Modi dares Congress to make Muslim president

CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly defended the Waqf Act and attacked the Congress opposition to it as nothing but the partys appeasement policy. Addressing a rally at Hisar in Haryana on the birth anniversary of Dr B R Ambedkar, he dared the Congress to select a Muslim as its president or allocate 50% of tickets to Muslim candidates if it truly cared for the community. Before the rally, Modi laid the foundation stone of the new terminal building of the Maharaja Agrasen Airport worth over Rs 410 crore and flagged off a commercial flight to Ayodhya. He reiterated his promise that even those wearing slippers would fly in aeroplanes, saying that the vision is now being realised countrywide. Modi accused the Congress of turning SCs, STs, and OBCs into second-class citizens when in power. He cited the case of Karnataka, where the government turned the reservations for SCs, STs, and OBCs into an appeasement tool, granting reservations in government tenders based on religion. He said that the Constitution has no such provision. The PM said the Congress appeasement policies significantly harmed the Muslim community, benefiting only a few and leaving the rest of society uneducated and impoverished. On the availability of vast tracts of land under Waqf boards, the PM said that they were meant to benefit the poor, destitute women and children but were exploited by a handful of land mafia. He claimed that the mafia was encroaching on lands belonging to SCs, tribals and backward classes, leaving the Pasmanda Muslim community without any benefits. Defending the new Waqf Act, he said the amendments would end such exploitation, ensuring that Waqf Boards cannot touch tribal lands. He described this as a major step in protecting tribal interests. Insulted Ambedkar PM Modi said that the Congress insulted B R Ambedkar during its rule, orchestrated his electoral defeats, and conspired to exclude him from the system. After his death, the Congress also tried to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas, the PM claimed, adding that the grand old party spread the virus of vote-bank politics in the country. Double standard On implementing Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand, PM Modi accused the Congress of having double standards on secularism. The Constitution talks about a secular civil code, but Congress never implemented it. Today, UCC has been implemented in Uttarakhand. Unfortunately, the Congress is opposing this, he said.

A Corn-Clad Wonderland: Sainji Village and Its Rich Garhwali Traditions

Nestled in the lush hills of Uttarakhand, Sainji Village is no ordinary settlementits fondly known as the Corn Village for a reason. Here, maize isnt just a crop; its a way of life. Strolling through the village, youll see golden corn cobs strung across windows, balconies, and doorways, creating a spectacle that symbolises prosperity and [] The post A Corn-Clad Wonderland: Sainji Village and Its Rich Garhwali Traditions appeared first on NorthEast Now .

Uttarakhand Board Results 2025 On April 19: Websites, Passing Marks

Uttarakhand Board Results 2025: The Uttarakhand Board exams for Classes 10 and 12 were conducted from February 21 to March 11.

Congress insulted Ambedkar, reduced SCs, STs and OBCs into second class citizens: PM Modi

CHANDIGARH: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday accused the Congress party of reducing the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and OBCs into second-class citizens while in power. The Prime Minister's accusation came on the birth anniversary of social reformer and chief architect of Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar. Modi was addressing a rally in Hisar after laying foundation stone for a new terminal building at Majaraja Agrasen Airport worth over Rs 410 crore and flagging off a flight to Ayodhya. Launching an all-out attack on the Congress, Modi said that the Congress party's opposition to the Waqf (Amendment) Act, benefitted only a few extremists while leaving the rest of the community neglected, uneducated and impoverished. The Prime Minister said if the Congress truly cared for the Muslim community, the party would have appointed a Muslim as their party president or allocated 50 per cent of tickets during elections to Muslim candidates. He stated that the new provisions will honor the sanctity of Waqf, ensuring that the rights of poor and Pasmanda Muslim families, women, and children are upheld. He affirmed that this reflects the true spirit of the constitution and genuine social justice. The Constitution talks about a secular civil code, but Congress never implemented it. Today, uniform civil code has been implemented in Uttarakhand. Unfortunately, the Congress is opposing this, he said. He criticized the Congress for its treatment of Ambedkar, stating that while he was alive, they insulted him, orchestrated his electoral defeats twice, and conspired to exclude him from the system. He remarked that after Babasahebs passing, the party also attempted to erase his legacy and suppress his ideas. He highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar was the protector of the Constitution, whereas they became its destroyer. He stated that while Dr. Ambedkar aimed to bring equality, Congress spread the virus of vote-bank politics in the country. Modi remarked that Ambedkar envisioned a life of dignity for every poor and marginalized individual, enabling them to dream and fulfill their aspirations. Criticizing the Congress rule during which the SC, ST, and OBC communities faced significant barriers, with even access to banks being a distant dream, the Prime Minister said that insurance, loans, and financial assistance were mere aspirations for them. He highlighted that under the BJP government led by him, the largest beneficiaries of Jan Dhan accounts are from SC, ST, and OBC communities. He proudly noted that today, these individuals confidently showcase their RuPay cards, symbolizing their financial inclusion and empowerment. Reiterating his promise that even those wearing slippers would fly in airplanes, a vision now being realized across the country, Modi highlighted that in the past ten years, millions of Indians have experienced air travel for the first time. He noted that new airports have been built even in areas that previously lacked proper railway stations, sharing that before 2014, India had 74 airports, a number achieved in 70 years while today, the number of airports has surpassed 150. He emphasized that nearly 90 aerodromes have been connected under the UDAN scheme, with over 600 routes operational, enabling affordable air travel for many. Hisar Airport will elevate the aspirations of Haryanas youth, providing them with new opportunities and dreams, he added.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami Honored by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Mahamanch for Implementing UCC in Uttarakhand

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was honored by the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Mahamanch at a program held in Haridwar for implementing the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Uttarakhand.

SC upholds govt jobs for 600 villagers affected by Naini-Saini Airport construction in Uttarakhand

The Supreme Court supported villagers who lost land for the Naini-Saini airport. The court dismissed Uttarakhand government's appeal. Over 600 villagers are now entitled to government jobs. These jobs were promised in 2006. The villagers formed a group to fight for their rights. The High Court had earlier ordered the government to provide jobs.

One state, many missed chances

BENGALURU: As a tourist destination, Karnataka lives up to its tagline: One State, Many Worlds. But for snow, the state offers everything that a tourist needs to relax and rejuvenate. Yet, to become the top preferred destination for all travellers, the authorities need to learn a little more about tourism, and adopt some of the best practices from destinations drawing higher footfalls, to improve facilities in the state. Stakeholders, tour operators, industry experts and tourism officials point out that the Karnataka government needs to watch out for early trends and work fast to catch them, like the Ramayana Circuit, vegetarian and highway tourism. Karnataka ranks fourth in India in the domestic tourism category, and is at 12 in international tourism. Experts suggest there is a lot of scope for improvement, especially when it comes to basics like wayside facilities and services. A 150km trip outside Bengaluru, and the world changes. There are poorly maintained wayside amenities, hotels and restaurants. Simple facilities like washrooms become a concern. The focus of the government is Bengaluru. But this is not the case with states like Tamil Nadu or Kerala, said Shobhith B, a software professional and avid traveller. A tourism official likens the situation to too many cooks spoiling the broth, As per standards, there should be a restroom facility every 60km. Construction of toilets along roads is the task of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Public Works Department (PWD), but the onus of maintaining them is on the property owner or district administration. Approval and funding rests with the finance department. Their construction and maintenance will benefit the tourism sector, which is not happening. Karnataka recorded 4.85 lakh international tourist arrivals in 2024, up from 4.01 lakh tourists in 2023. The number of domestic tourists stood at 30.46crore in 2024, compared to 28.35 crore in 2023. Snatching opportunities Stakeholders said the government and tourism department are not making the most of opportunities available to them in attracting tourists. A consultant working with the department, who did not want to be identified, said: There is overcrowding in Goa. Udhagamandalam (Ooty) is losing out on tourism because of the recent introduction of entry pass. This can become a golden opportunity for Karnataka to promote its destinations, but the trend was not studied in advance, to compete and improve facilities for this tourist season in places like Karwar, Gokarna, Mangaluru, Talacauvery, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru or Sakleshpur. They continue to be looked at as short-haul weekend getaways. The consultant added that the government has been over-promoting Hampi, while Belur, Halebidu, Pattadakal and Aihole, which are also Unesco heritage sites and have a lot of potential, have not been given equal priority. Tourists visiting Gokarna and Goa stretch to Hampi and vice-versa. But in case of other sites, there is nothing beyond them to see and do. More so, there are no basic facilities, including tourist security and availability of well-trained guides. This has been well understood by Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and now even Uttar Pradesh. Other states score as all their heritage properties are being given equal importance, he added. Consultants have also suggested to officials that instead of travelling overseas, they should travel to other states, especially North India, to learn about opportunities like highway tourism, which is becoming popular across India. With many people buying high-end cars and SUVs, and the Central government improving the road network, people now prefer to drive long distances instead of depending on buses or trains. This is a big opportunity Karnataka should immediately tap, the consultant added. Affordability and packages In multiple meetings, stakeholders who study tourist trends pointed out that when domestic tourism is the pulse of Karnataka, it should be made more affordable. But at present, domestic tourism is costly compared to international travel. The tourism department, in coordination with hoteliers and experts, should work on designing affordable tourism packages for all categories of travellers. These packages should be dynamic and customised, depending on trends and types of travellers. Also, the government should only regulate tourism and ease the process of issuing sanctions, permissions and certifications. But due to red tape and multiple restrictions, hoteliers lose interest in offering additional facilities and services to tourists. This is where Karnataka loses out to other states, said a consultant working with the government. The government is also concentrating on developing and enhancing infrastructure in select sites like Hampi and Gokarna. Prolonged delays in clearing projects around other promising places like Aihole, Pattadakal, Belur, Halebidu and even Lakkundi, is affecting footfall, said a hotelier. Government agencies need to understand that no one travels alone. India, especially Karnataka, is not ready to accept and support solo women travellers. So if a couple or family is travelling, packages should be subsidised and customised to their needs to make tourists happy. They should understand that more than the governments marketing, it is word of mouth and feedback from tourists that increases footfall, added the hotelier, who did not want to be named as he works closely with the government. Improving domestic tourism Syama Raju, president, Karnataka Tourism Society, said domestic tourism is picking up in Karnataka, when compared to international travel. There is a lot of scope for improvement, especially in the creation of wayside amenities, first- and last-mile connectivity from airports in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, improved flight connectivity under the Udaan scheme, chain of good hotels and hygiene. Sundar Singaram, Director - Operations, South Indian Hotels and Restaurants Association, said domestic travel has also become costly because of airfare. Airlines tend to raise fares when they see a rise in bookings. They grasp the trends very fast. Charges further increase depending on availability and quality of facilities at tourist locations, he said. This is where international destinations like Nepal, Indonesia, Thailand and Sri Lanka are scoring. Hotels, tour operators and government agencies should collectively keep a close watch on changing lifestyles and market trends. For example, the thrust this year is on family and religious tourism. Many tourists are now looking for Vegetarian Only places. Stakeholders and government agencies should be flexible to adapt to market changes quickly and design unique packages to catch the crowd. Though the Maha Kumbh mela has ended, people are still going to Prayagraj and continuing to Ram Temple in Ayodhya and Sita Kund in Gaya, Bihar. The trend this season is the Ramayana Circuit, which Karnataka should have tapped, admitted a tourism department official, not wanting to be named. S Mahalingaiah, secretary, Karnataka Tourism Society, said Karnataka gets a large number of tourists from Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad and South Chennai who prefer places like Dandeli, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, K Gudi, Bandipur, or temples in Shravanabelagola, Kukke Subramanya, Dharmasthala, Udupi, Murudeshwar, Jain Basadis and Kollur. The biggest competition for Karnataka is from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Tamil Nadu and now even Hyderabad. Thus a lot of effort is needed to explore the states maximum potential. Fill the gaps Commenting on gaps in what is planned on paper and what is seen on the ground, a tourism ministry official said, The problem is not just in Karnataka, but states across India. It is the lack of aggressive marketing and promotion of destinations on international and domestic platforms. All that it is promoted on international platforms is the Taj Mahal, Hampi, Goa, Ranthambore and Gir. On domestic platforms, it is Hampi, Karwar, Murudeshwar, Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Mysuru. But there are many more places and private destinations that should be included in the list. The government needs to learn from Italy, Japan or even West Asia, where every year something new is promoted along with older destinations. How a destination is packaged is also important. All international websites have a window where tourist destinations and native language is promoted. This is lacking here. S Shanmugham, member, Tourism Committee, Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI), said the government should pay special attention to improve last-mile connectivity from bus stands, railway stations and airports in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities to tourist destinations, hotels and resorts. Dependence on private transport and exploitation is a concern. Shanmugham added that most of the tourist spots are in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, where infrastructure, affordable hotels and hygiene need to be maintained. These are the basics tourists look for and take back. This will not just help attract more tourists, but also improve the economy and boost employment. Official speak Karnataka Tourism Director KV Rajendra said the tourism sector in the state is thriving largely on domestic tourism, which makes up 70-90% of footfalls, depending on the season and occasion. Addressing concern over the delay in providing facilities in certain locations, he said it is a Catch-22 situation. As tourists point to the need, stakeholders and financiers see no quick returns. Thus the government has taken up the task of constructing three-star hotels which will be operated by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) in select locations, including Belur, Pattadakal, Aihole and in coastal areas. We are also preparing a demand and supply report of each location to undertake development-based infrastructure works, he said, adding that to close the last-mile connectivity gap, talks are being held with bus operators and hoteliers in most tourist locations. Rajendra said work is on to improve infrastructure and food and beverage setups along the coast and in North Karnataka. Talks with NHAI and PWD are being held to improve wayside amenities. A regulatory mechanism is also being worked on for constant checks and feedback. MANY WORLDS Preferred destinations: Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, Sakleshpur, Hampi, Bandipur and Nagarahole reserves Potential destination: Belur, Halebidu, Pattadakal, coastal areas spread across 320km Lesser-known spots: As per state archaeology and tourism departments, there are over 80,000 heritage sites which are barely explored. Apart from Lakkundi and Yana caves, there are 22 lesser-known beach locations, including Pannambur, Kasargod, Kapu and Sasihithlu TOUGH COMPETITION A team of consultants and stakeholders has prepared a list of locations which face tough competition with other states, and which need special attention. Coorg and Mysuru compete with Wayanad and Ooty Coastal Karnataka competes with Kasargod, Goa and Puducherry Wildlife tourism destinations compete with Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat Temple towns compete with those in Tamil Nadu

