Dehradun Diary: Tawaghat-Lipulekh highway blocked due to landslide

Tawaghat-Lipulekh highway blocked Dozens of vehicles became stranded on both sides of the Tawaghat-Lipulekh border area in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand after a sudden landslide blocked the highway on Saturday. Fortunately, no vehicles were passing through at that time, preventing a potential disaster. Debris fell near Zero Point, disrupting traffic on the national highway. Efforts to clear the debris are ongoing, but full restoration may take some time. Bhupendra Singh Mehar, the District Disaster Management Officer of Pithoragarh, stated, The road leading from Pithoragarh to Dawa Ghat is blocked due to heavy debris near Romti Nala, but it is expected to reopen by late Saturday night. Schools shut to counter man-eaters attacks Due to increasing attacks by man-eating tigers and leopards, District Magistrate Dr Ashish Chauhan of Paudi has announced a three-day leave for 13 schools in the Rikhnikhal block, starting Friday. Considering the fear caused by the man-eaters, we have issued orders for a three-day holiday for schools and anganwadi centers, he stated. An official noted that this decision was made to ensure the safety of students. Notably, the area bordering Corbett National Park has experienced several incidents involving tigers and leopards. Probe into external funding of madrasas In response to reports about external funding for madrasas operating in the state, the police have increased their vigilance. Following directives from CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, an investigation has been initiated. Special committees have been established in all districts. These committees are responsible for preparing and submitting their reports to the government within one month. Inspector General of Law and Order, Nilesh Anand Bharne, stated, We have intensified our actions regarding the investigation of madrasas. Narendra sethi Our correspondent in Uttarakhand narendrasethi@newindianexpress.com

At 3.16 per cent in five years, Kerala's economic growth 4th lowest in country

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite topping the national charts on various human-development indices, Keralas economy has been limping for some time now. A recent central bank report further cemented the condition that the state finds itself in. In the Reserve Bank of Indias Handbook of Statistics on Indian States 2023-24, Kerala took the 30th spot among select 33 states and Union territories (UTs) in terms of economic growth over a five-year period. Keralas average annual growth rate (AAGR) in gross state domestic product (GSDP, at constant prices) between 2018-19 and 2022-23 stood at 3.16%, with only Delhi (3.13%), Uttarakhand (2.16%) and Goa (0.70%) performing worse. Mizoram topped the chart with 6.75% growth, followed by Chhattisgarh (6.64%) and Gujarat (6.26%). Major south Indian states also registered commendable growth during the period. While Karnatakas economy grew by 5.62%, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh posted 5.61%, 5.27% and 5.19% expansions, respectively. The quick estimate for 2023-24 showed that Keralas GSDP improved to rs 6.35 lakh crore, posting a 6.52% year-on-year (YoY) growth, from the previous years Rs 5.96 lakh crore (+4.24% YoY). The handbook did not have data for all states/UTs for this year. Telanganas growth rate was pegged at 9.24%, followed by Tamil Nadu (8.23%), Andhra Pradesh (7.35%), and Karnataka (6.60%). There are various factors behind Keralas slow growth rate, economist Mary George said. The state is yet to be industry-friendly in the true sense and hence big investments are limited. Kerala continues to grapple with militant trade unionism, she said. The agriculture sector is facing a crisis due to price falls and human-wildlife conflicts. The drop in NRI remittances following the pandemic and outward remittances through migrant labourers have compounded the states woes, Mary added. Exponential increase in states expenditure on disaster relief The handbook showed that Kerala performed well in important social indicators like maternal mortality (MMR) and life expectancy. Kerala topped the chart in MMR with 19 deaths per one lakh births. At six deaths per 1,000, Keralas infant mortality rate was the fifth lowest in the country. The unemployment rate in rural Kerala was 76, fourth highest in the country. Unemployment in the urban areas saw a significant decline from 104 in 2019-20 to 67 in 2023-24, 19th position in the country. The report also threw light on the exponential increase in state governments expenditure on relief following natural calamities. Keralas expenditure rose by 232% from Rs 14,181 lakh in 2011-12 to Rs 47,060 lakh in 2023-24. At 3,13,376 lakh, the highest spending was in the flood-hit 2018-19. In the states finance sector, Keralas own tax revenue saw a quantum jump in 2022-23, from Rs 58,341 crore in the previous year to Rs 70,189 crore. The budget estimate for 2023-24 is Rs 81,039. The states own non-tax revenue too rose from Rs 10,463 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 15,355 crore in 2022-23. The estimate for 2023-24 is Rs 17,089 crore. Kerala had the fifth-highest pension expenditure in the country in 2023-24. The pension liability rose from Rs 26,689 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 28,240 crore in the current year.

PRSI Dehradun honors Chhattisgarhs Dy CM

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 21: Public Relations Society of India (PRSI), Dehradun Chapter, honored Chhattisgarhs Deputy Chief Minister, Vijay Sharma, during the national convention in Raipur. On the occasion, the Deputy CM was presented with a symbol of Kedarnath, a Brahma Kamal cap and a booklet on Uttarakhands development. The PRSI national convention is being held in Raipur, the capital of Chhattisgarh, from December 20 to 23. Members of the Dehradun Chapter are actively participating in this grand event. PRSI [] The post PRSI Dehradun honors Chhattisgarhs Dy CM appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Forest fires down to 2.03 lakh in 2023-24 from 2.23 lakh in 2021-22

India's 2023-24 forest fire season witnessed a decline in fire hotspots, attributed to improved wildfire management strategies. Uttarakhand, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh reported the highest fire incidences. Globally, Russia experienced the most significant tree cover loss due to fires from 2001-2022. The Union environment minister expressed concerns and emphasized ongoing efforts to combat wildfires.

Video: Massive Landslide Hits National Highway In Uttarakhand, Traffic Affected

A major landslide occurred on Dharchula-Tawaghat-Lipulekh road here in Uttarakhand, resulting in the closure of the road. There was no casualty, officials said.

Major landslide in Uttarakhand

Pithoragarh: A major landslide occurred on Dharchula-Tawaghat-Lipulekh road here in Uttarakhand, resulting in the closure of the road. There was no casualty, officials said. The landslide occurred around 11 am near Tawaghat in Pithoragarh, District Magistrate Vinod Goswami said. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand: Visuals of a massive landslide on the Tawaghat-Dharchula National Highway in Pithoragarh, which has disrupted traffic pic.twitter.com/Bua6JseT2R IANS (@ians_india) December 21, 2024 While there was no casualty in the incident, the landslide led to the closure of the road, he said. SDM Dharchula and BRO officials have reached the spot and work on opening the road to Lipulekh on India-China border is on, he said. The road will be reopened soon, the DM added. The landslide probably occurred when debris from another road that is under construction above the main road started sliding, Goswami said. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said traffic has been affected due to the landslide on Tawaghat-Dharchula National Highway. Expressing relief over the fact that there was no casualty in the landslide, he said efforts are on to open the route as soon as possible. The district administration and the concerned officials have been instructed to remove the debris and open the route as soon as possible, Dhami said in a post on Facebook.

Uttarakhand launches Madrasa verification drive; sparks political row

The Uttarakhand government has initiated a comprehensive verification drive targeting madrasas (Muslim educational institutions) across the state, reportedly following complaints about illegal operations, a senior police officer said on Friday, December 21. Inspector general of police (crime, and law and order) Nilesh Anand Bharne, announced that the drive is based on direct instructions from 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 .

Civil society outfits urge President to withdraw central forces from Siang Hydropower project survey

Hundreds of environmentalists, civil society organizations urged the President of India Droupdi Murmu to withdraw paramilitary forces deployed to quell indigenous peoples protest against proposed 11000 MW hydropower dam surveys in Siang valley of Arunachal. They said the proposed dam will cause disasters and loss of biodiversity and indigenous habitats. According to the letter written to the Murmu, over 351 concerned citizens activists, researchers, lawyers, scientists, journalists, experts, community representatives and 109 peoples organisations and environmental groups, especially from the Himalayan region appealed for immediate withdrawal of paramilitary troops in the Siang valley in Arunachal Pradesh. The Central government has made a paramilitary force deployment meant to facilitate a pre-feasibility survey for the 11000 MW Siang Upper Valley Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The project will cause the submergence of dozens of indigenous Adi tribe villages. So far villagers are protesting peacefully in their villages andno untoward incidents have been reported. Expressing solidarity with the indigenous populations of the region, the submission to the President draws attention to the fact that this will be Indias largest hydropower project. The letter goes on to highlight recent unprecedented rise in catastrophic disasters, events like cloud bursts, floods, glacial lake outbursts in Himalayan region caused thousands of deaths and massive destruction of infrastructure. Arunachal CM Khandu cites China's dam construction, bats for Siang Upper Multipurpose Project The 2013 Uttarakhand floods led to deaths of over 5000 people officially and damage to multiple hydro projects. In 2021 an avalanche in Chamoli caused catastrophic floods that destroyed hydropower infrastructure and claimed over 200 lives. In 2023, the Teesta III Dam was destroyed by a Glacial lake outburst in Sikkim. And this year in Himachal Pradesh the Malana Dam burst as it was hit by a sudden flood from upstream. The letter further highlights the proposed survey violates constitutional statutes, especially Section 5 of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006. These survey is being done without the consent of the local village councils and is also a violation of constitutional statutes, states the letter. Experts say the Siang region is a global biodiversity hotspot particularly within the Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve which spans across West Siang, Upper Siang, and Dibang Valley. It has one of the most biodiverse areas in the state with a wide variety of flora and fauna, including many endemic species.

Char Dham Yatra all set to become seamless as Dhami okays forming of authority

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has announced the formation of a Char Dham Yatra Authority to make the pilgrimage to the four shrines Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri more accessible and convenient for devotees. During a meeting held on Friday, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami directed officials to gather suggestions from stakeholders by January 15 and complete the establishment of the Authority by January 30. Dhami called for improved management of the Char Dham Yatra by incorporating suggestions from priests and stakeholders. We should take suggestions from the priests and stakeholders to implement the best possible measures for yatra management. A more organised Char Dham Yatra can be achieved by effectively utilising digital technology to strengthen the registration system, he said, adding that the pilgrimage is associated with the pride of the hill state. He emphasised the need for comprehensive preparations ahead of the yatra, focusing on pilgrims convenience, traffic management, and development of infrastructure facilities. The carrying capacity of the shrines, arrangements along the travel routes, and all other related factors should be taken into account, he added. Noting that there was a significant influx of devotees during last years yatra, Dhami called for meticulous planning and execution to ensure a better experience this time. Dhami highlighted the importance of developing the mythological sites surrounding the four shrines. There should be extensive promotion of Panch Badri and Panch Kedar, along with their planned development, he said. Pradeep Chauhan, coordinator for the yatra, said, This year the number of devotees visiting the Char Dham Yatra was 4,804,215. Although this figure is 814,282 less compared to 2023, it is noteworthy as the yatra faced interruptions due to heavy rainfall and landslides. CM launches Meri yojana-Rajya sarkar The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led BJP government has introduced accountability, presenting progress report cards to the public. At the launch of Meri yojana-Rajya sarkar, Dhami said, A former Congress PM once admitted that of every `1 sent from the Centre, only 15 paise reached the intended recipient, with 85 paise disappearing along the way. Deepak Kumar, Secretary of the Programme Implementation Department, highlighted on the importance of simplifying access to various welfare schemes.

Maruti Suzuki signs MoA with Bihar Govt Transport Dept

5 driving test tracks to be automated at Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Purnia and Saran 2 driving test tracks automated by Maruti Suzuki at Aurangabad and Patna are already operational Automated Driving Test Tracks (ADTTs) for Two-wheeler (TW) and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) driving license testing MSIL to increase the number of Automated Driving Test Tracks to 44 across the country, from the current 27 New Delhi : Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Transport Department, Government of Bihar to automate driving license test tracks at Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Gaya, Purnia and Saran. The MoA was signed in the presence of Smt. Sheela Kumari, Honble Transport Minister of Bihar and Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal (IAS), Secretary, Transport Department, Government of Bihar. The MoA was signed by Shri Navin Kumar (IAS), State Transport Commissioner, Government of Bihar and Shri Tarun Agarwal, Senior Vice President, Corporate Social Responsibility, Maruti Suzuki. With zero human intervention, the Automated Driving Test Tracks are aimed to make license testing more comprehensive, efficient, and transparent. The rigorous and standardized evaluation process is designed to assess candidates according to the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR). Test results are also automatically generated. Applauding Maruti Suzuki on its road safety efforts, Smt. Sheela Kumari, Honble Transport Minister of Bihar said, I applaud Maruti Suzuki, Indias leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, for their exemplary commitment to road safety through nationwide programs. One of their innovative initiatives, the Automated Driving Test Tracks, ensures that only skilled drivers get a driving license, making our roads safer for everyone. We successfully automated the driving test tracks in Aurangabad and Patna with them and have seen drivers coming better prepared for the license testing. We are glad to partner with Maruti Suzuki once again to develop five more Automated Driving Test Tracks in Bihar. This collaboration will significantly contribute toward reducing road accidents and promoting responsible driving practices in our state of Bihar. Mr. Rahul Bharti, Executive Officer, Corporate Affairs, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, Maruti Suzukis association with the Bihar government goes back to 2018 when we set up the states first Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) to offer driver training in Aurangabad. Since then, we have inaugurated ADTTs at Aurangabad in 2020 and Patna in 2021. We thank the Government of Bihar for further entrusting us with this road safety project. Maruti Suzuki has been steadfast in its commitment to the 5 pillars of road safety - engineering, education, evaluation, enforcement, and emergency care. Automated driving license testing is a vital component of the evaluation process. Equipped with high-definition cameras and an integrated IT system, ADTTs guarantee a comprehensive, efficient, and transparent testing process ensuring that only skilled drivers are awarded licenses. Mr. Bharti added, According to data shared by the Union Road Transport Ministry, 15.3 lakh lives were lost in road accidents in the 10 years between 2014-2023 in India. Road death rate in the country is around 250 per 10,000 km as opposed to 119 in China, 57 in the USA, and 11 in Australia. An important aspect of road safety is drivers skill and knowledge of traffic rules. Automated Driving Test Tracks will ensure that license seekers are better prepared and only skilled drivers are awarded a driving license. This will bring a positive transformation that will go a long way to reduce road accidents caused by human error. Maruti Suzuki Automated Driving Test Tracks across India Over the past years, Maruti Suzuki has systematically automated 27 driving test tracks (across Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and Haryana). The Company is in the process of setting up 12 additional ADTTs in Uttar Pradesh. With the addition of these 5 test tracks in Bihar, the Company will complete automation of 44 driving test tracks across the country.

