India

Aizawl, Dec 25 (IANS) New Mizoram Governor General (retd.) Vijay Kumar Singh is likely to take charge next week, replacing Hari Babu Kambhampati, who was appointed as Governor of Odisha by President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday, sources from the Raj Bhavan said on Wednesday.

Sources said that Kambhampati is now in Andhra Pradesh and is likely to return to Aizawl on Friday and then move to Odisha to take up his new role.

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Wednesday expressed thanks to both the outgoing Governor Kambhampati and Governor-designate General (retd.) V.K. Singh.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister said: "I sincerely thank Hari Babu Kambhampati for his dedicated service as Governor of Mizoram and wish him success as the Governor of Odisha. A warm welcome to General (retd.) VK Singh on his appointment as Mizoram's new Governor. We look forward to his leadership ahead."

Kambhampati, a former teacher at Andhra University Engineering College for 24 years, was appointed as the Mizoram Governor in 2021.

Former Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das has stepped down as Odisha Governor and President Murmu has accepted his resignation.

The newly appointed Mizoram Governor General (retd.) V.K. Singh was born on May 10, 1951.

He served as the 24th Chief of Army Staff and after retiring from the Indian Army, he entered politics and was elected as a Member of Parliament from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on a BJP ticket in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first term, he served as the Minister of State for External Affairs, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), and Minister of State for Statistics and Programme Implementation.

In PM Modi's second term, he held the portfolios of Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways and Civil Aviation.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid floral tributes at the portraits of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan on their birth anniversary, on Wednesday.

Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda; Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw; Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal; Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav; Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju; Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge; Members of Parliament and former MPs also paid tributes to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the occasion.

Booklets containing the profiles of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, brought out in Hindi and English by the Lok Sabha Secretariat, were presented to the dignitaries.

The portraits of Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya and Atal Bihari Vajpayee were unveiled in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan (then Parliament House) on December 19, 1957, and February 12, 2019, respectively, in recognition of their outstanding services to the nation.

The President of India awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya posthumously and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2015.

Earlier, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla paid floral tributes to Atal Bihari Vajpayee at ‘Sadaiv Atal’ in New Delhi.

Paying tribute to Vajpayee, Om Birla said in a post on X, “Heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister, Bharat Ratna Late Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji on his birth anniversary. Atal ji will always be remembered as a wise politician, dynamic poet, author, mentor and inspirational personality.”

“By being elected to the Lok Sabha 10 times and to the Upper House twice, respected Atal ji enriched our parliamentary traditions and remained dedicated to the progress of the nation throughout his life,” he added.

“Be it the ruling party or the opposition, he was respected by all. His approach towards parliamentary traditions and his behaviour of simplicity and dignity in the House is exemplary for all public representatives. In memory of late Atal ji, 'Good Governance Day' is also celebrated across the country on this day. Best wishes to all countrymen on this occasion,” the Speaker wrote.

Similarly, paying tributes to Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya, Birla wrote on X, “Humble tributes to the great educationist and freedom fighter, Mahamana Pt. Madan Mohan Malaviya ji on his birth anniversary.”

“The entire life of Bharat Ratna Malaviya ji was dedicated to the country and countrymen. His approach towards education was a beautiful synthesis of Indian culture with modern science,” he added.

“With the aim of preparing a generation enriched with modern knowledge and science and imbued with the spirit of Indianness, he laid the foundation of Kashi Hindu University. Mahamana's personality and work will always inspire us,” the Lok Sabha Speaker said.

--IANS

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Jaipur, Dec 25 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Wednesday that cooperative societies across the country will boost prosperity in the state.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced the launch of 10,000 newly formed Multipurpose Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (M-PACS), Dairy, and Fisheries Cooperative Societies across the nation to commemorate the birth centenary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister late Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

These initiatives aim to bolster the rural economy by ensuring the efficient availability of resources and services at the grassroots level.

The event also saw the participation of Chief Minister Sharma, who addressed the audience via video conference from a parallel state-level ceremony at Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur.

Certificates of registration were distributed to selected cooperative societies, including Ghevar PACS from Alwar district, represented by its President Ramesh Chand Sharma.

Chief Minister Sharma highlighted the role of cooperatives in achieving good governance and empowering citizens.

Marking former PM Vajpayee's birth centenary as 'Good Governance Day', the Chief Minister announced the establishment of Atal Gyan Kendras in every gram panchayat to create awareness and employment opportunities for rural youth.

