India

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 22 (IANS) The health condition of renowned Malayalam writer and Jnanpith awardee M. T. Vasudevan Nair, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Kozhikode, remains critical.

According to hospital sources, while Nair is responding to medication to some extent, his condition remains serious.

He is being treated in the emergency ward of Baby Memorial Hospital in Kozhikode for cardiac issues.

The hospital authorities noted a slight improvement in his health, with Nair showing limited response to treatment. However, a medical bulletin issued by the hospital emphasised that his condition is still critical.

Several prominent personalities continue to visit the hospital to enquire about the health of the hugely admired literary personality.

Nair, also a Padma Bhushan awardee, is considered an icon of Malayalam literature and cinema.

He has won four National Film Awards for screenplay writing and has directed seven films while scripting about 54 others.

His screenplays, now available in book form, are regarded as essential reading for aspiring filmmakers.

Over the years, Nair has received numerous prestigious accolades, including the Kendra Sahitya Akademi Award, Kerala Sahitya Akademi Award, Vayalar Award, Vallathol Award, Ezhuthachan Award, Mathrubhumi Literary Award, and O.N.V. Literary Award.

In 2013, he was honoured with the J.C. Daniel Award for lifetime achievement in Malayalam cinema. In 2022, he received the inaugural Kerala Jyothi Award, the highest civilian honour bestowed by the Kerala Government.

In 1995, Nair was awarded the Jnanpith, India's highest literary honour, for his outstanding contributions to literature.

He also served as the editor of Mathrubhumi Weekly for several years.

In October this year, Nair made headlines after gold ornaments were stolen from his residence while he and his wife were away. The police later recovered the items, implicating a domestic helper in the theft.

--IANS

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Agartala, Dec 22 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi peace has been established in Tripura, various development works have been stepped up and also the 23-year-old imbroglio of Reang tribals has been resolved.

After visiting the Reang tribal settlement camps and virtually inaugurating and laying foundation stones of 13 development projects worth Rs 668.39 crore, the Home Minister while addressing a gathering at Kulai RF Village Ground in Dhalai District, said that the previous Left Front government did nothing for the Reang tribals and other people.

He said that for the settlement of around 40,000 Reang tribals in 12 locations in Tripura around Rs 900 crore was being spent. “With the settlement of the Reang tribals, thousands of the hapless people got a new lease of life. Their children would now get education and other basic facilities,” HM Shah said, adding that all basic facilities, including water supply, electricity, health, education, and road connectivity have been provided in the 12 locations across the state.

These projects inaugurated and laid foundation by the Home Minister include, Sewage Treatment Plants (Rs 25.86 core) under the Agartala Smart City scheme, a Central detective training institute (Rs 120 crore) under the Bureau of Police Research & Development (Ministry of Home Affairs), upgradation of major roads in Agartala along with underground utilities (Rs 318 crore, new Sub Divisional magistrate office, Ambassa (Rs 12.50 crore) and various health centres.

Earlier, accompanied by Chief Minister Manik Saha, former Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb, Lok Sabha Member Kriti Devi Debbarman, union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, Intelligence Bureau Director Tapan Deka visited the Reang tribal settlement camp at Haduklaupara village in Dhalai district.

Over 37,135 displaced Reang tribals in different phases migrated from Mizoram in 1997 after ethnic troubles there and following an agreement settled in 12 locations in four districts of Tripura - North Tripura, Dhalai, Gomati, and South Tripura.

After several years of tussles and agitations, a quadripartite agreement was signed in January 2020 between the Centre, Tripura, and Mizoram governments and the Reang tribal leaders to resettle the 37,136 tribal immigrants comprising 6,302 families in 12 locations in four of Tripura’s eight districts.

The Home Minister on Saturday addressed the 72nd plenary session of the North Eastern Council (NEC), North East Bankers' Conclave and 12th meeting of the North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NESAC) Society.

Later on Sunday, HM Shah would address the National Cooperative Conference in Agartala.

--IANS

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Srinagar, Dec 22 (IANS) Two terror associates were arrested by joint forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore area, officials said on Sunday.

The officials said that a team of joint forces, including the Rashtriya Rifles (RR), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and J&K Police arrested two terror associates on Saturday in the Dangiwacha area of Sopore sub-division from whose possession arms and ammunition were recovered.

“During a search operation, a joint team of the 32 RR, 92 Battalion of CRPF and J&K Police arrested two individuals in the Dangiwacha area of Sopore sub-division. They have been identified as Abdul Rashid Bhat and Sajad Ismail Hurra. A pistol, five 9mm rounds, two grenades and Rs 10,600 in cash were recovered from their possession,” officials said.

Security forces have started an aggressive campaign against terrorists, their over-ground workers (OGWs) and sympathisers. Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has directed the security forces to go all-out against the terror ecosystem to wipe it out completely from the union territory.