Zostels Pranavi Chhikniwala on tapping travel trends to inspire Gen Z & Millennials

In a world where social media scrolls are filled with wanderlust-inducing content, Gen Z and Millennials are constantly inspired to pack their bags and set off on new adventures. Travel trends are thriving, with a recent report highlighting how certain destinations like Mussoorie, Vietnam, Thailand, and occasionally offbeat destinations have captured the imagination of the younger generation. Travel trends show a 35% rise in bookings for unique destinations, with over 60% of travellers preferring peaceful landscapes, cultural experiences and adventure. For the travel industry, selling popular destinations is relatively easy. But the real challenge lies in highlighting what lesser-known, obscure locations can offer eager travellers. Enter Zostel, a hostel chain that has carved a niche by establishing unconventional locations and amplifying its allure through its storytelling. Pranavi Chhikniwala, Head of Marketing, Zostel, in an interaction, shares how social media trends find their way into the content the brand creates, and the focus is always on being informative and engaging. Zostel has consistently tapped into emerging trends that shape travel choices. One of the ways the brand spotlights lesser-known locations is using a series known as 'Top 50'. The campaign highlights the top 50 experiences across India, going beyond Zostel's properties. The result? Posts that often garner up to one to two million views, sparking curiosity and wanderlust among its audience. However, its not always smooth sailing. For the brand, certain niche campaigns sometimes go viral, but others dont perform as well, according to Chhikniwala, revealing the unpredictable nature of organic content marketing. While Zostel has a strong presence on Instagram with 859K followers, other channels have also emerged as effective tools in building its community. Chhikniwala shares that YouTube has been rewarding given its algorithm gives reach based on your SEO metrics and consistent presence, unlike Instagram. She comments that any marketer looking to tap into a Gen Z or Millennial audience should consider YouTube as a way to build a community. In this interview, Chhikniwala reveals how the brand is leveraging social media trends, its organic-first marketing strategy, and the lesser-known platforms that drive community growth. Edited Excerpts: What trends have you noticed among young Indian travellers that have influenced your marketing and advertising strategies? If we talk about trends in travel, its important to note that, apart from all the memes and funny stuff that circulate on social media, travel and food are usually at the top of everyones list. Even the brands that are doing well tend to fall into these categories. For me, the brand's journey has been shaped by these trends. After COVID, there was a whole revenge travel phenomenon, and travel content started going viral in 2021 and 2022. Those years were key for us, even though they werent particularly favourable for many brands. Despite that, we saw significant growth and social presence, and a lot of it can be attributed to that period. Travel has been a steady trend since then. If I talk about it in general, even our content and the things we talk about have been influenced by it. This trend has also impacted the kinds of products we've launched. For example, Zostel has always been known for establishing locations that arent conventional. We often enter places and, soon after, those places see a boost in tourism. This has happened with locations like Bir and Wagaman, which werent very popular initially, but after we set up, they became proper tourist destinations. Weve always tried to tap into emerging trends. For example, there was a shift toward experiential travel, where younger generations like Gen Z and millennials are looking to go beyond popular destinations like temples or sightseeing spots in Manali or Goa. Theyre interested in hiking, waterfall diving, and activities like surfing. Experiential travel has become a key trend, and its something we've embraced. Another trend weve seen is the rise of Southeast Asia as a travel destination. Places like Vietnam and Thailand were trending on social media last year. We also introduced Zotrux, a new travel offering where we take exclusive groups of 10 to 15 people on fully packaged tours with lots of inclusions. Our Vietnam and Thailand trips are selling really well right now. Because these trends also find their way into social media, the kind of content we produce tends to be informative. Unlike many other brands, this approach works for us. We focus on content that establishes us as industry expertssuch as informative reels or posts that highlight lesser-known parts of the country or unique seasonal phenomena. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zostel (@zostel) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zostel (@zostel) When it comes to social media, our target audience is a blend of Gen Z and millennials. Its sometimes a hit or miss, as it is for most brands, but what works for us is striking a balance between creating content that establishes us as experts and tapping into trending topics. For example, we use popular seasonal content, trending audio, and whatever is currently relevant in India to engage with the Gen Z audience. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zostel (@zostel) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zostel (@zostel) What specific challenges have you encountered when adapting your marketing strategies to align with the influential role of Gen Z and Millenials in travel planning? Can you provide examples of campaigns that have succeeded or failed in capturing their attention? Some destinations are really favourites among travellers. For example, if we promote places like Bokarna or Mussoorie, it's very likely to go viral. However, when it comes to lesser-known destinations, especially obscure ones, we have to get really creative, or people just won't notice them. What works for us is a series we are currently running on Instagram, which is also performing well on YouTube Shorts. Its called Top 50, where we highlight the top 50 experiences anyone should have across India. This approach doesnt depend on whether Zostel has a presence in those destinations; its about showcasing the destination experience first, rather than focusing on our properties. When we do these Top 50 posts, they often cross one or two million views. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zostel (@zostel) As for content that hasnt worked, we focus primarily on organic content marketing, rather than paid promotions. While we do paid promotions when necessary, we mostly rely on organic content. When we run niche campaigns, they can go either waysome content pieces go viral, while others dont perform well. For example, during Children's Day in mid-2024, we launched a back-to-school campaign. This was aimed at our millennial audience, as nostalgic content resonates well with them. Its similar to how Paper Boat's entire strategy revolves around nostalgia, but we don't necessarily draw inspiration directly from them. We create nostalgic content, especially on Zostel Homes, another page we run on Instagram. However, when we do very niche campaigns, they are more likely to fall flat. The reason is that we don't always use trending audio or follow the current Instagram trends when running these campaigns. The general strategy would be to stick to whatever is trending, as thats what performs well. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zostel (@zostel) But as a brand manager, I also have to ensure we stay true to what we stand for and maintain our identity through our content. So, we continue with these types of campaigns. For example, we launched T-shirts as part of our 10-year anniversary merchandise, and again for our 11-year anniversary this August. We try to be creative with the videos we make, but weve noticed that while such campaigns may perform well with creators, they dont necessarily go viral with our audience. Since we're not focused on the e-commerce side of things, such as selling T-shirts, that campaign didnt go viral as expected. Despite that, our sales remained unaffected, and people still bought our products. So, it can be a bit overwhelming at times, but I think its all part of the process. With reports indicating that Indian Gen Z and Millenn ials prefer travelling during off-peak seasons to save on costs and avoid crowds, how does Zostel position itself while catering to budget-conscious young travellers? I think more than the off-season, the shoulder season is what these travellers prefer. It's typically the period between the off-peak and peak season. Naturally, during this time, the dorm rates, experience costs, and even taxi fares are lower, which is beneficial for them. We are present in 85-90 locations across India, and the list is constantly growing. We dont specifically take extra measures to target certain seasons. However, for a few weeks every year, we offer long-stay discounts and packages, particularly for digital nomads who are working remotely or in a hybrid setup. They can benefit from discounts if they stay for three, five, seven, or even 15 days. This is usually part of our promotional activities for our mountain properties, which make up about 50% of our locations, particularly in Himachal and Uttarakhand. During peak season, though, things change, and we sell out a month or so in advance. Instagram seems to be a key platform for Zostel. How do you approach content curation to engage and grow your community? Apart from Instagram, what are the most effective marketing channels that you use to engage with Gen Z and Millennial travellers? Could you share examples of the kind of content that works on each channel? YouTube is really rewarding. Personally, I feel that YouTube is a more rewarding platform compared to Instagram. On Instagram, if you show consistency with the algorithm, it may or may not help you. With YouTube, we know for sure that if you're doing SEO correctly and posting consistently about relevant topics, you're far more likely to grow on the platform. For any marketer looking to tap into a Gen Z or Millennial audience, I definitely recommend YouTube. We also do newsletters, and we have an excellent email open rate and click-through rate. I think its because of the passion people have for the brand. When I first started with newsletter marketing, I didnt think it would be very successful because people often see it as an outdated channel, especially for a brand like Zostel. But it has given us surprising results. If we talk about social media or digital channels, these are the platforms we focus on: YouTube, Instagram, and newsletters. On newsletters, we try to do a mix of everything. For example, if theres something trending, like Diwali, we create content around it, but with a more wholesome approach compared to what we do on Instagram or YouTube. If its a two-minute read, it should be worthwhile and bring a smile to your face. Its not really important for us to sell our properties or talk about things in a forced way. Even though we dont use it primarily as a sales marketing platform, newsletters are excellent for community engagement. The audience cant respond directly like on YouTube or Instagram, where people comment or DM us, but the engagement we get is still very high. I can attribute this to excellent copywriting. We dont use any fancy tools for images; its a very basic newsletter. But the kind of response weve received has kept us going. I think when you try to talk to your audience in an authentic way, it really helps. My team is also part of the customer base, so when they write directly to the audience, it makes a difference. Would it be possible to share the numbers that you all are able to achieve through your newsletters and Instagram? For newsletters, we are growing our subscriber base. Its something that we started primarily this year. We have approximately 50K subscribers as of now. Considering that we only started this year and we are not doing anything unethical, like spamming people with newsletters they havent subscribed to, thats the situation. On Instagram, we have around 50K followers, and our reach is usually 20 to 30 times more than our community size. Organically, our monthly reach is anywhere between 27 million to 35 million, depending on how viral the content is. Given the traction that you have had, could you share any specific challenges that you all have had to navigate through while adapting your marketing strategies over these years? A very refined, detailed analysis goes into understanding what's working because the algorithms of these platforms keep changing. I'm mainly talking about social media, as content marketing is our primary way of building the community and reaching people. The challenge is doing your homework every day. If I go idle for even one week and let things run as they are, it's very likely that the content will stop performing because new trends have emerged. For example, there was a time when voiceover reels were working really well for us, where we would use some audio stimulus to guide the contentwhether funny, informative, or otherwise. It worked like crazy for two, three, even six months. Then suddenly, it stopped working. We had invested in all the gear, talent, and resources for this approach, and then Instagram changed its algorithm, demanding something different. This happens frequently, and its part of the jobthings will keep changing, and we have to stay updated with the trends. The challenge is that it can be demotivating when the numbers drop, especially after a month of hard work. But thats the reality we face. What innovative technologies have you integrated into your marketing approach to effectively engage young travellers? There have been significant upgrades in terms of the tools we use ever since AI became prominent. There are many amazing tools that help us with engagement, ORM, and even other areas. Apart from strategy, we use AI for almost everything else. Strategy is still something that we hold very close to our hearts; we don't want a robot to strategize or plan campaigns for us. Thats a big nostrategy comes from real, new ideas developed by the whole team. For example, in execution, we create mid-journey content, which is very experimental and usually works really well. To give you an example, we've posted something random like Zostel in different multiverses, imagining Zostel on an arid planet, or similar fun concepts. These kinds of experiments have worked for us. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zostel (@zostel) In terms of other technologies, we use automation tools, not for everyday tasks like handling DMs, but to assist with sales-focused content, such as when we are promoting trips or selling properties. There are tools that allow users to comment a word and receive the details directly in their DMs. Its a trend on Instagram right now, but weve been doing this for more than a year. Weve always been a tech-friendly company, and that is also part of the company ethos, as our founder is a big tech enthusiast. We are also looking at more AI integration moving forward, not just in marketing but across the board. Theres a major upgrade coming for our app, and were striving to become a more tech-first brand as we go forward. Can you share insights into Zostel's revenue performance last financial year and the projected growth for this year? As the hostel and travel industry grows, what does the brand's global expansion plan look like? As of now, we are experiencing a 50% year-on-year growth. While I cant share exact revenue figures, the growth has been steady for us. In terms of inventory and the number of destinations we're present in, it's consistently growing. November and December have been our best months, and the growth trend has been excellent. Looking ahead, I can say that we're expecting to continue this growth trajectory. For the upcoming year, youll see us expand into more international destinations. We're already present in Nepal and have some other destinations covered through our trips. Well also be launching properties in these international locations, so you'll see progress on that front as well.

