation to convert West Bengal into a Greater Bangladesh. He specially attacked his predecessor Mamata Banerjee but without directly naming her. The former Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee), whom I defeated twice in Nandigram and Bhabanipur, said in the Puja coordination meeting at Netaji Indoor Stadium that because of Muharram there would be no idol immersion on Vijaya Dashami in a particular year, the Chief Minister noted. In 2021, Suvendu Adhikari defeated Mamata Banerjee from Nandigram Assembly constituency in East Midnapore district by a margin of little less than 2,000 votes, In 2026, Suvendu Adhikari defeated the previous Chief Minister from the Bhabanipur Assembly constituency in South Kolkata by a margin of little over 15,000 votes.
Abhishek aide broke down during questioning in graft cases: Bengal CID
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) Sumit Roy, the Personal Assistant of Trinamool Congress General Secretary and party's Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha member Abhishek Benerjee started breaking down in face of sustained questioning and confessed of his involvement in a number of financial irregularities, insiders from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of West Bengal Police claimed on Saturday. CID sleuths arrested Roy on Thursday afternoon in connection with a multi-crore illegal land grabbing case at Salboni in West Midnapore district and he was presented at a district court in West Midnapore on Friday, following which he was remanded to eight days of CID custody. Since Friday evening, a special team of CID comprising an Indian Police Service officer assisted by two Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSP)-ranking officers. In the face of sustained interrogation, Roy had started breaking down and has started revealing his involvements not only in the Salboni land grabbing case as well as other major scams in the state, a CID insider said requesting anonymity. Another state police insider said that the Investigating Officers have uncovered information about transactions worth crores of rupees in the Salboni land corruption case. The money allegedly reached multiple bank accounts. Investigators are trying to find out who, apart from Roy, were involved in those financial transactions and who benefited financially from that money, the police official said. The state police officials said that Roy's statement might be crucial in revealing the larger conspiracy behind these scams. The information obtained from him (Sumit Roy) is being compared with the documents, bank account information, land documents and other evidence already accessed by the investigating officers, the state police official said. The interrogating officials are trying to grill Roy about those persons or persons from whom he used to receive instructions in the matter. In the Salboni land scam case, the investigating officers have already received details of a particular bank account in the name of Sumit Roy, which had doubtful transactions worth Rs 15 crore. The investigating officials through Sumit Roy's questioning are trying to reach the source of the funds, the CID insider said.
GPT Infra bags order worth Rs 86 crore
GPT Infraprojects (GPTINFRA), through its wholly owned subsidiary Alcon Builders and Engineers, has received a contract worth Rs 85.53 crore from CSTE Con, Eastern Railway, Kolkata.
Narcotics, firearm seized by SSB close to India-Nepal border; five apprehended
Digital Desk | Kolkata, Sep 12 (IANS) A significant quantity of narcotics and an illegal firearm were seized by troops of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) close to the India-Nepal border over the last two days, officials said on Saturday. Five persons have been apprehended in this connection. In the latest case, personnel of the 41 Bn SSB Ranidanga and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force of the Bihar Police carried out an intelligence-based operation in the Lakdi Depot area in Galgalia, Kishanganj, Bihar, around 7.10 a.m. on Saturday. The security personnel carried out a raid at the house of one Mohamad Hasim (57) and seized 507 grams of Brown Sugar, 814 grams of amphetamine, a country-made pistol, one round of live ammunition and a mobile phone. The house is barely 550 metres from the international border, officials said. The seized items were checked with a drug detection kit and tested positive for MDMA (Amphetamine) and Brown Sugar. Hasim and Ruksar Khatun (30) were taken into custody. The latter is from the Channu Tola village in Bhatgaon, Kishanganj. During preliminary interrogation, the apprehended persons disclosed that the Brown Sugar and Amphetamine were procured from an unidentified person at Galgalia Bazar. They, along with the seized items, were handed over to the Galgalia Police Station for further legal action, an official said. In another raid carried out during the evening of Friday, 410 grams of Brown Sugar were seized. Around 6.20 p.m., acting on reliable information, a special patrolling party of the Kadomanijote Company of the 41 Bn SSB, Ranidanga, proceeded towards Aambari Village in Ghoshpukur on National Highway 327C. Three suspects were searched, and the narcotics were seized from their possession, the official said. A drug detection kit declared the powdery substance to be Brown Sugar after a sniffer dog confirmed it to be drugs. The three persons apprehended in this connection have been identified as Akram Hossain (43), from Khagen Hat in the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal, Tapan Das (34), from Dakshin Palash, Matigara, Darjeeling, West Bengal, and Ebrahim Hoque (33), of Bhorkulagachh, Chopra, Uttar Dinajpur, West Bengal. During preliminary interrogation, the apprehended persons disclosed that the Brown Sugar was procured from an unidentified person at a shoe shop in Panjipara and was being taken to Ghoshpukur for delivery to a woman known only as Didi. They, along with the narcotics, have been handed over to the Phansidewa Police Station, the official added.