Atleast 170 madrasas sealed in Uttarakhand, CM calls it historic step

At least 170 madrasas have been sealed across Uttarakhand in recent days, with state officials citing a lack of registration with the Madrasa Board or the education department as the reason. In Haldwanis Muslim-majority Banbhulpura area, a joint team comprising officials from the district administration, municipal corporation, and local police conducted a special inspection on 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 .

Silkyara Tunnel set for breakthrough on April 16

DEHRADUN: The Silkyara Tunnel on the Yamunotri Highway, a crucial part of the Char Dham Yatra route, is set for a breakthrough on April 16. According to officials privy to the matter, only three metres of the tunnel are left to be cleared. Preparations are under way for a ceremony to commemorate this milestone. Both CM Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari are slated to attend the event, said an official. The executing agency has, however, clarified that significant work needs to be done before the Yamunotri Highway tunnel is open to traffic. According to the agency, even after the tunnel becomes passable, another year will be dedicated to installing the necessary modern infrastructure. Following the breakthrough, it will take approximately one year to equip the tunnel with modern facilities, such as benching, inverts, final lining, and a central wall, along with soil removal, a spokesperson for the executing agency stated, adding, Only after this extensive work will the tunnel be opened for traffic flow. This timeline indicates that while the breakthrough on April 16 marks a crucial step, commuters and pilgrims using the Char Dham route will need to wait longer before experiencing the full benefits of the tunnelised section of the highway. The Silkyara-Polgaon tunnel, approximately 4.5 km in length, was launched in 201819 with a budget of `853.79 crore. It may be recalled that a harrowing cave-in had trapped 41 construction workers for 17 days in November 2023. The construction work was resumed after two months in January 2024. The project is a part of the Narendra Modi governments Char Dham road project aimed at improving connectivity to pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand. Seventeen months after the Silkyara Tunnel collapse, last Monday, Col Deepak Patil, former General Manager (Project) at NHIDCL, emphasised the importance of tunnels in disaster-prone regions. Addressing officials at the R S Tolia Uttarakhand Academy of Administrations Disaster Management cell in Nainital virtually, Col Patil noted, Tunnels can serve as a lifeline in disaster-prone regions, providing a safe and reliable means of transportation. He also warned about the potential dangers of constructing multi-storey buildings in such areas. In his 150-minute virtual address, Col Patil reiterated that tunnels are vital in Himalayan infrastructure. He urged that tunnels should get priority in road projects to minimise environmental damage. He further cautioned against river-path routes.

With two ends of Silkyara set to meet this week, excavation work for tunnel project to be complete

After months of setbacks following a collapse in November 2023, the Silkyara tunnel project in Uttarakhand is set to achieve a breakthrough on Wednesday. Excavation will be completed, paving the way for the 4.5 km tunnel to be operational within a year. Despite a probe revealing negligence, the government has decided to proceed with the Char Dham Road connectivity project.

7 madrasas sealed in Uttarakhands Haldwani over registration issues

Seven madrasas have been sealed in Uttarakhands Haldwani district on Sunday, April 13. Officials say they were operating without proper registration. A team of officials from the distinct administration, municipal and police inspected the seven madrasas in the Muslim-majority Banbhulpura area. Even as madaras members tried to reason out that an inspection was conducted last 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 .

Demolition notice to slumdwellers against natural justice: Uttarakhand HC

Nainital: Uttarakhand High Court has stayed the razing of homes of slumdwellers in the Vikas Nagar area of Dehradun, saying the demolition notices contravened the principles of natural justice. Hearing a PIL on Saturday because of the urgency of the matter, a division bench of Chief Justice G Narendar and Justice Ashish Naithani said the 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 .

Man Attacks Wife With Screwdriver For Giving Birth To Girl In Uttarakhand, Alleges Family; Case Filed

A woman in Uttarakhand was attacked by her husband with a screwdriver after she gave birth to a girl, the victim's family alleged. The police have filed a case and arrested the accused.

Man Attacks Wife With Screwdriver For Giving Birth To Girl In Uttarakhand

A woman in Uttarakhand was attacked by her husband with a screwdriver after she gave birth to a girl, the victim's family alleged. The police have filed a case and arrested the accused.

UK Board Class 10th and 12th result release date announced: When and how to check

The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) will declare the Class 10 and 12 results for 2025 on April 19 at 11 AM via a press conference. Students can access their scorecards on the official website, ubse.uk.gov.in. The online mark sheet is provisional, and the original will be available later through respective schools.

126 lightning deaths recorded in East, Central India between April 10-12

NEW DELHI: At least 126 deaths due to lightning have been recorded in Central and Eastern India, mostly in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, over the past two days. The region received thunderstorms and lightning on April 10-11. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that continued extreme weather conditions, along with strong winds and hailstorms will prevail in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and eastern India for the next few days. An advisory has been issued urging the public to take precautions. According to the State Disaster Management Authority of Bihar, at least 82 people lost their lives in the state as a result of thunderstorms and lightning between April 10 and 11. Meanwhile, officials from the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management reported that at least 23 people were killed across various districts, particularly near the Nepal border. Chhattisgarh report six followed by Jharkhand five and Odisha four. Nepal has also confirmed that at least eight people have died from lightning. Central Indian states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, along with Eastern States like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Odisha, are among the most lightning-vulnerable regions. Tribals and lower strata of the society are the most vulnerable. Their housing patterns and reliance on the land contribute to their vulnerability. However, these death could be preventable as the IMD has issued a warning for thunderstorms accompanied by rainfall and lightning across eastern and central regions of the country, including Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. In contrast, western regions like Gujarat are expected to experience heatwaves. An IMD scientist noted that on April 9, thundercloud formations developed over Haryana, Uttarakhand, and adjacent areas, moving toward eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, bringing with them lightning. Lightning, thunderstorms kill 61 in Bihar; CM Nitish Kumar announces Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia Lightning is caused by two main factors: moisture and heat. The weather conditions over the past week have created a conducive environment to lightning incidents. Dry conditions resulting from extreme heat last week, combined with the influx of moisture due to a western disturbance and cyclonic circulation over Rajasthan and Punjab, have intensified thunderstorm activity accompanied by lightning, explained Debashish Jena, a weather scientist and research scholar at G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Uttarakhand. Col. Sanjay Srivastava, the Convener of the Lightning Resilient India Campaign and also chairman of Climate Resilience Observing System Promotion Council (CROPC), stated that casualties from lightning strikes are entirely preventable and criticized state governments for not implementing adequate measures to minimize these deaths. CROPC document lightning related casualty and damage. Recently, states like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have reduced lightning-related fatalities by nearly 70% within a relatively short timeframe, Srivastava noted. He also explained that the IMD had issued early warnings to disaster management authorities in each district about the potential for lightning events. However, district magistrates, who serve as the chairpersons of the District Disaster Management Authority, seldom engage in public awareness campaigns. These campaigns are crucial for informing people about safety measures, such as avoiding open fields and not seeking shelter under trees during storms, Srivastava added. According to the Lightning Detection Network of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), lightning strikes in India increased by 53% between 2019 and 2023. In some states, the rise exceeds 300%. Lightning incidents include both inter-cloud (IC) and cloud-to-ground (CG) events, which have surged from 13.8 million in 2019-20 to 20 million in 2022-23. Scientists are particularly concerned about the rise in CG lightning strikes, as these incidents primarily result in damage to human lives and property. Our data shows that CG lightning strikes rose from 5.16 million to 7.26 million in the past three years, which is a major concern, stated Srivastava. Experts believe that the increase in lightning is a stark indication of climate change. Global warming has intensified the heat, leading to a rise in sea surface temperatures and the melting of ice in the Himalayas and other mountains worldwide, which results in increased moisture in the atmosphere,said Dr.Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department. Additionally, the region encompassing the central river basins of the Ganges, Sone, and Mahanadi, as well as the mountain ranges of Vindhyachal, Satpura, Kaimur, and Vidarbha, is particularly prone to lightning strikes, leading to significant casualties. Over the past two decades, 75% of fatalities occurred in just eight states, primarily located in these high-risk areas. Madhya Pradesh leads in casualties, followed by Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.

Delhi to witness cloudy skies, thunderstorms predicted in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh

Delhi is expected to have cloudy skies with no heatwave conditions, as per the IMD. The maximum temperature is likely to reach 37 degrees Celsius. Thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds are forecasted for East and North East India in the coming days. Several regions of Himachal Pradesh have experienced rainfall, with some areas witnessing light snowfall.

Gucchi Mushrooms: A Cultural Heritage

Manu Kotwal Gucchi mushrooms, scientifically known as Morchella esculenta, have been a vital component of the Himalayan cultural landscape for centuries. Their history is deeply intertwined with the traditions, culinary practices, and community life of the regions where they flourish, notably in the picturesque landscapes of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. Origins and Traditional Uses Gucchi mushrooms thrive in the temperate climates of high-altitude forests, rising from the earth where conditions are optimal. Their values date back to [] The post Gucchi Mushrooms: A Cultural Heritage appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

5 family members killed as SUV falls into Alaknanda river

New Tehri: Five people of a family from Faridabad drowned when the SUV they were travelling in fell into a river in Tehri district of Uttarakhand early on Saturday, police said. A Mahindra Thar carrying six people crashed near Bagwan village on the Badrinath National Highway at around 6 am and fell into the Alaknanda 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 .

Five killed as car plunges into river in Uttarakhand's Devprayag

In a tragic incident, five members of a family lost their lives after a car plunged into a river in Devprayag, located in Uttarakhand's Tehri district, on Saturday, officials said.

Five killed as SUV Thar falls into Alaknanda river in Uttrakhand

DEHRADUN: A Thar SUV en route from Faridabad to Gochar veered out of control, plummeted into a deep gorge and landed in the Alaknanda River. The incident occurred near Mulyagaon in the Devprayag area of Uttarakhand on April 12 morning, claiming the lives of five individuals. Initial reports suggest the driver lost control of the vehicle while attempting to navigate a bend in the road. Upon receiving information from local villagers, a swift response was initiated by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). A rescue team, led by Inspector Manjari Negi of SDRF, was immediately dispatched to the accident site. They commenced a search and rescue operation, utilizing rafts to access the precarious location and locate the occupants. Despite their efforts, the accident proved fatal for most. Speaking to TNIE, SDRF inspector Kavindra Sajwan said, The incident occurred near Devprayag, a significant pilgrimage site, on National Highway 58. According to initial reports, the Thar vehicle veered out of control and plummeted approximately 300 meters into the gorge, landing in the Alaknanda River. Upon reaching the scene, our team acted swiftly, using ropes and a crane to pull the vehicle from the deep gorge to the riverbank, stated SDRF Inspector Kavindra Sajwan while speaking to TNIE. With the help of rescue equipment, we cut open the vehicle and recovered the five bodies. The bodies were then extricated from the gorge using stretchers and handed over to the district police. The deceased have been identified as Sunil Gusain, Resident of Faridabad; Meenu (Wife of Sunil), Resident of Faridabad; Sujal (Son of Sunil), Resident of Faridabad; Nukku (Son of Sunil), Resident of Faridabad; and Aditya (Son of Madan), Resident of Faridabad.

