India

New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) There has been a stupendous rise in inbound travel for spiritual purposes in India, primarily driven by Maha Kumbh 2025, a report showed on Wednesday.

Visa processing platform Atlys has witnessed a 21.4 per cent increase in inbound travel to the country for spiritual purposes.

The surge in applications is largely driven by travellers from the UK and the US, underscoring the global interest in India's spiritual offerings.

The data revealed that nearly 48 per cent of all spiritual travel visa applications are linked to major events and pilgrimages like the Maha Kumbh.

As per data, group inbound travel applications have surged 35 per cent, reflecting a growing preference for communal spiritual experiences.

The sacred trinity of Varanasi, Rishikesh and Haridwar continues to dominate destination preferences.

While spiritual travel was once predominantly associated with older generations, millennials now lead the trend, with 66 per cent of this segment being women - indicating a broader move toward female-led spiritual exploration, said the report.

Over the past decade, global interest in spiritual tourism has steadily risen, positioning India at the forefront with its rich spiritual heritage and diverse cultural tapestry.

"India's spiritual legacy has always captured global attention, but we're now seeing an embrace of these sacred journeys by travellers seeking both adventure and self-discovery," said Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO of Atlys.

The Maha Kumbh and similar festivals are no longer just for traditional pilgrims; they're appealing to a broader audience looking for meaningful experiences.

The Maha Kumbh, one of the world's largest religious gatherings, is currently underway and is set to attract more than 40 crore million pilgrims.

More than 9.24 crore devotees have taken the sacred bath ('Amrit Snan') in Triveni Sangam, according to the latest data estimation by the Uttar Pradesh government.

Meanwhile, around 43.18 lakh devotees visited the Maha Kumbh Nagar on Tuesday (January 21).

--IANS

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New Delhi, Jan 22 (IANS) The grand Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj has reached its tenth day, with the biggest bathing festival, Mauni Amavasya, just a few days away.

As the auspicious day approaches, the enthusiasm among devotees is increasing. Every day, lakhs of pilgrims are thronging the ghats of the sacred Ganga, seeking blessings for prosperity and well-being through a holy dip.

Suman, a pilgrim at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, said, "This ghat holds immense significance as it is believed that Lord Brahma performed a yajna here. Bathing at this ghat is very auspicious. I am grateful for the excellent arrangements made by PM Modi and the Yogi government this time. I hope such facilities remain in place forever."

Umesh Chand Verma echoed similar sentiments. "The arrangements are remarkable. This ghat’s spiritual importance cannot be overstated. I pray that Modiji and Yogiji continue to lead with such dedication," he added.

Prominent priest Pramod Kumar Dwivedi shared insights about the ghat’s significance: "Bathing here grants liberation, and offering this water to Lord Shiva is equivalent to making a thousand such offerings elsewhere. The government have enhanced the experience with permanent bathing ghats."

The Sangam of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati is not merely a meeting of three rivers but symbolises the faith of millions of devotees adhering to Sanatan Dharma. Remarkably, even without formal invitations or announcements, people from far-off regions are arriving to partake in this divine event. The uniqueness of this Maha Kumbh, held after a gap of 144 years, adds to the fervour.

Devotees visiting the Veni Madhav Temple emphasised its importance in completing the Prayag Yatra. Puni Pathak, a regular visitor, remarked, "I have been coming here for a year. A dip in the Ganga feels incomplete without visiting Madhav Ji for darshan."

Sunita Shukla, a pilgrim for 12 years, added, "This temple holds immense significance, especially during this Maha Kumbh after 144 years. A visit here completes the holy bath and the Prayag pilgrimage."

With such deep faith and unparalleled arrangements, this Maha Kumbh continues to be a testament to the spiritual unity and devotion of millions.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Jan 22 (IANS) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K. T. Rama Rao has condemned the attack on former MLA K. Bhupal Reddy allegedly by the Congress workers in Nalgonda district.

KTR said the former MLA, who is physically challenged, was brutally attacked in the presence of police and instead of taking action against those involved in the attack, the police arrested Bhupal Reddy.

KTR, as the BRS leader is popularly known, took to 'X' on Wednesday to condemn the attack and arrest of former MLA.

