India

Pune, Nov 11 (IANS) Fostering a warm bond with workers who toil in sugarcane harvesting for their family's livelihood without caring about the sun or rain, Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde on Wednesday celebrated Bhaubeej by visiting the settlement of sugarcane harvesters on the premises of Sant Tukaram Sugar Factory at Kasarsai-Darumbre in Mawal taluka.

On this occasion, she interacted with the workers and inquired about their well-being. She also cooked meals on a traditional stove (chulha) at the settlement and enjoyed a community meal (snehabhojan) with the workers. Her visit created an atmosphere of great enthusiasm among the workers.

Due to drought conditions in the state, this occasion of visiting the settlements of sugarcane harvesters who left their villages for employment and celebrating the festival with them proved to be a delightful experience for the workers.

Marking Bhaubeej, the workers presented her with a traditional saree and blouse piece (saree-choli) as a token of affection.

Minister Munde stated, "Every year, I consistently celebrate Diwali with these hardworking labourers. A few days ago, the death of a 22-year-old sugarcane worker left my mind numb with grief. To provide assistance for the education and health of sugarcane workers' children and to resolve the issues faced by sugarcane harvesters, the Loknete Gopinath Munde Sugarcane Harvester Welfare Corporation was established. I am always striving to deliver justice to the hard work of sugarcane harvesters; please feel free to openly express your difficulties."

She extended her best wishes for their future endeavours.

Maval MLA Sunil Shelke said, "Pankaja Tai stands firmly behind common hardworking people. Visiting the sugarcane settlement and celebrating Diwali truly feels like celebrating it in the true sense with the workers."

Upon learning that Minister Munde was visiting their settlement, the sugarcane harvesters spontaneously made grand preparations to welcome her. The workers themselves managed various arrangements, including cleaning the front of the settlement and drawing rangoli, singing traditional Banjara folk songs, dressing children in new clothes, preparing food in advance, and cleaning the surrounding area. This spontaneous welcome created a festive atmosphere at the settlement.

On this occasion, sarees were distributed to women symbolically at the hands of Munde.

Kundalik Bade, resident of Manewadi, Ahilyanagar District, said, "Ever since we learned that Minister Pankaja Munde Tai is coming to our settlement, there has been an atmosphere of joy among everyone. We eagerly made preparations to welcome her."

Navnath Bhosale, from Ashti, Beed district, noted, "Pankaja Tai coming to the settlement, celebrating Bhaubeej with sugarcane harvesters, having snacks, and distributing sarees and blouse pieces to women is a very joyous moment for us."

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) Leading dairy brands Amul and Mother Dairy on Wednesday announced a hike in milk prices by Rs 2-4 per litre, effective November 12, citing a sharp rise in input and operational costs, including fodder, cattle feed, packaging and transportation expenses.

In a statement, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets dairy products under the Amul brand, said prices of fresh pouch milk have been increased by 4-5 per cent across major variants and packs nationwide.

The cooperative said the price of its largest-selling Amul Taaza toned milk has been raised by Rs 2 per litre, while the price of Amul Gold milk has been increased by Rs 4 per litre.

This is the company's second milk price revision this year, following an increase in May.

"The price of our largest-selling Amul Taaza toned milk with 3 per cent milk fat has been increased by only Rs 2 per litre (3.3 per cent increase) and Amul Gold Milk with 6 per cent milk fat by Rs 4 per litre (5.5 per cent rise)," GCMMF said.

Separately, Mother Dairy announced a similar increase of Rs 2-4 per litre across its liquid milk variants from November 12.

The company said uneven monsoon conditions in many regions have pushed green and dry fodder prices up by as much as 20 per cent, while cattle feed costs have risen around 10 per cent over the last year, increasing production costs for dairy farmers.

"Mother Dairy is revising the consumer prices of its liquid milk variants in the range of Rs. 2 - 4 per litre, effective November 12, 2026," the company stated.

A spokesperson for Mother Dairy said persistent inflationary pressures have also driven packaging, transportation and other operational costs higher by up to 25 per cent.

"Uneven monsoon conditions in several parts of the country have impacted fodder availability – green and dry fodder prices have increased by up to 20 per cent, while cattle feed prices have risen by around 10 per cent over the past year – adding to the cost of milk production for dairy farmers," it added.

