National

IndiGo Pilot Slapped By Flier After 13-Hour Delay, Files Police Complaint

15-Jan-2024 500

New Delhi: A passenger aboard an IndiGo flight physically assaulted the aircraft's pilot while he was making an announcement regarding delays. A video of the assault is now viral on social media.

The incident took place on the IndiGo flight (6E-2175) from Delhi to Goa which was delayed due to fog by several hours on Sunday. The passenger has been identified as Sahil Kataria. The pilot has filed a complaint against him and the airline is currently in the process of filing an official case.

In the viral video, a man in a yellow hoodie abruptly ran up from the last row and hit Anup Kumar, the flight's co-captain, who had replaced the previous crew due to Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) norms after several hours of delay.

A passenger punched an Indigo capt in the aircraft as he was making delay announcement. The guy ran up from the last row and punched the new Capt who replaced the previous crew who crossed FDTL. Unbelievable !

FDT are regulations to ensure the well-being of pilots and flight attendants by mandating adequate rest periods and mitigating fatigue-related safety concerns. The responsibility for establishing FDTL falls under the jurisdiction of the Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The future of Indian education is bright: Dr. Meena Jha

15-Jan-2024 460

Usha Pathak Senior journalist.

New Delhi : (Agency). Famous educationist and Prof. (Dr.) Meena Jha of Central Queensland University of Australia has said that the future of the Indian education system is very bright and the children here are very hardworking.

Dr. Jha, who has obtained M.Tech and PhD in Computer Science after B.Tech, said this during an interview. She said that by considering IIT as a role model in the Indian education system and moving forward, the education here will further improve.

In response to a question, Dr. Jha said that the education system in foreign countries is based on serious analysis and implementation whereas the Indian education system has become examination based. Here, the focus of the children is only on how to pass the examination better. However, the children here are very hardworking.

She also said that in India too, there are IITs and some institutes where the level of research is a model for the world. This should also be adopted by other Indian educational institutions. She said that Indian educational institutions working together with industry and society will not only increase employment but will also create more skilled and efficient children. L.S.

Attempt to kill senior West Bengal journalist Mrityunjay Sardar by crushing him, government should provide security

12-Jan-2024 430

Kolkata: Journalist organizations have strongly condemned the attempts to kill senior West Bengal journalist Mrityunjay Sardar by crushing him with a car in Alipur Gopal Nagar area of Kolkata yesterday and demanded the state government to provide him immediate security.

Giving information about the attack in a statement issued here, Mr. Sardar, editor of three dailies published from the state, said that he has suffered injuries in his hands, legs and shoulders in this incident, but he is said to be out of danger. He has been discharged after first aid. He had already expressed apprehension of such incidents and had demanded security of life and property from the government and administration.

International head of SAARC Journalist Forum, Ram Nath Vidrohi has said that Mr. Sardar had already expressed the fear of such an incident but no attention was paid to it. The Bengal government should provide them immediate security.

Periodical Press of India (PPI) President Dr. Surendra Sharma said that the attempt to kill the newspaper editor is highly condemnable. West Bengal government should take immediate cognizance of this incident and take action.

United Indian Journalist Association chief Umendra Dadhich has strongly condemned this incident and has demanded the government to immediately investigate the entire incident and take strict action against the culprits.

Convenor of Save UNI Movement and former press advisor of Bihar government, Dr. RK Raman has demanded immediate action in this matter. Coordinator of this organization and well-known senior journalist Dr. Samrendra Pathak has strongly condemned this incident.

Looting of car & mobile from an engineering student in Vasundhara, Sector 11.

10-Jan-2024 830

Ghaziabad, January 9, 2024. (Agency). Miscreants looted a car and mobile of an engineering student from Vasundhara Sector 11 of Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

Victim student Sambhav Sirohi has lodged a complaint in this regard at Indirapuram Police station. This incident happened late Sunday evening at around 8 pm in the crowded area of Parshuram Chowk. As soon as the student sat in his car after dropping his classmates, criminals entered the car from both sides in the front seat and caught hold of the student and one criminal was standing in front of the car. The victim student was thrown out and the car was taken away. The student's mobile was also in the car. The number of this white colored Honda Amaze car is UP 14 EH 3586. According to the victim student, the culprits were also threatening to shoot him during this incident.

