India

Kolkata, Dec 11 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah's office has confirmed to the West Bengal state Secretariat Nabanna that he will come to Kolkata to attend and chair the crucial Eastern Zonal Council meeting on December 17.

The meeting was originally supposed to have been held at Nabanna only on November 5, but was cancelled due to other engagements of the Union Home Minister.

Sources from the state Secretariat said that before the meeting on December 17, a virtual preparatory meeting, chaired by Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla and attended by senior officials from the members states, namely West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Sikkim, will be conducted on Monday

It is learnt that the main meeting of the Eastern Zonal Council on December 17 will be conducted at the state secretariat auditorium. Besides the Chief Minister of the member states, the meeting will also be expected to be attended by the chiefs of all central armed forces.

Now it remains be seen whether on this occasion there will be a separate one-on-one meeting between the Union Home Minister and West Bengal Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee. State government officials, however, said that there is no indication of such a separate meeting happening as yet.

Meanwhile, sources from the BJP's state committee in West Bengal said that attempts are on to convince Shah to have a meeting with the top party functionaries in the state and give them some message on the future strategies of the party. However, there is no final confirmation on this count as well till date.

--IANS
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Panaji, Dec 11 (IANS) In an apparent jibe at the Congress, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that the previous governments approach towards infrastructure was for ‘vote bank', rather than the needs of the public.

"Earlier, only 70 airports were there. But now we have connected them with the small cities. We have expanded the network of airports. This has resulted in 72 new airports in the last eight years," the Prime Minister said after inaugurating the Mopa international airport in Goa, which is named after former Defence Minister late Manohar Parrikar.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik were also present on the occasion.

"Aviation policy has given scope to the middle class people to opt for flights to travel. Air travel has become affordable as the network is expanding.

"In our country, the approach towards infrastructure for many decades was more than the need of the public... Priority was given to vote bank. Because of this, thousands of crores of rupees were spent on projects which were not needed. Wherever there was a need for infrastructure, it was sidelined," Modi said.

Expressing happiness that Mopa airport is named after Parrikar, the Prime Minister said that he will be remembered by everyone visiting here.

"It was the demand of people that Goa needs a second airport. The Atal Bihari Vajpayee government had planned this airport. But after his government, nothing was done... For a long period it was pending. In 2014, Goa got a ‘double engine' for development. We completed this project though there were many obstacles," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that this airport has the capacity to handle 40 lakh travellers per year, which could be increased to 3.5 crore in the future.

"This will help the tourism sector. Also, cargo facilities will increase export opportunities," he said.

"Before 2014, the approach of the government was such that air travel was considered a luxury. They didn't think of the middle class. They did nothing for the development of airports. Despite potential, we lagged behind. Now the nation is working for development," he said.

"This is the new Bharat. We are carving a new identity on a global platform. Global approach towards India is also changing rapidly. Today the world wants to know about India," he said.

The Prime Minister said that tourism is growing in the country and his government is taking all efforts in that regard.

The Manohar International Airport is the second airport in Goa. The foundation stone for the airport was laid by Prime Minister Modi in 2016. This airport has been built at a cost of Rs 2,870 crore.

--IANS
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Panaji, Dec 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday appealed to all the countries to collaborate with India and to contribute to get global status for ayurveda, which he said teaches the system of living.

The Prime Minister was addressing the valedictory session of the 9th World Ayurveda Congress here.

Goa Governor P.S. Sreedharan Pillai, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, Union Minister for Ayush Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik and Union Minister of State for Ayush Munjpara Mahendrabhai were also present on the occasion.

"Institutions like the Centre for Integrated Medicines are doing research on yoga and ayurveda. These research papers are getting published in prestigious journals. Recently, the Journal of American College of Cardiology and Neurology published many research papers. I wish all the delegates of the World Ayurveda Congress, all countries to come together to get global status for ayurveda," Modi said.

The Prime Minister said that yoga is celebrated worldwide as global festivals of health and wellness.

