India

Chennai, Dec 12 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will meet his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday to discuss the contentious Mullaperiyar dam issue.

The meeting will take place in Vaikom in Kerala's Kottayam district where CM Stalin will inaugurate the renovated memorial of social reformer and Dravidian ideologue E.V. Ramasamy Periyar. Kerala CM Vijayan will preside over the event.

Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister and senior DMK leader S. Duraimurugan, on Wednesday, said in the state Legislative Assembly that talks would be held in this regard.

The Mullaperiyar issue gained attention recently when vehicles belonging to the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department, carrying materials for dam maintenance, were intercepted by Kerala authorities. This obstruction delayed critical repair activities, sparking unrest in Tamil Nadu.

Leader of the Opposition in Tamil Nadu, Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS), raised the issue in the Assembly, emphasising that the delays have caused unrest among residents of five beneficiary districts in Tamil Nadu. These residents recently staged protests in front of the John Pennycuick statue, demanding uninterrupted maintenance work on the dam.

In response, Duraimurugan reminded the Assembly of the Supreme Court’s clear directive that Kerala must not obstruct any maintenance work undertaken by Tamil Nadu on the Mullaperiyar Dam.

On December 4, two truckloads of M-sand transported by the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD) were stopped at the forest check post in Vallakadavu, located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The trucks, stranded since 3 p.m., had prior clearance from Kerala’s Minor Irrigation Department and the Deputy Director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Tamil Nadu PWD officials expressed frustration, pointing out that detailed estimates for 16 maintenance works planned for 2024 had been submitted to Kerala authorities well in advance. Despite this, the works continued to face obstruction.

This incident prompted over 100 farmers to stage a road blockade at Lower Camp on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. Their protest, aimed at preventing Kerala vehicles from entering Tamil Nadu, was called off after police intervention. The farmers condemned the Kerala government for hindering maintenance work on the baby dam and demanded an immediate resolution to the issue.

Several dignitaries, including Kerala Ministers V.N. Vasavan and Saji Cheriyan, along with Tamil Nadu Ministers Durai Murugan, E.V. Velu and M.P. Saminathan, are expected to address the event in Vaikom. Key officials such as Kerala Chief Secretary Sharada Muraleedharan, Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, and Kottayam District Collector John V. Samuel are also expected to attend the event.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Dec 12 (IANS) Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP) members held a protest at a missionary school in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind following a controversy that erupted over not allowing a student to wear a 'kalawa' (sacred thread) and 'tilak'.

On Wednesday noon, around 25-30 ABVP members along with parents of some students shouting religious slogans, barged into the St. Michael's school premises.

Protesters chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' and recited Hanuman Chalisa sitting in the school's courtyard.

ABVP members alleged that a sixth-class girl student was forced to return to his house as she had come to school wearing 'kalawa' and had applied 'tilak' on her forehead.

Pankaj Sharma, father of the student, talking to media persons claimed that his daughter was sent back home from school because she was wearing 'kalawa' and 'tilak'.

According to Sharma, the incident had occurred on December 5.

"Upon knowing about the incident, when I visited the school I was humiliated by the principal (father of the school) and was forced to leave the premises," Sharma alleged.

However, the principal of St. Michael's school denied the allegation, claiming that no such incident had occurred.

Instead, the school principal claimed that notices were issued to the parents of several students regarding pending fees.

"More than 90 per cent of teachers in this school are from the Hindu community. Yes, it is a fact that the school management issued notices to some parents about deposit fees. Notices were issued to the parents of several students, whose fees have been pending," the school principal said.

He further claimed that the student's father (Pankaj Sharma) visited his office on December 6.

"He didn't pay fees for the past four years, and when we asked to deposit the dues, he left the school threatening that he would tell us. The allegation that we have denied any student because of any other matter is completely false," the school principal added.

Upon receiving a complaint from the school, the police team along with the Sub-Divisional Magistrate reached the spot during evening hours and initiated an investigation.

Mohanlal Sharma, a revenue officer, who is leading the investigation, said, "Upon receiving a complaint on the matter, we inspected school premises. We have taken DVR of CCTV cameras under our possession and further investigation is underway," Sharma added.

--IANS

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Patna, Dec 12 (IANS) The family of AI engineer Atul Subhash, who allegedly committed suicide under mysterious circumstances in Bangaluru, returned with ashes to Patna on Wednesday evening and made an emotional appeal for justice.

