India

New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) Nandigram, the tiny speck on West Bengal’s map in Purba Medinipur district that grabbed headlines in 2007 for its stiff resistance to land acquisition for a chemical hub by the then Left Front government and catapulted Mamata Banerjee to power in the state, has turned into a nemesis for the former Chief Minister.

From the war-cry of “Tomar Naam, Amar Naam, Nandigram, Nandigram” (your name, my name, Nandigram, Nandigram), Mamata’s Trinamool Congress is now grappling with criticism over the absence of any significant commemoration of the movement on November 10 this year.

The day is observed as “Nandigram Day”, or “Martyrs Day”, every year since the fall of the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-led government. Participants recall the crackdown allegedly by Left Front supporters who opened fire on a protest rally that day in 2007, killing at least two people in an incident known as “Operation Sunrise”.

This year, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari paid homage to the martyrs in a ceremony to mark the day in Nandigram.

The strongest condemnation has come from Trinamool MLA and spokesperson Kunal Ghosh, who is known not to mince words and to speak what he thinks is right. For Mamata Banerjee, Nandigram was a movement that gave her a moral cause, a political narrative and, ultimately, the keys to the state secretariat.

She coined the slogan “Ma Mati Manush” (Mother, Motherland, People) that the Trinamool Congress used during the 2011 election campaigns to highlight the plight of the villagers affected by the acquisition of some 10,000 acres of agricultural land to build a chemical hub. That interpretation transformed West Bengal’s politics.

Together, Singur and Nandigram allowed Mamata to construct a powerful narrative against the then-ruling Left Front. The issue of industrialisation became a question of power, land rights, and government arrogance. The image of farmers resisting alleged land grabs destroyed the Left Front’s carefully nurtured image as the protector of rural Bengal.

The movement expanded far beyond Purba Medinipur and became a statewide referendum on Left rule. By the time voters went to the polls in 2011, “Ma, Mati, Manush” gained prominence and Mamata stormed to power, ending 34 uninterrupted years of Left Front rule. For the Trinamool Congress, Nandigram became sacred political territory.

But history had another twist waiting. Among the local leaders who emerged from the anti-land acquisition agitation, none gained more prominence than Suvendu Adhikari. He was among the principal organisers and one of the architects of Trinamool's rise in the region.

For years, he was regarded as one of Mamata Banerjee's most trusted lieutenants and perhaps a natural heir within the party's second rung. But after a fallout, his switch to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2020 reinvented the political turf once again. When Mamata Banerjee decided to contest the 2021 Assembly election from Nandigram, the move was designed as a statement.

It was a bid to reclaim the movement's legacy and demonstrate that the political ownership of Nandigram remained with her and the Trinamool Congress. Instead, Nandigram delivered the most symbolic setback of her career.

Mamata lost to Adhikari in the same constituency that had launched her to power. Even as the Trinamool swept the state and secured a decisive third term, its supreme leader had to seek an entry to the Assembly through a by-election.

Even more significantly, the BJP emerged as the principal challenger in a region where the Left had once been the dominant force and where the Trinamool later appeared invincible. That reality perhaps explains the awkwardness surrounding Nandigram today for Mamata Trinamool.

Celebrating the movement means revisiting the story of Trinamool's greatest triumph simultaneously with one of its most embarrassing setbacks. It means acknowledging that the movement's most influential local face now sits obliterated, failing again to secure an entry to the state Assembly after losing – again to Adhikari – from her home seat of Bhabanipur.

Nandigram thus remains the defining moment of Mamata Banerjee's political life. It transformed her from a perpetual agitator into a credible chief ministerial contender and reshaped Bengal’s political map. But it also demonstrated the uncertainty in democratic politics, where the most powerful has been humbled.

If Nandigram was the battle cry that brought Mamata Banerjee to power, it has also become the mirror through which the limits of that power are increasingly visible.

--IANS

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Shimla, Nov 12 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh is set to witness a spell of rain and snowfall over the next four days, with temperatures likely to drop by up to six degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological (Met) Department here on Thursday forecast light to moderate precipitation in several parts of the state from November 12 to 15, with higher-altitude areas likely to receive snowfall.

It said that thunderstorms and lightning are also expected in a few districts, prompting an advisory for residents and farmers to remain cautious.

In higher-altitude areas, light rainfall and snowfall are likely at isolated places on November 12 and 13.

Similar weather activity may occur at one or two locations on November 14 and 15.

According to the Met Department, minimum temperatures may gradually fall by two to four degrees in several parts of Himachal Pradesh over the next three to four days.

