Uttarakhand News

Uttarakhand forest official moves HC after government bypasses seniority for top post appointment

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Forest Department is once again engulfed in controversy over the appointment to its top post, as a decision by the state government to bypass seniority rules has prompted the most senior officer to challenge the appointment in the High Court. In an unprecedented move, the state government appointed Ranjan Kumar Mishra as the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), the chief of the entire department, overruling the claims of his senior colleague, BP Gupta. Gupta has approached the Nainital High Court, challenging the governments decision to ignore established seniority norms. This move sets a dangerous precedent, commented an insider familiar with the department's internal workings, speaking on condition of anonymity. When a junior officer is placed above a senior colleague in a critical administrative post, it inevitably leads to questions of fairness and administrative propriety. The situation is further complicated because Gupta currently holds the charge of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Administration), a role that falls directly under the HoFF. This means Gupta would now have to report to his junior. While there were discussions during the Civil Service Board meeting about potentially shifting Gupta to a specialised role outside the core department, Biodiversity, an order to this effect has already been issued. This marks the first time the state government has explicitly disregarded seniority when selecting the head of the Forest Department. While there was a previous instance where Rajiv Bhartari was briefly appointed HoFF before being replaced by his junior, Vinod Kumar, the current situation is seen as the clearest instance of seniority being overlooked for the department's apex position. It is worth noting that internal disputes over key appointments in the Forest Department are not new. Former HoFF Rajiv Bhartari had previously taken the government to the High Court after being removed from the post, leading to a court order reinstating him temporarily. Gupta has filed his petition through his counsel, Abhijay Negi. The High Court heard the matter twice on Wednesday and has scheduled further hearings for Thursday, keeping the entire administrative fraternity in suspense. Legal experts suggest the Court may seek minutes from the DPC meeting to ascertain the rationale behind bypassing seniority. However, there is also speculation that the Court might advise Gupta to pursue the matter before the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT), which typically handles service-related disputes. The Forest Department has witnessed previous legal battles over administrative decisions; notably, Pankaj Kumar previously sought judicial intervention against a transfer order, which the High Court subsequently stayed.

10 Major Tragedies That Shook India in 2025

From the Ahmedabad plane crash to the Prayagraj stampede, Pahalgam terror attack, Uttarakhand cloudbursts, Chinnaswamy stampede and Sangareddy factory blasthere are the 10 biggest tragedies that shook India in 2025.

FIR filed against 18 social media accounts over deepfake images targeting PM Modi in Dehradun

DEHRADUN: A major political storm has erupted in Uttarakhand's capital after highly offensive, digitally manipulated images and videos targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi began circulating widely on social media. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) quickly filed a complaint at the Vasant Vihar police station, alleging a coordinated attempt to tarnish the Prime Ministers image using sophisticated AI tools. Devendra Bisht, Mahanagar President of the BJYM, submitted a written complaint naming 18 social media accounts allegedly involved in spreading the fabricated content. These AI-generated photos and videos are a blatant attempt to defame the Prime Minister, Bisht said, noting that the visuals portray the PM in compromising or absurd scenarios, such as selling tea, posing shirtless like a bodybuilder, or standing behind Russian President Vladimir Putin as a bodyguard. Bisht said the posts were intended to hurt public sentiment and create disharmony. These account holders are actively trying to disturb public peace, he added. Local police confirmed that a case has been registered, but no arrests have been made so far. Station House Officer Ashok Rathore said the matter has been referred to the Cyber Cell for detailed investigation. A case has been registered against the operators of 18 accounts under relevant sections of the IT Act and other serious charges, Rathore said. Our focus is on tracing the origin and identifying which account first uploaded the AI-generated content. The circulation of the deepfakes has sparked anger among BJP workers in the region. Bisht demanded strict action, including defamation charges, against those involved, warning that such content could escalate hatred and provoke unrest. The investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend those responsible for creating and circulating the fake visuals.

World Animal Protection Calls for Enhanced Institutionalized Protection of Animals

As 2025 comes to a close, there are major developments that impact both humans and animals and these lead us into 2026 and beyond. These include the deliberation at the recently concluded Conference of Parties (COP 30) in Belem in Brazil, the Conference On International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in Samarkand in Uzbekistan, the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 (NAP-AMR 2.0) announced in India, announcement of the Global Big Cat Summit in India next year, persistent revelations of wildlife trade, concerning reports of treatment of animals in zoos and exploitation of animals for entertainment, fashion and pets.   Gorilla Bua Noi in Pata Zoo in Bangkok in Thailand Photo credit: Shubhobroto Ghosh   World Animal Protection strongly presented the case against industrial animal agriculture at the COP 30 event, given the evidence that shows widespread animal abuse and environmental damage. It is a matter of continuing concern that industrial agriculture and factory farming are causing massive cruelty to animals by confining them to inadequate spaces, using antibiotics for their husbandry for greater quantities of meat, fish, milk and eggs and are releasing harmful effluents into marine and air ecosystems. With rising awareness on the destructive and counterproductive characteristics of these industries towards environmental pollution and climate change, it is of pressing urgency to tackle their further growth and institute systemic change to mitigate current practices.   The burgeoning global trade in wildlife affects India strongly with a marked rise in the demand for non native exotic pets that are being seized in different parts of the country and also in different parts of the world designated for arrival in India. This is a worrisome trend and graphic visual images have emerged showing captive animals kept in conditions of extreme confinement and enormous cruelty. It is of utmost necessity to recognise that this cruel and counterproductive trade be immediately stopped and international linkages are identified and transnational action is initiated to curb this trade. World Animal Protection has done extensive research on exotic animal pets and is of the strong view that wildlife belongs in the wild and should be cherished there and not exploited for a few greedy people. This point was made very cogently during the recently concluded CITES conference in Samarkand in Uzbekistan.   Wild animals in entertainment present a difficult challenge all over the world, with the resurgence of elephant rides in Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand and the continuing spectacle of abuse of elephants in Amer Fort in Jaipur. Tigers are being captivity for tourist photo opportunities at close quarters in many venues in Thailand and several other countries and a very significant number of tourists visit these places and patronise them with tourist revenue and destination guidance. World Animal Protection has an ongoing programme of engaging with tour companies and resorts to take a responsible stance on wildlife tourism by not promoting abusive activities involving wildlife in entertainment. In this regard, World Animal Protection is pleased to have Her Expeditions, Svasara, Indian Wildlife Adventures, Pandav Hotels and Marttik Gardens take the wildlife friendly pledge to promote responsible wildlife tourism in India and beyond. World Animal Protection hopes that the example set by these companies will encourage other groups to follow suit and desist from offering itineraries in their tours and destination guidance to places that exploit wildlife in captivity.   Elephant in Samutprakarn Crocodile Farm and Zoo in Bangkok in Thailand Photo credit: Abhishek Shankhwar   World Animal Protection has also engaged with the Prime Minister’s Office in 2025 to raise awareness on the plight of India’s National Heritage Animal and hundreds of schoolchildren from N K Bagrodia School and Cambridge International School have written letters to the Prime Minister urging him to ban elephant rides in India. Endeavours have also been taken to engage with the Rajasthan Forest Department to obtain the latest update on the status of the riding elephants of Amer Fort in Jaipur. “World Animal Protection is calling upon all stakeholders as well as tourists to take a pledge not to ride elephants in any venue,” says Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director, World Animal Protection in India .   10 December, 2025 is World Human Rights Day and International Animal Rights Day. It is not a coincidence that Human Rights Day and Animal Rights Day fall on the same date, 10 December, the date was intentionally chosen by animal rights advocates to highlight the connection between human rights and animal rights and to emphasize that all sentient beings deserve respect and protection from suffering and torture.    Human Rights Day commemorates the date in 1948 when the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a foundational document in international human rights law and activism.   International Animal Rights Day (or World Animal Rights Day) was established in 1998, on the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, to call for the recognition of a universal declaration for animal rights, modelled on the principles of the human rights declaration.   Across the globe, billions of human beings and animals are suffering in silence, because of systemic injustice.   On this day, we call for all living creatures, humans and non humans, to be treated respectfully and with compassion, with institutional safeguards put in place against their abuse.   gajenderksharma@worldanimalprotection.org.in . Phone: 9313333283

Persimmon: The nutrient-dense fruit behind the latest health hype

Persimmon, a fleshy and fibrous fruit belonging to the Ebenaceae family, has recently attracted global attention for its impressive nutritional profile and wide range of therapeutic benefits. Although traditionally consumed in countries like China, Korea, Japan, Brazil, Turkey, and Italy, persimmon cultivation is also widespread in India, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Tamil Nadu, where it is locally known as Japani phal . For many years, persimmon remained underrated in several parts of the world, particularly in European regions where awareness was limited. But with rising consumer interest in functional foods and natural antioxidants, persimmon is now experiencing a surge in popularity. Asian cultures have long valued this fruit for its medicinal properties, and modern research is beginning to validate these traditional beliefs. A rich repository of nutrients and bioactive compounds The commercial variety, Diospyros kaki, is a seasonal fruit available from October to December. Despite its short availability window, it packs an impressive concentration of nutrients. Persimmon contains carbohydrates, dietary fibre, vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds (such as ferulic acid, p-coumaric acid, and gallic acid), and carotenoids, including beta-cryptoxanthin, lycopene, beta-carotene, zeaxanthin, and lutein. Its peel is particularly nutrient-dense, offering higher concentrations of minerals like manganese, iron, zinc, potassium, copper, calcium, and magnesium compared to the pulp. Persimmon is also rich in ascorbic acid (vitamin C), polyphenols, and tannins key contributors to its antioxidant capacity. These compounds have been linked to benefits in cardiovascular health, cholesterol management, and diabetes prevention. Carbohydrate levels vary among cultivars such as Japanese, Fuyu, Chocolate, and Japones, typically ranging between 17-19 g per 100 g of fruit. In processed forms, like peeled pulp, carbohydrate concentration can increase significantly, with glucose and fructose making up around 90% of total sugars. Protein content, though modest, also varies widely across cultivars, reported between 0.64-6 g per 100 g. Organic acids like malic acid, succinic acid, and citric acid influence the fruits flavour profile. The balance of these acids contributes to the characteristic sweetness of ripe persimmons and the astringency found in certain varieties. Why persimmon is gaining hype? As consumers gravitate toward natural, antioxidant-rich foods, persimmon stands out for its potent phytochemistry. Its bioactive compounds have opened new research avenues in diet-based strategies for managing lifestyle diseases. Although fresh persimmon is seasonal, its potential extends far beyond direct consumption. In India and worldwide, persimmon pulp, ready-to-serve beverages, ice creams, and even persimmon wine are emerging as innovative products that help retain nutrients while extending shelf life. However, despite its versatility and strong health credentials, persimmon remains underutilised, a gap that the current wave of interest may soon close. Health benefits Cardiovascular protection: Persimmons fibre, antioxidants, and tannins support heart health by reducing LDL cholesterol, improving lipid profiles, and preventing arterial stiffness. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects: Its polyphenols, flavonoids, and carotenoids combat oxidative stress and inflammation, reducing the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and neurodegeneration. Digestive wellness: High fibre content aids digestion, enhances bowel regularity, and contributes to better blood sugar and cholesterol regulation. Eye and skin health: Beta-carotene, lutein, and vitamin A promote eye health, while antioxidants help protect skin from aging and environmental stress. Improved metabolic health: Persimmon compounds show potential in moderating blood sugar responses and reducing risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome and diabetes. Potential cancer and neuroprotective effects: Its rich antioxidant matrix may offer protection against certain cancers and cognitive decline, though more human research is needed. Persimmons rich nutrients and antioxidants make it a powerful, underused fruit with growing popularity for supporting health, wellness, and disease prevention.

Uttarakhand HC denies bail to Banbhoolpura riot mastermind Abdul Malik; three others get relief

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand High Court on Monday rejected the bail plea of Abdul Malik, who is accused of being the main conspirator in the violent February 2024 riots in Banbhoolpura , Haldwani. Malik will remain in judicial custody. The court also directed the State Government to file a detailed report listing all allegations against him. In a split decision, the Division Bench comprising Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari and Justice Pankaj Purohit granted bail to three other accused in the 16 cases linked to the riots. However, Malik and former municipal councillor Zeeshan Parvez, also known as Sebu, will continue to stay in jail. Maliks lawyer argued that he is innocent, was not present at the spot during the violence, and has been in jail since February 2024. The counsel also pointed out that Malik is a senior citizen and claimed that there is no solid evidence against him. The prosecution opposed the bail strongly, calling Malik the central figure in the conspiracy. The government lawyer told the court that Malik is accused of planning the entire incident, which included illegal encroachment on government land and a violent attack on officials who went to remove it. After hearing both sides, the court refused bail and asked the State to submit a full affidavit explaining every charge against Malik. The next hearing for the remaining accused is scheduled in two weeks. The violence broke out on February 8, 2024, when officials began demolishing an illegal madrasa and clearing encroachments in Banbhoolpura. A mob opposed to the action attacked the demolition team. The clashes involved heavy stone-pelting, arson, and vandalism targeting police, journalists, and civic staff. A police station was also set on fire. Five people died and nearly 100 were injured in the unrest. Authorities later imposed a curfew in the area to bring the situation under control.

Dreams turned to ash: Five Uttarakhand men killed in Goa nightclub fire

DEHRADUN: Among the 25 people killed in the devastating fire at a popular Goa nightclub were five young men hailing from Uttarakhand, whose desperate search for better opportunities ended in a fiery catastrophe. The deceased have been identified as Satish, Sumit, Jitendra, Manish, and Surendra, all employees at the establishment. They carried the hopes of their families, dreaming of stability and even international prospects, only to have those aspirations extinguished in the blaze. Sumit Negi, 29, from Pauri district, had recently joined the Goa nightclub as a chef two months ago. Heartbreakingly, he was scheduled to return home on January 18 to celebrate his second wedding anniversary. Surendra Singh, from the border district of Pithoragarh, had arrived in Goa just two days before the tragedy while planning his return to Germany, where he had previously worked for four years in the hotel sector. Manish, 22, from Lohaghat in Champawat district, had dropped out of his studies to support his family. After working in Hyderabad and Bengaluru, his move to Goa ended abruptly, leaving his dream of marriage unfulfilled. Satish Rana, 24, from Chah Gadolia village in Tehri Garhwal, was the sole breadwinner, responsible for supporting his parents and younger brothers education. His death leaves his family facing an uncertain future. Jitendra Singh, 24, from Sankuld village in Tehris Devprayag block, had initially sought work in Delhi before moving to Goa. He leaves behind two married sisters and a younger brother. The loss of these young men has plunged their families into deep sorrow and financial distress. He was everything to us. He was working so hard to ensure his younger brother could study, lamented a relative of Satish Rana, speaking from Tehri. We never imagined his hard work would lead him to such an end. Sumit Negis imminent return for his anniversary has magnified the pain for his family. He called just last week, excited about coming home, said a tearful neighbour in Pauri. Now, we are preparing for a funeral instead of a celebration. Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire, while officials in Uttarakhand have pledged support for the bereaved families, emphasising that this tragedy is a stark reminder of the sacrifices made by thousands of hill state youth in search of a dignified life.