"Additionally, persistent inflationary pressures have driven up packaging, transportation and other operational costs by up to 25 per cent. This sustained increase in input and operational costs has necessitated the present revision in consumer milk prices," Mother Dairy spokesperson added.

--IANS

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Visakhapatnam, Nov 11 (IANS) MoUs and Government Orders (GOs) worth over Rs 12.14 lakh crore lined up to be signed at the 31st CII Partnership Summit 2026 beginning here on Thursday.

The Government of Andhra Pradesh is organising the two-day event in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) with the theme “Navigating the New World Order: Trade, Technology, Trust and Thought Leadership.”

As many as 141 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and 30 Government Orders (GOs) worth Rs 12,13,853.23 crore, with the potential to create 2,46,373 jobs, are lined up for exchange across the two days. These include a dedicated MoU with Kia and two MoUs under P4 (Public Private People Partnership).

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu posted on X that Visakhapatnam, the City of Destiny, is all set to host the 31st CII Partnership Summit, beginning Thursday.

“A very warm welcome to all delegates arriving with fresh ideas and big aspirations,” he said. The Chief Minister stated that the summit will bring together industry stalwarts and inspiring leaders, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal joining the inaugural session.

“As a new day dawns on our eastern coast, we look forward to unlocking new opportunities and taking Andhra Pradesh’s growth story to greater heights,” he said.

According to an official release, five regional conferences held in the run-up to the summit at Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Amaravati, Ananthapuramu and Tirupati saw the signing of 194 MoUs worth Rs 86,522.07 crore, with the potential to create 1,47,951 jobs.

Since June 2024, Andhra Pradesh has drawn investment intent for 714 projects worth Rs 22.6 lakh crore, with the potential to create 19.3 lakh jobs. Of these, 526 projects worth Rs 17.2 lakh crore have been converted, and 303 worth Rs 7.1 lakh crore are grounded or being grounded (status at the end of October 2026).

The 30th Partnership Summit, held in Visakhapatnam in 2025, brought together more than 3,000 delegates from 62 countries and recorded over 600 investment commitments worth more than Rs 13 lakh crore, with the potential to create over 16 lakh jobs.

The summit will be attended by Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu and Union Minister of New & Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi. Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan will be the chief guest at the valedictory Session.

Andhra Pradesh Governor S. Abdul Nazeer, Union Ministers Sarbananda Sonowal (Ports, Shipping and Waterways), Chirag Paswan (Food Processing Industries) and Nitin Gadkari (Road Transport and Highways) will lead sessions.

Several overseas ministers will take part, including Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy & Tourism, UAE; Ladislav Kamenický, Minister of Finance, Slovak Republic; Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Energy, Trade & Industry, Singapore; Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, Canada; and Ministers from Nepal, Mauritius, Guatemala, Cambodia, Myanmar and Tanzania.

Sessions on export standards for MSMEs, the defence industrial ecosystem, the aerospace value chain and startups with Korea, and the CII CEOs' Conference were held on Wednesday. The Chief Minister hosted a dinner for the delegates.

Day one opens with the AP Pavilion and MSME Exhibition, the Inaugural Session and a Special Ministerial Plenary with overseas Trade Ministers, followed by sessions on ports and shipbuilding, energy, aviation, security, food systems, river interlinking and youth wellbeing, and country sessions on Japan, the UAE, Russia, Europe and Africa.

Day 2 features a fireside chat with the Chief Minister on P4 and zero poverty, sessions on space, AI and quantum, skills, tourism, energy resilience and highways, a live podcast with the Minister for HRD and IT, and the valedictory session.

The AP Women & Growth Summit 2026 will also be held on November 12 and 13. Smriti Irani, Founder & Chairperson, Alliance for Global Good, will address the event.

The AP Pavilion will present the State's sectoral parks, product stories, the Amaravati capital, culture and tourism, a Heritage Courtyard and a Hall of Fame. The MSME Exhibition will showcase MSMEs selected from the regional conferences during 2026.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will organise more than 1,000 programmes across 240 tribal-dominated districts and 568 Assembly constituencies across the country from November 11 to 18 to mark ‘Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas’, with November 15 being the day of birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

Announcing the nationwide celebrations at a press conference on Wednesday, BJP National General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Gajendra Patel said the initiative aims to honour tribal freedom fighters and highlight the government's efforts towards the dignity, security and all-round development of tribal communities.