The orders from the Lt Governor came after the terrorists carried out some dastardly attacks immediately after the peaceful, people-participative Lok Sabha and Legislative Assembly elections in the UT.

On October 20, two terrorists, a foreign mercenary and a local terrorist fired indiscriminately inside the workers' camp of an infrastructure company in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal district.

Seven civilians, including six non-local workers and a local doctor, were killed in the Gagangir terror attack.

On October 24, terrorists ambushed an army vehicle in the Botapathri area of Gulmarg ski resort. Three soldiers and two civilian porters were killed in the attack.

On November 2, terrorists hurled a grenade at the busy Sunday Market near the tourist reception centre (TRC) in Srinagar. A woman, the mother of three children, was killed and nine other civilians were injured in the Sunday Market grenade attack.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) After a stepwell was discovered during excavation in Laxman Ganj area of Chandausi, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia said that no Archaeological Survey Of India (ASI) team is required yet at the site.

Bringing renewed attention to the region's historical significance, Pensia explained that the step-well was built during the time of the king of Bilari's maternal grandfather. This structure is registered as a ‘baoli’ pond (stepwell), he said, while speaking to media persons.

Pensia described that the second and third floors of this stepwell are made of marble, while the visible top floor is made of bricks. “There are four chambers in this structure, and at present, it is all covered with earth” he revealed.

As per Saturday’s hearing, the Municipal Corporation is directed to remove the mud so that the structure is not harmed.

Although not with certainty, Pensia estimates the structure to be about 150 years old.

At present, there is no ASI team there, “but should the need be in future, the state Archeological Survey team will be approached,” he told the press.

This historical find has come to light following the reopening of the Kartikeya Mahadev Temple in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district after 46 years.

The discovery also comes shortly after the ruins of an ancient Banke Bihari temple were found in the same neighbourhood earlier this month.

On the demand of Sanatan Sevak Sangh officials, Sambhal District Magistrate Rajendra Pensia ordered excavation at the site in Laxman Ganj, which is believed to have housed a stepwell.

After approximately 45 hours of digging, the walls of the stepwell began to emerge. The excavation also revealed four rooms adjacent to the stepwell. However, the digging was paused at night due to hampered visibility.

According to locals and historical accounts, the stepwell and surrounding structures date back to the era of the Revolt of 1857. The site is believed to have been used as a secret camping spot by the royal family of Sahaspur.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Amid the AAP campaigning for the Delhi Assembly polls and announcing one or the other scheme for public welfare to woo voters, Lieutenant Governor V. K. Saxena on Sunday expressed disappointment over the lack of basic amenities and services in parts of the national capital, saying plight of people living there was pathetic.

In a post on social media platform X, the L-G said: "It was extremely disappointing and disturbing to see the helplessness and miserable lives of lakhs of people in the capital."

Sharing visuals of open drains and residents complaining of huge power bills, the L-G, who visited Rangpuri Pahari in south Delhi and Kapashera in southwest Delhi, said: "The stinking water accumulated in the alleys and streets is not rainwater but from overflowing sewers. The women narrating their problems are from Delhi, not any other state."

During the L-G's visit to these areas, South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri and several officials accompanied him.

The Delhi government's claims of providing free power were rubbished, as the L-G posted: "Residents of the area complained of inadequate power supply, irregular water supply and poor garbage disposal. Many residents complained of 8-10 hour power cuts daily and showed high electricity bills.

The L-G assured that a cleanliness drive would begin Monday and he would monitor the AAP government's efforts to ensure residents get basic services.

He asked Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal to visit the areas and take measures to fix issues faced by the public.

The L-G also gave a call to come together to make Delhi great again.

Soon after the Lieutenant Governor's social media post, Kejriwal told the media: "We will address all the shortcomings he has identified."

Kejriwal said that he urged the L-G to identify the shortcomings and "we will resolve them."

--IANS

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Srinagar, Dec 22 (IANS) As unprecedented cold gripped Kashmir Valley causing huge inconveniences to people, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Sunday cancelled all his engagements outside and decided to remain stationed in the Valley.

Taking to X, he wrote, “In light of the severe cold spell in the Kashmir valley & the resultant difficulties with water & electricity supply, I have decided to cancel my forthcoming programmes in Jammu & station myself in Srinagar for the next week to personally monitor the functioning of the Power department & other important departments.”

CM Omar Abdullah has said that he will personally monitor the functioning of the power and other important departments.

He also said that cancelling his programmes in Jammu will cause some inconvenience to organisers and he regretted the same.

“I do appreciate that cancelling my programmes in Jammu will cause some inconvenience to the organisers & I regret the same. However under the circumstances this is the right thing to do & I will make it up to the people/organisations whose programmes have been affected,” he added on X.