Karnataka BJP demands Satish Jarkiholis removal over ED allegations
Digital Desk | Bengaluru, Sep 12 (IANS) Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, on Saturday demanded the immediate removal of Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Satish Jarkiholi from the state Cabinet, citing allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding alleged bribe payments, overseas investments and mining assets. Reacting to the ED's recent searches at premises linked to Jarkiholi and his associates, Ashoka alleged that money collected through PWD contracts had been routed abroad and used to acquire overseas mining assets. The EDs press brief has put Rahul Gandhis ATM Sarkara in Karnataka under a massive cloud of suspicion, Ashoka said in a statement. Ashoka alleged that the ED had found evidence suggesting that money allegedly collected from contractors, including Bharat Vanijya Eastern Pvt Ltd, was routed through unauthorised channels to acquire assets overseas. He also pointed to the ED's allegation that Jarkiholi had acquired a nearly 40 per cent stake in Magnitude Star SARL, a gold-mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ashoka further referred to the ED's claims regarding overseas mining interests in Eldorado Mining Resources in Congo and Nava Aurum Mining Ltd in Zambia, allegedly held in the names of Jarkiholi's daughter and Congress MP Priyanka Jarkiholi, his son Rahul Jarkiholi and sister Mahadevi Manjunath. The BJP leader also highlighted the ED's reported seizure of more than Rs 3.3 crore in unaccounted Indian currency and foreign currency valued at around Rs 15 lakh during searches at 21 premises linked to Jarkiholi and his associates. From PWD contracts in Karnataka to gold mines in Africa, the trail alleged by the ED raises serious questions, Ashoka said. He demanded that Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar provide answers regarding the alleged flow of money, including its source, those who allegedly collected it, how it was moved abroad, and who ultimately benefited from the transactions. Ashoka also targeted the Congress leadership, alleging that Karnataka was being treated as an ATM for the Congress high command, state ministers and their families. He demanded the immediate removal of Jarkiholi from the state Cabinet until the ED investigation was completed, arguing that a minister facing such serious allegations should not continue in office while the probe was underway. Karnatakas public money cannot become anyones private fortune abroad, Ashoka said. The ED had earlier stated that it conducted searches at 21 premises linked to Jarkiholi and his close associates in Bengaluru, Belagavi, Gokak and Kolkata on September 9 and 10 under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The agency has alleged that its searches uncovered evidence relating to suspected financial irregularities, overseas investments and alleged bribe payments linked to PWD contracts. Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar alleged that the ED action was politically motivated and aimed at targeting Jarkiholi, whom he described as an influential Dalit leader.
40 firms join DGR conclave to widen job opportunities for ex-servicemen
Deep Dive: Is Kolkata ready for a true 1920s-style speakeasy?
Suvendu Adhikari to meet Ambani and Adani for investment talks
The Chief Minister says previouspolitical regimes did not create an industry-friendly environment in the State
Crude prices eased on September 12 after hitting multi-month highs, while Hormuz tensions threaten supply. Indias petrol and diesel prices remain unchanged despite rising costs and a 6.3% August fuel-demand decline.
Phone access cut for UAPA, terror-law prisoners in Bengal jails
UPES hosts global conference on cybersecurity, digital forensics
UPES hosted the International Conference on Advancement in Cyber Security and Digital Forensics (ICACSDF 2026), bringing together researchers, cybersecurity professionals, industry practitioners and students to deliberate on emerging cyber threats and the need for resilient digital ecosystems. Organised by the School of Computer Science, UPES, and sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Uttar Pradesh Section, the conference provided a platform for research presentations, technical exchange and academia-industry collaboration. The conference received 892 research paper submissions, with 186 papers accepted after peer review by 469 reviewers from across the world. Discussions covered AI and machine learning in cybersecurity, cyber-threat intelligence, digital forensics, post-quantum cryptography, IoT security, blockchain, software and web security, incident response, and governance and risk management. Uttarakhand Governor Lt Gen Gurmit Singh (Retd) highlighted the importance of cybersecurity to Indias technological progress and national security and congratulated the organisers for bringing the subject into focus. UPES Vice Chancellor Dr Sunil Rai said cyber resilience was fundamental to building trust in an increasingly digital society. He stressed the role of universities in combining research, technology and industry expertise to develop practical solutions to emerging threats. Experts from institutions including the University of Auckland, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Roorkee and Indian Statistical Institute Kolkata participated in the conference.