During the same period, maximum temperatures are also likely to decline by two to six degrees. This drop in temperature is expected to make mornings and evenings noticeably colder, a weather expert said.

During the past 24 hours, weather conditions across the state remained mainly dry.

No significant change was recorded in minimum and maximum temperatures at most places, although temperatures remained above normal at a few locations.

According to the Met Department, Kukumseri recorded the lowest minimum temperature at minus 2.1 degrees.

Meanwhile, Una had earlier recorded the highest maximum temperature at 32.6 degrees.

Along with rainfall and snowfall, thunderstorms and lightning have also been forecast in some districts.

According to the district-wise warning forecast issued by the department, thunderstorms and lightning may occur at isolated places in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts on Thursday.

On November 13, similar weather activity is likely at isolated places in Kangra, Kullu, Mandi and Shimla districts.

On November 14, thunderstorms may occur at a few places in Chamba and Kangra.

No specific weather warnings have been issued for any district for November 15 and 16.

The Met Department said weather activity could damage standing crops.

Weak structures and temporary huts may also suffer partial damage.

Residents have been advised not to take shelter under trees during thunderstorms, minimise outdoor activities and move to safe locations.

People have also been urged to stay updated with the latest weather forecasts and follow advisories issued by the state government.

With rainfall, possible snowfall and falling temperatures expected over the coming days, Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness a noticeable shift towards colder winter conditions.

--IANS

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Ranchi, Nov 12 (IANS) In another incident of wildlife tragedy, an elephant died after coming into contact with a sagging high-voltage power line in Jharkhand's Khunti district on Thursday morning, officials said.

The incident took place in Tetari village under the Rania police station area in Khunti. The elephant's carcass was found in bushes near a government girls' middle school.

Forest department officials, police personnel, and electricity department teams rushed to the spot after receiving information and launched an investigation.

According to villagers, the accident took place at around 5 a.m. The elephant was reportedly moving towards the village from the Koel River side when it came into contact with an 11,000-volt power line hanging unusually low over the path. The animal died on the spot following the impact of the electric shock.

Villagers discovered the carcass in the bushes later in the morning. The news of the incident quickly spread across the region, drawing large crowds to the site.

After locals informed forest officials and the Rania police about the incident, teams from the Forest Department and police inspected the area. Employees of the Electricity Department also arrived at the scene.

Investigation into the unfortunate incident is currently underway.

The tragedy has raised concerns about the safety of animals that pass by the power lines through forested and rural areas.

Meanwhile, a herd of around a dozen elephants has been roaming the forests and nearby villages of Rania block in Khunti for the past two months, according to villagers. The herd frequently strays out of the forest into rural settlements. Their incursions into farmlands have caused significant crop damage, and there have also been reports of damage to houses in some areas.

As a result, local residents remain concerned about the frequent movement of elephants in the region. In the past two months alone, seven elephants have died in separate incidents across Jharkhand.

In a similar incident reported from West Bengal in September, the carcasses of three elephants -- a mother elephant and her two calves -- were spotted in a paddy field at Salboni in West Midnapore district.

An initial investigation had suggested that the three elephants came in contact with a high-tension electricity wire.

According to local sources, a herd of elephants was passing through the village. An electric pump was installed to irrigate the farmland, with a live wire passing through the land. It is believed that the three elephants died after touching the wire and getting electrocuted.

--IANS

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Shimla, Nov 12 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh BJP legislator Rakesh Jamwal on Thursday criticised the Sukhvinder Sukhu-led Congress government over its decision to redevelop historic Hotel Peterhof under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, accusing it of putting the state’s valuable public assets and heritage at risk to cover up financial mismanagement.

Questioning the government's intentions, Jamwal asked whether the move was another chapter in its alleged “Himachal on sale” agenda.

He said Peterhof was not merely a hotel but an important symbol of Himachal’s history and Shimla’s identity, traditionally hosting government functions, weddings, social gatherings and important meetings.

Referring to government orders issued following the January 19, 2026, Cabinet meeting, he said fresh bookings were reportedly restricted beyond June 12, while accommodation and event bookings were expected to stop from November 25.

He demanded clarity on the property's closure period, redevelopment cost and the revenue losses HPTDC would incur.

Jamwal, who is the party’s chief spokesperson, also questioned a November 6 tender reportedly concerning the removal of the existing structure and site clearance.

He asked whether an independent structural assessment had been conducted and why renovation and modernisation alternatives had not been made public.