Uttarakhand records tiger death decline, 8 this yr

DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand has witnessed a significant decrease in tiger mortality cases this year. According to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), only eight tiger deaths have been recorded in 2024 so far, marking a staggering 61.90% reduction compared to 21 deaths reported last year. According to sources, there have been no reported cases of poaching this year, further highlighting the success of ongoing conservation efforts. Speaking to this newspaper, Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Ranjan Mishra pointed out, According to the countrys tiger census conducted every four years, Uttarakhand ranks third in the nation with a tiger population of 560 in 2022. However, the cases of tiger deaths in the state in 2023 have raised concerns among wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists. Sources at forest department said, A total of 21 tigers died from January to December, with incidents of poaching reported alongside natural deaths. In July and September, three tiger skins were seized from the Kumaon region, one of which measured an alarming 11 feet in length, indicating the presence of an organised poaching racket. The sources said there has been an improvement in the situation this year. The last reported tiger death in 2024 occurred in September. The forest department and security agencies have tightened patrol efforts, leading to a decrease in poaching incidents. From 2012 to September 2024, 132 tiger deaths have been recorded, the sources revealed. During this period, the state ranked fourth in the country in terms of tiger deaths. Madhya Pradesh recorded the highest number of fatalities, with a staggering 365 deaths during the same timeframe. Mishra said, The Jim Corbett National Park ranks first in terms of tiger density. In 2010, tigers were on the brink of extinction. There are a total of 53 tiger reserves across the country, with Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve taking the top spot. The number of tigers in the park has been consistently increasing. It provides a safe environment for tigers due to its natural habitat, natural and constructed water holes, and abundant water supply. Jim Corbett National Park spans an impressive 1,288 sqkm and is home to over 260 tigers. Following closely in second place is Karnatakas Bandipur Tiger Reserve, which boasts more than 150 tigers across an area of 868 sqkm.

Uniform Civil Code Rollout In Uttarakhand From January 2025, First State To Implement UCC Since Independence

Power corridor | Panel flags lapses in scheme for tribal groups

A parliamentary standing committee has expressed concern over the lack of funds disbursed to key states under the Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG) scheme during 2022-23. No allocations were made to states like Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, which have significant tribal populations, making the committee to question how planned developmental work was carried out in the absence of resources. The parliamentary panel report on social justice and empowerment for demand for grants by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs emphasised the need to avoid the pitfalls of previous programmes, citing underutilisation of allocated funds, delays in submission of utilisation certificates by states and procedural inefficiencies. Nadda, other ministers meet v-p After the Rajya Sabha was adjourned on Wednesday following a row over Amit Shahs statements, BJP chief JP Nadda, who is also the Leader of the House in RS, along with Union ministers Kiren Rijiju, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Jayant Chaudhary, met Chairman of the Upper House Jagdeep Dhankhar at Parliament House. The ministers held a discussion over the House proceedings and other related works for Thurday, as well as how to ensure functioning of the House amid continuous protests by the Opposition parties. Congress showing only part of shah speech Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju accused the Congress of misleading the country by using only a part of Amit Shahs remarks made in the Rajya Sabha and asserted that the Home Minister had in very clear words mentioned how the Congress had insulted Ambedkar. You cannot use an 11-12 second clip out of Shahs entire speech and mislead the nation, Rijiju said and accused the Congress of attempting to malign and remove Ambedkars name from Indias history while trying to garner votes in his name. TMC submits privilege notice against shah As the Opposition sharpened its attack over Amit Shahs remarks on Ambedkar, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek OBrien on Wednesday submitted a privilege motion against the home minister over the issue. The notice was filed under Rule No 187 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business of the Rajya Sabha. TMC MPs raised the issue in the House and also staged a walkout in the post-lunch sitting. Lashing out at Shah, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused him of making derogatory remarks against BR Ambedkar. This is a display of BJPs castiest and anti- Dalit mindset, she said.

Class 9 Student Gives Birth In Uttarakhand, Father Missing; Probe On

The teenager's father went into hiding following the birth, and the family has yet to file a formal police complaint.

Medusa Beverages targets 1,200 crore revenue by 2029 with expansion plans

Medusas beers are currently sold across seven States including Delhi, Punjab, Himachal, Chandigarh, UP, Uttarakhand, and Chhattisgarh.

Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from Jan 2025: CM Dhami

Uttarakhand is all set to become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Uniform Civil Code To Be Implemented In Uttarakhand In 2025: Chief Minister

Uttarakhand is all set to become the first state in the country to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC).

Uttarakhand to implement UCC from January: CM Dhami

Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Dhami announced on Wednesday, December 18, that the state will implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) from January 2025. With this, Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state to enforce the UCC. Dhami, in an X post, called the move historic and a milestone in the direction of strengthening social equality 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 .

'Taking Historic Step': CM Dhami Announces Implementation Of UCC In Uttarakhand From Next Month

Uttarakhand is the first state in the country after Independence to adopt the UCC.

Uniform Civil Code will be implemented in Uttarakhand from January 2025: CM Dhami

Uttarakhand will become the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) starting January 2025. The law mandates marriage registration within six months and requires live-in couples to register within one month. The UCC addresses marriage, divorce, inheritance, and live-in relationships, aiming to end practices like polygamy and ensure equal inheritance rights.

Congress demands resignation of Amit Shah over Ambedkar remarks

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Wednesday demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for his remarks in the Rajya Sabha which it claimed were an insult to B R Ambedkar. The opposition party also demanded that Shah should apologise publicly and in Parliament for his remarks. Speaking with reporters in Parliament premises, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, We demand resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah for 'insulting' Ambedkar; he should apologise to the nation. Addressing a press conference, Congress MP Neeraj Dangi said his party demands Shah's apology for the remarks. In Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah Ji said that taking the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar Ji has become a fashion. This is a direct insult to the Dalits of the country and Babasaheb, he said. Shah has shown the whole country what kind of thinking BJP leaders have, he said. The deprived and exploited class, which they have insulted, this is the same class which will reduce them from 240 to 40, Dangi said. On behalf of the Congress party, I demand that Amit Shah ji should apologize publicly and in the House. Considering what he has said about Babasaheb Ambedkar, he has lost the right to hold a constitutional post, Dangi said. He should resign from the post of Home Minister, he said. The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him. INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament premises, demand Amit Shah's apology for Ambedkar remarks Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said, taking a swipe at the opposition. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. - , , , , .. . . BJP RSS . pic.twitter.com/UMvMAq43O8 Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 17, 2024 Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states. Parliament adjourned till 2pm amid Opposition protests on various matters

INDIA bloc MPs protest in Parliament premises, demand Amit Shah's apology for Ambedkar remarks

NEW DELHI: Several MPs of the INDIA bloc, including Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, staged a protest in Parliament premises on Wednesday demanding Home Minister Amit Shah's apology for his remarks which they claimed were an insult to B R Ambedkar. The MPs lined up in front of the steps of the Makar Dwar of Parliament carrying images of Ambedkar. MPs of the Congress, DMK, RJD, the Left, and AAP, among others, participated in the protest. They raised slogans such as 'Jai Bhim', 'Sangh ka Vidhan nahi chalega' and 'Amit Shah maafi maango'. The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him. Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh had shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah had said, taking a swipe at the opposition. Congress president Kharge had also lashed out at Shah, saying the insult of Babasaheb by the home minister has once again proven that the BJP-RSS were against the tricolour, their forefathers opposed the Ashok Chakra and the people of the Sangh Parivar wanted to implement Manusmriti instead of the Constitution of India from the very first day. Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar Ji did not allow this to happen, that is why there is so much hatred towards him, Kharge had said. The ministers of the Modi government should understand carefully that for crores of people like me, Babasaheb Ambedkar is no less than God...He is and will always be the messiah of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities and the poor, Kharge had said in a post in Hindi on X. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states.

Congress demands Amit Shah's apology for 'Ambedkar remark'

New Delhi: The Congress on Tuesday alleged that Home Minister Amit Shah's remarks in the Rajya Sabha during a debate on the Constitution show that the BJP and the RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for B R Ambedkar and demanded an apology from him.Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said those who believe in Manusmriti will definitely be at odds with Ambedkar. Congress general secretary-in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh shared a video snippet on X from Shah's speech in the upper house. Abhi ek fashion ho gaya hai - Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saat janmon tak swarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar'. If they had taken God's name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven), Shah said, taking a swipe at the opposition. Shah said the BJP is happy that the Congress is taking Ambedkar's name but the party should also speak about its real sentiments towards him. He pointed out how Ambedkar had to resign from the first Cabinet citing his disagreement with the then Congress-led government's policies including Article 370. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge lashed out at Shah, saying the 'insult' of Babasaheb by the home minister has once again proven that the BJP-RSS were against the tricolour, their forefathers opposed the Ashok Chakra and the people of the Sangh Parivar wanted to implement Manusmriti instead of the Constitution of India from the very first day. Babasaheb Dr Ambedkar Ji did not allow this to happen, that is why there is so much hatred towards him, Kharge said. The ministers of the Modi government should understand carefully that for crores of people like me, Babasaheb Ambedkar is no less than God... He is and will always be the messiah of Dalits, tribals, backward classes, minorities and the poor, Kharge said in a post in Hindi on X. In a post on X, Ramesh said, Amit Shah has said something very disgusting. This shows that the BJP and RSS leaders have a lot of hatred for Baba Saheb Ambedkar. The hatred is such that they are annoyed even by his name. These are the same people whose ancestors used to burn the effigies of Baba Saheb, who themselves used to talk about changing the Constitution given by Baba Saheb, the Congress leader said. As the people taught them a lesson, they are now annoyed with those who take Baba Saheb's name, he said. Shameful! Amit Shah should apologise to the country for this, Ramesh asserted. Congress general secretary in-charge organisation K C Venugopal also hit out at Shah over his remarks. HM Amit Shah, in case you didn't know - Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar is equivalent to God and the Constitution he drafted is a Holy Book for crores of people across the world. How dare you speak about Dr. Ambedkar with such disdain? he said. The BJP's disgust towards Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was always well known, and the Home Minister's pathetic statements in the Rajya Sabha today further confirm how much they hate and detest Dr. Ambedkar, Venugopal alleged in a post on X. The worshippers of Manusmriti will always have scorn towards Ambedkar, who rejected the horrible ideas espoused by the casteist RSS and their Manusmriti, he said. Those who spoke of changing the Constitution if they won 400+ seats, are now openly mocking our country's reverence for Dr. Ambedkar, Venugopal said. Those who pretended to bow before him could not hide their true feelings for too long, and this dangerous statement from the BJP top brass shows they have lost the right to speak about Ambedkar ever again, he said. The home minister attacked the Congress in the Rajya Sabha, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah ripped into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wanted to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservation to Muslims. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states.

Congress Treats Constitution as Private Fiefdom: Shah

New Delhi: Union home minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack on the Opposition Congress in the Rajya Sabha, saying the party treated the Constitution as the private fiefdom of one family and played fraud with Parliament. Shah also accused the Gandhi-Nehru family of undermining the Constitutions integrity. Concluding a two-day debate on the Glorious Journey of 75 Years of the Constitution of India, Shah tore into the Congress for its appeasement politics and claimed that the party wants to breach the 50 per cent quota limit to provide reservations to Muslims. The Union home minister cited many amendments made to the Constitution by the Congress, claiming the party did so for its own benefit. The first amendment was to curtail the freedom of expression by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The 24th Amendment was brought by his daughter (former PM) Indira Gandhi on November 24, 1971. The Parliament was given the right to reduce the fundamental rights of the citizens, he said. Shah attacked the Congress for being a sore loser as it blamed EVMs for its defeat in the Assembly polls in Maharashtra and Haryana, saying the party should give up its canard against EVMs and shed its appeasement and dynastic politics as well as corruption to return to power. In the last 75 years, the Congress played fraud in the name of the Constitution... They (Nehru-Gandhi family) considered not just the party as their private property but also treated the Constitution as their private fiefdom, Shah alleged, referring to the insertion of Article 35A without parliamentary assent. Criticising the Congress for bringing in reservations on the basis of religion in two states ruled by it, Shah termed it unconstitutional. The Congress wants to give reservations to Muslims by increasing the quota limit beyond 50 per cent. Even if the BJP has just one MP, it will not allow reservations on the basis of religion, said the Union home minister. He also asked the Congress if it supported the Muslim personal law and alleged that the party never worked for the welfare of the backward classes. Shah asserted that the BJP has already brought in a common civil code (Uniform Civil Code) in Uttarakhand and will implement it in all states. It is clearly stated in the Constitution that no reservations will be based on religion... They (the Congress) do not want any welfare of OBCs, they want to give reservations to Muslims by increasing the limit of 50 per cent. But today, once again I say with responsibility in this House that as long as the BJP has even one MP, we will not allow reservation on the basis of religion, the home minister asserted. He recalled that on August 10, 1975 the Allahabad high court had declared Indira Gandhis election null and void, leading to her imposition of the Emergency. She also amended the Constitution to prevent judicial inquiry into a Prime Ministers actions. I urge my Communist brothers to introspect about the company they keep, Shah said. The Union home minister also accused the Congress of being anti-reservations. He said that in 1955, the Kaka Kalelkar Commission was formed to provide reservations to OBCs, but the report was nowhere to be found. Had the recommendations of the Kaka Kalelkar Commission been accepted, the Mandal Commission would not have been formed. In 1980, the recommendations of the Mandal Commission came out, but it was not implemented. It was implemented when the Congress was voted out in 1990, Shah said. He also alleged that the Congress amended the Constitution to remain in power and for its own benefit.

