Partisanship makes ECI an election omission

Empires and emperors come and go, but some institutions remain immortal. The Roman empire vanished in 476 CE, but Pax Romana became the basis of modern justice. King John died in 1216 CE, but the Magna Carta laid the foundation of democracy. The individuals in charge are mere mortals. As long as they have the keys, they can make or mar the image of credible institutions through inept and inappropriate methods. The Election Commission of Indias (ECI) conduct over the past few weeks exemplifies such a degradation. It is being charged with delaying decisions, minimising transparency of data and ignoring genuine complaints by various candidates, especially from the opposition. Last week, it had mud on its face for taking almost 11 days to post the final polling numbers of voters in the first phase. The data didnt follow the precedential pattern and just gave the percentage of votes cast instead of constituency-wise details. Suspiciously, the final numbers vastly differ from the figures released by the ECI after the day of polling. The past has seen such delays, but this time the formatting and method was dodgy. In this digital age, when data can travel a million times faster than political volte-faces, the ECIs slow pace was abhorrent to even the most conservative pollsters and intellectuals. After all, it will decide the ruling party after June 2024. Despite unlimited money, resources and technology at its disposal, the ECI, in its wisdom, extended the election to seven phases in spite of the expected heat wave. Once upon a time, the ECI earned worldwide admiration for conducting elections in which over 100 crore voters in 543 constituencies decided their representatives. Except during the 1970s, Indian elections have by and large been fair and peaceful. The ECI faced political ire but its verdict was finally accepted by all the candidates. But no more. The ECI is their principal target, more than their political adversaries. Its not performance, but the perception that the ECI is controlled and directed by the BJP that has become its nemesis. The commission is basking in the glory of a record seizure of unaccounted money and drugsalmost Rs 100 crore a day since January. Yet its administrative initiatives, including fixing the election schedule and taking punitive and preemptive actions against contestants who habitually flout the Model Code of Conduct, are dubious at best. All three election commissioners have impeccable track records. The current CEC, Rajiv Kumar, an 1984 batch IAS officer of the Jharkhand cadre, was previously the Union finance secretary. He is credited with turning around the banking sector and introducing impactful financial reforms. The other two, IAS officers Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Gyanesh Kumar, are closely associated with the Modi governments infrastructure push and Home Minister Amit Shah. Kumar was one of the key members of the home ministry team that worked on the secret exercise for the abolition of Article 370. However, the manner and suddenness of their appointments have led to myriad controversies. The Election Commission has become a sumptuous post-retirement habitat for random civil servants whose main credentials are loyalty to the establishment; their meritorious achievements are today the exception, not the rule. The ECI started life on a moral high ground when the reputed ICS officer Sukumar Sen was appointed to conduct the first Lok Sabha election and then the second one. Since then, 24 more chief election commissioners have occupied the exalted seat. Four from the ICS, 15 from the IAS, two from the IRS, one woman politician and two eminent constitutional legal eminences, Nagendra Singh and S L Shakdhar. The ECIs reputation was tarnished after politics superseded merit. For example, after V P Singhs government fell on November 7, 1990, V S Ramadevi, an advocate from Andhra Pradesh, was appointed the first female CEC on November 26, 1990. For inexplicable reasons, in two weeks she was replaced by the feisty T N Seshan. The shenanigans that followed after his stringent actions against electoral violations politicised the institution. Seshan imposed all legally available restrictions on candidates. High-voltage campaigns ground to a halt. For the first time, the government approached the Supreme Court seeking curbs on the CECs powers. The then-Prime Minister Narasimha Rao converted the ECI into a three-member commission and gave each one equal power. Leading a minority government, he couldnt alter the provision for the CECs dismissal, which says removal is only possible through a parliamentary resolution. Interestingly, while only the House can impeach the CEC, the authority to remove an election commissioner rests with the CECthe president may or may not accept the recommendation. This makes the other members vulnerable. They would fall in line. Converting the ECI into a multi-member body caused internal conflicts between the members. For example, in January 2009, CEC N Gopalaswami wrote to the president recommending the removal of his colleague Naveen Chawla. He accused Chawla of partisanship by overtly supporting the Congress. Gopalaswami was the home secretary during the previous NDA government and considered close to the Sangh parivar. The Manmohan Singh administration rejected the recommendation and Chawla became the CEC afterwards. Since then, successive governments have acquired the regressive reputation of packing the institution with individuals ideologically or personally aligned with the ruling party. Over the past 12 years, various governments have chosen retired or service-inactive babus. The current controversy stems from the fact that the two new members were about to retire or already hung their boots. They were chosen just a day before the elections were announced. The truth is, no political party wishes to abdicate control over the CECs selection. Even after the Supreme Court ruled that the government must establish a credible panel for selecting election commissioners, the NDA government defiantly dropped the Chief Justice of India from the panel and retained its majority clout. Such discretionary power enables the sarkar to handpick people who pass the twin test of pliability and compatibility. It is tragic that even prominent and eminent constitutional writers couldnt anticipate the misuse of the ECI by any ruling party. The Constitution has no provision for an independent selection mechanism for them, unlike in many other world democracies. For example, even the omnipotent president of the US cant appoint the mandated half a dozen federal election commissioners without the Senates advice and consent. Since it is impossible to change the Indian system, its the ECIs duty to protect its own credibility and acceptability. India has seen a vast increase in voter turnout. From 58.21 percent in 2009, it has risen to 67.40 percent under Modi. Going by the public perception that the prime minister is set for a record hat-trick, any doubtful and unjustifiable exercise by the ECI would not only raise doubts over the projected triumph but would also sound the death knell for yet another distinguished institution of Indian democracy. An election won with numbers must also be won with hearts. Caesars wife should be above suspicion. Or else, the next meme on the Election Commission could read Election Omission. prabhu chawla prabhuchawla@newindianexpress.com Follow him on X @PrabhuChawla