Little Magazine Festival 2026 to celebrate Bengals independent literary voices
From top-4 to 26, Srinagar falls in Centres clean-air ranking
Srinagar, Sep 11:Just three years ago, Srinagar was counted among the countrys top-performing cities in GoI survey regarding air quality, city-wise, across India. Now it has found itself at 26th position in the latest Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2026.The striking reversal for a city synonymous with pristine mountains, lakes and fresh Himalayan air throws uncomfortable in the air here. The health of citizens and environment in Srinagar is once again under scanner.The latest ranking Of Swatch Vayi Sarvekshan has Srinagar behind Delhi.Delhi has for long made headlines with toxic winter smog and features among Indias most persistent air-pollution hotspots. Strikingly, Delhi secured the 21st rank with 172 points. Shockingly, Srinagar scored 162.6 points and is now at 26th among cities with a population of over 10 lakh.In the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan 2023, Srinagar had clinched the fourth rank nationally in its population category. It was lauded for being one of the country's leading cities in the clean-air initiative.Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Pollution Control Committee (JKPCC), Vasu Yadav while speaking to Greater Kashmir, said the ranking does not reflect the air quality of Srinagar. He said that Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan does not rank cities based on the measurement of how good or bad their air quality is.It is not a linear, simple addition but a number of factors are assessed while giving points to the cities, he said. Yadav said the Sarvekshan measures the initiatives taken by cities to control pollution and the implementation of air-quality improvement programmes, under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). The assessment is based on measures to address road dust management, solid waste management, vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, construction waste, demolition waste and other other emission sources, he said. More importantly, he said, it has a very strong connection to Solid Waste Managemnet measures taken by the cities. If the waste is not managed scientifically, it is a pollution hazard, and a negative impact on air quality as it will eventually be burnt, he said. The Chairman said the municipalities have to list what all they have done to control air pollution over the year. The process is heavily based on self-assessment by city municipalities, he said. It is also a reflection of the scrutiny at the state level, evaluation by the Central Pollution Control Board and importantly, field verification by independent committees, he said. Three years ago, the parameter of ranking just the air quality and thats how Srinagar was among the top, he said.The latest survey has placed Srinagar above major metros such as Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai and Kolkata.However, it trails behind Delhi and Hyderabad. Lucknow has topped the category with 198 points. Other top cities with notable clean air measures are Indore and Jabalpur.At the bottom are Chennai, Jamshedpur, Kota, Kolkata and Madurai.The pollution in Srinagar has often been blamed on the ever-increasing number of vehicles and traffic congestion to road dust.The construction activity, waste burning in autumn and emissions are considered the major culprits. The fifth edition of the Swachh Vayu Sarvekshan, 2026, assessed 130 cities covered under NCAP, in three population categories. The Union Environment Ministry said 108 of the 130 cities showed improvement in PM10 levels during 2025-26.
Kolkata High Court Halts Order for TMCs Abhishek Banerjee to Vacate Office
The Kolkata High Court has temporarily blocked an order for TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee to vacate his office over fire safety violations. Kolkata High Court Halts Order for TMCs Abhishek Banerjee to Vacate Office
KolkatasLaw College Vice Principal resigns after 23-hour studentprotest over attendance
Vice Principal says she was targeted and forced to resign; ABVP calls it a win,purifiesthe VPs room with Ganga Jal
Gangajal debut in Bengal campus politics after V-Ps forced resignation
Land for 33 projects before Durga Puja: CM
The humble flyswatter is disappearing, and our gadgets may be making us less handy
A simple encounter with Kolkata youngsters reveals how everyday tools such as the humble flyswatter are disappearing as technology replaces physical effort. From electric bug zappers to robot vacuums and pre-chopped food, convenience is steadily reshaping daily habits, raising a larger question: are modern gadgets making us increasingly dependent on electricity?