No hate speeches delivered during Mahapanchayat: State to Uttarakhand HC on Uttarkashi mosque row

DEHRADUN: In the ongoing dispute over the legitimacy of a mosque in Uttarkashi, the state has informed the Uttarakhand High Court that no hate speeches were delivered during the recent Mahapanchayat. Authorities emphasized that the event was conducted peacefully and that communal harmony is being upheld in the town. In contrast, the petitioners have stated, The mosque has been established for over 55 years, and we have the authenticity to prove it. Meanwhile, they have requested additional time from the High Court to present documentation verifying that the mosque is under the jurisdiction of the Waqf. They also seek to provide evidence that hate speeches were made during the recent Mahapanchayat. Speaking to TNIE, Ishtiyak Ahmed, president of the Jama Masjid Committee in Uttarkashi, voiced grave concerns about potential external pressures that could still exert influence even after the Mahapanchayat. Uttarkashi mosque row: Muslim organizations allege threats to mosque's legitimacy We are deeply concerned that external pressures may influence the administration's decisions, stated Ahmed. He emphasized the mosque's legal standing, asserting, Our mosque is legally recognized, and we will not passively allow any attempts to undermine it. The state government's submission was presented before a division bench of Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit by Additional Government Advocate J.S. Virk on Monday, during the latest hearing of a petition seeking protection for the mosque located on Bhatwari Road. The petitioner's counsel claimed that hate speeches were made against the Muslim community at the Mahapanchayat, violating the Supreme Court's directives. The High Court had previously directed the district magistrate and the superintendent of police of Uttarkashi to maintain law and order in the vicinity of the mosque and keep the court informed of the situation. The mosque's legitimacy has become a contentious issue, with right-wing organizations asserting that he structure is illegal. Uttarkashi mosque row: High-level committee to investigate documents amidst escalating tensions

Communal harmony being maintained in Uttarkashi: State to Uttarakhand High Court

The Uttarakhand Government assured the High Court on December 16 of maintained communal harmony amid a mosque dispute. Petitioners requested more time to prove its Waqf/trust status

38th National Games: Mascot, Logo Unveiled

The event in Dehradun was attended by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Indian Olympic Association President PT Usha.

Professor Bruno of France set to become Bruno Giri during Mahakumbh

LUCKNOW: Renouncing the material world of numbers, his wife and three children, this professor of Mathematics and a renowned scholar, French national Prof Frederic Bruno of the prestigious Sorbonne University, has decided to adopt Sanatan and spend the rest of his life as a seer of Juna Akhara (one of the 13 Sanatan monastic orders). Prof Bruno is slated to take formal diksha (initiation) from his Guru Ghananand Giri of Juna akhara during the upcoming Mahakumbh in Prayagraj. Overwhelmed by the tenets of Sanatan, this renowned scholar has decided to embark upon his spiritual journey in the final phase of his life by following the path of Sanatan. He is all set to adopt celibacy for the rest of his life and become a member seer of Juna Akhara. He has decided to renounce material pleasures and worldly life to join the Akhara. As per the sources in Prayagraj, Prof Bruno, while leading the life of a grihastha with his wife and children, started looking for a deeper meaning of life while delving into the epics and literature related to Sanatan. He met Guru Ghananand Giri in Haridwar where he used to frequent his Ashram attending his Yoga classes. While being in Prayagraj, Prof Bruno narrated his journey into Himalayas saying it was around 25 years ago when he, in search of peace, met a seer. He had a quaint experience while taking a dip at Yamunotri (the source of river Yamuna situated at an altitude of 3,293 metres in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand) while feeling as if Lord Shiva had entered his body. He went to back to his country with the same feeling which pushed him to renounce worldly pleasures and become celibate. Prof Bruno believes that through his profession as a mathematician, he achieved everything to draw material happiness in life. Now it does not attract him anymore. He says Yoga and Sanatan Dharma have inspired him to move towards the ultimate truth of life. According to Juna Akhara chief patron Mahant Hari Giri, the professor would be known as 'Bruno Giri' after taking Brahmacharya Diksha (initiation for celibacy) from Ghananand Giri (who is a Thanapati of Juna Akhara) during Mahakumbh 2025. Prof Brunos guru, Thanapati Ghananand Giri, says that Bruno met with the ultimate peace through Yoga and got the goal of his life through devotion and study of Sanatan scriptures.

Afcons Infrastructure shares rally 8% on securing Rs 1,007 crore metro rail project

Afcons Infrastructure's shares hit a 52-week high after securing a Rs 1,007 crore contract for Bhopal Metro Phase 1. The project involves constructing a 12.915 km elevated viaduct and 13 stations. This follows a Rs 1,274 crore order from Uttarakhand in November. The stock, which debuted at a discount, has surged significantly since its listing.

Uttarakhand school apologises after girl forced to remove tilak

A Class-8 student in Uttarakhand was asked by her teacher to remove a tilak from her forehead before entering the classroom, claiming it was not allowed. The student complied but later informed her parents, sparking a protest by Hindu groups. The protest led to the school's principal apologizing to the girl's family and the groups. The Director General of School Education has ordered an investigation into the incident.

Kumaon Mountains welcome migratory birds

DEHRADUN : A large congregation of migratory birds has been spotted in the marshy and clear water areas of the lush Terai region of Kumaon in Uttarakhand, much to the delight of avid bird watchers. As these feathered visitors arrive for their seasonal visit, the Forest Department is taking significant steps to ensure their safety. According to sources in the forest department, Patrols are being conducted by boat in the larger lakes to prevent any hunting incidents. These measures are part of a comprehensive plan aimed at safeguarding the birds during their stay in the region. The arrival of these migratory guests has been a highlight this winter. Himanshu Bagri, the Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Eastern Terai, told TNIE, Every year during the winter, these migratory birds travel approximately 6,000 to 10,000 kilometres from Europe, Iran, Afghanistan, Russia, and Siberia to reach various locations, including Gularbhoj, Sharda, Baigul, Nanakmatta, Dhura, and Ramnagar. The arrival that began in November is now at its peak. DFO Bagri further stated, Mallard, Northern Pintail, Eurasian Teal, Red-Crested Pochard, Common Pochard, Ferruginous Duck, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Common Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, and Ferruginous Pochard have arrived from abroad. He added, These migratory birds from the high Himalayas include the Asian Woolly-Necked Stork, Asian Openbill Stork, Common Kingfisher, White-Throated Kingfisher, Grey Heron, and Bar-Headed Goose. In conversation with this reporter, Senior Wildlife Biologist of the Western Circle Forest Department, Prashant Kumar, emphasized the importance of maintaining clean rivers and dams to protect migratory birds arriving in India. He stated, Instructions have been issued to ensure that the cleanliness of rivers and dams is maintained so that it does not impact the safety and breeding of these migratory birds. Kumar shared an intriguing insight regarding these foreign guests. He stated, These migratory birds stay in India for four months, but they mate only with their own species. While they interact, play, and fly with Indian birds, their mating is strictly limited to their own kind. This behaviour has also been corroborated by American scientists in their research. Prashant describes this tendency of migratory birds as a natural instinct. He highlighted the complexities of migratory bird interactions. He explained, These birds inhabit different geographic areas and have distinct feeding and nesting habits, leading to rare encounters. He noted that competition often arises instead of mating, as the male may sing the wrong song or display incorrect markings, leaving females unresponsive or frightened. Additionally, differing activity patterns and physical incompatibilities further hinder mating. Kumar emphasized that while cross-species mating can occur, fertilization often fails due to chromosomal mismatches, resulting in non-viable embryos.

Transgender welfare board in Uttarakhand formed

DEHRADUN : The Pushkar Singh Dhami-led government of Uttarakhand has approved the formation of a Transgender Personal Welfare Board. Uttarakhand is the 13th state to implement such a board, which aims at supporting the rights and welfare of the transgender community. Uttarakhands Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli, said, This board will play a crucial role in integrating the transgender community into the mainstream. It aims to empower the transgender community and make them self-reliant. The transgender community supported the decision. Aditi Sharma, a social activist from Dehradun and transgender community member said, This board will not only improve our lives but will help us gain equality and respect in society. This decision should have been made earlier, but it is heartening that the current government has recognised our rights. Other states that had estblished the board include Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. According to official data, Uttrakhand is home to around 4,815 transgenders.

Protest after girl asked to remove tilak in school

Director General of School Education Jharna Kamthan has also asked the chief education officer of Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand to investigate the matter.

91 Indian districts at high drought risk, 51 at high flood risk: Report

NEW DELHI: Indias 91 districts face high risks of drought, 51 districts are at high flood risks and 11 face very high risks of both, a new report released by the Department of science and technology says, emphasising the need for immediate interventions to address challenges posed by climate change. The report, titled District-Level Climate Risk Assessment for India: Mapping Flood and Drought Risks Using IPCC Framework, has mapped Indias districts to assess climate vulnerability. The profiling of hazard-specific risks of districts will enable state governments to prepare proactively and allocate resources, staff and design programmes, fostering resilience in districts most affected by floods and droughts, the report says. Besides DST, the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation funded the study to address climate change challenges. The study was carried out by the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati in collaboration with IIT Mandi and the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), Bengaluru. According to the study, about 85% of the districts of Assam, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Odisha, and Jammu and Kashmir are in the very high flood risk category. Fifty-one districts face very high flood risk and 118 come under high risk category. More than 85% of the districts in the very high drought risk category belong to Bihar, Assam, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Haryana. Ninety-one districts facing very high drought risk, and 188 districts facing high drought risk predominantly belong to Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, Odisha and Maharashtra. Eleven districts facing both very high flood and drought risks include Patna (Bihar); Alappuzha (Kerala); Charaideo, Dibrugarh, Sibsagar, South Salmara-Mankachar and Golaghat (Assam); Kendrapara (Odisha); and Murshidabad, Nadia, and Uttar Dinajpur (West Bengal). Now challenge is to translate these findings into on-ground actions as essentials, and insights must reach every stakeholder at national and state levels, said Anita Gupta, head of scientific division, DST.

Dehradun Diary | Chakarata prepares for winter relief efforts

Following the seasons first snowfall in Chakarata, local administration and departments are gearing up for winter relief efforts. The government schools will observe winter break from December 25 to January 31. Additionally, three months worth of advance rations are set to be dispatched to six food warehouses in the area this week. A spokesperson said, Eight JCB machines and a snow cutter have been deployed to clear blocked roads. Block Education Officer Bushra told this newspaper, Approximately 5,000 students from 156 schools, located above 7,000 feet, will be on winter break during this period. Govt to cover funeral, transportation costs The Uttarakhand government has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) ensuring that the costs of transporting deceased citizens from hospitals to their homes and funeral expenses will be borne by the state. The move came following a case when 25-year-old Shivani had to transport her deceased brothers body tied to the roof of a jeep in Haldwani. Under the new SOP, the district magistrate has been instructed to facilitate ambulance services and cover cremation costs when necessary, ensuring dignity in the final rites for citizens in the future. Uttarakhand to host World Ayurveda Cong 2024 Uttarakhand is set to become a pivotal location for promoting Ayurveda globally with the World Ayurveda Congress and Health Expo 2024. The event will feature a three-day international assembly, where representatives from various countries will discuss and share insights on Ayurvedic practices. The decision to hold the International Assembly reflects our commitment to fostering a global dialogue on Ayurveda, an official statement read. Delegates from the US, UK, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Sweden, Canada, Portugal, and Singapore are expected to participate in the event. Narendra sethi Our correspondent in Uttarakhand narendrasethi@newindianexpress.com

Uttarakhand High Court seeks counter-affidavits from authorities over mineral mining rules

The Uttarakhand High Court recently sought counter-affidavits from respondents in a case challenging the validity of Sub-Rule (9) of Rule 31 of the Uttarakhand Minor Mineral (Concession) Rules, 2023. The rule permits carrying on of mining operations by invoking the dredging policy for persons who have been issued a Letter of Intent for grant of [] The post Uttarakhand High Court seeks counter-affidavits from authorities over mineral mining rules appeared first on India Legal .

Parliament 2001 Attack's 23rd Anniversary: Leaders Pay Tribute to Martyrs

On the 23rd anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attack on the Indian Parliament, President Droupadi Murmu paid heartfelt tributes to the brave souls who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation's democracy. On this solemn occasion, President Droupadi Murmu shared a tribute on X, honoring the brave martyrs who gave their lives protecting the Indian Parliament on December 13, 2001. She expressed deep gratitude for their courage and sacrifice, emphasizing that their legacy continues to inspire the nation. The President reaffirmed India's unwavering commitment to fighting terrorism, highlighting the unity and resolve of the nation in the face of terror. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other political leaders, including Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, and Union Ministers Amit Shah, JP Nadda, Kiren Rijiju, and others, gathered at the Parliament to honor the martyrs. The tributes also included floral offerings as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives during the horrific attack. In a message shared on X, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami acknowledged the bravery of the soldiers who gave their lives during the attack, emphasizing that their sacrifice continues to inspire citizens to serve the nation. The tragic incident, which occurred on December 13, 2001, remains etched in the memory of the nation. In the attack, five courageous Delhi Police officersJagdish, Matbar, Kamlesh Kumari, Nanak Chand, and Rampalalong with CPWD gardener Om Prakash, and others, laid down their lives to protect the Parliament building from terrorists. The attack was orchestrated by militants from Pakistan-based terrorist organizations, Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), who infiltrated the premises in an attempt to strike a blow against Indian democracy. The attackers infiltrated the premises in a vehicle with fake government stickers and launched a violent assault using AK-47 rifles, grenade launchers, and pistols. However, the courage of security personnel resulted in the elimination of all five terrorists, preventing a catastrophic outcome. At the time, over 100 prominent politicians were inside the Parliament building. The terrorists attempted to drive their vehicle into the car of the then Vice President, Krishan Kant, but were thwarted by the quick action of the Vice Presidents security team, which returned fire and secured the building. Security agencies later confirmed that Pakistans Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) had orchestrated the attack, which escalated tensions between India and Pakistan, eventually leading to the 2001-2002 India-Pakistan standoff. On this significant day, CISF personnel paid their respects with a formal salute, followed by a moment of silence to honor the martyrs. Leaders also interacted with the families of the brave souls who were lost, acknowledging their sacrifices. The attack, though tragic, is remembered as a testament to the resilience and courage of those who defended the heart of Indian democracy.