Patel said the celebrations, being held under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of BJP National President Nitin Nabin, would include Swabhiman Sammelans, processions, cleanliness drives, lamp-lighting ceremonies, exhibitions, cultural programmes, sports competitions, youth interactions and health camps. Families of tribal freedom fighters, social workers, saints and Padma Shri awardees from tribal communities will also be felicitated.

Recalling Birsa Munda's struggle against British oppression and his call for 'Abua Dishum, Abua Raj' (Our Country, Our Rule), Patel said tribal revolutionaries such as Tilka Manjhi, Sidhu-Kanhu, Phulo-Jhano, Govind Guru, Rani Durgavati, Tantya Bhil, Komaram Bheem and Rani Gaidinliu deserved their rightful place in India's freedom struggle. He said the Modi government declared November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas in 2021 to recognise their contributions.

Highlighting development initiatives, Patel said the Ministry of Tribal Affairs' budget had increased to Rs 14,926 crore in 2025-26. Under PM JANMAN, development benefits are being extended to 12.37 lakh PVTG families, while the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan aims to cover 63,000 villages and benefit over five crore families through the convergence of 17 ministries.

He highlighted 728 proposed Eklavya Model Residential Schools, scholarships, the National Sickle Cell Elimination Mission targeting 2047, Ayushman Bharat coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh, and 3,958 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras associated with over 11 lakh people. Forest rights, better housing, tap water, electricity, roads and livelihood opportunities were also identified as priorities.

Patel said the government was promoting tribal languages through the Aadi Vaani AI platform and preserving heritage through museums and memorials. He also cited the appointment of Droupadi Murmu as India's first tribal President as a landmark in tribal representation.

The celebrations will coincide with government initiatives, including President Murmu's November 12 interaction with 200 Eklavya school students and PVTG representatives, and the National Tribal Literature Festival on November 12-13. Floral tributes will be offered at Parliament and Birsa Munda's birthplace, Ulihatu, on November 15.

Calling tribal communities the soul of India rather than a vote bank, Patel said their participation was indispensable to achieving Viksit Bharat by 2047. He urged people to take the history, culture and contributions of tribal heroes to every section of society.

--IANS

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Ujjain, Nov 11 (IANS) Several people, including women, were trapped in a multi-storey building after a major fire broke out at Bagadiya Tower in Madhya Pradesh's Ujjain city on Wednesday evening, prompting a large-scale rescue operation.

According to initial information, around 10 to 15 people were initially reported to be trapped inside the building, located in the Purani Kotwali police station area.

More than 10 fire tenders were pressed into service as thick smoke engulfed the structure, making it difficult for those inside to escape.

Teams of the police, municipal corporation and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) launched a rescue operation, while District Collector Roshan Singh, the Superintendent of Police and other senior officials reached the spot to oversee the efforts.

Among those rescued were Poonam Chaurasia and her son, who were inside flat number-304 on the third floor.

On waking up, she found the area outside her flat and near the elevator filled with thick smoke, making it difficult to breathe.

Five people, including her son and residents of a neighbouring flat, were inside. She called her husband in panic, following which a rescue team evacuated all five occupants to the rooftop.

They were brought down safely after nearly two hours, she said, adding that everyone was safe.

An eyewitness, Prahlad Sharma, said told news reporters at the ground that he had gone to the third floor to attend a Garuda Purana programme when the fire broke out.

He managed to descend using a long ladder provided by the fire brigade, but women present there could not use it to come down.

Firefighters faced difficulties in the operation as smoke continued to billow from the building even after nearly two hours of firefighting efforts.

The official statement on this incident was yet to receive from Ujjain district authorities and the cause of the fire was also yet to be ascertained.

Rescue and firefighting operations were continuing.

--IANS

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Mumbai, Nov 11 (IANS) The Mumbai Police have arrested a 22-year-old student for allegedly molesting his college mate after getting her intoxicated at a party, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident was reported from Mumbai's Madh Island area.

The accused has been identified as Sidharth Sunil Bais and was arrested from Chhattisgarh. A Mumbai court has sent him to five days of police custody.