He further alleged that Peterhof was part of a broader policy of transferring public tourism assets to private operators. Eight HPTDC properties -- Apple Blossom at Fagu, Sarvari in Kullu, Lake View in Bilaspur, Mamleshwar in Chindi, Chanshal in Rohru, Shivalik in Parwanoo, Old Ross Common in Kasauli and Giriganga in Kharapathar – have already been approved for private operation.

Citing government information presented in the Legislative Assembly, Jamwal said these properties generated Rs 6.76 crore in revenue during 2025-26. He also questioned the approval of approximately Rs 49.56 lakh in consultancy fees for appointing a transaction adviser, asking why public-sector improvements were not explored instead.

Also quoting the prolonged Wildflower Hall dispute, Jamwal cautioned that private management agreements involving valuable government properties could have long-term consequences.

Although the state regained possession of Wildflower Hall on March 31, 2025, the Oberoi Group subsequently secured operating rights for another 35 years through a competitive process.

He urged the government to reconsider its approach and ensure that Peterhof's heritage, public ownership, financial interests and long-term control remain protected.

--IANS

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Visakhapatnam, Nov 12 (IANS) Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu said on Thursday that the sixth round of trade talks with India is currently underway, with both countries aiming to finalise the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's anticipated visit his country next month.

Sidhu held a meeting with India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on the sidelines of the CII summit here to take the trade talks ahead.

Both sides highlighted energy, uranium, critical minerals, and investment as core pillars. Sidhu noted that Canada is scaling up its LNG projects, aiming to be the fifth-largest global exporter within five years, which will enable the country to support India's rising energy demand.

Canada remains a leading investor in India, with institutional investors and pension funds (such as Fairfax) having invested over $100 billion. Discussions also touched on expanding tech collaborations in artificial intelligence and data infrastructure.

During the visit of India’s business delegation to Canada led by Commerce Minister Goyal in May this year, the second edition of the CII–CIBC report, 'From India to Canada: Economic Impact and Engagement', was released in the presence of Ministers Goyal and Sidhu.

The report highlights the significant and growing contribution of Indian companies to the Canadian economy. According to the findings, nearly 50 Indian companies have invested close to CAD $11 billion in Canada, generating over 33,000 jobs across the country. Indian businesses have established a presence across almost all Canadian provinces, reflecting the success of provincial-level engagement with India. The report also underscores the diversification of Indian investments across sectors such as technology, life sciences, manufacturing, mining, and other key industries.

In addition, Indian companies have invested approximately CAD $1.1 billion in research and development and contributed more than CAD $24 million towards corporate social responsibility initiatives, strengthening their engagement with local communities across Canada. Looking ahead, the report signals strong business confidence, with 100 per cent of surveyed companies planning to increase their investments in Canada over the next five years and 97 per cent intending to expand their workforce.

--IANS

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Bengaluru, Nov 12 (IANS) Bengaluru Development Minister, Krishna Byre Gowda, on Thursday alleged that his speech had been removed from the programme schedule for the inauguration of the Namma Metro Pink Line by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Bengaluru, claiming that he was being punished for demanding Karnataka’s rightful share in the project.

It can be noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is inaugurating the 7.5-km elevated stretch of Namma Metro's Pink Line in Bengaluru on Friday between Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere.

In a post on X, the Minister said his speech had initially been included in the draft programme but was removed from the final schedule circulated on Wednesday night. He claimed that despite Karnataka bearing a major share of the capital expenditure on the Metro project, he was denied an opportunity to speak at the inauguration for raising questions about the State’s rightful financial share.

“The reward for seeking justice for Karnataka is that my speech has been cut! The Bengaluru Development Minister has not been given an opportunity to speak at the Metro inauguration,” he said.

“My speech had been included in the draft programme. However, in the final list circulated last night, the Bengaluru Development Minister’s speech was removed. A major share of the capital expenditure is borne by us. This is how we are punished for seeking Karnataka’s rightful share,” he added.

The Minister also posted copies of the draft and final programme schedules. The draft had listed his speech after the welcome address by BJP MP Tejasvi Surya. However, his address was missing from the final schedule. However, Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s speech remained in the revised programme.

Krishna Byre Gowda has been seeking a larger allocation of funds for the Metro project in Bengaluru and had raised the issue earlier as well. He said the removal of his speech would not affect his commitment to the city’s development.

“It is all right. You can cut my speech, but you cannot stop me from working for Bengaluru’s development. We will work with even greater dedication,” he said.

The allegation comes amid a political debate between the Congress government in Karnataka and the BJP over the contribution of the Centre and the State to the Namma Metro project.

Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, responding to the credit war over the Metro inauguration, said the Prime Minister’s visit and the inauguration were part of an official government programme and should not be turned into a political contest.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Bengaluru to inaugurate the Pink Line of the Metro. Meanwhile, a credit war is going on, with the Congress government asserting that it has spent 84 per cent of the money, while the Centre is still due to provide its share. At the appropriate time, the Central Government will release its share to the State,” he said.

He said neither the State government nor the Centre should claim exclusive credit for the project.

“Nobody can claim credit for this. Our country and our State should get the credit, not any political party. This is not the time to claim credit. We have to develop the State to the level of the country so that the country gets name and fame,” he said.

Narayanaswamy added that BJP leaders, including Leader of the Opposition in Assembly R. Ashoka and State BJP president B.Y. Vijayendra, would meet the Prime Minister during his visit.

Former Chief Minister and BJP leader Basavaraj Bommai also responded to the debate over the release of grants for Namma Metro, stating that 60 to 65 per cent of the Metro project funding comprised loans that were repaid through the Metro’s own revenue.

He said people should not be misled into believing that the government repaid these loans from its treasury, as the repayment was made through revenue generated from passenger fares.

“The public repays the loan through Metro ticket fares. The loan is not repaid from the government treasury. Loans are secured only after obtaining a guarantee from the Central Government,” he said.

Bommai said the Centre and the State contributed equally to the Metro project, with their respective shares standing at 50:50. He added that during his tenure as Chief Minister, he had provided Rs 2,500 crore for the Orange Line.

--IANS

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New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu said on Thursday that there is no dearth of talent in our country and the students only require the right opportunities, a conducive environment and proper guidance to contribute to building 'Viksit Bharat by 2047'.

Interacting with a group of meritorious students from Eklavya Model Residential Schools at Rashtrapati Bhavan, President Murmu urged students to aim high and strive to realise their dreams with dedication, discipline, and self-confidence.

She said that education should not only be a means to earn a livelihood for themselves; rather, their goal should also be to create employment opportunities through their knowledge.

She stressed that when our youth become job creators, the country's inclusive development will gain further momentum.

The President appreciated that Eklavya Model Residential Schools are not only providing quality education to tribal students but also offering them opportunities to hone their multifaceted talents.

This interaction was organised by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as part of Janjatiya Gaurav Pakhwada, observed every year to commemorate the birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda, an official statement said.

The President added that the nation is moving forward to achieve the goal of Viksit Bharat by the year 2047 and the development of every region of the country and every section of society is essential.

She said that there is no dearth of talent in our country.

"What the students require are the right opportunities, a conducive environment, and proper guidance," the President added.

She was happy to note that the ratio of boys and girls in Eklavya Model Residential Schools is equal.

She said that it is a testament to country's progress toward inclusive development.

The President advised students to be well-informed about current affairs and the changes taking place in the country and the world.

This will help them develop logical thinking and analytical skills, she said.

She advised students that whenever they visit their village, they should share with their family members, relatives, and neighbours, the knowledge of current affairs and information about public welfare schemes being implemented by the government.

"Such efforts on their part will benefit their family and society, and will also add greater meaning and purpose to their education," the statement said.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Nov 12 (IANS) A senior retired IAS officer, A.P. Shrivastava, received a rude shock on Thursday morning when he opened his bank locker at the State Bank of India branch located on the campus of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM) in Madhya Pradesh's capital Bhopal, and discovered it completely empty.

The officer, who holds the locker jointly with his two daughters, namely Surabhi and Shruti, had approached the branch officials after facing difficulty in operating the lock as according to him the lock was "jammed".

Speaking to IANS, he said he visited the branch with his daughter Surabhi and handed over the keys to bank officials.

When the locker was finally opened, it was found empty and all the valuables that had been stored inside were missing.

“I was taken aback. The locker was completely empty. Everything is gone,” the devastated retired officer said.

He further informed that the locker had not been operated since 2024.

Branch Manager Harish Mehra confirmed the incident. “The customer is a valued customer of the bank. He came and found it difficult to open the locker. Later the locker was opened and nothing was found inside,” Mehra said.

Harish Mehra added that it was possible the customers might have forgotten the contents or that the valuables could still be stored in some other bank locker, though no clear explanation was immediately available.

Police have been informed and an investigation has been initiated.

Investigating Officer Nirupa Pandey of Kamla Nagar police station area stated that the probe is underway and all aspects of the case are being examined.

"A formal complaint from the officer is yet to be received," Pandey said.

The incident has raised serious questions about the safety and security protocols followed for bank lockers, especially at a branch situated within a premier educational institution.