"Today, yoga and ayurveda have become hope for the people. Ayurveda teaches us a system of living and how to remain happy. It teaches how to be healthy. Ayurveda is a way of life too," he said.

Drawing similarity to a computer that malfunctions due to lack of knowledge of the end user, the Prime Minister said that ayurveda teaches us that body and mind should be healthy together and in harmony with each other.

"With the experience of knowledge, science and culture, our aim is to foster the concept of ‘welfare of world'. And ayurveda is an effective medium for the same," he said.

"I am happy that more than 30 countries have given recognition to ayurveda as a traditional medicine system. We have to reach more countries by united efforts," Modi said.

"I am confident that these three institutes (inaugurated today) will give a new boost to Ayush healthcare system. Ayurveda is a science, the motto of which is to see everyone happy with good health. Life should be free of diseases. The world is getting attracted towards ayurveda. I had started to encourage it since I was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. This helped open the first global centre for traditional medicine at Jamnagar by WHO. We even established a separate ministry for AYUSH," Modi said.

"We had ayurveda's results as well as effects in our favour, but we were lagging behind in terms of evidence. Our medical data, research, and journals have to be brought together to verify every claim on modern scientific parameters," he said.

The Prime Minister said that the government has created a Ayush Research Portal for evidence-based research data, where about 40,000 research studies are available.

"During the Corona period, we had about 150 specific research studies related to AYUSH. We are now moving forward in the direction of forming a National Ayush Research Consortium," he added.

"In the AYUSH industry, there are many opportunities for everyone. Around 40,000 MSMEs are taking initiatives. The AYUSH industry has grown from Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 1.5 lakh crore in eight years," he said.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) The Congress put on its worst-ever performance in the recent MCD polls, winning nine seats only and after BJP's Delhi President resigned despite his party winning 104 seats, Congress' Delhi unit chief Anil Chaudhary is now under pressure to quit too.

Chaudhary has not indicated that he will quit, defending himself by noting that vote percentage of the party has increased, but now senior leaders are talking about responsibility and accountability in both Delhi and Gujarat.

The party's Gujarat in charge Raghu Sharma has already sent his resignation to party President Mallikarjun Kharge.

The Congress in Delhi is on the decline since its 2013 Assembly poll loss and now has zero seats from the city in both the Parliament and the Assembly.

BJP's Delhi chief Adesh Gupta resigned from the post on Sunday, days after his party lost out to the Aam Aadmi Party in the high-stakes Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) elections.

He resigned after taking the moral responsibility of the defeat and sources said that his resignation has been accepted. The new acting president will be Virendra Sachdeva.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) BJP's national President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Sunday appointed Virendra Sachdeva as the new working president of Delhi BJP.

At a programme organised at the state office here, the top leaders of the party welcomed the newly-appointed state working president Virendra Sachdeva by presenting him with bouquets.

Sachdeva, in his address, expressed gratitude to the party for being appointed as the working president and said, "We have to start preparing for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections without any rest. We have to spread the message of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' among the masses to ensure victory of all the seven BJP candidates from Delhi in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections."

In his welcome address, leader of opposition Ramvir Singh Bidhuri said that the family of Sachdeva is settled in Old Delhi after being displaced from Pakistan at the time of Partition.

Active in politics since 1988, Sachdeva has held posts of district vice president and general secretary of Chandni Chowk.

In 2009, Sachdeva was appointed as the secretary of Delhi BJP and later became state vice president in 2020.

Between 2012 and 2014, Sachdeva headed the party workers' training wing and between 2017 and 2020, he was the member of the party's National Good Governance Department.

He has been the secretary and treasurer of the Indian Archery Association and at present, he is the associate executive member of the Indian Olympic Association.

--IANS
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Dharamsala, Dec 11 (IANS) Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama on Sunday wrote to Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu to congratulate him on being sworn in as the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, following his party's success in the recent elections to the state Assembly.

"India has been my home for more than 62 years now. I have been happy to reside most of that time here in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh. Consequently, I deeply appreciate the friendship and hospitality that the people from all walks of life in Himachal Pradesh have shown me and my fellow Tibetans all these years.