It is noteworthy that criminals have been creating havoc in this area these days. Due to which there is anger among the local people. However, on December 16, the police have arrested two criminals in the case of robbing a mangal sutra from a woman in the same area. He was also involved in the robbery case that took place in Vaishali area.

According to Indirapuram ACP Swatantra Kumar Singh, three miscreants who were planning a robbery have also been arrested from under the elevated road. They were planning to rob a cart full of iron.

A top police officer said that this area has been sensitive from crime point of view as Khoda Colony of Noida and some sensitive areas of Delhi are connected to it. Where on Monday, the team of Noida, Ghaziabad and Delhi Police jointly launched Operation Prahar to nab the miscreants and raided 28 locations. LS.

Here's to health, wealth, and all-around success. Wishing you the best vibes and bubbly on New Year 2024!

01-Jan-2024 643

2024 should mark a new chapter for you. so, leave all the sorrows behind and move forward with determination in your heart. Happy New Year. Best Wishes From

PANKAJ JAIN Mr. Pankaj Jain AAP: Here's to health, wealth, and all-around success.

Wishing you the best vibes and bubbly on New Year 2024! Happy New Year.2024 should mark a new chapter for you. so, leave all the sorrows behind and move forward with determination in your heart. Happy New Year.

Best Wishes From

PANKAJ JAIN

Mithila's daughter Neena became the first woman DG of CISF.

30-Dec-2023 659

Usha Pathak Senior Journalist.

New Delhi, 29 December 2023 (Agency). Mithila's daughter and senior Indian Police Service officer Mrs. Neena Singh has been appointed as DG of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF). She will be the first woman DG of the force.

This information has been given in a government notification. Mrs. Singh is a 1989 batch officer of the Rajasthan cadre of the Indian Police services. Earlier, she was the Special DG in CISF. She became the first woman S.P. of Rajasthan in the year and posted in Sirohi district. She has received many awards.

Along with this, Rahul Rasgotra of Maharashtra cadre of the same batch has been made DG of ITBP. Before this he was posted in I.B. L.S.

The higher education system in Mithila has almost ended:Pathak.

30-Dec-2023 464

Tarun Mohan Journalist.

Darbhanga, 30 December 2023 (Agency). A grand Janaki temple should be built in Puronadham in Sitamarhi, Mithila on the lines of Ram temple in Ayodhya, said well known social worker, Arvind Pathak.

Shri Pathak said this during an interview, here yesterday. In the religious scriptures, the name of the mother of the world, Sita, is mentioned before the name of Ram and she is called Sitaram, he said.

Maa Janaki was born in the Mithila city of Puronadham, but this place has not yet been developed in the same way as the birthplace of Ram, he said.

Mithila is also politically important because 16 MPs and 108 MLAs are elected from this region. The people of Mithila should pay serious attention to this. During his visit to Delhi next month, the Prime Minister will give memorandum to Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, he said.

The people of Mithila have announced a 35-day pad yatra from Delhi to Puronadham via Ayodhya from 25th February. This is a welcome step and every effort will be made to make this yatra successful, he said.

In response to a question, Shri Pathak said that the higher education system in Mithila has almost ended. To improve it, intervention will be sought from President Smt. Draupadi Murmu next month. We will not let it become a pasture and it would be better if the people who have come with the intention of looting find their place elsewhere, otherwise they will have to lose everything here, he said. He mentioned that during his stay in Delhi last month, he discussed with the country's renowned educationists, Vice Chancellors and senior Supreme Court lawyers in this regard. L.S.

Watch: Inside Look Of Amrit Bharat Train Ahead Of Inauguration By PM Modi

30-Dec-2023 878

India's first two Amrit Bharat trains will be launched by PM Modi today during his visit to Ayodhya. The first inside look of the new superfast passenger train gives a glimpse of several facilities it is equipped with. The train features mobile charging points and mobile holders near every seat, LED lights, floor guide fluorescent strips, CCTV and sliding horizontal windows. With several modern amenities, the Amrit Bharat train also has non-air-conditioned coaches.

The Amrit Bharat train has a "push-pull" technology. This technology makes train operation much safer and refers to a configuration where a train can be operated from either end, eliminating the need for the locomotive to be turned around at the end of a journey.

The train is equipped with latest technology to ensure a jerk-free journey, said railways officials. "The Amrit Bharat trains have a special type of coupler called semi-permanent coupler which negates jerk effect. It is safer in terms of operation of the train as well," Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had said.