NDTV Election Carnival: Will BJP Win Karnataka Or Will Congress Make A Comeback?

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Voting in two phases of the Lok Sabha elections is done. Parties are campaigning in full swing for the third phase on May 7. NDTV's Election Carnival reached Karnataka's Gulbarga on Friday after passing through several states. The 'carnival' has so far traveled 5,800 kilometers from Delhi to Uttarakhand, UP, Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra to gauge the mood of the people and understand the atmosphere on the ground. In Karnataka, the election voltage is high over the 'sex scandal' involving former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda's grandson and MP from Hassan Prajjwal Revanna.

Congress opposes respect for tribal history and the progress of tribal society: Narendra Modi

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a public rally in Singhbhum, Jharkhand. The Prime Minister said that the BJP was committed to the welfare of the tribal society. He also accused the Congress of neglecting tribal history. M Modi remarked, Congress wanted to monopolize the credit for independence to one...

Modi Attacks Opposition, Recalls Godhra in Bihar Rally

NEW DELHI: In one of his fiercest election speeches in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday raked up the 2002 Godhra train arson, an issue that he rarely mentions even at such events, to attack the Congress-led UPA and the then railways minister and RJD supremo Lalu Prasad Yadav for practicing appeasement politics at a rally in Bihars Darbhanga. Earlier in the day, the PM addressed two rallies in Jharkhands Palamu and Lohardaga and later in the evening, he held a roadshow in Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, where he continued his attack on the Opposition over corruption, votebank politics and attempts to change the Constitution for providing reservations to Muslims. Addressing his third rally of the day in Bihars Darbhanga, Modi raked up the 2002 Godhra train arson issue and accused Lalu Prasad of trying to save those responsible for burning alive more than 60 kar sevaks. It is because of this appeasement politics that the father of Bihar's shehzada (allusion to Tejashwi Yadav) had tried to save those who were responsible for the Godhra train burning incident, said Modi, adding that after all, it was the rule of Sonia madam. He (Lalu Prasad Yadav), who has himself been convicted (in fodder scam cases), was railway minister. He set up an inquiry committee and got a report, which exonerated those guilty of the horrendous crime. But the court threw the report away, said Modi. Kicking off his gruelling campaign schedule for the day from Palamu, Jharkhand, the PM took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without naming him and said Pakistan wanted him as the Prime Minister, but India wants a strong country with a strong government. Maa Bharati's disrespect won't be tolerated anymore. New India's surgical and air strikes shook Pakistan, which was known for supporting terror attacks on India during the Congress regime The new India knows how to enter enemy territory and strike... Shaken by the surgical and air strikes, leaders in Pakistan are now praying that the Congress' shehzada' becomes PM of India... But our strong nation wants a strong government and leader, Modi said at the rally to campaign for the BJP candidate from Palamu, V.D. Ram. The Prime Minister said that earlier, after any terror attack on the country, the Congress-led governments were helpless. But that has changed under the strong BJP-led government at the Centre. Now, Pakistan is seeking help from the world to save the nation. He told the audience that their one vote had contributed to the construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya after generations struggled for 500 years, as well as the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. The Congress and the INDI alliance want to usurp your land. They want to snatch SC, ST and OBCs' quotas to provide reservations to Muslims by altering the Constitution. Till I am alive, I will not now allow any such design of the Congress to succeed, he asserted. In his address, the Prime Minister claimed that over 25-crore people came out of poverty in the last 10 years of the NDA government. He said: The Congress never bothered for the welfare of people. The party's shehzada was born with a silver spoon and poses for the camera when he visits