One more body was recovered by the Indian Army and the NDRF on Sunday from the site where a four-story building collapsed on Saturday evening in Punjab's Mohali, leaving several people feared trapped under the debris. One male body was recovered during the ongoing rescue operation, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mohali, Damandeep Kaur said, according to an official statement. The identity of the deceased was being ascertained, the statement said. Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night, with personnel from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) leading the operations. Visuals from Sunday morning showed officials recovering a body from the debris. With this, the death toll in the tragic incident has risen to two. VIDEO | Indian Army and NDRF teams rescue one more body, trapped under the debris of a collapsed building in Mohali, Punjab. The multi-storey building collapsed on Saturday evening, with at least five people trapped in its rubble. A 20-year-old woman died in the incident on pic.twitter.com/snvLNWnLUY Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 22, 2024 A 20-year-old woman from Theog in Himachal Pradesh, has lost her life in the building collapse. Rescued from the debris, she was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Another individual pulled from the rubble remains in critical condition at the hospital. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue their efforts, with two more people feared to be trapped under the debris. A man hailing from Ambala Cantt told reporters at the site that his 29-year-old son, who used to visit a gym in the building, was missing. The building, which housed a gym in the basement and had four floors, collapsed due to excavation work being carried out at the adjacent plot by the owners of the building, police said. Police have booked two building owners in the incident. Rescue work underway after a multi-storey building collapsed on Saturday, at Sohana village in Punjab's Mohali district, Sunday. As the operation continued at the site, required equipment and machinery were made available to the rescuers, in addition to those brought by the NDRF and Army. IndianArmy reacted swiftly for the rescue. In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, #IndianArmy Columns along with #NDRF and State rescue teams have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Engineer Task Force with debris clearance machine & JCBs are operational at site. Top debris removed & efforts being done to reach the basement, Western Command, Indian Army, said in a post on X. #MohaliBuildingCollapse : Swift Action & Relentless Efforts Indian Army responded swiftly to rescue persons trapped in the tragic collapse of a four storey building at Mohali. An Engineer Task Force of 80 Army personnel alongwith earthmoving equipment have been working overnight https://t.co/w9WBSNCEwE ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 22, 2024 (With inputs from PTI)
Punjabs Mohali witnessed a tragic incident on Saturday evening as a four-storey building collapsed, leaving several people feared trapped under the debris. Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night, with personnel from the Indian Army and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) leading the operations. Early Sunday visuals from the site showed officials continuing their operations. Medical teams, along with an ambulance, have also been deployed at the site since Saturday evening. #WATCH | Rescue operation by the personnel of the Indian Army and NDRF continues after a multi-storey under-construction building collapsed in Punjab's Mohali yesterday. pic.twitter.com/VZGyAVWZLl ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2024 At least one person, a 20-year-old woman from Theog in Himachal Pradesh, has lost her life in the building collapse. Rescued from the debris, she was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to her injuries. Another individual pulled from the rubble remains in critical condition at the hospital. Meanwhile, rescue teams continue their efforts, with three more people feared to be trapped under the debris. A man hailing from Ambala Cantt told reporters at the site that his 29-year-old son, who used to visit a gym in the building, was missing. The building, which housed a gym in the basement and had four floors, collapsed due to excavation work being carried out at the adjacent plot by the owners of the building, police said. Police have booked two building owners in the incident. Rescue work underway after a multi-storey building collapsed on Saturday, at Sohana village in Punjab's Mohali district, Sunday. As the operation continued at the site, required equipment and machinery were made available to the rescuers, in addition to those brought by the NDRF and Army. IndianArmy reacted swiftly for the rescue. In a remarkable display of coordinated efforts, #IndianArmy Columns along with #NDRF and State rescue teams have been relentlessly working to address the crisis. Engineer Task Force with debris clearance machine & JCBs are operational at site. Top debris removed & efforts being done to reach the basement, Western Command, Indian Army, said in a post on X. #MohaliBuildingCollapse : Swift Action & Relentless Efforts Indian Army responded swiftly to rescue persons trapped in the tragic collapse of a four storey building at Mohali. An Engineer Task Force of 80 Army personnel alongwith earthmoving equipment have been working overnight https://t.co/w9WBSNCEwE ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) December 22, 2024 (With inputs from PTI)
Alternative route to Leh-Ladakh: MoD seeks transport ministry nod for tunnel
CHANDIGARH: The Union Ministry of Defence has recommended that the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) approve the construction of the Bhubhu Jot tunnel. This tunnel will connect Jogindernagar in the Mandi district with the Kullu district via the Lag Valley in Himachal Pradesh. It is proposed that this route be designated as a project of strategic importance, serving as an alternative route to Leh-Ladakh. In its communication, the Defence Ministry emphasized the crucial role that this highway and tunnel will serve as an alternative route to Leh-Ladakh, thereby greatly improving the operational readiness of the armed forces stationed in forward areas. In addition to its strategic importance, the tunnel is anticipated to provide significant socio-economic benefits to the region. Consequently, budgetary provisions for this project will now be made. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the path for the construction of the much-awaited tunnel in the state has been cleared. He reaffirmed the state governments unwavering commitment to the project. I personally met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 25 to request prioritisation of this project while considering its strategic importance. The issue was also raised with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. The construction of this tunnel would be a milestone for the development of the state. he said. The proposed Bhubu Jot Tunnel aims to reduce the distance between Kangra and Kullu by 55 kilometers. Once completed, it will also shorten the travel distance between Kullu and Dharamsala or Pathankot. The tunnel will start in Kullu and connect to the Mandi-Pathankot National Highway at Ghatasni via the Lag Valley, Bhubu Jot, and Shilh-Badhwani. This project is expected to provide significant benefits to the local population, boost tourism in the region, and strengthen the economy of the people.
Himachal Woman, 20, Dies In Mohali Building Collapse, Rescue Op Underway
A 20-year-old woman from Himachal Pradesh has been killed after a building collapsed in Punjab's Mohali district on Saturday.
PDGC 2024 concludes with grand success at JUIT
Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: The Department of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) at Jaypee University of Information Technology (JUIT), Solan, Himachal Pradesh, hosted the grand closing ceremony of the 2024 IEEE 8th International Conference on Parallel, Distributed, and Grid Computing (PDGC 2024). The prestigious event brought together researchers, academicians, and industry professionals from across the globe to discuss the latest advancements in computing technologies. Over the course of three days, the conference featured engaging keynote sessions, paper presentations, and [] The post PDGC 2024 concludes with grand success at JUIT appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Chief Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan A Towering Personality the Jammu Kashmir is proud of
By Ravi Rohmetra Mehar Chand Mahajan was born in a small village called Tika Nagrota in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and rose to the Chief Justice of India, the highest honour the country could offer. Rejected at birth on the grounds of weak Zodiac signs, he was brought up in a Rajput peasant [] The post Chief Justice Mehar Chand Mahajan A Towering Personality the Jammu Kashmir is proud of appeared first on Northlines .
Defence Ministry recommends MoRTH approval for Bhubhu Jot tunnel in Himachal
CHANDIGARH: The Union Ministry of Defence has recommended the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for approval of the Bhubhu Jot tunnel in Himachal Pradesh as an alternative route to Leh-Ladakh to be designated as a project of strategic importance. The Ministry of Defence highlighted the critical role the highway and tunnel would play, significantly enhancing the operational readiness of the armed forces in forward areas. Apart from its strategic significance, the tunnel was expected to bring substantial socio-economic benefits to the region and budgetary provisions for the project will now be made accordingly. Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the he path for the construction of the much-awaited Bhubu Jot Tunnel in Himachal Pradesh has been cleared and he reaffirmed the state governments unwavering commitment to the Bhubu Jot Tunnel project. I personally met the Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on October 25 to request prioritization of this project while considering its strategic importance. The issue was also raised with Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari. The construction of this tunnel would be a milestone for the development of the state, he said. The proposed Bhubu Jot Tunnel would reduce the distance between Kangra and Kullu by 55 kilometers once it is completed, the distance between Kullu and Dharamsala or Pathankot will be reduced. The road will begin from Kullu and join the Mandi-Pathankot National Highway at Ghatasni via Lag Valley, Bhubu Jot and Shilh-Badhwaniand and will deliver immense benefits to the local population and boosting tourism in the region thereby strengthening the economy of the people. The state government was prioritizing tunnel construction to enhance road connectivity, promote sustainable development and minimize environmental impact. The construction of the Bhubu Jot Tunnel would be a transformative step for the development of Himachal Pradesh. This project would not only strengthen strategic infrastructure but also catalyze socio-economic growth in the region, Sukhu added. Bhubu Jot remains covered with heavy snow during winter and the proposed tunnel will provide all-weather road connectivity. The tunnel is strategically important as it will reduce the distance from Pathankot to Manali by around 63 km and lessen the travel time by two hours. Former Chief Minister PK Dhumal had announced its construction in 2009.
Civil society outfits urge President to withdraw central forces from Siang Hydropower project survey
Hundreds of environmentalists, civil society organizations urged the President of India Droupdi Murmu to withdraw paramilitary forces deployed to quell indigenous peoples protest against proposed 11000 MW hydropower dam surveys in Siang valley of Arunachal. They said the proposed dam will cause disasters and loss of biodiversity and indigenous habitats. According to the letter written to the Murmu, over 351 concerned citizens activists, researchers, lawyers, scientists, journalists, experts, community representatives and 109 peoples organisations and environmental groups, especially from the Himalayan region appealed for immediate withdrawal of paramilitary troops in the Siang valley in Arunachal Pradesh. The Central government has made a paramilitary force deployment meant to facilitate a pre-feasibility survey for the 11000 MW Siang Upper Valley Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The project will cause the submergence of dozens of indigenous Adi tribe villages. So far villagers are protesting peacefully in their villages andno untoward incidents have been reported. Expressing solidarity with the indigenous populations of the region, the submission to the President draws attention to the fact that this will be Indias largest hydropower project. The letter goes on to highlight recent unprecedented rise in catastrophic disasters, events like cloud bursts, floods, glacial lake outbursts in Himalayan region caused thousands of deaths and massive destruction of infrastructure. Arunachal CM Khandu cites China's dam construction, bats for Siang Upper Multipurpose Project The 2013 Uttarakhand floods led to deaths of over 5000 people officially and damage to multiple hydro projects. In 2021 an avalanche in Chamoli caused catastrophic floods that destroyed hydropower infrastructure and claimed over 200 lives. In 2023, the Teesta III Dam was destroyed by a Glacial lake outburst in Sikkim. And this year in Himachal Pradesh the Malana Dam burst as it was hit by a sudden flood from upstream. The letter further highlights the proposed survey violates constitutional statutes, especially Section 5 of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006. These survey is being done without the consent of the local village councils and is also a violation of constitutional statutes, states the letter. Experts say the Siang region is a global biodiversity hotspot particularly within the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve which spans across West Siang, Upper Siang, and Dibang Valley. It has one of the most biodiverse areas in the state with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endemic species.
Thick layer of fog grips Delhi; IMD predicts severe cold waves conditions for Himachal Pradesh, J&K
The people of Delhi woke up to a thick layer of fog on Saturday morning. As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the minimum temperature in Delhi dropped to 8 degrees Celsius near New Delhis Safdarjung while the maximum temperature is expected to reach 23 degrees Celsius on Saturday at 8:00 AM. The minimum temperature []
Thick fog blankets Delhi; IMD warns of harsh cold in North India
A thick fog enveloped Delhi on Saturday, reducing visibility and intensifying the ongoing cold wave. The minimum temperature dipped to 7.6C, with the maximum likely to reach 23C. Air quality in the national capital remained near the 'severe' category, with Anand Vihar recording an AQI of 414. The IMD predicts an extended cold wave for much of North India, with severe conditions in Himachal Pradesh and parts of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Jammu. Light snowfall is anticipated in higher reaches later in the week.
First zero hour held in Himachal Pradesh Assembly, seven legislators raise issues
The zero hour allows MLAs to raise public interest issues and must notify the assembly secretary at least 90 minutes before the session begins if they wish to participate
Star Cast: Nana Patekar, Utkarsh Sharma, Simrat Kaur, Kushboo Sundar, Rajpal Yadav Director: Anil Sharma Vanvaas Movie Review Synopsis: Vanvaas is the story of an old man and a young chap, both of whom are abandoned. Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar) lives in Shimla in a mansion named Vimla Sadan. He built the mansion and named it after his wife Vimla (Kushboo Sundar). Vimla passed away a few years ago. Deepak is a dementia patient and at times, he forgets that his wife is no more. He lives with his three sons, their wives and grandchildren. His sons and wives are fed up taking care of him and his tantrums. When Deepak decides to hand over the house to a trust, they conclude that enough is enough. They devise a plan - they would go on a holiday to Banaras and admit Deepak in an old-age home, without his consent. Deepak is not aware of this devious plan and travels to Banaras with them. There, his family faces a problem when all the old-age homes ask for ID proof. They refuse to accept this condition as they fear that Deepak will be returned back to Vimla Sadan once they realize that he's not ready to stay in an old-age home. Hence, they ask the old age homes to admit him without any ID proof or details of the family address. They even agree to pay more but all the old age homes refuse the request. With no other option, they decide to abandon him at a Ghat. They take away his identity cards and even empty his medicine bottle. In the absence of his pills, Deepak forgets who he is and assumes that his children are in their teens. He starts looking for them but to no avail. This is when he comes across a petty thief Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma) who acts as his saviour. What happens next forms the rest of the film. Vanvaas Movie Story Review: Anil Sharma, Sunil Sirvaiya and Amjad Ali's story is very emotional and has the potential to touch a chord with the audience. Anil Sharma, Sunil Sirvaiya and Amjad Ali's screenplay has its share of well-written and fleshed-out scenes but has a lot of rough edges as well, sadly. Anil Sharma, Sunil Sirvaiya and Amjad Ali's dialogues are hard-hitting. Anil Sharma's direction is simple. His old-school style of filmmaking gives a nice touch. Also, it's very mainstream as it appeals to the target audience, that is, the families and the ones in B and C centres. The pain of the protagonist is very moving and the way he remembers his dead wife adds to the emotional quotient of the film. At the same time, his equation with the young thief with a heart of gold is heartening. Some scenes that work big time are Deepak being abandoned, Deepak and Veeru forming a bond over alcohol, the intermission point etc. Anil Sharma, however, reserves the best for the climax. It is very touching and is sure to make moviegoers teary-eyed. On the flipside, the film looks similar to BAGHBAN (2003) and even BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN (2015) and 3 IDIOTS (2009). A few developments are bewildering. For instance, the family of Deepak doesn't even get the death certificate ready after his 'death' and is reminded of it only after a month. The second half is too dragging. The entire track of Veeru hurting Meena (Simratt Kaur) unintentionally and Rampatiya Mausi ji's (Ashwini Kalsekar) outburst needlessly add to the length. Lastly, the film is releasing with negligible buzz and it'll impact its collections. Vanvaas Official Trailer | Anil Sharma | Nana Patekar | Utkarsh Sharma | Simrat Kaur Vanvaas Movie Review Performances: Nana Patekar delivers an award-winning performance. Interestingly, he had played a similar role before in the Marathi film NATSAMRAT (2016) but he ensures that there would be no comparisons between the two. Utkarsh Sharma puts in a sincere effort and succeeds to some extent. But he could have done better in the emotional scenes. Simratt Kaur has a fine screen presence but is still raw. Kushboo Sundar is lovely in a cameo. Rajpal Yadav (Pappu) raises a lot of laughs. Ashwini Kalsekar is just okay. Hemantt Kher (Somu), Kettan Singh (Bablu), Paritosh Tripathi (Chutka), Bhakti Rathore (Manjari; Somu's wife), Snehiil Dixit Mehraa (Anchal; Bablu's wife) and Shruti Marathe (Pooja; Chutka's wife) lend able support. Rajesh Sharma (Gautam Gupta) and Rajiv Gupta (Param Negi) leave a mark. Mushtaq Khan (Inspector Lal Singh) and Virendra Saxena (Shukla) don't get much scope. Manish Wadhwa (Madhav) is great in a cameo. Vanvaas movie music and other technical aspects: Mithoon's music is okay but is well inserted in the narrative. 'Yaadon Ke Jharokhon Se'and 'Bandhan' are played at crucial junctures and work. The same goes for 'Ram Dhun'. 'Geeli Maachis' fails to make a mark. 'Chhabili Ke Naina' (by Monty Sharma) is forgettable. Monty Sharma's background score is in sync with the film's theme. Kabir Lal's cinematography is breathtaking and captures the locales of Banaras and Himachal Pradesh beautifully. It also gives the film a big-screen appeal. Muneesh Sappel's production design is satisfactory. Neeta Lulla's costumes for Utkarsh and Simrat are stylish while Niddhi Yasha's costumes for the rest of the actors are realistic. Sham Kaushal's action gives the film a mass appeal. Squad VFX's VFX is a bit tacky. Sanjay Sankla's editing could have been slicker. Vanvaas Movie Review Conclusion: On the whole, VANVAAS delivers a heartfelt and sincere narrative that resonates deeply. With its poignant subject matter and an emotionally charged climax, it holds the promise of becoming the BAGHBAN for this generation. At the box office, its potential may be hindered by limited pre-release buzz, lack of widespread awareness, and stiff competition from PUSHPA 2 and other new releases.