Bank lockers are widely regarded as one of the safest places to store jewellery, documents and other valuables by the common man.

Cases of lockers being found empty after long periods of non-operation often lead to disputes between customers and banks over responsibility and liability.

The retired IAS officer has demanded a thorough enquiry and recovery of the missing items. Bank officials have assured full cooperation with the investigation.

Further details are awaited as the probe progresses. The matter has caused concern among other locker holders at the branch, many of whom are now seeking clarification on the security measures in place.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 12 (IANS) The BJP on Thursday stepped up its attack on Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan over the handling of the ongoing agitation by Lower Primary School Teacher (LPST) job aspirants, accusing him of going back on promises made when he was the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekha, national secretary K. Surendran and party MLA V. Muraleedharan visited the protesters' venue in front of the Secretariat and expressed solidarity with their agitation.

Chandrasekhar said that when Satheesan was the Leader of Opposition, he "made big talks on the then Asha workers' strike".

“I am here not to make this a controversy. The people in Kerala gave a vote for Satheesan to solve issues, but it’s going to be six months now and apart from talks, no headway has been made. We demand that the job aspirant's demands be met, and till it’s met, we will be with them,” said Chandrasekhar.

Surendran said Satheesan had visited the protest venue while in the Opposition and promised a permanent solution to the grievances of the protesters if the UDF came to power.

However, after becoming Chief Minister, he was now betraying them, he alleged.

He recalled that CM Satheesan had expressed anguish when a woman protester, Valarmathi, had shaved her head as part of the ongoing agitation, saying he was moved to tears.

The same Chief Minister was now using the police to dismantle the protest venue and silence the protesters, Surendran alleged.

He said the government was following the same politics of neglect adopted by the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government towards protesters.

The BJP's stand that the Congress and the CPI(M) were no different was being vindicated, he added.

Muraleedharan, meanwhile, accused Satheesan of adopting double standards by preparing to launch protests in Delhi while suppressing agitations in Kerala.

He said the Chief Minister's authoritarian style of functioning was unacceptable.

The same people who had promised to resolve the demands of LPST job aspirants within 24 hours of coming to power were now dismantling their protest venue, he alleged.

Muraleedharan also challenged Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal to clarify whether CM Satheesan's stand represented the party's position.

The BJP leaders demanded that the government hold talks with the protesters and give them clear assurances on their appointment demands.

--IANS

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Kolkata, Nov 12 (IANS) Mamata-Trinamool Congress General Secretary and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday vowed to continue his political fight against the Bharatiya Janata Party-led West Bengal government, declaring that no bulldozer could silence him, even as the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) demolished three structures allegedly encroaching on footpaths outside his residence in Kolkata's Kalighat.

"No number of bulldozers can silence my voice or break my resolve. I will continue my fight against the Bangla Birodhis. I will neither retreat nor budge an inch until my last breath," he said in a social media post, shortly after the demolition drive was completed.

The operation assisted by the Kolkata Police began on Thursday morning, with a makeshift bamboo structure outside the residence being razed first.

The structure had reportedly been used as a seating arrangement for security personnel when Abhishek Banerjee enjoyed Z-plus security cover provided by the state government during the previous Trinamool Congress government led by his aunt and former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

An iron gate outside the residence, which also allegedly encroached on the footpath, was subsequently demolished.

A Trinamool Congress Martyrs' Memorial, constructed with concrete and iron beams, was also razed as part of the operation. All three structures were brought down using a bulldozer.

The removal of the bamboo shed had initially been undertaken by Trinamool workers on Wednesday evening.

However, the exercise remained incomplete until KMC personnel, accompanied by police officers and a bulldozer, arrived at the spot on Thursday morning and completed the demolition.

The temporary shed had become a subject of controversy over the past few days.

Tensions had flared in Kalighat during the intervening night of November 6 and 7, when a large gathering assembled outside Abhishek Banerjee's residence for his birthday celebrations. Several people were seen taking shelter under the temporary structure.

The presence of the shed subsequently drew objections from local residents, who reportedly complained that the construction was obstructing pedestrian movement on the footpath.

The demolition drive also came a day after Abhishek Banerjee accused the Kolkata Police of keeping his residence under constant surveillance and snooping on him.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the Mamata-Trinamool Congress leader had questioned the police surveillance arrangements around his residence.

Soon after this social media post, party workers began dismantling the bamboo structure.

The KMC-led operation on Thursday, however, extended beyond the shed to include the iron gate and the party's memorial.

Abhishek Banerjee's remarks following the demolition indicated that he viewed the action as part of the continuing political confrontation with the BJP government in the state.

-- IANS

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