The BRS leader alleged that "people's governance" in Telangana is only for name sake as even a former MLA, who is physically challenged, has no protection in the state.

He blamed Roads & Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy for the attack. He said permission was denied for Nalgonda farmers' Rythu Mahadharna as the Congress party was "scared" of BRS.

KTR said: "Minister Kimatireddy Venkat Reddy's 'goondas' tore flex banners and assaulted former MLA in a government office in front of the police while abusing him. The incident occurred before the police, but they arrested the former MLA. No action was taken against the attackers."

"This is the anarchic rule of the Congress. I condemn this brutal attack on our leader Kancharla Bhupal Reddy. I request the DGP to register cases under relevant sections against those responsible," posted KTR.

The Rythu Mahadharna was scheduled on Tuesday but the permission was denied.

The Congress workers allegedly removed flex banners, to which the BRS workers objected. The incident occurred at a municipality office, wherein Bhupal Reddy staged a dharna alleging that officials did it without any information.

The BRS leaders demanded an explanation from the Nalgonda Municipal Commissioner. The police drove the BRS leaders out of the municipality premises leading to a verbal duel between Bhupal Reddy, the municipal chairman Burri Srinivas Reddy, and Congress leader Gummala Mohan Reddy. The workers of both parties threw chairs and pots at each other. The police intervened to bring the situation under control.

--IANS

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Chennai, Jan 22 (IANS) Gnanasekaran, the suspect in the alleged sexual assault of an Anna University student, has been hospitalised after suffering seizures. He was admitted to the Government Stanley Medical College Hospital on Wednesday morning while in police custody.

Gnanasekaran, a roadside biryani vendor, was under a seven-day police custody for interrogation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT). He is accused of sexually assaulting a second-year engineering student from Anna University on the night of December 23, 2024.

According to the victim’s complaint lodged at the Kotturpuram All-Women Police Station, Gnanasekaran physically attacked her male friend, also an Anna University student, before assaulting her.

The complainant alleged that the accused filmed the assault and attempted to blackmail her, demanding that she meet him whenever he called. Following her complaint, the police apprehended the accused.

The incident has sparked widespread outrage across Tamil Nadu.

State BJP President K. Annamalai staged a dramatic protest outside his residence in Coimbatore, flogging himself six times to symbolise what he called the state’s deteriorating law and order situation.

He announced plans for a 48-day fast and a visit to all six holy abodes of Lord Murugan as part of his protest. Annamalai also criticised the Tamil Nadu Police for leaking the victim’s FIR, which revealed her identity -- a violation of her privacy. He alleged that Gnanasekaran, who reportedly has over 20 prior cases against him, was excluded from the police’s rowdy list due to connections with leaders of the ruling DMK party.

Annamalai claimed to have evidence that Gnanasekaran was a DMK functionary and accused the party of diverting attention from the state’s law and order issues by fabricating a North-South divide narrative.

The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), an ally of the DMK, has demanded stringent action against those involved in the case. VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan emphasized the need to prioritise the safety and security of hostel students and urged the Tamil Nadu government to ensure a fair and transparent investigation.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) also stepped in, with member Mamta Kumari visiting Anna University to conduct a thorough investigation.

--IANS

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Patna, Jan 22 (IANS) Jitan Ram Manjhi, the patron of Hindustani Awam Morcha and Union Minister of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, has denied any intention of resigning from the Central Cabinet.

He addressed the misinformation propagated by certain web portals and news channels, which, he said, falsely reported that he planned to step down.

Manjhi explained the context of his earlier statement, which was misinterpreted.

Referring to a delay during a meeting in Munger, he remarked, “You people are being late due to which I will miss my flight and I will have to leave the cabinet.”

He clarified that this statement was situational and unrelated to any intention of resigning from his position.

Reaffirming his loyalty to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Manjhi stated, “I want to make it clear to such people that I will not leave the side of Prime Minister Narendra Modi till my death. We are all working for the benefit of the country and Bihar right now.”

He accused some media outlets of attempting to create divisions within the government under the influence of opposition forces.

Manjhi further warned these media entities to cease such activities, threatening legal action, including complaints to the Press Council, if they persisted in spreading falsehoods.