Congress leader Harish Rawat performs 'Joota Seva' to placate sikh community amid controversy

DEHRADUN: In a significant move aimed at stemming political fallout, former Uttarakhand Chief Minister and senior Congress leader, Harish Rawat, personally visited the Gurdwara Shri Guru Singh Sabha in Dehradun on Sunday. Following prayers before the Guru Granth Sahib, Rawat participated in 'Langar Sewa' (community kitchen) service and performed 'Joota Ghar Seva' (shoe cleaning) service. This act of penance follows a recent controversy ignited by Congress leader and former cabinet minister, Harak Singh Rawat, who allegedly made an objectionable remark targeting the Sikh community during a lawyers' protest in Dehradun on Friday. The comment sparked widespread outrage among the Sikh populace. Sensing the depth of the community's anger, Harish Rawat stepped in to mediate and control the damage. His involvement comes after Harak Singh Rawat had already sought forgiveness, including performing 'Joota Seva' at the Paonta Sahib Gurdwara. The timing is crucial for the Congress party, which is gearing up for the 2027 Assembly elections, having been out of power in Uttarakhand since 2017. The party is acutely aware that regaining power requires a united front and securing key community votes. A mistake was made by a Congress leader, and to repent for it, we will perform 'Joota Seva' and 'Kar Seva' at the Gurdwara and seek forgiveness before the Guru Granth Sahib, Harish Rawat stated, emphasising accountability. The political calculus behind this swift damage control cannot be overstated. Sikh voters hold significant sway in several key constituencies across Udham Singh Nagar and possess a vital vote bank in Dehradun and Haridwar. In both the 2017 and 2022 polls, Congress secured seats in Haridwar and Udham Singh Nagar, underlining the necessity of maintaining community goodwill. The BJP wasted no time capitalising on the gaffe. BJP State Media In-charge, Manveer Chauhan, reacted sharply, stating, As a senior leader of the Congress, Harak Singhs comment clearly shows what the party's thinking towards the Sikhs remains even today. With the state leadership recently reorganisedintroducing a new State President, Ganesh Godiyal, and establishing election committees well in advancethe Congress is aggressively campaigning against the ruling BJP government. However, this latest incident forced the party onto the back foot, prompting top brass like Harish Rawat to intervene directly to protect their electoral prospects.

Respiratory drug sales peak in November amid worsening AQI

India's air quality decline is boosting medicines for breathing problems. The respiratory drug market grew 8% last month, a rise from previous years. This trend highlights a strong link between pollution and illness. States like Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand saw significant sales increases for asthma and COPD treatments. Antihistamine use also climbed.

Uniform civil code can be model for other states, live-in rule to boost womens security: Uttarakhand CM Dhami

DEHRADUN: After breaking Uttarakhands decades-old political jinx in 2022becoming the first party to win back-to-back mandates since the states creationthe BJP under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has moved with renewed force, pushing landmark measures such as the Uniform Civil Code. As the state turns toward the 2027 Assembly polls, Dhami speaks to Narendra Sethi about his development roadmap and the strategy behind the BJPs bid for an unprecedented third term. Here are some excerpts from the conversation. As Uttarakhand completes 25 years of statehood, how do you assess your governments contribution to this development journey? Uttarakhand has completed 25 years. The people of this state have given the BJP the opportunity to serve for nearly 15 of those years. The 'real' development of the state has occurred during these 15 years. Revered Atal Bihari Vajpayee not only gave us a separate state but also provided a special industrial package early on. Following that, since 2014, the state has continuously received the blessings of Prime Minister Modi ji. The progress achieved over the last 11 years, driven by the cooperation of the Central Government, is visible to everyone. Currently, various projects worth over two lakh crore rupees are underway in Uttarakhand. Through these efforts, the states economy has expanded by 26 times, and the per capita income has grown 17-fold. Uttarakhands economy has surged from 14,501 crore at statehood to a projected 3,78,240 crore in 202425, with per capita income rising from 15,285 to 2,74,064. With the UCC, strict anti-cheating and anti-conversion laws, the states governance model is now gaining national attention. Your government has consistently performed strongly in local body elections. Do you anticipate this trend continuing in the 2027 Assembly polls? Yes, not just local body elections, but the BJP has performed spectacularly in every election held since 2022, including the Lok Sabha elections, Panchayat polls, and Assembly by-elections. Our governments performance and the strength of the BJP organization give us a clear edge in the electoral arena. The opposition lacks any substantive issues, nor is their organization capable enough. Therefore, we are unequivocally set to secure a clear majority in the 2027 elections. Critics argue that recent legislation, particularly the UCC, infringes upon religious freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution. How do you respond to these allegations of constitutional overreach? The government implements every law based squarely on its legislative authority. The people of this state granted the BJP a clear mandate in 2022 precisely to enable us to govern effectively. Therefore, how can any law passed by this Assembly be deemed unconstitutional? Has anyone in this state been prevented from conducting their personal religious or cultural activities as they wish? If not, how can the issue of violating religious freedom even arise? Such claims are propagated only by a few rootless 'professional agitators' whose influence extends no further than social media, having no traction in the real world or among the general populace. The BJPs decision-making process is renowned for its organizational strength. Where do you fit into this structure, and how do you view your role? In the BJP, decisions are made through a structured, long-term organizational vision. Every worker holds importance; no role is inherently small or large. As for my role, the people of Uttarakhand gave the BJP a renewed mandate in 2022a first in the states history. Following this, the party entrusted me, once again, with the responsibility of being the 'Chief Servant' of the state. Your government has been highly active in protecting the states cultural identity and security. How do you define the steps taken in this regard? Uttarakhand is the sacred land of the Char Dhams; divinity resides in every particle here, hence it is called 'Devbhoomi.' We are resolute in preserving this cultural identity. To this end, the government is strictly dealing with forced religious conversions and removing illegal religious structures. We aim to maintain the state's demographic balance. There is significant discussion and apprehension surrounding the Live-in Registration aspect of the UCC. What is your perspective? Live-in registration is a very small component of the entire UCC framework. Its primary function is to strengthen the social security of our sisters and daughters. We believe the Uniform Civil Code must be viewed in its entirety, not just through isolated points. The UCC is fully delivering on its stated objectives. By implementing the UCC, Uttarakhand has shown the way to the entire nation. How do you view this historic decision? The demand for a Uniform Civil Code has existed since before Indias Independence. Now, Uttarakhand has implemented it for all citizens as per constitutional provisions. This can serve as a model for other states; many have already formed committees to study its implementation. More than 10 months have passed since the UCC came into effect, and lakhs of people have registered under it without any issues. This clearly demonstrates that the opposition was rooted in a predetermined agenda, and their apprehensions have proven baseless over these ten months.

DBT scheme for women, youth soon; to be modelled after Bihar: Uttarakhand BJP

The Uttarakhand government is considering a direct benefit transfer scheme for women and youngsters. This move, inspired by Bihar, has drawn sharp criticism from the Congress party. They label it an 'election bribe' aimed at influencing voters before the 2027 state assembly elections.

Uttarakhand infants face nutrition emergency: Study

DEHRADUN: A new analysis of nearly half a million children across Uttarakhand has exposed a nutrition emergency, revealing widespread child malnutrition that threatens the states future economic potential. The study, which reviewed data from 4.83 lakh children aged up to 5 years across all 13 districts, shows that despite previous accolades, the states nutritional health has severely deteriorated. The findings, compiled by Dr Kirti Kumari, scientist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tehri Garhwal, and brand ambassador for Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, pinpoint four districts requiring immediate, targeted intervention based on data from 15,514 Anganwadi centres. Almora has emerged as the epicentre of the crisis. Despite not being among the most remote Himalayan regions, Almora registered a wasting rate of 5.34%, affecting 949 children. More critically, its Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rate stands at 1.94%nearly double the state average of 0.72%. The district administration must declare a nutrition emergency immediately, Kirti said. Almora and Uttarkashi have crossed critical WHO thresholds. The study also highlighted a hidden cost associated with massive infrastructure projects. Tehri Garhwal shows high levels of malnutrition, with 4.17% of children wasted and 25.55% stunted. Researchers suggest that this is tied to the displacement caused by the Tehri dam. Tehri Garhwals children bear the unseen burden of the Tehri dam, Kirti Kumari explained. Displaced families, moved from fertile valleys to rocky, low-yield lands, have lost traditional livelihoods and support networks. Harish Negi, a displaced resident, said, We had 2 acres of rich land. Now we have 0.5 acre of rock. How do we feed our children? Kamla Bisht, an elderly resident in a resettlement colony, added, Before the dam, we had milk from our cows, vegetables from our fields... Now we buy everything at double the price on rocky land that grows nothing. Three grandchildren are malnourished. Is this the price of development? The consequences extend beyond health. The analysis estimates that child malnutrition currently costs Uttarakhand `7,000 crore annually, equivalent to 2.5% of the states Gross State Domestic Product. Malnutrition costs more than Uttarakhands health budget (`4,500 crore), Kirti said. Every day of delay costs the state `19 crore. This money is simply lost, not invested anywhere. Uttarkashi records high moderate acute malnutrition (3.80%), while Pithoragarh hovers close to WHO thresholds. Experts stress that action must be taken swiftly, as irreversible damage occurs after age two.

Rajnath Singh inaugurates record 125 BRO projects in Ladakh

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday described Operation Sindoor as a historic success, crediting the missions scale and efficiency to Indias rapidly strengthened border connectivity. Singh, who was in Ladakh to inaugurate 125 strategically significant infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) the highest number ever launched simultaneously, said the forces exercised restraint despite having the capability to go further. Speaking about the counter-operation launched after the Pahalgam terror attack, Singh said, Our Armed Forces launched the operation in response to the horrific terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Everybody knows what befell those terrorists. We could have done much more, but our forces, demonstrating both courage and patience, did only what was necessary. The success of the operation was made possible by seamless logistics and uninterrupted connectivity to forward areas. The projects inaugurated on Sunday span two Union Territories Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir and seven states: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram. They include 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous facilities, collectively built at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore, marking the highest-value set of inaugurations in BROs history. As first reported by The New Indian Express , the assets represent a major boost to Indias border infrastructure push. These upgraded roads and bridges are expected to significantly enhance last-mile connectivity to remote villages and forward military posts, helping integrate these areas more closely into the national mainstream. The main event was held on the DarbukShyokDaulat Beg Oldie road at the newly completed Shyok Tunnel, one of the marquee projects unveiled by the minister. Calling the tunnel an engineering feat built in one of the worlds toughest terrains, Singh said the 920-metre cut-and-cover structure will ensure all-weather access to a strategically vital region frequently cut off by heavy snowfall, avalanches and extreme temperatures. The tunnel, he said, will boost mobility, security and rapid deployment capability, especially during harsh winters. Singh also virtually inaugurated the Galwan War Memorial in Ladakh, honouring the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers. Reaffirming the governments commitment to developing border regions, the Defence Minister said robust connectivity acts as a lifeline for security, economic growth and disaster management. There are numerous benefits of strong border infrastructure. It enables military mobility, smooth transport of logistics, increased tourism and employment opportunities, and most importantly greater public faith in development, democracy and the government, he said. He noted that the BRO spent a record Rs 16,690 crore in 202425 and has been set a target of Rs 18,700 crore for 202526. In the past two years alone, 356 BRO projects have been dedicated to the nation, underscoring the agencys capability to operate in high-altitude, snowbound, desert, flood-prone and forested terrain. The Union Budget 202526 has raised the BROs allocation from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore, reflecting its expanding role in national security and development.

Uttarakhand ramps up geothermal push to reduce dependence on hydropower

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government is aggressively pursuing geothermal power generation to reduce dependence on traditional hydropower and secure the states energy future. The state has formally implemented the Geothermal Energy Policy-2025 to fast-track geothermal projects. Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (UJVNL) is preparing to begin drilling operations at the Tapovan geothermal spring, with necessary paperwork nearing completion. The state government is committed to utilizing this clean, reliable resource, said R. Meenakshi Sundaram, Principal Secretary of the Energy Department. For these initial, crucial projects, the state has decided to bear the entire cost of drilling. Extensive geological surveys have identified multiple potential sites. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology has listed 40 geothermal springs, while a recent ONGC study indicates around 62 viable sites across Uttarakhand. The state had earlier signed an MoU with Icelandic firm Verkis, which conducted a pre-feasibility test at the Tapovan spring. Following this, UJVNL applied for drilling permission, which has now been approved. Administrative transfer to UJVNL is being finalised, and deep drilling will allow measurement of temperature profiles at different depths, essential for designing a viable power plant. The government is also in talks with the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), which has requested access to several geothermal sites for potential exploration. A separate meeting will be held with ONGC shortly to discuss their proposals, Sundaram said. The concentrated push for geothermal power highlights Uttarakhands ambition to become a leader in renewable, base-load energy generation, overcoming the seasonal limitations of hydropower.

Defence Minister dedicates 125 BRO projects to nation

These projects built at a cost of 5,000 crore and spread across the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir, and seven States including Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Mizoram consisted of 28 roads, 93 bridges and four miscellaneous works

Watch: 6 Wild Elephants Stray Onto Haridwar Highway, Chaos Follows

Incidents of wild elephants straying into human settlements are on the rise in Uttarakhand's Haridwar district, raising concerns over growing human-wildlife conflict in the region.

Ex-minister Harak Singh Rawat embroiled in controversy over alleged remarks against Sikh community

DEHRADUN: Former Uttarakhand Cabinet Minister and senior Congress leader, Harak Singh Rawat, found himself embroiled in controversy on Saturday after allegedly making inappropriate remarks targeting the Sikh community during a public gathering in Dehradun. The incident occurred while Rawat was expressing solidarity with striking lawyers, quickly escalating, forcing the veteran politician into a public apology. Rawat visited the ongoing agitation by the Dehradun Bar Association to show support. According to senior advocate Virendra Singh Khurana, Rawat reportedly made an indecorous comment while gesturing to a Sikh advocate to raise slogans. The alleged statement was immediately deemed socially inappropriate and offensive by members of the legal fraternity present. As news of the remark spread among the assembled lawyers, strong protests erupted. Faced with mounting anger, a visibly rattled Rawat immediately retracted his statement. He had no intention of hurting the sentiments of any community, and he has expressed regret if his words were misunderstood, a source close to Rawat stated. Although the advocates accepted the apology, the matter has swiftly gained political traction, potentially causing significant damage to the Congress party in the state. Uttarakhand BJP under fire as Harak Singh Rawat demands donor list for Rs 27 crore party fund Political analysts suggest this is not an isolated incident for Rawat, whose past statements have often made the party uncomfortable. BJP spokesperson Honey Pathak quickly seized on the controversy, stating, Since joining Congress from the BJP, Rawat has consistently failed to manage his image, and this incident could further erode his political credibility. Political analyst Shakti Singh Barthwal noted that such utterances directly undermine the Congress's message of social harmony and secularism in the state. These kinds of statements are damaging for Congress, especially when the party is trying to project an image of unity, Barthwal commented. The fallout extended to social media, where various Sikh organisations condemned the comment as insensitive, urging leaders to maintain respect for all communities in public forums. While Rawat managed to quell the immediate protest with an apology, observers believe this controversy will linger in the political discourse of Dehradun for some time.