Where is UPSC 2nd topper IAS Athar Aamir Khan these days? Know his current posting
IAS Athar Aamir Khan enrolled at IIT after graduating from high school. He holds a B.Tech in electrical engineering from IIT Mandi in Himachal Pradesh.
NEW DELHI: India is the fourth largest medical devices market in Asia after Japan, China, and South Korea and among the top 20 global medical devices markets in the world, said Union Minister of State of Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel on Thursday. Speaking at the 21st Health Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), she said the medical device sector in India is recognised as a sunrise sector because of its immense growth potential driven by the country's increasing healthcare needs, technological innovations, government support, and emerging market opportunities. AI innovation is crucial within healthcare to create new methods for facilitating and tackling healthcare challenges and discovering new opportunities, she said. Addressing the plenary session on Charting Indias MedTech Revolution: MedTech Expansion roadmap to 2047, Patel said that the size of the Indian medical devices sector is estimated to be around USD 14 billion and it is expected to grow to USD 30 Billion by 2030. She stressed that the MedTech industry is not just a component of healthcare but is the catalyst that links patients, payors, providers, and regulators to create a stronger and more equitable healthcare system. It is this unique positioning of MedTech that holds the promise of revolutionizing healthcare delivery and outcomes, both in India and globally, she said. She highlighted that the government is trying to strengthen the medical device ecosystem by focusing on boosting domestic manufacturing, promoting research, enhancing skill development, and increasing India's share in the global market. Key policy decisions include allowing 100 per cent FDI under the automatic route and the approval of the National Medical Device Policy, 2023, which addresses regulatory streamlining, infrastructure development, R&D, investment attraction, and human resource development. This includes the establishment of Centres of Excellence, courses at NIPERs, and initiatives to strengthen MedTech education, she said. The minister also noted that the government has taken steps to boost exports and industry collaboration, with the creation of the Export Promotion Council for Medical Devices (EPCMD) and the reconstitution of the National Medical Devices Promotion Council (NMDPC). These bodies aim to facilitate medical device exports, resolve regulatory challenges, and enhance the Ease of Doing Business, further promoting India's position in the global medical device market, she said. She also informed about the launch of the Scheme for Promotion of Medical Devices Parks with a Rs 400 crore outlay, providing Rs 100 crore each to Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Himachal Pradesh for infrastructure development. Additionally, the Promotion of Research in Pharma-Medtech Sector (PRIP) and the Scheme for Strengthening the Medical Device Industry with Rs 500 crore funding aim to foster innovation, enhance manufacturing capabilities, support skill development, and promote industry growth. These efforts align with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, focusing on self-reliance, innovation, and global competitiveness in the MedTech industry, she said. Underlining that a healthy population fuels productivity, drives economic growth, and ensures social justice, Union Health Secretary, Punya Salila Srivastava said that healthcare is not just a social imperative but an economic necessity. She noted that Indias healthcare agenda focuses on making healthcare affordable, accessible, and inclusive for every citizen and stressed that the healthcare sector is a critical component of Indias vision to become a developed country by 2047. The private sector plays a key role in transforming healthcare, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, through value-based care models and technological innovations. Public-private partnerships, preventive healthcare, and a focus on expanding the healthcare workforce will be critical in achieving Universal Health Coverage and positioning India as a global leader, she said. The goal is to transform India into a global leader in healthcare delivery by 2047, aiming for a healthier, stronger, and prosperous India. The private sector's role in shaping India's healthcare future is both a responsibility and an opportunity. By embracing this vision, quality healthcare will be provided to every Indian, driving economic growth and job creation, the health secretary said.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu roasted over junglee murga; defamation case filed
Attacking Mr. Sukhu, the BJP in Opposition underlined that junglee murga was an endangered species listed under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and its hunting or eating was a punishable offence.
Swaraj Yoga Institute hosts Graduation Ceremony for YTT
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 18: The Swaraj Yoga Institute & Wellness Retreats, located in the tranquil village of Dharamkot, Himachal Pradesh, is known for its immersive teacher training programs that blend ancient yogic wisdom with modern techniques. The institute offers internationally certified yoga instructor programs aimed at holistic growth, self-discovery, and wellness. Today, the institute, in collaboration with the Indian Yoga Association (IYA), hosted a significant graduation ceremony for the Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) program at their Jammu branch. [] The post Swaraj Yoga Institute hosts Graduation Ceremony for YTT appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Now, Himachal Assembly becomes first to adopt National e-Vidhan Application
After India's first paperless e-Vidhan Sabha that helped the state save Rs 15 crore every year, the Himachal Pradesh legislative Assembly on Wednesday became the country's first National e-Vidhan Application (NeVA) under the Central government's One Nation, One Application initiative.
Himachal Pradesh High Court dismisses PIL challenging auction of resin
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has recently dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the auctioning of resin blazes by the HP State Forest Development Corporation Limited. The petitioner had alleged that the corporation had fixed an annual yield of 55 quintals per section, which was higher than the prescribed yield of 35-40 quintals per [] The post Himachal Pradesh High Court dismisses PIL challenging auction of resin appeared first on India Legal .
IMD Issues Severe Cold Wave Warnings For These States Till Dec. 22
The met department in its press release on Wednesday predicted a cold wave to severe cold wave in Punjab, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh till Dec. 22.
2 killed as train hits motorcycles at closed crossing in Odisha
Rourkela: Two persons were killed as a train hit their motorcycles when they were trying to cross railway tracks in Odisha's Sundargarh district even as the level crossing was closed, police said on Wednesday. The incident happened near Kalunga around 9.30 pm on Tuesday when four persons were travelling on three motorcycles. They crossed the closed barrier with their motorcycles and were hit by the incoming train. While one of them died on the spot, another person died while undergoing treatment at the Rourkela Government Hospital (RGH), police said. One of the deceased was identified as Pankaj Sharma (34), a native of Himachal Pradesh, while the identity of the other deceased has not been established yet, they said. We heard that two other people were injured in the accident. However, we are yet to locate and identify them, a police officer said. The deceased persons were working at a private steel factory in Rourkela, he said. The three motorcycles were severely damaged in the accident, he added.
Cold wave grips north, Srinagar shivers at -5.3 deg C
A cold wave has gripped many parts of north and east India, with Srinagar recording a minimum temperature of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius. Other areas experiencing below-freezing temperatures include Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Konibal, Qazigund, Kupwara, and Kokernag in Kashmir. Himachal Pradesh has issued an orange warning for severe cold wave conditions in several districts. Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 5.9 degrees Celsius, while Faridkot in Punjab was the coldest in the region at 0 degrees Celsius. Extreme cold conditions also continued in parts of Rajasthan and Jharkhand. The Met office has forecast mainly dry weather until December 26, with the possibility of light snowfall in the higher reaches of Kashmir on the intervening night of December 21-22.
20-Year-Old Dies In Himachal Pradesh After Mobile Phone Explodes Near Her Ear
At the time of the explosion, she was using her phone while it was charging.
Himachal contemplating Rs 500 crore project for apple horticulture rejuvenation
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh government is contemplating to formulate Rs 500 crore dedicated project for the rejuvenation of apple horticulture, this project would be implemented for five years and will focus on promoting high-density plantations to enhance farmer's incomes and strengthen the rural economy. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu chaired a review meeting to evaluate the progress of various schemes implemented by the Horticulture Department here in Shimla. Stressing the importance of diversification in horticulture CM Sukhu said that there was a need to develop improved storage and marketing systems to ensure fair prices for farmers and horticulturists. He said that the government was planning to establish modern cold storage facilities at the district level which would provide much-needed support to horticulturists. Apart from this to bolster the economy of farmers while creating self-employment opportunities the government was working on setting up a potato processing unit in Una district. During the meeting, he directed the department to prioritize Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under Mandi Mediation to maximize benefits for farmers and horticulturists. He said that the state government was also contemplating formulating Rs. 500-crore dedicated project for the rejuvenation of apple horticulture. This project would be implemented for five years and it will focus on promoting high-density plantations to enhance farmer's incomes and strengthen the rural economy. Sukhu reviewed the achievements of various state horticulture schemes during the financial years 2023-24 and 2024-25. Under the Horticulture Development Scheme, Rs. 12.84 crore was spent on power tillers and sprayers, benefitting 4,244 horticulturists. In the current financial year, Rs. 9 crore has been utilized so far, benefiting 3,156 gardeners. Similarly, in the Anti-Hail Net Scheme, Rs. 14.45 crore was spent last year benefitting 1,767 people, while during this financial year, Rs. 10.3 crore has been spent so far benefitting 1,223 people. Additionally, Rs. 11 crore was utilized under the Himachal Pushp Kranti Yojana in 2023-24, providing benefits to 750 people. The universal carton system which was a packaging initiative by the state government had been introduced a few months back and had transformed the way apples are packaged, transported, and marketed, leading to reduced losses and increased profits for orchardists across the state.
45% of springs in Himalayas dry up in 4 decades, rising temp key factor: Study
NEW DELHI: Approximately 45% of the springs in the Himalayas have completely dried up due to rising temperatures and a decline in both rainfall and snowfall over the past four decades, says a recent study. This reduction will impact the rural communities drinking water, agriculture, and daily household needs. The study surveyed 276 spring sites in the western Himalayas, primarily in Himachal Pradesh. It revealed that one-third of the spring water discharge has decreased. Of the springs surveyed, 45% have completely dried up, while 26% have become semi-active, transitioning from perennial springs to those that depend on the monsoon. The research focused on four Himachal districts, analyzing 117 spring sites in Chamba, 53 in Lahaul-Spiti, 48 in Kullu, and 58 in Kinnaur. The findings showed that 58 of the 117 springs in Chambat, 21 of the 53 in Lahaul-Spiti, 17 of the 48 in Kullu, and 29 of the 58 in Kinnaur have either vanished or completely dried up. It underscores the concerning trend in the western Himalayas, where 45% of the springs have dried up and 26% are now monsoon dependants, resulting in reduced water discharge and soil moisture loss. The researchers examined 276 spring water sites across four Himachal districts. They analyzed 117 springs in Chamba, 53 in Lahaul-Spiti, 48 in Kullu, and 58 in Kinnaur. The findings revealed that 58 of the 117 springs in Chamba district, 21 out of 53 in Lahaul-Spiti, 17 out of 48 in Kullu, and 29 out of 58 in Kinnaur have either vanished or dried up. The study, titled Climatic Impacts on Spring Disappearance in the Indian Himalayas, was published in a Taylor & Francis journal.
Third eye: A political party of his own and focus on Priyanka's Himachal faux pas
Shankersinh Vaghela, a former BJP leader, launched a new party, Praja Shakti Democratic Party, and plans to contest Gujarat's local body polls. Observers believe this will split anti-BJP votes, benefiting the ruling party. Meanwhile, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra mistakenly criticized her own party's governance in Himachal Pradesh during her Lok Sabha speech, drawing criticism from the BJP.