He further said that he is on his way back from Jaisalmer and will be back in Srinagar Wednesday morning.

As the 40-day long period of extreme winter cold, locally called the ‘Chillai Kalan’ started On Saturday, the minimum temperature dropped to minus 8.5 degrees Celsius in Srinagar city after 24 hours.

Most water pipes and water pump sets either have burst or remained frozen rock solid. People in Srinagar city and other towns of the Valley found managing water a Herculean task.

The miseries of the locals are compounded by the shortages of electric power supply. According to the engineers of the power development department, there is a deficit of 600 megawatts at peak hours between demand and supply.

This is only managed by unscheduled power curtailment even in metered areas where 24X7 electric supply is otherwise assured by the government.

The Meteorological (MeT) department has forecast cold, dry weather till the evening of December 28 and also said that there could be an improvement in the night temperature due to cloud cover.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Apart from helping beggars and the homeless during winters, the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) plans to study the Indore model for a ban on giving alms to beggars for the larger interest of helping the destitute get over substance use.

“NDMC wants to help beggars and we are open to studying the best practices in the country in the field,” NDMC Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal told IANS, expressing his openness to learn from the Indore model.

Besides being the cleanest city in the country, Indore is known to be a pioneer in civic governance and a role model for others. Indore‘s smart city initiatives have won the cleanliness award for the seventh year in a row.

In a bid to transform its streets and align with the Union government's initiative under the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme, Indore has announced a ban on giving alms to beggars starting January 1, 2025.

The ban on giving alms in Indore follows findings of a government study which showed that children and youth involved in begging were using thousands of rupees collected every week for drug addiction and other anti-social activities.

Highlighting the night shelters and toilets made ready for winter challenges for beggars, Chahal said the NDMC has converted some of its community centres and barat ghars to help the homeless and beggars brave the winter chill.

The NDMC Vice Chairperson said the civic agency plans to engage with NGOs at a deeper level to help beggars and the homeless give up living on the streets and addiction.

Chahal said NDMC and NGOs regularly hold camps for beggars but the civic agency is now looking to step up its counselling campaign for beggars and their families to convince them to shift to permanent shelters and abandon begging.

The 42 sq km area under NDMC represents a smart city in itself and is considered to be the window to a developed India. The civic agency, which was ranked 7th in Swachh Survekshan rankings for 2023, competes with 400 other cities in domains such as smart mobility, digital payments, EV infrastructure, smart public spaces, civic services and beautification, apart from other statutory functions like waste management and sanitation.

--IANS

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Chennai, Dec 22 (IANS) Following a strict directive from the southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the Vijayan government has deployed a team to Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, to retrieve medical waste allegedly dumped by middlemen employed by hospitals in Kerala.

The NGT directed the Kerala government to remove the waste by December 23.

A team from Kerala, led by Assistant Collector Albert, has initiated the removal process.

Eight trucks have been deployed to transport the waste back to Kerala. The dumping of medical waste in Tirunelveli has sparked outrage in Tamil Nadu, particularly in areas like Nadukallur, Kodaganallur, Kondanagaram, and Suthamalli, where the waste was dumped.

Complaints have been lodged with the Suthamalli police, resulting in six cases being registered. Two individuals from Tirunelveli, including a lorry owner and a supervisor of a private waste management company from Kerala, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the illegal transport and dumping of the waste.

Tirunelveli District Collector Karthikeyan expressed concerns over the claims made by the Kerala inspection team regarding the waste being non-hazardous.

He questioned why middlemen were hired and significant sums of money spent if the waste was harmless.

Karthikeyan emphasised the need for strict action against those responsible to prevent future incidents.

Large quantities of biomedical, plastic, and food waste from the Thiruvananthapuram Regional Cancer Centre and a private hospital in Kerala were found dumped in the Kodaganallur and Palavoor villages of Tirunelveli.

The waste included hazardous materials such as used syringes, PPE kits, and medical records containing sensitive personal information, raising serious health, environmental, and data privacy concerns.

Residents have reported that the dumping, often occurring at night, has polluted local water sources, harmed livestock, and caused health issues.

Despite repeated complaints from landowners, the issue remains unresolved.

Police suspect trucks, allegedly transporting waste to a nearby paper mill, are involved in the illegal dumping.

C.M. Kumaraswamy, a social worker told IANS, "Even though installing CCTV cameras at strategic locations to monitor and identify vehicles that dump medical waste ,was mooted by environmentalists and social workers ,no significant action has been taken.” He said this was necessary to check illegal dumping of waste.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday announced the commencement of registrations for two new welfare schemes -- Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana -- starting December 23.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, Kejriwal outlined the benefits of the schemes and the door-to-door registration drive that AAP workers will undertake to ensure widespread participation.