Rajnath Singh to unveil 125 BRO infrastructure projects in key areas

NEW DELHI: In a major push to strengthen Indias border infrastructure, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate and dedicate 125 strategically important projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Sunday from the Shyok Tunnel in Ladakh. Sources said these vital projects that the minister will unveil cover 28 roads, 93 bridges, and four miscellaneous strategic facilities across seven states and two Union Territories, including Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Mizoram. Showcasing Indias engineering and technological advancements, the event will highlight the 920-metre Cut and Cover Shyok Tunnel, which ensures uninterrupted movement of troops and civilians through landslide- and avalanche-prone terrain. The 3D-printed Himank Air Dispatch (HAD) Unit Complex in Chandigarh also highlights the countrys innovation in modern defence infrastructure. These projects mark a major milestone in enhancing operational preparedness, troop mobility, and socio-economic development in some of the most remote and challenging regions of the country, officials said. BROs achievements demonstrate its capability to operate across high-altitude, snowbound, desert, flood-prone, and dense forest terrains, while improving last-mile connectivity to remote villages, forward military posts, and strategic locations. Notable road projects include the Sela-Chabrela-BJG and Shungester-Sulula Roads in Arunachal Pradesh, the KalepGaigong Road in Sikkim, and connectivity works in Mizoram along the LawngtlaiDiltlangParva axis. Bridges such as Lumla I & II, Shungetsar I & II, Rabam Chu, and Tuichanglui enhance logistics and access across critical border stretches. Officials pointed out these projects are some of the toughest terrains and it is uphill task. Raised in 1960, BRO has an authorized strength of 41,600 personnel, including 2,426 officers and 39,174 subordinates, and continues to be the preferred agency for MHA, MEA, and MoRTH for projects in challenging terrains. Over the past two years, BRO has dedicated 356 infrastructure projects, with its budget increased from Rs 6,500 crore to Rs 7,146 crore in recognition of its strategic contribution. Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan, Director General of BRO, lauded the dedication and professionalism of officers, supervisors, and labourers. Upholding its motto, Shramena Sarvam Sadhyam Everything is achievable through hard work, BRO continues to play a pivotal role in national security, strategic connectivity, and socio-economic development, linking Indias remotest and most strategically vital regions to mainstream.

Low sittings, key legislations: 25 years on, three state Assemblies present a mixed record

NEW DELHI: Twenty-five years after they were carved out of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, respectively, the Legislative Assemblies of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand have entered a milestone year with a troubling record: some of the lowest numbers of sitting days in the country. Data compiled since their formation in 2000 shows that Chhattisgarhs Assembly met for an average of just 29 days a year, while Jharkhand averaged only 23 sitting days, among the lowest for any State legislature in India. Uttarakhands records remain incomplete for long stretches, including the years 20002015 and 2025, making long-term assessment difficult. These figures fall far short of the recommended national benchmark of 60 sitting days for State legislatures, raising concerns about legislative scrutiny and democratic engagement. The challenges extend beyond sitting days. In all three State Assemblies, the post of Deputy Speaker remained vacant for prolonged periods, signalling what legislators describe as institutional neglect and a weakening of bipartisan norms. Jharkhand has gone over 20 years without a Deputy Speaker, an absence that many members believe undermines legislative balance and accountability. Despite these structural gaps, some States have taken important legislative steps worth emulating. Chhattisgarh, which has 21% women MLAs, one of the strongest representations in the country enacted notable laws in its early years. A 2002 law that enabled private universities to be created through simple notification resulted in over 100 universities being established, but critics point out that many existed only on paper. The Supreme Court struck it down in 2004, flagging serious quality concerns. A decade later, Chhattisgarh passed its own Food Security Act (2012), which became a reference point and model for the national legislation enacted in 2013. Jharkhand was among the first States to introduce 75% reservation for local candidates in private-sector jobs, a move later mirrored by Andhra Pradesh and Haryana. Courts struck down Haryanas law in 2023, and challenges remain pending in other States. Uttarakhand, meanwhile, passed the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in 2024, becoming the first State to implement it. Supporters hailed it as a step toward equality, while critics warned that it risked disrupting social equilibrium and overlooking community practices. Legislators across the three States agree that democratic functioning demands consistent sittings, procedural stability and open debate. Many acknowledge that confrontational politics, repeated adjournments and legislative delays have eroded the Assemblys core responsibilities. As the three States complete 25 years, expectations from State legislatures are rising. Citizens increasingly demand more time spent in the House, faster decisions on longstanding issues, stronger oversight and dependable forums where public concerns can be voiced and debated. The next quarter-century, lawmakers say, must be defined not by institutional gaps but by a renewed commitment to democratic performance.

Woman Mauled To Death By Tiger Near Her House In Uttarakhand: Police

A woman was killed allegedly in a tiger attack while collecting fodder near her house in a village within the Kalagarh Tiger Reserve area of Uttarakhand's Pauri Garhwal district, police said on Saturday.

Uttarakhand's hidden hunger crisis: Nutrition emergency grips State, Almora worst hit

DEHRADUN: A recent analysis on nearly half a million children across Uttarakhand has exposed a deeply concerning 'nutrition emergency,' revealing widespread child malnutrition that threatens the State's future economic potential. The study, which reviewed data from 4.83 lakh children aged 0 to 5 across all 13 districts, shows that despite previous accolades, the States nutritional health has severely deteriorated. The alarming findings, compiled by Dr Kirti Kumari, Scientist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Tehri Garhwal, and Brand Ambassador for Beti Bachao, Beti Padao, pinpoint four districts requiring immediate, targeted intervention based on data from 15,514 Anganwadi centres. The district of Almora has emerged as the epicentre of the crisis. Despite not being among the most remote Himalayan regions, Almora registered a wasting rate of 5.34 per cent, affecting 949 children. More critically, its Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) rate stands at 1.94 per centnearly double the state average of 0.72 per cent. The district administration must declare a nutrition emergency immediately, Dr Kirti urged, while speaking to TNIE. Almora and Uttarkashi have crossed critical World Health Organisation (WHO) thresholds. The study also highlighted a hidden cost associated with massive infrastructure projects. Tehri Garhwal district shows significant levels of malnutrition, with 4.17 per cent of children wasted and 25.55 per cent stunted. Private sector must help achieve 'hunger free' India: G20 Sherpa Researchers suggest this is tied to the displacement caused by the Tehri Dam. Tehri Garhwals children bear the unseen burden of the Tehri Dam, Dr Kirti explained. Displaced families have moved from fertile valleys to rocky, low-yield lands and have lost traditional livelihoods and support networks. Harish Negi, a displaced resident, lamented, We had two acres of rich land. Now 0.5 acres of rockhow do we feed our children? Kamla Bisht, an elderly resident in a resettlement colony, added. Before the dam, we had milk from our cows, vegetables from our fields... Now we buy everything at double the price on rocky land that grows nothing. Three grandchildren are malnourished. Is this the price of development? she asked. The consequences extend beyond health. The analysis estimates that child malnutrition currently costs Uttarakhand 7,000 crore annually, equivalent to 2.5 per cent of the states Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). Malnutrition costs more than Uttarakhand's entire health budget (4,500 crore), Dr Kirti stated. Every day of delay costs the state 19 crore. This money is simply lost, not invested anywhere. Uttarkashi also faces severe challenges with high moderate acute malnutrition (3.80 per cent), while Pithoragarh hovers dangerously close to the WHO thresholds. Experts stress that action must be taken swiftly, as irreversible damage occurs after age two. Significantly, India's Global Hunger Index score improved to 27.2 in 2020 from 38.9 two decades ago. Ranked 94th out of 107 countries, India moved up 8 spots from 2019 and 9 spots from 2018. The country has shifted from the 'Alarming' to the 'Serious' category, indicating significant progress in reducing hunger.

Forest Dept To Escort Students In Uttarakhand Amid Rise In Himalayan Bear, Leopard Attacks

Uttarakhand faces a surge in humananimal conflict with over 150 attacks by Himalayan bears and leopards, leading to deaths, school closures, and new safety measures for children.

How Lord Shiva came to Kedarnath: The untold story behind the devotional journey that gave rise to the Panch Kedar pilgrimage

The Kedarnath temple and the Panch Kedar shrines in Uttarakhand are steeped in devotion and mythology, where Lord Shiva is believed to have manifested in bull form. These sacred sites, including Tungnath, Rudranath, Madhmaheshwar, and Kalpeshwar, represent different aspects of the deity and draw pilgrims seeking spiritual fulfillment amidst the serene Himalayas.

Uttarakhand forest department faces shortage of top-ranked officials due to ongoing, upcoming retirements

DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand Forest Department is grappling with a critical shortage of top-rank officials, casting a shadow over the administration of the State in which 71 per cent of its geographical area is covered by forests. The department is currently experiencing a severe crunch in the position of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), the highest rank in the service, a situation expected to worsen in the coming months due to ongoing, upcoming retirements. Uttarakhand, a Himalayan state covering 53,483 square kilometres, has approximately 38,000 square kilometres under forest cover, making the adequate staffing of its forest service vital. Forest Minister Subodh Uniyal acknowledged the crisis, assuring that measures are being taken to resolve the issues. Speaking to TNIE , Minister Uniyal stated, The shortage of officers in the State is a matter of concern. We see a deficit in deploying officials across several posts in the Forest Department. However, we will devise a separate formula to address this and ensure postings are made. Internal sources within the department reveal the precarious staffing situation. Currently, there are only five PCCF-level officers available, but two are already on deputation outside the State. With the retirement of B.P. Gupta expected within a month, the number will drop to four. The situation is set to become more acute in about seven months when Principal Chief Conservator Ranjan Kumar Mishra retires, leaving only three officers at the PCCF level: Kapil Lal, Nina Grewal, and S.P. Subuddhi. The deficit extends down the hierarchy. At the Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (APCCF) rank, only six officers exist, three of whom are on deputation. This leaves just three APCCFs actively serving in the State. While the rank below, Chief Forest Conservator (CCF), currently has nine officers, several are serving on central or state deputations. However, two new CCFs are expected soon following promotions. The shortage is significantly impacting crucial field postings. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted the strain at the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) level, considered vital for field operations. We are currently forced to assign double charges to officers or rely on acting DFOs in several divisions across the state, the source revealed. The department has seen about six PCCF-level officers retire in the last eighteen months alone, exacerbating the current shortfall. Despite the admitted scarcity, Principal Chief Conservator Ranjan Kumar Mishra remains optimistic about the existing team. He commented, The department has highly responsible and capable officers. They will be deployed effectively across the various positions available in the department. The administration is now under pressure to implement the promised separate formula swiftly to ensure the protection and management of Uttarakhand's precious green cover are not compromised.

Uttarakhand: Over 900 lives lost in human-wildlife conflict since 2000

Uttarakhand faces a severe human-wildlife conflict. Over 900 lives have been lost in 25 years due to animal attacks. Recent leopard incidents in Pauri have sparked outrage and fear. The government is taking measures, including compensation and deploying shooters.

Five killed, five injured as jeep plunges into deep gorge in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: Five killed and five were injured as a wedding partys car plunged into a deep gorge in the Lohaghat region of Uttarakhand in the early hours of Friday. According to the District Disaster Control Room, the group was travelling in a Mahindra Bolero jeep returning after wedding rituals, reportedly lost control near Barakot on the National Highway and tumbled into the ravine late Thursday night. The crash occurred near Bagdhar, close to Barakot, and the cause is under investigation. Police and SDRF teams launched an immediate rescue operation. SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduwanshi said extracting the victims from the deep gorge was extremely challenging, but all were retrieved after sustained efforts. The deceased have been identified as Prakash Chand Uniyal (40) of Subhashnagar, Rudrapur; Kewal Chandra Uniyal (35); Suresh Nautiyal (32); Bhavna Chaubey (28); and her six-year-old son, Priyanshu Chaubey. The injured include the driver, Devidutt Pandey (38) of Seraghat, Almora; Dheeraj Uniyal (12) of Rudrapur; Rajesh Joshi (14) of Bankot, Gangolihat; Chetan Chaubey (5) of Delhi; and Bhaskar Panda of Seraghat, Gangolihat. The injured were taken to the Lohaghat Sub-District Hospital, where two remain in critical condition.

SIR: Uttarakhand starts voter verification for 2003 rolls

Dehradun: Uttarakhand has begun pre-registration work for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, aimed at verifying voters whose names figured in the 2003 rolls, an official statement said on Thursday. According to the statement by the chief electoral officers office, the exercise includes preparatory work for the upcoming SIR. A campaign is also Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Uttarakhand begins pre-revision exercise to verify voters from 2003 rolls

During the pre-SIR phase, voters aged 40 and above whose names appeared on the 2003 list will be verified through the Booth Level Officer (BLO) app

BIS places Uttarakhand in seismic zone 6, declares entire state highly vulnerable to earthquakes

DEHRADUN: The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has issued a new seismic map, placing the entire state of Uttarakhand, including its plains and mountainous regions, into seismic zone 6the highest category for earthquake vulnerability. This revision supersedes the previous classification, which had divided the state between Zone 4 and Zone 5. The new classification signals that any future seismic event could cause uniform, high-level damage across all parts of Uttarakhand. The shift mandates a complete overhaul of infrastructure development policies, as the state must now adhere to stringent, unified building codes. The implication of being placed entirely in Zone 6 is that infrastructure damage, should an earthquake strike, will be uniform across every region, noted an official familiar with the development strategy. Previously, the older building bylaws offered slight concessions for development in areas classified under Zone 4. With the entire state now under the most severe classification, building codes must be standardised to withstand the highest seismic risks, potentially up to magnitude 8. This presents a formidable financial challenge for Uttarakhand, which already operates under constrained economic resources. Developing infrastructureincluding roads, bridges, government offices, and schoolsto withstand such powerful tremors will require significant capital investment. Uttarakhand faces earthquake risk as tectonic stress builds up State Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman, confirmed the gravity of the situation. In the older map, parts of Uttarakhand were in Zone 4 and some in Zone 5. The newly issued map places the entire state in Zone 6, making Uttarakhand significantly more vulnerable to earthquakes and disasters. Suman emphasised the immediate steps required. This primarily involves amending the Building Bylaws. The Housing Department and the Central Building Research Institute (CBRI) in Roorkee will collaborate on this. We also need to focus on public training and awareness regarding protective measures and structural design. Housing Department Principal Secretary R Meenakshi Sundaram clarified the existing regulations, noting that even under the older norms, earthquake-resistant technology was mandatory based on location, not just height. People often incorrectly associate sensitivity only with multi-story buildings. If you are in a sensitive zone, you must build earthquake-resistant structures, Sundaram stated. He added that current bylaws already provide guidelines for earthquake-proof construction for all buildings, permitting up to seven or eight stories in the plains and three to four in hilly areas, adhering to the required technical standards. The government is now prioritizing the revision of these bylaws while simultaneously launching public awareness campaigns to mitigate future risks. IIT study warns of earthquake-induced landslides in four Uttarakhand districts, Rudraprayag most vulnerable

BJP claims top Uttarakhand Congress leaders may be removed from electoral rolls over voter duplication

DEHRADUN: Ahead of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) drive set to commence in Uttarakhand, the Bharatiya Janata Party has claimed that several senior Congress leaders, including former Chief Minister Harish Rawat, could be struck off the electoral rolls due to alleged voter duplication. The claims were made by BJP spokesperson and sitting MLA, Vinod Chamoli, who alleged the Congress was protesting against the SIR process because its members were facing removal as illegal voters. Chamoli asserted that the issue mirrors recent allegations made by Congress against the Bihar elections. Congress cried foul about vote tampering in Bihar and Bengal. But the Bihar results clearly show that this slogan is now hurting them, Chamoli told TNIE . He alleged that those being removed in the SIR are individuals illegally registering to vote in multiple locations, some even pointing fingers at migrants from Bangladesh holding fraudulent voting rights. The most pointed accusation was levelled directly at former CM Harish Rawat. Chamoli, representing the Dharampur assembly constituency in Dehradun, stated he personally scrutinised the voter list for his seat. I examined the voter list for my constituency. I found that senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Harish Rawat's vote is registered in Majra, Booth Number 74, under my Dharampur seat, Chamoli claimed. His serial number on the list is 717. We are clearly asking: when has Harish Rawat ever resided in Majra under the Dharampur assembly constituency? In my 40 years of political history, I have never seen him in that area. Chamoli further accused the Congress of creating fraudulent voter IDs in multiple locations based on false documentation, leading to the current crisis. This is why Harish Rawat and the Congress are opposing the SIR. If senior leaders have created fake votes, imagine how many their grassroots workers have made. When the survey happens, their votes will be cut, and that pain is now evident. Meanwhile, the newly appointed Congress State President, Ganesh Godiyal, dismissed the allegations, suggesting political bias. If the BJP is orchestrating the removal of Congress members through the SIR and the Election Commission is playing into their hands, their true intentions are clear, Godiyal stated. He reaffirmed the Congress's stance: The Congress is clear that voter duplication must not occur. When questioned specifically about Rawat's registration in Dharampur, Godiyal challenged the BJP spokesperson. Chamoli must prove where exactly Harish Rawat has cast his vote. Furthermore, has he ever voted at that other booth? If he can prove that, then certainly it warrants an investigation. The political standoff sets a tense stage for the upcoming voter revision exercise in the Himalayan state.