Temperatures drop in Delhi, Punjab; slight respite from cold for Kashmir
NEW DELHI: Cold weather conditions persisted in parts of north and west India on Sunday with the mercury dropping several notches in Delhi, Punjab and Rajasthan. Kashmir and the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh received some respite from the intense cold as minimum temperatures rose. The respite for Kashmir is likely to be short-lived as the meteorological department has predicted a cold wave in parts of the valley over the next three days. Delhi's minimum temperature dropped to 4.9 degrees Celsius, 3.1 notches below normal, but cold wave conditions did not prevail, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The mercury settled at a low of 8 degrees Celsius in the city on Saturday. The capital recorded a maximum temperature of 23.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday, 0.2 notches below normal, the IMD said. The weather department has forecast moderate fog in Delhi on Monday. The minimum and maximum temperatures are expected to settle at 5 degrees Celsius and 23 degrees Celsius respectively. Punjab and Haryana also remained in the grip of cold weather conditions with Faridkot recording the lowest temperature in the region at 1 degree Celsius, according to the meteorological department. Punjab's Gurdaspur and Bathinda recorded a minimum temperature of 2 degrees Celsius and 4.6 degrees Celsius respectively at night, it said. The mercury settled at a low of 3.5 degrees Celsius in Pathankot, 3.9 degrees Celsius in Amritsar, 6.8 degrees Celsius in Ludhiana and 3.8 degrees Celsius in Patiala. In Haryana, Hisar shivered at 1.7 degrees Celsius and Narnaul recorded a minimum temperature of 3 degrees Celsius. Bhiwani recorded a low of 4 degrees Celsius, Gurugram 5.6 degrees Celsius, Rohtak 5.2 degrees Celsius and Ambala 5.7 degrees Celsius. The weather office said that Chandigarh, the common capital of Punjab and Haryana, recorded a minimum temperature of 4.8 degrees Celsius. Temperatures rose by three to five notches in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh while cold wave conditions gripped the lower hills as the weather remained dry. Tabo was the coldest place in the state at night with a low of minus 10.6 degrees Celsius and Shimla was the warmest at 12.2 degrees Celsius, 6.5 notches above normal. The adjoining resorts of Kufri and Narkanda recorded a low of 9.8 degrees Celsius and 6.4 degrees Celsius respectively. In the lower hills, Una recorded a minimum temperature of 0.2 degrees Celsius and Sundernagar 0.6 degrees Celsius. The local meteorological office has issued a 'yellow' warning for cold wave at isolated places in the lower hills and plains till Thursday and predicted dry weather in the state over the next seven days. Cold wave conditions will prevail in Una, Hamirpur, Bilaspur and parts of Kangra districts, the weather office said. There was no significant change in maximum temperatures in Himachal Pradesh. Solan was the hottest during the day at 24.7 degrees Celsius followed by Shimla at 19 degrees Celsius, five notches above normal. Kashmir saw a slight respite from intense cold wave conditions as minimum temperatures rose across the valley, though they remained below the freezing point. The summer capital of Srinagar recorded a low of minus 3.4 degrees Celsius, an improvement from minus 4.6 degrees Celsius the previous night, the meteorological department said. Gulmarg, a tourist destination popular for skiing, registered a minimum temperature of 3.8 degrees Celsius -- a rise of nearly four notches from the night before. Pahalgam, the base camp for the Amarnath Yatra, logged a low of minus 4.8 degrees Celsius, three notches higher than the previous night. Konibal, a hamlet on the outskirts of Pampore town, was the coldest place in the valley with the mercury settling at a low of minus 5.2 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature was minus 4 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, 3.7 degrees Celsius in Kupwara and 2.8 degrees Celsius in Kokernag. According to the meteorological office, the weather in the valley is likely to remain mainly dry till December 21. Minimum temperatures are predicted to drop and a cold wave is likely over many stations during the next three days, the weather office said. In Rajasthan, cold wave conditions prevailed in most parts and Fatehpur recorded sub-zero temperatures for the third consecutive day on Sunday. According to the meteorological department, the minimum temperature in Fatehpur settled at minus 1.2 degrees Celsius. Churu recorded a minimum temperature of 1.6 degrees Celsius; Bhilwara 2.2 degrees Celsius; Sangaria, Pilani and Sirohi 2.6 degrees Celsius; Chittorgarh 3.2 degrees Celsius and Alwar 4 degrees Celsius. The mercury settled below 10 degrees Celsius at several other places in the state.
Deeply shameful: BJP's Jairam Thakur slams CM Sukhu over 'wild chicken' controversy
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Sukhu faced criticism from BJP leader Jairam Thakur. Thakur questioned Sukhu's consumption of chicken at a dinner. Sukhu initially called it 'wild chicken' but later termed it 'country chicken'. Thakur highlighted the protected status of wild chicken under wildlife laws. Sukhu dismissed the issue and accused the BJP of focusing on trivial matters.
Political slugfest over jungle fowl in Himachal after samosa controversy
CHANDIGARH: Another controversy has hit the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh Government, as Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu allegedly encouraged his associates to eat grey jungle fowl (jungli murga) which is an endangered species at Kupvi village in the Chopal area of the Shimla district, where the CM spent last night with the villagers. Thus the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded an apology and action against those responsible, but Sukhu said Opposition has no issues left to raise. Sources said that Chief Minister Sukhu attended a dinner in this village where the menu included food with wild chicken, bichu booti (a local herb), and slices of bread made from maize and wheat. Sukhu did not eat chicken but state health minister Col (Retd) Dhani Ram Shandil ate it as he and other guests were served. The incident snowballed into a political controversy following a purported viral video showing Sukhu's remarks about the dish, potentially breaching wildlife protection laws. As one can hear the CM saying that he does not eat it, he asked the villagers to serve it to his ministerial colleague Shandil the state Health minister, seated next to him and others while sitting on the floor and eating with everyone. The BJP leaders shared the purported video of the dinner and pointed out that item number 12 in the dinner was Junglee Murga or Jungle Fowl. Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Jairam Thakur accused the CM of not only having the dish featured on the dinner menu but also encouraging his associates to eat it. He alleged that jungle fowl a protected bird species was served as part of the meal to CM Sukhu. Sharing a purported video of the dinner on social media platform X, he accused the state government of organizing picnics at the expense of the state exchequer. People who consume protected species of wild chicken are penalized with fines and jail time. However, the Chief Minister gets menus printed to serve chicken and then enjoys watching his ministers relish it right in front of him. Is this what you call a system change? #Government_On_Village_Picnic #2_Years_of_System_Deterioration, he said in the post. Thakur said that those who had objections to serving of phulkas at the Jan Manch programme during the BJP rule are today relishing jungle murga. Another BJP leader Chetan Bragta said that the CM should apologize. Jungli Murga (Grey Jungle fowl) is an endangered species listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act 2022. Hunting and eating this species is illegal, he said. CM Sukhu said that eating non-vegetarian food is a way of life in villages and accused the opposition leaders of making an issue out of it. The villagers served the chicken for dinner, but I refused as I do not eat it and now Jai Ram Thakur is making an issue out of it, he said and emphasized his health-motivated decision to avoid non-vegetarian and oily foods. I do not eat oily and non-vegetarian food due to health reasons, said Sukhu and added that opposition leaders have no real issue and are merely trying to tarnish the image of the villagers. This new controversy comes close on the heels of the samosa controversy , where an inquiry had been ordered by the CID wing of the police to trace the missing samosas during a function attended by the Chief Minister. Despite being an endangered species, hunting and eating the Grey Junglefowl, which is considered delicious, is reportedly a common practice in rural areas of the state, particularly during the winter months.
Himachal cabinet divided over proposed amendment of ceiling on land holdings act
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu received stiff resistance from within his cabinet to amend the Himachal Pradesh Ceiling on Land Holdings Act 1972. Influential religious and spiritual organisation Radha Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB) had requested to transfer the Bhota Charitable Hospital to its sister organisation - Maharaja Singh Medical Relief Society (MJSMRS) in Hamirpur district. The amendment proposal has been put on hold as the cabinet is divided on this issue. Sukhu had recently instructed the law and revenue departments to draft the amended Act, which was to be presented for approval in the state assembly on the first day of its winter session beginning on December 18 in Dharamshala. Sources said that the proposal to give exemption to RSSB was put forth during the recent cabinet meeting. A few ministers were apprehensive of the long term implications of such a proposal and questioned the legal tenability of the change. The changes in the 1972 Act were not accepted by the cabinet, putting the proposal on hold. The Advocate General and Law Secretary have been directed to take a fresh look into the matter. Due to lack of consensus on this matter, the issue will either be presented to the cabinet again or approved through circulation to the members of the cabinet. The Himachal government's law department stated that it is ot only illegal but also immoral to transfer property to avoid tax liability and that he state government can never be party to such proposals of tax exemptions. They added that the transfer of the hospital to the MJSMRS is a violation of both the Ceiling Act and the Tenancy Act. Leader of Opposition and former chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said amending the Land Ceiling Act for the RSSB was against the interest of Himachal and would defeat the purpose the legislation. He added that the previous BJP governments headed by PK Dhumal and his own government had also received similar requests but since these were against the interest of the state, these were not accepted. We respect the Radha Soami Satsang Beas as it is doing good charitable work but nothing can be above the interest of the state. The issue was legally untenable and would open floodgates for similar demands, which was again not in the interest of the state, he said.
Haryana B.Tech Student Dies by Suicide, Exam Failure Suspected
Una: A 17-year-old student ends life at his aunt's house in Himachal Pradesh's Una town, with police suspecting that he committed suicide after failing his exams. The victim has been identified as Pankaj, from Kalyana village of Hamirpur district. He was pursuing Bachelor in Technology from a private institute in Pandoga, they said. The incident occurred on Friday night in ward number 10 of Baihali Mohalla, when the family members, including his parents, were having dinner, the police said. They said that, Pankaj's family kept asking him to come out of his room and join them for dinner but he did not respond. According to police, when he did not respond even after repeated calls, his family members went to the room and found him hanging with a scarf. They brought him down and informed the police about the incident, Una Superintendent of Police (SP) Rakesh Singh said. He said that no suicide note has been found from the spot and the family members' statements have been recorded. Further investigation in the matter is under, Singh said. Pankaj's father is a shopkeeper and mother is a housewife, he added.
Priyanka Gandhi slams Centre for not providing relief package to Wayanad, says it's playing politics
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday accused the Centre of denying assistance to landslides-affected people of Wayanad due to politics and asserted that there should be no discrimination in times of natural disasters. Her remarks came after MPs from Kerala, including Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament premises Saturday, demanding a relief package from the Centre for landslides-hit Wayanad. Staging their demonstration in front of the steps of the Makar Dwar, the MPs raised slogans calling for justice for Wayanad. They also held a banner with Justice for Wayanad, provide relief package for Wayanad written on it. Speaking with reporters, Priyanka Gandhi said, We are very disturbed by the fact that the government is refusing to give a special package to Wayanad. We have gone to the home minister, we have written to the prime minister and to everyone possible, to declare that this as a calamity of a severe nature and to give a special package. Similar large-scale destruction took place in Himachal Pradesh where the Congress is in power and there also they have been demanding for the longest time that the Centre provides assistance, she said. In Wayanad, the whole country has seen the devastation, the pain and suffering of the people and yet just because of politics, the central government, in both cases, is refusing to give what is due to the victims, she said. They are citizens of India. There should be no discrimination in times of natural disasters, in times of pain, in times of suffering of any kind. That is the time when the central government, the PM should be the custodians of every Indian citizen's life and every Indian citizen's livelihood, the Congress general secretary said, flanked by the protesting Kerala MPs. That is the time they are supposed to set politics aside and give the assistance required. We are actually deeply disappointed because we expected that highlighting this issue, going to them explaining the kind of pain and suffering (that has taken place). The PM himself has seen. We thought out of humanity and compassion what is due to the victims of Wayanad would be given to them, Priyanka Gandhi said. She said the MPs are still hoping the government will have compassion and humanity and do what needs to be done because this is a matter that is above politics. Asked about Home Minister Amit Shah's response to the demands made by the Kerala MPs earlier this month, she said the note just talked about the expenditure made like on the fuel of the Indian Air Force aircraft. The damage is Rs 2,000 crore but it depends on the government how much it wants to provide, she said. Earlier this month, a delegation of parliamentarians from Kerala led by the Wayanad MP met Shah, seeking the Centre's support for landslide-affected people while urging him to rise above politics and be more forthcoming in providing relief. Priyanka Gandhi had said there were landslides-affected people in Wayanad who had no support system left. If the Centre cannot step up in such circumstances, it sends a very bad message to the entire country and especially to the victims, she had said. Priyanka Gandhi asserted last week that disasters should not be about politics and said the people of landslides-hit Wayanad are looking towards the state and central governments with hope and don't need excuses. She stressed the people of Wayanad need urgent help to be able to rebuild their lives with dignity. The disaster, which struck Kerala on July 30, devastated large parts of three villages - Punchirimattam, Chooralmala, and Mundakkai - along with sections of Attamala in Wayanad. According to the government, the disaster claimed 231 lives.
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra protested outside Parliament, demanding financial aid for landslide victims in Wayanad. She criticised the government for allegedly denying a special relief package due to political reasons, citing similar inaction in Himachal Pradesh. Priyanka also accused the government of suppressing dissent and using investigative agencies to target opposition leaders during her Lok Sabha debut speech.
Rajnath Singh, Priyanka Gandhi trade barbs in debate
NEW DELHI: The much-anticipated debate to commemorate the 75th year of the Constitution kicked off on Friday with the ruling BJP-led NDA and Opposition INDIA bloc sparring over Constitutional values, its relevance and key political issues. Initiating the debate in the Lok Sabha, Union defence minister Rajnath Singh attacked the Congress saying a particular party always tried to hijack and appropriate the framing of the Constitution. Rajnath said the Congress made 28 Constitutional amendments during Indira Gandhis tenure and 10 during Rajiv Gandhis rule. And the Manmohan Singh government made seven amendments. The BJP has never compromised the independence and autonomy of institutions and always adhered to the Constitution, Rajnath said. The Constitution talked about religious freedom and it had been specified that the state would not have a religion but be secular, he added. Opposition leaders carry the Constitution in their pockets, they have done this for generations, but the BJP holds it to its forehead, Rajnath said. Opening the debate for the Opposition, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra rebutted Rajnaths criticisms. Treasury bench members keep talking about the past and Nehru. Why dont you talk about the present? Tell the country what you are doing. Is everything Nehrus responsibility? she asked in her first address in Parliament. Priyanka also hit out at the government over the Adani issue, which invited protests. Farm laws have been changed for industrialists. Cold storages in Himachal Pradesh were given to Adani by the Centre. Ports, airports, factories, mines and public sector units are controlled by one person. The poor are getting poorer, while the rich are getting richer, she alleged. Referring to Rajnaths criticism of Emergency, Priyanka said, Learn from what happened in 1975. Why dont you go back to ballot paper? Criticishing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, she said, Maybe he hasnt understood that this is the Constitution of India, not the Sanghs.
1st North India Karate Cship commences
Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 13: The 1st North India Karate Championship 2024-25 commenced today at the Bhagwati Nagar Indoor Sports Stadium in Jammu. Organized by the Yudansha Ryu Ashi-te Karate-Do Association, Jammu and Kashmir, and affiliated with the Traditional Karate-Do Association Jammu and Kashmir, the event is approved by the Karate Association of India. The tournament has brought together karate athletes from Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Haryana, Punjab, Chandigarh, and Himachal Pradesh to showcase their skills. The opening ceremony [] The post 1st North India Karate Cship commences appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Patient with advanced liver disease receives complex food pipe treatment in Delhi
A 45-year-old cirrhosis patient from Himachal Pradesh with a complex dual obstruction in his food pipe underwent successful endoscopic treatment at Sir Gangaram Hospital. The procedure addressed achalasia cardia and a lower oesophageal diverticulum, allowing the patient to eat and swallow normally after previous unsuccessful treatments.