The train also has dust-sealed wider gangways, an aerosol-based fire suppression system in toilets and electrical cubicles, an emergency disaster management light and segregation of reserved and unreserved coaches with sliding doors.

After the flagging off of the train by PM Modi, the railways will conduct a general run of the train for four to five months to see if it causes any technical challenges, said Ashwini Vaishnaw.

The first two Amrit Bharat trains will run between Darbhanga in Bihar to Delhi's Anand Vihar Terminal via Ayoidhya and Bengal's Malda Town to Sir M Visvesvaraya Terminus in Bengaluru.

Opinion: JDU and Nitish Kumar's Existential Crisis

30-Dec-2023 450

Nitish Kumar has taken over the reins of the Janata Dal United (JDU) again and will perform the double role of party president and Bihar Chief Minister. Four months ahead of the general elections, Lallan Singh, his predecessor, offered his resignation to focus on contesting in the Lok Sabha elections.

Nitish Kumar was, reports suggest, not very happy with Lallan Singh's growing proximity to rival-turned-friend Lalu Yadav's family. The move suggests Nitish Kumar wants control over the party organization as well, at a time when there are questions about the future of JDU.

Lallan Singh joins the long list of leaders whom Nitish Kumar has sidelined over the years, including George Fernandes, Sharad Yadav, RCP Singh, Upendra Kushwaha, and Jiten Ram Manjhi, for his political gains. In Bihar's political circles, the popular saying goes, "Aisa koi saga nahin, jise Nitish ne thaga nahin".

Nitish Kumar is reportedly upset about being left out of the race for convenor of the INDIA bloc of which his party claims he is the founding member. The poor showing by the Congress in Hindi heartland states in recent polls may also have seeded doubts in his mind about INDIA's prospects in 2024. With opinion polls and analysts predicting 2024 is a done deal for the BJP, Nitish has bigger things to worry about.

The JDU is not a family-controlled regional party, unlike most others like RJD, Samajwadi Party, Trinamool Congress, YSRCP, TDP, BRS, DMK, SHS, and NCP, so no leader has wider acceptance, apart from Nitish Kumar. He hasn't declared a successor like Naveen Patnaik has in Odisha. So the future of JDU after Nitish Kumar is a big question. What is his gameplan for 2024 and 2025?

The JDU mostly consists of leaders from the former Janata Dal, who left when Nitish Kumar and George Fernandes broke away over differences with Lalu Yadav and formed their own outfit, Samata Party, in the 1990s. Over the years, leaders from the RJD, Congress and even the BJP have hopped on to the party for power. The party is bereft of any core ideology, so after Nitish retires, the JDU faces the risk of a split, with leaders switching to either the RJD or the BJP.

Nitish has indicated that the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) could fight under the leadership of Lalu Yadav's son Tejashwi Yadav in state elections due in 2025. However, no one can really read what's on his mind. He may not give up the chair so easily (kissa kursi ka).

Nitish Kumar has two most pressing priorities.

How he can ensure the JDU retains a maximum of the Lok Sabha seats won by the party in the 2019 elections?

How he can ensure he remains Chief Minister of Bihar as long as he chooses?

To stay chief minister, he has been flipping between the BJP and RJD as he holds a crucial 15%-16% vote share comprising largely of Kurmis, Koeris/Kushwahas, Economically Backward Classes and Mahadalits, without which neither Lalu nor the Narendra Modi-Amit Shah duo can form a government in Bihar.

In order to hold on to most of his party's Lok Sabha seats, Nitish needs to make a gharwapsi to the BJP-led NDA. But he does not share a good rapport with Modi-Shah. Besides, his credibility will dwindle further, as the unflattering moniker of "palturam" (flip-flop man) of Indian politics is reinforced. The BJP may not wish to take him back but for their Mission 400 in 2024, the NDA needs allies to sweep Bihar and bolster its numbers..

With the Congress party's poor showing, Nitish may well reconcile to his prime ministerial dreams shattered for good. This means a national presence may not matter to him anymore. And the second priority of how he remains chief minister till 2025 and beyond attains greater importance. He may not trust the BJP for fear of a Shiv Sena-like strike.