Uttarakhand's demographic shift: Migration threatens hill region's political clout

DEHRADUN: A stark reality is unfolding in Uttarakhand, where a significant demographic shift is underway. The state's nine mountainous districts are witnessing a rapid exodus of people, while its four plains districts - Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital - are grappling with an unexpected surge in population growth. This imbalance is affecting not only the social and economic fabric but also poses a threat to the political representation and existence of the mountainous regions. If no concrete measures are taken to stem this migration before the next delimitation, the political existence of the mountains will be weakened, warns Anoop Nautiyal, an activist and founder of Social Development for Communities (SDC). In the wake of five South Indian Chief Ministers uniting over delimitation, the issue is also gaining traction in Uttarakhand. While the Delimitation Commission is yet to be formed in the state and the census is pending, indicating time before action, unlike South India, Uttarakhand's concerns stem from its own unique demographic shift internal migration. The population is rapidly migrating from the nine hill districts that formed the basis of the concept of a hill state. Concurrently, the population in the state's four plain districts is increasing at the same rate, highlighted Anoop Nautiyal, founder of SDC, in a comparative analysis shared with TNIE. He further emphasized, Election Commission voter lists corroborate these facts. Voter numbers have increased much more rapidly in the plain districts compared to the hills. This demographic trend is reportedly a major concern for political figures deemed influential in the hill state's interests. This migration pattern raises serious questions about political representation and the future voice of the hill regions, remarked Jai Singh Rawat, a historian and analyst on the subject, while speaking to TNIE. According to official sources, In 2018, the Migration Commission reported that over five lakh people had migrated from Uttarakhand. Of these, more than three lakh people had temporarily left their homes in search of work or due to a lack of basic facilities. Official sources added, Since then, the state government has been undertaking measures to curb migration and promote reverse migration. According to the Election Commission's records, the first assembly elections in 2002 saw a total of 5,270,375 voters. Of these, a majority, numbering 3,779,523, resided in the four plains districts of Dehradun, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar, and Haridwar. This constituted 52.7 percent of the total electorate. In contrast, the nine hill districts accounted for 2,490,852 voters, or 47.3 percent of the total. At the time, the difference in voter share between the plains and hill districts was a marginal 5.4 percent. However, this gap has widened considerably over the years. The Election Commission data shows a consistent increase in the plains districts' share of the voter base. By 2012, the total number of voters had risen to 6,377,330. This figure further jumped to 8,266,644 in 2022. In the decade between 2012 and 2022, the electorate swelled by 1,889,314, marking a significant 31 percent increase in voter numbers, stated a source within the Election Commission. Delving deeper into the regional distribution, the data reveals a pronounced trend. In 2012, the four plains districts were home to 3,658,842 voters, representing 57.4 percent of the state's total electorate. By 2022, this number had surged to 5,010,881, now accounting for 60.6 percent of the total voters. Over the span of two decades, the plains districts have witnessed an addition of 1,352,039 voters, a staggering 72 percent growth in their voter base, the source added.

Four days after woman found charred, brother's body found in a ditch nearby in Uttarakhand

GOPESHWAR: The mystery shrouding the death of a woman whose charred body was recovered last Sunday from a burnt car near Tapovan in Chamoli district has deepened with the discovery of her missing brother's body from a ditch nearby, police said. The body of Sunil Senapati was retrieved on Thursday from a ditch 400 metres away from the spot where his sister Shweta Padma Senapati was found dead. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police and State Disaster Response Force personnel discovered Sunil's body with the help of sniffer dogs, the district police said. The cause of his death will be ascertained after post-mortem, they said. Senapati was initially viewed as a suspect since he went missing the same day his sister was found dead. Shweta and Sunil were originally from Bengaluru but had been living in Dhak for some time, police said. The woman was found charred inside a car on Sunday. Police who reached the spot after receiving information about a burnt car parked on Chachdi-Bhavishya Badri Road near Tapovan, found a charred skeleton from the front passenger seat. They found some ornaments near the skeleton which indicated that it belonged to a woman. A number plate (KA01-0590) was also found near the burnt vehicle. Further investigation revealed the identity of the deceased. It was learnt that Shweta and her brother from Bengaluru had been living together in Dhak. A police team that visited Bengaluru to verify their identities and spoke to their relatives were informed that the siblings were broke and often borrowed money from family and acquaintances. Relatives said the brother-sister duo would call them to say that their condition was dire and that they could be driven to committing suicide, police said.

Thunderstorm, lightning strike claim 50 lives in Bihar, UP, Uttarakhand

Severe weather, including thunderstorms and lightning, led to at least 50 fatalities across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Uttarakhand on Thursday. Bihar reported 27 deaths, while UP saw 22, primarily from lightning strikes. Authorities issued alerts and announced compensation for the victims' families, as the storms also caused significant damage to infrastructure.

Ukhands Nakshatra Sabha emerges pioneering step in astro-tourism

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 10: With sold-out events and a stellar campaign, Uttarakhands Nakshatra Sabha emerged as a pioneering step in astro-tourism and a lifeline for ghost villages set to shine again. In a landmark initiative by the Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board in partnership with Starscapes, Nakshatra Sabha brought Indias pristine night skies to the centre of tourism. Over the past year, this celestial campaign drew astrophiles across the length and breadth of India including some from as far as [] The post Ukhands Nakshatra Sabha emerges pioneering step in astro-tourism appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

One dead as rain fury unleashes havoc in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: Relentless rainfall has wreaked havoc across the hilly districts of Uttarakhand for the past two days, triggering landslides, flash floods and disrupting normal life. Chamoli district bore the brunt as reports emerged of a cloudburst near Nandprayag, while a tragic lightning strike claimed the life of a man in Udham Singh Nagar. Our team is on the ground and assessing the situation near Nandprayag following reports of a cloudburst, Chamoli Police stated in a post on X. While initial reports are still coming in, police confirmed that there have been no immediate reports of casualties from the cloudburst. In a heart-wrenching incident in the Nanakmatta area of Udham Singh Nagar district, a 40-year-old man was killed by a lightning strike. Arjun Singh, a resident of Kaundakheda village, had gone missing on Thursday morning after leaving his home. His charred body was discovered near a water tank in Sunkhari Kalan village on Thursday evening after concerned family members initiated a search when he failed to return home by afternoon. His burnt body was found near the water tank around 5 PM by villagers who were assisting in the search, a local resident reported. The persistent heavy rainfall has caused significant damage across Uttarakhand's mountainous terrain. District Disaster Management Officer of Chamoli, Nandkishore Joshi, detailed the extent of damage in the Tharali area. Tharali has also suffered considerable damage due to the heavy rains. The mountain stream near Ramlila Maidan overflowed, bringing down a large volume of debris from the hillside. Joshi further added, Two vehicles were buried under the debris, and the National Highway was blocked. However, teams from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) have successfully cleared the highway and it is now open. Rudraprayag district was also severely impacted by the downpour on Thursday. The Kedarnath Valley witnessed a surge in water levels of seasonal rivers and streams, causing widespread damage. The crucial Kedarnath Highway has also been closed due to landslides and overflowing rivers, further exacerbating the situation for pilgrims and local residents alike. Authorities are on high alert and disaster management teams are working to assess the full extent of the damage and provide necessary assistance to affected areas.

Groom Who Eloped With Bride's Mother Traced In Uttarakhand After Duo's Reels Surfaced Online

A woman from Aligarh and her future son-in-law who absconded just days before the wedding were traced in Uttarakhand.

Two Siblings Found Dead In Uttarakhand 4 Days Apart, This Is What The Police Said

In Subhai near Tapovan, Uttarakhand, siblings Shweta and Sunil Senapati were found dead days apart. Financial distress led them to end their lives. They had moved from Odisha years ago

SC to hear on April 16 pleas challenging validity of Waqf Amendment Act, anti- religious conversion laws

NEW DELHI: A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna will hear on April 16 as many as 10 petitions, including the one filed by the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), challenging the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act , 2025. According to the apex court website, besides the CJI, Justices Sanjay Kumar and KV Viswanathan are part of the three-judge bench for hearing the petitions. In addition to AIMPLB's plea, the court has listed for hearing the petitions filed by AAP leader Amanatullah Khan, Association for the Protection of Civil Rights, Arshad Madani, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, Anjum Kadari, Taiyyab Khan Salmani, Mohammad Shafi, Mohammed Fazlurrahim and RJD leader Manoj Kumar Jha. A few other petitions are yet to be listed before the bench by the apex court registry. The Centre, on April 8, filed a caveat in the apex court and sought a hearing before any order was passed in the matter. A caveat is filed by a party in the high courts and the apex court to ensure that no orders are passed without hearing it. The central government on Tuesday notified the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025, which got the assent of President Droupadi Murmu on April 5 after its passage from Parliament following heated debates in both houses. The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha with 128 members voting in favour and 95 opposing it. It was cleared by the Lok Sabha with 288 members supporting it and 232 against it. The Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress MPs Imran Pratapgarhi and Mohammad Jawed are other key petitioners. On April 7, a bench headed by the CJI assured senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, to consider listing the petitions. The DMK moved the top court through its deputy general secretary A Raja and said in a press release, Despite widespread opposition, the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2025 was passed by the union government without proper consideration of the objections raised by the members of the JPC and the other stakeholders. The party said the immediate implementation of the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 infringes and prejudices the rights of about 50 lakh Muslims in Tamil Nadu and 20 crore Muslims in other parts of the country. The AIMPLB filed the plea in the top court late April 6. In a press statement, SQR Ilyas, the AIMPLB spokesperson, said the petition strongly objected to the amendments passed by Parliament for being arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion. The amendments, it said, not only violated the fundamental rights guaranteed under Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution of India but also clearly revealed the government's intention to take complete control over the administration of Waqf, therefore, sidelining the Muslim minority from managing their own religious endowments. Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution ensure freedom of conscience, the right to practice, propagate religion, and the right to establish and manage institutions for religious and charitable purposes, it said. The plea is settled by advocate M R Shamshad, with advocate-on-record Talha Abdul Rahman representing the Muslim personal law board, through its General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Raheem Mujaddidi. Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind also filed a petition in the apex court, claiming it was a dangerous conspiracy to strip Muslims of their religious freedom. In its petition, Jamiat said the law was a direct attack on the country's Constitution, which not only provides equal rights to its citizens but also grants them complete religious freedom. Waqf Bill: A direct attack on India's secular structure, say religious and legal experts In its separate plea filed in the top court, Samastha Kerala Jamiathul Ulema, a religious organisation of Sunni Muslim scholars and clerics in Kerala, has claimed the Act was a latant intrusion into the rights of a religious denomination to manage its own affairs in the matter of religion. Jawed's plea alleged the Act imposed arbitrary restrictions on Waqf properties and their management, undermining the Muslim community's religious autonomy. The petition, filed through advocate Anas Tanwir, said the law discriminated against the Muslim community by imposing restrictions that are not present in the governance of other religious endowments. In a separate plea, Owaisi said it took away from Waqfs various protection which are accorded to Waqfs, and Hindus, Jain and Sikh religious and charitable endowments alike. This diminishing of the protection given to Waqfs while retaining them for religious and charitable endowments of other religions constitutes hostile discrimination against Muslims and is violative of Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution, which prohibit discrimination on the grounds of religion, said Owaisi's plea, filed through advocate Lzafeer Ahmad. NGO Association for the Protection of Civil Rights also filed a petition in the apex court challenging the constitutional validity of the Act. AAP MLA Khan sought the law declared as unconstitutional, being violative of Articles 14, 15, 21, 25, 26, 29, 30 and 300-A of the Constitution. The Supreme Court is also scheduled to hear on April 16, a batch of pleas relating to religious conversions. While some pleas have challenged the anti-conversion laws in several states, another petition has sought a relief against forced religious conversions. The April 16 causelist on the apex court website shows the matter would come up before a bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justices Sanjay Kumar and K V Viswanathan. During the hearing in one of the pleas in January 2023, the apex court observed religious conversions was a serious issue and should not be given a political colour. It had sought the assistance of attorney general R Venkataramani on a plea seeking direction to the Centre and states to take stringent steps to control the alleged fraudulent religious conversions. The plea sought a check on religious conversions through intimidation, threatening, deceivingly luring through gifts and monetary benefits. The top court had in 2023 asked the parties challenging the anti-conversion laws of several states to file a common petition for the transfer of cases on the issue from the high courts to the apex court. It noted there were at least five such pleas efore the Allahabad High Court; seven before the Madhya Pradesh High Court; two each before the Gujarat and Jharkhand High Courts; three before the Himachal Pradesh and one each before Karnataka and Uttarakhand High Courts. There were also two separate petitions filed by the states of Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh challenging the interim orders of the respective high courts staying certain provisions of their laws on conversion. Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind also moved the apex court against the anti-conversion laws of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, and argued they were enacted to harass interfaith couples and implicate them in criminal cases. The Muslim body said the provisions of all the local laws of the five states force a person to disclose their faith and, consequently, invade their privacy. 'Arbitrary, discriminatory and based on exclusion': AIMPLB moves SC against newly enacted Waqf law