"Like other places in the state, Dharamsala has grown and developed tremendously since I first arrived in McLeodganj in May 1960.

"I am confident that the people of Himachal Pradesh will continue to prosper, especially the less privileged members of society. I wish you every success in fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people of the state," the Dalai Lama said.

Risen from the ranks with no political dynasty, but wide organisational experience, four-time Congress legislator Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, 58, who throughout his political career was not on the same page with the party's tallest leader Virbhadra Singh, took oath of office on Sunday as the 15th Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh amidst huge crowd.

Four-time legislator Mukesh Agnihotri, 60, took the oath of office as the Deputy Chief Minister at a ceremony that lasted less than 10 minutes.

--IANS
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Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 3 (IANS) A section of the Congressmen in Kerala seemed to be jittery ahead of Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor's scheduled visit to Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts in the next two days.

Tharoor will arrive in Erattupettah, about 40 kms from Kottayam, to address a Youth Congress meeting on Saturday while he will be in Adoor in Pathanamthitta on Sunday.

The two district committees of the party are up in arms on the ground that Tharoor did not inform them and hence they will not cooperate with his visit.

Reacting to the matter, Tharoor said that he fails to understand what has happened in the past two months as complaints are coming up.

"I have no clue what's happening and my office always gives the information. I have committed to attend and I will attend both the meetings and will deliver my speech," said Tharoor.

Tharoor's stock in the state political arena grew hugely ever since he decided to contest against the 'official' presidential candidate of Congress, Malikarjuna Kharge.

Though he lost by a mile, his stock grew the highest especially in his home state, because of the huge interest generated on his candidature.

Sensing trouble, the top leaders in the party - Leader of Opposition V.D.Satheesan and his predecessor Ramesh Chennithala turned very jittery, as they felt Tharoor due to his outgoing personality might bulldoze them.

However, the silver lining for him came when veteran former chief minister Oommen Chandy lent his helping hand following which Tharoor has decided to move forward.

Both Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts are the strongholds of the Chandy faction in the party and hence Tharoor will have no issues when he delivers his speeches.

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has slammed the Congress for abusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Taking potshots at the Congress, party's National spokesperson Sambit Patra on Saturday said that Congress leaders have completed a century of abuses against Modi.

Addressing a press conference, Patra added, "The manner in which top leaders of the Congress party are repeatedly using language and abuses for PM Modi is being seen on TV every day. In such a situation, the Congress has established itself as a party of abusers. Congress leaders called Modi ji 'lowly', 'Yamraj' and what not. In this way, Congress leaders have completed 100 abuses. It reflects their thinking."

"A Congress leader from Karnataka has called Modi ji 'Bhasmasur'. Similarly, recently Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge called Modi ji 'Ravan'. Sonia Gandhi even called Modi ji a 'Merchant of Death'," he said.

Urging the people of the country, Sambit added, "We call upon the people of Gujarat and the country to reject such Congress party in a democratic way by adopting the cycle of democracy."

Condemning Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, he said, "Similarly Arvind Kejriwal tries to make a lie the truth. Just a few days back, Kejriwal said that Manish Sisodia has got a clean chit and the scam that has taken place in the Excise policy is not a scam, but he is not going to be saved."

He also added, "From Manish Sisodia to many accused have changed mobile phones dozens of times in this case. From this you can guess whether the common man changes mobile phones so quickly."

The BJP National Spokesperson said, "Large-scale destruction of digital evidence done by Ex-Excise Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia; 170 mobile phones destroyed by 36 accused in Delhi liquor scam including him. Manish Sisodia changed four mobile handsets in one day and 14 handsets in 2-3 months after CBI's FIR against him. He might have consulted Delhi CM Kejriwal, AAP leader Vijay Nair, liquor scam accused Amit Arora and Sunny Marwah to destroy digital evidence. Sisodia has a huge hand in Excise policy scam, investigation is going on, no one can save him."

--IANS
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New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS) Delhi Police have arrested a 40-year-old drug peddler from Ambedkar Nagar area, an official said on Saturday.