the house of the poor. But it is my commitment to transform IndiaThere has been no blot of corruption on me in the past 25 years as Chief Minister and Prime Minister. I don't own a home or even a bicycle... The corrupt JMM and the Congress leaders have amassed huge wealth for their children. In Sisai, Lohardaga, Modi said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces and all those who indulged in corruption will face action under law in the next five years. Hitting out at jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren without taking his name, Modi said: The former Jharkhand CM is behind bars for corruption... Modi is committed to wipe out the menace of corruption. In the next five years, all those who indulged in corruption will face legal action, he said. The INDI alliance leaders, neck-deep in corruption, hold rallies, including in Delhi and Ranchi, voicing support for corrupt people, which reveals their true character, the PM said. Modi also blamed the Congress for the backwardness of tribal districts, alleging that food grains used to rot in godowns during the UPA regime from 2004 to 2014, while tribal children died due to starvation. Modi said the NDA government ensured that the poor got access to the internet unlike the Congress, which was against it. Today's youths are the heroes of social media. The Congress had made the internet a thing for the rich, but Modi ensured it became available for the poor. We made mobile data affordable for all, he said. The PM also slammed the Congress for not taking any action against Maoists to preserve the party's votebank. He said: But, as long as Modi is alive, no one will be allowed to put tribal lives at risk. Modi also accused the Opposition parties of trying to rob SC, ST, OBC and tribals of reservations because of the disillusionment these deprived sections feel towards the INDIA bloc. The INDI alliance is trying to divert reservations to Muslims. They are going against the views of Babasaheb Ambedkar and first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, neither of whom was in favour of reservations on religious lines, Modi claimed. He also slammed Tejashwi Yadav for bringing up the Hindu Muslim narrative at rallies while talking about the Agnipath scheme and said, When we talk about the martyrdom of Captain Hameed, do we think of him as a Muslim? Without referring to Gandhi and Tejashwi Yadav by their names, he said, There is a shehzada in Delhi and one in Patna, both of whom think of the country as their jaagir (fiefdom). He added: Their mindset was exposed when they raised questions about the surgical strikes and spoke ill of the armed forces. A large crowd cheered for the Prime Minister at the Kanpur roadshow in Uttar Pradesh. Mr Modi visited the Gumati Gurdwara before starting his roadshow in support of the BJP's candidates for the Kanpur and Akbarpur Lok Sabha seats.

Loco Pilot Run Over By Rajdhani Express In Jharkhand: Cops

A loco pilot was run over by the New Delhi-Ranchi Rajdhani Express when he was crossing the railway tracks in Jharkhand's Koderma district on Saturday morning, police said.

JMM Demands BJP's Recognition Suspension Over Prime Minister's 'Unacceptable' Language

JMM Demands BJP's Recognition Suspension Over Prime Minister's 'Unacceptable' Language The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) on Saturday demanded that the Election Commission of India (ECI) suspend the BJP's recognition of a national party for the alleged use of unparliamentary language by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during election rallies. In a letter to the ECI, the party alleged that Modi, a start campaigner of the BJP, has been using religion in his speeches, which is not only inappropriate but also against the provisions that recognised the BJP as a national party. The Bharatiya Janata Party signed an affidavit for its registration as a political party and was recognized by the commission as the national political party of the country. The use of religion by BJP's star campaigner Narendra Modi in his speeches, is not only inappropriate, but also against the provisions mentioned in the affidavit, the letter read. It should be ensured that the star campaigners of BJP at any level should not make unrestrained statements against religion and sect, the letter said. The party also demanded that the ECI seek a clarification from the BJP within 24 hours. A BJP spokesperson, when contacted, said that he would not comment at the moment.