Himachal CM Sukhu launches six new schemes to mark two years in office
CHANDIGARH: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched six schemes and distributed financial assistance to beneficiaries to mark two years of his government in Himachal Pradesh. The initiatives aim to promote natural farming, support small farmers, enhance rural incomes, and improve healthcare access. At an event in Bilaspurs Luhnu Ground, Sukhu introduced Him Bhog Atta, a maize-based flour produced through natural farming practices. The state government procured 398 metric tonnes of maize from 1,506 farmers across 10 districts, transferring Rs 1.20 crore directly to their bank accounts. Himachal offers the highest support price for wheat and maize in the country, said Sukhu. The government also launched the Rajiv Gandhi Natural Farming Start-up scheme, integrating 36,000 new farmers this year under the Rs 680 crore initiative. To support small farmers and livestock owners, Sukhu rolled out a scheme to buy organic compost and vermin-compost at `300 per quintal. The government also disbursed Rs 1 lakh to 100 farmers via direct benefit transfer (DBT) to strengthen rural incomes. Further, Sukhu handed over keys to 16 electric taxi owners under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme 2023. The initiative offers a 50% subsidy for e-taxi purchases, with vehicles leased to government offices for five years, ensuring a stable income for owners. In the first phase, the government plans to provide around 150 permits for e-taxis. The CM also launched the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana, disbursing Rs 1.38 crore to 5,145 beneficiaries. The scheme, with an annual budget of Rs 53.21 crore, provides financial aid to childrens education, widows, destitute women, divorced women, and parents with disabilities, aiming to prevent child exploitation and support vulnerable families. Sukhu introduced the Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition Project (HP Shiva), a Rs 1,292 crore initiative to boost horticulture across seven districts. The project aims to cultivate fruits like oranges, guavas, and plums over 6,000 hectares, benefiting 15,000 families and generating an estimated market value of `400 crore annually by 2032. Additionally, Sukhu flagged off five mobile Ayush healthcare units to serve remote tribal areas such as Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba, and Sirmaurs Shillai block. Each unit will provide Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy treatments to underserved regions. Lastly, under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana (MMSAY), Sukhu extended Rs. 1.90 crore in financial aid to 197 beneficiaries in Bilaspur. This included pension support and housing grants, among others.
Himachal CM Sukhu launches six new schemes as his government completes two years in office
CHANDIGARH: On the completion of two years of the Congress-led government in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday launched six new schemes and distributed financial assistance to beneficiaries. At an event at Luhnu Ground in Bilaspur, marking the completion of two years of the present state governments tenure, aiming to promote natural farming, CM Sukhu introduced Him Bhog Atta, prepared from maize grown using natural farming practices. The government procured 398 metric tonnes of maize from 1,506 farmers of ten districts of the state and transferred Rs 1.20 crore directly to their bank accounts. With Himachal Pradesh offering the highest support price in the country for wheat (Rs 40 per kg) and maize (Rs 30 per kg), over 1.98 lakh farmers across 35,000 hectares were engaged in natural farming. To further encourage this, 36,000 new farmers are being integrated this year. To benefit small farmers and livestock owners and fulfill the guarantee enshrined in the Congress Pratigya Patra, Sukhu launched a scheme to purchase organic compost and vermin compost at Rs 300 per quintal. Payments of Rs 1 lakh were distributed to 100 farmers via direct benefit transfer (DBT). This initiative aims to boost farmer's incomes thereby strengthening the rural economy. He also handed over keys to 16 electric taxi owners under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme 2023. Beneficiaries received a 50 per cent subsidy for purchasing the e-taxis with the vehicles leased to government offices for five years. This arrangement guarantees a stable monthly income for taxi owners. The state government aims to provide around 150 permits to e-taxi owners in the first phase. Sukhu also rolled out the Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojana by disbursing Rs 1.38 crore to the eligible 5,145 beneficiaries of the state and also provided them eligibility certificates. CM Sukhu handed over keys to 16 electric taxi owners under the Rajiv Gandhi Self-Employment Start-up Scheme 2023. The scheme aims to cover the education of 23,000 children of widows, destitute women, divorced women and disabled parents, offering them financial assistance for their higher education and well-being. Eligible beneficiaries receive Rs 1,000 monthly for children under the age of 18 and financial aid for higher education expenses. With an annual budget of Rs 53.21 crore, the scheme aims to prevent child exploitation and provide a supportive environment for vulnerable families. He also launched the Rs 1292 crore Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition Project (HP Shiva) to expand horticulture development across seven districts. The initiative would cover 6,000 hectares, promoting the cultivation of fruits like oranges, guavas, litchi and plums, benefiting over 15,000 farming families directly. It was expected to produce 1.3 lakh metric tonnes of fruit annually by 2032 with a market value of Rs 400 crore. Sukhu flagged off five mobile Ayush healthcare units to serve remote tribal regions, including Kinnaur, Lahaul and Spiti, Chamba and Shillai block of Sirmaur district. Each unit would have an experienced medical team offering Ayurveda, Unani, or Homeopathy treatments based on local needs. This initiative aims to improve healthcare access in underserved areas. Sukhu also extended financial aid amounting to Rs 1.90 crore under the Mukhyamantri Sukh-Ashray Yojana (MMSAY) to 197 beneficiaries in Bilaspur district. This included pension for 153 children, housing grants for 17 beneficiaries, marriage and higher education aid for 10 each and vocational training and start-up assistance for three beneficiaries each.
Teacher Dead As Scorpio Skids Off Snow-Covered Road In Himachal Pradesh's Sirmaur
The four passengers in the car were returning to their home in Shimla when the car got stuck in the snow. While attempting to push it free, the vehicle slipped and fell into the gorge
Himachal Pradesh News | Himachal Pradesh Govt Now Charges A Ticket For Pressure Cooker On A HRTC Bus
Himachal Pradesh Govt Now Charges A Ticket For Pressure Cooker On A HRTC Bus n18oc_breaking-newsNews18 Mobile App - https://onelink.to/desc-youtube
'Government has fulfilled five guarantees in 15 months', says Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Sukhu
CHANDIGARH: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday that the state government has implemented five guarantees within just 15 months. He further added that the remaining commitments were being fulfilled in a phased manner. To mark the completion of two years of the Congress government a state-level function will be held at Luhnu Ground of district Bilaspur. CM Sukhu explained that the function would be organized under the theme Atmanirbhar Himachal through Vyavastha Parivartan and expressed his gratitude to the people for supporting the cause of Vayastha Parivartan. While highlighting the governments achievements, CM Sukhu said that the two-year regime of the present state government has been a period of progress and fulfilment of promises. Sukhu said that several ambitious schemes and programmes have been initiated for the welfare and development of the people during these two years. He said the government remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguard the people's interests and to ensure their upliftment. He promised to continue working with the same dedication and vision. The government remains committed to furthering the development of the state through innovative initiatives and ensuring inclusive growth of all sectors, he said. He called upon the people of the state to participate enthusiastically in the celebrations and continue to support the government in coming years. He said that the state government would launch six new schemes aimed at transforming people's lives and developing the state to be self-reliant and the most prosperous state of the country. He said that these schemes would reflect our dedication to addressing the needs of the citizens and building a prosperous future for Himachal Pradesh.
Three killed, 15 injured as bus falls into gorge in Himachal's Kullu
SHIMLA: A private bus with over 30 passengers on board fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district on Tuesday, killing three people and seriously injuring 15 others, police said. The bus driver among the three died when the bus, on its way to Kullu's Anni from Karsog, fell into a gorge near Shawad village, they said. Anni subdivision is on the border of Kullu and Shimla district. The police and locals immediately reached the spot and started the rescue operations. Of the 15 injured, 11 in critical condition were rushed to IGMC Shimla while the others were sent to Rampur Hospital, according to officials. The bus fell about 120 metres down the hill before crashing and got completely damaged. The deceased have been identified as bus driver Dinanath, a Mandi resident, Keshav Ram and Gulshan from Kullu, the official said. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri have expressed grief over the loss of lived in the accident and directed the district administration to extend every possible support to the affected families and ensure proper medical assistance to the injured. Conveying their condolences, they prayed for the peace of the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family members to bear this irreparable loss, a statement issued here said.
3 killed, 15 injured as bus falls into gorge in Himachal
Shimla: A private bus with over 30 passengers on board fell into a gorge in Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district on Tuesday, killing three people and injuring 15 others, police said. The bus driver among three died when the bus, on its way to Kullu's Anni from Karsog, fell into a gorge near Shakdler village, they said. The police and locals immediately reached the spot and started the rescue operations. Of the 15 injured, 10 in critical condition were rushed to IGMC Shimla while the others were sent to Rampur hospital, according to officials. The bus was torn into pieces due to the accident and its parts were scattered everywhere.
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Amit Shah misleading Parliament, people: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of misleading the Parliament and the people on the Wayanad disaster. His statement that the state government submitted the detailed report on Wayanad disaster late is not factual. It is unfortunate that the Union government wanted to evade the responsibility of allowing financial aid by converting it into a controversy. This is not the first time Amit Shah has done this, Pinarayi said at a press conference on Monday. He said the state submitted a memorandum requesting a primary financial aid of Rs 1,202 crore to the Centre on August 17. On November 13, the state submitted a detailed report after the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) was done. However, the home minister had told the MPs from Kerala that it was because of the late submission of this report that a special package for Kerala could not be declared. But at the time of the prime ministers visit, PDNA was not considered as an official document to get financial aid. This is the first PDNA after the guidelines were created, he said. To prepare this, at least a three-month period is needed. The state only took that time. Kerala has submitted a 583-page detailed report. States like Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh also prepared the detailed report in a three-month period after disasters, he added. The CM alleged that the Centre is ignoring Wayanad and the victims by not declaring the special financial aid. Though the Centre had declared financial aid to states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tripura, and Bihar for flood calamities, Kerala was ignored. Kerala is one of the states in India. The aid given to other states should be made available to us too, Pinarayi said. If the Union government is of the view that the Wayanad landslides do not come under the category of disaster, the Centre should clarify which one is eligible for financial aid. There are no lapses on the part of the government in informing the High Court about the details of SDRF, he added.
Himachal sees 2nd snowfall; tourist killed in mishap
Himachal Pradesh experienced its second snowfall of the season, leading to the closure of 15 roads, including two national highways. A tourist from New Delhi died in an accident on an icy road in the Lahaul Spiti district, while three others sustained injuries.
Himachal receives seasons first snowfall, 87 roads closed
Shimla, Dec 9: Himachal Pradesh witnessed its first snowfall of the season which led to the closure of at least 87 roads in the state, including Atari-Leh National Highway 3 near Manalis Rohtang Pass, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. A total of 58 roads were closed in Shimla, followed by 17 in Kinnaur, six in Kangra, two in Lahaul and Spiti, one each in Kullu and Chamba districts. Some parts of Himachal suffered power outrages as 457 transformers [] The post Himachal receives seasons first snowfall, 87 roads closed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Shimla and the adjoining Kufri and Fagu received the season's first snowfall last night, covering fields and roads with a thin white blanket.
Photo: Snowfall in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir
Mumbai: Shimla and the adjoining tourist resort towns of Kufri and Fagu received the seasons first snow on Sunday while continuing intermittent snowfall in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradeshs tribal Lahaul and Spiti district intensified cold conditions in the adjoining valleys. A thin layer of snow covered Lahaul, affecting traffic as slippery road conditions 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 .
In Decades, Shimla Sees Season's First Snowfall In Early December
In a first in many decades, the Himachal Pradesh capital and its nearby tourist resorts on Sunday evening experienced the season's first snowfall in early December, with the hospitality industry eyeing a surge of tourists.
Shimla, Kasauli receive season's first snow, watch video here
Himachal Pradesh's tribal Lahaul and Spiti district intensified cold conditions in the adjoining valleys.
In first in many decades, Shimla sees seasons first snowfall in early December
Shimla: In a first in many decades, the Himachal Pradesh capital and its nearby tourist resorts on Sunday evening experienced the seasons first snowfall in early December, with the hospitality industry eyeing a surge of tourists. Shimla and its nearby areas have experienced light snowfall and this was the seasons first snowfall in Shimla town, 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 .
