India

New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Tuesday held talks with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and discussed ways to strenghthen long-standing bilateral ties.

Taking to X, Jaishankar posted, "Pleased to call on President Gabriel Boric of Chile at the start of his State Visit to India. Appreciate his commitment for deepening our long-standing cooperation."

"Confident that his talks with PM Narendra Modi today will foster new partnerships and greater engagement," he added.

Earlier in the day, Boric landed in New Delhi for a five-day State Visit to India. He was received with a warm welcome by Union Minister of State (MoS) Pabitra Margherita and was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour upon landing at the airport.

Announcing his arrival, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) posted, "Bienvenido, President Gabriel Boric! President Boric of Chile landed in New Delhi on his first State Visit to India. Accorded a ceremonial welcome & Guard of Honour."

Accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising ministers, parliament members, senior officials, business representatives, media personnel, and prominent Chileans engaged in the India-Chile cultural exchange, Boric is set to visit Agra, Mumbai, and Bengaluru before concluding his visit on April 5.

After landing in India, the Chilean President took to X and posted, "6:30 a.m. in New Delhi, and from here we begin this State Visit to India, a momentous occasion for strengthening and diversifying our economic, political, and cultural relations at a time when multilateral cooperation is more necessary than ever. We are talking about the fifth-largest economy and the most populous country on the planet, with whom we share common ground and opportunities for growth in key areas such as agribusiness, innovation, and the creative industries."

Stressing the strengthening of bilateral ties, he added, "We're here to strengthen and strengthen our ties, and that's why I'm joined by government officials, the National Congress, business leaders, leaders in the fields of innovation and culture, distinguished professors, and students. A busy schedule. I'll keep you posted!"

He will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later in the day, and the two leaders will engage in comprehensive discussions on the full spectrum of India-Chile relations. PM Modi will also host a special luncheon in Boric's honour.

Additionally, the Chilean President will meet with his Indian counterpart, President Droupadi Murmu, for further deliberations, following which a banquet will be hosted in his honour.

In Mumbai and Bengaluru, Boric will interact with political figures, industry leaders, startup entrepreneurs, and technology innovators, fostering collaborations between the two nations in various sectors.

The MEA emphasised that this State Visit presents an opportunity for both countries to assess their bilateral ties and deliberate on regional and global matters of mutual interest.

"India-Chile relations have traditionally been characterised by warmth, friendship, and a commonality of views on a wide range of issues. Both countries cooperate extensively in multilateral fora and share similar views on climate change/renewable energy and on expansion and reforms of the UNSC," the MEA stated.

"Chile articulated its support for India's claim to a permanent seat in the UNSC in a Joint Statement issued at the conclusion of the official visit of the Chilean Foreign Minister to India in April 2003 and has consistently reiterated this support since then. Chile shares India's concerns regarding the threat of international terrorism and has condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," it added.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, April 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid homage to Shivakumara Swamiji of Tumakuru Siddaganga Mutt on his 118th birth anniversary on Tuesday, saying he has been a guiding light, illuminating the path for society.

He also shared a 1.17-minute video in which he recalled moments with the revered Swamiji during his visit to the Mutt.

Taking to social media platform X, Prime Minister Modi stated, "Heartfelt tributes to His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamigalu on the special occasion of his Jayanti. He is remembered as a beacon of compassion and tireless service. He showed how selfless action can transform society. His extraordinary efforts across various fields continue to inspire generations."

The video, titled 'Pujya Swamiji has been a guiding light, illuminating the path for society', highlighted the Swamiji's contributions.

In the video, Prime Minister Modi emphasised that Swamiji upheld India's great heritage of spirituality, knowledge, and science.

He stated that this sacred land, drawing inspiration from Swamiji's life and teachings, has been guiding society for decades.

"Swamiji's continuous contributions to education and the creation of an equitable society are especially significant. With the blessings of Lord Basaveshwara and Swami Vivekananda, the revered Swamiji dedicated his life to nation-building," Prime Minister Modi said.

"He devoted the energy of every cell of his being to the nation. I had the privilege of sitting near his feet and meeting him. Once again, I bow down in reverence to him," Prime Minister Modi concluded.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is in Karnataka to attend the late Shivakumara Swamiji's 118th birth anniversary programme in Tumakuru, took to social media X and stated, "Heartfelt tributes to His Holiness Dr. Sree Sree Sree Shivakumara Swamigalu on his Jayanti. A true embodiment of compassion and selfless service, he dedicated his life to uplifting the underprivileged through education and social welfare. His legacy of kindness and wisdom continues to guide and inspire generations. May we all strive to walk the path he illuminated."

Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs Pralhad Joshi stated, "On the birth anniversary of Sri Shivakumara Swamiji of Siddaganga Math, revered as the 'Walking God' and a true Kayaka Yogi, who forever resides in the hearts of devoted followers, we offer our deepest and most heartfelt respects at his sacred feet."

"A true saint who selflessly served humanity through Anna Dasoha (food service), Akshara Dasoha (education), and Jnana Dasoha (knowledge dissemination), he was honoured with prestigious awards like the Padma Bhushan and Karnataka Ratna, further elevating their significance. His legacy remains eternal in our hearts," Union Minister Joshi stated.

Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V. Somanna said, "On the birth anniversary of the great visionary who dedicated his life to the service of food, education, and shelter - an enlightened guide at every step, the revered seer, and the head of Siddaganga Math, Lingayat Saint Dr. Shri Shri Shri Shivakumara Swamiji - we offer our heartfelt respects and devotion."

Somanna also quoted late Shivakumara Swamiji, "The water used to cook the food you serve should be the sweat of your hard work, not the tears of others."

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, "Shivakumara Swamiji, who dedicated himself not only to religious discourses but also to social service, remains eternally revered for his selfless service and deep compassion toward the underprivileged. A divine soul who attained godliness through service - a saint, a philosopher, and a beacon of Trivida Dasoha (service of food, education, and knowledge) - I offer my infinite salutations to him."

BJP State President B. Y. Vijayendra said, "To the devotees, he was a walking god. On the birth anniversary of Trivida Dasohi, Lingayat saint, and revered Dr. Shivakumara Swamiji, we offer our heartfelt respects. His life itself was his message, the path he walked was the path of devotion, and let us find meaning in our lives by drawing inspiration from his achievements."

--IANS

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Chennai, April 1 (IANS) After enduring a spell of intense summer heat, Tamil Nadu is set to receive a much-needed respite with light to moderate rainfall expected across the state from April 2 to 4, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC).

The change in weather is attributed to multiple meteorological factors, particularly a cyclonic circulation over the southwest Bay of Bengal and a wind discontinuity over peninsular India. These systems are forecast to trigger rain and thunderstorms across Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and Karaikal.

Over the past week, temperatures soared across the region, with Vellore and Madurai hitting a scorching 40 degrees Celsius -- the highest in the state so far this year this season. However, meteorologists predict a dip of 2 to 3 degrees in maximum temperatures as rainfall activity picks up.

The interior and western parts of Tamil Nadu are expected to benefit the most from the showers. Districts such as Coimbatore, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar, Theni, and Dindigul are likely to see rain on April 2.

On April 3, isolated showers are expected over the ghat areas of Coimbatore, the Nilgiris, and Erode. Light to moderate rainfall may continue in isolated parts of the state on April 4 and 5, according to the latest weather bulletin from the RMC.

A trough extending from interior Odisha to the Comorin region -- cutting across South Chhattisgarh, interior Maharashtra, Karnataka, and North Tamil Nadu -- is also expected to contribute to this shift in weather.

The maximum temperatures may remain 2 to 3 degrees above normal. However, from April 2 onward, temperatures are expected to return to normal or even dip slightly below average across the state.

On Monday, Salem recorded the highest temperature at 39 degrees Celsius. Stations in Dharmapuri, Erode, Karur Paramathi, Madurai Airport, and Vellore all reported temperatures exceeding 38 degrees. In contrast, Chennai’s Nungambakkam recorded a relatively milder 33.7 degrees. The city is not expected to receive rain over the next 48 hours, but maximum temperatures may reach 35-36 degrees.

Despite the recent heat, Tamil Nadu had a strong northeast monsoon season, recording 14 per cent more rainfall than average. The state received 447 mm of rain, surpassing the seasonal norm of 393 mm. Chennai alone saw a 16 per cent increase in rainfall, receiving 845 mm, while Coimbatore recorded a substantial 47 per cent rise above average. These developments followed the devastating Cyclone Fengal, which battered Tamil Nadu and Puducherry from November 29 to December 1 last year. The cyclone brought torrential rains and was followed by additional showers from a low-pressure system in the southern Bay of Bengal. The disaster claimed 12 lives, submerged 2.11 lakh hectares of agricultural and horticultural land, and impacted 69 lakh families and 1.5 crore individuals.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) In a tragic incident, two freight trains collided in the Sahibganj district of Jharkhand, resulting in the deaths of two people and leaving four others injured.

