India

Kolkata, Oct 9 (IANS) Late on Wednesday evening on the occasion of Dussehra, the plains in the Terai and Dooars regions in the northern part of West Bengal witnessed a tragedy because of a sudden flash flood.

So far eight people have been reported killed and several are missing following the flash flood in Mal river at Malbazar in Jalpaiguri district in north West Bengal.

During the last few years, the small and shallow rivers in the plains of north Bengal have witnessed several incidences of such sudden flash floods, which according to experts, is something unique. However, Wednesday's tragedy has resulted in the resurrection of certain questions.

Is this changing trend of frequent flash floods in the small and shallow rivers in north Bengal just a quirk of nature? Or is this basically a human-invited calamity resulting from abuse of nature like mass deforestation in the region and forceful diversion of river-flows through use of stone-bounders or sand embankments? IANS spoke to environmental experts and specialists on the changing behaviour of such rivers in north Bengal.

Environment activist and founder-secretary Jalpaiguri Science & Nature Club, Dr Raja Raut has been studying this trend for quite some time. Speaking to IANS, he said that for the sake of tourism and other trade related activities, there has been massive deforestation and illegal cutting down of the trees in the region.

"Water from rivers and springs flowing down from the hills of north Bengal, Sikkim and Bhutan is the main reason for the flash floods in the rivers in the plains of north Bengal. Now forest trees have the natural strength to control the speed of the flowing water. Because of the massive deforestation the speed of the water flow remains uncontrolled. Secondly, because of the massive deforestation the land connecting the rivers in plains is fast losing its capacity to absorb the flowing water. So, this is the first and primary reason why flash floods have become so common in the rivers in the plains of north Bengal," Raut said.

Forest minister Jyotipriyo Mullick admitted that cutting down of trees is a problem not just in the forest areas of north Bengal but also elsewhere in the state. "We have already taken some measures to control this menace. Now we are going a step further. Even cutting down privately owned trees adjacent to the scheduled forest areas will require prior permission of the forest department. Any deviation on this count will attract major legal action including penalty," he said.

Another reason, according to Raja Raut, is the frequent diversion of the water flow of these rivers through the use of stone-bounders or sand embankments. "This can be dangerous unless done with proper homework. Indiscriminate change in the river water flow can lead to a major mishap, which is exactly what happened on Wednesday leading to the loss of so many lives," he said.

Another expert Partha Pratim Biswas feels that diversion of the river water flow has to be done keeping in mind a number of aspects. "First is to identify the exact places where the boulders for diversion would be used. Second, the diversion should be avoided as far as possible when there is a forecast of heavy rain that will result in the fast flow of water from the uphill rivers or streams. During the rains these otherwise shallow and small rivers take a critical shape. In this case the forecast was there and still diversion was done to facilitate immersion. The diversion was done in a totally unscientific manner that ultimately led into the mishap," he stated.

Despite claiming that a fact-finding committee might be formed to look into allegations of illegal diversion of the river flow, Jalpaiguri district magistrate Moumita Godara Basu said that she has no information about such illegal diversion. "The Mal river is extremely shallow and probably some channels were dug for the purpose of water ponding to facilitate idol immersion. Still, if necessary, a fact-finding committee might be formed with experts in the related field," she said.

State BJP leaders, especially the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari, have claimed that despite warnings of a flash flood the district administration did not take any precautions to prevent the people from going to the river on Wednesday night. The BJP leaders said that they were not accidental deaths but culpable murders because of the negligence of the administration.

However, Adhikari's logic has been rubbished by north Bengal development minister, Udayan Guha. "Had the administration stopped people from going in the river on the occasion of Vijaya Dashami, then the same Suvendu Adhikari would have alleged that the state government does not allow the performance of Hindu rituals. This is nothing but politics," Guha said.

--IANS
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Meerut, Oct 9 (IANS) A 12-year-old rape victim gave birth to a baby boy at the medical college in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district.

The medical college administration confirmed that the mother and the child were healthy.

Medical college principal Dr R.K. Gupta said that the girl, a Class 7 student, who lives in Ghaziabad's Khoda police station area, was admitted to the medical college on October 1 and she gave birth through C-Section.

Her family members told reporters that a 19-year-old boy living in their apartment had threatened and raped her multiple times. His brother aged 21, too, had raped her after threatening that they will kill her parents if she did not heed to their demand.

The family also alleged that a 16-year-old girl living with the two brothers had handed the victim over to another man for money, who also took sexual advantage of her.

After the victim's relatives learnt about her trauma, they lodged a police complaint.