The incident came to light after the victim, accompanied by her parents, approached Juhu Police Station and lodged a complaint, following which a case was registered in the first week of November.

According to police, a group of students from a Mumbai college had organised a party in the Madh Island area of Malad West, which falls under the jurisdiction of Malvani Police Station.

It was during the party that the accused mixed an intoxicating substance into the student's drink. After consuming it, she reportedly lost consciousness. Taking advantage of her condition, the accused allegedly molested her.

Following this, the victim informed her parents about her ordeal, and they then took her to Juhu Police Station, where her statement was recorded. Based on her complaint, Malvani police registered a case under Sections 64(1), 74, 123, and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to a police official, the FIR also names another suspect. However, his role in the alleged sexual offence has not yet been established. He has not been arrested so far, as police are investigating his involvement in the case.

The case was initially registered at Malvani Police Station but was later transferred to Juhu Police Station on the basis of a Zero FIR, officials said.

At the request of the victim's parents, further investigation has been handed over to Juhu Police.

In another sexual assault case reported from Mumbai's Powai area last month, a 15-year-old minor girl was brutally gang-raped by six men, officials said, adding that all accused were arrested within 24 hours of the incident.

"Within just 24 hours of receiving the victim's complaint, Mumbai Police teams conducted raids at various locations and apprehended all the accused," officials said.

According to the police, the incident took place between October 27 and 28.

The main accused, along with four of his associates, lured the minor to an open, deserted plot located behind a bakery shop on Saki Vihar Road, where the accused allegedly sexually assaulted the victim, officials said in a statement.

Following the incident, the perpetrators threatened the victim, warning her that if she reported the matter to the police or her family, they would circulate her photographs on social media.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) The Supreme Court has transferred a commercial intellectual property suit from the Delhi High Court to the Madras High Court, observing that the choice of a forum cannot be driven by a perception that one High Court is better suited to adjudicate a particular category of disputes.

A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan allowed a transfer petition filed by Sai Maghalakshmi Traders, Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Enterprises, and M.P.K. Traders against M/s Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Agro Foods and SLS Agro Ventures, seeking the transfer of a commercial suit instituted by the latter before the Delhi High Court.

In its order, the apex court recorded that the petitioners, who are defendants in the suit, carry on business in Chennai, while the plaintiffs have their principal place of business at Nelamangala in Karnataka's Bengaluru Rural district.

Questioning the decision to institute the proceedings before the Delhi High Court, the Justice Nagarathna-led Bench observed: "We fail to understand as to why the respondents/plaintiffs have filed the suit before the Delhi High Court when both the parties are residing in the neighbouring States of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and the Madras High Court also has original jurisdiction to entertain the suit."

It observed that the issue went beyond the convenience of the litigating parties and involved the need to discourage forum shopping and perceptions of superiority among High Courts.

"We wish to observe that it is not merely concerns of convenience that animate the need for transfer of proceedings in the instant case," the Supreme Court said.

It further said that the perception of a particular High Court being better suited to hear a specific category of disputes was "entirely misguided and erroneous".

"The mere existence of territorial jurisdiction in various courts cannot on its own become justification for forum shopping and cannot result in the perpetuation of notions of a hierarchy among the High Courts of this country," the bench said.

The Supreme Court also highlighted that, ordinarily, where the parties, the genesis of the dispute and its factual locus are based in a particular location, courts in that location would be better placed to understand the nuances of the case.

Finding that the interests of justice would be served by transferring the proceedings, the top court said that the parties were carrying on their respective businesses in neighbouring states and that the transfer would facilitate expeditious disposal, keeping in view all practical aspects.

"Accordingly, the Transfer Petition is allowed and the case viz., CS(COMM) 625/2026 on the file of the High Court of Delhi at New Delhi is transferred to the High Court of Judicature at Madras," the order stated.

It also clarified that the respondents would be at liberty to appear before the transferee court either in person or through video conferencing.

The transfer petition had earlier come up before the apex court on August 10, when a Bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar issued notice to the respondents and stayed further proceedings in the commercial suit pending before the Delhi High Court.

--IANS

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Mohali, Nov 11 (IANS) Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, and state Congress chief Pargat Singh on Wednesday participated in a series of engagements in Mohali, near here, focusing on the issues confronting the state and the party’s roadmap for the state’s revival.