The bigger question for Nitish Kumar is - to whom does he want to pass on his legacy - BJP or RJD? The RJD, for the sake of power and to enjoy the Deputy Chief Minister position, has to support Nitish unless it is able to break the JDU, which appears to be difficult at this stage. The RJD, though, is likely to flex its muscles closer to the 2025 Bihar polls, with Lalu Yadav demanding chief ministership for son Tejashwi and pole position for him in the campaign.

Nitish Kumar will be 74 years then and nearer to retirement, by some accounts, though people senior to him, like Naveen Patnaik and Pinayari Vijayan, still remain chief ministers. This could tempt him to bargain for 2025 as his last election with the RJD, be the chief minister face again, hold the top post at least for a brief period if he wins and then hand over the mantle to Tejashwi.

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Being the junior partner but still occupying the chief minister's chair makes an alliance with any party tricky for Nitish, with the RJD plus allies just short of a majority by 7 seats. The Mahagatbandhan excluding JDU has 115 MLAs; NDA has 82, JDU has 45 MLAs in a house of 243 where 122 is needed for a simple majority.

The future of Nitish Kumar and the JDU hangs in the balance. Will Nitish remain in INDIA or rejoin the NDA? Will the BJP take back Nitish Kumar to bolster its Mission 400 prospects? Or will the JDU merge with RJD to prevent a split with the condition that he would be chief minister face in 2025?

Trains, Flights Delayed Due To Low Visibility As Dense Fog Blankets Delhi

30-Dec-2023 444

New Delhi: A thick layer of fog has blanketed several states across the country on Saturday morning. Delhi, too, is covered by a dense layer of smog, resulting to the delay of several flights and trains due to low visibility. Passengers who arrived at the stations and airport on time have to wait for long hours, as trains and flights are delayed as a precautionary measure considering low visibility. The India Meteorological Department has also issued a notification of dense to very dense fog conditions in northern India.

Weather Forecast:

India Meteorological Department has forecasted dense to very dense fog conditions over northern states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi until December 31 morning and in some areas for the subsequent three days.

Areas around the national capital and neighboring states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have been dealing with dense fog over the past few days with temperatures dipping to all-time lows and peak winter season in sight.

Section 144 Imposed In Mumbai Along With These Cities For New Year Celebrations: Check Full List Of Restrictions

29-Dec-2023 692

New Delhi: Section 144 and other restrictions have been imposed in several cities across the country for safe New year celebrations. While strict measures have been implemented in some cities and other places, tight security has been arranged for the celebrations on New Year’s eve. Take a look at city-wise restrictions in the country.

Traffic Restrictions Imposed In Hyderabad

Apart from other cities, traffic restrictions have also been imposed in Hyderabad and the city police has released a set of guidelines to ensure public safety in Hyderabad on December 31 (Sunday).

The advisory released by the Deputy Commissioner of Police gives details about the closure of several roads in the city, regulations for cab/taxi/auto-rickshaw operators, guidelines for bars, pubs, and other similar establishments and general instructions for the public.

Hyderabad Police said certain road closures have been made compulsory on the night of December 31. The Nehru Outer Ring Road and PVNR Expressway will remain closed for light motor vehicles, except those heading towards the Airport, during the late hours from 10 PM to 5 AM.

Section 144 Imposed In Mumbai Till January 18

Last week, the Mumbai Police imposed section 144 in the city till January 18 and said as part of the restrictions, the flying of drones, remote-controlled microlight aircraft, paragliders, para motors, hand gliders and hot air balloons over the city will be banned for 30 days

However, the flying of such objects will be allowed for aerial surveillance by police or under specific permission in writing by the deputy commissioner of police (operations).

The Mumbai Police said the prohibitory order will be in force from December 20, 2023, to January 18, 2024 that was issued under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).

Section 144 Imposed In Lucknow Till Jan 2

In the similar manner, section 144 has also been imposed in Lucknow and the gathering of members of the public has been limited in malls, bars, restaurants, hotels and other public places in view of New Year celebrations. The Lucknow district administration has imposed Section 144 in the city.

“Section 144 will be in place for 10 days starting from December 24 to January 2, 2024. This is being done to maintain peace and law and order on the occasion of Christmas and New Year,” the Lucknow Police said in a notice.

“Tickets and access will not be granted to more individuals than the designated capacity, regardless of whether the entertainment programmes are held inside or outside the premises. The management or organiser of the hotel, mall, bar, restaurant, or other public space is in-charge of regulating the loudspeakers’ sound level within the set parameters to ensure that the general public is not inconvenienced,” Lucknow Police said.

