Focus

New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Amid the rising cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) in Maharashtra's Pune, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday deputed a seven-member team to support public health interventions and management in the state.

Pune has so far reported 111 cases of GBS -- a potentially paralysing nerve disorder.

Maharashtra Health Minister Prakash Abitkar said on Monday that 17 patients diagnosed with GBS have been put on ventilators.

The Centre's high-level team consists of multi-disciplinary experts who aim to support the state health authorities in instituting public health interventions and management given the spurt in suspected and confirmed cases of GBS.

"The Central team to Maharashtra comprises of seven experts drawn from National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Delhi, NIMHANS Bengaluru, Regional Office of Health and Family Welfare, and National Institute for Virology (NIV), Pune," the Health Ministry said.

This is in addition to three experts from NIV, Pune, who were already supporting the local authorities.

The team will work closely with the State Health Departments to take stock of on-ground situation and recommend necessary public health interventions.

The Union Health Ministry informed of taking proactive steps by monitoring the situation and coordinating with the state.

Meanwhile, the State Health Department in an advisory shared that one can prevent GBS up to a certain extent by taking general precautions such as drinking boiled water/bottled water, washing fruits, and vegetables thoroughly before eating, properly cooking poultry and meat; avoiding raw or undercooked food, especially salads, eggs, kebabs or seafood.

It also suggested keeping raw and cooked foods separate, disinfecting kitchen surfaces and utensils after handling raw meat, as well as adopting general hygiene measures like frequent handwashing with soap, especially before eating and after using the toilet.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) Delhi Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), R. Alice Vaz, held a high-level meeting on Monday to review the preparedness for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, scheduled for February 5.

The meeting’s objective was to ensure a smooth and orderly electoral process.

The focus was on key aspects such as law and order, security arrangements, voter awareness, and election expenditure monitoring.

Senior officials, including District Election Officers (DOs), Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCPs), Returning Officers (ROs), Police Observers, Expenditure Observers, and General Observers were all present in the meeting.

Senior officers from the Delhi Police, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), NDMC, and Cantonment Boards were also in attendance.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) representatives and State Police Nodal Officers provided additional insights for effective coordination.

The deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to manage sensitive zones across the city was one of the major points which were discussed. Strategies were finalised for areas requiring heightened security to ensure the safety of voters and maintain peace during the election period. The meeting also stressed the importance of monitoring election expenditures.

Expenditure observers were tasked with overseeing campaign spending to ensure adherence to guidelines and maintain fairness throughout the election process.

MCD reported significant progress in its defacement removal campaign, having already cleared over 13 lakh posters, banners, and hoardings across the city. This is part of efforts to enforce the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and reduce election-related defacement.

Voter education and awareness were also discussed in detail, with Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) activities being reviewed.

Returning Officers presented their voter awareness plans, which were appreciated for their potential to encourage informed voter participation.

The distribution of Voter Information Slips (VIS) is a top priority. Polling officials have already started reaching out to households to distribute these slips, which provide vital information about polling stations and the voter’s registration details. The goal is to ensure 100 per cent distribution of VIS by January 31.

Moreover, preparations for polling stations were discussed, with an emphasis on ensuring Assured Minimum Facilities (AMF) at all sites, including ramps, accessible toilets, parking, and adequate lighting.

To enhance transparency, 100 per cent webcasting will be implemented at polling stations to monitor the election process. Proper training of polling personnel and arrangements for counting centres were also highlighted to ensure a smooth, efficient, and transparent election day.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 27 (IANS) There has been a slight change in the scheduled visit by Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat to West Bengal next month.

His scheduled arrival to Kolkata has been postponed and at the same time the number of days of his scheduled stay in West Bengal has also been curtailed.

Sources aware of the development said that initially his scheduled arrival to Kolkata was on February 7, which has now been postponed to February 11.

At the same time, sources added, his scheduled stay in the state has been curtailed to just four days from the original itinerary of ten days.

As per the latest schedule, Bhagwat will arrive in Kolkata on February 11 and on the same day he will reach Burdwan in East Burdwan district where he will hold a series of meetings with focus on districts located in central Bengal.

In this session in Burdwan, Bhagwat is expected to focus on the RSS’ activities in the tribal dominated pockets in different central Bengal districts.

Sources said after completing the sessions at Burdwan, the RSS chief will come back to Kolkata on the very same night and for the next three days he will be holding a series of meetings with other top RSS functionaries in the state, focussing on the Sangh’s activities in different districts in the southern sector of West Bengal.