Eternal farewell: Dharmendra's ashes immersed in holy Ganga at Haridwar

HARIDWAR: The ashes of legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra, a titan of Indian cinema who won the hearts of millions for decades, were consigned to the sacred waters of the River Ganga on Wednesday. The solemn ceremony, attended by his close family, marked the final rites for the actor affectionately known as the 'He-Man' of Hindi cinema. Dharmendras sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol, performed the rituals according to tradition at a private ghat in Shravan Nath Nagar, Haridwar. The entire family, including Dharmendra's grandsons, was present during the occasion. The event was kept strictly private, with the family opting not to share details with the media. The proceedings began early Wednesday morning. While the main immersion took place at the private ghat associated with a local hotel, the family also participated in Ganga Snan (holy dip) and puja at the hotel premises. Notably, Dharmendras grandson, Karan Deol, performed an earlier ritual, immersing some ashes at the revered Brahmakund on Har Ki Pauri around 10:00 AM. The rituals were overseen by the family's hereditary priest, Pandit Rahul Shrotriya, from the Pandit Motiram Rajaram Gaddi lineage. Family members were visibly emotional throughout the proceedings. Following the completion of the rites, the bereaved family departed for Jolly Grant Airport. Pandit Rahul Shrotriya shared a moving anecdote following the ceremony. He recounted how Sunny Deol and his family were astonished upon seeing meticulously maintained records detailing their lineage spanning ten generations in the priest's ledger. Sunny Deol himself expressed surprise, Pandit Shrotriya stated. He mentioned that he had visited Uttarakhand previously during the shooting of his film Gadar 2 but regretted not knowing about the presence of his traditional priests then, as he certainly would have visited them. The priest added that Sunny Deol promised to reconnect with the familys hereditary priests very soon. Dharmendra, who passed away on November 24 at the age of 89, carved an indelible mark on Indian cinema. Rising from a humble background in Punjab to become one of Bollywoods most enduring stars, his journey remains a testament to perseverance. His powerful screen presence and versatile acting earned him the moniker 'He-Man,' ensuring his legacy as an evergreen superstar continues long after his final curtain call.

DelhiDehradun travel time to drop to 2.5 hours as trial run begins on new expressway

DEHRADUN: Commuters are set to witness a dramatic reduction in travel time between the National Capital Region and Uttarakhands capital, as the trial run for the ambitious DelhiSaharanpurDehradun Expressway commenced late Sunday night. The 210-kilometre project, whose foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 4, 2021, is now operational on a trial basis following the removal of barricades near Geeta Colony, signalling the imminent opening of this high-speed corridor. The new expressway promises to cut the six-hour drive to just two and a half hours. The Rs 11,800-crore project begins near the Akshardham Temple Metro Station in Delhi, connects to the DelhiMeerut Expressway, and passes through Baghpat, Baraut, Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh before culminating in Dehradun. This corridor starts as an elevated structure from Geeta Colony itself, which will significantly ease congestion for Delhi-bound traffic, an official associated with the project said. The expressway incorporates multiple environmental and safety features, including Asias longest 12-km elevated wildlife corridor through Rajaji National Park, allowing wildlife to move freely underneath the roadway and reducing the risks associated with high-speed traffic. Further enhancing animal safety, special monkey ladders have been installed to connect trees and allow primates to cross without descending onto the road, helping prevent accidents. The main route is secured with protective fencing to minimise humanwildlife conflict. We have also employed non-intrusive yellow lighting to avoid attracting insects, and sound barriers line the edges of the expressway to curb noise pollution, an NHAI source said. While the main section from Ganeshpur to Asharodi in Uttarakhand is complete, officials noted ongoing work to address geological vulnerabilities. Following monsoon surveys that identified potential landslide risks near two hillsides, the NHAI undertook jacketing work to reinforce 24 pillars affected by river erosion. To enhance accessibility for pilgrims, a dedicated viaduct is being constructed near the Daat Kali Devi Temple at Mohand, ensuring smooth access for high-speed traffic from Delhi without dangerous U-turns. NHAI Chief Engineer Mukesh Parmar said the elevated road is designed for speeds up to 100 km/h for light motor vehicles, with a 60 km/h speed limit for two-wheelers and clear signage installed. Work on the elevated road and associated safety features is nearing completion, Parmar added. We are optimistic that the expressway will be fully open to the public before the New Year.

Punjab records highest groundwater extraction in India, says CGWB report

CHANDIGARH: Groundwater extraction in the country is the highest in Punjab, followed by Rajasthan and Haryana, according to the latest National Compilation of Dynamic Ground Water Resources of India, 2025 report of the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB). The findings show that 25 per cent of the 6,762 total blocks in India have been categorised as over-exploited, critical or semi-critical, a situation concentrated in nine states, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. As per the report, groundwater extraction in Punjab stands at 156.36 per cent, the highest in the country, followed by Rajasthan at 147.11 per cent and Haryana at 136.75 per cent, all significantly above the national average of 60.63 per cent. At the national level, annual groundwater extraction has seen a marginal decline, from 27.66 billion cubic metres (BCM) in 2023 to 26.27 BCM last year. The total annual ground water recharge of Punjab has been assessed as 18.6 bcm and annual extractable ground water resource as 16.8 bcm. Out of total 153 assessment units including three urban areas taken for study, 111 assessment units (72.55 per cent) have been categorized as Over-exploited, 10 blocks (6.54 per cent) as Critical, 15 blocks (9.80 per cent) as Semi Critical and 17 blocks (11.11 per cent) as Safe, the report said. Similarly, out of 50175.27 square kilometers recharge worthy area of the state, 34294.3 sq km (68.35 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 4353.15 sq. km (8.68 per cent) under Critical, 4478.11 sq km (8.92 per cent) under Semi-critical and 7049.71sq km (14.05 per cent) under Safe category, reads the report. For Rajasthan, the report states,Out of the 302 assessment units (blocks and urban areas), 213 units (70.53 per cent) have been categorized as Over Exploited, 23 units (7.62 per cent) as Critical, 27 units (8.94 per cent) as Semi-Critical, 36 units (11.92 per cent) blocks as Safe and 3 units (0.99 per cent) as Saline. Similarly, out of 317010.74 sq km recharge worthy area of the state, 222266.46 sq km (70.11 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 19404.23 sq. km (6.12 per cent) under Critical, 22535.05 sq km (7.11 per cent) under Semi-critical, 43869.11 sq km (13.84 per cent) under Safe and 8935.89 sq km (2.82 per cent) area under Saline categories of assessment units. In Haryana, the situation is similar. While in Haryana, out of total 143 assessment units (blocks/Urban), 91 units (63.64 per cent) have been categorized as Overexploited, 6 units (4.20 per cent) as Critical, 15 units (10.49 per cent) as Semi Critical and 31 units (21.68 per cent) as Safe categories of assessment units. Similarly, out of 43,205.81 sq. km recharge worthy area of the State, 26,828.05 sq. km (62.09 per cent) area are under Over-Exploited, 1,170.46 sq. km (2.71 per cent) under Critical, 4,253.89 sq. km (9.85 per cent) under Semicritical, 10,953.42 sq. km (25.35 per cent) under Safe categories of assessment units, it added. The report assesses the total annual groundwater extraction of the entire country for 2025 at 247.22 bcm. Agriculture remains the largest consumer, accounting for 87 per cent, or 215.10 bcm, followed by 11 per cent for domestic use (27.89 bcm) and 2 per cent for industrial use (4.23 bcm). In the present assessment, total annual groundwater recharge has been pegged at 448.52 bcm, while the annual extractable groundwater resource stands at 407.75 bcm. The average stage of groundwater extraction at the national level is 60.63 per cent. Out of 6,762 blocks in the country, 730 units (10.80 per cent) are categorised as over-exploited, and 201 blocks (2.97 per cent) are classified as critical where extraction ranges from 90 to 100 per cent. Another 758 blocks (11.21 per cent) fall under the semi-critical category, while 4,946 units (73.14 per cent) are considered safe, with extraction below 70 per cent. Additionally, 127 blocks (1.88 per cent) have been listed as saline due to brackish or saline groundwater in phreatic aquifers. The report highlights that the percentage of over-exploited, critical and semi-critical blocks exceeding 25 per cent of total units is found only in nine states, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry. It attributes the situation to region-specific factors, Over-exploitation of ground water resources could be due to various region-specific reasons. The assessment units located in the north-western part of the country (particularly in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh) have plenty of replenishable ground water resources but because of the over extraction beyond the annual ground water recharge, many of these units have become Over-exploited. Overexploited units are also common in the western part of the country, particularly in Rajasthan and Gujarat where the prevailing arid climate results in low recharge of ground water and hence stress on these sources, the report stated. It further adds, In peninsular India, over-exploited units are wide spread in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and parts of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana which could be attributed mainly to the low storage and transmission capacities of aquifers of the hard rock terrains, which results in reduced availability of the resource. The report also notes that in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, domestic groundwater extraction exceeds 40 per cent. Groundwater extraction stands between 90 and 100 per cent in Delhi, and between 70 and 90 per cent in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. In most other states and Union Territories, including Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Lakshadweep, extraction levels are around 70 per cent. The report concludes that compared to the Dynamic Ground Water Resource Assessment of 2024, the total annual groundwater recharge has marginally increased from 446.9 bcm to 448.52 bcm.

Cough syrup case: Fourth man arrested from Lucknow for illegal storage, trade of banned drug

The informants revealed that these drugs were being sent to other parts of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Assam, West Bengal and Bangladesh

Housing census by Apr-Sept 26, population count in 2027

NEW DELHI: The long-delayed national population census, which will include caste enumeration for the first time, will be conducted in two phases starting April 2026, the Centre informed Parliament on Tuesday. Responding to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai said Phase I (House Listing and Housing Census) will take place between April and September 2026, while Phase II (Population Enumeration) is scheduled for February 2027, with March 1, 2027, as the reference date. Snow-bound areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh will be covered in September-October 2026. Responding to another question from Rahul Gandhi on whether the government plans to publish the draft questions and seek inputs from public or peoples representatives, Rai said the Office of the Registrar General and Census commissioner was in the process of finalising the questionnaire for the Census 2027. In a separate question, the minister said caste enumeration will also be done in the census as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on April 30 this year. In another response, the minister said Census 2027 will be conducted through digital means in which data will be collected through mobile apps along with online provision for self-enumeration. Around 34 lakh enumerators and supervisors will be deployed for the exercise. The timeline has been fixed to avoid clashing with board examinations, Rai said.

Dehradun Diary | Dharmendras ashes reach Haridwar

Veteran actor Dharmendras ashes have arrived in Haridwar, where the immersion ceremony, known as Asthi Visarjan, will take place at VIP Ghat on Wednesday. Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, and other family members have reached Haridwar to perform the rituals. The family has requested privacy and asked the media to maintain distance. The ashes are currently kept at Pilibhit House in Haridwar, a 100-year-old mansion on the banks of the Ganges, where the family is also staying. Security arrangements have been made at VIP Ghat to ensure a peaceful ceremony. The iconic actor passed away on November 24 after a long illness. States Raj Bhavan renamed Lok Bhavan Symbolising a shift in governance, Uttarakhands Raj Bhavan has officially been renamed Lok Bhavan (Peoples House), effective Monday. The Governors Secretariat confirmed the change, citing a letter from the Union Home Ministry and the approval of Governor Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh (Retd). This renaming of the Raj Bhavan in Dehradun and Nainital is official, stated Governors Secretary Ravinath Raman. This move aligns with a national trend of transforming symbols of colonial-era authority into spaces reflecting public accessibility. Observers note this is part of a broader initiative championed by PM Narendra Modi to redefine public office. CM announces high-level Sanskrit Commission CM Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the formation of a high-level commission for the promotion and development of Sanskrit during the closing ceremony of a two-day international conference at the Sanskrit Academy on Monday. Addressing delegates, Dhami stated, Ancient civilisations developed on the foundation of Sanskrit, the root of most world languages. Former CM Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank highlighted Uttarakhands pioneering role, noting it was the first state to declare Sanskrit its second official language. Devbhoomi has been the centre of Indian knowledge, he added. The commission aims to safeguard this Devvani heritage.

SC adjourns Haldwani encroachment case; heightened security grips Banbhoolpura

DEHRADUN: The highly anticipated Supreme Court hearing regarding the demolition of encroachments on railway land in the Banbhoolpura area of Haldwani, Uttarakhand, was adjourned on Tuesday. The matter will now be heard on December 10. The delay comes despite heightened security and an alert status maintained across the Banbhoolpura region throughout the day, as residents anxiously awaited the court's decision on the fate of thousands of families residing on railway property. The Railways claim that approximately 29 acres of their land in Haldwani are illegally occupied by around 4,365 encroachers. Ahead of the scheduled hearing, authorities had placed Banbhoolpura on high alert. Entry of outside individuals and vehicles was restricted, and security personnel, including the ITBP and CRPF, were placed on standby across the area. This protracted dispute over railway land in Banbhoolpura and surrounding areas has been ongoing for nearly two decades. An initial demolition drive took place near the station 19 years ago, but a lack of proper demarcation led to encroachments being re-established in subsequent years. Petitioner Ravi Shankar Joshi noted that the legal battle dates back to 2007, when the High Court first ordered the removal of encroachments from railway land in Banbhoolpura and Gafur Basti. At that time, the administration cleared about 2,400 square meters. The issue resurfaced in 2013 when Joshi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning illegal mining in the Gaula River and damage to the Gaula bridge. During the proceedings, the railway land encroachment issue was brought before the court again. In 2016, the court directed the Railways to clear all encroachments within ten weeks. Subsequently, the encroachers and the State Government attempted to argue in the High Court that the land belonged to the state government as Nazul land, an argument the court dismissed on January 10, 2017. Nainital SSP Manju Nath TC confirmed that preventive action was taken in light of the tension surrounding the scheduled hearing. Based on field assessment, 23 individuals have been arrested under preventive detention, SSP Nath stated. These are people who were mobilising resources and gathering individuals here specifically to disrupt the atmosphere. They were planning to spoil the situation. The SSP added that social media platforms are under constant surveillance, warning that any attempt to incite trouble will be immediately addressed. While the Supreme Court has granted a reprieve until December 10, the heightened security presence in Haldwani remains, reflecting the sensitivity of the ongoing land dispute.

