Bharatiya Janata Party leader and candidate from Dumka, Sunil Soren, who is contesting against Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren's brother Basant Soren, has made strong allegations against the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and its allies, claiming that they aim to settle Bangladeshi Rohingyas in Jharkhand to use them as a “vote bank.” Soren has raised concerns over what he describes as a calculated move by JMM and its allies, intending to establish Bangladeshi Rohingyas in Jharkhand, marrying into the local tribal communities to secure land ownership. "There is indeed an issue; whether it's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha or their allies, they aim to settle Bangladeshi Rohingyas here and use them as a vote bank," he alleged. He noted that in Pakur, there are cases where these migrants are said to harass students in hostels. Soren further stated that the declining tribal population due to such activities is a pressing concern. The BJP has raised this issue, and the Jharkhand High Court has reportedly taken note, as per ANI. When asked if BJP’s influence is growing among the tribal community, Soren responded confidently, asserting that Adivasi people have now become aware and understand the reality of the promises made by the INDIA bloc, which he claims were unfulfilled. He believes this realisation will lead to significant tribal support for the BJP. Soren highlighted the BJP's dedication to the tribal community by appointing several leaders from tribal backgrounds to prominent positions, citing the example of President Droupadi Murmu. He claimed, "The BJP has honoured the tribal community by appointing them to respected positions. The president is also a tribal woman." He also alleged that the JMM has not sent any tribal representatives to the Rajya Sabha, questioning their commitment to tribal interests. Regarding his opponent, Basant Soren, Sunil Soren expressed confidence, claiming he doesn’t view him as a serious competitor. He stated, “His image among the public reflects that he hasn't fulfilled his responsibilities. Instead, if a leader is engaged in personal gains like sand sales or overloading trucks, then it's unfortunate." Discussing issues within his constituency, Sunil Soren highlighted local concerns including education, healthcare, and agriculture. He expressed frustration that despite Dumka being a sub-capital, it has not seen the level of development expected, especially under the current MLA, Basant Soren, who has served for five years. Soren expressed that it was disappointing for Dumka, and he believes the public has taken note. Soren also reacted to a recent comment made by Irfan Ansari, criticising him for disrespecting women in the INDIA bloc, highlighting the example of Sita Soren, who he said was humiliated by the bloc. Soren pointed out that despite her being a family member, Chief Minister Hemant Soren did not speak up in her defence, according to ANI. The upcoming Jharkhand assembly elections will take place in two phases, scheduled for November 13 and November 20, with the results to be announced on November 23. Over 2.6 crore voters, including 1.31 crore men, 1.29 crore women, 11.84 lakh first-time voters, and 66.84 lakh young voters, are eligible to vote in the state elections. (With inputs from ANI)
30 October,2024 12:47 PM IST | RanchiAs the national capital gears up for Diwali celebrations, the Delhi government has ramped up its efforts to curb pollution through various measures, one of which is the enforcement of a total ban on firecrackers. So far 79 cases related to the sale and storage of firecrackers have been registered. 19,005 kg of firecrackers have also been seized. "79 cases related to the sale and storage of firecrackers have been registered and approximately 19,005 kg of firecrackers have been seized so far," Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai's Office stated. To ensure the effective implementation of the firecrackers ban, 77 teams of the Revenue Department and 300 teams of Delhi Police have been mobilized across the national capital. Environment Minister Gopal Rai took stock of firecracker ban enforcement in a high-level meeting at the Delhi Secretariat on Tuesday. He instructed Delhi Police to hold meetings with Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), market associations, and religious committees to spread public awareness. Earlier on Monday, Gopal Rai launched the 'Diya Jalao, Patake Nahi' campaign, urging the public to avoid firecrackers to keep pollution in check. The AAP leader marked the campaign's launch by lighting diyas at the Babarpur Bus Terminal, stating, "Collective efforts from the public are essential to controlling pollution." He encouraged Delhi residents to celebrate Diwali with diyas, explaining that the campaign's twofold aim is to discourage firecrackers and promote the use of diyas. Meanwhile, a thin layer of smog covered the National Capital on Tuesday as parts of Delhi, air quality remained in the 'very poor' category, with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of over 300 recorded around 7:00 am, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). At Anand Vihar, the AQI reached 317 at 7:00 am, while Aya Nagar recorded an AQI of 312, both falling under the 'very poor' category. Jahangirpuri also saw a high AQI of 308. In contrast, the air quality at Chandni Chowk was better, registering at 191, which is considered 'moderate'. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 October,2024 12:47 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIFormer Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor, Arvind Kejriwal hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's criticism of the Delhi government over not implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme and said it was wrong of him to politicize public health issues. "It is not right to speak wrongly on the issue of people's health. It is not right to do politics on this," said Arvind Kejriwal in a post on X. Kejriwal's remarks came after Prime Minister Modi criticized the Delhi and West Bengal governments for failing to implement the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme out of "political interests." Notably, Delhi and West Bengal are among the states where the Centre's Ayushman Bharat Yojna is not implemented. The Ayushman Bharat Yojana is a scheme that aims to procure free access to health insurance coverage for families with low incomes. The scheme was launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. In response, the former Chief Minister claimed that lakhs of people in Delhi get free medical treatment under the scheme of the Delhi government. Taking to his social media X handle, Kejriwal posted, "Under the Delhi government's scheme, every person living in Delhi gets complete treatment free of cost no matter how much it costs - from a pill worth five rupees to a treatment worth one crore, the Delhi government provides complete treatment to every person free of cost. If you tell me, I will send you the names of lakhs of people who have benefited from this. Did people benefit from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana?" He further alleged that many 'irregularities' were found in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and took a jibe at Prime Minister Modi, asking him to "study" the Delhi Model. "CAG found many irregularities in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. In the states where Ayushman Yojana is implemented, to date I have not met a single person who has been treated under Ayushman Bharat," Kejriwal said. He added, "I request you to study the Delhi model and instead of Ayushman Bharat Yojana, implement the Delhi model all over India so that people can benefit on the ground." Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi apologized to all the elderly people above 70 years of age in Delhi and West Bengal, due to the state government's decision not to participate in the Ayushman Bharat Yojana and said that the walls of political interests have hindered its implementation in their states. Addressing a public gathering at New Delhi's All India Institute of Ayurveda, PM Modi said, "I apologize to all the elderly aged above 70 years in Delhi and West Bengal. I hear your pain, but due to the state government's decisions, I cannot help you." "The tendency to oppress the sick people of your own state for your political interests is against any humane attitude and hence I apologize to the elderly people of West Bengal, I apologize to the elderly people of Delhi, I can serve the people of the country, but the walls of the political profession are preventing me from serving the elderly people of Delhi, and West Bengal," he said. The Prime Minister further said that the world is seeing India as a big centre of medical and wellness tourism. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 October,2024 12:45 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Tamil Nadu government has announced a holiday for all educational institutions across the state, from October 31 to November 1 for Diwali celebrations. According to an official release from the Tamil Nadu Department of Information and Public Relations, the state government on Tuesday also declared a half-day holiday for all the educational institutions of the state on the eve of Diwali on October 30. Diwali is one of the most significant festivals in India and around the world. This vibrant festival, known as the Festival of Lights, signifies the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. As families prepare for the festivities, homes will be adorned with colourful rangoli patterns, illuminated with diyas and fairy lights. The celebrations typically involve performing prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, sharing delicious sweets and snacks, and exchanging gifts with loved ones. Fireworks will light up the night sky, creating a dazzling display that adds to the joyful atmosphere. Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed this year's Diwali as "special" and said that after a long wait of 500 years, Lord Ram for the first time will celebrate Diwali at the newly built Shri Ram Janmabhoomi temple in Ayodhya. "In just two days, we will also celebrate Diwali, and this year's Diwali is particularly special. After 500 years, Lord Ram is seated in his grand temple in Ayodhya, and this will be the first Diwali celebrated with him in his magnificent temple. We are all very fortunate to witness such a special and grand Diwali," PM Modi said through a video conference. Meanwhile, with the festival of lights approaching, preparations are in full swing in Ayodhya also, where 25 lakh diyas will be lit to illuminate the ghats along the banks of the Sarayu River during 'Deepotsav-2024' on Wednesday. Deepotsav-2024 is scheduled for October 30, a day before Diwali, and this will be the first Deepotsav following the 'Pran Pratishtha' ceremony of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's temple. The Uttar Pradesh government is planning to create a Guinness World Record by lighting 25 lakh earthen lamps on the occasion. Last year, lamps were lit on 51 ghats in Ayodhya; this year, the plan is to illuminate 55. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 October,2024 12:43 PM IST | Chennai | ANIAn elderly man and his son were killed after their motorcycle collided head-on with a pick-up truck on Tuesday morning, police said. The accident took place near Kalinjar village in the Aliganj police station area when Ramnivas (68) and his son Santosh (45), both residents of Lakhpur village, were going to Baba Neem Karoli Dham in Farrukhabad district, they said. Police received information about the accident on the 112 helpline. A team was rushed to the spot and Ramnivas and Santosh were taken to the Aliganj community health centre, from where they were referred to Etah medical college. However, the duo died on the way to Etah, said Circle Officer Sudhanshu Shekhar. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, the officer said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