He affirmed the government's resolve to address cooperative sector challenges and strengthen the movement with new cooperative codes, for which a dedicated committee has been formed.

Rajasthan boasts 8,000 Gram Seva Cooperative Societies actively serving rural farmers, he said.

The state government aims to integrate more women into these societies, promoting economic empowerment, he added.

Under the Sahakar Se Samriddhi Abhiyan, dairy committees and their members will be linked with cooperative banking systems, enabling the provision of interest-free crop loans, CM Sharma said, adding, "This year, the government has set an ambitious target of Rs 23,000 crore in crop loans for 35 lakh farmers."

Chief Minister Sharma proudly declared Rajasthan a leader in forming new M-PACS and Dairy Committees. These initiatives are opening new avenues of self-reliance for farmers and livestock keepers through RuPay KCC cards, micro-ATMs, and other resources, he said.

CM Sharma concluded by reiterating the government's commitment to enhancing the cooperative movement and uplifting farmers and livestock farmers through crop loans and other initiatives.

Speaking at the Sahakar Se Samriddhi Abhiyan event in New Delhi on Wednesday, Amit Shah emphasised that these multipurpose PACS will significantly enhance rural facilities and expedite economic development.

Amit Shah credited former PM Vajpayee for bringing cooperatives to the forefront of India's development.

He lauded former PM Vajpayee's visionary leadership in strengthening the nation through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and the Kisan Credit Card Scheme.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) On January 9, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that December 26 would be observed as Veer Bal Diwas to commemorate the martyrdom of the sons of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Sahibzadas Baba Zorawar Singh Ji and Baba Fateh Singh Ji, who were martyred in 1704.

The martyrdom of the Sahibzadas

Guru Gobind Singh’s four sons — Sahibzada Ajit Singh, Sahibzada Jujhar Singh, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh, and Sahibzada Fateh Singh — were among the most revered figures in Sikhism.

During the war between the Mughals and Guru Gobind Singh, the Guru's family was separated after a fierce battle near the Sarsa River. Following their capture, the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb offered the young Sahibzadas safety if they converted to Islam.

Refusing to abandon their faith, the two younger sons, Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, were sentenced to death. They were bricked alive in the walls of a fort in Sirhind (Punjab), becoming symbols of unwavering faith and courage.

Sahibzada Ajit Singh and Sahibzada Jujhar Singh were killed in the Battle of Chamkaur in 1704, fighting bravely against the Mughal forces.

Veer Bal Diwas: Remembering the sacrifice

Veer Bal Diwas is not only a day to remember the martyrdom of Sahibzada Zorawar Singh and Sahibzada Fateh Singh, but also a reminder of the sacrifice made by all four of Guru Gobind Singh's sons and the courage they displayed.

Their martyrdom epitomises the Sikh ideals of faith, sacrifice, and resilience in the face of adversity. This day honours their legacy and the values they upheld, reinforcing the principles of the Khalsa and the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh.

The legacy of Guru Gobind Singh

Guru Gobind Singh (born on December 22, 1666, in Patna, Bihar) is one of the most influential figures in Sikhism. After the martyrdom of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur, he became the Sikh Guru at the age of 9.

Guru Gobind Singh was not only a religious leader but also a warrior, poet, and reformer who played a critical role in shaping Sikh identity and spirituality.

Key contributions

Religious reforms: Guru Gobind Singh introduced the Five Ks—five articles of faith for Khalsa Sikhs:

Kesh (uncut hair)

Kanga (wooden comb)

Kara (iron or steel bracelet)

Kirpan (dagger)

Kachera (short breeches)

Khalsa: Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa panth, a community of dedicated Sikh warriors bound by strict ethical and religious principles, including abstinence from tobacco, alcohol, and halal meat.

Guru Granth Sahib: He declared the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy text, as the eternal Guru of the Sikhs, ending the line of human Gurus.

Martial contributions: Guru Gobind Singh led Sikh forces in battles against the Mughals, notably the Battle of Muktsar (1705) and the Battle of Anandpur (1704), where he lost his mother and two younger sons.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Dec 25 (IANS) Former Karnataka Chief Minister and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said on Wednesday that the present Congress-led state government has completely undermined the moral integrity of the police department.

Speaking to reporters, former CM Bommai also alleged that senior police officials are behaving like constables.

Those who work legally and fairly are being punished, he alleged.

"Policemen should uphold the law, but the Congress wants officers who are loyal to them. This has led to a division in the police department based on party affiliations," he said.