Under the Mahila Samman Yojana, every woman in Delhi will receive Rs 2,100 monthly. This initiative aims to support women in managing household expenses and pursuing higher education.

Highlighting the importance of the scheme, Kejriwal said, "We know how hard mothers and sisters work. Many manage their households while working outside. This Rs 2,100 will help daughters complete their college education and enable housewives to handle rising household expenses or fulfil their personal aspirations, such as buying a saree or suit for themselves."

"Ever since this scheme was announced, we have been inundated with calls and queries about registration. Today, I want to announce that registration will begin tomorrow. You do not need to stand in lines or waste time. Our AAP teams will visit your homes, register the women, and provide a registration card. Keep this card safe," the AAP convenor added.

Kejriwal also elaborated on the Sanjeevani Yojana, a free healthcare initiative for senior citizens aged 60 and above. Under this scheme, the Delhi government will bear all treatment costs in both government and private hospitals, irrespective of income level.

"The middle class, which has tirelessly contributed to the country's progress by paying taxes, often finds itself neglected during retirement. The biggest concern for many is how to afford healthcare in old age. I want to assure all senior citizens that the AAP government will take care of your medical expenses," Kejriwal stated.

Registration for both schemes will start simultaneously, with AAP teams visiting households to ensure enrollment. Kejriwal emphasised that Delhi voters are eligible for the schemes and urged people to keep their voter IDs ready.

He also took an indirect dig at the opposition, accusing them of cancelling voter IDs to deprive people of welfare benefits. "Check if your voter ID is active. If it has been cancelled, inform us immediately, and we will ensure it is reinstated," he said.

Kejriwal, along with Atishi and Manish Sisodia, announced that they would personally visit certain areas to kickstart the registration process.

"This is a significant step towards empowering women and ensuring healthcare for the elderly. Tomorrow, the drive begins in full swing across Delhi," he concluded.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 22 (IANS) The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has imposed a penalty of Rs 2 lakh for misleading advertisement on Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study regarding the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023 and has directed the coaching institute to discontinue the misleading advertisements with immediate effect

“The decision was taken to protect and promote the rights of consumers as a class and ensure that no false or misleading advertisement is made of any goods or services which contravenes the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act,” according to an official statement issued on Sunday.

“In view of the violation of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the CCPA, headed by Chief Commissioner Nidhi Khare, and Commissioner Anupam Mishra has issued an Order against Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study for misleading advertisement regarding UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023,” the statement said.

Coaching Institutes and online edtech platforms use pictures and names of successful candidates to influence prospective aspirants, without disclosing the courses opted by such candidates or the fees paid by them and the length of the course so attended, the statement pointed out.

Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study in its advertisement made the following claims: 13 students in the Top 100, 28 students in the Top 200, and 39 students in the Top 300 in UPSC CSE 2023.

Further, the advertisements prominently depicted photographs and names of the successful candidates of the UPSC Civil Service Exam 2023, without mentioning any information about the specific course opted for by such candidates.

Shubhra Ranjan IAS Study prominently displayed successful candidates’ names and pictures and simultaneously advertised various types of courses provided by them on its official website. However, the information concerning the course opted by the said successful candidates in the UPSC Civil Service exam 2023 was not disclosed in the advertisement.

The institute offers nearly 50+ courses. However, the DG Investigation report found that most of the claimed successful students took the Political Science and International Relations (PSIR) crash course and test series which comes into play after clearing the preliminary examination.

By deliberately concealing information about the specific course opted by each of the successful candidates, the Institute made it look like all the courses offered by it had the same success rate for the consumers, which was not right.

It is the right of the consumer to be informed about the specific course that successful candidates have taken from the coaching institute to make it into the final selection of CSE. For the potential consumers, this information would have contributed to their making an informed choice about the course to opt for their success at CSE.

Section 2(28) (iv) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, defines misleading advertisements, including those which involve “deliberately concealed important information”. Information regarding the specific course opted by successful candidates is important for the consumers to know so that they can make informed choices while deciding which course and coaching institute to join.

The institute also used terms such as "Shubhra Ranjan IAS" and "Students of Shubhra Ranjan IAS" in its advertisements and letterheads, creating a deceptive impression that Mrs Shubhra Ranjan is or was an IAS officer. This constitutes a misrepresentation and unfair trade practice under the Consumer Protection Act 2019, thereby misleading the public and potential students into believing that the services or guidance provided by them are directly associated with the credibility of an IAS officer, the statement said.

The Institute submitted that it was a clerical mistake, which is not tenable as the term Shubhra Ranjan IAS or @shubhraranjanias has been frequently used on its letterheads and in its advertisements. The institute utilized deceptive practices to create a perception of exceptional quality and success. An advertisement should be a truthful and honest representation of facts by making disclosures in such a manner that they are clear, prominent and extremely hard to miss for viewers to notice, the statement added.

--IANS

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