30 October,2024 12:41 PM IST | Etah | PTIThe Delhi High Court recently commuted a life sentence to eight years’ imprisonment for a man initially convicted of murder, modifying the conviction to culpable homicide instead. The case involved the death of Mohd Mumtaz, a mechanic in Ajeet Nagar, Seelampur, Delhi, following a shooting incident in December 2014. An FIR for the incident was registered on December 16, 2014, and the appellant, identified as Rahul, was subsequently arrested on December 21, 2014. Rahul had been found guilty of murder, attempted murder, and violations of the Arms Act by the Karkardooma Court in July 2022, with sentencing issued on September 2, 2022. Following this conviction, Rahul filed an appeal, challenging both the guilty verdict and the sentence. After reviewing the appeal, a division bench led by Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Amit Sharma reevaluated the evidence and decided to commute his life sentence, reducing it to eight years of rigorous imprisonment. The High Court examined the circumstances surrounding the shooting, considering the way the weapon was fired and the events leading up to the fatal incident. It determined that the prosecution had not sufficiently proven beyond reasonable doubt that the case met the legal criteria of murder under any of the clauses of Section 300 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Consequently, the court ruled that the incident fell under Part II of Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder), which pertains to incidents resulting in unintentional death without the intent typically associated with murder. In its judgement, the court modified Rahul’s conviction for murder under Section 302 of the IPC, convicting him instead of culpable homicide not amounting to murder under Part II of Section 304. Additionally, the court changed the conviction for attempted murder under Section 307 of the IPC to Section 308, which covers attempts to cause culpable homicide rather than murder. The High Court noted that the nominal roll dated February 20, 2024, indicated that Rahul had already served approximately five years in custody, including remissions. The appellant, now 30, has a family including a wife and a young daughter, with the court records also mentioning his expectation of another child at the time of sentencing. As per the new ruling, Rahul will serve an eight-year term along with a fine of ₹15,000 for the culpable homicide conviction. For the offence under Section 308 of the IPC, his sentence was limited to the time he had already served, with an additional fine of ₹5,000. The sentence for the Arms Act violation was similarly adjusted to time served, accompanied by a fine of ₹5,000. This judgement reflects a reassessment of both the evidence and the charges, modifying the original life sentence to account for the specific circumstances of the case, as reported by ANI. (With inputs from ANI)
30 October,2024 12:35 PM IST | New DelhiThe Indian Railways is going to run 164 special trains on Wednesday to make sure that people are going to reach their destinations on time during this festive season of Chhath and Diwali, reported news agency ANI. According to Railway Board's Information and Publicity Executive Director, Dilip Kumar, the trains will travel from all across the country, such as from Secundrabad, Ahmedabad, Kottamyam, Ujjain, Bhopal, New Delhi, Nagpur to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. "To ensure that people reach their destination on Chhath and Diwali, Railway has made elaborate arrangements. In this regard, on 30th October we are running 164 special trains. These trains will be run from various locations across the country to cities in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh," he told ANI. The Indian Railways is set to make an additional 7,000 trips across the country with these additional trains. "To ensure that passengers do not face any inconvenience at the railway stations, teams of officers have been deployed round the clock. Besides this, Railway Police Force, commercial and other SHGs have also been deployed for passenger convenience," he told ANI. For certain areas where the railways expect overcrowding, additional seating arrangements and resting places have been arranged for passengers. "We have set up holding areas at important stations where there is the possibility of overcrowding. At these holding areas, arrangements for seating and resting of passengers have been made. The idea is to make sure that there is not much crowding on the stations and people can easily get to their destination. Indian railways is making all the possible efforts to ensure a smooth and happy journey to passengers," Kumar told ANI. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in India and around the world, symbolising the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil. As families prepare for the festivities, homes will be adorned with colourful rangoli patterns and illuminated with diyas and fairy lights.The celebrations typically involve prayers to Goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, sharing delicious sweets, and exchanging gifts. Fireworks will illuminate the night sky, enhancing the joyful atmosphere and creating a time of togetherness, reflection, and celebration, fostering a spirit of unity and hope for the year ahead. (With inputs from ANI)