They also recovered 255 grams of fine quality heroin valued at Rs one crore from the possession of the accused identified as Parminder, a resident of Rohini.

According to Usha Rangnani, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest), in view of forthcoming MCD elections, the team of Narcotics Squad of North West district prepared a list of various suspicious persons who are involved in drug peddling crime to find out their pattern of crime.

The team was detailed and specifically tasked to identify and nab criminals involved in drug peddling.

"On December 1, specific inputs were received about the suspicious activities of a person suspected to be a drug peddler. Immediately, a trap was laid and he was arrested from Ambedkar Nagar near Haiderpur. During his cursory search, one transparent polythene containing some pink coloured contraband substance was recovered," said Rangnani.

Parminder confessed that he is a drug peddler and was coming in the area to sell the illicit contraband.

"On weighing, the contraband substance recovered from Parminder was found to be 255 grams. On further verification with the help of a testing kit, the pink coloured 255 grams of contraband substance was found to be fine quality heroin, worth about Rs 1 crore in the international market," said the official.

During interrogation, Parminder also revealed that he indulged in transportation of heroin for the past two years and supplied it to various clients on demand.

"He used to take the delivery of heroin from Rohini in bulk quantity from a supplier and further supplied it to the clients on their demand," said the official, adding that efforts are being made to trace his any other associate and the supplier.

--IANS
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By Praveen Dwivedi
Bhopal, Dec 2 (IANS) It has been 38 years since the fateful intervening night of December 2 and 3 when the world's worst chemical industrial disaster -'Bhopal Gas Tragedy 1984' -- swallowed thousands of people, animals and birds within a span of a few hours. Besides, lakhs of people left with prolonged illnesses and incurable diseases are still running from one to another hospital for treatment.


Even after nearly four decades, the aftermath of that disaster is visible here in many ways -- like anyone visiting any government-run hospital in Bhopal, the patient registration form given at the OPD counter will have a specific disclosure before reaching the doctor, that is -'Are you affected by the Bhopal gas disaster?

People living in J.P. Nagar, which is located hardly 200 metres from the boundary wall of the 85-acre Union Carbide factory, would often be seen peeking into the site through the broken boundary wall, even children would be seen playing in the backyard of the factory.

Around half a dozen buildings, which include offices, guest rooms, canteen for employees and workers, and so on situated at different locations at the site are in a dilapidated state. Each one of these buildings had a specific role to play in the process of making and storing of the highly toxic substance -- methyl isocyanate (MIC).

Surrounded by dense bushes, and a warning note as a prohibited zone for general public, the only building appearing to be in a better condition is the three-storey structure which used to be the office and the residence of senior employees of Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), an American chemical corporation owned by Dow Chemical company. In the other buildings, time and thieves have left their mark.

Apart from the buildings, some other residue such as big size tanks, iron pipes along with flare towers and some other material are also visible. A concrete portion of land within its boundary, located hardly 300-350 meters away from the MIC production site, appeared to be a helipad.

One of the three iron tanks (Tank - E610), whose malfunctioning had resulted in the leakage of toxic MIC gas and caused the deaths of around 3,000 people within a few hours after the leak, is seen lying along the roadside within the premises. Reports suggest that the Bhopal UCIL facility had housed three underground 68,000 litres liquid MIC storage tanks, named E610, E611 and E612.

The underground tank E610, that had stored around 42 tonnes of MIC gas at the time of the disaster on the intervening night of December 2 and 3 was removed from its foundation and set aside later in 2010.

Outside the factory, the iconic statue of a woman with a child on her lap gasping for breath some 200 metres from Union Carbide factory's boundary wall in JP Nagar colony, encapsulates the pain and agony of every 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy victim.

It is a memorial dedicated to the victims by a Dutch sculptor Ruth Waterman, during a visit to Bhopal in 1985 and speaks volumes of the trauma and misery endured by the victims. This iconic statue reminds of the screams of people who were running haphazardly shouting "bhago bhago, gas leak ho gayee hai" (run-run, gas is leaking) on that fateful night 38 years ago.

--IANS
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