On February 13, sources added, there will be a scheduled meeting between Bhagwat and representatives of the civil society in West Bengal.

The tour of the RSS chief in the state is happening at a stage when there is already an air of tension between the Sangh and the ruling Trinamool Congress with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee earlier this month having criticised Bhagwat for the latter’s comments describing January 22, the date of Ram Mandir’s inauguration at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, as the “real independence day” of the country.

The Chief Minister even went to the extent of describing the comments by Bhagwat in the matter as “anti-national” in nature.

“I do not know why he made such a statement. But in my opinion this is an anti-national statement. I condemn such a comment and demand the withdrawal of such a statement,” the Chief Minister said earlier this month.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Bill is set to convene on Monday at 11 a.m. to carry out a clause-by-clause discussion of the proposed legislation.

The meeting comes with both the ruling party and opposition members proposing 444 amendments to the 44 clauses of the Bill, signalling a heated debate ahead.

JPC chairman Jagdambika Pal, speaking to IANS, stated, "In the Waqf Board meeting, the clause-by-clause amendments made by the government will be discussed. The discussion will be completed today."

Highlighting the extensive consultations, he added, "The JPC has engaged with all stakeholders and states over the past six months. Now, the proposed amendments in the Bill by the parliamentarians will be discussed, whether in favour or against."

Pal emphasised that if a consensus is not reached, the committee will resort to voting.

"We will come to a conclusion, and the clause will be cleared," he assured, further stating that the JPC report would be submitted on time without delays, taking into account all stakeholder objections.

Key points of contention in the Waqf Bill include the structure of the Waqf Board and provisions for specific sects, such as the Aga Khanis and Shias.

Opposition members have strongly opposed the proposal for separate Waqf boards for these groups, creating significant discord within the committee.

The meeting is expected to be contentious, particularly after Friday's session witnessed the suspension of 10 opposition MPs for a day. These members accused Pal of being biased in his conduct during the meeting.

Among those suspended were TMC's Kalyan Banerjee, Nasir Hussain and Md Jawed of Congress, DMK's A Raja and M Abdullah, and AIMIM's Asaduddin Owaisi.

With tensions running high, the meeting could see riotous scenes as the JPC works against a deadline to submit its report by the end of the upcoming budget session.

--IANS

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Tel Aviv, Jan 26 (IANS) Israel recorded 439 traffic fatalities in 2024, a 21.6 per cent rise compared to the 361 deaths registered in 2023, according to a statement issued by the Israel Bureau of Statistics on Sunday.

The bureau noted that the number of fatalities last year was the highest since 2006, when 439 people were killed in traffic accidents in Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.

The number of fatal accidents in the country rose by 19.8 per cent year-on-year, from 338 in 2023 to 405 in 2024.

The main causes of traffic accidents resulting in fatalities or serious injuries in 2024 were failure to yield to pedestrians, ignoring traffic lights, lane crossing, and excessive speed, Israel's National Road Safety Authority revealed in a press release in early January.

Israel recorded 351 road deaths in 2022, 1.7 per cent above the pre-Covid-19 period. The traffic volumes resumed at the 2019 level. The most significant increase was recorded among the powered two wheeler users, mainly due to their use as a means of transport.

Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mobility and road crashes, the data for 2020 and 2021 represent a poor reference point for benchmarking.

Israel recorded 351 road deaths in 2022, an increase of 1.7 per cent compared with the average for 2017-19. The traffic volumes in 2022 resumed to the level of 2019.

In 2024, Israeli former National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir was injured in the central city of Ramle Friday when his official car flipped over in an accident.

Ben-Gvir's daughter, one of his bodyguards and the driver of the other vehicle were all lightly injured.

--IANS

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Mahakumbh Nagar, Jan 26 (IANS) Over 13 crore pilgrims have taken the holy dip so far on the banks of Sangam as the mega festival of Mahakumbh 2025 is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and excitement, drawing believers in Sanatan culture from all walks of life across the country and the world.

Sunday witnessed another sea of pilgrims congregating along the banks of Sangam. A massive crowd estimated at lakhs took the holy dip.

Figures suggested that over 1.74 crore people took the holy dip till 8.30 p.m. on Sunday.

Till January 26, a total of 13.21 crore pilgrims took the holy dip of faith.

As per the data, the number went dramatically high on Sunday compared to Saturday as the number of pilgrims who took the holy dip on January 25 was 11.47 crore.

Besides, till Sunday, over 10 lakh Kalpavasis took the holy bath.

Meanwhile, on Sunday, former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav also took a dip of faith.