During the public meeting in Munger, Manjhi reportedly expressed disappointment over the neglect of HAM in seat-sharing arrangements during elections and demanded that his party be given seats that reflect its support base and relevance.

Manjhi strongly defended his party’s relevance and asserted that HAM has a substantial mass base, citing the turnout at his public meetings as proof. “Do we have no existence? They think we are irrelevant. But those who doubt should come and see the large number of people attending my meetings. I have held multiple public gatherings in recent days, and the turnout speaks for itself,” he said. “When people are with us, and I have votes, why were we not given seats? I am not asking for seats for my benefit but for the benefit of the Dalit and Mahadalit communities,” he said.

Manjhi added that he is willing to contest the Assembly elections on 20 seats, significantly fewer than the 40 seats his party workers are demanding. He warned that he would not accept fewer than 20 seats in the upcoming elections. “If our 20 MLAs win, we will ensure that all work for Dalits is completed,” he stated.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 22 (IANS) Kerala's Minister of Culture, Fisheries, and Films, Saji Cherian, is still beaming with excitement days after interviewing his favourite star, the legendary actor Mohanlal. The interaction, a rare opportunity with the 64-year-old icon, has left Cherian thrilled as he continues to share details of their meeting.

Mohanlal, known for his reluctance to give interviews, added to Cherian’s elation by agreeing to participate in a cultural festival hosted in the Minister's Chengannur constituency, about 90 km from the state capital. Cherian, a 59-year-old stalwart of the CPI(M), has represented Chengannur since 2018 and considers this event a milestone.

“I really enjoyed my interview with Mohanlal,” shared Cherian with IANS, his face lighting up with joy. “This was part of a series documenting Kerala's cultural icons, an initiative by the Culture Department.”

Cherian shared how it was no small feat to bring the superstar to Chengannur. “He was shooting in Mumbai, but he graciously agreed to fly down and attend the event. His presence elevated the cultural expo, and everyone left the event feeling delighted.”

The interview took place at the residence of a friend of Mohanlal in Chengannur. Recalling the session, Cherian said, “I asked him many questions. He’s incredibly sharp, and even when faced with tricky questions, including ones related to my party, he answered intelligently and cautiously.”

During the interview, Mohanlal spoke candidly about his family, his long-time associate Antony Perumbavoor, and his illustrious acting career spanning five decades. “He clarified that, contrary to popular belief, he isn’t a shy person,” Cherian noted.

When asked about his success as an actor, Mohanlal attributed it to a combination of factors. “He sees his talent as a gift from God, acknowledges the role of luck, and credits the unwavering support of his wife, son, and daughter,” said Cherian.

Cherian plans to release the interview to the public in the coming days, offering fans and admirers a rare glimpse into the life and thoughts of one of Kerala’s most celebrated icons.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Jan 22 (IANS) At least 14 people, including three students, were killed and 25 others injured in two separate incidents in Karnataka's Karwar and Raichur districts on Wednesday.

At least 10 people were killed on the spot and 15 others injured when a truck carrying them and vegetables overturned on the National Highway 63 near the Gullapura Ghatta region in Yellapura taluk of Karwar district.

The injured have been admitted to the Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) in Hubballi.

One of the injured told the police that he heard the sound of a tyre burst, and immediately afterwards, the truck overturned.

The deceased were residents of Savanur village in the Haveri district. All of them were vegetable vendors who travelled weekly to the village market. When the truck overturned, all the vegetables loaded on the vehicle fell on them.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to misty conditions early in the morning, causing the accident.

The jurisdictional Yellapura police rushed to the spot and transported the injured to the hospital.

Cranes were used to pull out the bodies.

Karwar SP Narayana M also visited the spot and monitored the proceedings.

The deceased were identified as 45-year-old Fayaz Jamakhandi, 35-year-old Wasim Mudageri, 20-year-old Ejaz Mulla, 30-year-old Sadiq Basha, 40-year-old Ghulam Hussain Javali, 36-year-old Imtiyaz Mulakeri, 25-year-old Alfaz Jaffer Mandakki, 25-year-old Jilani Abdul Jakhati, and 24-year-old Aslam Babuli Benni.

In another incident, four people, including three students, died on the spot after the vehicle they were travelling in overturned at Araginamara Camp near Sindhanur town in Raichur district.