"Punishing officers in uniform is demoralising them. This system must be corrected immediately, or it will lead to major problems in the future," he underlined.

Former CM Bommai also accused the Congress of shifting from its pre-independence nationalist stance to becoming "anti-people" and "anti-nation" today.

Asked about Congress's centenary celebrations of the 1924 Belagavi Congress session presided over by Mahatma Gandhi, he told reporters that the Congress of today is anti-people and anti-nation.

Asked about the incident where eggs were thrown at BJP MLA N. Munirathna Naidu in Bengaluru, the BJP MP said the Congress' misgovernance has crossed all limits.

"If they lack even the basic understanding that one should not take the law into their own hands, what is the point of celebrating a centenary?" Bommai added.

Asked about an incident in Kalaburagi where a woman was electrocuted on the road, the former CM said: "This government has not just delivered an electric shock but many shocks to the people. For instance, expired medicines supplied by blacklisted companies were given to pregnant mothers, which is shocking. This shows that ordinary citizens are not safe under this government. Whether it's law and order, roads, drinking water, health, or electricity, people are not safe in any sector."

Regarding Congress' opposition to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement about the Constitution's architect B.R. Ambedkar, Bommai said: "Congress has been exposed in Parliament regarding Ambedkar. To cover it up, they are staging such dramas. The Congress government had suspended the police inspector posted with the Khanapur police station in Belagavi for letting the BJP leaders inside the police station during the arrest of BJP MLC C.T. Ravi."

BJP MLC Ravi was arrested on charges of issuing derogatory remarks against State Women and Child Welfare Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar in the Legislative Council.

The BJP has alleged police high-handedness in the incident.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Dec 25 (IANS) West Bengal Doctors' Forum, an association of medical practitioners in the state, on Wednesday, sent an email communique to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to rename Dorina Crossing, a popular protest point in central Kolkata, as 'Abhaya Crossing'.

The junior doctor of Kolkata-based R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital who became the victim of a brutal rape and murder within the hospital premises in August this year is referred to as “Abhaya” since the legal system of the country bars revealing the identity of any rape or rape and murder victim.

According to the leader of the forum, the meaning of “Abhaya” is not restricted to the dictionary meaning that it refers to a brave woman. Rather, pointed out one doctor, the name “Abhaya” now symbolises movement for justice, security and honour.

That is why, he added, they want the name of ‘Dorina Crossing’ to be changed to “Abhaya Crossing”.

Currently another association of doctors namely the West Bengal Joint Platform of Doctors is currently holding a protest at Dorina Crossing which will continue till Thursday.

The protest is against the failure of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to present the supplementary charge sheet against the two accused of tampering with the evidence in the case.

Recently, a special court in Kolkata granted “default bail” to the former and controversial principal of R.G. Kar Sandip Ghosh and the former SHO of Tala Police Station Abhijit Mondal as CBI failed to file the supplementary charge sheet against them within 90 days from the date of their arrests

Both Ghosh and Mondal were accused of misleading the investigation and tampering with the evidence while the initial investigation in the matter was being carried out by Kolkata Police.

This week, a report from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CSFL) surfaced, which has created doubts about the “scene of crime” in the rape and murder case.

On the morning of August 9, 2024, the body of the victim was spotted at the seminar hall within the hospital premises of R.G. Kar and Hospital, accordingly, first the Kolkata Police and then CBI carried out the investigation considering the seminar hall as the “scene of crime”.

However, a report that CGSL has submitted to the CBI agency, has clearly stated that there is no evident sign of scuffle within the seminar room, sources aware of the development said.

In fact, the CSFL report strengthens the apprehension raised by the section of the medical fraternity in the state since the beginning that the actual “scene of crime” was someplace else and after the rape and murder, the body was shifted to the seminar hall to mislead future investigation.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Dec 25 (IANS) On former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 100th birth anniversary, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several major development projects in Madhya Pradesh, including the highly anticipated Ken-Betwa Link Project.

The event marked a significant milestone in the region’s development, with PM Modi highlighting the transformative potential of these initiatives, particularly the river-linking project, for the Bundelkhand region and surrounding districts in Uttar Pradesh.

Addressing a large gathering, PM Modi said that once the Ken-Betwa Link Project is completed, it will open new doors of prosperity and happiness for the people of Bundelkhand. The project, aimed at improving water availability and irrigation facilities, will also benefit neighbouring districts of Uttar Pradesh like Banda, Mahoba, Lalitpur, and Jhansi.