Punjab CM Mann alleges BJP imprisoned Kejriwal to hinder his LS poll campaign

Punjab CM Mann alleges BJP imprisoned Kejriwal to hinder his LS poll campaign Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Saturday said the ruling BJP was afraid of his Aam Aadmi Party colleague and Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal, who is currently in jail in connection with a excise policy linked case. The BJP has jailed him in a completely false case to stop him from campaigning in the Lok Sabha polls, said Mann, who held a road show for his party's Bharuch candidate Chaitar Vasava. ''They put him in jail just before the elections because they wanted to stop Arvind Kejriwal from campaigning. BJP and Narendra Modi are scared of AAP and Arvind Kejriwal. But they don't know that Arvind Kejriwal is not just a person, he is an idea,'' Mann claimed. ''They can never stop a thought. They can only keep the person in jail. Vasava was similarly jailed by the BJP because he fights for the people and their rights. But he is out now and fighting for what is right,'' he said. Vasava was jailed in a rioting case in November last year and later released on bail by the High Court. The BJP is so scared that it got Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren arrested, froze the bank accounts of opposition parties and is using the governors of non-BJP ruled states to do their dirty work, Mann alleged. ''The Punjab governor creates obstacles in the works of the state government. The governor of Tamil Nadu does the same. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee is also facing difficulties. Because the BJP is a dictatorial party, they want to finish the Constitution of Babasaheb Ambedkar. They want to finish off our democracy,'' Mann asserted. ''In Surat, the Congress candidate withdrew his nomination. They (BJP) bought off independent candidates and won unopposed. Constitutionally there should have been an election because even in the absence of other candidates there is NOTA (none of the above) option to a voter,'' he opined. The first two phases of the Lok Sabha polls has given a shock to the BJP, which is no longer using the slogan 'abki baar 400 paar', the Punjab CM claimed. The INDIA bloc, of which the AAP and Congress are constituents, is winning both the phases easily, he added.

Original Headline: HIGHLIGHTS Revised Headline: Match Highlights: Key Moments and Plays