Dharali landslide: BJP's Col Kothiyal claims 147 still buried under debris after four months

DEHRADUN: Four months after a devastating landslide struck Dharali in Uttarkashi, explosive claims by a Minister of State-rank leader have sent tremors through the ruling establishment, directly challenging the official narrative of the disaster management efforts. Colonel (Retd) Ajay Kothiyal, Chairman of the Uttarakhand Ex-Servicemen Welfare Advisory Council (holding MoS status), publicly stated that 147 individuals remain buried beneath the debris at the site of the August 5 disaster in Dharali. The revelation, made during a recent event, immediately put the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government on the defensive. This disclosure by a minister-rank leader from the ruling party itself has exposed the government's handling of the situation, reacted a senior Congress leader, sharply criticizing the administration. Colonel Kothiyals viral video statement raised serious questions about the official response. He asserted that while the Army was searching for 10 missing people, only seven were successfully recovered. He further claimed that the state machinery failed to extract even one from the 147 that are still trapped.No serious efforts were made to recover those 147 people, Kothiyal alleged. DNA testing to identify victims of Uttarakhand's Dharali disaster as search operations continue He further criticized the scientific assessment, claiming that scientists from Wadia Institute and Uttarakhand Council for Science and Technology (UCOST), sent to study the situation, remained confined to the area instead of visiting the ground zero. He suggested that critical disaster management protocols were ignored, sarcastically noting that Class 2 level work was assigned to those who have only passed the 12th grade. The official toll confirmed five deaths, with approximately 67 people listed as missing (approved for death registration), including 25 Nepali nationals. Kothiyals numbers suggest a far greater loss of life and a massive failure in comprehensive search operations. The Army utilized their expertise; NDRF, ITBP, and others were not used according to their specialization, Kothiyal reportedly said, urging the system to emulate the Armys dedication to finding the missing so they may find 'Moksha' (salvation). Following the uproar, the opposition has mobilized. State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal is scheduled to visit Dharali. Dr. Pratima Singh, senior Congress spokesperson, told TNIE , BJP is inadvertently exposing its own failures. Congress President Karan Mahara visited the victims despite administrative restrictions at the time of the tragedy. The families of the buried are still crying out for help, and the government has failed to listen, she said.

Census to be done in two phases between April 2026 and Feb 2027: Government

NEW DELHI: Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases, the first between April and September 2026 and the second in February 2027, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday. Giving details of the exercise in response to a question by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the two phases will be -- Phase I-House Listing and Housing Census followed by Phase II- Population Enumeration (PE). The first phase from April to September 2026 will be conducted in a period of 30 days in accordance with the convenience of state/UT governments. Population Enumeration will be done in February 2027 with reference date 00:00 hours of 1st March, 2027 except for the Union territory of Ladakh and snow-bound non-synchronous areas of the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, where it will be done in September, 2026 with reference date 00.00 hours of 1st October, 2026, he said. The minister said the census questionnaire is finalised on the basis of inputs and suggestions from different ministries, departments, organisations and census data users before each exercise. The minister said the census has a history of more than 150 years and learnings from previous exercises are taken into consideration for conducting the next census. In a separate question, the minister said caste enumeration will also be done in the census as decided by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on April 30 this year. In another response, the minister said Census 2027 will be conducted through digital means, in which data will be collected through mobile apps along with online provision for self-enumeration.

Uttarakhand NEET PG counselling 2025 round 1 seat allotment result released at hnbumu.ac.in: Check direct link here

Uttarakhand NEET PG counselling 2025 round 1 seat allotment results are out, with 1,122 candidates securing seats in MD, MS, diploma, and DNB programs. The provisional allotment is subject to document verification, and candidates must report any discrepancies by 1 pm today via email. The joining deadline for allotted colleges is December 7, 2025.

On the mountain state vote: reading political landscapes through geography

A new study reveals how geography influences political representation in Indias mountainous States, challenging traditional analyses and highlighting distinct electoral dynamics in regions like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand

Top seers expelled from Juna Akhara amid rift

HARIDWAR: A major rift has surfaced within Uttarakhands spiritual leadership with the expulsion of two senior MahamandaleshwarsSwami Prabodhanand Giri and Swami Yatindranand Girifrom the Shri Panch Dashnam Juna Akhara. The action, taken late Sunday, followed their participation in a meeting at Bharat Sewa Ashram in Haridwar that saw several sadhus reportedly raise demands contrary to the Akhara Parishads established norms. Announcing the decision, Juna Akharas International President Mohan Bharti Maharaj said the two seers made unwarranted statements and used abusive language against the government and administration. He alleged they were attempting to damage Sanatan Dharma and disrupt preparations for the upcoming Kumbh Mela, adding that Prabodhanand Giri also faces a pending murder-related inquiry. According to sources, the Sunday meeting saw saints demand facilities for Sthaan-Dhari (place-holding) saints at the 2027 Ardha Kumbh, similar to those provided to Akhara Parishad members. The gathering also announced an Ashram Parishad as an alternative body to the existing Akhara Parishad. This is not the first sign of discord. Earlier, Swami Roopendra Prakash and Prabodhanand Giri had questioned the very relevance of the Akhara Parishad and criticised holding the Ardha Kumbh on the scale of the Maha Kumbh.

Good News for Delhi To Dehradun commuters: Trial run begins on long-awaited expressway, to launch on...; Check details here

This expressway is 210 km long and will connect the three states of Uttarakhand-Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. The project, which cost Rs 11,868.6 crore to build, is designed to provide commuters with a smoother and more visually appealing highway experience. Read here to know details.

Mohsin wins Gold, Bronze at Tehri Water Sports Cup

Excelsior Sports Correspondent SRINAGAR, Dec 1: Jammu and Kashmirs kayaker Mohsin Ali brought laurels to the region by winning one gold and one bronze medal at the Fourth Tehri Water Sports Cup-2025, held at Tehri Lake, Uttarakhand. The competitions were conducted from November 28 to 30. Mohsin clinched the gold medal in the 1000 mtrs K1 event and a bronze in the 200 mtrs K1 event, showcasing his skill and determination. In addition, he secured fifth place in the International [] The post Mohsin wins Gold, Bronze at Tehri Water Sports Cup appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Indian Railways promotes three Womens Cricket World Cup champions to post of Officer on Special Duty

NEW DELHI: In keeping with its long tradition of supporting and promoting sporting talent with its players regularly representing India on the world stage the Ministry of Railways on Monday promoted three women cricketers, Pratika Rawal, Sneh Rana, and Renuka Singh Thakur, to Group B Officer-grade posts as Officers on Special Duty (Sports) through Out-of-Turn Promotion. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, encouraging them during their visit to the ministry, said they have made the nation proud with their exceptional performance in the Cricket World Cup . In a statement, the Ministry of Railways said that the out-of-turn promotions were granted in recognition of the players exceptional performances in Indias victorious 2025 ICC Womens World Cup campaign. All three players will be entitled to the pay and benefits of a Group B Gazetted Officer, under Level-8 of the Pay Matrix as per the 7th CPC. This initiative of the Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) will not only provide financial security to the three women cricketers but also entrust them with administrative responsibilities, the ministry said. It may be recalled that earlier in November, the three athletes were felicitated at Rail Bhawan by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. Pratika Rawal a brilliant woman cricketer has been serving as a Senior Clerk in Northern Railway and has now been promoted to the Group B Gazetted post of OSD (Sports). She is a very strong opening batter from Delhi and contributed significantly to Indias World Cupwinning campaign, the Railways said. Renuka Singh Thakur, previously a Junior Clerk in Northern Railway, has also been promoted to the Group B Gazetted post of OSD (Sports). A right-arm medium-fast bowler, she has been a consistent match-winner with key spells in crucial games. Sneh Rana, serving as a Commercial-cum-Ticket Clerk (CCTC) in Northern Railway, has been elevated to the Group B Gazetted post of OSD (Sports). She is an all-rounder from Uttarakhand and has delivered crucial performances with both bat and ball.

Delhi: Uttarakhand Congress leaders meet Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, discuss new organisation structure

Congress leaders from Uttarakhand met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at 10 Rajaji Marg on Monday to discuss the party's revamped organisational structure and roadmap for the state.

Hemkund Sahib: Spiritual Ascent Amid Uttarakhands Snow-Capped Peaks

From Ghangaria, the last 6-kilometre climb to Hemkund Sahib is one continuous, stiff ascent, the air growing thin, until every breath is a conscious effort.

CM Dhami thanks PM Modi, calls him biggest brand ambassador of Uttarakhand tourism

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his 'Mann Ki Baat' broadcast on Sunday, expressed his special affection for Uttarakhand and highlighted the immense potential of winter tourism, adventure sports, and wedding destinations in the state, said Uttarakhand CMO.

PM terms Tamil as pride of India in Mann ki Baat, urges people to learn it

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded Tamil as a great language and a source of pride for India, while highlighting the countrys achievements in agriculture, science, defence, tourism and indigenous products during his Mann Ki Baat radio address. Focusing on the upcoming fourth edition of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi from December 2, Modi urged citizens to participate and learn the language. In Tamil, he said, Tamil kalachaaram uyarvanathu, Tamil mozhi uyarvanathu, Tamil Indiavin perumidam (Tamil culture is great, Tamil language is great, Tamil is the pride of India). He described the event as a key platform connecting people associated with Tamil and strengthening the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat. On agriculture, Modi announced a historic milestone, stating Indias food grain production had touched 357 million tonnesan increase of 100 million tonnes in the past decade. He also noted that honey production had more than doubled to over 1.5 lakh metric tonnes, with exports rising threefold. Under the Honey Mission, over 2.25 lakh bee boxes have been distributed by Khadi Gramodyog. Reiterating his vocal for local push, the Prime Minister said he gifted locally crafted items to world leaders during the G-20 Summit in South Africa, including a bronze Nataraja, silver artworks from Karimnagar and Udaipur, and a brass urli from Kerala. Modi also highlighted achievements in the drone and defence sectors, space start-ups, the Geeta Mahotsava, Constitution Day celebrations, and the hoisting of the Dharmadhwaja at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He further praised natural farming initiatives in South India and promoted winter tourism in Uttarakhand.

Dr Jitendra addresses Dehradun World Summit, announces expansion of Uttarakhands Weather network

Excelsior Correspondent DEHRADUN, Nov 30: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology; Minister of State for Earth Sciences; and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh announced here today that in Uttarakhand, while three Weather Radars have already been installed at Surkanda Devi, Mukteshwar and Lansdowne, three more radars will soon be commissioned at Haridwar, Pantnagar and Auli, thus further strengthening real-time forecasting capability for the region. Addressing the World Summit [] The post Dr Jitendra addresses Dehradun World Summit, announces expansion of Uttarakhands Weather network appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Uttarakhand's Gangotri National Park closes gates for winter after record-breaking tourist season

DEHRADUN: The gates of the famed Gangotri National Park and the adventurous Gartang Valley have been ceremoniously shut for the winter season, concluding a remarkably successful year for tourism in the ecologically sensitive region. Despite the impact of recent natural events, the park has not only welcomed a record number of visitors but also generated substantial revenue. The park, a global hotspot for mountaineering and trekking, officially closed its entry points on Sunday. Officials confirmed that a total of 29,162 tourists visited the park this season, a significant figure considering disruptions caused by the recent Dharali disaster . Harish Negi, Deputy Director of Gangotri National Park, highlighted the financial success. The park has received a revenue of Rs 80,96,750 from entry fees alone, Negi told TNIE . This marks a significant jump from the approximately Rs 61 lakh earned in 2023 and the revenue generated in 2022 when 28,500 tourists visited. While the Dharali disaster slightly reduced the footfall compared to initial projections, the revenue saw a marked increase, Negi added. Tourists will now have to wait until April 1, 2026, to re-enter the park boundaries when the passes reopen. Pradeep Bisht, Range Officer for Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi, echoed the positive sentiment. A large number of tourists flocked to the tourism destinations within the park this season. Both the number of visitors and the revenue have set new records. The park administration remains vigilant even during the closure. Over 50 camera traps have been installed across the area to monitor the activities of rare wildlife, including the snow leopard, Argali sheep, bear, and red fox, which inhabit this vast area spanning 1,553 sq km up to 7,000 meters. The closure ceremonies took place at key entry points: the Kankhu Barrier, the Bhairavghati Barrier, and the Lanka Bridge Barrier leading to Gartang. The Gartang Valley, a thrilling attraction situated near the India-China border, also saw high footfall, as did the popular trekking routes to Gaumukh and Tapovan. Even the number of foreign mountaineers was deemed satisfactory. Gartang Valley, renowned for its precarious, stepped pathway, also concluded its season successfully. Historian Jai Singh Rawat provided context on this engineering marvel to TNIE . The world's most dangerous path, carved into the steep Himalayan hillside in the Nelang Valley, was constructed by Pathans from Peshawar around the 17th century, nearly 300 years ago, Rawat explained. This approximately 150-meter-long wooden staircase, built at an altitude of 11,000 feet, stands as a testament to the historical India-Tibet trade route.

Keep Himalayan valleys on your winter holiday itinerary: PM Modi

NEW DELHI, Nov 30: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that India has immense potential to become a major destination for winter tourism and lauded the steps taken by the Uttarakhand government in this regard. In his monthly Mann ki Baat radio address, Modi said that while fewer than 2,000 tourists visited Adi Kailash until three years ago, this number has now increased to over 30,000. The prime minister said that several countries have built successful tourism models around [] The post Keep Himalayan valleys on your winter holiday itinerary: PM Modi appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

SMAT | Swashbuckling Rajkumar swings it Tamil Nadus way against Uttarakhand

CRICKET | Karnataka slips up by one run in a final over nail-biter against Rajasthan, while Ishan Kishans unbeaten century fires Jharkhand to an eight-wicket win over Tripura

Ahead of Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, PM Modi urges people to learn Tamil

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, not only described Tamil as a great language and the pride of India, but also spoke about a range of the countrys achievements across several fields, including scientific advancements from space to the ground level, agriculture, honey production as an economically empowering subsidiary agro-initiative, and other sectors including tourism. Indias growing strength in the drone and defence sectors, as well as religious activities such as the Geeta Mahotsava and hoisting Dharmadhwaja atop Ram temple, also featured prominently in PM Modis broadcast. Focusing on the upcoming fourth edition of the Tamil Sangamam in Varanasi, commencing on December 2, this year, PM Modi urged citizens to participate and learn the Tamil language. In Tamil, he reiterated Tamil Kalachaaram Uyarvanad, Tamil Moli Uyarvanad, Tamil Indiavin Perumidam (Tamil culture is great, Tamil language is great, Tamil is the pride of India). This year's Kashi-Tamil Sangamam has a very interesting theme. Learn Tamil - Tamil Karkalam, Modi said. He also described the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam as an important platform for all those associated with the Tamil language. Whenever one speaks to the people of Kashi they always say that they enjoy being a part of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam. Here they get the opportunity to learn something new and meet new people, Modi emphasised, urging people to learn Tamil. I urge all of you to be a part of the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam. Along with this, do consider other platforms as well, that strengthen the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shrestha Bharat', he asserted. Speaking about Indias achievements, Modi informed listeners that the country has reached a major milestone in food grain production. The country has also achieved a major milestone in the agricultural sector. India has set a historic record with food grain production of 357 million tonnes. Three hundred and fifty-seven million tonnes! Compared to 10 years ago, India's food grain production has increased by a 100 million tonnes, he claimed. He also highlighted Indias rise in honey production. Quoting figures, he said, Today, India is setting new records in honey production. 11 years ago, honey production in the country was 76 thousand metric tons. It has now increased to more than 1.5 lakh metric tons. He added that honey exports have risen more than threefold in recent years, and under the Honey Mission programme, Khadi Gramodyog has distributed more than 2.25 lakh bee-boxes. Promoting wider adoption of Vocal for Local, the Prime Minister stated that during foreign trips, he presents Indias locally crafted products as gifts on behalf of the country, reiterating his commitment to the initiative. Referring to his recent tour to South Africa for the G-20 summit, he said the sentiment of Vocal for Local was reflected in the gifts he presented to world leaders. During the G-20, I presented a bronze statue of Nataraja to the president of South Africa. This is a wonderful example of Chola-era craftsmanship, rooted in the cultural heritage of Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, he said. He added that the Canadian Prime Minister received a silver horse replica showcasing Udaipurs craftsmanship, while the Japanese Prime Minister was presented with a silver Buddha replica featuring the intricacies of the renowned silver crafts of Telangana and Karimnagar. He noted that the Italian Prime Minister was gifted a silver mirror with floral motifs, showcasing the traditional metal craftsmanship of Karimnagar, while the Australian Prime Minister received a brass urli, an exquisite craft from Mannar in Kerala. Explaining the rationale behind these gifts, he said, My aim was to make the world aware of Indian crafts, art, and traditions and to provide a global platform to the talent of our artisans. He also highlighted the drone show, the Gita Mahotsava, space start-ups, the 150th year of Vande Mataram, Constitution Day celebrations, and the hoisting of the 'Dharmadhwaja' atop the Ram Mandir at Ayodhya, among other notable developments in November. Mentioning about his recent visit to Coimbatore, PM praised South Indias progress in this area. I was deeply impressed by the efforts being made in South India towards natural farming. Natural farming has been a part of India's ancient traditions, and it is our duty to continuously promote it to protect Mother Earth, he remarked. He shared information for those interested in Navy-related tourism and winter tourism. Touching on growing craze for winter tourism, PM Modi said, Our country also possesses every potential for winter tourism. We have mountains, culture, and endless possibilities for adventure. These days, winter tourism in Uttarakhand is attracting a lot of people in places like Auli, Munsyari, Chopta, and Deyara.