Understanding the population and demographic challenge
NEW DELHI: Recent remarks by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat and two chief ministers of Southern states have ignited a heated debate around crucial issues such as Indias demographic trends, declining fertility rates, and the pressing social and economic challenges the country faces. Bhagwats suggestion that Indian couples should aim to have at least three children to bolster the nations population, sparked not only a political backlash, but also raised significant concerns about the perception of reducing women to mere child bearers while overlooking their autonomy and reproductive rights. He cited a scientific concept known as the Total fertility rate (TFR), advocating for families to have three children instead of the familiar slogan of Hum Do Hamare Do (We two, ours two). This well-known phrase was integral to Indias national family planning programme and has been a staple in the public consciousness for decades. TFR represents the average number of children a woman is expected to bear throughout her reproductive years, serving as a key indicator of population growth and demographic health. Our countrys population policy, formulated in 1998 or 2002, clearly says that the total fertility rate should not be below 2.1. Now when we say 2.1, it is not feasible to have children in fraction. So when we say 2.1, this means it should be more, at least three. Population science says so, Bhagwat said. RSS earlier stance Though population control policy has always been high on the BJP and RSS agenda, the RSS had adopted a measured approach to it. In his 2022 Vijayadashami speech, Bhagwat argued in favour of a comprehensive population control policy to tackle demographic challenges over the next 50 years. He also said that religion-based population balance is an important subject that cant be ignored. If population is used correctly, it is not a burden, but rather a means. We have a demographic dividend. China is getting old. We are going to remain young for the next 30 years... We also have to think about the population. How many people can our country feed after 50 years... A comprehensive policy is required, he had said. In 2004 and 2015, the RSS passed resolutions on population control policy. In 2015, Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Champat Rai said family planning was not a personal matter for Hindus anymore and if they adhered to the one-child norm, Muslims would take over the country. Responding to Bhagwats remarks, former Rajya Sabha MP Rakesh Sinha told this paper that by advocating a three-child norm, the RSS chief addressed a crucial concern of decline in the young population. In 2019, Sinha, then a BJP MP moved a private members bill proposing that every government employee shall give an undertaking to not procreate more than two children and to reward those who follow the two-child policy. Sinha is of the view that demographic imbalance in terms of the rising population of Muslims vis--vis Hindus, is a major concern that needs to be addressed. As per the 2011 Census, the Hindu population is decreasing in the country. We cant deny that truth, said Sinha, adding that the social discourse must get more attention. While Sinha withdrew the bill later, he said there was no contradiction with the government on it. Govt and RSS not on same page? Activists and the Opposition parties point out that the BJP and RSS are speaking in different voices on the issue. Raising it for the first time during his Independence Day speech in 2019, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the issue of an ever-rising population is a matter of concern and that a small section of society, which keeps their families small, deserves respect. During the interim Budget speech in February this year, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the government will form a high-powered committee to look into the challenges arising from fast population growth and demographic changes. The committee is yet to be formed. In an affidavit to the Supreme Court in 2020, the Union government said it cannot coerce couples into having a certain number of children to curb population explosion as it will be counter-productive. Some of the BJP-ruled states such as Assam and Uttar Pradesh have introduced stringent measures to control population growth. The Assam government in 2017 passed a law to prohibit individuals with more than two children from applying for government jobs. The state Law Commission of Uttar Pradesh proposed that families exceeding the two-child norm should not receive government subsidies. On the other hand, to address issues of low fertility rates and an aging population, Andhra Pradesh recently scrapped the two-child policy. Telangana is also likely to reverse the two-child criteria for local body poll contestants soon. Other states that scrapped the two-child policy include Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. Population policy In 1952, India became the first nation globally to initiate a comprehensive national programme focused on family planning. This pioneering effort aimed to reduce birth rates to stabilise the population at a level appropriate for supporting the nations economic needs. The initiative was designed to align demographic growth with the sustainable requirements of the economy, reflecting a forward-thinking approach to population management during a critical period in the countrys development. The National Health Policy established in 1983 set an ambitious goal for India to achieve replacement TFR levels by 2000. This policy emphasised the importance of population control to ensure sustainable development. Fast forward to May 11, 2000, when India introduced its National Population Policy. This forward-looking policy sought to comprehensively address the nations reproductive and child health requirements while outlining a strategic plan to stabilise the population by 2045. Through a multifaceted approach, the policy aimed to promote health, empower families, and ensure a balanced demographic future. In 2023, India officially surpassed China as the worlds most populous nation, with the United Nations reporting a population of 1,425,775,850, determined through a combination of census data and analyses of birth and death rates. Projections indicate that Indias population may peak at 1.7 billion by 2064. Approximately 86,000 children are born daily in India, compared to 49,400 in China, which implemented a stringent one-child policy in the 1980s. Challenging the prevailing narrative, Poonam Muttreja, Executive Director of the Population Foundation of India (PFI), says, Indias population debate needs a shift from fear-mongering to empowering policies. The declining fertility rate is not a crisis but an opportunity to invest in health, education, and gender equality. India's population projected to reach 1.53 billion by 2100: How can it leverage this growth? Why southern states are aggrieved In the last three months, the chief ministers of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu have urged couples in their states to have more children to arrest the lower population growth rates. Unlike other states, the South faces a peculiar problem of looming political crisis because of the impending delimitation exercise. There is a fear among the Southern states which successfully controlled population growth that a reconfiguration based on current census data could drastically cut their representation in the Lok Sabha. The Union government is expected to begin the next census in 2025 and the delimitation process by 2027. The Southern states have flagged their concerns that if the delimitation is conducted on the basis of population census, it would reduce their representation in Parliament. We are considering incentivising families with more children to encourage couples to expand their families, said key NDA ally and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on October 19. Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin said in a lighter vein, Why not aim for 16 children? Speaking to this newspaper, TDP MP and Parliamentary party leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu said that the delimitation policy should be reworked and more consultations with stakeholders should be undertaken to address the states concerns. Our primary concern is the impending census and delimitation exercise. As per the existing formula, states like Andhra Pradesh, which successfully achieved population control, will lose out to other states. Our seats in Parliament will not be proportionally increased as other Northern states like Bihar or UP, he said. Speaking to this newspaper, DMK MP Tiruchi Siva said that the devolution of funds to Southern states by the Finance Commission is a major concern for Tamil Nadu. It is unfair that the Southern states are being penalised for successfully controlling population growth. The formula for allocation of funds based on population should be relooked at, said Siva. Echoing the view, DMK MP M M Abdulla told this newspaper that the southern states shouldnt lose seats through the delimitation exercise. Chandrababu Naidu's more children appeal and Andhra Pradesh's population conundrum Concerns on delimitation Indias changing demographic landscape with significant changes in population shares between states is expected to have substantial political implications, especially regarding electoral representation or the allocation of state-wise parliamentary seats and central revenue transfers to the states, said Dr Srinivas Goli, an Associate Professor specialising in Demography at the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS). As per the estimates from the National Population Commission report for India and states, the projected population shares of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan will experience a notable rise in the coming decades, while all other southern states, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Maharashtra would experience a significant decline in population shares. This uneven population growth and allocation of parliamentary seats based on population size thereby have ignited a political debate on the possible loss of political representation for some states, once the freeze on the boundary of the constituencies, based on the 1971 population, is lifted, Dr Goli added. Centre likely to begin population census in 2025, with Lok Sabha delimitation exercise set for 2028 Is the fertility rate declining? In a written reply on December 6, Union health minister J P Nadda said, As per the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of India stands at 2.0 in NFHS-5 (201921) from 2.7 in NFHS-3 (200506). He, however, skillfully sidestepped the pressing question of whether the government intends to draft any legislation imposing restrictions on population growth, specifically a cap that would limit families to a maximum of two children. According to the latest report from the Sample Registration System (2022), an interesting demographic trend has emerged across India. Four states stand out with notably higher total fertility rates: Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, with figures of 3.0, 2.7, 2.6, and 2.4 children per woman, respectively. In stark contrast, most other Indian states achieved fertility rates below the replacement level defined as two children per woman or are very close to this benchmark. Regions in northern India, such as Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and Haryana, showcase particularly low fertility rates, indicative of changing social dynamics and family planning practices. Similarly, eastern states like West Bengal and Odisha have also reported low fertility rates, reflecting broader demographic shifts across the country. This data highlights the diverse reproductive trends in India and suggests significant regional variations in family size and planning. Discussing the demographic shifts over the past 50 years, Professor Udaya S Mishra, a faculty member in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) in Mumbai, which operates under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, said, The demographic change in India during last 50 years qualifies to a pace of transition that is healthy and has its inherent regional divide which helps in internal regional adjustment as regard sustaining the population. Dr Goli said, India completed its demographic transition in just 45 years when the onset of fertility decline occurred in the mid-1970s and was completed in 2020. Although the total fertility rates of several states of India are similar or lesser than those of European and North American countries, the country is far behind in terms of its per capita incomes and human development indicators compared to these countries. For example, while Andhra Pradeshs TFR is the same as Switzerland, its per capita income is 28 times less than that of Switzerland. Similarly, differences can be observed in other development indicators such as education and health status. He noted that several states in India are currently grappling with significantly low fertility rates. In particular, urban areas across four of these states have recorded a startling total fertility rate (TFR) of just 1.2, which categorises them as experiencing ultra-low fertility levels. He explained that these categories lowest-fertility (with a TFR of less than 1.4) and ultra-low fertility (with a TFR of less than 1.2) pose serious long-term challenges. They can fundamentally disrupt the support ratios, meaning fewer working-age adults will be available to support an increasingly ageing population in the future. He said that TFR of anything less than 1.6 is concerning but manageable. According to him, the ideal situation is to maintain a TFR of 1.8 to 2. All five South Indian states have TFR of less than 1.8 with the highest in Karnataka (1.6) and lowest in Tamil Nadu (1.4). This trend reflects significant regional demographic shifts, indicating changing family dynamics and reproductive choices. Declining fertility One reason behind the declining fertility rate could be the aggressive population control measure during the 80s and 90s. Other factors like fast-paced urbanisation, improvement in educational status, especially of women, along with rising marriage age and access to abortion played a crucial role too. Women empowerment, however, played a major role in deciding the size of their family. What also weighed on the minds of couples was the rising cost of living along with expenditure on education, health care and housing. It is not merely the contraceptive but also development transition that has a bearing on sharp reduction in fertility which is not that easily reversible as imagined by the political masters through incentivisation, said Prof Mishra. Comparisons with Nordic countries and South Korea have been drawn. However, Prof Mishra said, a comparison of levels with Nordic countries sounds nave given our size and diversity. Our focus should be on making the most of the human capital at hand that needs to be nurtured and reap the potential. This challenge is overlooked which remains quite significant in the face of technological changes and evolving labour market dynamics. Ground reality Muttreja said that asking women to have more children, as some leaders suggest, undermines their autonomy and ignores systemic issues like rising costs of childcare and healthcare. Instead of coercion, we need policies that support families affordable childcare, parental leave, and workplace flexibility. Demographic challenges like aging populations can be managed with thoughtful solutions, not regressive diktats. Womens choices must be respected if we are to build a progressive, equitable future for India, she said. According to Dr Vasundhara Rangaswamy, a primary care physician in rural Tamil Nadu, the governments job should not be to tell people how many kids they should produce. Instead, it should focus on providing food, proper health services closer to homes, education, and allowing people to decide how many kids they want, she said. Drawing a stark comparison between rural and urban India, she said she has come across health facilities with no blood bank, ambulance services, ultrasound machines or transportation services to cater to pregnant women. She said that there is still a preference for a male child, and cited an example of a woman delivering her fifth or sixth female child in rural Tamil Nadu. On seeing the girl child, the woman, who had undergone a few medical abortions, started howling and told her and other doctors how much money it would cost her to get a male child. The father said they would not be accepted in the community and ran away along with the mother-in-law, leaving the mother alone with the girl child. No one should tell a woman how many kids that person should have. Rather, take care of her health both mental and physical health. The government must pull up its socks and focus on reaching out to people even in the countrys remotest corners with better healthcare and education systems. Concern over ageing population As fertility rates decline, a significant concern arises regarding the ageing population. The issue at hand is not simply that India is experiencing demographic shifts but rather that this shift is occurring rapidly and within a socio-economic context that is less favourable. Dr Goli pointed out that while France and Sweden took 120 years and 80 years, respectively, to see their ageing populations double from 7% to 14%, India is set to undergo this transition in a remarkably short span of just 28 years. According to the UNFPA Ageing Report, 2023, more than 40% of the older individuals in India are in the poorest wealth quintile, including nearly 19% living without an income. Indias population ageing will thus put increased financial pressure on provision of old-age support systems, and particularly for Southern states where population aged 65+ was already 9% by 2021 and expected to grow further in the coming decades. Central India would remain young for three more decades, while the southern region and a few of the northern, western, and eastern Indian states would start experiencing an ageing crisis, he said. Demographic imbalance? Religion-wise differences in fertility has long been a debate in India, with specific religious communities often under scrutiny for higher fertility rates. However, total fertility differentials among communities are no longer a significant concern in India, as fertility rates are converging fast among all socio-religious groups, said Dr Goli. As per the latest estimates from 2019-21, TFR among Hindus is 1.94, Muslims 2.36, Christians 1.88, and Sikhs 1.61. The pace of decline is seen to be faster among Muslims, compared to other religious groups. For instance, while the fertility in the last two decades dropped by 30% among Hindus, the corresponding decline among Muslims was by 35% and it is supposed to be in absolute convergence, by 2030 if current trends continue. Also, it is observed that fertility among Muslims in the South is lower than that of Hindus from several northern and western parts of India, thus there are no such concerns regarding fertility rates of a particular religious community, he said. Need for census Experts said the need for the hour is for the government to conduct a census, which has been delayed. Census is quite essential and this last 14 years have seen a dramatic change in population composition, familial transition that needs to be recognised. Only census only can reveal it. Absence of a census without any dilution like caste census and self-enumeration would perhaps be an eye-opener on the transformation realised in this period, said Prof Mishra.
BJP is future of Telangana, Congress a betrayer: BJP JP Nadda
HYDERABAD: Stating that BJP was the future of Telangana, BJP national president JP Nadda on Saturday alleged that the Congress government in the state has failed to do justice to any section of the society. BJP is the voice of Telangana. It is the future of Telangana and the country. The people should have faith in only the BJP, he stated, adding that the saffron party has decided to expose the failures, lies and betrayal of the Congress government and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. Nadda was addressing a public meeting organised by the BJP at the Saroornagar Stadium to expose the failures of the government in its one year rule. The Congress came to power in Telangana with false promises. None of the promises made by the Congress during the Assembly elections have been implemented, Nadda alleged. Claiming that the Union government was giving priority to Telangana, he said: The Centre gave Rs 1.6 lakh crore as tax devolution and Rs 1.1 lakh crore as grant-in-aid to Telangana. Rs 27,000 crore was given to Warangal and Karimnagar under Smart City scheme. AIIMS at Bibinagar is being established. We sanctioned five economic corridor projects to Telangana under the Bharatmala scheme. Modi won a 3rd term on merit: Nadda The saffron party leader alleged that the difference between the Congress and the BJP was that the former works for the sake of power and misleads the people while the latter stands for development. The people gave the mandate to the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to rule the country for the third consecutive time. You have to understand the difference in the work culture between the Congress and BJP, he said. Nadda continued: It is only Modi who became the PM for the third time in a row on merit. When Jawaharlal Nehru became the PM for the third time, the Opposition was weak and there was euphoria for the Congress all over the world. BJP National President JP Nadda being garlanded during a public meeting in Saroor Nagar Stadium He said that Modi disproved anti-incumbency theories prevalent for seven decades. Governments came and went but after Modi came, India saw a pro-incumbency government, Nadda claimed. Pointing out that BJP was in power in 13 states with absolute majority, Nadda said that the people of Telangana too were waiting for the saffron party to come to power. Once BJP comes to power in Telangana, it will not be dislodged, he added. Congress cannot win elections on its own. It is a Parjeevi Party that relies on regional parties to win elections. Congress has been out of power for 60 years in Tamil Nadu, 30 years in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Soon it will face the same situation in Telangana, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. It is standing on crutches, Nadda predicted. KCR and Revanth are twins: Kishan Addressing the gathering, BJP state president G Kishan Reddy described former chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy as twins, saying that both displayed the same behaviour and attitude. The government failed to implement the promises made by the Congress during the Assembly elections. The Congress and BRS failed to turn peoples aspirations into reality. A real peoples government is possible only with the BJP. Change is possible only with the BJP. I am appealing to the people to bless the BJP, Kishan said. The Union minister predicted that the BJP will come to power in the state in the next Assembly elections. Congress trying to turn Bhagyanagar into Bangladesh: Bandi Minister of State for Home Bandi Sanjay accused the Congress of trying to turn Bhagyanagar (Hyderabad) into Bangladesh. He appealed to the BJP cadre to work hard to secure Hyderabad mayor post for a BJP leader. Saffron flag should be hoisted on Hyderabad, he added. Sanjay alleged that the chief minister was acting as a puppet in the hands of Urban Naxals. Revanth is encouraging the youth to become Naxals, he alleged. Sanjay stated that he was ready to prove that there were business relations between the families of KCR and Revanth. Whenever talk of KTR being arrested surfaces, he goes to Delhi to give money to the Congress high command, Sanjay alleged.