According to the police, the incident occurred after one of the vehicle's tyres burst. Ten people were injured in the accident. The deceased were identified as 24-year-old Shiva, the driver of the vehicle, 18-year-old Ayyavandan, 22-year-old Sujendra, and 20-year-old Abhishek. All three students were from the Sanskrit Pathshala in Mantralaya.

The injured were shifted to Sindhanur Taluk Hospital. The Sindhanur traffic police have registered a complaint and are investigating the case. The students were travelling from Mantralaya to Hampi to participate in the Narahari worship event.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed shock and offered condolences to the deceased.

"I am deeply saddened to hear about the two separate accidents that occurred in Yellapur of Uttara Kannada district and Sindhanur of Raichur district, claiming a total of 14 lives. I pray for eternal peace for the departed souls," CM Siddaramaiah said.

"Appropriate compensation will be provided to the families of the deceased by the government," he said.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Jan 22 (IANS) The ongoing partial cease-work at a state-run medical college and hospital at Midnapore in West Midnapore district of West Bengal over the suspension of 12 doctors has been lifted from Wednesday morning.

The 12 doctors, six seniors and six juniors, were suspended following the death of a woman and a newborn baby allegedly after being administered expired Ringer’s Lactate earlier this month.

Hospital insiders said that the partial cease-work, which was affecting the normal functioning at the emergency department and outpatient department (OPD) of the hospital, had been lifted following a communique from the office of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee requesting the agitating doctors to withdraw the strike and assuring them of the possibilities of revoking the suspension soon.

The 12 suspended doctors included the medical superintendent-cum-vice principal (MSVP) and resident medical officer (RMO) of that hospital.

Earlier this month five women had fallen sick at the hospital allegedly after being administered the expired Ringer’s Lactate.

First Mamoni Ruidas, one of the five women, and thereafter the newborn of Rekha Shaw, another among the five women, also died.

When the state was on the boil over allegations of administration of the expired Ringer’s Lactate supplied by an entity Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, the Chief Minister at a press conference said the negligence of the attending doctors was the reason behind the mishaps and also announced the suspension of the 12 doctors. On that day she had given a virtually clear chit to the said entity and claimed that had it been the case then there would have been similar mishap reports from other state-run hospitals where Ringer’s Lactate supplied by the same entity were being administered.

On that day she had also announced a parallel probe in the matter by the Criminal Investigation (CID) of West Bengal Police besides the ongoing probe by the team of clinical experts from the state health department.

However, recently a team of clinical experts submitted a report not ruling out the possibility of an adverse impact of injection of essential liquids like Ringers’ Lactate and oxytocin triggering the mishaps. The committee also said that the batch of Ringers’ Lactate and oxytocin has already been forwarded for more sophisticated clinical examination. The committee, sources added, has also advised that till the report on this count arrives it is advisable to avoid the use of such clinical liquids of the same batch.

--IANS

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Davos, Jan 22 (IANS) Professor (Dr) C. Raj Kumar, Vice Chancellor of O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU), participated as a distinguished speaker at the Round Table discussion for the New Civilisation Project in Davos on the theme “Balancing Humanity, Nature, and Artificial Intelligence in Harmony”, organised by Purpose Driven Innovation Ecosystem (PDIE) Group on Monday, January 20, at the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025 in Davos, Switzerland.

The WEF convenes annually in Davos to bring together global leaders from all walks of life to address critical global and regional challenges.

The WEF Annual Meeting 2025, held from January 20 to January 24 under the theme “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age” brings together around 3,000 global leaders from over 130 countries.

PDIE Group, the host of the Round Table for the New Civilisation Project in Davos, builds global innovation ecosystem for sustainable entrepreneurs, corporations, investors and researchers to solve the world's greatest challenges.

The Round Table brought together influential leaders and innovators to exchange perspectives on shaping a resilient and forward-thinking global society where humanity, nature, and AI thrive together in harmony.

As part of the Round Table, Professor Kumar focused on how education and sustainable development can become the pillars of a harmonious future where human aspirations align with the ecological realities of our planet.

Professor Kumar proposed that education must be reimagined beyond traditional knowledge transfer to foster interdisciplinary and holistic learning, critical thinking, and ethical decision-making preparing individuals to navigate the complexities of a world driven by AI.