Tiny, Parasitic & Fascinating: 5 New Species Of Rare Darwin Wasps Discovered in India And Thailand

Out of the five species, one each was found in Kerala and Tamil Nadu (on either side of the Western Ghats), one in the Siang valley in Arunachal, one in Uttarakhand, and the fifth species in Thailand

Khatana, other MPs call on Shah, Giriraj; fully endorse pro active steps to weed out terrorism

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: MP Rajya Sabha, Gulam Ali Khatana has fully endorsed the Union Governments and J&K administrations proactive steps in weeding out terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. The MP who along with the former CM of Uttarakhand and MP, Trivendra Singh Rawat and other MPs called on Union Home Minister and Cooperation Minister, Amit Shah and Union Textile Minister, Giriraj Singh at New Delhi discussed varied issues relating to J&K with them. Khatana, while endorsing the proactive [] The post Khatana, other MPs call on Shah, Giriraj; fully endorse pro active steps to weed out terrorism appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Ukhand to implement dedicated Yoga Policy, says CM Dhami

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 12: Uttarakhand is striving to become the first state in the country to implement a dedicated Yoga Policy and the policy will play a crucial role in integrating Ayurveda and Yoga into the healthcare sector. This was announced by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Addressing the 10th Ayurveda Congress and Arogya Expo 2024, CM Dhami expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a proud moment for Uttarakhand to host the event. He highlighted the [] The post Ukhand to implement dedicated Yoga Policy, says CM Dhami appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Uttarakhand Cabinet approves formation of transgender welfare board

The board will work towards facilitating the access of the community to the welfare schemes of the government and will also review the existing social, educational and health schemes for them

Uttarakhand first state to implement a dedicated Yoga Policy, announces Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that Uttarakhand is striving to become the first state in the country to implement a dedicated Yoga Policy. He emphasized that the policy will play a crucial role in integrating Ayurveda and Yoga into the ...

UTET result 2024 released: Check your marks at ukutet.com

The Uttarakhand Board of School Education (UBSE) has released the UTET Result 2024 on December 12, 2024. Candidates can check their results on the official website, www.ukutet.com, by entering their registration number or roll number. The final answer keys for both UTET Paper I and II will also be published soon. Candidates can download the result and access the answer keys under the DEPARTMENTAL EXAM/UTET section on the website.

10 Lesser-known places to visit in Uttarakhand this new year

10 Lesser-known places to visit in Uttarakhand this new year

Uttarakhand couple donate body of 2.5-day-old baby girl for medical education

Body donated to Doon Medical Colleges anatomy department; I am making her immortal. She will serve a greater cause for mankind, says grieving mother; likely the youngest such donation in India

Uttarakhand madrasa board chairman condemns atrocities on Hindus in Bangladesh

Targeting any minority community is a serious violation of human rights and a threat to the social fabric of any nation, Mufti Shamoon Qasmi said

Shikha Mukerjee | Edgy Mahayuti equations: The new game of thrones

The swearing-in of Devendra Fadnavis as Maharashtras new chief minister, almost two weeks after the alliance bagged 80 per cent of the total 288 seats in the Assembly, settles nothing. It is probably the start of a game of thrones that will play out over several years as the three-legged Mahayuti alliance of the BJP-Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party jostle inside and outside the coalition and the government over two vacancies: the dominant face and the dominant party in the state. Maharashtra is consequently hobbling, instead of up and running. Infuriatingly frustrating as it probably is for the bigger BJP as it treads unsettled waters over portfolio distribution with Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, the reality is that the party is not in control, nor can it be seen to be in control. The hold-up is a consequence of the much smaller, but obviously not weaker, Eknath Shindes reluctance to give up on his ambition to be Maharahstras CM again. The BJP has had to patiently get Mr Shinde to agree to his demotion and allow Mr Fadnavis to take charge as chief minister. To set the record straight, to use a well-worn clich, the BJP in Maharashtra doesnt call the shots, despite winning 132 seats and getting the support of five other newly-elected legislators, against 57 that Mr Shinde won, of the total 288 seats. It is a deliciously piquant twist to a particularly sordid saga of contrived defections, break-ups and alliances. The record establishes that unlike in Uttar Pradesh, and more like in Bihar, the BJP must keep its smaller, but not weaker partners, happy. There are kingmakers and parties that are crucial for cobbling up coalitions. Neither Eknath Shinde nor Ajit Pawar have, as yet, succeeded in becoming the big guys of Maharashtra politics, though they are on course to be so. Their strong showing has made every other party and leader vulnerable unless they blow up their futures or inexplicably fall into a decline. By exceeding the expectations of certainly the BJP and obviously Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar, Mr Shinde and Ajit Pawar are now potential challengers to the line-up of leaders. Curiously enough, so also is Mr Fadnavis to the BJPs order of things. He has been transformed, like Narendra Modi once was, into the face of the BJP in Maharashtra. This makes him indispensable and different from hitherto all other BJP chief ministers, including men like Shivraj Singh Chouhan, former Madhya Pradesh chief minister, who have served at the pleasure of the party and its masterminds, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. When Mr Shinde split the Shiv Sena in 2022 with 40 MLAs, compared to the BJPs 105 MLAs, and became chief minister, his achievement was at par with Nitish Kumars reappointment as chief minister of the NDA government in Bihar in 2017. Both leaders compelled the BJP to play second fiddle, docile and placatory deputy, despite its obsession with being the dominant partner in coalitions. The lesson that the big guys must stoop low to put themselves in power seems to have been learnt by Ajit Pawar and Mr Shinde. It can mean only one thing; the capacity to delay gratification in order to gain greater and more enduring rewards in the future. By curbing their ambitions for now, Ajit Pawar and Mr Shinde have set themselves on course to play a long game. Whether they play it together or go their separate ways will perhaps determine the BJPs future in Maharashtra, if the Mahayutis present balance of power remains unchanged. It, however, doesnt mean that Mr Shinde or Ajit Pawar have permanently curtailed their ambitions. Ajit Pawar made his position clear by choosing to affirm rather than swear in the name of God his oath of office and secrecy. It is a sign that he has every intention of establishing his identity, his politics and his ideology, separate and distinct from that of the BJP. For Mr Shinde, drawing the line distinguishing his politics and ideology from that of the BJP is complicated, since both profess themselves crusaders of the Hindu cause. Where does this leave the BJP? It had to negotiate with its allies to confirm its natural position as the Mahayutis leader. It must have figured out that the Mahayutis stability and its hopes of smooth sailing are contingent on its two partners, Shiv Sena and NCP. This is a new game for the BJP. To play it, it has two choices; it can follow its old playbook or write a new one following the Maharashtra election. The other uncomfortable truth is the BJP is not the leader of the Maratha heartland and does not embody the spirit of the Marathi manoos (people) or Marathi Asmita. Without the heartland and the spirit, the BJP falls short of the sort of domination it has in Uttar Pradesh and to a lesser degree in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. It does not have the political capital that is accumulated over decades, through participation and leading grassroots movements in support of the demands of labour, farmers and the infrastructure sector as the Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party does. Up against regional grassroots leaders, who have control over the course and direction of their parties, the BJP is at a huge disadvantage. The BJP, even in the cause of Hindutva, is dependent on the RSS and its network of voluntary outfits for mass mobilisation. As a centrally-controlled institution where hierarchy and protocols prevail, the BJP needs to constantly juggle regional politics versus national goals and agendas. Contrary to the partys narrative that regional leaders are puppets and foot soldiers who are entirely dispensable because what matters is the unprecedented popularity and durability of the great helmsman, that is Narendra Modi, the Maharashtra story has produced a new leader, who is indispensable for the success of the Mahayuti. This is a new reality and the BJP will have to figure out how to handle it. The more history and the more varied that history becomes as the BJP matures as a national party, its simple design of leadership, collective or singular, more or less authoritarian or democratic, will necessarily have to accommodate the emergence of local leaders, some of whom could be like Narendra Modi, superstars on their own turf and on the national scene. 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As the year ends, winter travel is heating up dating apps with spike in matches

For Indians, winter is not only about sweaters and hot cocoa- it's the favorite season for the wanderlust and travel enthusiasts, and India's No.1 dating app, QuackQuack's, consumer study shows a record high matches induced by the same love for traveling this winter. Indians are not only busy packing their bags for the weekend getaway; they are busy matching with their travel buddies on dating apps. The app's recent survey of 10,000 active users from metros, suburbs, and rural areas of India revealed a fascinating new trend where travel and romance have intertwined. It was conducted between November 25 and December 5 through online questionnaires and consumer behavior observation. Participants ranged between 25 and 35 and belonged to various professional fields- IT, healthcare and medicine, education, sales and marketing, law and order, finance, and a portion of users in between jobs. Picture courtesy : By arrangement QuackQuack's Founder and CEO, Ravi Mittal, commented, Traveling and visiting new places open up a more organic way for people to meet, especially at a low-pressure setting. This wanderlust-induced matching is not new, but the rate of it has definitely increased this year and more among the Millennials than any other age group. Travel meets romance Every winter, tourist places in India see a record-breaking number of travelers, and this onset of the winter holidays is no different. What's different is how Indians' love for traveling is changing the matching game significantly. 28% of respondents revealed that they are more inclined to match with a user who mentions a passion for traveling, specifically this time of the year. Surprisingly, 9% of these daters particularly matched with people from specific areas to discuss and get help creating an itinerary. Prakash from South Delhi said, I matched with a very kind person from the Southern part of India whose Bio showcased that she has traveled extensively. One thing, she is beautiful, but there was another agenda- I wanted to visit the South and wanted her to recommend some offbeat locations. Plus, we chatted and connected so well over this that we ended up meeting each other once I went there. Picture Courtesy : By arrangement Destination-Matching From the snow-capped mountains of Shimla to the serene beaches of Goa, if there's one thing that has been buzzing more than the travelers, it is dating apps. QuackQuack reports an increase in match rate in the travel-favorite places, with Goa and Uttarakhand stealing the top spots. 31% of male users from Tier 1 and 2 cities disclosed matching with someone on their recent journey, and 3 in 5 people went ahead and met their match in person during the trip. Harsh, an IT professional from Amritsar, said, I met a woman while visiting Manali. We ended up exploring the place together. It was great while it lasted, and the expiry date made it more romantic, I suppose. Travel compatibility is the new green flag. Travel style and preference have become a key compatibility element this season. Beach or mountains, budget or luxury, quick or laidback, QuackQuack's survey reveals users determining matches based on these differences and similarities since the onset of winter. 28% of women commented that they had paused conversation with matches due to clashing travel tastes. Anjali from Pune, a 27-year-old CA, said, I love to splurge a little when I travel, so when I matched with a guy who was too fixated on budget-friendly, I knew things wouldn't get far with him. And since I am looking for a serious relationship, I don't think committing to someone with such a starkly different travel style is wise. 9% of daters between 32 and 35 looking for a serious match shared discussing their must visit spots to potential partners for long-term compatibility evaluation.

Amit Shah misleading Parliament, people: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah of misleading the Parliament and the people on the Wayanad disaster. His statement that the state government submitted the detailed report on Wayanad disaster late is not factual. It is unfortunate that the Union government wanted to evade the responsibility of allowing financial aid by converting it into a controversy. This is not the first time Amit Shah has done this, Pinarayi said at a press conference on Monday. He said the state submitted a memorandum requesting a primary financial aid of Rs 1,202 crore to the Centre on August 17. On November 13, the state submitted a detailed report after the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) was done. However, the home minister had told the MPs from Kerala that it was because of the late submission of this report that a special package for Kerala could not be declared. But at the time of the prime ministers visit, PDNA was not considered as an official document to get financial aid. This is the first PDNA after the guidelines were created, he said. To prepare this, at least a three-month period is needed. The state only took that time. Kerala has submitted a 583-page detailed report. States like Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh also prepared the detailed report in a three-month period after disasters, he added. The CM alleged that the Centre is ignoring Wayanad and the victims by not declaring the special financial aid. Though the Centre had declared financial aid to states like Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tripura, and Bihar for flood calamities, Kerala was ignored. Kerala is one of the states in India. The aid given to other states should be made available to us too, Pinarayi said. If the Union government is of the view that the Wayanad landslides do not come under the category of disaster, the Centre should clarify which one is eligible for financial aid. There are no lapses on the part of the government in informing the High Court about the details of SDRF, he added.

Muslims offer chaadar at Piran Kaliyar praying for Hindus in Bangladesh

Dehradun: Members of the Muslim community led by Uttarakhand Waqf Board Chairman Shadab Shams on Monday offered a chaadar at Piran Kaliyar Sharif praying for end of alleged atrocities against the Hindu minorities in Bangladesh. We have come to plead against the oppressors and for the rights of the oppressed in Bangladesh. What is happening 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 .