Original Headline: HIGHLIGHTS Revised Headline: Match Highlights: Key Moments and Plays Following are the top stories at 9 pm NATION ELN92 ELECTIONS-BJP-LD LOVELY ****Former Delhi Cong leaders, including Arvinder Singh Lovely, join BJP New Delhi: Former Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely joined the BJP on Saturday along with a few other leaders, including former MLAs Raj Kumar Chauhan, Neeraj Basoya and Naseeb Singh.**** ELN91 ELECTIONS-BH-LD MODI ****At Bihar rally, Modi targets Lalu on Godhra incident, oppn parties on quotas Darbhanga (Bihar): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged RJD president Lalu Prasad, the BJPs principal opponent in Bihar, with having tried to ''shield'' those guilty in two-decade-old Godhra train burning incident and put blame on kar sevaks.**** ELN73 ELECTIONS-JH-MODI-LD CORRUPTION **** All those who indulged in corruption will face legal action in next five years: PM Modi Sisai (Jharkhand): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces, and all those who indulged in corruption would face action under law in the next five years.**** DEL21 CBI-NUH GANGRAPE-SENTENCE ****Nuh gangrapes, double murder case: Four convicts sentenced to death by CBI court New Delhi: A special CBI court in Haryana's Panchkula awarded the death sentence to four convicts in the 2016 Nuh gangrapes and double murder case on Saturday, officials said.**** BOM7 MH-SITHARAMAN-ROHITH VEMULA ****Rahul Gandhi should apologise for `politicising' Rohith Vemula's suicide: Sitharaman Pune: Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday demanded that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi should apologise for ''politicising'' the suicide of Rohith Vemula, the University of Hyderabad student who died in 2016, as police in a state ruled by his own party has now said that it was not a ''Dalit' issue''.**** DEL19 JK-LD FIRING ****Terrorists open fire on two security vehicles in J-K's Poonch, 5 soldiers injured Jammu: Five security personnel were injured after terrorists opened fire on two vehicles, including one belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF), in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday, officials said.**** MDS17 KA-LD REVANNA ****Karnataka MLA Revanna taken into custody in kidnap case Bengaluru: Karnataka JD(S) MLA H D Revanna was taken into custody on Saturday by sleuths of the Special Investigation Team, minutes after a court here rejected his anticipatory bail plea in a kidnapping case, officials said.**** ELN97 ELECTIONS-BJP-RAHUL ****Cong believes in 'beta bachao, beta badhao': BJP on Rahul Gandhi's Rae Bareli nomination New Delhi: The BJP on Saturday took a swipe at the Congress over Rahul Gandhi's decision to contest the Lok Sabha polls from Uttar Pradesh's Rae Bareli, saying the opposition party seems to believe in ''beta bachao, beta badhao'' (save son, promote son).**** ELN57 ELECTIONS-OD-CONG-LD CANDIDATE ****Denied party funding, Congress Puri LS candidate Sucharita Mohanty returns ticket Bhubaneswar: Congress candidate for the Puri Lok Sabha constituency Sucharita Mohanty has declined to contest the elections and returned the party ticket alleging lack of funding from the party.**** BOM5 GJ-RADICAL-ARRESTED ****Gujarat cops arrest maulvi; unearth plan to kill Hindu leader, threaten TV channel editor, MLA Surat: A man was arrested in Surat in Gujarat on Saturday for allegedly planning to murder the leader of a Hindu organisation and threatening the chief editor of Sudarshan television channel as well BJP's Telangana MLA Raja Singh and the party's former spokesperson Nupur Sharma in connivance with his handlers from Pakistan and Nepal, a senior police official said.**** CAL8 MG-LYNCHING ****Two lynched in Meghalaya after teen alleges rape attempt Shillong: Two persons were lynched in Meghalaya's Eastern West Khasi Hills district for allegedly trying to rape an 18-year-old woman, police said on Saturday.**** MDS18 KL-CUSTODIAL DEATH-CBI-LD ARRESTS ****Tanur custodial death case: CBI arrests four Kerala policemen Malappuram/Kochi: The CBI on Saturday arrested four civil police officers accused of torturing to death a man arrested for alleged possession of synthetic drugs in August last year near Tanur here, police sources said.**** LEGAL LGD5 SCBA-WOMEN'S RESERVATION ****SCBA raises concern over SC order to reserve posts for women in lawyers' body executive committee New Delhi: The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has passed a resolution stating that the Supreme Court's directive to reserve posts for women in the executive committee of the lawyers' body ''impinged'' on its independence.**** LGD4 SC-NITHARI-KOLI ****Nithari killings: SC agrees to hear plea of victim's father against acquittal of Surendra Koli New Delhi: The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a plea challenging Allahabad High Court's order acquitting Surendra Koli in the 2006 Nithari serial killings case.**** FOREIGN FGN32 LANKA-JAPAN-LD MOUS ****Japan insists Sri Lanka should sign MoUs early for debt restructuring Colombo: The restoration of stability and economic development of Sri Lanka, located strategically in the Indian Ocean, is essential for the stability and prosperity of the entire Indo-Pacific region, the visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa said here on Saturday.**** FGN27 UK-MAYOR ****Sadiq Khan on course to be re-elected Mayor of London London: Sadiq Khan, the Pakistani-origin Labour Party candidate in the race to be re-elected London Mayor for a third term, looked set on Saturday to register a decisive victory, as the local election results from England and Wales continued to reflect a strong swing in favour of the Opposition party. By Aditi Khanna **** FGN23 PAK-ATC-WARRANTS ****Arrest warrants for 14 suspects in May 9 riots case, Imran Khans party leaders granted pre-arrest bail Lahore: A Pakistan court here has issued bailable arrest warrants for 14 suspects, who are on bail, for skipping trial proceedings of two cases related to the May 9 riots while granting pre-arrest bail to two former leaders of incarcerated former Pakistan prime minister Imran Khans party, a media report said on Saturday.****