He added that curricula must integrate ecological awareness, sustainability principles, and the moral dimensions of technology to foster holistic problem-solving among future generations.

He posited that this paradigm shift in learning will prepare societies to embrace Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a collective mission and adopt Sustainable Development as a practical framework for addressing critical global challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource inequality.

Professor Kumar argued that AI should be seen as a collaborator rather than a disruptor and emphasised its role in scaling solutions for education, reducing environmental impact, and fostering innovation that respects natural ecosystems.

He observed that AI has the potential to act as a bridge between humanity’s aspirations and nature’s limitations by enabling resource optimisation, predictive ecological modelling, environmental monitoring and equitable decision-making, thereby accelerating the achievement of global sustainability goals.

While discussing the integration of AI into the fabric of society, Professor Kumar underscored the importance of establishing global legal and ethical frameworks to ensure that AI operates transparently and responsibly, safeguarding human rights, biodiversity, and planetary health.

He highlighted that an ethical and human-centric AI can amplify human-led initiatives to achieve deeper and faster results. In today’s technology-driven world, he stressed the need to preserve human creativity and encourage cultural expressions like art, music, and philosophy to counterbalance automation.

He also advocated for empowering marginalised communities and developing nations through equitable access to AI technologies and skills development for AI-related roles.

Concluding his address, Professor Kumar called for collective responsibility and a global commitment to a future that respects the delicate balance of humanity, nature, and AI.

He stated that by harmonising human ingenuity with the wisdom of nature and the computational power of AI, a new civilisation can be envisioned where technological progress is not at odds with the planet but rather a force for sustainable co-existence.

He also emphasised that combining education, sustainable development, effective policy reforms and legal systems can reaffirm faith in humanity’s ability to innovate, adapt, and lead with integrity towards a balanced civilisation.

--IANS

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Chennai, Jan 22 (IANS) With the proposed tungsten mining project in Arittapatti village, Tamil Nadu, becoming a contentious issue, a delegation of villagers is set to meet Union Mining Minister G. Kishan Reddy in New Delhi on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai will accompany the delegation, which opposes the mining initiative.

Addressing the media, BJP state president K. Annamalai said, "The people of Arittapatti and its surrounding villages can expect good news regarding tungsten mining by Wednesday afternoon."

He added that representatives from villages including Arittapatti, Vellalapatti, Narasingampatti, and Kidaripatti will meet the Union Minister to voice their protest.

Meanwhile, members of the farmers' association in Madurai district have criticised Annamalai's claims, alleging that the individuals accompanying him are not genuine representatives of the farming community.

Mayilsami, a resident of Arittapatti, stated, "The seven people taken by the BJP leader are not farmers and have never participated in the protests against the mining project."

He further pointed out that Annamalai had previously assured the involvement of representatives from the 'Oru Poga Vivasayigal Sangam', which is spearheading the anti-mining agitation, but this promise was not kept.

Karuppanan, another farmer actively involved in the protests, said, "Annamalai has not contacted genuine farmers, which raises concerns about the delegation's credibility. It is important to ensure that authentic voices are heard in such critical discussions."

The tungsten mining project has faced consistent opposition from villagers, social activists, and local leaders.

Protesters have urged the Central Government to completely withdraw the initiative, citing its potential impact on approximately 5,000 acres of agricultural and historically significant land in Arittapatti and nearby villages.

In December, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly passed a resolution opposing tungsten mining in the state. Activists argue that the project could devastate the environment and threaten rare species in the area.

Mugilan, coordinator of the Tamil Nadu Environment Protection Committee, revealed that the Central Government had surveyed 38,500 acres across Madurai, Dindigul, and Sivaganga districts for potential mining activities.

Karnan, leader of the Parambumalai Pathugappu Iyakkam, emphasised that countries like China and Spain have abandoned tungsten mining due to its severe environmental impact.

The proposed mining site is home to numerous historical monuments, including cave temples, Jain relics, Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, and the Panchapandavar beds.

Additionally, the area serves as a habitat for rare species, further intensifying the opposition. Protests continue, with demonstrators demanding that the Central Government prioritise environmental preservation and the livelihoods of local communities over mineral extraction.

--IANS

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