Uttarakhand: Earthquake of magnitude 3.7 strikes Chamoli

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake hit Chamoli, Uttarakhand, on November 30, 2025, at a depth of 5 km

Landour Bazaar in Mussoorie sinking rapidly, experts warn of disaster risk

DEHRADUN: Mussoorie, one of Uttarakhands most popular hill stations, is facing an alarming situation due to escalating land subsidence in Landour Bazaar. The Landour Bazaar, a historical hub, is visibly sinking, raising fears of a major disaster. While similar issues have been reported in other parts of the state, the situation in Mussoorie, called the Queen of Hills, is concerning due to its significance as a tourist destination and its fragile geology. The central stretch of Landour Bazaar has reportedly subsided by nearly a foot in recent months. Fissures have appeared on the road surface, and cracks are spreading across adjacent shops and homes. The entire road has been sinking for two years, but the pace has accelerated dramatically in the last few months, said Jagjeet Kukreja, general secretary of the local traders association. The ground has dropped by at least a foot. Local residents allege that unchecked illegal excavation and haphazard, unplanned construction in the lower parts of Landour Bazaar are main reasons for ground instability. Despite complaints submitted to the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) and district administration, no tangible action has been taken. Officials seem to be sitting on our complaints, lamented a shop owner. If this situation persists, the existence of Landour Bazaar is at risk. A major accident could happen any time. Mussoorie sits in Seismic Zone-IV, making the sinking land critically vulnerable to sudden collapse or major damage during seismic activity. Experts note that agencies, including IIT Roorkee and the Wadia Institute, have inspected the Landour region in recent years, but their reports have neither been made public nor followed up with mitigation efforts. The recent heavy monsoon also exacerbated the situation, leading to landslides and the collapse of water bunds and roads in nearby Jharipani area. Asked about the deteriorating conditions, Mussoorie Municipal Council president Meera Saklani assured swift action. Landour Bazaar is located in an extremely geologically sensitive zone. That sinking feeling Land subsidence in Mussoories Landour Bazaar has intensified, with the central stretch near the Kohinoor Building sinking Residents blame illegal excavation and unplanned construction, say complaints to authorities went unanswered Experts from IIT Roorkee and the Wadia Institute have inspected the area, but their reports remain unpublished Mussoorie lies in Seismic Zone-IV, increasing the risk of sudden collapse; recent heavy monsoon rains worsened instability, triggering landslides and the collapse of roads Municipal council president Meera Saklani promised action and review of IIT Roorkees report, noting that Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi has inspected the site.

Uttarakhand SIR: Tracing names from 2003 voter rolls proves tough due to delimitation of 18 constituencies

DEHRADUN: The office of the Uttarakhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has released the 2003 voter list for the special intensive revision (SIR) of poll rolls, but tracing names from that period is a challenge for many residents. The core issue lies in delimitation exercises that followed 2003, rendering 18 former assembly constituencies obsolete and replacing them with new names and boundaries. The newly released 2003 electoral data, available on the CEO website, is crucial for verifying if a voter was registered before the boundary changes. However, voters searching for older constituency names are finding blanks. For the younger generation of voters, searching for names under old constituencies like Dharampur and Raipur in Dehradun, Tharali in Chamoli, or Chaubattakhal in Pauri will yield no results because these assembly seats did not exist in 2003, a source revealed. Following the states formation, the first delimitation occurred in 2002, establishing 70 assembly and five Lok Sabha seats, which were reflected in the 2003 rolls. A national-level delimitation in 2008 did not alter the total number of seats but erased 18 existing constituency boundaries, replacing them with new configurations. When a current voter searches for his/her new constituency name, they wont find a corresponding entry in the 2003 list because the nomenclature and geographical representation were entirely different back then, explained an official from the state election commission. Boundaries erased Following the states formation, the first delimitation occurred in 2002, establishing the 70 Assembly and five Lok Sabha seats that were reflected in the 2003 voter rolls. A subsequent national-level delimitation in 2008 did not alter the total number of seats but erased the 18 existing constituency boundaries

Delhi blast: NIA team arrests 2 from Uttarakhand's

The NIA team and Uttarakhand Police personnel went to a mosque in Nainital to question some people, the official said

Delhi Blast: NIA Nabs Two from Haldwani

SRINAGAR: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested two individuals from Uttarakhands Haldwani in connection with the deadly Delhi blast on November 10, near Red Fort, which claimed 13 lives and injured 32 others, as part of an intensifying probe into a multi-state terror module. The arrests, confirmed by NIA sources and reported by Hindustan []

How Tare helped Uttarakhand skipper Kunal flip the script

Operation Sindoor brilliant example of civil-military fusion, says Rajnath Singh

Union Defence Minister was addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Op Sindoor Brilliant Example Of Civil-Military Fusion: Rajnath Singh

New Delhi, Nov 29: Operation Sindoor is a brilliant example of civil-military fusion, where the administrative machinery worked seamlessly with the armed forces to communicate vital information and build public confidence, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday. He was addressing the valedictory ceremony of the 100th Common Foundation Course at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. Singh also called upon young civil servants to understand their crucial role in safeguarding national interests, and, [] The post Op Sindoor Brilliant Example Of Civil-Military Fusion: Rajnath Singh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Haridwar Ardh Kumbh 2027 will be celebrated as grandly as Purna Kumbh: CM Dhami

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the 2027 Haridwar Ardh Kumbh Mela will be celebrated grandly, mirroring the Purna Kumbh. For the first time, sadhus and saints will participate in 'Shahi Snan' during the four-month event, with extensive preparations underway to ensure its historic significance and the safety of millions of expected devotees.

Uttarakhand paper-leak case: CBI arrests assistant professor

The accused has been identified as Suman, an Assistant Professor at Shaheed Srimati Hansa Dhanai Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya, Agrora (Dhar mandal), Tehri Garhwal

CBI arrests Uttarakhand lady asst prof in graduate-level exam paper leak case

CBI arrests assistant professor in escalating UKSSSC paper leak probe

DEHRADUN: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday arrested an assistant professor who acted as a key conspirator in the Uttarakhand Subordinate Services Selection Commission (UKSSSC) graduate-level recruitment paper leak, marking a significant development in the ongoing investigation. The accused, identified as Suman, an assistant professor at Shaheed Srimati Hansa Dhanai Rajkiya Mahavidyalaya in Tehri Garhwal, was taken into custody alongside two others, Mohd Khalid and his sister Sabiha. The arrests mark a deepening of the probe into the leak that forced the cancellation of the crucial examination. The CBI took over the investigation after the Uttarakhand government recommended a central probe amid widespread student agitations that followed the leak. The assistant professor was arrested on Friday, and will be produced before the designated court after a medical examination, a CBI spokesperson confirmed in a formal statement. Sources within the agency said Professor Sumans alleged involvement surfaced during the scrutiny of digital evidence obtained from Khalid and Sabiha, who were apprehended earlier. Preliminary findings indicate a troubling modus operandi. Officials stated that Suman assisted Khalid by solving portions of the leaked question paper, which was reportedly obtained via Khalids sister. The solved answers were then sent to Khalid, who was appearing as a candidate in the examination. The interrogation and analysis of mobile phone data strongly indicated Sumans direct assistance in disseminating the leaked content, an official privy to the investigation noted. The controversy erupted in October when three pages of the graduate-level recruitment exam paper were leaked from a centre in Haridwar, triggering widespread outrage among unemployed youth across the state. More than one lakh candidates had competed for just 416 vacant posts, making the integrity of the exam especially critical. The perceived scale of malpractice prompted sustained protests led by the Uttarakhand Berojgar Sangh. The state governments decision to transfer the sensitive case to the CBI came in response to persistent public demands for an impartial and thorough investigation. The arrest of a serving academic now points to a potentially more organised network behind the leak rather than isolated incidents. The CBI is expected to reveal further details as the accused are presented before the court.

Uttarakhand Government Halts Adi Kailash Pilgrimage For Winter

The host villagers of the Adi Kailash area have also begun to migrate to the lower valleys due to the cold, and the number of ILP applications for the pilgrimage is very low, he added.

Haridwar to Host Ardh Kumbh 2027: 4 Amrit Snan for the First Time; Check Full Dates

The Uttarakhand government has announced the dates for Ardh Kumbh 2027 in Haridwar. The 97-day event will feature 10 major Snan days, including four historic Amrit Snans. Check complete Snan dates.

Uttarakhand: In Doon Valley, Dam Meant to Solve Water Crisis Worsens Climate Vulnerability

Planned to solve Dehraduns water shortage, the Song Dam Drinking Water Projects construction practices have altered the rivers behaviour, villagers say.

Supreme Court seeks Rajasthan govt's response on plea challenging validity of anti-conversion law

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Friday sought response from the Rajasthan government on a plea challenging the validity of the provisions of the Rajasthan Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act, 2025. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta issued notice to the state government seeking its response on the plea filed by the Peoples Union For Civil Liberties and others. The bench tagged the plea with separate pending petitions raising similar issue. Senior advocate Sanjay Parikh appeared for the petitioners. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the bench that similar matters are pending before the apex court and this plea be tagged with them. The petitioners have sought a declaration that provisions of the Act are arbitrary, unreasonable, illegal and ultra vires the Constitution and also violative of Articles, including Article 14 (equality before law) and Article 21 (protection of life and personal liberty). On November 17, the top court sought response from the Rajasthan government and others on a separate plea challenging the validity of the Act. The apex court on November 3 had agreed to hear two separate petitions challenging the validity of several provisions of the law against illegal religious conversions that came into force in Rajasthan. In September, another bench of the apex court sought the stand of several states on separate pleas seeking a stay on their respective anti-conversion laws. The top court had then made it clear that it would consider the prayer for staying the operation of such laws once the replies were filed. The bench was then dealing with a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of anti-conversion laws enacted by several states, including Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand and Karnataka.

Kalki Dham chief alleges pressure from Congress to make adverse remarks against Uttarakhand CM Dhami

DEHRADUN: Acharya Pramod Krishnam Maharaj, the head of the Kalki Dham in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh and a former prominent Congress leader, has made a startling claim, alleging that senior leaders within the Congress party became displeased with him after he refused to publicly criticise Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. The revelation came during a book launch event in Dehradun on Thursday, where Maharaj participated in an event celebrating the achievements of CM Dhami. Pramod Krishnam Maharaj stated that the Congress leadership had exerted significant pressure on him to make adverse remarks against the sitting Chief Minister. There was pressure from the Congress side for me to say something against Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, but I clearly refused the party leaders, Maharaj asserted from the stage. He justified his stance by stating, I cannot be against any Chief Minister merely because he belongs to the opposition party. I will not make baseless statements against Pushkar Singh Dhami because I cannot speak against a 'Sadhu' (saint). Maharaj suggested that CM Dhami and his cabinet were aware of this refusal. Perhaps Pushkar Singh Dhami and his cabinet read and saw that statement of mine, he added. The controversy reportedly deepened when Maharaj had previously referred to CM Dhami as a 'Sadhu' while still being associated with the Congress. According to Maharaj, this characterisation drew ire from the party high command in Delhi. I was told from Delhi to retract that statement while expressing regret, he revealed. When questioned by the Congress about why he called the Chief Minister a 'Sadhu', Maharaj offered a philosophical explanation: A 'Sadhu' accepts truth with simplicity, ease, and willingness. He elaborated that sainthood is not about attire, markings, or typical memorisation of scriptures. The scriptures state that God is not dependent on any action, ritual, or rite. Therefore, anyone who accepts the truth with simplicity, ease, and willingness is a 'Sadhu'. Maharaj directly accused his former party of malicious intent, stating, The character of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was completely clean; his image was spotless, but the Congress party wanted to defame the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. Acharya Pramod Krishnam Maharaj has a long history with the Congress party, having served as a Member of Parliament and held several significant organisational posts over nearly four decades. However, his association ended last year when the Congress suspended him from the party for six years in the run-up to the 2024 general elections.

Air pollution levels across north India are significantly higher than national average: Report

CHANDIGARH: The air pollution levels across North India are significantly higher than the national average as per the latest report released by Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), an independent research organisation. The report stated that Delhi, along with Punjab, Assam and Tripura, was identified as a year-round pollution hotspot failing to meet PM 2.5 standard even during the monsoons. On the other hand, the southern states recorded the lowest values. The report titled, Beyond City Limits: A Satellite-Based PM-2.5 Assessment Across Indias Airsheds, States and Districts, stated that all the 23 districts of Punjab, 22 of Haryana and 12 of Himachal Pradesh exceeded the annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 40 ug/m3 for PM 2.5 concentration last year. During summer, winter and post-monsoon periods, PM 2.5 concentrations exceeded the NAAQS limits in these states. During the monsoon, 15 out of 23 districts in Punjab, 5 out of 22 in Haryana and 2 out of 12 districts in Himachal Pradesh exceeded the air quality limit. It read, Delhi recorded the highest pollution levels with an annual mean PM 2.5 concentration of 101 g/m, 2.5 times the Indian standard and 20 times the World Health Organisation (WHO). The pollution crisis extends across northern India, with the average PM 2.5 concentrations in all states in these regions, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, exceeding the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). This concentration of pollution aligns with their location in the Indo-Gangetic Plain. The eastern and northeastern states showed similarly concerning levels, with PM 2.5 average concentrations in Bihar, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Tripura, and Arunachal Pradesh all above the NAAQS. Among western states, the mean concentrations in Rajasthan and Gujarat exceeded the annual national standard, it added. While the southern states presented the lowest PM 2.5 values, Puducherry recorded the lowest concentration at 25 g/m, followed by Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Sikkim, Telangana, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. The report stated that Delhi consistently ranks as the most polluted city across all seasons, highlighting the capital's year-round air quality crisis. While Chandigarh appears in the top five during three seasons (winter, summer, and post-monsoon), West Bengal also ranks among the worst across the winter and post-monsoon seasons. Punjab and Haryana emerged as major air-pollution concerns, with Punjab during the monsoon and post-monsoon periods and Haryana during the summer and post-monsoon periods. The northeastern states present an unexpected pollution hotspot, with Assam and Tripura featuring in the top five in three seasons (winter, summer, and monsoon). Overall, 60 per cent of districts (447 out of 749) exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for annual PM 2.5. None of the districts met the World Health Organisation (WHO) guideline of less than 5 g/m. The most polluted districts are heavily concentrated in a few states, highlighting regional clustering of severe air quality issues. Delhi (11 districts) and Assam (11 districts) alone account for nearly half of the top 50, followed by Bihar (7) and Haryana (7). Other notable contributors include Uttar Pradesh (4), Tripura (3), Rajasthan (2), West Bengal (2), and single districts from Chandigarh, Meghalaya and Nagaland, it reads. It further added, Several states are in universal non-compliance, where all monitored districts exceed the NAAQS. These include Delhi, Assam, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Jammu and Kashmir. Several other states show a large majority of districts breaching the norm, such as Bihar (37 of 38), West Bengal (22 of 23), Gujarat (32 of 33), Nagaland (11 of 12), Rajasthan (30 of 33), and Jharkhand (21 of 24). A second group shows mixed performance, where some districts meet the standard but many continue to exceed it. This includes Uttar Pradesh (49 of 75 districts exceeding), Odisha (22 of 30), Madhya Pradesh (27 of 52), and Maharashtra (14 of 36). In the Northeast, Arunachal Pradesh (12 exceed, 13 comply) and Manipur (five exceed, 11 comply) also fall in this transitional category. At the other end of the spectrum, several states have the majority of their districts below NAAQS, such as Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Sikkim, Goa, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These contrasting patterns highlight the continued dominance of northern and eastern states in Indias PM 2.5 pollution hotspots, while southern and coastal regions remain relatively cleaner. The report stated that the states should develop district-level air quality action plans, guided by satellite data to identify hotspots, prioritise high-exposure populations, and allocate mitigation resources efficiently. The satellite-derived PM 2.5 data should be formally integrated into NCAP for spatially comprehensive assessment and performance tracking. Also, establishing protocols for validation, periodic updates, and public dissemination of satellite-based estimates will strengthen transparency and enable real-time decision-making in areas lacking ground monitors.