30 October,2024 12:32 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has intensified its critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent statement that Delhi and West Bengal have not implemented the Ayushman Bharat health insurance scheme for “political interests.” AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in response, accused the Prime Minister of politicising public health issues, particularly in the national capital. Addressing the media on Wednesday, AAP spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar characterised the Ayushman Bharat scheme as a “scam” and urged PM Modi to consider the health model in Delhi as a superior alternative. She highlighted that the Delhi model has received international praise, even earning commendation from former United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Kakkar stated that the scheme’s alleged shortcomings were of concern and emphasised the importance of transparency, adding, "The CAG should look into this supposed fraud." Kakkar further urged the Prime Minister to study the healthcare initiatives led by AAP in Delhi and called for a nationwide rollout of their model. She claimed that Ayushman Bharat includes 27,000 hospitals on its records, but, according to her, around 7,000 of these establishments exist only on paper. Moreover, she alleged that approximately 4,000 hospitals associated with the scheme have yet to admit a single patient, questioning the scheme's efficacy and reliability. The conflict stems from recent remarks made by PM Modi during a public event at the All India Institute of Ayurveda in New Delhi on Tuesday, where he expressed disappointment over the lack of free healthcare for the elderly in Delhi and West Bengal. The Prime Minister also offered an apology to elderly citizens in both states, asserting that he felt the pain of those over 70 who were not benefiting from Ayushman Bharat due to state government decisions. He described the situation as a missed opportunity to provide essential healthcare services to senior citizens. In his response, Kejriwal shared a lengthy message on X (formerly Twitter), stating that the Prime Minister should focus on studying and understanding the Delhi healthcare model. He suggested that Ayushman Bharat could be replaced by the Delhi model across the country to better serve citizens' needs. Kejriwal maintained that using public health as a point of political contention was inappropriate, especially when Delhi's healthcare initiatives, including mohalla clinics and robust public hospitals, have reportedly improved access to quality healthcare. According to PTI, this ongoing debate over health policies highlights the tension between state and central approaches to healthcare. AAP’s position is that the Delhi model, with its focus on accessible and cost-free healthcare for all citizens, provides a practical solution that could be adopted nationally. Meanwhile, the central government’s Ayushman Bharat scheme aims to address healthcare needs on a larger scale through an insurance-based system. The discourse reflects wider discussions about the structure and efficacy of public health schemes in India, with AAP pushing for a model that they argue has yielded tangible results. As AAP continues its call for the nationwide adoption of Delhi's health model, it remains to be seen whether this will prompt further evaluation or reform of existing central schemes. (With inputs from PTI)
30 October,2024 12:27 PM IST | New DelhiA bomb threat aimed at Air India’s Delhi-Indore-Mumbai flight, ultimately proved to be a hoax, according to police in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The message, suggesting that a bomb was placed onboard Air India flight AI 636, was posted on a social media platform, prompting immediate investigation. Officials later confirmed the threat to be false, though authorities have registered a case and continue to investigate the source of the alarming message. According to the Aerodrome police, the message was posted on X (formerly Twitter) at 5:08 pm on Tuesday. The threatening post claimed a pipe bomb was placed on the flight, quoting a complaint filed by an Air India official. By that time, however, the flight had already departed from Indore at 4:38 pm and was en route to Mumbai. Police and airline authorities responded promptly to ensure that passengers and operations were safeguarded. Deputy Commissioner of Police Vinod Kumar Meena stated to PTI, “The threat of a pipe bomb on Air India flight AI 636 was found to be baseless following our investigation.” The police have registered a case against the unidentified individual under Section 351(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, relating to criminal intimidation through anonymous identity. Further investigation efforts are underway to identify the individual responsible for posting the fake threat. This incident highlights an ongoing issue, as numerous Indian airlines have recently experienced a surge in similar threats. PTI sources disclosed that more than 100 flights received bomb threats on Tuesday alone, all of which were later found to be false. Over the past 16 days, approximately 510 flights, both domestic and international, have been targeted by these hoaxes, primarily shared on social media. Despite the disruptive nature of these threats, authorities have reassured the public of heightened security measures across Indian airports and airlines. While these false alarms continue to strain resources, officials are working to prevent future instances and to deter hoax threats through legal action and strict monitoring of online platforms. The police are also collaborating with cybersecurity experts to track down the origins of these messages, aiming to address the spread of false information more effectively. (With inputs from PTI)