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan slams Centre's delay in granting assistance to disaster-affected Wayanad

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan hits out at Centre for delaying assistance to the landslide hit Wayanad. Hundred days have passed since Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the disaster-affected Chooralmala, Mundakai and Punjarimattom villages which were washed away in the devastating landslides on July 30 killing nearly 400 persons. While the Centre has helped liberally other states which faced natural disasters, in the case of Kerala the union government has ignored the genuine demands of the state, the chief minister said here on Monday . Pinarayi urged the Centre to end the neglect of the state and release financial assistance for the rehabilitation of affected people and rebuilding of disaster-hit areas of Wayanad. Regarding Amit Shah's recent claim that Kerala failed to provide the necessary memorandum and assessment report, Pinarayi stated that this was not the first instance of the Union Home Minister misleading Parliament and the public about the Wayanad situation. Previously, he had attempted to mislead Parliament by citing a non-existent weather report. The Centre had issued a clear warning about landslides, so what action did Kerala take? Amit Shah questioned in Parliament. The state promptly provided evidence to the contrary, showing that no such warning was issued. Kerala had requested an initial sum of Rs 1,202 crore for relief efforts, which included both anticipated and additional expenses. The Chief Minister noted that over 100 days have passed since the Prime Minister's visit and more than three months since the submission of the memorandum, with the central team's visit now months behind. In the interim, other states have received assistance without formal requests, yet Kerala has not seen a single rupee of special financial aid. Furthermore, he mentioned that a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) was carried out, with a comprehensive report submitted to the central government on November 13. Pinarayi highlighted that the PDNA was not acknowledged as an official document for financial aid during the Prime Minister's visit. Kerala submitted its preliminary PDNA following the implementation of the Recovery and Reconstruction Guideline on August 14, 2024, completing the process in a significantly shorter period than the mandated three months. The study report was compiled by a team including NDMA members representing the Central Government, KSDMA representatives, and other experts from the Government of Kerala. Kerala's primary concern is the non-sanctioning of emergency assistance as per the submitted memorandum. Conversely, the Centre contends that Kerala's PDNA filing was delayed. Kerala is now seeking reconstruction funds through PDNA. Despite the lesser severity of natural disasters in Tripura, Telangana, and Uttarakhand compared to Wayanad, central assistance was promptly provided. Should the central government categorize the Chooralmala-Mundakkai landslide as a severe disaster (L3 category), Members of Parliament nationwide could utilize up to Rs 1 crore from the MP LAD fund for aiding the affected regions. The central government's stance appears to be a reluctance to declare special financial aid, seemingly neglecting Wayanad and the disaster victims. The Chief Minister has appealed to the Central Government, urging them to abandon this stance and immediately provide financial assistance for relief and swift rehabilitation of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala area's affected populace.

UCC's aim to promote harmony, secularism: Allahabad HC Judge

Prayagraj: The main aim of the Uniform Civil Code is to promote social harmony, gender equality, and secularism, Allahabad High Court Justice Dr Shekhar Yadav has said. The judge made the remarks while addressing a provincial convention of the Legal Cell and High Court Unit of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) in the Library Hall of Allahabad High Court here on Sunday. Justice Yadav said the UCC has been a matter of debate in India for a long time. The main objective of the Uniform Civil Code is to promote social harmony, gender equality, and secularism by eliminating unequal legal systems based on different religions and communities, he said, according to a press statement issued by the VHP. A Uniform Civil Code refers to a common law that applies to all religious communities in personal matters such as marriage, inheritance, divorce, adoption, etc, he said. The aim of the Uniform Civil Code is to replace various personal laws that currently govern personal matters within different religious communities. Its goal is to ensure uniformity of laws not only between communities but also within a community, the judge added. The chief guest, VHP national co-convener Abhishek Atrey, talked about the Waqf Amendment Act. He also said, Bangladesh looks like another Kashmir. We all have to stay united to protect our identity. Allahabad HC senior advocate V P Srivastava shared his experience on the topic 'Conversion - Causes and Prevention.' Activists from Jaunpur, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh, Amethi, Prayagraj, Kaushambi, Bhadohi, Mirzapur, Chandauli, Sonbhadra, Ghazipur, and Varanasi were present at this convention. On March 13 this year, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Uniform Civil Code Bill, passed by the Uttarakhand Assembly on February 7, making it the first state in the country after Independence to adopt the UCC. On December 6, the Centre rejected suggestions that it had issued guidelines to states to implement a UCC. Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha, asserted, No such guidelines were issued by the Government of India to state governments for implementing the uniform civil code. In its consultation paper issued on August 31, 2018, the 21st Law Commission, headed by Justice (retired) B S Chauhan, said the diversity of India's culture can and should be celebrated, and specific groups or weaker sections of the society must not be dis-privileged in the process. The commission had said it had dealt with laws that were discriminatory rather than providing a uniform civil code, Which is neither necessary nor desirable at this stage. The consultation paper said most countries are now moving towards recognition of difference, and the mere existence of difference does not imply discrimination but is indicative of a robust democracy. A uniform civil code in India has been a key agenda of successive election manifestos of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

'Delegitimising human rights': What does the police action against Nadeem Khan reveal?

The Delhi Police attempted to illegally detain prominent human rights activist and national secretary of the Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), Nadeem Khan, just hours after filing a first information report accusing him of promoting enmity between groups on November 30. This followed a search conducted by the Delhi police at the organisation's office in Delhi on November 29. The FIR was filed the next day and within hours police personnel from the Shaheen Bagh police station including the Station House Officer (SHO) reached Nadeem Khan's brother's residence in Bangalore to arrest him. Only after Khan refused to comply with the demand to accompany the officers to Delhi without being served a notice and his lawyers challenging the attempts to arrest him, did the police paste a notice on the walls of the APCR office asking him to appear for investigation. The attempts to intimidate and illegally detain Nadeem Khan was made by the Delhi Police as they knew they could not arrest him legally, said an APCR office bearer, who doesn't want to identified due to confidentiality reasons. According to the Supreme Court guidelines and established criminal law, if the charges involved carry a punishment of less than seven years, there is no provision for immediate arrest. In the FIR against Nadeem Khan, all the charges are punishable by less than three years. Therefore, there is no question of an arrest, he added. The APCR person alleged that the accusations against Khan in the FIR were made out of pressure that they (Delhi Police) got from an anti-social mob on X (formerly Twitter). TNIE spoke to the SHO of Shaheen Bagh who refused to comment on the allegations. The FIR says that the case followed a post on X by one Mr Sinha who shared a video featuring Khan, wherein he speaks about the human rights violations committed against minority communities. In the video , Khan is seen giving a tour of an exhibition stall of the APCR at an event in Hyderabad on November 16. The stall exhibited evidence of hate crimes, hate speeches and other human rights violations that have happened over the last ten years against Muslims and other minority communities in India. The stall also featured the cases fought by APCR in different courts, legal guidelines for the victims of hate crimes and arbitrary arrests. According to the FIR filed by the Delhi Police, Khan is accused of trying to provoke people by demonstrating like this on public platform, preparing Museum, preparing Jail, leveling allegations by affixing photo of well known public personalities, showing torturing to one specific community. He has been booked under charges 196 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The office bearer at APCR feels that the charges would not stand legally. They are accusing him of making hate speeches, which is completely absurd because he has consistently gone to court against hate speech. Even in the video, he talks about instances of hate speeches and hate crimes and legal remedies and how these things have to be dealt with in courts. So, these charges are absurd and I don't think the case will legally stand, he said. The Delhi High Court on Tuesday, while granting interim protection to Nadeem Khan slammed the Delhi Police for the charges in the FIR. We are in a democratic country. The harmony of our nation is not so fragile. It is not so fragile that merely one exhibition, merely someone shouting, it cannot be. Consider people as intelligentYou repose very little faith in the common man. Common man is intelligent. Common man isn't so fragile the court said. 'Targeted witch hunt' The People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) in a statement on December 1, condemning the FIR against Nadeem Khan expressed shock at the manner in which Delhi Police is conducting a targeted witch-hunt against the human rights activist at the instigation of a few social media accounts on Twitter. Anybody who gives the Muslim voice a space, lends a ear to the aggrieved and tries to use legitimate human rights to educate, build awareness and public opinion... they (government) don't want that voice. They want the Muslims to quietly take all this, said Kavita Srivastava, the National President of PUCL. Mentioning the case against Alt News co-founder Mohammed Zubair, who was recently booked by the UP police for sharing a speech made by Hindu extremist leader Yati Narsinghanand on X, Kavita emphasised that the crimes committed by the perpetrators of hate speech are seen as lesser while those calling it out are being incriminated. APCR putting out the exhibition detailing what happened to Muslims in the last ten years is seen as worse than the crimes that were committed. Any kind of legitimate human rights activity including documentation is being seen as worse than the crime itself, Kavita pointed out. According to the APCR source, the case against Nadeem Khan is very similar to that against Zubair. The video (of the exhibition) is two weeks old, but the targeting has been happening for many months. It is very similar to what happened with Zubair, in fact, the first person they have really targeted was him. His case is even worse. It is the same mob, the same people... they first targeted Zubair, and now they are targeting us. The video is just an excuse, he said. Zubair has close to 12 FIRs filed against him. In the latest FIR filed by the UP police, Zubair is charged with section 152 of the BNS which amounts to endangering unity, sovereignty and integrity of India, and carries life sentence or a prison term for up to seven years and a fine. Zubair was arrested in 2022 by the Delhi Police accusing him of hurting the religious sentiments of the Hindu community, after a right-wing-affiliated twitter handle took objection to a 2018 tweet posted by him. He was later granted bail in the case. Human rights activists, journalists and organisations including the DIGIPUB , the Press Club of India and Reporters Without Borders have condemned the FIRs against Zubair. DIGIPUB, a collective of more than 90 digital outlets across the country called the police action against Zubair a vindictive and unreasonable over-reach by the agencies of the state. The office bearer at APCR feels the same about his organisation. He said that APCR is being targeted for the important interventions it has made in the past few months. In the last few months, the APCR has gone to the court and has been able to get orders which to an extent prevented the hate propaganda, he said. Pointing out some of the interventions, he said, The APCR petitioned the SC against the UP and Uttarakhand government orders to display owners' names in eateries during the Kanwar yatra leading to the apex court ordering a stay on it. Similarly, APCR has also intervened in cases related to bulldozing of homes and properties. The courts have looked at our interventions as legitimate and has given favourable orders stopping the state from carrying out illegal activities. I think it is these interventions that infuriated them, he said. Kavita agreed, adding that APCR has been extremely prompt in its actions as a human rights organisation and the police actions and the social media campaigns against the organisation and its office bearers are attempted at delegitimising and criminalising their work. It has put forward a lot of initiatives. It intervened at the right moment, the sense of timing was good. It is also spread across the country, she said. The APCR recently approached the Allahabad HC seeking an independent probe into the alleged incidents of police atrocity in Sambhal where at least six Muslim youths including a minor were killed. A few days after the PIL was filed in Allahabad HC, an FIR was filed against the joint secretary of APCR in UP. This targeting is happening throughout and it has nothing to do with any individual offence, the APCR person said.

Vidyut Jammwal celebrates birthday in sylvan surroundings of Uttarakhand

Mumbai: Hindi film actor Vidyut Jammwal is set to have a private birthday as he will be celebrating amidst nature in the sylvan environment of Uttarakhands Tehri hills. Vidyut, who turns a year older Tuesday, had earlier taken to Instagram, where he shared a video of himself working out amidst a wildfire. The actor, known []

Woman transports brother's body 195 km on taxi roof

A woman in Uttarakhand was forced to transport her brother's body on the roof of a taxi after ambulance drivers demanded exorbitant fees. The incident sparked outrage, prompting the state's chief minister to order an investigation.

Uttarakhand: Unable To Afford Ambulance, Woman Brings Brother's Body Home Tied To Taxi Roof

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami had ordered an inquiry into the matter and directed the officials to take strict actions against the culprits

Uttarakhand launches Winter Char Dham Yatra

In a significant step to promote tourism and year-round pilgrimage in Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the Winter Char Dham Yatra with a special puja at the Omkareshwar Temple in Ukhimath, the winter abode of Baba ...

'Game Changer for Uttarakhand': Dhami on preparations for winter Char Dham Yatra

I will stay here in this area and will communicate with the people, meet them and tomorrow I will thank everyone. The winter pilgrimage will prove to be a game changer for us in the coming times because our travel period (to Char Dham) is about five months to six months and even after that we have many places where people can come, CM Dhami said.

Wheelchair-Bound Man Conquers Indias Highest Bungee Jump

Rishikesh: In a groundbreaking achievement, a wheelchair-bound man has become the first person with a physical disability to complete Indias highest bungee jump, a 117-meter plunge, in the adventure hub of Rishikesh, Uttarakhand. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Indias highest bungy 117m | Rishikesh (@himalayanbungy) Bungee jumping, a sport typically reserved for able-bodied thrill-seekers, involves leaping from elevated platforms like bridges, cranes, or cliffs while securely harnessed to an elastic cord. This extraordinary feat has redefined the boundaries of inclusion in extreme sports. The man, whose name has yet to be disclosed, underwent extensive preparation to ensure his safety and adapt the experience to his specific needs. The organizers of the jump worked closely with him to modify the harness and safety protocols, ensuring that his wheelchair would not impede the jump or compromise safety. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Indias highest bungy 117m | Rishikesh (@himalayanbungy) Video footage of the jump has since gone viral, showing the mans fearless leap into the void as spectators cheered him on. The sight of his determination and courage has struck a chord across social media platforms, with many applauding his achievement as a milestone for inclusivity in adventure sports. This is a moment of inspiration for everyone. It shows that limitations are only in the mind, said an organizer from the bungee jumping facility. Experts in adaptive sports have hailed this achievement as a step forward in breaking stereotypes surrounding individuals with physical disabilities. By embracing inclusivity, adventure sports facilities like this one in Rishikesh are opening up new possibilities for people with diverse abilities. The feat underscores the transformative power of determination and innovation, inspiring others to push past societal and physical boundaries to achieve the extraordinary.