62.50% of groundwater samples from Punjab have uranium levels above safety threshold limit: Report

CHANDIGARH: A staggering 62.50 per cent of groundwater samples from Punjab have uranium levels above the safety threshold limit, the highest contamination intensity ever recorded in the country, followed by Haryana, Delhi, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. This fact was revealed in the latest Annual Ground Water Quality Report 2025 by the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. Meanwhile, across the country, nitrate contamination was the most widespread, followed by fluoride and salinity. As per the report, the highest intensity of uranium contamination was recorded in the state, as 53.04 per cent of samples exceeded the permissible limit before the monsoon and 62.50 per cent afterwards. It highlighted that uranium concentrations exceeding the safe limit of 30 ppb were detected sporadically in Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Rajasthan. A total of 3,754 groundwater samples were tested across India during Pre- and Post-Monsoon 2024 to check uranium concentration. Samples with uranium levels above the safe limit of 30 ppb were found in 6.71 per cent during the Pre-Monsoon and 7.91 per cent during the post-monsoon, showing a slight increase after rainfall. The highest uranium contamination was observed in Punjab, where over half of the samples (53.04 per cent pre-monsoon and 62.50 per cent post-monsoon) exceeded the limit, it read. Meanwhile, Haryana also reported significant levels, with 15 per cent of pre-monsoon and 23.75 per cent of post-monsoon samples above the limit, followed by Delhi, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. High levels were also found in Haryana (1523.75 per cent), Delhi (1315.66 per cent), Karnataka (68 per cent), and Uttar Pradesh (56 per cent). Moderate contamination occurred in Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, while most other states showed uranium levels within safe limits, it stated. The report further stated, Spatially, northwestern India (Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, parts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh) emerged as the main hotspot of uranium contamination, likely due to geogenic factors, groundwater depletion, and aquifer characteristics. In contrast, eastern and southern India recorded minimal contamination. Overall, the study shows that while most groundwater in India is safe, certain regions face rising uranium levels, emphasising the need for regular monitoring and local mitigation measures to protect drinking water quality and health. Meanwhile, fluoride levels exceeding 1.5 mg/L were detected in 11.24 per cent of samples in Punjab, while the national exceedance was at 8.05 per cent. Interestingly, Rajasthan topped this category with 41.06 per cent, followed by Haryana with 21.82 per cent. High fluoride occurrences are prominently observed in the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and parts of Odhisa. Excessive fluoride in groundwater used for drinking poses a significant health concern, as prolonged consumption can lead to waterborne fluorosis, manifesting in dental and skeletal disorders, it stated. It adds that nitrate in drinking water is a serious health concern. It mainly comes from excessive use of fertilisers, animal waste, and sewage seeping into groundwater. In India, nearly 20.71 per cent of groundwater samples have been reported to exceed the permissible limit of 45 mg/L, as prescribed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Bureau of Indian Standards (IS 10500) for drinking water quality, report states. In the pre-monsoon, Nitrate ranges from BDL to 2070 mg/L with a mean value of 32 mg/L. High nitrate concentrations are prominently observed in northwestern and central India, particularly in the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, extending further into parts of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. These areas correspond largely to alluvial and hard-rock aquifers, where intensive agricultural practices, excessive fertiliser application, and improper disposal of domestic and animal wastes contribute to nitrate enrichment. Elevated nitrate remained one of the most widespread contaminants. The highest levels in Rajasthan 50.54 per cent followed by Karnataka 45.47 per cent, and Tamil Nadu 36.27 per cent, Punjab 14.6 per cent and Haryana 14.18 per cent as the national exceedance was 20.71 per cent. Elevated nitrate levels in the Indo-Gangetic plains (Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal) indicate impacts of shallow groundwater vulnerability due to unlined sanitation systems and leaching from agriculture fields. During the pre-monsoon period, about 73.53 per cent of samples were within the permissible limit, while 26.47 per cent exceeded it. In the post-monsoon period, compliance remained nearly similar, with 72.95 per cent of samples meeting the standard and 27.05 per cent exceeding it. Meanwhile, the Arsenic contamination in groundwater has been reported in several Indian states, including Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh. But it continued to pose a serious health hazard in the Indo-Gangetic alluvial belt, with major contributions from West Bengal, Bihar, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Assam. Punjab reported 9.1 per cent pre-monsoon and 9.5 per cent post-monsoon exceedance, placing it among the significant contributors despite wide variations between districts. Due to high Residual Sodium Carbonate (RSC) irrigation water could lead to alkalinity buildup, soil degradation, and declining crop yields if left unmanaged. As this index determines whether irrigation water can damage soil structure and long-term land productivity, as 11.27 per cent of groundwater samples nationally exceeded the permissible limit of 2.5 meq/L, indicating sodicity hazards in several areas. The highest in Delhi at 51.11 per cent followed by Uttarakhand 41.94 per cent, Andhra Pradesh 26.87 per cent, Punjab 24.60 per cent and Rajasthan 24.42 per cent. The other parameter was Electrical Conductivity, which is a marker of water salinity, and topped the list with 47.12 per cent, followed by Delhi 33.33 per cent, Haryana 0.59 per cent and Gujarat 18.28 per cent recorded the highest percentages of samples above the BIS permissible limit of 3000 S/cm. Meanwhile, Punjab recorded 7.01 per cent of samples above the limit. Due to excessive saline water, agricultural productivity is affected. The report concluded that the Central Groundwater Board has undertaken an extensive assessment of groundwater quality across India during the Pre-Monsoon and Post-Monsoon periods of 2024, covering approximately 5368 monitoring wells. About 71.67 per cent of samples complied with BIS standards, while 28.32 per cent exceeded permissible limits for one or more parameters.

Nepal Rastra Bank issues Rs 100 bank notes with map of Nepal comprising disputed areas with India

KATHMANDU: Nepal's central bank on Thursday issued new Rs 100 denomination bank notes that have a revised map of the country, including the controversial Kalapani, Lipulekh and Limpiyadhura territories, termed as artificial enlargement by India. The new note from the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) bears the signature of previous Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari. The date of issuance of the bank note is mentioned as 2081 BS, which denotes the previous year, 2024. During the Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli-led government, Nepal had updated the map, comprising Kalapani, Lipulek and Limpiyadhura territories, through a Parliament endorsement in May 2020. Clarifying the matter regarding the updated version of map, an NRB spokesperson said that the map is already there in the old Rs 100 bank note and it has been revised as per the government's decision. Among various denominations of bank notes such as Rs 10, Rs 50, Rs 500, and Rs 1,000, only the bank note with Rs 100 denomination bears the map of Nepal, others do not, he clarified. India maintains that Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura belong to it. India had in 2020 reacted sharply, calling Nepal's revised map a unilateral act and cautioned Kathmandu that such artificial enlargement of territorial claims will not be acceptable to it. Nepal's new Rs 100 bank note has Mt Everest on its left side while there is a water mark of Rhododendron, the national flower of Nepal, on the right. There is a faint green colour map of Nepal printed in the background at the centre of the bank note. The Ashok Pillar is also printed near the map with the text Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha. On the back side of the bank note, there is a picture of one horned rhino. The bank note also has a security thread and an embossed black dot, which helps blind people to recognize it. Nepal shares a border of over 1850 km with five Indian states - Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

NGT slaps Rs 50,000 fine on Uttarakhand govt over illegal stone crusher operation near Dehradun

DEHRADUN: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 on the Uttarakhand government after confirming that an illegal stone crusher is operating inside the ecologically sensitive Shivalik Elephant Reserve and the active floodplain of the Song River. The tribunals directive followed a petition by concerned Dehradun residents, represented by Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, highlighting severe ecological violations caused by the stone crusher in a protected zone, which threatens local wildlife. The NGT based its decision on a detailed report by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), which confirmed that the stone crusher sits squarely within the notified elephant reserve and lies in the active flood zone of the Song River, a key tributary of the Ganga. The WII report warned that the sites industrial activity is fragmenting critical habitats. The river and surrounding scrubland serve as vital dispersal routes for elephants, tigers, leopards, and other large mammals. The presence of this industrial unit has effectively narrowed the ecological corridor, severely compromising its functionality for wildlife movement, the report noted. In addition to the fine, the NGT directed the Member Secretary of the Uttarakhand Pollution Control Board (UPCB) to file a personal affidavit explaining how clearances were granted despite the sites status as a wildlife corridor and active floodplain. Advocate Bansal said the states lapse threatens the survival of elephants and other wildlife. Permitting such an industrial unit in an ecologically fragile zone reflects poorly on the states commitment to environmental governance, he told TNIE. He added, The state of Uttarakhand has a duty not only to protect the Shivalik Elephant Reserve but also the active flood zone of the Song River. What adds insult to injury is that the plant is also narrowing the elephant corridor, a serious concern that has been allowed to persist.

Uttarakhand makes written consent mandatory for women on night shifts

DEHRADUN: In a key step to support womens empowerment and ensure their safety, the Uttarakhand government has made written consent compulsory for employing female staff for night shifts in shops and commercial establishments. This crucial amendment was approved on Wednesday during the state cabinet meeting, integrating it into the Uttarakhand Shops and Establishments (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2022. The new regulation stipulates that women employees can only be assigned night duty if they explicitly agree to it beforehand. This decision comes in response to instances where women who were unwilling to work late hours were allegedly forced into night shifts. This measure strikes a balance between providing equal opportunities and safeguarding the well-being of our female workforce, stated a spokesperson for the Labour Department. We are committed to ensuring that empowerment does not come at the cost of security. Women in Uttarakhand were first permitted to work night shifts in the organised sector in November 2022, aligning their employment opportunities with those of their male counterparts. However, the government has now placed specific conditions on this provision to prevent misuse. The mandated night shift hours are defined as between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. The new rules are designed to boost economic participation among women while guaranteeing adequate safety provisions. If a woman wishes to work the night shift, she must provide prior written consent. This ensures that the opportunity for economic upliftment is truly voluntary, added a senior official involved in drafting the amendment. The government has also introduced stringent safety prerequisites that establishments must adhere to if they employ women during these hours: Minimum Staffing: Night duty cannot be assigned to a single woman. At least three female employees must be scheduled together for any night shift. Facilities: Separate rest areas must be provided for women. If a female employee has a child, the establishment must also arrange for a separate crche facility. Sanitation: Adequate women's washroom facilities are mandatory. Anti-Harassment Cell: Any workplace scheduling women for night shifts must compulsorily constitute an internal committee to prevent sexual harassment, as per existing guidelines. These layered protections aim to ensure that the expanded job prospects translate into meaningful and secure employment, effectively promoting gender equality in the workplace.

CRICKET | My role is to take the game deep and finish things off: Smaran

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy | The Karnataka batter continued his prolific run with a career-best 67 (41b, 7x4, 2x6) his second T20 fifty to set up a successful chase of 198 against Uttarakhand

India & Nepal conduct hi-tech joint exercise

NEW DELHI: The soldiers of the Indian Army and the Nepalese Army on Tuesday began Joint Military exercise Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX - 2025 at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. Being conducted from November 25 to December 8, 2025, the 14-day exercise is the 19th edition of this institutionalised bilateral Army exercise. Apart from the conventional training exercise, the soldiers will also be undergoing simulation of situations demanding the use of niche technology. The Indian Army in a statement said, This edition of Exercise SURYAKIRAN-XIX will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms, enabling both armies to refine and adapt tactics, techniques and procedures for operating in counter terrorism environment aligned to prevailing global dynamics.

Uttarakhand turns to hydroseeding to tackle persistent landslides on Badrinath highway

DEHRADUN: Facing relentless landslides in one of India's top 10 most vulnerable districts, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is now turning to an advanced biological solution, hydroseeding, to stabilise a critical stretch of the Badrinath Highway near Kameda in Gauchar. This shift comes after earlier engineering interventions allegedly failed to contain the erosion that has long threatened this vital route. The 120-metre stretch near Kameda, located in the highly landslide-prone Rudraprayag district, experiences significant debris flow during the monsoon season. For over five years, the slope above the highway has continually shed soil, rocks and boulders, frequently disrupting traffic for hours. For more than five years, the slope here has been unstable. When the rains hit, large boulders roll onto the highway, stated a local resident, requesting anonymity due to the frequent closures. Previously, NHAI had attempted stabilisation using conventional engineering methods. Steel netting anchored by 6 to 8-inch iron rods (anchors) was installed into the slope before the monsoon. However, heavy rains led to substantial slippage, allegedly rendering the nets ineffective. Now, the focus has shifted to Hydroseeding Mulch, a technique involving the spraying of a mixture of seeds, water and fertiliser onto the slope. We are employing Hydroseeding Mulch to prevent further landslides in this steep terrain. We anticipate this method will be effective, said JP Sharma, Project Manager at RCC Developers, associated with the project. We are currently verifying the existing anchors before fully implementing this technique, as this method has proven successful in mountainous regions. Hydroseeding is an advanced bio-engineering technique designed to rapidly establish a protective layer of grass or vegetation on steep slopes, roadsides and mining areas. The mixture includes mulch fibres that bind the soil together, preventing erosion from heavy rain or wind, while the seeds germinate to create a living root structure for long-term stability. The urgency of this stabilisation effort is underscored by recent data classifying India's most vulnerable zones. Official sources confirm that Rudraprayag and Tehri Garhwal in Uttarakhand are among the top 10 most landslide-prone districts in the country. Apart from Rudraprayag and Tehri in Uttarakhand, the list of high-risk districts also includes: Kerala: Thrissur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Kozhikode. Jammu and Kashmir: Rajouri and Poonch. Sikkim: South and East Sikkim. The NHAI hopes that this biological intervention will finally stabilise the Badrinath route before the next monsoon season arrives.