The victim's parents have sought capital punishment for the accused.

According to the family, the victim did not exhibit any sign of pregnancy and she remained normal till the time of delivery. While bringing her to the hospital, she was told that she had a kidney stone and that she had to undergo a surgical procedure.

Inspector in-charge of Khoda police station Altaf Ansari said the family had lodged a complaint on September 5 against the two brothers, the girl living with them, and a 35-year-old man.

All of them have been arrested and a chargesheet has been filed against them in the court, he said.

--IANS
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Bengaluru, Oct 8 (IANS) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday his party will win the upcoming assembly elections in Karnataka hands down.

The Gandhi scion, who is currently leading the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra in Karnataka, said: "I am pretty certain that the Congress party will win the elections hands down."

Answering a question on in case of fractured mandate in Karnataka, will the Congress party join hands with the regional party JD-S, he maintained that these are questions that are better answered by CLP leader and Congress party in Karnataka. "But, this question you can ask to both of them (BJP and JD-S)," Rahul Gandhi said.

"In my experience, over the last few days I have spoken to many. What I have been hearing from them is that they are tired of corruption, 40 per cent commission that this government is taking. They are also disturbed by the price rise and level of unemployment Karnataka is facing," he explained.

Talking on the opposition of the Congress party to the National Education Policy (NEP), he said: "We are opposing NEP because it is an attack on the ethos of our country, it distorts our history.

"We are opposing it because it concentrates power in the hands of few people, it takes away power and centralizes the education system and we want a decentralised education system that reflects our history, tradition and language," Rahul Gandhi said.

Answering a question on divisions within the Congress party in Karnataka, he said: "We are not a fascist party. We are a party that believes in discussion, conversation and are perfectly happy to have different viewpoints in the party."

He noted that the party understands that in order to win elections, "we have to work together as a team and that is exactly what is happening".

Commenting on the ban on PFI, he stated, "I have been saying speech after speech, it does not matter which community they come from, spreading hatred and violence is in India is an anti-national act and we will fight anybody who spreads hate and violence."

--IANS
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Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) While chairing a meeting with Chief Ministers of northeastern states and top police officials in Guwahati, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday asserted that stern actions would be taken to check the drug menace in the region.

He said that Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) earlier decided to destroy 75,000 kgs of drugs and it is a matter of happiness that NCB already crossed the target by destroying around 1.5 lakh kgs of narcotic substances.

"But, the war against drugs is not yet finished. We have dreamt of a drugs-free India and for that, all stakeholders should work together," he added.

Shah further said that the Union Government has formulated a two-fold approach to deal with the drug menace which has spread all over the country.

"Strong actions will be taken against those involved in drug peddling, while those who are the victim and fell into this vicious cycle, government machinery will work to bring them into the mainstream of the society," he added.

Union Home Minister also said that narcotic substances were primarily peddled into the country from Myanmar and Afghanistan. In the meeting with NCB officials and security personnel here, he has directed to increase the vigil along international borders.

Shah has virtually inaugurated destroying of around 40,000 kilograms of drugs in the northeastern states.

As per an official statement, the destroyed drugs included 7,900 kg seized in Assam, 3,900 kg in Arunachal Pradesh, 1,500 kg in Meghalaya, 400 kg in Nagaland, 1,800 kg in Manipur, 1,300 kg in Mizoram and 12,500 kg seized in Tripura.

--IANS
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Nashik, Oct 8 (IANS) The death toll in the Nashik bus accident rose to 12 with two more victims succumbing to their injuries, while another 28 are under treatment at different hospitals, officials said here on Saturday.

President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and other leaders have expressed grief over the tragedy.

At around 5 am on Saturday, a private passenger bus belonging to Chintamani Travels rammed into a truck carrying diesel on the Aurangabad Road on the outskirts of Nashik.

The impact of the crash was so severe that the bus burst into flames, trapping many of the passengers who were sleeping at that early hour.

As per details available, the bus started from Yavatmal and was bound for Mumbai via Pusad and Pune, with over 30 passengers on board.

Ordering a probe into the incident, Shinde rushed to Nashik on Saturday afternoon and visited some of the victims undergoing treatment at the local hospitals.

The Prime Minister has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each to the kin of the 12 deceased persons, and Rs 50,000 each to the injured, while Shinde said that Rs 5 lakh each will be given to the families of the dead while the state will bear the full treatment expenses at public or private hospitals for the injured.