Seasons first cold wave to hit by next week
NEW DELHI: Seasons first cold wave is about to start from next week as a western disturbance is likely to enter western Himalayas. It will set off icy cold winds from snow-clad Himalayas inducing a major drop in temperature next week, said IMD. Under its influence, a light to moderate rainfall will take place in Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Uttar Pradesh and snowfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. A dense fog is likely to engulf eastern and northwest India. There would be a drop in minimum temperature in the range of 2-8C in northern plains. A fresh Western Disturbance is seen as a trough in middle tropospheric westerlies, the IMD said.
Embracing Adventure: Kashmir Youths Transformative Journey in Himachal Pradesh
In the tranquil yet challenging waters of the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, a group of 40 young men and women embarked on a 10-day water sports adventure course that left an indelible mark on their lives. Organized by the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Parwan Sansthan and the Rafting Center Pirdi, this program brought together participants []
Himachal's Koksar village adopts homestay guidelines to promote sustainable tourism
CHANDIGARH: Koksar village in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh with a population of 650 people, is grappling with a significant amount of plastic waste, a problem hitherto unknown in this high-altitude region. The village is situated five kilometres away from the Atal Tunnel and is a popular destination for trekking, mountaineering, hiking and other adventure sports. The village panchayat has decided to tackle this problem by focusing on eco-friendly solutions such as discouraging the use of plastic and stopping food and water wastage. To preserve local heritage while embracing sustainable tourism, the Koksar Panchayat Tourism Development Committee (TDC) introduced Homestay Guidelines under the People-Owned and People-Governed Tourism (POPGT) project. Empty packets of chips, Maggi, chocolate wrappers, plastic bottles, and layers of discarded plastic are dumped in the area. The village Panchayat has twelve villages and there are 29 homestays in five villages including Koksar, Dimpuk, Ramthang, Telign. Around 600 to 700 tourists stay there. Approximately 6000 to 7000 tourists visit the place daily and on every third day, six small tempos of waste are collected and sent out which serves as a microcosm of the staggering problem of waste management and plastic pollution spread across the Himalayan Region that no one quite knows how to clean up. Supported by People for Himalayan Development (PHD), this initiative is a unique endeavor to guide tourists and empower local homestay owners in creating a harmonious balance between hospitality and cultural preservation. The guidelines focus on fostering mutual respect between visitors and the community. For tourists, they serve as a reminder to respect local traditions, minimize waste and engage responsibly with the environment and for homestay owners they provide a shared framework to offer authentic yet consistent hospitality, rooted in the warmth and simplicity of Lahauli culture. The Pradhan of the Koksar Panchayat Tourism Development Committee, Sachin Mirupa spoke about how hospitality is not just a practice but a way of life in Lahaul. He hopes the guidelines will help people welcome guests in a way that honours their traditions and keep the land beautiful and clean for generations to come. Our people and our mountains tell a story, and its important that visitors respect and become a part of it during their stay, he said. He also said that the guidelines are a symbol of Koksars collective determination to build a tourism model that respects both people and nature, setting a shining example for the rest of the Himalayan region. We want them to leave with more than memorieswe want them to take home a sense of respect for our land, our culture, and our people, he added. Sandeep Minhas of People for Himalayan Development says that the guidelines will help the community become responsible towards tourism by adopting sustainable practices and stopping energy wastage. Tourists should not keep the electricity on when not needed, the tourists should take back their plastic waste and not dump it in the village, he said. He spoke about the water scarcity challenge and how the water demand is high due to increased tourist inflow. Earlier there were dry pits for toilets now there are washrooms thus a total change, thus everyone visiting here has to learn how to minimize using the flush system to save water, he said. The tourist should consider the homestay they stay as their own house and should adopt all the good practices and make an interactive atmosphere in the village He also spoke about how tourists should adopt the practice of avoiding packed food and eating local cuisine. The occupancy of these homestays is 100 per cent in winters.
DoPT allocates 2 IAS officers for Telangana
Hyderabad: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) allocated two IAS officers of 2023 batch Saurabh Sharma and Saloni Chhabra for Telangana. These two IAS officers were among the 32 officers who were allocated for Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kanataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. A communication in this regard was issued by DoPT Deputy Secretary Charulata Somal addressing the Chief Secretaries of the States concerned. The allocation of cadres was made on the basis of Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2023.
Irked by 'simple' invite, Himachal Pradesh governor skips civic body Ambedkar event
Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla boycotted an event commemorating Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's death anniversary due to perceived disrespect in the invitation. Shukla stated he wasn't contacted personally by officials and the invitation listed the Chief Minister as the chief guest, prompting him to pay tribute at Raj Bhawan instead.
Himachal Pradesh Announces 180-Day Maternity Leave For Home Guards
Women Home Guards would be provided 180 days of maternity leave while the daily allowance for Home Guards during deployment outside the State would be increased from Rs 60 to Rs 500, said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday.
HP Panchayat official who bullied Kashmiri shawl sellers suspended
Dharamsala (HP), Dec 6: A woman Panchayat official, who was caught on camera warning two shawl sellers from Kashmir against trading their wares in Himachal Pradesh, has been suspended for hurting religious sentiments, officials said on Friday. The panchayat samiti member from Jaisinghpur in Kangra district was earlier booked for promoting disharmony and insulting religious [] The post HP Panchayat official who bullied Kashmiri shawl sellers suspended appeared first on Northlines .
5 Books to Dive into Captivating Travel and Personal Transformation Stories
'Joy of Missing Out' by Niharika Nigam follows Nanki Mehta's journey of self-discovery in Delhi and Rishikesh. It explores themes of existentialism, societal expectations, and the transformative power of purpose-driven work, emphasizing the longing for belonging and the meaning of home. Happiness has had quite the rebrand, Amidst a perfectly average life, Nanki Mehta finds herself at a crossroads, torn between a sense of belonging and the quest for authenticity. As she struggles with age-old questions echoing Arjunas uncertainties on the battlefield, a chance encounter on Instagram introduces her to River, a fearless Bungy Jump Master from Rishikesh. While Nanki grapples with fears; River sells courage for a living. Together, they navigate through the profound questions which are relevant even today Who am I? Why am I? How can I be happy? Can Nanki truly rewrite her story? Around the World in 80 Trains by Monisha Rajesh - Monishas journey as she circumnavigates the globe using only trains, offering insights into various cultures and landscapes she encounters along the way. Monisha Rajesh has chosen one of the best ways of seeing the world. Never too fast, never too slow, her journey does what trains do best. Getting to the heart of things. Prepare for a very fine ride' Michael Palin. From the cloud-skimming heights of Tibet's Qinghai railway to silk-sheeted splendour on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, Around the World in 80 Trains is a celebration of the glory of train travel and a witty and irreverent look at the world. Packing up her rucksack and her fianc, Jem Monisha Rajesh embarks on an unforgettable adventure that takes her from London's St Pancras station to the vast expanses of Russia and Mongolia, North Korea, Canada, Kazakhstan, and beyond. The journey is one of constant movement and mayhem, as the pair strike up friendships and swap stories with the hilarious, irksome, and ultimately endearing travellers they meet on board, all while taking in some of the earth's most breathtaking views. Chai, Chai: Travels in Places Where You Stop But Never Get Off by Bishwanath Ghosh . Some years ago, a book was published that would change the way one looks at travel forever. Bishwanath Ghosh had got down at Itarsi junction to grab a cup of chai while travelling from Kanpur to Chennai. Sipping on the tea, as he heard the recorded voice announcing the arrivals and delays of the many trains that passed through the station, it struck him that while Itarsi junction connects the length and breadth of India on the rail map, almost nothing is known about Itarsi, the town. Thus began Ghoshs quest to tell the story of all the towns behind some of the countrys biggest junctions: Itarsi, Mughal Sarai, Jhansi, Shoranur, Arakkonam, and Jolarpettaiplaces that are always a stopover and never a destination; familiar and yet unknown. Chai, Chai, a definitive work on small-town India, went on to become an instant success and continues to draw readers with its abundant wit and charm The Shooting Star by Shivya Nath - Shivya Nath quit her corporate job at age twenty-three to travel the world. She gave up her home and the need for a permanent address sold most of her possessions, and embarked on a nomadic journey that has taken her everywhere from remote Himalayan villages to the Amazon rainforests of Ecuador. Along the way, she lived with an Indigenous Mayan community in Guatemala, hiked alone in the Ecuadorian Andes, got mugged in Costa Rica, swam across the border from Costa Rica to Panama, slept under a meteor shower in the cracked salt desert of Gujarat and learned to conquer her deepest fears. With its vivid descriptions, cinematic landscapes, moving encounters, and uplifting adventures, The Shooting Star is a travel memoir that maps not just the world but the human spirit. Butter Chicken in Ludhiana: Travels in Small Town India by Pankaj Mishra is Full Of Startling Insights And Wit, And A Host Of Entertaining Characters, This Is An Unusual Travel Book About Indian Small Towns That Have Been Transformed By Aggressive Ambition And Self-Confidence Of Their Inhabitants. Traveling From Mandi In Himachal Pradesh To Kottayam In Kerala, Mishra Discovers Why The Once Sleepy, Unremarkable Places Now Threaten To Upstage Metropolitan India.
6 offbeat Himachali villages to explore this winter
6 offbeat villages in Himachal Pradesh to explore this winter for a peaceful, less crowded experience.
Indian tech entrepreneur Yash Gupta launches breakthrough recycling plant to combat e-waste crisis
Rikayaa's facility in Himachal Pradesh set to revolutionise e-waste recycling, extracting precious metals while reducing environmental impact
Claude Arpi | Where the world is still one family: 50 years in Bharat
Fifty years is a long time. In October 1974, I left France, my country of birth. I had a dream: to settle in India to participate in a very special project. I travelled to India in a manner which would probably be unthinkable, almost impossible today: using the land route, living for two and a half months in a bus and three vans with 34 companions. On December 20, 1974, after more than two and a half months on the road and tracks across Italy, Yugoslavia (which no longer exists), Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, we arrived in Auroville, near Puducherry. Why Auroville? In 1972 and 1973, during my university summer holidays, I had visited northern India; it was probably my (good) karma to encounter poor, but smiling Tibetan refugees, happily building roads in the Himalayas! This would change my life. After meeting their leader, the Dalai Lama, in Dharamsala (Himachal Pradesh), I began to understand something that I had not grasped so far. These refugees had lost their material wealth, their family and their country, but they had not lost the deeper human qualities called peace of mind or compassion; their leader was the living example of these qualities. This was the first reason why I decided to come back to stay in India. Around that time, I had also come across the writings of Sri Aurobindo, the Great Rishi, who fought hard for the nations Purna Swaraj from the British (The most dangerous man we have to reckon with, wrote Lord Minto) and later from his room in Puducherry, opened new avenues for the Evolution of Mankind. Fifty years down the line, I have never regretted my decision to leave France and settle in India; Sri Aurobindos words continue to accompany me: India of the ages is not dead nor has she spoken her last creative word; she lives and has still something to do for herself and the human peoples. His short text, The Hour of God , still echoes in my mind: (Dont) let worldly prudence whisper too closely in thy ear; for it is the hour of the unexpected. The last 50 years have been a long journey. Not always easy, as many things are not as they should be in India and the world. When I meet Indian friends who are not aware of my background, I am often told: So many years in India! But why? I cant understand! My dream is to go to the US or Europe and you are living in this country! The next question is: What do you find in this country? It is dirty, hundreds of millions are poor, nothing works, please explain, I want to understand. It is not an easy proposition to explain what attracted me to India and why I have stayed here all these years. An easy answer could be: Karma. It is true that in Asia, this word can explain many things. It is a very practical concept which elucidates happenings that cannot be understood otherwise. But in 1974, to want to live in India, appeared to be a strange proposition, going against the tide. I still remember when I returned for the first time to France for a short visit to visit my family in 1982 (with my Indian wife), the old hair-cutter in my hometown questioned me: Oh, you were in India all these years, it seems there are a lot of elephants roaming around there. That was the extent of the knowledge many people had about India. It is true that India has changed so much, it has become a modern country, development has reached every nook and corner; I myself have extensively travelled in the Himalayas and seen the difference that the roads and good communication have made for the local populations in remote areas. Of course, there are still many things that I dont like in India. A decade ago, I wrote an article The 10 things I hate in India, and some readers commented: Go back to France, if you dont like India. They missed the point. India still has to tackle evils such as bigotry, casteism, babudom, filth, corruption, to cite only a few. I believe that if this is not remedied, the Indian nation will not be able to find its true place in the concert of nations. In the early 1970s, I remember staying a week in Manali (Himachal Pradesh). I was the only tourist in the then peaceful mountain village. There was no hotel, no travel agency, no guide; I slept on a charpoy , eating tasty momos from Tibetan refugees, who were not yet rich. The tiny village was an oasis of peace surrounded by high peaks and although the inhabitants, local paharis or Tibetans, were poor, they knew the meaning of hospitality; they were content, santosham , to use a Buddhist term. Today, after being put on the tourism world map, Manali is a different world. I hope that the local populations, far better materially today, have not lost their innate goodness in the process. Personally, during the last three years, I have gone through difficult times when government babus have tried to hijack the dream for which I have come to India (Auroville). It is not necessary to go into details. But I had never seen earlier from a close range, such nepotism, incompetence or worse. This, however, has not changed my determination to stay and work in India; after so many years in the country, one believes in the national motto, Satyamev Jayate (Truth will prevail). Ancient India, which today inspires many all over the world, has always been synonymous with personal freedom and decentralised local governance, bringing forth the amazing creativity of ordinary people. Whatever way India has evolved during the last 50 years, I believe it is ultimately for the good. Personally, I have never thought for a second to return to my native douce (sweet) France, though I am proud to have been born in the land of the Gaulish tribes, Joan of Arc or Napoleon. More than ever, I believe in Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family), but it should not be a mere political slogan, it should mean something deeply anchored in the everyday life of citizens of this country, whether one is born in India or elsewhere. India remains special to me because it is the only place where this ancient ideal can still bloom to the fullest.