Indian Army, Nepalese Army kick off 19th edition of bilateral exercise, focus on niche technologies

NEW DELHI: Soldiers of the Indian Army and Nepalese Army on Tuesday began the joint military exercise Exercise SURYAKIRAN XIX - 2025 at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. The 14-day exercise is being conducted from November 25 to December 8. It is the 19th edition of this institutionalised bilateral Army exercise. The soldiers, apart from the conventional training exercise, will also be undergoing simulation of situations demanding the use of niche technologies. The Indian Army in a statement said, This edition of Exercise SURYAKIRAN-XIX will focus on incorporating niche and emerging technologies, including Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), drone-based ISR, AI-enabled decision support tools, unmanned logistic vehicles and armoured protection platforms, enabling both armies to refine and adapt Tactics, Techniques and Procedures for operating in counter terrorism environment aligned to prevailing global dynamics. The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of sub conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations mandate. The scope of the exercise is to strengthen battalion-level synergy in Jungle Warfare, Counter-Terrorism Operations in Mountainous Terrain, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), Medical Response, Environmental Conservation, and Integrated Ground-Aviation Operations, the Indian Army added. The Indian contingent of 334 personnel is being represented mainly by troops from the Assam Regiment. The Nepal side is being represented by 334 personnel represented mainly by troops from the Devi Datta Regiment. Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peacekeeping operations, said the Army. Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other, it said, adding that this will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and Nepal Army.

Chardham Yatra concludes as doors of Badrinath Dham close for winters

GOPESHWAR, Nov 25: The Chardham Yatra concluded on Tuesday as the doors of the Badrinath Dham located in Uttarakhands upper Garhwal region closed for the winter season. Officials of the Shri Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee said that after special prayers, the doors of Badrinath Dham were closed for devotees at 2.56 pm on Tuesday. Despite cold weather conditions, a large number of devotees from India and abroad were present to have darshan of Badri Vishal. They said that the process [] The post Chardham Yatra concludes as doors of Badrinath Dham close for winters appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

State govt committed to safeguarding the demography and cultural values of Uttarakhand: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the ancient Shiva temple in Lakhamandal today, where local residents and party workers gave him a grand welcome. The Chief Minister performed traditional rituals at the temple and prayed for the peace, prosperity, and well-being of the people of the state.

No Liquor, Fast Food And Costly Gifts: Uttarakhand Villages' New Rules For Weddings

Villages including Dau, Doha, Chutou, Bajau, Ghingo, and Kaitri are among those who implemented these norms.

Five killed, 13 injured in bus crash near Kunjapuri temple in Uttarakhand

DEHRADUN: At least five pilgrims were killed in a road accident while returning from the historic Kunjapuri Temple in Uttarakhand's Tehri district on Monday. The incident occurred as the bus was returning from the Kunjapuri Devi Temple, located about 23 km from Rishikesh. Authorities confirmed five fatalities at the scene. Five people have tragically died in this accident, confirmed ASP J R Joshi of Tehri Garhwal. A total of 17 people were injured and rushed to nearby hospitals. State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) teams were immediately dispatched to the location, where the bus reportedly fell approximately 70 meters into the ravine near Hindolakhal. Five teams from SDRF posts, including Dhalwala and Koti Colony, were immediately deployed to the site, stated SDRF Commandant Arpan Yaduvanshi. The victims who sustained injuries are reportedly from various states, including Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Haryana. According to sources involved in the rescue, the accident happened when the bus lost control shortly after the driver started the engine. The vehicle, carrying 18 out of the total 28 passengers, subsequently plunged 80 to 100 meters into the gorge. Four women and one man were pronounced dead on arrival. Thirteen of the injured were initially taken to Suman Hospital in Narendranagar. Due to the severity of their condition, five critically injured passengers were later referred to AIIMS Rishikesh for advanced care. Local officials, including Tehsildar Ayodhya Prasad Uniyal and Deputy Superintendent of Police Surendra Singh Bhandari, rushed to the site to oversee relief operations. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami expressed deep sorrow over the incident. The news of the bus accident near Narendranagar Kunjapuri Temple in Tehri is extremely heartbreaking, the Chief Minister stated. I pray that the departed souls find peace at the lotus feet of the Lord and that the bereaved families are granted the strength to bear this immense sorrow. I am in constant contact with local officials regarding the treatment of the injured. The Kunjapuri Temple is a revered spot, believed to be one of the 51 Shakti Peeths, where the chest (Kunj) of Goddess Sati is said to have fallen. Police have initiated an investigation into the exact cause of the horrific crash.

Suspended government doctor, aides involved in inter-state fake currency notes racket, arrested in Bhopal

BHOPAL:After being on the run for more than three weeks, the suspended government doctor, the alleged mastermind of the recently busted inter-state fake Indian currency notes (FICN) racket, has been arrested in Madhya Pradesh's capital, Bhopal. Acting on specific inputs, cops from the special investigation team (SIT) of Khandwa district police, raided a house in Bhopals Bagmugaliya area and arrested Dr Prateek Navlakhe along with his two aides. While the suspended government doctor, 43-year-old Prateek Navlakhe, hails from southwestern MPs Burhanpur district, the two other men arrested from the rented house on Sunday evening have been identified as 35-year-old Gopal alias Rahul (resident of MPs Harda district) and 43-year-old Dinesh Gore (who hails from Amravati-Maharashtra). Suspended MP doctor emerges as mastermind in inter-state fake currency racket busted in Maharashtra Dinesh Gore is the acting principal of a government school in Maharashtra, while Rahul is a property broker. FICN totalling Rs 25,000, nine cell-phones, a laptop, 32 ATM cards, 15 bank cheque books, a dryer machine and other incriminating material have been seized from the arrested trio, Khandwa district police superintendent Manoj Rai said on Monday. With this recent action, FICNs totalling over Rs 30 lakh have so far been seized by the Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh police teams from the possession of the seven arrested members of the inter-state racket and their whereabouts since October 30. Importantly, the alleged inter-state FICN racket was busted in Malegaon town of Maharashtras Nashik district on October 30 following the arrest of a Muslim cleric, Maulana Zuber and his key aide, Nazir. The Malegaon cops had seized from the duo, Rs 10 lakhs FICN, which they were to route to various parts of the western state. With Zubair being the Imam of a mosque located in Pethia village of southwestern MPs Khandwa district, the Khandwa district police raided the room where he stayed in the Imambara in Pethia village and recovered Rs 19.78 lakh FICN on November 2. An SIT was subsequently formed by the Khandwa district police superintendent into the entire case, and the two men, including Maulana Zubair, arrested in Malegaon town on October 30, were later brought to Khandwa (MP) for questioning. It was their questioning that confirmed the direction of the police investigation, about the suspended government doctor Pradeep Navlakhe being the mastermind of the inter-state racket. Navlakhes arrest from Bhopal is a breakthrough for us in the case, as he has emerged as the real mastermind of the racket. The laptop seized from the rented house in Bhopal contains details and designs of the FICNs, SP-Khandwa district Manoj Rai said. As per sources associated with the ongoing police probe, investigations strongly suggest many more Maharashtra links in the racket, including some major links in the Vidarbha region. Probe till now suggests that Dr Navlakhe was into FICNs for 4-5 months. Before that, he had also tried his hand at FICN, but failed to succeed completely. Importantly, back in 2022, Navlakhe (who was posted at the Burhanpur district hospital) was accused of opening an account in a private bank in the name of the hospital's peon and then parked around Rs 24 lakh. The account was closed after withdrawing the money. In 2022, Dr Navlakhe was suspended after he sold the hospitals equipment worth Rs 25 lakh as scrap. He was also suspected to be involved in hawala business, cricket betting and human trafficking. The suspended doctor met Mohd Zubair while being lodged in Khandwa jail. Zubair was lodged there in multiple cases of robbery and investment fraud. The Khandwa polices SIT suspect that it was at the Khandwa jail that Navlakhe convinced Zubair to become part of his network of FICN supply racket. Dr Navlakhe had tried his luck with FICN printing in the past and is accused of two to three cases of counterfeit Indian currency notes in Jalgaon and Bhusawal in Maharashtra. Barring Dr Navlakhe, the six others arrested in the case so far were possibly working as agents who searched prospective buyers of the fake currency notes and then supplied them to the customers. For every Rs one lakh, the racket got Rs 30,000 in authentic currency notes from the customers, then distributed to operatives. Ongoing investigations suggest that the finest quality wire used in the FICNs was sourced from China, while the paper was sourced from Maharashtras Vidarbha region. On October 30, when Maulana Zubair, along with an aide, was arrested with Rs 10 FICN in Malegaon (Maharashtra), Dr Navlakhe was present in Pune. With the help of his girlfriend, Dr Navlakhe first came to Bhopal via Burhanpur and later went into hiding in Haridwar (Uttarakhand), before returning and hiding in the rented flat with Dinesh Gores help. While investigations till now have revealed that the income generated from the FICN business was parked by Dr Navlakhe in his girlfriends bank account, the seizure of 32 ATM cards and 15 bank cheque books strongly suggests that the rackets mastermind was also parking alleged crime money in mule accounts.

5 Dead, Several Injured As Bus Falls 70 Metres Into Gorge In Uttarakhands Tehri District

Five people died and several were injured after a bus plunged into a gorge near KunjapuriHindolakhal in Narendranagar, Tehri district. SDRF teams are conducting rescue operations.

From small-town lawyer to pinnacle of judiciary, 53rd CJI Surya Kant delivered many key verdicts

NEW DELHI: Justice Surya Kant, who took oath as the 53rd Chief Justice of India on Monday, has been part of several key verdicts, including orders on Presidential Reference on removing timelines for governors, abrogation of Article 370, Bihar electoral roll revision , the Pegasus spyware case, free speech, and citizenship rights. Coming from a middle-class family in Haryana's Hisar district, CJI Kant started his professional journey as a small-town lawyer before reaching the pinnacle of the Indian judiciary. He took oath in Hindi in the name of God, and will remain in charge for nearly 15 months, till demitting office on February 9, 2027, on attaining the age of 65. Delineating his top two priorities as the head of the judiciary, CJI Kant recently told the media that dealing with a huge backlog of more than five crore cases across courts and promoting game changer mediation as an alternative mode of dispute resolution will be his two important goals. CJI Kant was recently part of a five-judge Constitution bench headed by his predecessor Justice B R Gavai, which ruled that the court cannot impose any timelines on governors or the president to grant assent to Bills passed by the state assemblies, but at the same time said governors do not have unfettered powers to sit on the Bills for perpetuity. CJI Kant also penned several notable judgments in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, and was appointed the chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court on October 5, 2018. His tenure as a Supreme Court judge is marked by verdicts on the abrogation of Article 370, free speech and citizenship rights. He was part of the bench that kept the colonial-era sedition law in abeyance, directing that no new FIRs be registered under it until a government review. CJI Kant also nudged the Election Commission to disclose the details of 65 lakh voters excluded from the draft electoral rolls in Bihar while hearing a batch of petitions challenging the poll panel's decision to undertake a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter list in the poll-bound state. In an order that emphasised grassroots democracy and gender justice, he led a bench that reinstated a woman sarpanch unlawfully removed from office and called out the gender bias in the matter. He is also credited with directing that one-third of seats in bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, be reserved for women. CJI Kant was part of the bench that appointed a five-member committee headed by former top court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to probe the security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Punjab in 2022, saying such matters required a judicially trained mind. He also upheld the 'One Rank-One Pension' scheme for defence forces, calling it constitutionally valid, and continues to hear petitions of women officers in the armed forces seeking parity in permanent commission. In another notable case, he upheld the Char Dham project in Uttarakhand, emphasising its strategic importance for national security, while balancing environmental concerns. His bench also observed that freedom of speech is not a licence to flout societal norms while cautioning podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia for his derogatory remarks. CJI Kant headed a bench which pulled up several stand-up comedians, including 'India's Got Latent' host Samay Raina, for ridiculing disabled people on their shows, and directed the Centre to come up with guidelines for regulating online content. Holding that freedom of speech is not absolute , CJI Kant led a bench which pulled up Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah for his remarks targeting Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who gained nationwide prominence for media briefings on 'Operation Sindoor', saying every word uttered by a minister has to be with a sense of responsibility. He has repeatedly underscored that corruption undermines governance and public trust. In a 2023 verdict, he called it a serious societal threat and ordered the CBI to probe 28 cases exposing an unholy nexus between banks and developers that defrauded homebuyers. He also led a bench that granted bail to former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal in the CBI excise policy case, saying the agency must work to dispel the notion of being a caged parrot. His bench flagged the absence of a legal framework for domestic workers, directing the Centre to form an expert committee to propose protective measures for the vulnerable workforce. He has been part of more than 300 benches since his elevation to the Supreme Court. CJI Kant was also on the seven-judge bench that overruled the 1967 Aligarh Muslim University verdict, opening the way for reconsideration of its minority status. He was also part of the bench which in 2021 appointed a three-member panel of cyber experts to probe the alleged use of Israeli spyware Pegasus for surveillance of certain people in India, saying the state cannot get a free pass every time the spectre of national security is raised and it cannot be the ugbear that the judiciary shies away from. High Courts must respond quickly and accurately, just like emergency wards in hospitals: Justice Surya Kant

Three held in Uttarakhand for transporting youngsters to Myanmar to force them into cybercrime

Preliminary investigations revealed that Indian agents contacted the victims in person or through mobile applications such as Telegram and WhatsApp, and after extorting money, sent them to Bangkok.

Dehradun Diary | CM lauds Almora star Lakshya Sens triumphs

Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami personally called badminton sensation Lakshya Sen, hailing his victory at the Australian Open Super 500. Sen, a native of Almora, was lauded by the CM for bringing glory to both Uttarakhand and the nation. Lakshyas hard work and dedication are an inspiration to our youth, Dhami stated. He emphasised that the win proves every difficult goal can be achieved through discipline and hard work. CM Dhami wished the champion a bright future, anticipating continued global success for the Devbhoomi star. Lakshya, a 2021 World Championships bronze medallist, had last won a Super 300 title at the Syed Modi International in Lucknow in 2024. Vlogger Sourav Joshi seeks security cover Haldwanis prominent YouTuber and vlogger Sourav Joshi, known for his massive following of 3.75 crore subscribers, has formally requested police protection in the run-up to his wedding. Sources indicate that the police have already activated their intelligence network in anticipation of potential trouble. Surveillance is being set up around the wedding venue to monitor any suspicious activity. Joshi, who faced an alleged `5 crore extortion threat last September involving gangster Himanshu Bhau, is set to marry Avantika Bhatt, a resident of Haldwani, soon. To avoid any untoward incident, family members recently met with police officials. Noted Dehradun city qazi passes away at 74 Dehradun is mourning the sudden demise of its long-serving city qazi, Maulana Mohammad Ahmed Qasmi, who passed away on Saturday evening at 74. The veteran cleric, who served for 44 years since 1981, collapsed while attending a wedding in Najibabad. Despite being rushed to the hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival. A massive crowd gathered for his funeral prayers in Dehradun on Sunday. His passing is a huge loss for the entire community, remarked Congress leader Suryakant Dhasmana. Qazi Qasmi had led his final Friday prayers in Dehradun just a day prior. Narendra Sethi Our correspondent in Uttarakhand narendrasethi@newindianexpress.com

Gelatin Sticks Found Near School in Uttarakhand's Almora

The incident came to light on November 21, when Subhash Singh, acting principal of the Government Higher Secondary School, Dabhra, located in the Salt area, spotted some suspicious packages in the bushes near the campus and informed the police