The spokespersons of Congress, Nationalist Congress Party and Shiv Sena, along with Shinde group's ministers have also condoled the tragic accident and demanded an in-depth probe into the matter.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Oct 8 (IANS) The global electric vehicle production will grow at a compounded average annual growth rate (CAAGR) of 26 per cent, with volumes approaching 54.1 million units by 2029, a report has said.

The EV Powertrain semiconductor market is forecast to grow at a CAAGR of 31 per cent to reach $27.3 billion by 2029, according to the report by market research firm Strategy Analytics.

"Semiconductors required for power electronics will comprise the largest market, with growth accelerating in line with the push towards battery electric vehicles and the move towards higher performing, more efficient wide bandgap semiconductors," said Asif Anwar, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics.

The push to electric vehicles is being dictated by consumer awareness and government regulations and mandates related to climate change and the need to reduce emissions and reverse the impacts of global warming.

Battery electric vehicles will be the catalyst for the growth in semiconductor demand.

Semiconductor demand include the key systems necessary for operation of mild hybrid, full hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric powertrains.

This includes battery management systems, DC/DC converters, main traction inverter, electric motor, and onboard charger, said the report.

According to the report, battery electric vehicles will comprise the largest market for semiconductors growing at a CAAGR of 39 per cent and account for 82 per cent of the total electric vehicle powertrain semiconductor market opportunity in 2029.

--IANS
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Chandigarh, Oct 8 (IANS) The Centre on Saturday approved the creation of a weapon systems branch for the Indian Air Force (IAF) officers for the first time since Independence.

Addressing a gathering during the 90th Air Force Day celebrations here, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari said, "It is my privilege to announce that the government has approved the creation of a weapon systems branch for the officers of the Indian Air Force."

"This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being created. The creation of this branch would result in savings of over Rs 3,400 crore due to the reduced expenditure on flying training," he said.

This was the first time that the annual day celebrations were held outside the National Capital Region (NCR).

The Defence Ministry said in a statement, "In a historic step for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the government has approved the creation of a new branch called the weapon systems branch."

The creation of this branch would entail unification of all weapon system operators under one entity dedicated to the operational employment of all ground-based and specialist airborne weapon systems.

The branch would encompass operators in four specialised streams -- surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air missiles, remotely piloted aircraft and weapon system operators in twin/multi-crew aircraft. It will contribute immensely by enhancing the war fighting capability of the Indian Air Force.

"We are increasingly seeing the convergence of all these domains in one continuum in the form of hybrid warfare. The conventional systems and weapons will need to be augmented by modern, flexible and adaptive technology," Chaudhari said while emphasising on 'Make in India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'.

"We've inherited the proud legacy curated by sheer hard work, perseverance and vision of our predecessors. We must acknowledge the contributions of our veterans who chartered this course. Now the onus is on us to usher IAF into the centenary decade."

Speaking about the synergy of all three services - the Army, Navy and Air Force - he said, "One single service can't win a war on its own. Work is in progress to enhance the jointness of three services."

The Air Chief Marshal also spoke about the recently-launched Agnipath scheme, saying, "Induction of air warriors into IAF through the Agnipath scheme is a challenge for all of us. But more importantly, it's an opportunity for us to harness the potential of India's youth and channelise it towards the service of the nation.

"We've changed our operational training methodology to ensure that each Agniveer is equipped with the right skills and knowledge to start a career in IAF. In December this year, we'd be inducting 3,000 'Agniveer Vayu' for initial training. This number will go up in the years to come."

The Air Force chief also said that next year, the force will induct women Agniveers.

"We are also planning to induct women Agniveers starting next year. Creation of infrastructure is in progress and streamlining of trade structures is being finalised," he said.

A ceremonial parade was organised at the Air Force Station to mark the occasion with Chaudhari taking the salute.

Earlier, the IAF chief reviewed the ceremonial parade commanded by Group Captain Anoop Singh, with a three aircraft formation of Mi-17 helicopters trooping the IAF ensign followed by a formation of three Rudra helicopters flying past the saluting dais in an aerial salute.

The IAF's new combat uniform was also unveiled on the occasion.

--IANS
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Dahod, Oct 8 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday promised to create 10 lakh jobs and construct 20,000 mohalla clinics in Gujarat if voted to power.

Addressing a public gathering in Dahod town, the AAP founder promised to open 20,000 mohalla clinics in 18,000 villages of the states.

Attacking the ruling BJP government in Gujarat, Kejriwal said that the state's annual budget is Rs 2,50,000 crore and yet, schools, health centers are in a very bad condition.