Atul's mother fainted while speaking to the media at the Patna airport.

"My son was mentally harassed and tortured. I want justice for him," she said, demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her son's death.

Atul's brother, Vikas Kumar, highlighted a poignant detail from a suicide note left by the deceased, which read, "Justice was not delivered to me."

Expressing his frustration, Vikas remarked, "My brother detailed how men are being harassed under the guise of women's law. He also accused a 'judge,' regarded as the symbol of justice, of allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 5 lakh. In the note, he even stated that if justice is not served, his ashes should be thrown into the gutter in front of the court."

The family's statements have intensified calls for accountability and fairness in addressing Atul's case, as they urge authorities to uncover the truth behind his alleged suicide and take appropriate action against any wrongdoing.

Atul Subhash's case has taken a legal turn, with the Marathahalli Police in Bangalore registering an FIR based on a complaint filed by his brother, Vikas Kumar. The FIR accuses four individuals, including Atul's wife, under Section 108 and Section 3(5) of the BNS. Atul's mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and his wife's uncle have also been named in the case. The Marathahalli Police are actively investigating the allegations.

Atul's cousin, Bajrang Prasad Agarwal, shared insights into his family background, saying, "Atul was my uncle's son. His house is in Pusa Road Main Bazaar, Samastipur. He completed his education here and was working in Bangalore. We were aware that he was being harassed by his in-laws, but we had no idea the situation had escalated to the point where he would take such an extreme step."

He added that Atul had spoken to his parents on the day of the incident. Atul had been married since 2019, but according to the family, his relationship with his in-laws was fraught with difficulties that they believe contributed to his distress.

The case has prompted calls for a comprehensive investigation to ensure justice is served.

--IANS

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Patna, Dec 12 (IANS) Security measures at the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bodh Gaya, have been heightened after the temple's management received a threatening letter to blow it up, an official said on Wednesday.

The temple management promptly alerted Gaya's district police about the threat.

Manoj Kumar Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Bodh Gaya Police Station, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway to determine the origin of the letter.

"The Mahabodhi management received the threat two days ago and immediately informed the district police. We are actively working to trace the sender’s location," Singh told IANS.

In response to the threat, security at the temple premises has been significantly increased. Sources revealed that the threatening letter was allegedly issued in the name of ISIS.

However, senior police officials are refraining from making public statements regarding the case as investigations are ongoing.

Additionally, sources have suggested that a dreaded gangster of Jharkhand named Prince Khan, from the Dhanbad district in Jharkhand, might have been involved in the incident. Further details are awaited as the police continue their investigation.

The investigation into the threat against the Mahabodhi Temple has intensified as a police team from Bodh Gaya travelled to Dhanbad, Jharkhand, on Tuesday. The team continued its inquiry on Wednesday, visiting the residence of Prince Khan in Bank More, Wasepur, Dhanbad.

According to preliminary findings, Prince Khan is reportedly hiding in Dubai, prompting authorities to investigate whether he is directly responsible for the threatening letter or if someone else is involved.

Police from both Bihar and Jharkhand are collaborating to uncover the truth, with central agencies also becoming vigilant due to the possible involvement of ISIS.

The seriousness of the threat is underscored by the temple’s history of being targeted. The Mahabodhi Temple has faced two prior attacks in 2013 and 2018. Thanks to robust security arrangements, both incidents were averted without major consequences. However, the UNESCO World Heritage Site remains a potential target, raising concerns over its security.

The ongoing investigation aims to identify and apprehend those responsible for the threat while ensuring the safety of the temple and its visitors.

--IANS

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Kohima, Dec 11 (IANS) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that the iconic Hornbill Festival has elevated the state's reputation on the global stage, showcasing the vibrant energy, creativity and innovation of the state’s youths to the international community, while enabling them to pursue their aspirations.

The Chief Minister said that this year marks a historic milestone as Nagaland commemorated 25 years of this famed festival, a matter of immense pride for all citizens of the northeastern.

The 10-day long (December 1-10) annual festival culminated at the picturesque Naga heritage village Kisama, 12 km from the state capital Kohima.

In the silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival this year, Japan, the US, the UK (Wales) and Peru were the country partners while Sikkim and Telangana were the partner states.