Samajwadi Party leaders and workers were also present along with Akhilesh Yadav.

Akhilesh Yadav took a bath in the Sangam and offered 'Arghya' to the Sun.

Later, interacting with the mediapersons, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said: "I have taken a total of 11 dips. Let's take a resolve today that a positive message should come out of the Mahakumbh. Whenever we remember Kumbh, the spirit of harmony, goodwill and tolerance always remain. I had earlier taken a bath in Haridwar, and today I got a chance to take a bath in Sangam."

Meanwhile, a sea of devotees has started converging in Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh ahead of Mauni Amavasya, the biggest snan (bathing day) of the two-month long mela.

With the weekend rush ahead of the auspicious day, the city is witnessing a surge of pilgrims from all corners. Railway stations, bus stops, and highways are brimming with pilgrims, all eager to reach Sangam for taking a holy dip on the day.

In the past two days (Friday and Saturday), over 1.25 crore devotees have taken bath at the Sangam. The crowd is expected to swell significantly, with an estimated 8-10 crore devotees expected to take bath on the day of Mauni Amavasya.

The fair administration and Kumbh police have implemented extensive preparations, to ensure a seamless experience for the devotees.

To maintain order and ensure smooth movement, the entire fair area has been declared a no-vehicle zone. Rapid progress is being made to install barricades along the banks to manage the crowd effectively.

Special arrangements have been made across all sectors and zones to facilitate the movement of devotees. No special protocol will be applicable during the Amrit Snan festival to prioritise public convenience.

The Integrated Control and Command Center (ICCC) has been activated to monitor crowd density and ensure that no excessive gathering takes place.

Quick-response teams have been deployed in high-density areas to handle emergencies, while major routes are being closely monitored. Surveillance is also being conducted to track suspicious individuals and prevent any untoward incidents.

Devotees are being encouraged to download the official chatbot of the fair. This chatbot provides comprehensive information to make their journey more convenient. In addition to the chatbot, Google navigation and on-ground police personnel will assist pilgrims in finding the correct routes.

--IANS

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Damascus, Jan 26 (IANS) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said on Sunday that it has documented 91 incidents of assassinations and retaliatory crimes by armed groups in Syria since the beginning of 2025, many motivated by political or sectarian hatred.

According to a statement released by the observatory, the wave of violence has reached its worst levels in provinces such as Homs, Hama, and Latakia, home to many Shiite and Alawite minority communities, Xinhua news agency reported.

The observatory stressed the "urgent need for decisive measures to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable."

Rami Abdul Rahman, the observatory's director, attributed much of the turmoil to "undisciplined groups" who joined the new Military Operations Administration after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Abdul Rahman singled out incidents in the village of Fahal in northern Homs, alleging that at least 15 people -- mostly former officers who had undergone so-called reconciliation with the new authorities -- were executed after security forces reportedly stormed the area.

Despite Homs Governor Abed al-Rahman al-Ama and Police Chief Ubada Arnaout have expressed a commitment to curbing the violence, Abdul Rahman suggests that new volunteer militias "carry out retaliatory acts, not true justice."

Sectarian killings have increased since the downfall of Assad's regime in December, amid political upheaval and shifting territorial alliances.

Syrian officials from the new leadership have repeatedly pledged to unify security operations under a single chain of command. However, the situation on the ground remains fragile, largely due to years of prolonged crisis in Syria, where Shiite and Alawite officers and militias were pitted against a Sunni insurgency nationwide.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) Days before the Delhi Assembly elections due on February 5, the BJP on Sunday released a video of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's old residence 'Sheesh Mahal'.

The video has been shared by the Delhi BJP on its social media platform X and its YouTube channel.

Sharing the 14-minute-long video on social media, the BJP has called it 'Mahathag Arvind Kejriwal's Ayyashi Ka Sheesh Mahal'. In the video, it can be clearly seen that Kejriwal's house looks like a luxurious hotel, which is equipped with modern facilities from the inside as well. The BJP has named it 'Sheesh Mahal', which was earlier revealed through a documentary. However, this is the first time that a video of Kejriwal's old residence has been made public.

The BJP has also made public the prices of many expensive and luxurious items shown in the video. The party has claimed that the cost of smart LED turntable lights in Kejriwal's residence is Rs 19.5 lakh, while 80 curtains with body sensors and remote are priced between Rs 4 crore and Rs 5.6 crore. Besides, 16 television sets cost Rs 64 lakh, recliner sofa Rs 10 lakh, oven Rs 9 lakh and microwave Rs 6 lakh. Apart from these, the prices of other expensive items have also been disclosed, including the price of decorative poles at Rs 36 lakh, the price of toilet seats at Rs 12 lakh and the price of automatic doors at Rs 70 lakh.