Indian Leaders Exchange Barbs over Political Aspirations

Indian Leaders Exchange Barbs over Political Aspirations Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted his governments surgical and air strikes had shaken Pakistan, and the neighbouring countrys leaders are now praying that the Congress shehzada becomes Indias PM. Modi, addressing a poll rally in Palamu, took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without taking his name, and said Pakistan might want him as prime minister, but India wants a strong country with a strong PM. Objecting to the language used by Modi, the Congress said that Rahul Gandhi is actually shahidzada (martyrs son)'' and not shehzada (crown prince). While campaigning for the BJP candidate of Palamu, Modi said, ''Maa Bharati's disrespect won't be tolerated anymore. New India's surgical and air strikes shook Pakistan, which was known for supporting terror attacks on India during the Congress regime.'' Earlier, Congress-led governments were ''helpless'' after any terror attack on the country, he claimed. But this new India knows how to enter enemy territory and strike... Shaken by the surgical and air strikes, leaders in Pakistan are now praying that the Congress shehzada becomes PM of India... But, our strong nation wants a strong government and leader,'' Modi said. The situation is such now that Pakistan is seeking help from the world to save the nation, the PM said. He urged the electorate to recognise the importance of one vote, which contributed to building the Ram Temple after generations struggled for 500 years, as well as the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir...The entire world saluated the power of democracy in India.'' Modi also said he will not allow any ''design'' of the Congress to succeed in changing the constitution for providing reservations to Muslims. Congress and the India bloc want to usurp your land. They want to snatch quotas for SC, ST and OBCs and provide reservations to Muslims by altering the Constitution. Till I am alive, I will not now allow any such design of the Congress to succeed, he asserted. Modi said 25 crore people came out of poverty in the last 10 years of the NDA government. The prime minister claimed that the Congress' shehzada was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, while he (Modi) lived and lived a poor man's life. The Congress never bothered for the welfare of people. I crafted schemes for the poor during the past 10 years based on my own experiences. Those who have not seen their mothers cough due to smoke when cooking, quench hunger with water and sleeping on empty stomach will not understand Modi's tears,'' the PM said. There has been no blot of corruption on me in the past about 25 years as chief minister and prime minister. I don't own a home or even a bicycle... but corrupt JMM and Congress leaders amassed huge wealth for their children, he said. Hailing tribal icon Birsa Munda, Modi said it is his promise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Munda as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh and added that it was his fortune that he became the country's first PM to visit Munda's birth place Ulihatu. He said: ''In my third term as PM, I will convert all Katccha houses into Pakka ones; It is Modi's guarantee'' and added that Congress has cast an evil eye on your property. Modi alleged that the Congress would snatch people's assets like gold, silver, land, house and even mangalsutra and give them to its vote bank. ''They want to snatch and loot SC/ST/OBC reservations and provide it to Muslims by altering the constitution,'' he said. Later, addressing a rally at Jharkhand's Gumla he said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces, and all those who indulged in corruption would face action under law in the next five years. Hitting out at jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren without taking his name, Modi said leaders of the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc take out rallies in support of the corrupt. ''In the next five years, all those who indulged in corruption will face legal action,'' he said at a poll rally in Gumla's Sisai. Modi also blamed Congress for the backwardness of tribal districts, alleging that food grains used to rot in godowns during the UPA regime from 2004 to 2014, while tribal children died due to starvation. No force on the earth can stop free ration delivery to the poor, this is Modi's guarantee, the prime minister asserted. Modi said the NDA government ensured that the poor get access to the internet, which was meant only for rich people during the Congress rule. The PM also slammed the Congress for not taking any action against Maoists to preserve the party's vote bank. ''Banned organisations like PFI in Santhal Parganas are spreading their tentacles and running rackets while indulging in atrocities against tribal women, looting their land,'' he said. Congress's contribution to the country in the past six decades is dynastic politics, corruption and appeasement, he alleged. Resonding to Modi's comments, Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir said, The PM refers Rahul Gandhi as shehzada whereas the people know that he is a shahidzada.'' The ruling JMM in Jharkhand also wrote a letter to the ECI objecting to use of unparliamentary language by Modi and demanded action.