30 October,2024 12:15 PM IST | New DelhiThe Geological Survey of India (GSI) has unveiled a new national meteorite repository at its central headquarters in Kolkata, creating a unique space dedicated to the preservation, study, and display of meteorite specimens, according to PTI. This repository, part of the GSI's Meteorite and Planetary Science Division (MPSD), aims to enhance public awareness and scientific engagement regarding these celestial objects. Inaugurated by GSI Director General Asit Saha, the newly established 'Meteorite Gallery' marks a milestone for India’s scientific community. Saha noted that the gallery not only preserves meteorites from around the world but also showcases them in a way that is accessible to students, researchers, and the general public. He emphasised that the gallery will be instrumental in advancing research and educational initiatives, making it an invaluable resource for meteorite enthusiasts and academics alike. According to a spokesperson from the GSI, the repository features a collection of 643 meteorites, each curated carefully to highlight the diversity and history of these extraterrestrial objects. These specimens, gathered from various parts of the globe, reflect a wide array of meteorite types, including ordinary chondrites, carbonaceous chondrites, and achondrites. One of the highlights is a Martian meteorite known as ‘Shergotty,’ which adds a rare and valuable specimen to the collection. Notable among the collection are 119 specimens sourced from meteorite falls and finds across India. These indigenous specimens are of particular significance to the gallery, offering insight into the history of meteorite activity within the country. Among these is the 'Ensisheim' meteorite, which is the oldest in the collection. This ordinary chondrite fell in Alsace, France, on November 7, 1492, and represents an important historical event in meteorite studies. The repository also holds a recently acquired meteorite known as 'Kopargaon.’ This iron chondrite, which fell in Maharashtra on January 24, 2023, reflects the ongoing meteorite activity observed in India and demonstrates the importance of continued efforts in meteorite collection and preservation. The GSI stated that the gallery has been designed to support educational programmes, workshops, and exhibitions aimed at fostering public understanding of planetary science. With modern infrastructure and carefully curated exhibits, the Meteorite Gallery provides a platform for learning and discovery, offering the public a unique opportunity to explore the world of meteorites. Saha further expressed hopes that the gallery will serve as a valuable research centre and a source of inspiration, attracting visitors from educational institutions, research bodies, and the wider community. The GSI believes this initiative will encourage a deeper appreciation of planetary science and inspire future generations of researchers, as reported by PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
30 October,2024 10:34 AM IST | KolkataWelcome to Mid-Day's Top News at this hour! We bring you a curated selection of the most significant and compelling news from around the globe. Stay informed with the latest developments in the nation, Mumbai, entertainment, sports, and more. Let's dive into the headlines shaping our world today. Markets decline in early trade dragged by bank stocks, weak Asian peers Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty fell in early trade on Wednesday dragged down by bank stocks and weak trends in Asian markets. The BSE Sensex declined 366.53 points to 80,002.50 in early trade. The NSE Nifty dropped 129.25 points to 24,337.60. Mumbai: This 350m missing link will make walk to Bandra Terminus a breeze A 350-metre foot overbridge (FOB) could help commuters heading to Bandra Terminus bypass the menace of duplicitous auto drivers and the chaos outside Bandra station. Auto drivers charge Rs 30-40 per passenger to ferry them between the station and terminus, dropping them off at the north end (towards Khar). The distance is nearly 400 metres because an existing south entry/exit gate of Bandra Terminus, which includes a booking office and circulating area, has been sealed by Railways. Read more. Bollywood actor Salman Khan receives new death threat with Rs 2 cr demand Bollywood actor Salman Khan has reportedly received another death threat. On Tuesday, an unidentified individual sent a threatening message to Traffic Control. Sources revealed that the sender allegedly demanded a sum of Rs 2 crore. An official stated that the sender mentioned in the message that if the money was not received, he would kill Salman Khan. Read more. Will Wankhede help Rohit Sharma get mojo back? When Rohit Sharma set foot in Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium for the first time more than two decades back as a teenager, he would hardly have imagined that one day, he would be leading his country in a Test match there. The 37-year-old has captained India previously at the iconic venue where, in his absence, the team lifted the 50-over World Cup trophy in 2011, but to helm the nation in a Test at a ground where he cut his teeth as a cricketer must be special. Read more. Advance bookings suggest Singham Again's strong box office opening; Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3's fate uncertain There have been enough fireworks even before the two Diwali releases have hit the theatres, with the makers of Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 filing a complaint with the Competition Commission of India (CCI), alleging that Singham Again’s makers are employing unfair practices in screen allocation. Even as the fight for screens is ongoing, the advance booking for the two movies finally opened, albeit in select theatres. So, who is emerging as the winner in this box-office clash between Ajay Devgn’s super cop and Kartik Aaryan’s ghostbuster? Read more.
30 October,2024 10:25 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