The BJP had earlier claimed that marbles worth crores of rupees, commodes worth Rs 4 lakh each and curtains worth Rs 8 lakh have been installed at the chief minister's residence. The BJP had talked about spending several crores of rupees in the name of renovation of the Chief Minister's residence.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) The rapid development of smaller cities in India is expected to generate 24 million talent opportunities in tier 2 and 3 markets by 2033, with a balanced workforce comprising 75 per cent male and 25 per cent female talent, according to a new report.

As per the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), India’s travel and tourism GDP is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.1 per cent over the next decade. Currently, the tourism and hospitality sector contributes approximately 8 per cent to India’s total employment.

This momentum is expected to accelerate, with sectoral spending projected to rise by 1.2 times by 2034, emphasising the need for a highly skilled workforce to meet future demands, said the report by NLB Services, a global technology and digital talent solutions provider.

While metropolitan hubs have traditionally driven India’s tourism economy, tier 2 and 3 cities are emerging as key contributors. Travellers are increasingly seeking unexplored destinations, fuelled by the rise of staycations post-pandemic, improved connectivity and a growing inclination toward religious tourism.

"By capitalising on the growth of Tier 2 and Tier 3 destinations, leveraging emerging trends, and fostering a skilled workforce, the sector is poised to play a transformative role in the nation’s economic and social progress,” said Sachin Alug, CEO, NLB Services.

Religious tourism, in particular, has been a significant driver of growth, gaining momentum year after year.

The sector is expected to generate $59 billion in revenue by 2028 and create a significant number of temporary and permanent jobs by 2030.

The increasing reliance on gig and temporary workers is providing flexible employment opportunities, especially during peak seasons.

For instance, Mahakumbh 2025 is anticipated to generate an estimated 1.2 million gig and temporary jobs across various roles, including hotel staff, tour guides, and travel coordinators, to manage the massive influx of visitors.

Religious tourism hubs like Ayodhya, Ujjain, Badrinath, Varanasi, Haridwar, Mathura, Tirupati, Amritsar, Bodhgaya are spearheading this growth, said the report.

Beyond religious tourism, cities like Lucknow, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kochi, Rishikesh, Ahmedabad, Shillong, Guwahati, and Agra are witnessing remarkable growth due to their cultural significance and enhanced connectivity.

Trends like destination weddings, adventure sports tourism, ecotourism, cultural tourism, and rural tourism are further propelling these destinations.

To sustain this growth and meet future workforce demands, focus on the upcoming budget will also be critical. Incentives that promote training for tour guides, hotel staff, logistics operators, and local artisans can strengthen the sector’s foundation, said the report.

—IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) At least 30 startups raised $248.87 million in funding last week as the Indian startup ecosystem continues to shine due to strong fundamentals of the economy.

Out of these, five were growth-stage deals, while 24 were early-stage deals. While one startup has not given information about its funding.

According to Entrackr's report, in a growth-stage deal, building material platform Infra.Market has raised $125 million in a Series F round. Agritech startup Arya.ag has raised $30 million in debt funding from HSBC.

At the same time, industrial robotics company Ati Motors raised $20 million in a Series B round led by Walden Catalyst Ventures and NGP Capital. Apart from this, B2B e-commerce platform Aris Infra Solutions and SaaS company VuNet Systems also raised funding.

Apart from this, 24 early-stage deals have taken place in the week ending January 25. In this, companies raised funds worth $57.66 million. D2C skincare brand Deconstruct was at the forefront of early-stage funding, followed by beer brand Medusa, home service marketplace Snabbit, real estate document search platform Landeed, agritech startup KisanKonnect, deeptech CapGrid.

Meanwhile, fintech startup Spare8 has also raised funding, however, the amount was not disclosed.

Analysis of city-wise funding data shows that between January 20 and 25, Bengaluru-based startup eight startups raised funds. After this, seven from Delhi-NCR, five from Mumbai, and two each from Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar have been successful in raising funding.

During this period, the market has seen some big acquisitions. Hatsun Agro acquired dairy startup Milk Mantra. While, Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) purchased a 90.5 per cent stake in D2C skincare brand Minimalist for about $350 million (Rs 2,955 crore), Singapore-based PE (Private Equity) firm Everstone buying a majority stake in SaaS company Wingify for $200 million.

--IANS

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