Continuing the momentum of Rahul Gandhi’s Insaaf Rally, Bajwa joined Pargat Singh in flagging off the ‘Punjab Mangda Insaaf’ campaign. The campaign aims to build a collective movement against the growing menace of drugs, crime, corruption and the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab.

The initiative will reach out to different sections of society, particularly families affected by drug abuse and criminal violence, and provide a platform for people to raise their concerns and demand justice. Through public interactions and grassroots mobilisation, the campaign will seek to hold the government accountable for its failures and highlight the urgent need to restore safety, dignity and justice in Punjab.

Later, Bajwa interacted with representatives of the industrial sector and held detailed discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing Punjab’s industry. He assured the industry representatives that a Congress government in 2027 would formulate a progressive, investor-friendly and effective industrial policy aimed at addressing the concerns of entrepreneurs, facilitating investment, promoting innovation and generating employment.

He emphasised that Punjab must regain its position as a leading industrial destination and that the state’s entrepreneurs should receive the policy support and enabling environment necessary to compete at national and international levels. Reviving industrial growth, he said, would be central to rebuilding Punjab’s economy.

Bajwa and Pargat Singh also addressed a meeting of Congress workers here, interacting with party leaders and grassroots workers. They discussed organisational strengthening, public outreach and the need to take the party’s message to every constituency and section of society.

Both leaders reiterated their commitment to working collectively to restore Punjab’s progress, protect people’s rights and build a prosperous, secure and equitable future for the state.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 11 (IANS) With Chhath Puja approaching, railway stations across the country are witnessing a massive surge in passenger footfall as thousands of people head to their hometowns in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to celebrate the festival with their families. From Delhi and Mumbai to Varanasi, Howrah, Lucknow and other major railway hubs, crowds of passengers can be seen gathering at platforms and station premises, creating an unprecedented rush during the festive travel period.

In view of the heavy passenger movement, Indian Railways has stepped up its preparations, introducing a series of measures aimed at ensuring safe, smooth and organised travel. Several arrangements have been made at several stations to manage the festive rush. These include special trains, additional reserved and unreserved services, designated passenger holding areas, enhanced security arrangements, and round-the-clock monitoring.

The huge rush is particularly visible at Delhi's Anand Vihar Railway Station and New Delhi Railway Station. Large numbers of passengers are gathering to board trains at these stations to their hometowns ahead of Chhath Puja. Passengers carrying luggage and travelling with their families can be seen waiting for trains. Many of these passengers are opting for general-class tickets. Some passengers acknowledged that the arrangements were satisfactory. However, some pointed to the massive crowds at the station.

Passengers expressed satisfaction with the improved infrastructure and crowd-management arrangements at New Delhi Railway Station. One passenger told IANS that the creation of separate areas helped reduce congestion compared with previous years. This is how the station experience is considerably better, he added.

The tremendous pressure on railway infrastructure during the festive season has been analysed by the railways. The Northern Railway has announced the operation of 31 special trains from major stations in the Delhi area to facilitate passenger movement on a high-demand travel day. Officials said that additional reserved and unreserved services are also being operated on important routes to accommodate the increased demand.

Central Railway has introduced precautionary measures at major stations in Mumbai to prevent overcrowding. Unhindered passenger movement is being ensured. According to Central Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Swapnil Nila, the sale of platform tickets has been suspended at major stations across its divisions, broadly between November 5 and 15, depending on the location.

Moreover, parcel traffic has been suspended for around eight to ten days at key stations, including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). The move is intended to free up space and prevent congestion so that passengers boarding and alighting from trains do not face inconvenience.

Special arrangements have been made at Varanasi Junction to deal with the anticipated increase in passenger footfall. The Railways have established a dedicated holding area where passengers can wait in an organised manner before boarding their respective trains. Help desks have also been set up at both entry gates to assist passengers and provide necessary information.

Similar arrangements are being implemented across Eastern Railway stations. At Howrah, Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel are continuously monitoring passenger movement through a dedicated control room to ensure effective crowd management. TTEs and RPF staff are working in close coordination to regulate queues, guide passengers towards their designated coaches and facilitate systematic boarding.