“In case of violation, action will be taken considering it a violation of Section 144 of CrPC in addition to the relevant law,” the statement further added.

Restrictions Imposed in Bengaluru

For New Year’s Day celebrations, the Bengaluru Police recently implemented strict measures—with stringent checks on drunk driving and traffic restrictions—in key areas of the city to prevent any untoward incident during the celebrations.

Bengaluru Police said they have fixed a deadline of 1 AM for New Year parties after which no hotels, clubs, and pubs, will be allowed to remain open. Bengaluru Police also launched a campaign against ‘Drink and Drive’ across the city.

Giving details, Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayanand said to curb traffic congestion, restrictions have been imposed around MG Road, Brigade Road, Museum Road, Rest House Road, and Residency Cross Road. No vehicular movement will be allowed except police and essential services vehicles, between 8 pm on December 31 and 1 am on January 1.

Cold Wave Grips North India: IMD Says Dense Fog To Continue For Next 2 Days, Schools Closed In Noida | What We Know SO Far

29-Dec-2023 487

New Delhi: A severe cold wave has gripped entire North India with temperatures going down in several states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Delhi-NCR. Moreover, the IMD said the dense fog situation will continue for the next two days in Delhi-Noida region. The weather office said dense fog is likely to cover most parts of North India including Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh for the next two days. Because of the cold weather conditions, all schools across Noida and Greater Noida will remain closed on Friday and Saturday.

Dense Fog Warning Issued

In the meantime, the IMD has also issued a dense fog warning for Delhi, Haryana and Chandigarh during the late and early hours until December 31.

The weather department has issued an advisory and asked drivers to use fog lights and travellers to stay updated on the schedules of airlines, railways and state transport.

IMD said the minimum temperature in Delhi is expected to hover around seven to eight degrees Celsius for the next five days. Delhi on Thursday recorded a minimum temperature of 8.4 degrees Celsius, one notch above the season’s average, while the maximum temperature settled at 21.4 degrees Celsius, one notch above normal, according to IMD.

Schools Closed in Noida, Greater Noida

Because of the cold wave and foggy weather conditions, the Gautam Buddh Nagar administration on Thursday ordered the closure of all schools across Noida and Greater Noida on Friday and Saturday due to cold weather conditions. However, it said the teachers and other staffers would continue to work on Friday and Saturday, according to the order issued by Basic Education Officer Rahul Panwar.

“In compliance with the instructions given by District Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Maneesh Kumar Verma in view of the dense fog and extreme cold, all the boards (CBSE/ICSE/IB and others) recognised schools, council schools, government schools or non-government aided schools will observe holiday on December 29 and 30,” Panwar said.

In A First, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Named In Probe Agency Chargesheet

28-Dec-2023 502

New Delhi: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has been named in an Enforcement Directorate chargesheet - for the first time - over the alleged purchase and sale of five acres of land in Haryana. Her husband, businessman Robert Vadra, is also named but neither is listed as an "accused", sources told NDTV Thursday morning.

The chargesheet was filed against CC Thampi, an NRI businessman, and Sumit Chadha, a British national of Indian origin. The ED believes they helped fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari - who is accused of violating the Official Secrets Act, among other laws - hide the proceeds of his crimes.

The agency - often accused of acting against opposition leaders on orders from the centre - has referred to Ms Gandhi Vadra's transactions with HL Pahwa, a Delhi-based real estate agent who sold her agricultural land in Faridabad in 2006 and, four years later, re-purchased the same tract.

In addition, ED sources told NDTV, a house was allegedly purchased in Ms Gandhi Vadra's name, in Faridabad's Amipur village, in April 2006 and sold back to Mr Pahwa at the same time as the land.

Mr Pahwa is the same agent from whom Robert Vadra allegedly bought 40.8 acres of land in Amipur between 2005 and 2006, and sold it all back to him in December 2010. A similar deal - for 486 acres- was executed by Mr Thampi, out on bail after his arrest in 2020. The ED had named Mr Vadra - who the agency claims has a "long and thick relationship", with Mr Thampi - in earlier chargesheets.

Mr Vadra has been previously questioned by the ED in other cases and has denied all wrongdoing, but this is the first time the Congress leader's husband has been named in this particular case.