The project is expected to have a profound impact on the local economy, especially for the farming communities in the region.

Several farmers from the Khajuraho area expressed their excitement and optimism for the future, telling IANS about how the project would resolve long-standing water scarcity issues and improve their livelihoods.

One farmer commented: "It’s great news for all of us that PM Modi has initiated this project. All the issues we faced in the past regarding water supply will be resolved now."

Another farmer added: "I feel good that PM Modi visited our region. This scheme will benefit all farmers, and I am hopeful for a better future."

The enthusiasm was not limited to farmers alone. Local people across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh expressed their gratitude for the project, which promises to bring long-term benefits to the region.

One resident from the Ghode Dam area in Madhya Pradesh said, "Today, PM Modi has launched a Rs 44,500 crore water-related plan. This is a fantastic initiative, and we are excited about its implementation."

Echoing the sentiment, another resident from Khajuraho said: "Only PM Modi could have undertaken such an ambitious project. He has fulfilled the dream of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and this will create jobs and improve the lives of all of us."

The launch of the project has given local communities a sense of hope, with many seeing it as a long-awaited opportunity for the development of Bundelkhand, an area that has long struggled with water scarcity.

The Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP), a crucial part of India's river-interlinking initiative, aims to transfer water from the Ken River to the Betwa River, both tributaries of the Yamuna. This 221-km canal, which includes a 2 km tunnel, will provide irrigation water to over 11 lakh hectares of land. The total cost of the project is Rs 2,208 crore, and 40 per cent of the work has already been completed, with the remaining work expected to be completed by 2026.

As part of the project’s second phase, high-pressure irrigation facilities will be introduced in 253 villages in Shivpuri and Datia districts. This will provide irrigation to 1,10,400 hectares of land, benefiting approximately 53,790 families. Additionally, the project will secure 6 million cubic meters of water for drinking purposes, ensuring clean water for about 1.65 lakh people across 33,000 families in 125 villages in Pichor tehsil.

The Ken-Betwa Link Project promises to bring lasting change to the region, fulfilling the dreams of both Atal Bihari Vajpayee and PM Narendra Modi by ensuring sustainable development and improved livelihoods for the people of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. The local communities, farmers, and residents are already looking forward to the positive impact the project will have on their daily lives.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 25 (IANS) India is projected to witness 6.5 per cent real GDP growth in the current and next fiscal (FY25 and FY26), according to a report on Wednesday, which is in line with the expectation amid a resilient economy and strong fundamentals.

The latest 'EY Economy Watch December 2024' projected that combining the real GDP growth of first two quarters of FY25 at 6.7 per cent and 5.4 per cent, respectively, with RBI's revised growth estimates for 3Q and 4Q FY25 at 6.8 per cent and 7.2 per cent, respectively, "the annual FY25 real GDP growth may be estimated at 6.6 per cent".

“However, if the turnaround in GoI's investment expenditure remains subdued, Q3 growth may be 6.5 per cent or less," the report mentioned.

The real GDP growth eased to 5.4 per cent in the July-September quarter (Q2 FY25), compared to 6.7 per cent in the preceding quarter.

The available high frequency data for October and November point to a mixed picture regarding the growth momentum of the Indian economy.

Headline manufacturing PMI witnessed a softer expansion of 56.5 in November compared to 57.5 in October. Services PMI, however, remained nearly stable at 58.4 in November 2024, close to its level of 58.5 in October 2024, on account of strong international demand and improving business confidence.

As per the data released by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association, retail sales of motor vehicles continued to show a double-digit growth of 11.2 per cent in November.

In particular, retail sales of two wheelers and tractors showed robust growth rates of 15.8 per cent and 29.9 per cent, respectively, in November 2024, according to the EY report.

"October 2024 witnessed an increase in IIP growth to 3.5 per cent, up from September’s 3.1 per cent, driven by stronger manufacturing and electricity production," the report mentioned.

CPI inflation eased to 5.5 per cent in November from 6.2 per cent in October as vegetable prices eased, whereas core CPI inflation remained steady at 3.7 per cent for the second successive month.

WPI inflation also moderated to 1.9 per cent in November from 2.4 per cent in October.