Unregulated Pilgrim Influx During Char Dham Yatra Dangerous, Warns NGO

Dehradun, Apr 10: A local NGO on Thursday emphasised the need to regulate the number of pilgrims visiting the Char Dham temples daily, warning that uncontrolled influx of devotees could be dangerous. Citing media reports about the Uttarakhand governments decision not to impose any limits on the number of pilgrims visiting the Himalayan temples, Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation founder Anoop Nautiyal said it posed a serious risk. Nautiyal said, This effectively means that every registered pilgrim would be [] The post Unregulated Pilgrim Influx During Char Dham Yatra Dangerous, Warns NGO appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

RN Ravi Should Resign: Margaret Alva After Top Court Judgment On Governor

Margaret Alva, former Union minister who occupied the Raj Bhavans in four states - Goa, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand - today said the Supreme Court's landmark verdict on power of Governors was much needed and absolutely on time.

Craving for chicken landed fake cardiologist N John Camm in MP police's custody

BHOPAL : Craving for mouth-watering chicken delicacies landed fake cardiologist N John Camm aka Narendra Yadav in Madhya Pradesh police's custody, it has emerged. Tracking his cell-phone location, cops from Damoh district reached Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh on Monday, when they found Yadav's phone was switched off. Unable to track his location subsequently, the Damoh district police team contacted their cyber cell team back in MP, who while tracking Yadav's call details, zeroed in on one phone number to which multiple calls had been made by the fake cardiologist on Monday. The cops on the ground in Prayagraj found that the concerned phone number pertained to a popular non-vegetarian restaurant. Reaching there, the restaurant staff admitted that the caller (Yadav) had been calling them repeatedly seeking delivery of multiple chicken delicacies at his home, which they refused to make due to staff and distance constraints. Based on the address given by the restaurant staff, the police located Yadav's rented flat in a premier township and nabbed him from there on Monday afternoon. Yadavs ongoing questioning and revelations Currently in police remand in MP's Damoh district, Yadav (being probed over allegations of the deaths of seven patients after minimally invasive surgical procedures) has revealed that he changed his name from Narendra Yadav to N John Camm, owing to a five-year-old ban imposed on him by authorities in India during 2015. He was banned from any kind of medical practice by authorities in 2015, following a case against him in Noida (UP) for forging documents related to medical qualifications and experience. Owing to it only, he changed his name from Narendra Yadav to N John Camm (which resembled the name of famous British clinical cardiologist John Camm) and started working again, a senior Damoh police official told The New Indian Express . Yadav's grilling has also revealed that he doesn't hail from Dehradun (Uttarakhand), but is instead a native of Kanpur (UP) and lived in a rented flat in Prayagraj district. He completed his MBBS from North Bengal Medical College in Siliguri in 1996, but couldn't crack the MD exam, despite repeated attempts. Later, he did his MRCP and other courses from the UK and worked there for some years. He has also worked in Germany and the US and keeps on visiting Nuremberg. Further, he has also worked in hospitals in other parts of India, including Hyderabad, Delhi and Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh) and worked in the Mission Hospital in Damoh between December 2024 and February 2025 on the basis of the fake MD and DM (Cardiology) degrees for which he was booked by the Damoh Kotwali police on Sunday midnight. As far as the seven deaths, which allegedly happened after angiography and angioplasty procedures at the Mission Hospital in Damoh (MP), at least three deaths are directly related to minimally invasive surgical procedures performed by Yadav. A team of cardiologists at the Jabalpur Medical College are in the final stages of their probe into the deaths, sources said. According to the Damoh district police superintendent Shrutkirti Somvanshi, It's still early days into Yadav's grilling and more disclosures are likely in the coming days. We'll request the central government's help in verifying the disclosures of Yadav's visits and working experience of UK, US and Germany, particularly as he has travelled multiple times to Nuremberg in Germany.

UKSSSC Group C Recruitment 2025: Notification for 416 VDO, Patwari jobs released applications start April 15

The UKSSSC has announced the recruitment for 416 Group C vacancies, including Village Development Officer (VDO) and Patwari, starting April 15, 2025. The application deadline is May 15, 2025, with the written exam scheduled for July 27, 2025. Interested candidates must apply online via the official UKSSSC website, with fees varying by category. The recruitment offers a valuable opportunity for individuals seeking government roles in Uttarakhands administrative sectors.

Rourkela police busts fake pan-India share trading racket, nine arrested

ROURKELA: In a significant breakthrough, Rourkela cyber wing police have arrested nine cyber fraudsters for running a pan-India share trading racket and seized Rs 1.41 crore in 23 mule accounts. Another 176 such accounts are under verification. Key operators of the fraudulent stock trading racket were arrested from Rourkela and Chhattisgarh, DIG (Western Range) Brijesh Kumar Rai and Rourkela SP Nitesh Wadhwani on April 9 told mediapersons. A raid at a residential apartment at the posh Civil Township of Rourkela led to the arrest of two persons, and another raid at an apartment at Basanti Colony resulted in the arrest of five persons. These seven persons were found to be mule account operators of the racket. Subsequently, the kingpin of the racket, Kisan Agrawal (26) and his brother Kunal (25) were arrested from Raipur in Chhattisgarh. Rai said the investigation revealed that all nine were part of a share trading fraud racket which was operating using a fake App titled TradeNow with daily transaction value worth over Rs 50 lakh. Racket kingpin Kishan, originally a resident of Mowa police station in Rapir district, obtained a golden visa in February to avail resident status in Dubai for two years. Living in Dubai, he used to run the racket in India and other countries. SP Wadhwani said Kishan had recently returned to Raipur from where he and his younger brother were picked up during the course of the investigation. He said transactions were routed through Hawala operators and it constituted an international organised crime racket across several south and West Asian countries. The scale of fraud is under scrutiny. Wadhwani said the racket members and their accounts used as mules were found involved in 27 cases across India, as ascertained through Samanvaya Portal of Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C), Ministry of Home Affairs. Further investigation is underway amid suspicion that the rackets tentacles may be spread on a much higher scale. The seizures included five laptops, 31 mobile phones, 68 SIM cards, two Jio fibre Network routers, 20 ID documents, four bank passbooks and cheque books, two pen drives, 19 debit/ATM cards. A case has been registered at the Cyber Crime & Economic Offences police station of Rourkela police under sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 61(2) and 111(2)(b) of BSN read with sections 66-C and 66-D of IT Act. Apart from Kishan and Kunal, the other arrested include Arjun Singh of Rudraprayag in Uttarakhand, Girdhari Singh (24) of Jashpur in Chhattisgarh, Ajay Kumar (25) of Korba in Chhattisgarh, Sandeep Kumar Soni (28) of Baloda Bazar district in Chhattisgarh, Soumendra Singh Rajput (27) and Dinesh Sahu (25) of Janjgir Champa district in Chhattisgarh and Abhijit Bharadwaj (27) of Raigarh in Chhattisgarh. Police in an advisory also appealed people to remain alert while downloading apps and avoid taking investment tips from social media platforms and carefully check the veracity of stock market brokers and apps with SEBI.

UKSSSC Group C Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online for 416 Posts Before May 15

Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) has released an official notification for the recruitment of 416 Group C posts. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online through the official UKSSSC website. The last date to submit the application form is 15-05-2025.

Dehradun Diary | Name game on in hill state of Uttarakhand

Renaming is the order of the day in Uttarakhand. Two key roads in Haldwani Nawabi Road and Panachakki to ITI Road have been rechristened as the Atal Marg and Guru Golwalkar Marg, confirmed an order by the Urban Development Department. This decision follows CM Pushkar Singh Dhamis broader initiative to rename 15 locations across four districts. The name changes were based on proposals from the Haldwani Mayor and cleared by the Public Works Department, an official stated. Meanwhile, the decision to rebrand Miyawala in Dehradun to Ramjiwala is being reconsidered amid public concerns, Dhami has clarified. Crisis of buses looms large in Uttarakhand The Uttarakhand State Transport Corporation (UTC) is staring at a crisis as its tender for 100 new buses has failed to receive a response from the companies, officials privy to the matter have revealed. This setback will further strain the already stretched fleet, especially since Delhi only allows BS-VI compliant buses to operate. The fleet has dwindled from 950 to 835, and a significant 480 more buses are slated to be scrapped by 202526. No company participated in the first tender, stated UTC Managing Director Reena Joshi. While a fresh tender will be issued, the delivery is anticipated only by the end of this year or even early next year. High stress level among MBBS students: Study MBBS students at the Government Doon Medical College are grappling with alarming levels of stress, a new study has found. Research by Dr Supriya Singh, a PG doctor in physiology, revealed that a staggering 87.3% of first-year students across two batches are suffering from stress. This is a worrying trend, stated Dr Supriya, whose research also highlighted that 38.1% of students are overweight or obese. The study attributes this to factors like poor diet, lack of exercise, study pressure, sleep deprivation and future anxieties. Interestingly, the research indicated the trend is slightly more pronounced among female students. Narendra sethi Our correspondent in Uttarakhand narendrasethi@newindianexpress.com

Video: Elephant Strolls Through Haridwar Market, Steals Flour And Runs Away

An elephant was seen wandering through the streets of Bahadrabad village near Haridwar in Uttarakhand.

Spike in HIV cases in Kumaon raises alarm, 477 new infections in 15 months

DEHRADUN: A troubling surge in HIV cases has emerged in Uttarakhand's Kumaon region, with health authorities raising the alarm over a rapid rise in new infections. According to data from the Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) Centre at Dr. Sushila Tiwari Government Hospital (STH) in Haldwani, 477 new HIV-positive cases were registered between January 2024 and March 2025averaging around five new patients every day. Dr. Vaibhav Kumar, Nodal Officer and Senior Physician at the ART Centre, described the situation as serious, citing a sharp increase in transmission, particularly among intravenous drug users. Sharing needles and syringes is one of the primary drivers of this spike, he said. Approximately five new patients are registering daily. We need urgent, large-scale awareness and targeted interventions. From 2010 to March 2025, a total of 4,824 patients have been registered at the STH ART Centre. Of these, 880 have died, 450 were referred to other facilities, and 816 are currently lost to follow-up. At present, 2,536 patients are actively receiving treatment at the centre. Of the 477 newly registered cases, 370 were men, 98 women, eight children, and one transgender individual. Notably, 38 of these cases involved individuals from the prison system. Dr. Kumar stressed the challenge of maintaining consistent care. While non-governmental organizations (NGOs) often help initiate treatment by bringing patients to the hospital, many do not return for follow-up medicationjeopardizing the long-term effectiveness of the treatment. We are committed to providing the best possible care once a patient reaches us, he said. But adherence to treatment is essential, and drop-offs in follow-up remain a major challenge. Health officials say the data underscores the urgent need for intensified awareness drives, rehabilitation efforts, and harm-reduction programs targeting drug users to curb the spread of HIV in the region.

Jamiat (M) Demands Reopening of Shut Madrasas in Uttarakhand

Delegation Visits Affected Institutions, Assures Legal Support The delegation met madrasa administrators and the Chairman of the Madrasa Board to understand the legal challenges faced by the institutions. Maulana Qasmi assured full legal and constitutional support, emphasizing that religious madrasas are protected under the Indian Constitution. He cited a Supreme Court interim stay preventing the [] The post Jamiat (M) Demands Reopening of Shut Madrasas in Uttarakhand first appeared on .