The Chief Minister said that the policy of partner countries and states has added a multi-dimensional aspect to the festival, fostering collaborations, partnerships, and developmental possibilities.

The Music Festival has transcended boundaries, positioning Nagaland as an international music destination and providing unparalleled platforms for our talents within the state, Rio said adding most importantly, our collective goal of promoting, preserving, and celebrating our age-old traditions, rich cultural heritage, and the Naga way of life continues to be strengthened through this event.

The 25th edition of the annual Hornbill Festival, at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, drew a total of 2,05,968 visitors over the course of 10 days.

A senior official of Nagaland’s Tourism and Art and Culture department said that the festival saw a remarkable increase of 33.7 per cent in footfall compared to last year when 1,54,057 visitors attended.

According to the officials of the department, this year’s festival attracted a diverse crowd, with 2,527 foreign tourists, 56,217 domestic visitors, and 1,47,224 local attendees.

Day 10 on Tuesday saw the highest attendance, with 32,081 visitors, making it the peak day in terms of turnout.

The final day of the festival also witnessed the highest number of local attendees, with 23,816 people in attendance.

The first day of the festival on December 1 recorded the highest number of foreign visitors, with 513 tourists, while day-8 saw the largest number of domestic visitors, reaching 9,342.

The number of foreign tourists increased from 2,108 in 2023 to 2,375 this year.

The Hornbill Festival, known for showcasing the diverse cultures and traditions of Nagaland, continues to grow in prominence as a major cultural and tourism event in India, the official said.

--IANS

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Ghaziabad, Dec 11 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the 'Smart India Hackathon 2024' organised across the country through video conferencing, students from the KIET Group of Institutions in Ghaziabad also participated in this hackathon.

After PM Modi's address, students were filled with enthusiasm regarding this hackathon event and showcasing innovation and putting use of their technical knowledge and skills.

Preeti Bajaj, Director General, KIET Group of Institutions, said, "Today's generation is called Gen Z. This hackathon is a great medium to solve the biggest problems of the country through innovation. Prime Minister Modi has been giving this opportunity for the last eight years. This hackathon event is the world's biggest platform to solve your everyday life problems. Children who are just 17 or 18 years old are already learning how to solve the biggest problems in the country. Many success stories have come up as a result of this event. As of now, 51 ministries have given their respective statements. These ministries are increasing every year.

"It's a success story that kids are involved," Bajaj added.

Rishabh Bhingade, a student from the engineering college located in Ghaziabad, said, "We got a lot of inspiration after listening to PM Modi. From this hackathon, we have been inspired that our innovation should benefit the entire country. Our imagination is that whatever innovation we do, it will help the country."

Deepika Gaikwad, another student from the institute, said, "This speech of the Prime Minister was quite inspiring. After this hackathon, we will work on the projects given to us by the college. With this effort, we will become a part of India's growth story."

Another student Prathamesh Tiwari said, "We are doing innovative work on carbon dioxide. Among the many gases present in the atmosphere, we are especially taking carbon dioxide, which is polluting our environment a lot. We have just seen that pollution has increased considerably in Delhi. The amount of carbon dioxide in the air has increased a lot. We are creating such a system that we will take carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and use it somewhere else."

Manoj Goyal, Joint Director, KIET Group of Institutions, said, "Smart India Hackathon is the biggest hackathon in the entire country. This is quite a big and good platform for the youth. Through this medium, they can showcase their innovative ideas. The government has done a lot of work to make this event. Today more than 50,000 children from across the country have participated in this hackathon. Around 13 nodal centres have been created for this hackathon event. Around 50,000 children have to solve the problems given by the industry in three days which will give them a lot of self-confidence. This is a live learning platform for children across the country."

--IANS

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Jaipur, Dec 11 (IANS) An Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) died while several people including four policemen were injured after a rashly driven car collided with the convoy of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma in Jaipur on Wednesday.

The accident took place at the Akshaya Patra intersection of Jagatpura. The policemen injured in the accident are being treated in a hospital.

According to officials, the convoy left the Chie Minister’s residence at 3 p.m. as the CM was going to participate in the inauguration programme of Sohan Singh Smriti Skill Development Center by Laghu Udyog Bharti.