According to DK Srivastava, Chief Policy Advisor, EY India, in the medium-term, India's real GDP growth prospects can be kept at 6.5 per cent per year, provided the government accelerates its capital expenditure growth in the remaining part of the current fiscal year and comes up with a medium-term investment pipeline "with participation from the GoI and state governments and both their respective public sector entities, and the private corporate sector".

--IANS

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Kolkata, Dec 25 (IANS) Former West Bengal Education Minister and Trinamool Congress Secretary General Partha Chatterjee and his close associate Arpita Mukherjee have been shown as the highest beneficiaries in the total scam amount of Rs 151.26 crore in the cash-for-school job case in the records of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as elaborated in its fifth and last supplementary charge sheet.

As per the supplementary charge sheet filed at a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Kolkata, of the total amount of Rs 151.26 crore confiscated by the ED so far, the combined share of proceeds of Chatterjee and Mukherjee in the entire amount is Rs 103.78 crore.

The confiscation is in terms of cash and gold seized and immovable property attached.

The second highest confiscation amount in the matter, as mentioned by the ED in its records, is that of a private corporate entity linked to another prime accused, Sujay Krishna Bhadra, where the confiscation amount is Rs 7.47 crore.

Apart from that, as the agency informed the special court, another amount of Rs 2.70 crore linked to the same corporate entity is in the process of confiscation.

The other major beneficiaries in the case, as per the records of the ED are private promoter Ayan Shil and now-suspended youth Trinamool leaders Kuntal Ghosh and Shantanu Bandopadhyay. The combined confiscation amount involving the last three individuals mentioned is Rs 15.03 crore.

Subsequent charge sheets filed by ED in the school job case have named a total of 54, out of whom 29 are individuals and the remaining 24 are corporate entities and trusts. These trusts were mainly used to divert the scam proceeds in the matter under the masquerade of donations.

One such trust, as mentioned by the ED in the records, is the Babli Chatterjee Memorial Trust, which is named after the deceased wife of Partha Chatterjee. Besides Chatterjee, his son-in-law Kalyanmoy Bhattacharya has also been shown as an accused in the case.

--IANS

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Hyderabad, Dec 25 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Wednesday said that Medak Cathedral Church, which is celebrating its centenary, has national recognition.

He participated in the centenary celebrations of the church in Medak and conveyed greetings to the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas.

The Chief Minister stated that the government released adequate funds for the development of the church.

Revanth Reddy recalled that he had visited the church as the state Congress chief, sought blessings, and vowed that he would come back as the Chief Minister.

"Today, I am visiting the church to celebrate Christmas and also centenary celebrations of the church along with the devout," he said.

Asserting that the Congress government is for the poor, the Chief Minister said Dalit and tribal Christians will be the biggest beneficiaries of the Indiramma housing scheme. These communities are also benefiting from the 200 units of free power scheme.

Lauding the Christian missionaries, the Chief Minister said they focussed on education and medicine. Inspired by their service, the Congress government introduced fee reimbursement and Rajiv Arogyasri, he said.

The church, which is one of the most visited in South India, was illuminated with colourful lights.

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma had participated in the centenary celebrations of the church on December 22.

A large number of Christians from Telangana and neighbouring states, including Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh participated in the celebrations.

Medak Cathedral was built by British missionary Charles Walker Fasnet. During a famine, he initiated the construction of the church under a “food for work” programme to provide employment and prevent starvation deaths.

The church was constructed between 1914 and 1924 and during this period, the workers were compensated with paddy.

Consecrated on December 25, 1924, it is the single-largest diocese in Asia and the second-largest in the world after the Vatican.

Medak Cathedral is the seat of the Bishop in Medak for the Church of South India comprising Wesleyan Methodist, Congregational, and Anglican missionary societies.

The church complex is an architectural marvel spread over more than 300 acres. The is 100 feet wide and 200 long and conforms to the Gothic Revival style. It can accommodate about 5,000 people at a time.

The mosaic tiles were imported from Britain and Italian masons were engaged in laying the decorative flooring. The bell tower is 175 feet high and visible from a few miles.

According to information on the Medak district website, massive pillars built with fine-hewn and well-dressed grey stone support the gallery and the whole edifice. The roof of the church is made sound-proof by means of hollow sponge material and has an impressive style of vaulting.

The biggest attraction of the Cathedral is its stained glass windows depicting different scenes from Christ’s life – Ascension behind the altar, Nativity in the west transept, and Crucifixion in the east transept. This magnificent Cathedral is the quintessence of impeccable craftsmanship and attracts more than 30 lakh tourists every year.

--IANS

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