He alleged that the BJP leaders are siphoning off public money, but if AAP is voted to power, then each and every penny will be recovered and same will be used for building good schools, hospitals and roads.

Talking about the unemployment in Gujarat, the Delhi Chief Minister said that his government has provided jobs to 12 lakh people in the national capital, whereas the six-month-old AAP government in Punjab has provided jobs to 20,000 people.

"If voted to power in Gujarat, AAP will create 10 lakh new jobs," Kejriwal claimed.

Playing 'Hindu card', Kejriwal promised to run a special train from Gujarat to Ayodhya so that anyone wishing to visit Ram temple can travel at expense incurred by the government.

For farmers, he promised to procure five crops wheat, rice, chana, cotton and groundnut at MSP.

Kejriwal and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann are on two-day Gujarat visit, till Saturday afternoon.

Kejriwal has tactfully avoided commenting on his cabinet minister's oath allegdely denouncing Hindu gods at a religious event.

Before his arrival in Vadodara for Tiranga yatra, tension prevailed between AAP and BJP supporters, heated arguments took place between two groups and with great efforts, police were able to disperse supporters of both parties.

--IANS
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Hyderabad, Oct 8 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Saturday said that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) cannot become a national party by changing its name.

Kharge, a contender for the Congress party's presidential elections, told reporters that several regional parties in the past changed their names to go national but nothing happened.

"ADMK became AIADMK, TMC became All India TMC. Did they become national parties," he asked.

Kharge was talking to reporters at party headquarters Gandhi Bhavan here after his arrival in the city to campaign for the party's presidential polls.

He also hit back at BJP leaders for ridiculing the presidential election of Congress party. He remarked that those who do not believe in democracy have no right to criticise the Congress party's presidential poll.

The senior leader alleged that the BJP never conducted a presidential election. "Were Advani, Gadkari, Rajnath Singh, J. P. Nadda, Amit Shah and others elected as BJP presidents," he asked.

Kharge termed the contest between him and Shashi Tharoor as the internal matter of the party.

Kharge alleged under the Narendra Modi government, India has seen a decline in all the sectors. He said Modi and Shah team has "destroyed" the country.

"They used to repeatedly ask us what we did in 70 years. We built dams and major irrigation projects. We built major public sector companies and they are selling all of them one after the other," he said.

The unemployment has gone up to a record high during the BJP rule. He said crores of people have lost their jobs after Covid. He pointed out that the value of the rupee has dropped to an all-time low of 82.32 against dollar.

The Congress leader said during the Modi rule, the life of the common man has become miserable as there has been a steep hike in prices of essential commodities. The price of LPG cylinder which was Rs 416 during Congress rule has now gone up to Rs 1,100.

Kharge said the Modi government further added to the burden on common man by imposing GST on items like milk and even pencil and rubber.

Earlier, several Congress leaders accorded a warm welcome to Karge when he arrived at Begumpet Airport in the city. Kharge, who was accompanied by AICC secretary Sampath Kumar, was welcomed by Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president A. Revanth Reddy, MP Uttam Kumar Reddy, senior leaders V. Hanumanth Rao and Ponnala Lakshmaiah.

After reaching Ganhi Pavan, Kharge met TPCC delegates and interacted with them.

The Congress presidential polls are scheduled to be held on October 17. The results will be declared on October 19.

--IANS
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Guwahati, Oct 8 (IANS) Taking a jibe at the Congress, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday said that earlier Assam was only known for bandhs, protests and insurgency under the Congress regime.

"Congress gave this region only tension with the rest of India. When BJP came to power at Centre in 2014, Assam along with the entire northeast started to walk on the path of peace and development," Shah said while inaugurating a six-storey building of a new headquarters for the state unit of Assam BJP in Guwahati.

The Union Home Minister further said that since the Independence of the country, northeast India was pushed to violence and anarchy by the Congress governments. The region could join the mainstream of development only after Prime Minister Narendra Modi took several steps to uplift this region.

"Almost 9,000 militants laid down their arms in last eight years which brought peace to the Assam and northeast," he added.

Shah also claimed that the Centre has increased the budget allotment to bring infrastructural development to the NE states.

Earlier, Amit Shah along with BJP president J.P. Nadda inaugurated Assam BJP's new headquarters in Guwahati. The six-storey building was named after former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Foundation stones for nine district party offices and 102 BJP regional offices in Assam were laid down virtually by Nadda and Shah respectively.

Shah said that the BJP offices reflect the emotion, commitment and dedication of all party workers.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Assam BJP president Bhabesh Kalita, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, and other party leaders were also present on the occasion.

--IANS
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