Crackdown on Madrasas: 84 Islamic Schools Shut in Uttarakhand

Muslim Community Condemns Targeted Action Dehradun: The BJP-led Uttarakhand government has shut down 84 madrasas, triggering protests and accusations of discrimination. The closures primarily affected Muslim-majority districts 43 in Dehradun, 9 in Udham Singh Nagar, and 31 in Haridwar and Nainital. Governments Justification & Community Backlash Officials claim the move ensures legal compliance, but critics [] The post Crackdown on Madrasas: 84 Islamic Schools Shut in Uttarakhand first appeared on .

India overhauls teaching in Himalayan Buddhist monasteries to counter China

About 600 monasteries scattered across the northern states of Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the regions of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh offer training in four types of Tibetan and Indian Buddhist tradition

Uttarakhand: Around 13.5 lakh register for Char Dham Yatra

Around 1.35 million devotees have registered for the Char Dham Yatra, commencing with the Badrinath Dham opening on May 4th. Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has removed devotee restrictions, ensuring facilities and safe darshan. Preparations, including traffic management, health facilities, and parking, are underway, with the yatra route divided into sectors monitored by police to ensure devotee safety.

'Cops planted evidence': SC acquits death row convict after a decade

The Supreme Court acquitted a man after a decade on death row in a rape-murder case, citing a flawed police investigation with planted evidence and an unfair trial. The bench criticized the Uttarakhand police for fabricating evidence and the trial court for its biased proceedings.

Fake doctor accused of killing seven cardiac patients in MP arrested in Prayagraj

BHOPAL: Fake cardiologist N John Camm , whose role is being probed in connection with the deaths of at least seven cardiac patients at Mission Hospital in Madhya Pradeshs Damoh district, has been arrested from the Prayagraj district of Uttar Pradesh. Acting on specific inputs, Camm (whose actual name is believed to be Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav) was arrested from a flat of a premium township in Prayagraj on Monday afternoon, more than 12 hours after a FIR was lodged against him in MPs Damoh district at Sunday midnight. He is being brought from Prayagraj and will be in Damoh by late night, Damoh district police superintendent Shrutkirti Somvanshi told TNIE. Earlier on Sunday midnight, a case was registered against Camm and others on the complaint by Damoh districts chief medical and health officer Dr MK Jain, u/s 318(4), 338, 336(3), 340(2) and 3(5) BNS (which deal with cheating, forgery of documents and joint criminal liability for crime committed with a common intent). Section 25 of MP Ayarvaidic Adhiniyam was also included in the FIR against the fake cardiologist, who is believed to be named Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav. The case was registered based on findings of a probe conducted in the matter by a panel of government doctors headed by the CMHO. The panel was constituted in the matter by the Damoh district collector Sudhir Kochar, following allegations by local advocate Deepak Tiwari about seven deaths having happened following surgical procedures performed by Camm at the Missionary Hospital in Damoh. The panel during its probe has concluded that the documents (related to his medical qualifications/expertise) are suspected/fake. The panel has also concluded that deaths of some patients happened due to angiography/angioplasty conducted by Camm. Further specialized probe into the seven deaths of patients which allegedly happened following the minimally invasive surgical procedures by Camm, has been referred to cardiologists at the government medical college in Jabalpur. Importantly, the Damoh Kotwali police registered a case against the fake doctor on Sunday midnight, just a few hours after a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team also began investigations into the matter on Monday. Three families, all from Damoh district (who lost their loved ones due to the surgical procedures by the fake doctor) have recorded their statements before the NHRC team on Monday. It's hard to comprehend why the FIR was registered on the CMHOs complaint just a few hours before the NHRC began its probe, is it face-saving? Also, why does the FIR only name the fake doctor among the accused, what about the hospital management not being named in the concerned FIR? The hospitals owner Ajay Lal is already accused in multiple cases, including those pertaining to religious conversion, questioned Deepak Tiwari. What is the issue? According to Tiwari, local advocate and president of the District Child Welfare Committee, they received a complaint from a patient in February, who doubted the credential of N John Camm, as he (Camm) was unable to conduct proper diagnosis. A subsequent probe by Tiwaris team revealed that at least seven fatalities had happened due to the surgical procedures performed by Camm, following which the entire issue was brought to the notice of the Damoh district administration, ensued by the start of a probe by a panel of government doctors headed by the CMHO. According to sources associated with the ongoing investigations, N John Camm (whose real name is believed to be Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav) carried out 15 non-invasive surgical cardiac procedures between January 1, 2025 and February 12, 2025, but he became untraceable after the entire issue of surgical procedures having caused seven deaths came to the fore in February. While total seven deaths have happened, possibly three to four actually happened after the angiography/angioplasty performed by N John Camm, a key source forming part of the ongoing probe claimed. But its not just the seven deaths which are the cause of concern, its also the fake/suspected documents submitted by N John Camm at the Mission Hospital for proving his medical expertise, which are particularly under the scanner. In the documents he claims to have passed MBBS from the University of North Bengals medical college, but enquiry into the registration number mentioned in the document, has turned out to be actually allotted to a doctor in Varanasi (UP). Also, the documents pertaining to MD and DM (Cardiology) from medical colleges of southern India seem suspected. Also, the Andhra Medical Council license number rendered to the hospital by Camm in Damoh, actually doesnt exist, which clearly suggests that he is not just a fake cardiologist, but also a fake doctor, a police officer forming part of the probe said. Whos N John Camm? Though he is named in official documents, including the Aadhar as N John Camm, primary investigations suggest his real name could be Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, a native of Uttarakhand capital Dehradun. He possibly attained the identity of N John Camm, to strike close resemblance with Prof John Camm, the professor emeritus of clinical cardiology at St Georges University of London. The famous British cardiologist reportedly had confirmed to a fact-checking website that his identity was being misused by Yadav. The fake doctor reportedly operated a website under the name njohncamm.com and also rang a twitter account under the handle @njohncamm, which is suspended now. Yadavs claim about having worked in the past with the British cardiologist Dr John Camm, too have been found to be false. In July 2023, Yadav using the same twitter account, had posted that UP CM Yogi Adityanath could control the riots in France within 24 hours. The concerned tweet was shared by many news channels, but some were later deleted following questions about the accounts authenticity. He had also reportedly posted purportedly photoshopped pictures with UP CM Yogi Adityanath and Bihar CM Nitish Kumar under a fake name in the past. More cases against him in other states? While the FIR against the fake doctor was registered in MPs Damoh district on Sunday midnight, there could be more criminal cases in which he is accused in other parts of the country. Were enquiring about the possibility of multiple cases against him elsewhere, including Noida and Ghaziabad in UP, one police station in Telangana district and also possibility of a case registered against him in Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh), the Damoh district police superintendent Shrutkirti Somvanshi said.

UKSSSC Huge Recruitment 2025 - Apply Online for 63 Assistant Accountant, Office Assistant and Other Posts

UKSSSC Recruitment 2025 Apply Online: Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) has announced the recruitment of 63 Assistant Accountant, Office Assistant and Other Posts in 2025. Candidates With B.B.A, B.Com, 12TH, M.A Can Apply Online on or before 29-04-2025.

Uncertainty looms over Madrasa students in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand: Massive fire engulfs chemical factory in Haridwar

Police and fire department officials are present at the scene. Operations to douse the fire are underway; the fire broke out at the Ibrahimpur village

544 accident-prone spots identified for Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: With the Char Dham Yatra set to begin later this month, the authorities concerned in Uttarakhand have identified 544 accident-prone spots along the routes of pilgrimage across four districts. In view of this, the transport headquarters has issued a letter to the National Highways Authority of India, Border Roads Organisation and the Public Works Department, urging immediate action in these areas and requesting a report on the measures taken. In a bid to enhance safety and ensure a smooth pilgrimage experience for the Yatra, government sources reveal, road safety committees in Dehradun, Haridwar, Uttarkashi, Tehri, Pauri, Rudraprayag and Chamoli districts have been directed to conduct surveys. According to these committees, a total of 544 accident-prone areas have been identified that require immediate attention. The report highlights that there are 38 such areas in Haridwar, 65 in Chamoli, 297 in Tehri and 144 in Dehraduns Vikas Nagar and Rishikesh regions. Sources indicate that the safety measures recommended for these routes include traffic calming interventions, rumble strips, informational signage, pothole repairs, chevron boards, crash barriers, road markings, reflectors, the removal of debris along the roads and addressing unauthorised median openings & blind curves. In a notable first, this years Char Dham travel routes have been divided into 15 super zones, 41 zones, and 137 sectors. Speaking to this daily, Dehradun Traffic SP Lokjeet Singh stated, Each sector will cover an area of 10 kilometres. Police personnel will be on patrol 24 hours a day, ensuring safety and order. He added, Over six thousand police officers and staff will be deployed to manage security and traffic throughout the pilgrimage route. Notably, registrations for the Yatra have now surpassed an impressive 12.5 lakh. Yogendra Gangwar, the nodal officer from the Uttarakhand Tourism Department overseeing Char Dham yatra registrations, told TNIE, We have recorded 3,674 registrations for Kedarnath, 3,045 for Badrinath, 1,918 for Yamunotri and 2,105 for Gangotri from foreign visitors. The online registration process, which requires Aadhaar verification, began on March 20.

Telangana Hockey blank Hockey Uttarakhand 4-0

Uttarakhand sports dept recycles plastic bottles into benches to promote sustainability

DEHRADUN: In a groundbreaking move that transcends the mere pursuit of medals, the Sports Department of Uttarakhand has launched an inspiring initiative aimed at social change through sports. During and prior to the 38th National Games, eco-friendly benches have been crafted from recycled plastic bottles, now proudly installed at the Maharana Pratap Sports College in Dehradun. Speaking exclusively to TNIE , Uttarakhand's Sports Minister Rekha Arya highlighted the state government's commitment to hosting the National Games under the theme of 'Green Games.' The state government announced the organization of the National Games with a focus on sustainability, and several innovative initiatives have been launched in this direction. This is one such initiative, Arya stated. Minister Rekha explained that empty water bottles used by athletes and attendees at all event venues were collected and recycled to create benches. Currently, 10 benches have been prepared and delivered to Maharana Pratap Sports College. These benches have been installed for student use, and soon, 20 more benches will be ready, Arya added. She emphasized that through this initiative, Uttarakhand has set a benchmark for environmental protection through sports. On this occasion, student-athletes from the sports college also pledged to creatively and sustainably utilize sports waste generated during training and competitions. Sports Minister Rekha Arya stated, Under this initiative, a total of 900,000 plastic bottles were collected600,000 before the games and 300,000 during the event. Out of these, 100,000 bottles were separated at 11 locations, and a company transformed them into benches through recycling. Notably, the National Games took place from January 28 to February 14 this year, featuring participation of 9,545 athletes from across the country. Speaking to TNIE , Director of Sports Prashant Arya shared insights about a comprehensive awareness campaign conducted prior to the National Games. We launched information campaigns before the National Games, including short films on plastic pollution and sustainable use of sports waste, which were screened at all venues. Posters were also placed to raise awareness. He further added that students from Maharana Pratap Sports College had taken part in these awareness campaigns. Students actively participated in workshops, clean-up drives, and waste collection activities. This project is not just about recycling, but about changing mindsets around sports and sustainability, Arya stated. With this eco-friendly initiative, the Uttarakhand Sports Department has not only contributed to environmental conservation but also sent a strong message about the power of sports in driving social change.

CM Dhami appoints 38 leaders to councils, committees to boost BJP unity in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: In a strategic move aimed at strengthening party unity and silencing talks of a possible cabinet expansion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has appointed 38 party leaders to various councils, commissions, and committees. These appointments, made over the past four days, have granted some leaders the status of state ministers. According to an official communiqu released late Friday night, a second list of 'Dayitwadharis' (portfolio holders) was announced, in which 18 leaders were given new responsibilities. Earlier, on Tuesday, 20 other leaders were assigned key roles in different departments and panels. By putting the cabinet reshuffle rumours temporarily to rest, Dhami has made the long-awaited appointments to important committees and councils. Some of the appointed leaders have been given ministerial rank, which further underlines the significance of this political step. The move is seen as part of a broader plan to strengthen the BJPs hold in the state ahead of future political challenges. Significantly, the number of vacant ministerial positions in the Dhami cabinet has now risen to five, following the recent resignation of Parliamentary Affairs Minister Premchand Agarwal. The internal atmosphere in the party has also become tense, particularly after a controversial remark made by former Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, which has reportedly caused friction between him and the IAS lobby. Sensing the Congress partys attempt to take advantage of the situation, Chief Minister Dhami acted quickly and released the first list of appointments on Tuesday. The list included 20 leaders who were entrusted with various positions across government-related bodies. By Friday evening, the Chief Minister announced a second list, naming 18 more leaders to different departments and institutions. Speaking to TNIE , Director General of Information Banshidhar Tiwari shared the details of the recent appointments. The newly appointed vice-chairs include Balveer Ghuniyaal for the Herbal Advisory Committee, Surendra Mogha for the Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board, Bhuvan Vikram Dabral for the Herbal Advisory Committee, Subhash Barthwal for the Statehood Movement Council, Puneet Mittal for the Urban Development Committee and Mohan Singh Rawat Advocate for the Uttarakhand Sanskrit Academy. This latest round of appointments is seen not only as a measure to strengthen party organisation but also as a way to keep the political atmosphere calm amid internal and external pressures. By strategically placing trusted leaders in influential roles, the Chief Minister appears to be ensuring smoother governance and enhanced party coordination in the months to come.