Political Reactions

Ms Gandhi Vadra has not reacted so far, but senior Congress leaders have, including Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and the party's Maharashtra boss, Nana Patole.

In a swipe at the ruling BJP, which is accused of using central agencies like the ED to target opposition leaders, Mr Sukhu said "names of several leaders are attached with ED right before Lok Sabha elections". Mr Patole said the ED naming Ms Gandhi Vadra showed "BJP is... scared of Congress".

"The British were scared of Gandhi then and, even today, the central government is scared of the Gandhi family... BJP is trying to divert people from the real issues," he told news agency ANI.

The Aam Aadmi Party, a member of the Congress-led INDIA opposition bloc, hit out at the ED for "continuously taking action against opposition leaders". AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar said, "The law is 'guilty until proven innocent' for opposition and 'innocent until proven guilty' for the country..."

Congress' Big Changes Before 2024 Lok Sabha Polls

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was at the centre of a major organisational reshuffle in the Congress last week; she was replaced, by Avinash Pandey, as the General Secretary in-Charge of Uttar Pradesh, a politically significant state as the party preps for the Lok Sabha election due in less than four months.

Ms Gandhi Vadra remains the Congress' General Secretary but "without any assigned portfolio", fuelling speculation she will finally make her electoral debut.

Earlier this month sources told NDTV Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is on a (very) short list of political heavyweights - the others are Nitish Kumar and Arvind Kejriwal - who may be fielded against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in UP's Varanasi, seen as a particularly impregnable BJP stronghold.

Midea Input

Ammonia Gas Leak Detected In Ennore, Tamil Nadu; Many People Hospitalised

28-Dec-2023 448

New Delhi: Gas leak is an extremely dangerous phenomenon that is man-made and causes grave danger to life; deaths being a most likely outcome. In an unfortunate accident, an Ammonia Gas Leak has been detected in Ennore, Tamil Nadu. The gas leak has resulted in the hospitalisation of many people who felt uneasy after inhaling the strong smell of ammonia. Know more about this incident..

Gas Leak In Tamil Nadu, Many People Hospitalised

As mentioned earlier, a gas leak was detected in a sub-sea pipe in Ennore, Tamil Nadu. The moment this gas leak was noticed, it was stopped. According to the production head, the leak resulted in a strong smell which made five people uneasy after which they were shifted to a health facility. According to the officials, the five people affected by this, are fine now.

DIG, Joint Commissioner Avadi Posts Update

An update on the gas leak incident has been given by the DIG, Joint Commissioner Avadi, Vijayakumar on the social media platform ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter). He said, “No need to panic. Stabilised. No more gas (ammonia) leaks at Ennore. People reassured and are back home. Medical and police teams present.”

'Manipur To Mumbai': Rahul Gandhi's 'Bharat Nyay Yatra' From Jan 14

27-Dec-2023 393

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is set to embark on a yatra connecting the northeastern and western parts of the country with an eye on next year's national elections. Mr Gandhi will begin his 'Bharat Nyay Yatra' from January 14, a 6,200-km tour from Manipur to Mumbai.

The yatra, set to conclude on March 20 ahead of the elections, is dubbed as the second and East-West phase of his north-south Bharat Jodo Yatra last year that was credited by the party for its election victories in two southern states.

The BJP, however, took a jibe at the Congress announcement and said the people had rejected the idea of Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Mr Gandhi will cover 14 states and 85 districts during the 'Bharat Nyay Yatra', which will be flagged off by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Imphal.

Manipur, Nagaland, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharashtra will be among the states he will cover. This will include stretches of bus rides as well as footmarches.

The Nyay Yatra will be for securing economic, social and political justice for the people of the country, the Congress said.

On choosing violence-hit Manipur as the starting point, the Congress said the party wanted to begin the process of healing the wounds of people.

'Duplicity In Approaches'

The BJP said the people cannot be fooled by coining some slogans.

"The people of India had clearly rejected the idea of Bharat Jodo Yatra because Rahul Gandhi and the Congress cannot have duplicity in these approaches. They think the people of India can be fooled by coining some slogans," said BJP spokesperson Nalin Kohli.

The "real nyay (justice)" is being delivered by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government since 2014, he added.

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Mr Gandhi had embarked on his Bharat Jodo Yatra in September last year from Kanyakumari. The five-month footmarch that saw the participation of thousands of Congress workers as well as Opposition leaders ended in Srinagar in January.