According to police reports, the collision took place around 3 a.m. near Bhognadih in the Barhet police station area, late Monday night.

The two trains involved in the accident were operated by the National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), which also owns the railway tracks. These tracks are primarily used to transport coal to NTPC's power plants.

Following the collision, the engines of both trains caught fire, and emergency rescue operations were immediately launched.

Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Kishore Tirkey confirmed the deaths stating, "Both train drivers died in the head-on collision of the freight trains."

A spokesperson for Eastern Railways, Kaushik Mitra, clarified that both the trains and the railway track belonged to NTPC, and not to Indian Railways.

The incident occurred on a track connecting the NTPC's Kahalgaon Super Thermal Power Station in Bihar's Bhagalpur district to the Farakka Plant in West Bengal's Murshidabad district.

Both trains were carrying coal, and the collision caused extensive damage. The fire brigade team from Sahibganj, which arrived at the scene, worked to extinguish the flames.

Railway officials and employees were also on-site to assist in the rescue operations.

According to initial reports, seven people were aboard the engines of the two trains, and two of them tragically lost their lives. Four others were seriously injured, including four CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) personnel who were on the train.

The injured were rushed to the Sadar Hospital in Barhet, where their condition remains critical.

The collision occurred when a freight train, transporting coal from Lamtia to Farakka, crashed into a stationary train on the track. The impact of the crash was so severe that both trains’ engines were engulfed in flames.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Thailand, beginning Thursday, for the sixth BIMSTEC Summit, during which he will meet his counterpart, Paetongtarn Shinawatra and hold bilateral ties.

During the visit, PM Modi will be enhancing India's deep civilisational linkages, maritime connectivity, and cross-cultural exchanges with member countries of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit.

At the summit, themed 'BIMSTEC - Prosperous, Resilient and Open', the leaders are also expected to discuss various institutional and capacity-building measures to augment collaboration within the BIMSTEC framework, the Ministry of External Affairs said last week.

India has been taking several initiatives in BIMSTEC to strengthen regional cooperation and partnership, including in enhancing security; facilitating trade and investment; establishing physical, maritime and digital connectivity; collaborating in food, energy, climate and human security; promoting capacity building and skill development; and enhancing people-to-people ties," read a statement issued by the MEA.

PM Modi's visit to the South Asian country at the invitation of the Thai government is expected to strengthen ties and reaffirm India's commitment to regional cooperation.

This would be the second meeting between PM Modi and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

Earlier, PM Modi visited Thailand in 2019, and this visit is expected to build on the positive momentum of bilateral relations.

The last BIMSTEC Summit was hosted by Colombo in virtual format.

Established in June 1997, the BIMSTEC regional grouping forms a unique link between South and South-East Asia with five members from South Asia - Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka - and two from South-East Asia, including Myanmar and Thailand.

Thailand is India's maritime neighbour, a valuable partner in the Act East policy and vision for the Indo-Pacific, and also a highly valued partner in BIMSTEC.

India and Thailand are maritime neighbours with shared civilisational bonds underpinned by cultural, linguistic, and religious ties.

Notably, India recently sent the holy relics of Lord Buddha and two of his main disciples for a 25-day exposition across five different cities of Thailand, and its unprecedented success cemented age-old ties between the two nations.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu greeted people on Sarhul, a spring festival celebrated with special enthusiasm by the tribal community, and hoped that people would take lessons in preserving natural heritage while moving ahead on the path of development.

Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), President Murmu on Tuesday shared her wishes in a post, writing, "Heartiest greetings to all countrymen on the occasion of 'Sarhul' festival which is celebrated with special enthusiasm by the tribal community! On this festival, gratitude is expressed for the innumerable gifts of nature. On this festival which marks the arrival of the New Year, I wish happiness and prosperity for all. It is my good wish that all countrymen, taking lessons from the tribal communities, move ahead on the path of development while preserving the natural heritage."

The Sarhul festival is one of the most revered celebrations in tribal communities, especially in Jharkhand, Odisha, and other regions of Eastern India.