HPBOSE SOS Result 2024 Released for Class 8, 10, and 12: Direct Link to Check Here
The Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBSE) has released the results for the September 2024 special exams for classes 8, 10, and 12 under the HP SOS program. Students can apply for re-evaluation and re-checking of their answer sheets starting December 17, 2024. Additionally, those wishing to improve their marks can apply for improvement exams from December 6 to 31, 2024.
Telangana students to visit Himachal Pradesh under Yuva Sangam
Hyderabad: To strengthen people-to-people connect and build empathy between the youth of various States, the Ministry of Education launched the Yuva Sangam, a youth exchange programme under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB). The idea of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat was conceptualized by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to create a structured and sustained cultural connect between various States and UTs. Yuva Sangam is an ongoing cultural exchange with the celebration of diversity at its core wherein participants gain an immersive experience of diverse facets of life, natural landforms, development landmarks, recent achievements, and youth connect in the host state through exposure tours of five to seven days. As a part of Yuva Sangam phase -V, students from Telangana will be visiting NIT, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam programs from December 22 to 29. Fifty selected students from Telangana will visit during this programme. Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) was nominated as a nodal university to carry out the programs in Telangana. The Ministry of Education has teamed up MANUU with NIT, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. The Yuva Sangam, under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat (EBSB), is an exposure visit of youth to various States.
Himachal CM directs preparation of amendment bill for Bhota Charitable Hospital land transfer issue
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a meeting to discuss land transfer issues for Radha Soami Satsang Beas Charitable Hospital. He directed the preparation of an amendment bill for the Land Ceiling Act to be introduced in the Winter Session on December 18. The government aims to keep the hospital operational to provide ongoing healthcare services to nearby residents.
Charas worth Rs 3 crore seized, five arrested in Delhi
New Delhi: Delhi Police arrested five people, including three Nepal nationals and recovered 15 kilograms of charas (hashish) valued at approximately Rs three crore in the international market, an official said on Sunday. On November 20, police received a tip-off about a man from Nepal supplying charas to a local trafficker in the Majnu Ka Tila area, an officer said. Based on the tip-off, a police team raided a hostel, apprehending Prem Thapa, a Nepal national and Mohammad Jameel, a resident of Delhi, he said. Atleast 1.1 kilogram of charas was recovered from their possession, according to the officer. Investigations revealed a broader network, leading to the arrest of Ganga Gurung Thapa, another Nepal national, who was found with 712 grams of charas from his possession, he said. Further, 13.7 kilogram of charas was recovered from Ganga's residence, the officer added. He said that later the police team apprehended Ankit Budha, a Nepal national based in Himachal Pradesh's Kasol, who was identified as the main supplier and Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Haryana's Ballabhgarh, who supplied drugs to addicts in Faridabad. During interrogation, it was found that Prem sourced charas from Ganga and Ankit and distributed it in Delhi-NCR. Ganga played a key role in procuring charas from Nepal, while Pradeep was a local distributor, the officer said.
Punjab MLA Khaira pushes for law to restrict non-Punjabis from buying agricultural land
CHANDIGARH: Citing the examples of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, Congress MLA from Bholath and former Leader of the Opposition, Sukhpal Singh Khaira, has called for the enactment of a law to prevent non-Punjabis from purchasing agricultural land in Punjab. He argues that the state's demography is changing due to an influx of outsiders buying land and houses in towns, cities, and villages across Punjab. Speaking to this newspaper, Khaira said it has been nearly two years since he moved a proposal in the Punjab Assembly in January 2023 for a law similar to Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972. This provision bars non-Himachalis and non-agriculturists from purchasing agricultural land in the hill state. All these states (Gujarat, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand) have laws that require outsiders to fulfil certain conditions before settling in their territories, he said. I am not against people coming to the state or building walls to keep them out, as the US has proposed for Mexicans. But there must be regulations in place. Khaira emphasised the urgency of such legislation in Punjab. It has been almost two years since the bill was introduced in the state assembly. Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan has sent me letters stating that the bill has been forwarded to the Department of Revenue, Rehabilitation, and Disaster Management for their opinion due to financial implications. This is merely a tactic to delay the implementation of the bill. He expressed his concerns about the lack of action, saying, I believe they are hesitant to reject it outright because they fear backlash. This is a burning issue in Punjab, and people are agitated over why our state government is not enacting laws like those in other states. There have been incidents of crime and law-and-order issues, like the recent killing of two boys in Mohali. Khaira highlighted the demographic changes in areas such as Jagatpura village in SAS Nagar district, where the non-Punjabi population has around 8,000 to 9,000 registered votes compared to the original populations 1,000 votes. A few panchayats have passed resolutions banning migrants. Why leave this issue to panchayats when the government has the authority to enact laws? he asked. Khaira also accused political parties of inaction due to electoral concerns. Political parties fear opposing the influx of outsiders because they do not want to alienate this voter base, especially in cities like Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Amritsar, he said. Their argument is that our children have migrated to countries like the US and Canada, but those countries also have strict norms and conditions for migrants. The original populations of those countries are not being displaced, unlike in Punjab, where the native population is migrating, leading to a potentially disastrous demographic shift. To raise awareness, Khaira announced plans to tour the state and educate people about the importance of the proposed legislation. Approximately 75 to 80 lakh Punjabis have migrated abroad, while around 50 lakh migrants from other states have settled in Punjab. They have taken over small trades, such as selling fruits and vegetables, running rehris, and working in sanitary and hardware industries, as well as industrial labour. They are also buying small houses in city centres, while locals move to the outskirts into bigger homes, he said. He further claimed that migrants from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Nepal, and Bangladesh have increasingly settled in Punjab. Muslims and Gujjars have also established communities here. If this trend is not curtailed, Punjabis, particularly Sikhs, will become a minority in their own motherland within a few decades. When asked why other political parties had not supported his cause, Khaira replied, The Akalis, as a regional party, should have taken this up, but they have not. The BJP benefits from the non-Punjabi population moving to the state, and it suits the AAP as well. The Congress fears losing its vote bank among Jat Sikhs if they take a stand. In a letter dated November 30 to Speaker Sandhwan, Khaira reiterated his demand to introduce the Private Member Bill in the upcoming winter session of the Vidhan Sabha. As you are aware, I submitted the said bill on January 23, 2023, for discussion. I once again request its introduction in the winter session to allow a fair debate. Let the people of Punjab know the stance of their elected representatives on this vital issue. If the bill is defeated, I will withdraw my argument, he wrote.
Himachal to set up modern libraries, 493 planned in first: CM
Shimla, Himachal Pradesh plans to establish 493 modern libraries at various levels with an estimated cost of Rs 88 crore. The state introduces ranking systems for educational institutions and new systems for recording Annual Confidential Reports. Efforts include enhancing administrative powers for principals and modernizing medical and primary education.
Railway track electrification gathers pace at 20km/day
NEW DELHI: The Indian Railways has electrified 97% of broad gauge tracks at a pace of 20 km every day to meet the target of net zero carbon emissions by 2030. The Railways has taken up electrification of broad gauge rail lines in a mission mode. Since 2014-15, the IR has completed electrification of about 45,200 kms of tracks, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in a reply in Lok Sabha. He said electrification has jumped from 1.42 km tracks per day during 2004-14 to 19.7 during 2023-24. Electric traction is not only more environment-friendly but also about 70% more economical than diesel tractions, the minister said. Reliable power supply is crucial for electric train operations. The system incorporates multiple safeguards, including connections to the national grid through state and central transmission utilities, he said. Electrification is being carried out in a mission mode because the national transporter is aiming to become green railways. Many of its zones have achieved 100 percent electrification, Vaishnaw said. In this context, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is accelerating electrification projects on all un-electrified broad gauge routes within its jurisdiction to meet its targets of net zero carbon emissions and 100 percent electrification. Among all railway zones spearheading this initiative, NFR is actively progressing with electrification of the remaining BG routes under its purview. A senior railways official told this newspaper said that a budget of `8,070 crore was allocated for electrification in FY 2023-24. In 14 states the railways has achieved full electrification of tracks and it is nearing completion in 8-9 states, the official said, adding all broad gauge rail lines will be fully electrified by this year-end. UP has electrified 8,546 km of broad gauge rail lines, followed by Maharashtra (5,815 km), Madhya Pradesh (4,944 km), Andhra Pradesh (3,841 km), Bihar (3,802 km), Odisha (2,901 km), Punjab (2,288 km), Telangana (1,923 km), Haryana (1,780 km), Chhattisgarh (1,279 km), Kerala (1,046 km), J&K (396 km), Uttarakhand (347 km) and Himachal Pradesh (67 km). Meanwhile, Vaishnaw on Saturday inspected a track slab manufacturing factory for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project near Surat in Gujarat. Vaishnaw said all the equipment at the factory in Kim was brought from Japan before their manufacturing was started in India, which will be beneficial for future construction projects.
Woman 'Bullies' Kashmiri Shawl Sellers In Himachal, Case Filed
A panchayat official caught on camera warning two shawl sellers from Kashmir against trading their wares in Himachal Pradesh was booked for promoting disharmony and insulting religious sentiments, officials said.
Himachal Pradesh Records 3rd Driest November In Over 100 Years
Himachal Pradesh saw the third driest November in over a hundred years, receiving just 0.2 mm of rainfall against 19.7 mm considered normal, the weather office said on Saturday.
The Himachal Pradesh government faced criticism for issuing notices to a bus conductor and driver after an audio clip with defamatory remarks against political leaders was allegedly played in their bus. A complaint led to a fact-finding enquiry which was later dropped upon finding the allegations baseless. Criticism also arose from a previous CID enquiry regarding misplaced samosas.
With just 0.2 mm of rainfall, Himachal sees third driest November since 1901
Himachal Pradesh experienced its third driest November in over a century, with only 0.2 mm of rainfall compared to the normal 19.7 mm, resulting in a 99 percent deficit. Eleven out of twelve districts reported a complete lack of rain, except for Lahaul and Spiti. Light rain or snow is predicted in some areas from December 1-3.
CM Sukhu led-Himachal government in another controversy as loaded trucks on 110-year-old `The Ridge
CHANDIGARH: Controversies do not seem to end for the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government in Himachal Pradesh, as loaded trucks were recently seen on the 110-year-old The Ridge in Shimla, a zone where vehicles are prohibited. This prompted the former Deputy Mayor to file a complaint with the state police. The locals were left fuming after a video went viral on social media in which one could see two loaded trucks, parked right next to the historic church in Shimla on The Ridge. Former Deputy Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation and CPI(M) leader Tikender Singh Panwar has filed a police complaint demanding action against people and officials who allowed parking of vehicles and installation of temporary stalls at The Ridge in Shimla. Sharing two videos along with his complaint, Panwar today called for the registration of an FIR regarding the parking of two trucks and a large crane on The Ridge, a vulnerable zone where no vehicular movement is permitted. In his complaint to Shimla's Superintendent of Police, Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi, Panwar demanded action against the owners of the trucks and crane, the police officials who allowed the vehicles to park in the area, as well as officials from the Shimla district administration and the Home Department for permitting social and public functions in this restricted zone. The complaint further said that functions are being held on The Ridge despite the high court's order not to organise events there. I request you to take it urgently, failing which I will be forced to knock on the doors of the High Court of Himachal Pradesh which has already decided not to allow such functions at the Ridge. Still holding these functions invites contempt of their orders, it reads. Panwar also highlighted that stalls are being set up on The Ridge, placing undue pressure on the tanks, despite a clear directive from the Himachal Pradesh High Court prohibiting any such activities in the area. He argued that The Ridge is being gradually transformed into a commercial space. Panwar urged the people of Shimla to speak out against these practices and protect the integrity of the historic site. When contacted, police confirmed that they had received the complaint. Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan yesterday removed the stalls in The Ridge area and instructed officials to find out who allowed them. There is a huge water tank under The Ridge, and such a huge structure cannot be built here as it could put pressure on the area, he said. The historic Ridge is located in the heart of Shimla and houses Christ Church, a neo-Gothic structure built in 1844 and a Tudorbethan-styled library building constructed in 1910, besides statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Y S Parmar, the first chief minister of Himachal Pradesh. There are large tanks that can hold 45 lakh litres of water were built under The Ridge during British rule. The tanks supply drinking water to households in the city. The Ridge lies in sinking zones and cracks have been developing in regular intervals since 2000. The foundation area towards Rivoli Theatre and Ice Skating Rink has been sinking. The vehicles are banned on The Ridge and only ambulances are allowed. This is the third controversy which has hit the government in the recent past after the samosa and toilet tax controversies.
ISB Data Science Summit 2024 addresses emerging technologies and cyber security challenges
Hyderabad: The ISB Institute of Data Science (IIDS) organised a day-long Summit on Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, Retail Analytics, Cyber Security, and Ethical AI. The summit brought participants together to learn about how leading companies are leveraging generative AI in retail and combating the risks emerging from it. The event was inaugurated by Mr. Gareth Wynn Owen, British Deputy High Commissioner, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh; Ms. Laura Baldwin, South Asia Cyber Lead, British High Commission; Prof. Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB; and Prof. Manish Gangwar, Executive Director, IIDS. Ms. Laura Baldwin, South Asia Cyber Lead, British High Commission, spoke about the importance of the UK-India partnership on cyber and technology. The UK looks forward to continuing our strong bilateral cooperation, enhancing this through the UK-India Technology Security Initiative launched by our respective Prime Ministers in July. Together, the UK and India can harness the best of our capabilities to build resilience and advocate for a free, open, peaceful, and secure cyberspace. This will deliver prosperity and security for our two countries and globally. Prof. Madan Pillutla, Dean, ISB, spoke of the importance of being a research-based business school as one of the institutions core values, and this summit is a highlight of such dissemination of research among industry practitioners and researchers. He highlighted that the Summit focuses on tackling the adverse effects of data science and AI-based technologies. Speaking about the event, Prof. Manish Gangwar, Executive Director, IIDS, highlighted the current research initiatives related to cyber security, piracy-malware nexus, healthcare AI, e-commerce, health insurance, medicine supply chain, and mule account detection. He highlighted the Regulation, Education, and Detection (RED) framework to tackle misuse of Gen AI and curb misinformation and deepfakes. The Data Science Summit 2024 saw a confluence of 30+ speakers across organisations like IBM, Amazon AWS, Microsoft, Flipkart, Infosys, Ernst Young, PwC, Aditya Birla, Cyber Peace Foundation, Times of India, UltraTech Cement, and government representation from Himachal Pradesh Police, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Police Academy, Indian Army, British High Commission. The event featured multiple speaker sessions and panel discussions of leading experts from academia and industry in the field.