Chardham yatra route split into zones for better management; over 6,000 personnel to be deployed

Dehradun, Apr 5: The Chardham yatra route has been classified into 15 super zones, 41 zones and 137 sectors for better management of the annual pilgrimage to the four famed Himalayan temples of Uttarakhand, a senior police official said on Saturday. Inspector General (IG) Garhwal Swaroop on Saturday said more than 6,000 personnel will be deployed along the route to monitor security and transportation arrangements. Every sector will be spread over a 10-kilometre area, where security personnel will conduct patrolling [] The post Chardham yatra route split into zones for better management; over 6,000 personnel to be deployed appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Silkyara tunnel excavation in Uttarakhand nears completion as final stages underway

DEHRADUN: Excavation work on the Silkyara Tunnel in the Uttarkashi district has entered its final phase. If progress continues as scheduled, the excavation is expected to be finished within the next fifteen days. According to official sources, On Wednesday, iron rods were successfully passed through from Pol village towards Silkyara. This progress has increased the possibility of the tunnel being fully operational in the near future. The 4.5 km-long Silkyara-Polgaon tunnel, part of the central government's crucial Char Dham road project, made headlines in 2023 when a landslide trapped 41 workers near the Silkyara entrance. They were rescued after a 17-day operation. A senior official from the construction agency told, The work at the Barkot end is complete, and the tunnel is fully connected. We anticipate that the tunnel will be fully traversable between April 15 and 20. However, it is expected to take approximately one and a half years to finalize finishing touches and other critical tasks before traffic can begin to flow through it. These tasks include the construction of a central wall inside the tunnel, building a bridge and wall at the Silkhyara end, and establishing control rooms at both ends. According to information from the construction company, around Rs 150 crore will be invested in electromechanical works within the tunnel. This will include a fire suppression system imported from Italy, equipped with thousands of nozzles that will automatically activate through sensors in response to temperature increases or fire outbreaks, spraying water to prevent the spread of flames. Furthermore, traffic, cameras, sensors, and the fire suppression system at both ends of the tunnel will be monitored through SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition technology) from the control rooms being constructed. The Silkhyara Tunnel's completion will greatly benefit travelers in Uttarkashi and Garhwal, enhancing the Char Dham Yatra experience. It promises a safer, quicker route for pilgrims, reducing the distance between Gangotri and Yamunotri Dham by about 26 kilometers. Local authorities and residents eagerly anticipate its timely opening for traffic.

Delhi-Dehradun Expressway: Elevated section with special lights to prioritise safety of wildlife, birds

DEHRADUN: In a move to protect wildlife, the 12-kilometer elevated section of the Delhi- Dehradun Expressway is designed to accommodate the daily movements of terrestrial animals. The project incorporates innovative measures to enhance the safety of avian species, with a particular focus on wild birds and owls that inhabit the surrounding areas. The Wildlife Institute of India has taken special measures by designing unique lighting that will be installed on both sides of the elevated road. These lights aim to enhance visibility and reduce the risk of collisions for flying birds. A representative from the Wildlife Institute stated, We are committed to creating a safe environment for all forms of wildlife. The specially designed lights will play a crucial role in protecting birds while allowing them to thrive in their natural habitat. A senior scientist from the Wildlife Institute of India stated, These specially designed lights will create a sense of darkness for owls at night, while the yellow ambient light emitted from these fixtures will assist drivers in navigating the road. Speaking exclusively to TNIE, Dr. Bilal Habib, a senior scientist at the Wildlife Institute of India, shared groundbreaking insights regarding the new initiative. The installation of this type of lighting above elevated roads is being implemented for the first time in any state in the country. Typically, white lights are installed at a height of 35 meters with 136 lumens on roads. However, considering the rich diversity of wildlife and bird species in this area, we have suggested using yellow lights at a height of 7.5 meters, he explained. Dr. Habib further elaborated on the benefits of this innovative approach, stating, The yellow light reduces the attraction for insects, making it more suitable for the surrounding ecosystem. Additionally, this type of lighting does not cause any discomfort to drivers while they are on the road. This initiative underscores the importance of balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation. Uttarakhand's forests are home to many types of owls, each important for nature. The Indian Owl is known for its unique appearance and calls. The Snowy Owl visits the area and is easy to spot because of its white feathers. The Brown Fish Owl hunts near lakes and rivers, while the smaller Jungle Owlet lives in thick forests, making it popular with birdwatchers. The Common Barn Owl has a heart-shaped face and often resides in open fields. Additionally, the Great Horned Owl, recognizable by the tufts on its head, contributes to the diversity of owls in the region, shared a bird expert from the forest department.

Centre approves multi-tracking rail projects across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet at its meeting on Wednesday gave its nod to four railway projects worth Rs 18,658 crore covering multi-tracking 680 route Kms in three Naxal affected states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Odisha, Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting (I&B) Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Friday. The Minister further informed that at the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi it was also decided to approve second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme worth Rs 6,839 crore covering the states having land borders with neighbouring countries including Pakistan, Nepal, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan. Vaishnaw, while briefing media about the decisions with regard to Railways, said, the four projects covering 15 districts in three states - Maharashtra, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh - will increase the existing network of the transport monolith by about 1,247 km. He said, these projects include the Sambalpur-Jarapda 3rd and 4th Lines and the Jharsuguda-Sason 3rd and 4th Lines in Odisha, the Kharsia-Naya Raipur-Parmalkasa 5th and 6th Lines in Chhattisgarh, and the Gondia-Balharshah doubling of rail tracks in Maharashtra. The Minister said the augmented line capacity will improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for the Indian Railways. These multi-tracking proposals will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across the Indian Railway networks, he said. With these projects, 19 new stations will be constructed, enhancing connectivity to two Aspirational Districts (Gadchiroli in Maharashtra and Rajnandgaon in Chhattisgarh). The multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approximately 3,350 villages and about 47.25 lakh people, Vaishnaw said, adding that these would further result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 88.77 MTPA (million tonnes per annum). The Railways, one of the most environment-friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, with these projects will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising the logistics cost of the country by reduce oil import (95 crore litres) and lower CO2 emissions (477 crore Kg), which is equivalent to the planting of 19 crore trees, the Minister said. Meanwhile, as part of the Vibrant Villages Programme 2.0, the government aims to further achieve its vision of safe and secure land borders. The programme would help in the comprehensive development of the villages located in the blocks abutting international land borders (ILBs), other than the northern border (with China) already covered under VVP-I, the Minister said. With a total outlay of Rs 6,839 crore, the programme shall be implemented in select strategic villages in the States/UTs of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K (UT), Ladakh (UT), Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal till the financial year 2028-29, Vaishnaw said, adding that the interventions would be border-specific, state and village specific, based on Village Action Plans (VAP) prepared in a collaborative approach. The programme shall provide funds for infrastructure development within the village or a cluster of villages, value chain development (through cooperatives, SHGs, etc), border specific outreach activity, education infrastructure like SMART classes, development of tourism circuits and works/projects to create diverse & sustainable livelihood opportunities in the border areas, the MHA, the nodal agency to implement the programme, said in a statement.

Prepare for elections for five years, not six months or a year: Kharge to Congress district chiefs

NEW DELHI: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on Friday impressed upon the party's district unit chiefs to prepare for elections for five years and not just six months or a year. He also urged them to make all efforts to prevent tampering with voters' lists. Calling on Congress workers and leaders to raise issues of the people, Kharge said former party chief Rahul Gandhi had built a muhim (campaign) through the Bharat Jodo Yatra before the last Lok Sabha elections and stressed that we have to build such a 'muhim' again. Kharge, former party chief Gandhi, and All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary in-charge organisation KC Venugopal, among others, attended the District Pradesh Congress Committee (DCC) presidents' meet. The meeting at Indira Gandhi Bhawan was attended by 302 DCC presidents from Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh. The party's state unit chiefs and AICC in-charges of these states and Union territories were also present. Kharge told the DCC presidents to prepare strongly for the upcoming assembly polls within the next couple of years. He asserted that the growing communalism and hate campaign was the iggest challenge and said party leaders had to fight it in the same way the Congress did in 1947-48. In his opening remarks, Kharge also talked about the Budget Session of Parliament that ended on Friday and accused the government of following an agenda of communal polarisation while ignoring the issues that mattered to the people. The government does not run Parliament till 4 o'clock in the night to debate on inflation, unemployment, economic failure or US tariffs. It conducts a debate on Manipur in the dark of night so that legislative work can be done secretly. Should the discussion on Manipur have been for only one hour? Kharge said. With elections to be held in Bihar in September-October, leaders there have to start preparing with full vigour, he said. There are elections in Assam, West Bengal next year. And in the year after that, there are elections in Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. We have to enter these elections with full preparation and strength, Kharge asserted. We have to continuously fight against the anti-people and anti-Constitution thinking of the BJP-RSS. We are fighting, inside and outside Parliament against them. We have to raise the issues of the people, he said and added, Rahul (Gandhi) ji had built a 'muhim' through the Bharat Jodo Yatra before the last Lok Sabha elections. We have to build such a campaign again. His Save Constitution campaign had stopped the BJP from getting a majority. Noting that this year marked the centenary of Mahatma Gandhi becoming Congress president, Kharge said the party decided at its Belgaum convention to celebrate 2024-25 as organisation empowerment year. He recalled Mahatma Gandhi's words in 1931 at the roundtable conference in London when he had said that the Congress would sacrifice all other interests for the millions of hungry and poor people. Gandhiji had actually said this for the villages, countryside, weak sections, voiceless people, whose voice the Congress became. The present government is against the rights of the poor, Dalits, tribals, backward people. Therefore, we need to fight more strongly, Kharge said. I believe that we need to prepare for elections for a full five years. If someone thinks that they will prepare six months or one year before the elections, it is not right, he said. The most important link to take the Congress' ideas and programmes to the bottom is the district president, he asserted. Today, the growing communalism and hate campaign is the biggest challenge. We have to fight this in the same way the Congress fought in 1947-48. In the last days of Gandhiji's life, a resolution was passed against communal organisations in the AICC meeting held from 15 to 17 November 1947, Kharge recalled. Today, the situation is the same. Our biggest battle is with communal forces which are engaged in spreading poison within society. In the greed for power, a gulf is being dug even between people of the same religion, and brothers are being pitted against each other. We have the path shown by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, and our great leaders, Kharge said. Apart from this, Kharge said an eye must be kept on the election process and all efforts made to prevent tampering with voters' lists. You work with honesty and diligence with your team. We will be with you. We are confident that all of you will carry our message forward. You will take it to the masses. You will take the work of organisation-building forward. You will work to make the Congress stronger, Kharge said. Briefing reporters after the meeting, Venugopal said a very fruitful and meaningful meeting with the DCC presidents was held. It was the third and final such meeting before the AICC session in Ahmedabad. The first meeting on March 26 was attended by 255 DCC presidents from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Lakshadweep, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Goa, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya, and Arunachal Pradesh. The second meeting on April 3 was attended by 305 DCC presidents from Maharashtra, Mumbai, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Delhi, Punjab, and Chandigarh. In total, 862 DCC presidents have attended these meetings, Venugopal said. The major areas of discussion were centred around booth management and voter verification, party ideological training, media and social media campaigns, and asset and property management for party activities, he said. This type of meeting had not occurred in 20 years, marking a significant moment in the party's history, Venugopal added. It was a direct interaction between the DCC presidents and the high command. We are now establishing a system for regular communication with DCC presidents, Venugopal said. Around 60 DCC presidents shared their views on strengthening the organisation and implementing changes, he said. These issues were discussed in depth. I believe this meeting, held just before the AICC session in Gujarat, will provide valuable insights into our organisation's grassroots level. As we have said, our goal for 2025 is to establish a robust organisation structure, Venugopal said. He also informed that the AICC session's theme of Nyaypath: Sankalp, Samarpan, and Sangharsh would be the tagline for the session. The event is scheduled to take place on April 8-9 at the Sabarmati riverbank in Ahmedabad. On April 8, the Extended Congress Working Committee will meet at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's presidency and the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, both iconic figures born in Gujarat, he said. The Extended Working Committee meeting will be attended by Congress Working Committee members, permanent and special invitees, Pradesh Congress Committee presidents, Congress Legislature Party leaders, council leaders, Central Election Committee members, Congress Parliamentary Party officebearers, former chief ministers and deputy chief ministers, Venugopal said. Approximately 169 people will attend on the first day. On April 9, the AICC session will take place with around 1,725 elected AICC and co-opted members attending, along with MPs, ministers and other senior leaders, he said. Seeking to strengthen the party at the grassroots, the top Congress leadership has stressed that the DCCs would soon be given a lot of powers with which their responsibility, as well as accountability, would also increase. The party had also said the district units would be given more voice in selecting candidates for polls.

Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Kerala, Karnataka Tourism News: Popular Offbeat Destinations for Summer 2025, Featuring Snow-Capped Auli, Shoja, and Yuksom - Travel And Tour World

Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Kerala, Karnataka Tourism News: Popular Offbeat Destinations for Summer 2025, Featuring Snow-Capped Auli, Shoja, and Yuksom Travel And Tour World

CM Dhami, madrassa board chairman welcome passage of Waqf Bill

DEHRADUN, Apr 4: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday welcomed the passage of the Waqf (Amendment) Bill in both houses of Parliament, describing it as a historic legislation. Under the able leadership and guidance of respected Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill will definitely prove to be an important step towards protecting the rights of the deprived sections of the Muslim society, especially Muslim women and children. Heartfelt gratitude and congratulations on behalf of all [] The post CM Dhami, madrassa board chairman welcome passage of Waqf Bill appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Uttarakhand HC orders unsealing of madrasa on condition that it wont run without registration

In the order, the High Court noted that the property was sealed without any show-cause notice and even the petitioners were not given any opportunity of hearing

Travelling To Hills In Summer? Discover 10 Best Luxury Resorts In Uttarakhand

Luxury Resorts In Uttarakhand: Uttarakhand boasts an array of luxury resorts that offer unparalleled comfort and immersive experiences.

IRCTC to launch budget flight packages to pilgrim centres from Kerala

KOCHI: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) is launching holiday tour packages from Kerala, featuring visits to significant Hindu pilgrimage centres in North India, as well as destinations in Nepal and Sri Lanka. The flight packages will operate from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi. One of the highlights is a 5-day flight package to popular pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh, including Varanasi (Kashi), Ayodhya, and Prayagraj, departing from Kochi on April 15. Additionally, the Chardham flight package encompasses the revered pilgrimage centres of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri. This package starts at Rs 40,650 per person and will depart from Thiruvananthapuram on April 21. The Chardham journey covers not only the pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand but also includes visits to Haridwar and Rishikesh. More than just a pilgrimage, this 13-day tour allows travellers to experience the stunning scenery of the Himalayan foothills. The trip, which departs from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi on June 10, starts at Rs 61,900 per person, covering all expenses, said an IRCTC official. Nepal air travel package A 6-day air travel package that includes visits to pilgrimage sites and tourist attractions in Nepal will depart from Kochi on May 22. The total cost for this package, inclusive of all expenses, is Rs 61,800 per person. Sri Lanka Ramayana tour The 7-day Sri Lanka air travel package combines visits to scenic locations and significant holy places mentioned in the Ramayana. This tour will depart on May 24, with a total price of Rs 63,300 per person.

Insults constitution he swears by: Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman slams Owaisi

Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams criticized AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi for tearing the Waqf Amendment Bill, describing it as an insult to the constitution. Shams emphasized peaceful protests and labeled opponents as 'Waqf mafia'. The bill, passed by Lok Sabha after a heated debate, aims to enhance the efficiency and management of Waqf properties.

SC: State can't decide on rural stints for doctors from outside

The Supreme Court criticized the Uttarakhand government's 2009 policy requiring non-state students in MBBS courses to serve in remote areas or pay Rs 30 lakh. The court emphasized that this policy should be a uniform decision by the Union government, citing challenges faced by students from other states in serving in inaccessible regions.

Four southern states along with Maharashtra lead in suicides due to bankrupty in 2022

NEW DELHI: The government informed Parliament on Wednesday that five statesMaharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadureported the highest number of suicides due to bankruptcy or debt in 2022. According to data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Maharashtra recorded the most cases with 1,941 suicides. Karnataka followed with 1,401 cases, Telangana with 1,163, Andhra Pradesh with 912, and Tamil Nadu with 844. Among Union Territories, Delhi had the highest number of such suicides. The data showed that out of 3,417 cases across the country, 28 people in Delhi ended their lives due to financial distress. These five states together accounted for more than 89% of all suicides caused by financial problems in the country. This suggests that regions with higher economic activity might see more financial risk-taking, leading to increased cases of debt-related suicides. Interestingly, six statesArunachal Pradesh, Bihar, Manipur, Meghalaya, Uttarakhand, and West Bengalreported zero suicides due to bankruptcy or indebtedness. The data also revealed that while West Bengal recorded 12,669 suicides in 2022, more than Andhra Pradesh (8,908) and Telangana (9,980), none were due to financial distress. In overall suicide numbers, Maharashtra had the highest with 22,746 cases, followed by Tamil Nadu (19,834), Madhya Pradesh (15,386), Karnataka (13,606), and West Bengal (12,669). The total number of suicides across the country in 2022 was 1,70,924, according to the NCRB. Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said the government is taking proactive steps to address mental health issues at district and primary healthcare levels as part of the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP). Facilities are made available under NMHP at the Community Health Centre and Primary Health Centre levels, inter alia, include outpatient services, assessment, counseling/psycho-social interventions, continuing care and support to persons with severe mental disorders. In addition, there is a provision of 10 bedded in-patient facilities at district level, the Minister said.

Uttarakhand heightens alert as equine influenza detected along Char Dham Yatra route

DEHRADUN: As the portals of revered Kedarnath shrine are set to open on May 2, the state government has heightened its alert status due to the detection of equine influenza virus in 12 horses and mules along the pilgrimage route. In response to this alarming finding, all affected equine animals have been placed under quarantine. Uttrakhand's Animal husbandry minister Saurabh Bahuguna convened a meeting at the secretariat, issuing strict directives to officials. It is imperative that we focus on thorough screening of horses and mules before and during the Char Dham Yatra .We cannot afford any negligence in ensuring the health and safety of these animals, he said. In the meeting, the minister stated that strict action would be taken against negligent officials and employees. During a morning session, officials informed the cabinet minister that equine influenza had been confirmed in 12 animals in Rudraprayag, all of which have since been quarantined. Speaking with The New Indian Express , Bahuguna said, As a precautionary measure, two quarantine centers will be established in Rudraprayag district. One will be set up in Phata and the other in Kotma. The minister emphasized that no diseased horses or mules will be allowed to participate in the Char Dham Yatra. He further went on to say that serological samples will be collected from all 23,120 registered horses and mules across five districts of Uttarakhand: Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Tehri, and Uttarkashi. These samples will be tested at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in Mukteshwar. He added,If any equine animal tests positive, it will be quarantined. After 12 days, a follow-up sample will be taken for re-testing. Only after receiving a negative report will the animal be permitted to travel. The respective owner will need to present this report. In light of the rapid spread of disease among equine animals, owners of horses and mules have been advised to keep them away from other livestock. Minister Saurabh Bahuguna has directed the screening of equine animals at all animal disease control checkpoints across Uttarakhand. Additionally, he has instructed the District Magistrate of Rudraprayag to take all necessary precautions to prevent the transmission of the disease. We have also informed the Uttar Pradesh government through a letter that we will not allow animals to enter Uttarakhand without a serology test, Minister Bahuguna stated. Notably, last year, 48 lakh pilgrims visited the Char Dham and Hemkund Sahib. An estimated 40 percent of these devotees rely on horses, mules, and palanquins to complete their religious journey, with many coming from outside the state.

Uttarakhand's Galogi Hydroelectric Project achieves record electricity generation

DEHRADUN: Uttrakhand's historic Galogi Hydroelectric Project has set a new record by generating 8.075 million units of electricity in the financial year 2024-25. This marks the highest annual electricity generation since the project was commissioned in 1907. Speaking exclusively with TNIE , Uttarakhand Jal Vidhyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) Managing Director, Dr. Sandeep Singhal, stated, The 3.5 MW Galogi Hydroelectric Project, situated between Kyarkuli and Bhatta near Mussoorie in district Dehradun, has surpassed its previous record of 7.96 million units achieved in the financial year 2023-24. Dr. Singhal emphasised the dual focus of the project, saying, While we strive for excellence in electricity generation, we are equally committed to preserving the Galogi site as a historic heritage landmark. Dr. Singhal further stated, The Galogi Hydroelectric Project not only contributes to the region's energy needs but also stands as a testament to the rich history of hydroelectric power in India. He added, As UJVN Limited continues to operate this facility, it aims to balance modern energy demands with the preservation of its historical significance. The Galogi Small Hydroelectric Project, established in 1907 during British rule, has played a pivotal role in supplying electricity and water to the Mussoorie region. According to Vimal Dabral, the public relations officer of UJVNL, At that time, Mussoorie, along with Kolkata, Darjeeling, and Shimla, was one of the few places with electricity distribution facilities. He emphasised the project's historical significance, stating, This project is the only hydroelectric plant from the British era that continues to successfully generate electricity while fulfilling its original purpose of water supply. Dabral further elaborated on the importance of the Galogi project, noting its unique status in India's energy landscape. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity of early hydroelectric power initiatives, he remarked. As UJVNL continues to operate this historic facility, it not only meets modern energy demands but also preserves a vital piece of Indias energy heritage.

Centre approves over 11,000 Anganwadi-cum-crches, but only 1,761 operational

NEW DELHI: The central government has approved over 11,000 Anganwadi-cum-crches under the Palna scheme, but only 1,761 have been made operational as of February 28 this year. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, stated that the Palna scheme was introduced under the Samarthya vertical of the Umbrella Mission Shakti Scheme from April 1, 2022. The initiative aims to provide daycare facilities and protection to children across all states and Union Territories. She emphasised that Anganwadi centres are the worlds largest childcare institutions, ensuring the delivery of care and nutrition services to children at the grassroots level. In a first-of-its-kind approach, the ministry has extended childcare services through Anganwadi-cum-Crche under Palna, which is a centrally sponsored scheme, she said. During the 15th Finance Cycle (i.e. up to FY 2025-26), a total of 17,000 Anganwadi-cum-crches (AWCCs) have been envisioned for establishment under the Palna scheme. Proposals for their setup and operation are received from respective state governments and UT administrations, which also contribute their corresponding share for the schemes implementation, she added. Till date, a total of 11,395 AWCCs have been approved by the ministry based on proposals received from various states and UTs. As of 28.02.2025, 1,761 AWCCs have been made operational across 19 states and UTs, she stated. Providing further details, she said 1,500 AWCCs were approved in Chhattisgarh, of which only 175 are operational. Similarly, 1,024 were sanctioned for Jharkhand, but none have been made functional. The same is the case with Odisha, where all 1,000 approved AWCCs remain non-operational. In Telangana, 1,033 were approved, but only eight are operational. According to official data, Chandigarh has the best implementation record, with 200 out of 210 sanctioned AWCCs fully functional. Haryana has the highest number of operational AWCCs at 297, followed by Mizoram and Chandigarh with 200 each. Other states where these centres are functional include Chhattisgarh (175), Karnataka (164), Nagaland (150), Tripura (94), Meghalaya (76), Bihar (65), and Uttarakhand (32). Thakur noted that under Palna, an annual target is set during Programme Approval Board (PAB) meetings with state governments and UT administrations. It is emphasised that they send proposals for opening more Anganwadi-cum-crches and operationalise them. Additionally, the ministry monitors the schemes implementation through meetings and virtual conferences with states and UTs at various levels, she said.

Dhami appoints Saira Bano as Vice President of Uttarakhand Women's Commission

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appointed Saira Bano as Vice President of the Uttarakhand Women's Commission. Bano is known for filing a writ against triple talaq in 2017, leading to a favorable Supreme Court ruling and subsequent legislation. CM Dhami expressed gratitude to PM Modi for his support in the state's development.