Congress leaders had widely credited the Bharat Jodo Yatra behind the party's electoral performance in Karnataka and Telangana. The Congress had snatched power from the BJP in Karnataka and BRS in Telangana in elections held this year.

Young UP Cop Dies Of Gunshot Injury In Encounter. He Was To Marry In Feb

26-Dec-2023 544

Sachin Rathi had been rushed to a Kanpur hospital after he was shot. The young cop had lost a lot of blood and breathed his last at midnight.

Lucknow: Police constable Sachin Rathi's family was making preparations for his wedding a month later. Now, there will be a funeral. The 30-year-old Uttar Pradesh cop succumbed to injuries last night after he was shot during an hour-long encounter between cops and a notorious criminal.

Rathi was part of a four-member police party that went to arrest Ashok Yadav, a murder accused wanted in at least 20 cases, from his home in Kannauj. They were in for a surprise. Ashok Yadav and his son Abhay opened fire on the cops and tried to escape. Rathi was shot in the thigh.

Under heavy fire, the police party called in reinforcements. Soon after, cops from at least four police stations were at the spot. After an encounter that lasted nearly an hour, the Yadav father-son duo were taken into custody. They had been shot in the leg as they tried to flee during the gunfight.

Rathi had been rushed to a Kanpur hospital after he was shot. The young cop had lost a lot of blood and breathed his last at midnight.

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Originally from Muzaffarnagar, Rathi had joined the police force in 2019. He was to marry a woman constable on February 5. The family, which was gearing up for wedding celebrations, is now in mourning.

Police officers said the young constable would be honoured with a gun salute at the police lines.

Delhi Air Pollution: Air Quality Remains ‘Very Poor’, Check Pollution Level In Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram

26-Dec-2023 654

Delhi Air Pollution: The air quality in the national capital plunged to a very poor category with AQI at 372. Similarly, other areas in the city recorded air quality in the same category with AQI above the 300 mark. Anand Vihar recorded AQI at 384, Lodhi Road at 330, Airport at 344, Pusa at 388, Noida at 328, Greater Noida at 332, Ghaziabad at 302, Gurugram at 285 and Faridabad at 299.

The city on Monday morning recorded ‘very poor’ air quality as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Check Air Quality in Your Area

Delhi: 372

Anand Vihar: 384

Pusa: 388

Noida: 328

Greater Noida: 332

Ghaziabad: 302

Gurugram: 285

Faridabad: 299

As per the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dense fog is predicted to persist from December 25 to December 28. IMD said foggy conditions are anticipated from December 29 to December 30, accompanied by a likely decrease in the minimum temperature.

On Christmas Day, as the cold wave tightened its grip on North India, the national capital woke up to an even colder morning accompanied by dense fog on Monday. The temperature in Delhi on Monday morning was recorded at 9.4 degrees Celsius, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

Visibility dropped to 125 meters in several parts of Delhi, and most parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) also experienced low visibility. On Sunday, the minimum temperature had settled at 9.1 degrees Celsius.

Due to the chilling cold, many sought refuge at night shelters in various parts of the national capital. Similar scenes unfolded elsewhere, with locals gathering near fires in the Lodhi Road area to seek comfort.

Visuals from Lodhi Road, Munirka, RK Puram, and Ring Road near AIIMS depicted a thick layer of fog hanging overhead, with only a few vehicles and commuters venturing out into the streets.

Additionally, Delhi’s air quality on Monday remained in the ‘very poor’ category, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering around 400, according to data provided by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe, and above 450 severe-plus.

In response to the prevailing conditions, all non-essential construction work has been banned in the Delhi-National Capital Region.

Is There A Hijab Ban In Karnataka Schools, Colleges? The BJP Vs Congress Puzzle Explained

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Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's recent statement of lifting the ban on wearing hijab in education institutions in the state has revived the year-old debate on the issue that led to massive protests in Karnataka. CM Siddaramaiah said at an event, while answering a question, that those who want can wear hijab and eat "whatever you want".

Reacting to the statement, the Karnataka BJP criticised Siddaramaiah, expressing apprehensions about the "secular nature" of educational environments.