Eyewitnesses said that a rashly driven taxi came from the wrong side when the CM's convoy was passing from there. When ASI Surendra Singh posted tried to stop the taxi, the driver hit it. Soon after, the taxi collided with the vehicles of the CM's convoy.

Meanwhile, CM Bhajan Lal Sharma condoled the death of ASI Singh and said, "The death of Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Shri Surendra Ji and injuries to other citizens in an unfortunate vehicle accident in Jaipur is extremely sad."

"In this hour of immense grief, our sensitive government stands with the family of the deceased and the injured. After this accident, the concerned officials have been directed to ensure proper medical treatment of the injured. My condolences are with the bereaved family. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to provide complete recovery to the injured citizens as soon as possible," he added.

Earlier, it was reported that seven people were injured in the accident involving the convoy of Rajasthan Chief Minister.

The incident took place when a car travelling on the opposite side collided with two vehicles in the Chief Minister's convoy. The Chief Minister's Office (CMO) officials told IANS that the rashly driven car coming from the opposite side collided with a Bolero which was part of the Chief Minister's convoy. It slightly hit another vehicle too, they added.

Following the accident, CM Sharma immediately moved out of his vehicle to assist the injured. The Chief Minister personally ensured that the injured persons were taken to nearby hospitals.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Amid the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) public outreach programme ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi, the people of Mehrauli Assembly constituency claim that no developmental works have been undertaken since the last five years in the national capital under the current government's tenure led by Chief Minister Atishi.

Sharpening its attack on the Delhi government over its failure to undertake any development in the constituency area, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a scathing attack on the AAP government as Naresh Yadav is currently the MLA from Mehrauli Assembly constituency.

Several residents of Mehrauli constituency told IANS about the lack of basic civic amenities such as electricity, water, roads, sewage, etc.

A local resident Suraj said, "No work has been done here. The promise of providing Ganga water has also not been fulfilled yet. No development has taken place for the last 10 years, even the water lines have not been laid. The old water line which was laid down during the previous Congress government is still being used. There is no water and sewer facility, with sewage water overflowing in the streets. But no one tried to get it fixed. The promises made by Aam Aadmi Party have not been fulfilled till now. In mohallas and settlements, senior citizens were not even paid monthly pensions on time. As the elections are coming near, pension applications are being distributed and many more announcements are being made now only for electoral gains."

Another local resident Ram Prakash said, "I am not happy with the work of the present AAP government and the local MLA. The condition of roads in our area are in pathetic condition, drinking water woes also persist. The AAP MLA in our area is Naresh Yadav. He has been a legislator from here for the last 10 years, but he has not done any development. He only comes asking for votes at the time of elections. There are potholes on the roads, dirty water is emanating from the water taps, due to which people are falling ill."

He further added: "Accidents often happen on the roads and people get injured. The promise made to build roads like those in foreign countries was also not fulfilled. The condition of Mohalla clinics is so bad that they have become garbage heaps and some Aam Aadmi Party people sit there, drink alcohol and have fun. If you want, I can take you to Lado Sarai or Mukhiya Colony and show that no developmental work has been done there. The AAP only spends money on promotions through advertisements with their party posters being printed, but the reality is that no substantial work has been done here. We and the entire people of Mehrauli are not happy with them."

Another local resident Mahendra said, "The promises made by the Aam Aadmi Party in our area, like building beautiful roads and providing facilities like in foreign countries have not been fulfilled till now. There was talks of ending water shortage but that, too, has not been resolved yet. There was no improvement in terms of roads, water and other basic facilities. The MLA has not done any special work, and I am not at all satisfied with him. Nothing concrete has been done here, only promises were made which have not been fulfilled till now."

A local resident Tara Devi said, "There is a lot of water shortage in my area. We do not get water at all during summers. Some water still comes in winter. The roads in our area are also in very bad condition. Even the drains keep overflowing on the roads. There is no one to see and resolve our problems. Drain water keeps flowing till the entire street. We live with a lot of suffering."

--IANS

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Karnal, Dec 11 (IANS) The women from self-help groups who had set up their stalls in the exhibition organised at ICAR-IIWBR in Karnal, Haryana, shared how they have become self-reliant and how their earnings have increased.

Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday laid the foundation stone of the Natural Agriculture Laboratory at the Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research (IIWBR) under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), in Karnal, Haryana.