'Those opposing Waqf bill are not Muslims': Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman slams opposition, says 'It's 70 saal vs Modi Karyakal'

Attacking the opposition for opposing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams on Tuesday said that the poor Muslims have hopes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adding that it is 70 saal Vs Modi Karyakal (PM Modi term).

Those opposing Waqf bill are not Muslims: Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman

He said that the PM Modi-led central government has decided to bring the poor Muslims into the mainstream.

HC to Uttarakhand govt: Respond to UCC pleas in 48 hrs

The Uttarakhand High Court has requested a response from the state government within 48 hours regarding multiple petitions challenging the Uniform Civil Code. Petitions criticize issues ranging from live-in relationship provisions to the neglect of minority customs, and constitutional and women's rights concerns. The next hearing is scheduled in 10 days.

Buckwheat flour food poisoning cases surge to 337 amid Navratri festivities in Dehradun

DEHRADUN: Health authorities in Dehradun are on high alert as the number of patients suffering from consuming contaminated buckwheat flour (Kuttu aata) has surged to 335 across the city. Among them, 227 patients have been hospitalized due to their severe conditions. The situation has escalated quickly, with 70 patients currently admitted at Doon Hospital, a hospital spokesperson reported. The sudden influx of patients has put immense pressure on local healthcare facilities, forcing some hospitals to accommodate two patients per bed. As of Monday evening, 58 patients have been discharged after receiving treatment, while the remaining individuals continue to receive care. According to reports, the Doon Medical College has witnessed the highest influx of patients amid the ongoing health crisis. Following this, individuals have also sought treatment at Coronation Hospital and various other private hospitals in the district. As per data released by health department, by Monday evening at 7 PM, a total of 120 patients had arrived at Doon Medical College. Out of these, 70 patients are still admitted and receiving care, a hospital spokesperson confirmed. Additionally, Coronation Hospital has reported 118 patients, while private hospitals collectively treated a total of 97 individuals. Health Secretary Dr. R. Rajesh visited patients hospitalized due to the consumption of toxic buckwheat flour. During his visit, he instructed the doctors to ensure the provision of quality healthcare services to the affected individuals. This incident is quite sensitive, Dr. Rajesh remarked. Speaking with TNIE , Rajesh said, Instructions have been issued to launch a campaign to test the buckwheat flour. Raids and sampling will commence across the state. A thorough investigation will also be conducted to examine what quality control measures are employed from the producers to the market and during the grinding process to convert the seeds into flour. According to data from the Health Department, in the past five years, 600 individuals in Uttarakhand have fallen ill after consuming buckwheat flour. Fortunately, all patients recovered after treatment, and there were no fatalities reported. Notably, in October 2020, 115 people in Roorkee became ill after eating buckwheat flour. In Haridwar, 145 cases of illness related to buckwheat flour consumption were recorded over the past five years, including 20 cases in 2023 and 125 cases in 2022. Additionally, in Rudrapur, US Nagar, nine individuals fell ill in 2021 after consuming the flour. On April 16, 2024, during the 'Kanya Poojan' festival, three people in Kichha reported health issues after eating buckwheat flour. Moreover, on Monday, besides 316 cases in Dehradun, 12 individuals in Laksar also fell ill due to buckwheat flour consumption.

SJVN Unit Successfully Completes Trial Run Under Phase I Of Bikaner Solar Project

After the completion of the project, SGEL will supply solar power to Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir and Uttarakhand.

Renaming an attempt to cover up governance failures: Mayawati

LUCKNOW, Apr 1: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Monday criticised the trend of renaming districts, cities and institutions by BJP Governments in states, calling it an example of narrow-minded politics aimed at covering up governance failures. In a post on X, the former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister said, Like the SP Government in UP, the BJP Governments of Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh have been changing names of districts, cities and institutions. It is not governance through [] The post Renaming an attempt to cover up governance failures: Mayawati appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Hundreds Of Medicinal Plant Species In Uttarakhand Are Now Endangered. Here's Why

Due to uncontrolled deforestation, urbanisation, climate change, and excessive exploitation, several species of medicinal plants in Nainital, Uttarakhand, are on the verge of extinction

Uttarakhand CM Dhami announces plan to rename 15 regions known by Mughal-era names

DEHRADUN: Following the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code and anti-conversion laws, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced plans to rename 15 regions known by Mughal-era names. This decision includes the renaming of one assembly constituency and a municipal council. Speaking about the changes, Dhami emphasized that the renaming of various locations in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar reflects public sentiment and aligns with Indian culture and heritage. The changes will inspire people to contribute to the preservation of our Indian culture and honor the great personalities who have shaped it, he stated. This announcement comes in the wake of rising tensions between Haridwar MP Trivendra Singh Rawat and state bureaucrats, which had escalated over an offensive comment made by Rawat regarding a state official. The situation had sparked considerable anger among IAS officers in the state. Following Rawat's controversial remarks, the opposition Congress party also voiced strong reactions. In the wake of comments made by MP Trivendra Singh Rawat regarding an IAS officer, the Uttarakhand IAS Association has issued a resolution, announcing plans to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister. On Saturday, Rawat refrained from commenting on a statement made by the state's mining secretary, who had denied the MP's allegations of illegal mining raised during a session in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. In a dramatic turn of phrase reminiscent of a film dialogue, Rawat stated, Sher kabhi kuttey ka sheekar nhi karta. (A lion doesnt hunt dogs.) During his address in Parliament on Thursday, Rawat, who represents Haridwar, highlighted what he described as a troubling matter in his home state. He asserted, In Uttarakhands Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital, illegal mining is becoming rampant at night. That same evening, in an apparent effort to counter the allegations, the state government released a video featuring Mining Secretary Brijesh Sant, who categorically denied the claims made by Rawat. Garima Mhara Dasoani, the chief spokesperson for the Congress party in the state, has expressed sharp criticism of the Dhami governments recent decision regarding the renaming of certain areas. The government should be more concerned about social harmony in the regions rather than changing their names. Instead of focusing on name changes, the government should pay more attention to altering its working style and make efforts in that direction, she stated. In her remarks, Garima also pointed out that Haridwar MP Rawat has held a mirror to his own party, demonstrating how the state government is functioning. Rawat's comments reflect the reality of the government's operations, she added, emphasizing the need for accountability and effective governance.

Uttarakhand CM Announces Renaming of 11 Places After Hindu Deities, Icons

Pushkar Singh Dhami unveils renaming of locations across Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar, honoring prominent figures from Indian culture and BJP-RSS leaders

Forest area encroached in 25 states, UTs; 10 states yet to submit data on encroachments: Government report

NEW DELHI: Over 13,000 sq km of forest area, more than the total geographical area of Delhi, Sikkim, and Goa combined, is under encroachment in 25 states and Union Territories that have submitted data to the Union Environment Ministry so far. Ten states are yet to submit data on forest encroachments. Last year, the National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of a PTI report that cited government data showing that 7,50,648 hectares (or 7,506.48 sq km) of forest area -- more than five times the size of Delhi -- was under encroachment in India. In April last year, the NGT had directed the ministry to compile the details of encroachment of forest areas in all states and Union Territories in a prescribed format. In a report submitted to the NGT last week, the ministry said that as of March 2024, a total of 13,05,668.1 hectares (or 13,056 sq km) of forest area was under encroachment in 25 states and UTs that have provided data so far. These states and UTs are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Dadar & Nagar and Daman & Diu, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Sikkim Madhya Pradesh, Mizoram and Manipur. States and UTs, which are still to submit the data and details on forest encroachment, are Bihar, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan,Telangana, West Bengal, Nagaland, Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Forest area or The Recorded Forest Area (RFA) includes land officially designated as forest by the government, even if it does not have tree cover. RFA is further divided into three categories: reserved forests, which have full protection, with activities like hunting and grazing generally banned; protected forests, where some activities are allowed unless specifically restricted; and unclassed forests, which are not classified as reserved or protected. This is different from forest cover which refers to the actual area with tree canopy (more than 1 hectare with tree canopy density of at least 10 per cent), regardless of legal status. Forest cover includes forests inside and outside recorded forest areas, such as plantations, community forests and private lands with tree growth. According to the ministry's report, Madhya Pradesh had the highest forest encroachment among all states and UTs, with 5,460.9 sq km affected as of March 2024. Assam has 3,620.9 sq km of forest area under encroachment. A total of 863.08 sq km of forest land in Karnataka is under encroachment, followed by 575.54 sq km in Maharashtra, 534. 9 sq km in Arunachal Pradesh, 405.07 sq km in Odisha, 264.97 sq km in Uttar Pradesh, 247.72 sq km in Mizoram, 200.40 sq km in Jharkhand and 168.91 sq km in Chhattisgarh. Tamil Nadu has 157.68 sq km of encroached forest land, Andhra Pradesh 133.18 sq km, Gujarat 130.08 sq km, Punjab 75.67 sq km, Uttarakhand 49.92 sq km and Kerala 49.75 sq km, 42.42 sq km in Tripura, 37.42 sq km in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and 32.7 sq km in Manipur. The ministry's report said that encroachment has been removed from 409.77 sq km of forest land so far. However, it is unclear whether this area was excluded from the total forest land under encroachment as of March 2024. The ministry informed the NGT that it had asked states to submit data through letters sent on May 1, May 17 and May 28 last year. States and UTs were also reminded multiple times over the phone and a meeting was held with them on November 11. The ministry sent further reminder letters on February 22 and March 26 this year, asking the remaining states and UTs to provide the information in a tabulated format.

Chota Char Dham Yatra: Uttarakhand's 4 Sacred Temples For A Soul-Stirring Journey

The Chota Char Dham Yatra is more than just a pilgrimage-it's an unforgettable journey through some of India's most sacred and stunning landscapes.

Aurangzebpur Now Shivaji Nagar, Khanpur Is Shri Krishna Pur: Pushkar Singh Dhami Renames Key Places In Uttarakhand

New names for Uttarakhand cities? Here's what CM Pushkar Singh Dhami said

In Nainital district, Nawabi Road will be renamed Atal Marg, and the road from Panchakki to ITI will be named Guru Golwalkar Marg, the announcement said. In Udham Singh Nagar, the Sultanpur Patti municipal council will be renamed Kaushalya Puri, it added.

Aurangzebpur now Shivaji Nagar as 11 places renamed in Uttarkhand

Dehradun: In a significant move to pay tribute to prominent figures who contributed to preserving Indias rich cultural legacy, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced the renaming of various locations in the districts of Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar. The Chief Minister emphasised that the renaming process reflects public sentiment while 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 .

Aurangzebpur to be renamed Shivaji Nagar, says Uttarakhand CM Dhami

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the renaming of 13 areas and two roads in four districts to reflect Indian culture and heritage. The changes include new names in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, and Udham Singh Nagar, inspired by prominent Indian figures.

DNA TV Show: Demographic 'change' in the hill town of Uttarakhand

In Uttarakhand, the limit for outsiders to buy land is 250 square meters. After buying 250 square meters of land, one cannot buy land in someone else's name.

Uttarakhand renames 18 places located in Haridwar, Dehradun, Nainital, Udham Singh Nagar districts

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami says the move is to respect public sentiment and preserve Indian culture and heritage

Uttarakhand CM Dhami renames several locations to reflect cultural heritage

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the renaming of various locations across Uttarakhand to reflect public sentiment and honour historical figures. Additionally, he visited patients affected by food poisoning in Coronation Hospital, with investigations underway to hold responsible parties accountable for the suspected adulteration in buckwheat flour.

UCC will prevent crimes like Shraddha Walkar murder: Uttarakhand CM

Bareilly: Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami on Monday, March 31, said implementation of the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) would prevent crimes like the Shraddha Walkar murder case in Delhi. He said a provision of the law mandates disclosure of live-in relationships to families. In May 2022, 25-year-old Shraddha Walkar was allegedly murdered by her live-in 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 .

Uttarakhand govt marks three years with Seva, Sushasan, Vikas outreach programme

The 'Seva, Sushasan, Vikash' programme marked the Uttarakhand government's third anniversary with multipurpose camps across all districts. These camps provided health checkups, education support, and self-employment guidance, benefiting thousands of citizens and showing public support for the government's initiatives in comprehensive development.

Uttarakhand prepares for possible summer water crisis

Uttarakhand government prepares for potential summer water crisis by ensuring uninterrupted power to tube wells and pumping schemes, repairing leakage, and promoting STP treated water use. District Magistrates are instructed to set up control rooms for quick complaint resolution. Coordination with the Electricity Department is sought to avoid low voltage and power disruptions.

UKSSSC DEO, Jr Assistant & Other Post 2024 Result Released

Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) has Released Answer Key for the post of DEO, Jr Assistant & Other Post 2024.