Taking to X, Karnataka BJP chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa said: "CM Siddaramaiah's decision to withdraw the hijab ban in educational institutions raises concerns about the secular nature of our educational spaces. By allowing religious attire in educational institutions @siddaramaiah govt is promoting dividing young minds along religious lines, potentially hindering the inclusive learning environment."

Is There A Ban On Wearing Hijab In Education Institutes In Karnataka?

After CM Siddaramaiah made the announcement, former CM and BJP leader Basavraj Bommai said there was no question of lifting the ban as there was no ban at all.

"When the Hijab is not banned where is the question of lifting the ban," he questioned. "As per the comprehensive education policy, the school uniform policy came into being but it was brought into effect by the previous government. Siddaramaiah has spoken about the withdrawal of the Hijab ban order when the case was still pending in the Supreme Court. The issue has been raised only for political gains which would be condemned in the strongest words," the former CM said while speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Saturday.

Later, as the matter gained momentum, CM Siddaramaiah clarified that the administration was only contemplating lifting the ban on wearing hijab in educational institutions, and that a decision would be taken after holding discussions at the government level.

"We are thinking of withdrawing the decision (of hijab ban). We will discuss it. I have said this in response to a question. We have not done it yet," the CM said.

On Sunday, Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara said the decision to lift the hijab ban in educational institutions in the state will be done after a thorough examination and within the constitutional framework. "Basavaraj Bommai (former CM) clarified that they have not made any order (regarding hijab). CM Siddaramaiah himself said that even if it is done, we will check it. The government will make appropriate decisions after a thorough examination. No need to get confused about it... Some confusion and interpretations were made on it after the BJP came to power in Karnataka...We will take the decision within the constitutional bounds," he said.

What Karnataka HC Said On Hijab

On March 15, 2022, the Karnataka High Court dismissed petitions filed by a section of Muslim students of the Government Pre-University Girls College in Karnataka's Udupi seeking permission to wear the hijab inside classrooms, ruling it is not a part of the essential religious practice in the Islamic faith. Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi pronounced the verdict and dismissed all petitions challenging the ban on hijab in educational institutions. The verdict was pronounced after the HC heard the case on a day-to-day basis for 11 days from February 10 and later reserved the judgment on February 25.

In its interim order, the bench asked the state government to reopen the educational institutions, which were hit because of the protests and restrained students from wearing hijabs and saffron scarves in the classroom until the final order was delivered.

Petitioners Move SC, Matter Back To Square One After Split Verdict

After no relief from the Karnataka High Court, the petitioners moved the Supreme Court. However, the apex court in October last year gave a split verdict in the case as Justice Hemant Gupta dismissed appeals challenging the Karnataka HC order that had upheld the state government's order to ban wearing hijabs in educational institutions of the state, while Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia allowed the appeals and set aside the HC order.

"It’s a matter of choice, nothing more, nothing less," Justice Dhulia said while pronouncing the order.

Justice Hemant Gupta said the matter is being referred to the Chief Justice Of India for appropriate direction.

Then, on Mar 3, 2023, the Supreme Court said it would set up a three-judge bench to hear a plea of Muslim girl students to sit in examinations in Karnataka government schools while wearing hijab.

"I will create a bench," said a bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud and Justices PS Narasimha and JB Pardiwala when a woman lawyer sought an urgent hearing of the plea saying girls are on the verge of losing another academic year as the exams are being held in government schools which are not permitting wearing of a headscarf.

How It All Began

On January 1, 2022, six girl students of a college in Udupi attended a press conference held by the Campus Front of India (CFI) protesting against the college authorities denying them entry into classrooms wearing headscarves. This was four days after they requested the principal permission to wear hijab in classes, but were not allowed to do so.

College principal Rudre Gowda had said students until then would come to the campus wearing the headscarf but would remov it while entering the classroom.

"The institution did not have any rule on hijab-wearing since no one used to wear it to the classroom in the last 35 years. The students who came with the demand had the backing of outside forces," Gowda had said.

Later, some Hindu students turned up in saffron shawls protesting against the hijab even as the government insisted on a uniform norm.

As the issue of hijab versus saffron scarves spread to several educational institutions in Karnataka, the state government announced a holiday from February 9 to February 15 in all the pre-university colleges, and from February 9 to February 16 in degree and diploma colleges.

The girls then approached the Karnataka HC seeking relief and quashing the government order restraining students from wearing anything that could disturb, peace, harmony and public order.