Mumbai police transfer Sunil Pal`s abduction and extortion case to UP police

Mumbai police have transferred comedian Sunil Pal`s kidnapping and extortion case to Uttar Pradesh police. Pal alleges he was abducted while on his way to Uttarakhand and extorted for Rs 20 lakh, eventually being freed in Meerut after paying Rs 8 lakh.

Unable To Pay For Ambulance, Uttarakhand Family Takes Son's Body On Car Roof

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has taken cognizance of the incident that happened with a family of Pithoragarh's Berinag where a family had to take the body of their son on roof of an SUV as they were unable to pay the charges of ambulance.

Revanth Heading Madari Sarkar: Nadda

HYDERABAD: BJP president Jagat Prakash Nadda termed the Revanth Reddy-led Congress government as madari sarkar and jadugar sarkar, deceiving the people with false promises. He said that the Congress had come to power by playing with the emotions of the people with tall promises. Addressing a public meeting at Saroornagar stadium here on Saturday, Nadda said that the Congress leaders wrore by the culture of enjoy as long as you live. The Congress has been rooted out in Tamil Nadu 60 years ago, was out of power for over 30 years in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh and 25 years in Bihar, he said. On the other hand, the BJP governments stood by the wishes of the people, whose trust in them is of a very high order. The BJP won in Gujarat for a record sixth time, four times in Madhya Pradesh, thrice in Haryana and Goa and twice in UP, Maharashtra, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Assam and other states. The anti-women, anti-farmer, anti-employees and anti-BCs government in Telangana would be sent packing by the people, Nadda saud. He pointed out at the state-of-affairs in the Congress-led Karnataka. Stating that the Revanth Reddy government had failed to fulfill its promises to the people, Nadda said that the party would be dealt a major blow in all states it is ruling. Nadda asked the gathering whether they had received Vidya Barosa card, unemployment allowance, farm loan waiver, Rythu Bharosa benefits, Shadi mubarak cheques, and the people responded negatively. The Telangana BJP organised the public meeting after week-long awareness programmes in all 119 Assembly segments and having releasing a charge-sheet against the incumbent government. State BJP chief and Union minister G. Kishan Reddy said that Revanth Reddy and his predecessor L. Chandrasekhar were behaving like twins. A number of party MPs, MLAs and office-bearers, including Union minister of state Bandi Sanjay, MPs Dr K. Laxman, Etala Rajendar, D.K. Aruna and Konda Vishweshwar Reddy, MLAs and party leaders took part in the meeting.

DNA TV Show: What is green cess for vehicles entering Uttarakhand?

Two-wheelers, electric and CNG vehicles, those registered in Uttarakhand and those engaged in essential services will be exempted.

Planning Road Trip To Uttarakhand? Tourists Will Soon Need To Pay Green Cess

Two-wheelers, electric and CNG vehicles, those registered in Uttarakhand and those engaged in essential services like ambulances and fire brigades will be exempted.

Man dupes 9 families posing as long-lost son

A day after a man was arrested in Ghaziabad for allegedly posing as the long-lost son of two different families -- one in Ghaziabad and another in Uttarakhand, police on Saturday said the accused duped at least seven more families in other states using the same story.

Vehicles Entering Uttarakhand Will Soon Pay Green Cess; EVs, Bikes Exempted

The Uttarakhand government will soon impose a green cess on out-of-state vehicles, an official said on Saturday.

Green cess to be imposed on vehicles entering Uttarakhand; EVs, bikes exempted

Uttarakhand will soon implement a green cess on out-of-state vehicles, excluding two-wheelers, electric/CNG vehicles, and essential services. Charges, ranging from 20 to 80 for different vehicle types, will be deducted from FASTag wallets. Owners can opt for quarterly or annual passes for extended validity.

DoPT allocates 2 IAS officers for Telangana

Hyderabad: The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) allocated two IAS officers of 2023 batch Saurabh Sharma and Saloni Chhabra for Telangana. These two IAS officers were among the 32 officers who were allocated for Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Kanataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. A communication in this regard was issued by DoPT Deputy Secretary Charulata Somal addressing the Chief Secretaries of the States concerned. The allocation of cadres was made on the basis of Civil Services Examination (CSE)-2023.

Bhagavad Gita is legacy of India's cultural history: Kerala governor Arif Mohammed Khan

Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan emphasized the Bhagavad Gita's significance as India's cultural legacy and a universal scripture at the 9th International Gita Conference in Kurukshetra. Haryana and Uttarakhand Governors joined, highlighting the Gita's message of environmental protection and life philosophy. Tanzania's Minister for Information praised the event's potential to strengthen India-Tanzania ties.

Cars entering Uttarakhand to pay green cess; EVs, bikes exempted

Uttarakhand is set to implement a green cess on out-of-state vehicles starting next month. The cess, ranging from 20 to 80, will be collected via FASTag, utilizing automatic number-plate recognition. Two-wheelers, CNG, and electric vehicles are exempt, along with government and emergency vehicles. Tenders for the required equipment are currently open, closing on December 11.

18 killed in three separate accidents in Uttar Pradesh

KANNAUJ: In three separate accidents, 18 people were killed and more than a dozen injured in Uttar Pradesh's Pilibhit and Chitrakoot districts on Friday, police said. In Pilibhit, six people were killed in the accident which happened on the Pilibhit-Tanakpur road in Neora police station area, they said. A car carrying 11 people tried to overtake another vehicle when it lost control, crashed into a tree and then fell into a ditch, they added. Rescue operations lasted over an hour and a half, involving the use of a bulldozer to remove a fallen tree that had trapped the car following which passengers were extricated and rushed to a nearby hospital, said Superintendent of Police (Pilibhit) Avinash Kumar Pandey told PTI Videos. The deceased were identified as Munni (65), Manzoor Ahmed (60), Bahiuddin (55), Sharif Ahmed (60), Sahe Alam (35), and Rakim (11), the SP said. Three of the injured were referred to a more advanced medical centre, while two were discharged after receiving initial treatment, he added. Neora SHO, Roopa Bisht said the victims, residents of Jamour village in Uttarakhand's Khatima district, were returning from a post-wedding ritual in Pilibhit's Chandoi village, where Anwar and Husna Bibi had tied the knot. In the second accident, six people were killed in Chitrakoot after the car they were travelling in collided head-on with a truck in the Raipura Police Station area, police said. The incident happened around 5. 30 am in the Raipura Police Station area. The Bolero was coming from Prayagraj while the truck from Raipura, Superintendent of Police Arun Kumar Singh said. The injured are undergoing treatment at a local hospital and will be referred to the district hospital for further care, the SP added. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. He also directed district officials to expedite relief efforts and ensure proper assistance to those affected. Further legal proceedings are underway in both cases, according to the police. On the Agra- Lucknow Expressway, eight people died and about a dozen passengers were injured when their bus collided with a water tanker. The accident occurred around 2 pm in Sakrawa area here when the bus was en route Delhi from Lucknow , Kannauj Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar Anand said. Eight passengers died in the accident and around a dozen injured passengers are receiving treatment at the Saifai Medical College, near Etawah district, he said. Other passengers, who were not injured, were sent to their destinations in another bus, he added. State Minister for Jal Shakti Swatantra Dev Singh, who was passing by at the time of the accident, stopped his convoy to assist in rescuing the injured and ensuring their transportation to the hospital. Senior police and administrative officials have reached the spot and they have been instructed to provide the best of medical treatment to the injured, Singh told PTI. It's an unfortunate incident. We need to be more careful on roads and adhere to traffic rules, safety measures, he added. Citing his interaction with the injured passengers, the minister said that the bus driver was apparently drowsy and that may have led to the crash.

Scientists discover fast-growing glacier in Uttarakhand's Niti Valley

DEHRADUN: A group of scientists recently discovered a new glacier in Uttarakhand that was found to be rapidly expanding in size. The glacier is located in the Niti Valley, a remote area in the northernmost region of the hilly state, close to the India-Tibet border. Stretching about 10 km in length, the new glacier that is yet to be named lies adjacent to the Randolph and Rekana glaciers and spans approximately 48 sq km. The curious discovery was made by glaciologists Manish Mehta, Vineet Kumar, Ajay Rana, and Gautam Rawat of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, Dehradun. Their study, Manifestations of a Glacier Surge in Central Himalaya Using Multi-Temporal Satellite Data, was done using satellite data. Their findings show the glacier is currently surging. A glacier surge refers to the sudden and rapid increase in the size of a glacier, Mehta, a senior geologist at the Wadia Institute, said. One reason for this curious phenomenon, Mehta said, could be hydrological imbalance, which occurs when the porosity of water causes the ice layers to weaken and lose stability. This, in turn, leads to the ice sliding downwards.

Dr Mukesh Chugh honoured with BB-Mahatma Gandhi Award

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Dec 5: Dr Mukesh Chugh, a consultant anaesthetist based in UK, who hails from Shastri Nagar area of Jammu, has been awarded the prestigious BB-Mahatma Gandhi Award 2024. The honour was in recognition of his outstanding contributions to promoting Indian culture, heritage, and fostering interfaith harmony. A statement said that the award ceremony took place at the UK House of Lords, with Health Minister of Uttarakhand, Dr Dhan Singh Rawat, Dr Hans, and Baroness Sandip Verma, presenting [] The post Dr Mukesh Chugh honoured with BB-Mahatma Gandhi Award appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Auli ski resort prepares for National Winter Games amid parking concerns

DEHRADUN: The world-renowned Auli ski resort in Uttarakhand is gearing up to host the National Winter Games on New Year's, attracting athletes and tourists from across the globe. While this mega-event is expected to bring in a significant influx of visitors, boosting the local economy, the district administration is faced with a daunting challenge - parking. According to administrative sources, the number of tourist vehicles visiting Auli has been increasing annually since 2022. The recent Joshimath land submergence disaster resulted in the closure of the Joshimath-Auli ropeway, leaving road transport as the only means of access to the popular ski resort. This situation has further exacerbated the parking challenges faced by local authorities, especially with the Auli chairlift now operational and drawing larger crowds, an official associated with the chairlift stated. District Magistrate of Chamoli, Sandeep Tiwari, acknowledged the issue, stating, The administration will soon hold a meeting to discuss arrangements for the National Games in Auli. We will devise a plan to provide a permanent solution to the parking problem. Speaking to TNIE, Deepak Dimri,, Auli chairlift in-charge told, The chairlift operated by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam has been made operational after maintenance. On its inaugural day back in service, it welcomed 90 visitors who came to experience the breathtaking natural beauty that Auli is renowned for. The 800-meter-long chairlift transports visitors from Auli to the upper slopes. Dimri further added, After a trial over the next two days, the 550-meter-long ski lift will also be made operational. The ski lift is primarily used by participants in winter sports events. The chairlift spans an impressive 800 meters, providing a scenic ride that takes passengers from the base of Auli to the upper slopes, where they can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Wedding like Shiv-Parvati: Couples make a beeline for Uttarakhand temple

DEHRADUN: In the heart of Uttarakhands enchanting Rudraprayag district, the ancient Triyuginarayan Temple has captivated the hearts of couples across the nation, emerging as a sought-after venue for nuptial celebrations. Located 11 km from Sonprayag on the Rudraprayag-Gaurikund National Highway, this site is where Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati exchanged vows, according to priests and mythological texts. Recognising its religious significance, the government, in 2017, transformed this hallowed ground with a picturesque backdrop into a romantic haven for couples seeking to tie the knot. Since then, it has become a sought-after wedding destination. This year, over 150 weddings have taken place at the Shiv-Parvati wedding site in Triyuginarayan, with a record-breaking more than 100 weddings occurring in November alone, Ajendra Ajay, president of the Badri Kedar Mandir Samiti, told TNIE. Talking about its holy relevance, Shri Shiv Shankar Ling, the chief priest of the Kedarnath shrine, said, Divine evidence of the marriage between Lord Shiva and Parvati is still present here today. The rush of devotees and couples is also helping the local market to thrive. This year, a record number of pilgrims during the yatra season has led to a steady influx of regular customers, benefiting local merchants, said Mahendra Semwal, president of the Triyuginarayan Traders Association. He has urged the government and administration to improve the Sonprayag-Triyuginarayan road and enhance other essential facilities in the temple area. The officials managing the temple said numerous weddings were held during Makar Sankranti, Basant Panchami, Mahashivratri, Baisakhi, and Vijayadashami this year. In November, marriage-bound couples came not only from the local area but also from Pauri, Srinagar, Dehradun, Delhi, and other regions. The officials also said that upcoming auspicious wedding dates have already been booked.

Uttarkashi mosque row: High-level committee to investigate documents amidst escalating tensions

DEHRADUN: A high-level committee has been constituted by the administration to investigate the documents of a mosque in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, which has been at the center of a controversy surrounding its legitimacy. The move comes as tensions escalate in the region, with right-wing groups, including the Bajrang Dal, threatening to launch a protest against the mosque. According to official sources, the committee will thoroughly examine the documents related to the mosque to determine its legitimacy. Official sources revealed, a committee has been established to investigate the matter under the directives of District Magistrate Dr Meharban Singh Bisht. The committee comprises the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) as the chairperson, along with the Chief Animal Husbandry Officer and the Executive Officer of the municipality as members. A committee headed by Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Bhatwari, Mukesh Chand Ramola has been investigating the ownership of the land on which a mosque in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, is built. The committee had issued notices to nine people listed as account holders of the land, only to discover that three of them had passed away over eight years ago. In a recent development, the surviving account holders and their dependents have submitted a joint response and copies of documents to the administration, in a bid to establish the legitimacy of the mosque's construction, SDM Bhatwari, Mukesh Chand Ramola told The New Indian Express. The account holders have provided the necessary documents, which are being scrutinized by the committee, SDM Ramola told this daily, adding, he said, We are examining the documents and a decision will be taken based on the findings. The formation of this committee is a crucial step towards addressing encroachments in the area, said a spokesperson for the district administration. We are committed to ensuring that all regulations are followed and that public spaces are preserved. Officials have emphasized that the committee's investigation will be conducted with fairness and impartiality. We are committed to ensuring that all voices are heard and that justice prevails, a spokesperson stated, aiming to reassure the community during this contentious period. The situation remains closely monitored as tensions continue to rise.