It is rooted in nature worship and is dedicated to the veneration of Sal trees (Shorea robusta), which hold immense significance in the Adivasi tradition. The Sal tree is believed to be the abode of Sarna Maa, the deity who protects villages from the forces of nature.

Sarhul, which translates to "worship of the Sal tree", celebrates the symbolic union of the Sun and the Earth. It is a vibrant festival filled with cultural performances, traditional rituals, and expressions of gratitude for nature's bountiful gifts.

The official Twitter account of Jharkhand Tourism also joined in the celebrations, wishing everyone a joyous Sarhul festival.

"With the tinkling of Jhumar dance, resonance of folk songs, captivating beats of Mandar, and the wonderful decoration of the Akhara venue, Jharkhand Tourism Department wishes you all a very happy nature festival 'Sona Sarhul'! Wishing you happiness and prosperity in your life from this holy land of forests and Sal trees," the department wrote on X.

The festival holds deep cultural and spiritual significance for the tribal communities, symbolising their close relationship with nature and reinforcing the importance of preserving the environment while embracing progress.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has mounted a sharp attack on Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, accusing him of exploiting Punjab’s resources for personal and political gains.

In a strongly worded post on X on Tuesday, Sirsa, who holds the portfolios of Food & Supplies, Industry, and Forest & Environment in the Delhi government, questioned Kejriwal’s frequent use of Punjab’s state helicopter.

"Punjab isn’t Kejriwal’s personal jagir! Why is Arvind Kejriwal using Punjab’s state helicopter like his personal ride? In what official capacity? Who gave CM Bhagwant Mann the right to hand over Punjab’s resources to serve AAP high command?" Sirsa wrote.

He further criticized the Punjab government, highlighting the state’s financial distress and governance issues. “Punjab is buried under debt. Farmers are in distress, youth are jobless, industries are collapsing… and public money is being blown on Kejriwal’s VIP luxuries!” he alleged.

The Delhi minister called out Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding an explanation for the apparent misuse of state resources. "Is he Punjab’s CM or Kejriwal’s travel agent?" Sirsa asked, indicating that Mann was prioritising Kejriwal’s political activities over Punjab’s governance.

The controversy comes as Kejriwal visits Ludhiana again, his second in a fortnight. He is set to address a rally on Tuesday and lead a march against the drug menace on Wednesday as part of the Punjab government’s ‘Yudh Nashe De Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign.

Volunteers from the National Service Scheme (NSS) and National Cadet Corps (NCC) are also expected to participate in the march.

His visit comes in the run-up to the Ludhiana West Assembly bypoll, the dates for which are yet to be declared but which has become a battle of prestige for the ruling AAP.

The election has been necessitated following the death of AAP’s Gurpreet Singh Gogi on January 11.

--IANS

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Kolkata, April 1 (IANS) The death toll in the blast at an illegal firecracker factory in West Bengal's Patharpratima has risen to eight.

The police have started a massive search operation at Patharpratima and its adjacent areas to track the two owners of the illegal firecracker factory, Chandrakanta Banik and Tushar Banik, who have gone absconding since the blast took place at around 10 p.m. on Monday.

The illegal firecracker factory was housed at the residence owned jointly by the two absconding brothers. The police have registered cases under various non-bailable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

Sources aware of the development said that at least three of the eight killed were underage, leading to the conclusion that underage kids were hired at the illegal firecracker factory, violating the provisions of the law on child labourers.

Meanwhile, tension continued to prevail at Patharpratima, with the local people accusing the police of having information about the illegal firecracker factory and still allowing it to operate.

The local people have accused the police of repeatedly ignoring early warnings of such a possible mishap.

The Leader of Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, claimed that as witnessed in similar blasts in illegal firecracker factories in the past, this time also Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will end her responsibility by announcing compensation for the family members of the victim.

“Now probably Rs. 2 lakhs will be announced for the next of kin of the victims, and a week later, people will move on to the next news, forgetting this incident, till the next tragedy takes place. This state government holds no accountability for such incidents. Mamata Banerjee, who is also in charge of the state police department, is to be blamed for allowing this to happen,” Adhikari said.

Until the report was filed, neither the state government nor the ruling Trinamool Congress reacted to the mishap.

For the last couple of years, West Bengal has been in the national headlines because of unfortunate deaths due to illegal firecracker factories or warehouse blasts.