A specially designated passenger holding area with carpeted flooring has also been created at Howrah Station to provide Chhath-bound passengers with a more comfortable waiting experience. A medical booth has been made available to provide immediate medical assistance to passengers in need.

The festive atmosphere is also being reflected at railway stations. At Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction in Chandauli, traditional Chhath songs are being played through loudspeakers, bringing a touch of the festival to the railway premises. Passengers have welcomed the initiative, with many appreciating the festive ambience as they begin their journey home.

Holding areas have also been created at stations such as Ballia to ensure that passengers can wait safely without overcrowding platforms. Travellers have expressed gratitude for these facilities, acknowledging the efforts being made by railway authorities to improve passenger convenience.

Across the network, the Railways is also relying on AI-enabled CCTV surveillance, additional security personnel and coordinated monitoring to keep a close watch on passenger movement. These measures are intended to identify potential congestion points, regulate crowds and ensure that boarding and alighting take place in a controlled manner.

The Railways has also expanded festive connectivity through additional reserved and unreserved special services. Unreserved special trains are being operated between Muzaffarpur and Howrah, as well as Jaynagar and Sealdah, to cater to the large number of passengers travelling towards Bihar, West Bengal and adjoining regions.

Special services from Mumbai towards Gorakhpur are also providing relief to passengers travelling home. Travellers aboard the CSMT-Gorakhpur special train have appreciated the seating facilities and arrangements, expressing satisfaction with the efforts of Central Railway.

The festive travel arrangements also include additional services towards Patna, including Vande Bharat and other special trains, alongside enhanced crowd-management measures. Passengers have acknowledged the availability of additional trains and improved station facilities, particularly during the busy Chhath travel period.

As millions of devotees prepare to return home to observe Chhath Puja, one of the most significant festivals in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring regions, the challenge before the Railways is not merely to run additional trains but also to manage the enormous crowds gathering at stations.

With passengers travelling with families, children and heavy luggage, even routine boarding and alighting operations can become challenging during peak hours, say officials. The creation of holding areas, suspension of platform ticket sales at selected stations, temporary restrictions on parcel traffic, enhanced security deployment, and dedicated passenger assistance facilities are therefore crucial to maintaining order, they add.

The Railways has urged passengers to rely on official railway announcements and information rather than rumours or misleading social media reports regarding train services and festive arrangements.

--IANS

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Guwahati, Nov 11 (IANS) Assam is set to establish a first-of-its-kind Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute (AAHII), bringing doctors, engineers and scientists under one roof to develop affordable and indigenous healthcare technologies, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Wednesday.

Sharing details of the ambitious project on social media platform X, Sarma said the institute would focus on translating scientific research into practical medical solutions, including robotic surgical systems, affordable MRI scanners and insulin pumps manufactured in India.

“What happens when a surgeon and an engineer share a corridor? A robotic surgical arm. An MRI scanner small hospitals can afford. An insulin pump made in India,” the Chief Minister said.

The Assam Advanced Healthcare Innovation Institute, scheduled to open in December 2027, is already delivering on its larger vision of promoting innovation-driven healthcare solutions, he added.

The Rs 546-crore project will comprise two interconnected facilities — a dedicated Research and Development Building and a 410-bed multi-speciality postgraduate teaching and research hospital.

According to details shared by the Chief Minister, the R&D facility will be a six-storeyed centre dedicated to research and thematic programmes. It will house specialised facilities for health-technology innovation and development and provide a collaborative ecosystem for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati, clinicians and industry partners.

The adjoining multi-speciality hospital will have 410 beds and offer postgraduate teaching and research facilities along with multi-speciality clinical care. The hospital is also expected to serve as a real-world setting for testing and validating new medical technologies developed through the institute.

The initiative aims to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and medical application by encouraging closer collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals and technology experts.

With the proposed institute, Assam is seeking to strengthen its healthcare infrastructure while emerging as a hub for medical research and innovation in the Northeast.

The project is expected to promote indigenous healthcare technology, potentially reducing dependence on expensive imported medical equipment and making advanced treatment solutions more accessible to smaller hospitals and patients.

The AAHII, the Chief Minister said, represents a new frontier in healthcare innovation, bringing scientific discovery and medical applications closer together.

--IANS

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