7 best places to visit in Uttarakhand this winter

7 must-visit places in Uttarakhand this winter

Ganga water in Haridwar is 'B' class, unsafe for drinking or bathing: Pollution Board

The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board found the Ganga river water in Haridwar to be in the 'B' category, which means it is unsuitable for drinking but safe for bathing. The test was conducted in November. Pollution, especially from human waste, is a major concern. Other rivers in India, like the Yamuna in Delhi, are also heavily polluted.

Ganga Water In Haridwar 'Unsafe' For Drinking: Pollution Control Board

The Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board tests the water of Ganga every month at about eight places around Haridwar along the Uttar Pradesh border.

Uttarkashi mosque row: Muslim organizations allege threats to mosque's legitimacy

DEHRADUN: In a new twist in the ongoing campaign led by Hindutva organizations demanding the demolition of a mosque in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, concerns have emerged from Muslim organizations. They fear that the administration may succumb to pressure to manipulate documents regarding the mosque's legitimacy. Speaking to The New Indian Express , Ishtiyak Ahmed, president of the Jama Masjid Committee in Uttarkashi, expressed deep concerns over potential external pressures influencing the administration's decisions. We are deeply concerned that external pressures could influence the administration's decisions, he stated. He further emphasized the mosque's legal standing, asserting, Our mosque has legal standing, and we will not stand idly by while attempts are made to undermine it. Following repeated demands from Hindu organizations, led by the Sanyukt Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Sangh, for the demolition of a 55-year-old mosque in Uttarkashi, Muslim petitioners sought protection from the High Court. Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the Nainital High Court instructed the state government to enforce strict law and order measures in and around the mosque area. We have approached the High Court seeking protection for the mosque, said President Ahmed . Despite this, we remain steadfast in our demand for enhanced security measures, he added. Conversely, the administration has resolutely dismissed the concerns raised by the Muslim groups. There is no basis for such fears; we are committed to upholding the law and ensuring that all communities are treated fairly, stated Mukesh Ramola, the sub-divisional magistrate of Bhatwari. How can there be any tampering with the documents when they (mosque committee) have certified copies? If anyone interferes with the documents in the record room, a criminal case will be filed, stated SDM Ramola. After the repititive demand of Hindu organisations led by The Sanyukt Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Sangh advocating for the demolition of a 55-year-old mosque in Uttarkashi, Muslim petitioners turned to the High Court for protection. Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Nainital High Court directed the state government to ensure strict enforcement of law and order in and around the mosque area. On November 22, a division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Rakesh Thapliyal reviewed a petition concerning the case. The bench issued directives to the state government and the Director General of Police, emphasizing the critical need to maintain peace and order in the region. In a recent development, the Sanyukt Sanatan Dharma Rakshak Sangh, which has launched a campaign against a local mosque, held a masssive Mahapanchayat on Sunday. The event featured the firebrand MLA from Telangana, T. Raja Singh, along with other leaders from the VHP and BJP. During the gathering, Raja urged Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to adopt the strategies of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in addressing issues related to love and land 'jihad.' In a surprising turn of events, the Mahapanchayat proceeded as planned, despite assurances from government counsel in the High Court that o permission had been granted for the gathering. Uttarkashi Mahapanchayat: TG MLA urges U'Khand CM to adopt Yogi's approach to counter 'love jihad'

Literature Festival of India 2024 Ends with Engaging Conversations

New Delhi: The Crime Literature Festival of India, 2nd Edition, reached its zenith with powerful sessions, heartfelt moments, and a celebration of creativity and justice on its third and final day. Held at the Hyatt Centric, Dehradun, the day featured an electrifying lineup that left an indelible mark on participants. The highlight of the day was the session Beyond the Screen: Film, Identity, and Social Justice, featuring acclaimed filmmaker Anubhav Sinha in conversation with Festival Director Aloke Lal. Sinha, known for films like Article 15, Thappad, and Mulk, explored how cinema serves as a lens for societal transformation. Sinha emphasized cinemas role in raising awareness about issues like patriarchy ( Thappad ) and migration during the COVID-19 lockdown ( Bheed ), while acknowledging its limitations in driving immediate change. From left to right retired IPS officer Varun Singla, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha, festival chairman Ashok Kumar, festival director Aloke Lal. Sinha Festival Chairman Ashok Kumar shared his vision for the future of CLFI, stating, The success of this years festival has shown us the immense potential of bringing together diverse voices to discuss crime and justice. Next time, we aim to make it even more impactful by including members of the judiciary alongside police officers, writers, and filmmakers. Their insights will add a new dimension to the conversations around crime literature. Moreover, we plan to expand this festival to cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata, ensuring that the reach and resonance of CLFI continue to grow. The standout moment of Day 3 was the heartwarming session honoring Hindi crime fiction legend Surendra Mohan Pathak. Receiving the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, Pathak was met with a standing ovationthe first of his illustrious career. Overwhelmed with emotion, he shared, This moment is a treasure for me. The recognition and love Ive received here today will stay with me forever. The hall resonated with applause and teary-eyed admiration, a testament to the deep connection between the maestro and his audience. Festival chairman Ashok Kumar at the event. Crimes Against Women: How Much Has Changed from Arushi to RG Kar, moderated by Supriya Chandhok, featured a thought-provoking dialogue with Meeran Chadha Borwankar, Arun Kumar, and Renuka Devi. Supriyas articulate handling of the session earned widespread appreciation. Other notable sessions included: Madhumati to Baazigar: The Representation of Crime in Indian Cinema, with veteran actor Akash Khurana and Festival Curator Maanas Lal, explored how Bollywood has tackled crime narratives through the decades. Invisible Scars: Exploring Crimes Against Men, led by Deepika Bhardwaj and Karan Oberoi, highlighted often-overlooked issues faced by men, sparking meaningful discussions. Workshops on Criminal Psychology, Waste Warriors, and The POCSO Act, featuring panelists Geeta Khanna and Jaya Baloni, added interactive and educational dimensions to the festival, ensuring it was as impactful as it was engaging. At the end of the day, Anubhav Sinha presented mementos to the DCLS team, acknowledging their dedication and commitment to making the event a grand success. Additionally, IPS officer Varun Singla was honored for his bravery in leading a major cyber crackdown in Haryana. Students from schools and universities were also awarded for their outstanding work in the short film and short story writing competitions. Supported by The Hans Foundation, Uttarakhand Film Development Council (UFDC), UPES, and other partners, CLFI concluded its second edition with a resounding promise to return with more compelling stories and conversations. This festival is not just a gatheringits a movement towards understanding crime, justice, and the human condition.

SMAT Trophy: Gujarat opener Urvil Patel becomes first batter to score two T20 centuries in 40 balls

Gujarat opener Urvil Patel on Tuesday smashed his second T20 century in just six days, in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Uttarakhand at the Emerald High School Ground. Patel blazed to a 36-ball hundred, leading Gujarat to a commanding eight-wicket victory in just 13.1 overs.

Top 6 temples in Uttarakhand to add to your bucket list

28-Year-Old from UP Creates AI-Powered Glasses for the Visually Impaired

Lakhimpur Kheri: Talent knows no boundaries. A testament to this is 28-year-old Muneer Khan from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, whose innovations and technical skills have gained him global recognition.From a smart water bottle' to smart soil testing device,' and more recently, AI-enabled eye-glasses,' what makes his innovations stand out is their ability to improve everyday convenience for ordinary people. Born in a humble and poor family in Kheri's Gauriya village, Muneer lost his father when he was just one year old. His four older brothers and mother worked tirelessly to support his education. After completing his primary education at the government-run school in his village, Muneer went on to study at a private inter-college and thereafter got admission at the Birla Institute of Applied Sciences in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. During his second year, Khan completed multiple research internships in France and Russia, which sparked his interest in artificial intelligence and sensor technology. After completing his master's from Columbia University, he founded Cadre Technologies (USA & India). While at Columbia, Khan developed a smart water bottle,' named Hydrohomie, which helped detect dehydration levels and suggested immediate water intake. It earned him the Best Project Award' from the university. He also designed a smart soil testing device' for farmers in India which helps identify micro-nutrients in soil within minutes. It won him the Young Scientist Award 2024, which was presented to him by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in July. Now, Khan has turned his attention to helping the visually impaired with his latest innovation: AI-enabled eye-glasses, known as AI-Vision Pro. Speaking to PTI over the phone from the USA on Monday, Khan said, Artificial intelligence-equipped eye-glasses for the visually impaired will be unveiled at the Techfest, organized by IIT Bombay, from December 17 to December 19. The AI-enabled VisionPro eye-glasses are a groundbreaking assistive device for visually impaired individuals, aiding them in their day-to-day lives and work, he explained. Integrated with sensors, cameras, Nvidia Jetson processors, LiDAR technology, and AI model computation, the glasses provide real-time interpretation of the environment and surroundings,he added. He further explained, When worn, the AI-enabled glasses help identify faces, differentiate between medicines and food items, assist in detecting obstacles while walking, alert users to risks while mapping surroundings, and read and interpret printed materials. Muneer also shared that the organisers were thrilled to announce that the innovative glasses would be unveiled to the public for the first time during Asia's largest TechFest at IIT Bombay, scheduled for December 17-19. This event will mark a significant milestone in their mission to promote accessibility and independence for visually impaired individuals, he said.

This Breathtaking Place Is On Top Of Anand Mahindra's Travel List

Renowned as one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, Kedarnath is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand.

28-year-old from UP village creates AI-enabled eye-glasses to help visually impaired

Lakhimpur Kheri: Talent knows no boundaries. A testament to this is 28-year-old Muneer Khan from Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh, whose innovations and technical skills have gained him global recognition. From a 'smart water bottle' to a 'smart soil testing device,' and more recently, 'AI-enabled eye-glasses,' what makes his innovations stand out is their ability to improve everyday convenience for ordinary people. Born in a humble and poor family in Kheri's Gauriya village, Muneer lost his father when he was just one year old. His four older brothers and mother worked tirelessly to support his education. After completing his primary education at the government-run school in his village, Muneer went on to study at a private inter-college and thereafter got admission at the Birla Institute of Applied Sciences in Bhimtal, Uttarakhand. During his second year, Khan completed multiple research internships in France and Russia, which sparked his interest in artificial intelligence and sensor technology. After completing his master's from Columbia University, he founded Cadre Technologies (USA & India). While at Columbia, Khan developed a 'smart water bottle,' named Hydrohomie, which helped detect dehydration levels and suggested immediate water intake. It earned him the 'Best Project Award' from the university. He also designed a 'smart soil testing device' for farmers in India which helps identify micro-nutrients in soil within minutes. It won him the Young Scientist Award 2024, which was presented to him by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in July. Now, Khan has turned his attention to helping the visually impaired with his latest innovation: AI-enabled eyeglasses, known as AI-Vision Pro. Speaking to PTI over the phone from the USA on Monday, Khan said, Artificial intelligence-equipped eye-glasses for the visually impaired will be unveiled at the Techfest, organized by IIT Bombay, from December 17 to December 19. The AI-enabled VisionPro eye-glasses are a groundbreaking assistive device for visually impaired individuals, aiding them in their day-to-day lives and work, he explained. Integrated with sensors, cameras, Nvidia Jetson processors, LiDAR technology, and AI model computation, the glasses provide real-time interpretation of the environment and surroundings, he added. He further explained, When worn, the AI-enabled glasses help identify faces, differentiate between medicines and food items, assist in detecting obstacles while walking, alert users to risks while mapping surroundings, and read and interpret printed materials. Muneer also shared that he organisers were thrilled to announce that the innovative glasses would be unveiled to the public for the first time during Asia's largest TechFest at IIT Bombay, scheduled for December 17-19. This event will mark a significant milestone in their mission to promote accessibility and independence for visually impaired individuals, he said.

LS Secy Gen gets fresh extension

NEW DELHI, Dec 2: Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh has been granted a fresh one-year extension, an official order said. According to the order, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has extended the tenure of Singh up to November 30, 2025. Singh, a 1986-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, took over as Lok Sabha Secretary General on December 1, 2020, and his tenure has been extended on earlier occasions too. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel [] The post LS Secy Gen gets fresh extension appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Uttarakhand: Hindus call for unity to fight against love jihad and land jihad at Mahapanchayat, demand demolition of illegal mosques

Around 500 persons participated in the event organized by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad which declared that there would be another maha panchayat in the coming times. This is just the beginning of our struggle. We will uproot these forces from Uttarakhand, VHP's Anuj Walia said calling for district-wide protests.

LS Secy General Utpal Kumar gets fresh one-year extension

New Delhi, Dec 2: Lok Sabha Secretary General Utpal Kumar Singh has been granted a one-year extension, according to an official order. The tenure has been extended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla until November 30, 2025. Singh, a 1986-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Uttarakhand cadre, assumed office as Lok Sabha Secretary [] The post LS Secy General Utpal Kumar gets fresh one-year extension appeared first on Northlines .