In February this year, four persons were killed and several others were injured following a blast at a firecracker factory at Kalyani in the Nadia district.

In 2023, as many as nine persons were killed in a similar blast at an illegal firecracker factory at Egra in the East Midnapore district. There were similar blasts at Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas and Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas districts during the last couple of years, killing several people.

Every time after the blasts, the administration warns of strong actions against such illegal firecracker entities. Police raids continue for some time and fade away soon.

--IANS

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New Delhi, April 1 (IANS) The number of Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) beneficiaries has surged by 39 per cent from 34.2 lakh in 2019-20 to 47.6 lakh in 2023-24, according to latest health Ministry data.

Meanwhile, reimbursements to empanelled private hospitals under CGHS has increased from 24 per cent in 2019-20 to nearly 60 per cent in 2023-24.

The CGHS in December last year issued an advisory to empanelled hospitals, saying that it had come to the directorate's attention that some healthcare organisations were "engaging in fraudulent activities when submitting bills" and that it had received complaints from beneficiaries about "overcharging, denial of treatment and other grievances".

Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the total spending on CGHS went up by 54 per cent.

The Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) provides comprehensive healthcare services to Central Government employees, pensioners, and their dependents.

It offers medical facilities through a wide network of wellness centres and empaneled hospitals, covering consultations, treatments, diagnostics, and medications, ensuring accessible and affordable healthcare.

Meanwhile, more than 76 crore Indians now have an Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) ID, according to latest data from the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission.

ABHA, a key component of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), is an account/number used to link all the health records of a person. ABHA aims to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for beneficiaries and improve access to quality healthcare.

To date, 55,10,259 ABHA accounts were created in March, with 1,67,257 created on Wednesday, as per the latest data. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of Health accounts (1319.1 lakh), followed by Rajasthan (623.8 lakh) and Maharashtra (585.9 lakh).

AB PMJAY -- the world's largest health insurance scheme -- recently added another feather to its cap with free health coverage to all senior citizens above the age of 70 in the country. The move comes as India’s elderly population is projected to double by 2050, and will increase the demand for geriatric care. By 2050, one in five people in India is expected to be elderly.

—IANS

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Chennai, April 1 (IANS) A large police contingent has been deployed in the Keerathurai police station limits of Madurai district in Tamil Nadu following the alleged encounter killing of a history-sheeter, V. Subhash Chandra Bose.

The encounter took place on Sunday evening, raising tension in the region, with state intelligence agencies warning of potential violence.

According to police sources, Bose was wanted in connection with the recent murder of another history-sheeter, P. Kaleeshwaran, who was hacked to death by a gang on March 23 in Austinpatti on the outskirts of Madurai.

Kaleeshwaran was the nephew of former DMK councillor V.K. Gurusamy. The police noted that Gurusamy had a longstanding rivalry with a gang linked to the late AIADMK functionary Rajapandian -- a feud that has reportedly claimed at least 20 lives over the past two decades, with Kaleeshwaran being the latest victim.

Subhash Chandra Bose, a close aide of Rajapandian’s relative Vellaikaali, was believed to have led the gang involved in Kaleeshwaran’s murder. Police had been actively searching for him after receiving a tip-off from a group caught with ganja, who claimed that Bose was their supplier.

The encounter occurred around 6.30 p.m. in Chinthamani on the outskirts of the city. Police said Bose was intercepted while driving a used car. When a team led by Inspector Boominathan, along with Head Constable Karnan and Constable Saravanankumar, attempted to arrest him, Bose allegedly attacked both constables with a machete. Despite warnings to surrender, he reportedly fired a shot from an illegal country-made pistol at the inspector.

The bullet missed its target and struck the vehicle instead. In what police described as an act of self-defence, Inspector Boominathan fired back, leading to the criminal getting injured.

Bose was immediately rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival. His body was later shifted to the Government Rajaji Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Both injured constables are currently undergoing treatment for shoulder injuries.

Police recovered a loaded illegal pistol and a machete from the scene. Officials revealed that Bose had 21 criminal cases pending against him, including three for murder.

The incident has sparked fresh criticism from the opposition, who allege a pattern of extrajudicial killings since the Stalin-led government assumed office in May 2021.

According to opposition leaders, 19 individuals have died in alleged police encounters during this period.

Security has been tightened across sensitive areas of Madurai to prevent any possible backlash or unrest following the killing.

--IANS

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