BJP slams Himachal government's 4 day winter session, accuses it of avoiding accountability
BJP criticizes the Himachal Pradesh government over a four-day assembly session, accusing it of avoiding accountability. BJP MLA Randhir Sharma alleges that the short session and the Assembly Speaker's actions reveal government bias. The BJP plans to hold the government accountable despite the limited session duration.
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Sukhu asks Centre for special industrial package
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, who met Union Minister Piyush Goyal in Delhi also sought restart of transport subsidy scheme for hilly terrains and funds for industrial infrastructure
Reservoirs live storage capacity at 82 pc, significant increase from last year: CWC
New Delhi: The Central Water Commission (CWC) reported that the live storage in 155 major reservoirs across India stood at 147.943 billion cubic metres (BCM) as of Thursday which represents 82% of the total live storage capacity. This reflects a significant increase compared to last year's 117.4 BCM during the same period. The current levels are also 117 per cent of the average storage over the past decade. According to the weekly bulletin issued by the Central Water Commission, the reservoirs, critical for irrigation, drinking water, and hydropower, displayed varying trends across regions. The northern states, including Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Rajasthan, recorded storage at 57 per cent of capacity lower than the 70 per cent recorded last year. In contrast, the southern region, comprising Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu, reported a robust 84 per cent of live capacity, showing substantial improvement from 43 per cent during the same period in 2023. In Eastern region, storage levels reached 72 per cent of capacity, slightly surpassing last year's 70 per cent while reservoirs here were 93 per cent full, a notable rise from 80 per cent last year in the western region. In central region, covering states like Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the reservoirs held 85 per cent of capacity, improving from 74 per cent in 2023 while the performance was strongest in the southern region, with levels at 84 per cent, significantly higher than historical norms. Regions benefiting from higher-than-average rainfall showed better storage performance. However, areas with deficient rainfall, such as Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, experienced significant storage shortfalls. The report underlined the importance of sustained water management efforts, particularly in regions facing deficient rainfall.It also emphasises optimising the use of available water to meet the growing demands of agriculture, urban areas, and industry.
The directorate, in a letter dated October 1 to the chief secretary of the Himachal Pradesh, explained the situation in the region caused by the illegal mining, the allegations, and their findings in detail, urging the state to initiate action and register FIRs. The state, however, did not take action against the accused persons
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's cabinet in Himachal Pradesh has decided to appoint social media coordinators to improve the image of its ministers and promote their work
SC Raps HP Govt Over Denial of Job to 2014 Asian Games Gold Winner
New Delhi: This is how you encourage sports persons? the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Himachal Pradesh government for reportedly denying employment to an Asian Games gold medallist under the sports quota. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih took exception of the fact that Pooja Thakur, a gold medallist in the 2014 Asian Games, was made to run from pillar to post for years for her employment. This is how you encourage sports persons? Somebody won a gold medal in the Asian games of 2014; your chief minister should have a pragmatic approach...This is the approach of the state while dealing with the sports persons, the bench remarked. The top court, as a result, dismissed the appeal filed by the Himachal Pradesh government against her appointment to the post of excise and taxation officer effective the date of her application to the CM in July, 2015. Thakur won the gold medal in kabaddi during the Asian Games held at Incheon, South Korea in 2014. She was also awarded a silver medal in the 2015 National Games. The state government in its appeal challenged a 2023 high court division bench order, which upheld a single judge's order directing Thakur's appointment to the post. The division bench had refused to interfere with order of the single judge who directed the authorities to offer her appointment to the the post in the Department of Excise and Taxation, Government of Himachal Pradesh, from the date of her application to the then Chief Minister. The high court held she was entitled to all the consequential benefits from such dates including seniority. The high court noted the state authorities were not happy over Thakur reportedly approaching them for appointment to a class-I post by filing two original applications and they were annoyed by it. It is highly unreasonable on the part of the appellants to seek to deny the benefit granted by the learned single judge to the 1st respondent of being appointed against the post of excise and taxation officer in the Department of Excise and Taxation from the date she submitted application to the then chief minister in July, 2015, it said.
SC raps Himachal government for denying job to 2014 Asian Games gold medalist Pooja Thakur
NEW DELHI: This is how you encourage sports persons? the Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Himachal Pradesh government for reportedly denying employment to an Asian Games gold medallist under the sports quota. A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Augustine George Masih took exception of the fact that Pooja Thakur, a gold medallist in the 2014 Asian Games, was made to run from pillar to post for years for her employment. This is how you encourage sports persons? Somebody won a gold medal in the Asian games of 2014; your chief minister should have a pragmatic approach... This is the approach of the state while dealing with the sports persons, the bench remarked. The top court, as a result, dismissed the appeal filed by the Himachal Pradesh government against her appointment to the post of excise and taxation officer effective the date of her application to the CM in July, 2015. Thakur won the gold medal in kabaddi during the Asian Games held at Incheon, South Korea in 2014. She was also awarded a silver medal in the 2015 National Games. The state government in its appeal challenged a 2023 high court division bench order, which upheld a single judge's order directing Thakur's appointment to the post. The division bench had refused to interfere with order of the single judge who directed the authorities to offer her appointment to the the post in the Department of Excise and Taxation, Government of Himachal Pradesh, from the date of her application to the then Chief Minister. The high court held she was entitled to all the consequential benefits from such dates including seniority. The high court noted the state authorities were not happy over Thakur reportedly approaching them for appointment to a class-I post by filing two original applications and they were annoyed by it. It is highly unreasonable on the part of the appellants to seek to deny the benefit granted by the learned single judge to the 1st respondent of being appointed against the post of excise and taxation officer in the Department of Excise and Taxation from the date she submitted application to the then chief minister in July, 2015, it said.
Hemant Soren to take oath as 14th CM of Jharkhand today; top INDIA bloc leaders to attend ceremony
RANCHI: Hemant Soren is set to take oath as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand in a grand ceremony here on Thursday, which will be attended by several top political leaders, including AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Soren at 4 pm. This will be the 49-year-old JMM leader's fourth stint as chief minister. Soren retained the Barhait seat, defeating BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes in the recent assembly polls. The JMM-led alliance stormed to victory , securing 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, while the BJP-led NDA managed 24 seats. Posters for the event can be seen across the city, while security has been strengthened and traffic regulations put in place. Schools in Ranchi city are shut on Thursday in view of the swearing in of the Hemant Soren government. Jharkhand in-charge and Congress general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir said Soren is likely to take oath alone, and expansion of the cabinet will be held after a vote of confidence in the assembly. Hours before taking oath, Soren took to X, asserting that unity is the biggest weapon of people of the state, who can either be divided nor silenced. In an apparent attack on the BJP-led central government, Soren also said whenever hey try to silence us, the revolution grows louder. Let there be no doubt about it - our unity is our biggest weapon. We can neither be divided nor silenced. Whenever they push us back, we move forward. Whenever they try to silence us, our voice of rebellion, revolution grows louder because we are Jharkhandis, and Jharkhandis do not bow down, Soren posted on X in Hindi. Jharkhand: Congress scrambles to take a call on cabinet berths Our fight is firm and unceasing. The struggle continues and will continue till the last breath, he asserted. Terming the day as historic, he said it will further strengthen our collective struggle, the spirit of love and brotherhood and the commitment of Jharkhandis towards justice. When 'deep cracks' are emerging in the social structure, there is a need to resolve for unity, the acting CM said. Soren appealed to people to attend his swearing in ceremony, and also shared the link for live streaming of the event. Other senior political leaders likely to be in attendance are NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, a JMM leader said. CPI(ML)L general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti and Bihar's Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav are also likely to attend the oath-taking ceremony. It's heartening to have such esteemed leaders join us for this important occasion, Soren had said on Wednesday, as he paid a visit to the Morabadi ground to take stock of the arrangements. On Tuesday, Soren had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi, in his first visit to the national capital after leading the alliance to an unprecedented second consecutive term. The JMM achieved its highest-ever tally in the elections, winning 34 of the 43 seats it contested. The Congress secured 16, RJD four, and CPI(ML)L managed two seats in the INDIA bloc. Her story: Record number of women MLAs in Jharkhand House
Jharkhand: Congress scrambles to take a call on cabinet berths
RANCHI: Hemant Soren will take oath as the 14th Jharkhand Chief Minister on Thursday but the Cabinet expansion is likely to take place later. Sources in the JMM-led alliance said that Soren has decided to take oath alone due to differences within the Congress over who will be inducted into the ministry. The cabinet expansion will take place later, state Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir said on Wednesday. The Congress has not yet decided on its ministerial candidates and the legislative party leader. The CPI (M-L), an ally of the JMM, has also not decided whether it will join the Cabinet. It has called a meeting on November 29 to discuss the issue. Sources said the alliance is working on a formula of one ministerial post for every five MLAs. If a consensus is reached on the formula, JMM can get six berths, Congress four and RJD and CPI (M-L) one each. On Tuesday, Soren went to Delhi with his wife Kalpana Soren and met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to discuss ministerial posts for the Congress, but sources said that they failed to reach a consensus. Barring Rameshwar Oraon, Shweta Singh and Nishat Alam, almost all newly elected MLAs are camping in Delhi to secure a ministerial berth. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar will administer the oath of office to Soren at Morhabadi Ground in Ranchi at 4 pm. This will be the 49-year-old leaders fourth stint as CM. Eighteen top leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, of ten parties have given their consent to be present at the oath ceremony. Kharge, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, among others, will attend the oath ceremony. Others expected to attend are Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, CPI(M-L) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, DMK leader Udhayanidhi Stalin, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Sivakumar, and RJD Tejashwi Yadav. Its heartening to have such esteemed leaders join us for this important occasion, said Soren, who along with senior officials paid a visit to Morhabadi Ground on Wednesday evening to take stock of the preparations for the swearing-in ceremony.
Telangana: Congress Govt. Failed on Its Promises, Says BJP Leader
Hyderabad: Former MP and BJP leader Boora Narsaiah Goud stated that the condition of people in the state has become worse than the BRS rule. Promises like Rythu Bharosa is not being implemented and farmers are only getting benefits of PM Kisan Yojna from the Centre. Addressing the media at party headquarters here on Wednesday he said, People had expected that there would be a democratic government. However, they were taken for a ride and now their situation is like one falling from the hearth to the fire. They cheated the people in Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. Promises like Rs 2,500 for Mahalakshmi scheme were to be implemented in 100 days but only the free bus scheme is being implemented and the cost is borne by the RTC as the government has not reimbursed it the Rs 3,000 crore amount. Goud said that 30 per cent of the farmers could not avail the loan waiver scheme as those having a debt of above Rs 1 lakh were not eligible. The senior citizens are still awaiting payment of Rs 4,000 as pension. He said the Congress did not win even 50 seats in four states that went to polls recently. The BJP bagged beyond what the exit polls predicted with 134 seats in Maharashtra. The Congress was rejected as people realised that the party makes empty promises. The government should implement the 42 per cent reservation for BCs based on the caste data which will be available by December 15, he said.
Soren set to take oath Jharkhand's 14th CM on Thursday, top INDIA bloc leaders to attend ceremony
RANCHI: Hemant Soren is set to take oath as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand in a grand ceremony at Morabadi Ground here on Thursday, with several prominent political leaders and dignitaries, including key members of the INDIA bloc, expected to attend. Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar will administer the oath of office and secrecy to Soren at 4 pm. This will be the 49-year-old JMM leader's fourth stint as chief minister. Soren retained the Barhait seat by defeating BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes in the recently held Assembly polls. I'm grateful to the people of Jharkhand for their continued trust in our leadership, Soren said, adding, This victory reflects the aspirations of the people, and we will work towards fulfilling them. In the recent Assembly elections, Soren's JMM-led alliance stormed to victory, securing 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, while the BJP-led NDA managed 24 seats. This is a victory of the people and their vision for a peaceful and progressive Jharkhand, Soren said in his victory speech. Confirmed attendees at the ceremony include Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, NCP chief Sharad Pawar, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann, and Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Other notable leaders expected to attend are CPI(ML) general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray, Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav, PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti, Udhayanidhi Stalin from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka Deputy CM D K Sivakumar, and Bihar's Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav. It's heartening to have such esteemed leaders join us for this important occasion, said Soren, who along with senior officials paid a visit to Morabadi ground on Wednesday evening to take stock of the preparations for the swearing-in ceremony. On Tuesday, Soren met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his first visit to the national capital after leading his alliance to an unprecedented second consecutive term. I had a constructive meeting with the Prime Minister, where we discussed Jharkhand's growth and development. His support is valuable as we move forward with our plans, Soren said. He was accompanied by his wife, Kalpana, who was also elected as an MLA in the recent elections. Soren also met Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, as well as AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, inviting them to the swearing-in ceremony. We are united in our goal to work for the betterment of Jharkhand and its people, he added. The JMM achieved its highest-ever tally in the elections, winning 34 of the 43 seats it contested. Congress secured 16, RJD 4, and CPI(ML) bagged 2 seats in the INDIA bloc. According to the power-sharing arrangement, the RJD is expected to receive one ministerial berth. We are committed to working together with our alliance partners to ensure a stable and prosperous future for the state, Soren remarked. On Sunday, Soren met Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar to stake his claim to form the government, shortly after being unanimously elected as the legislature party leader by the INDIA bloc in the state. The people of Jharkhand have given us their mandate, and we are ready to serve them with dedication and resolve, Soren said. He will officiate as the acting Chief Minister until the formal oath-taking ceremony.
CBI Arrests Two EPFO Officials In Rs 10 Lakh Bribery Case
Shimla, Nov 27: The CBI arrested two officers of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and a consultant on Wednesday for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh. The accused regional provident fund commissioner and enforcement officer, both posted at the EPFO-Baddi in Solan district of Himachal Pradesh, and the consultant were arrested for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10 lakh (Rs 5 lakh in cash and an equal amount in self cheques) from the [] The post CBI Arrests Two EPFO Officials In Rs 10 Lakh Bribery Case appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
After her video harassing two Kashmiri shawl sellers went viral triggering widespread outrage, the Himachal Pradesh woman has tendered an apology.
Trekking above 3,000 metres in Himachals Kangra district temporarily banned
Dharamshala (HP), Nov 27: Trekking activities above 3,000 metres in the Dhauladhar range of Himachal Pradeshs Kangra district have been prohibited until further notice, announced Deputy Commissioner (DC) Hemraj Bairwa on Wednesday. The DC explained that the order was issued to ensure public safety, given the regions harsh topography and the risks associated with winter snowfall. As per the directive, prior permission from the Superintendent of Police (SP) Kangra is required for trekking on low-altitude routes such as Kareri, Triund [] The post Trekking above 3,000 metres in Himachals Kangra district temporarily banned appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