Women from various districts of Haryana who came to participate in the exhibition are doing their own work with the support of the government and getting increased income. These women have now become 'Lakhpati Didi' as their annual incomes have exceeded Rs 1 lakh. By doing different jobs, they gained confidence and now they manage their living on their own. Along with this, they also take care of their family.

These women run different groups in their villages. Some women are making bags, some are doing sewing work. Some women are making pickles, jams, and chutney without chemicals and are earning money by selling them through different mediums.

There are some women who make earthen pots and earn money by selling them. The work started by the women through self-help groups has reached new heights today. Along with increasing their income, they are becoming 'Lakhpati Didi'.

'Lakhpati Didi' Balbiro said, “We are associated with a group. We do the work of making and stitching bags. 400 women are associated with our group. Our group is in Ambala district. The name of our group is 'Upkar'. Ten women from our group have come here.”

Another woman Savitri said that she works in making earthen pots. We make cups, plates and bowls. We are from the Nuh district. Our group is called 'Chand'. We are 12 women who work in making earthen pots. We have received assistance from the government and our incomes have increased.”

Usha who is associated with the self-help group 'Saraswati', said, “I am from Kurukshetra district. Our group makes pickles, jams and chutneys. We make pickles without chemicals. There are 10 women in a group and we run 32 groups. Along with us, the income of the women in our group has also increased.”

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday issued a strong rebuttal of allegations made by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on the performance of India’s banking sector, especially Public Sector Banks (PSBs), stressing that during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) tenure, PSBs were treated as ‘ATMs’ for their 'cronies and shady businessmen'.

In a series of lengthy tweets, FM Sitharaman said that Rahul Gandhi’s penchant for making baseless statements is on full display, yet again.

“India’s banking sector, especially Public Sector Banks (PSBs), have seen a remarkable turnaround under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Didn’t the people who met with the LoP tell him that high concentration of corporate credit and indiscriminate lending during UPA tenure had resulted in significant deterioration in the health of PSBs?” asked FM Sitharaman.

“It was actually during the UPA regime when bank employees were harassed and forced to give loans to cronies through “phone banking” by the then Congress-led UPA Govt functionaries,” the Finance Minister posted on X.

Sitharaman also detailed the financial support extended to PSBs, noting that the government had recapitalised them with Rs 3.26 lakh crore over the last decade.

She argued that this investment not only benefits the banks but also the public, as dividends from PSBs serve as a source of income for investors.

“The Public also has a shareholding in the PSBs and dividends are the source of income for such investors also. Not just for the GoI. Didn’t the people who met with the LoP tell him that during the UPA rule these PSBs paid dividends of Rs 56,534 crore?” said FM Sitharaman.

In his X post, Rahul Gandhi had alleged that PSBs were designed to give every Indian access to credit.

“The Modi government has turned these lifelines of the masses into private financiers for only the rich and powerful corporations,” he alleged, claiming that PSBs “are being forced to prioritise profit over people and are thus unable to serve the public effectively”.

FM Sitharaman countered Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, saying citizen-centric governance and inclusive development is the core principle of PM Modi government.

“Didn’t the people who met with the LoP tell him that 54 crore Jan Dhan accounts and more than 52 crore collateral-free loans under various flagship financial inclusion schemes (PM MUDRA, Stand-Up India, PM-SVANidhi, PM Vishwakarma) have been sanctioned?” she asked.

FM Sitharaman also mentioned the PM MUDRA scheme where 68 per cent of beneficiaries are women and under the PM-SVANidhi scheme, 44 per cent of beneficiaries are women.

“Didn’t the people who met with the LoP tell him that loans up to Rs. 10 lakh have increased by 238 per cent in the last 10 years, and their share in total loans has also increased from 19 per cent to 23 per cent?” said the finance minister.

On the issue of recruitment drives in the banking sector, she said that since 2014, PSBs had recruited nearly 3.94 lakh employees and as of October 2024, 96.61 per cent of officers and 96.67 per cent of subordinate staff were in position.

She further said that Rahul Gandhi’s misrepresentation of facts is an insult to the hardworking PSB employees and to the citizens who benefit from a cleaner, stronger banking system.

“It’s high time the @INCIndia up-skills the LOP’s understanding of governance,” said FM Sitharaman.

--IANS

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