Relief from Scorching Heat Expected as Rainfall Forecasted for UP and Bihar

Lucknow: Th e Meteorological Department has announced that relief from the scorching heat is on its way with the prediction of rainfall in many states, including UP and Bihar. The forecast indicates that the heat wave conditions in Eastern India will persist until May 5. However, there is good news for North-East India, with heavy to very heavy rain expected on May 5 and 6, along with a possibility of storms. Eastern UP may also experience rainfall between May 6 and 9. In the last 24 hours, heatwave conditions were observed in Gangetic West Bengal, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. The highest temperature recorded was 46.2 degrees Celsius in the Nandyal area of Rayalaseema. Conversely, heavy rain was reported in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, and Tripura. The Meteorological Department has forecasted light to moderate rain in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Sikkim, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura over the next five days. Additionally, warnings for rain, thunderstorms, and lightning have been issued for Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh between May 3 and 5. In North-West India, light rain is expected in Western Rajasthan on May 3 and in Haryana, Chandigarh, and Punjab on May 4. Strong winds are also likely in Uttar Pradesh, Southern Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi on May 3 and 4. Furthermore, light to moderate rain is predicted in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Jharkhand between May 6 and 9, with an alert for thunderstorms and lightning. In Delhi, the minimum temperature on Friday was recorded at 18.3 degrees Celsius, six degrees below normal. The relative humidity in the national capital was 34 percent at 8:30 am. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted strong winds during the day, with the maximum temperature expected to be around 38 degrees Celsius. Nepal Decides to Print New Rs 100 Currency Note with Controversial Map Yogi Adityanath Accuses Congress of Planning to Implement Jizya Tax Mansukh Mandaviya, BJP Candidate from Porbandar, Equates Party Workers to God

In 25 years Modi par ek paise ke ghotale ka aarop nhi laga: PM Modi in Jharkhand

The News Mill

Shaken by surgical strikes, Pak leaders praying Cong 'shehzada' becomes India's PM

Palamu (Jharkhand): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted his government's surgical and air strikes had shaken Pakistan, and the neighbouring country's leaders are now praying that the Congress shehzada becomes India's PM. Modi, addressing a poll rally in Palamu, took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without taking his name, and said Pakistan might want him as prime minister, but India wants a strong country with a strong PM Maa Bharati's disrespect won't be tolerated anymore. New India's surgical and air strikes shook Pakistan, which was known for supporting terror attacks on India during the Congress regime. The new India knows how to enter enemy territory and strike... Shaken by the surgical and air strikes, leaders in Pakistan are now praying that the Congress shehzada' becomes PM of India... But, our strong nation wants a strong government and leader, Modi said at the rally to campaign for BJP candidate from Palamu, V D Ram. Earlier, Congress-led governments were helpless after any terror attack on the country, but the situation is such now that Pakistan is seeking help from the world to save the nation, the PM said. He urged the electorate to recognise the importance of one vote, which contributed to building the Ram Temple after generations struggled for 500 years, as well as the scrapping of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir. Modi also said he will not allow any design of the Congress to succeed in changing the constitution for providing reservations to Muslims. Congress and the India bloc want to usurp your land. They want to snatch quotas for SC, ST and OBCs and provide reservations to Muslims by altering the constitution. Till I am alive, I will not now allow any such design of the Congress to succeed, he asserted. The prime minister said 25 crore people came out of poverty in the last 10 years of the NDA government. Congress never bothered for the welfare of people. The party's shehzada was born with a silver spoon, and poses for the camera when he visits the house of the poor. But, it is my commitment to transform India. There is no blot of corruption on me in the past 25 years as chief minister and prime minister. I don't own a home or even a bicycle... but corrupt JMM and Congress leaders amassed huge wealth for their children, he said. Hailing tribal icon Birsa Munda, Modi said it is his promise to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Munda as Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh.

JPSC Food Safety Officer Exam Date 2023 Announced; Check Details Here

Attention job seekers! Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) has announced vacancies for the position of Food Safety Officer. If you meet the eligibility criteria and are interested in this opportunity, read on to find out how to apply and important details about the recruitment process.

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: PM Modi in Jharkhand, attacks Congress

PM Modi Vows to Pursue Legal Action Against the Corrupt Within the Next Five Years

PM Modi Vows to Pursue Legal Action Against the Corrupt Within the Next Five Years Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said the NDA government has unmasked corrupt forces, and all those who indulged in corruption would face action under law in the next five years. Hitting out at jailed former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren without taking his name, Modi said leaders of the Congress and the opposition INDIA bloc take out rallies in support of the corrupt. ''The former Jharkhand CM is behind bars for corruption; Modi is committed to wipe out the menace. In the next five years, all those who indulged in corruption will face legal action,'' he said at a poll rally in Gumla's Sisai to campaign for BJP candidate Samir Oraon from the Lohardaga Lok Sabha seat. The INDIA bloc leaders, neck-deep in corruption, hold rallies, including in Delhi and Ranchi, voicing support for corrupt people, which reveals their true character, the PM said. Modi also blamed Congress for the backwardness of tribal districts, alleging that food grains used to rot in godowns during the UPA regime from 2004 to 2014, while tribal children died due to starvation. No force on earth can stop free ration delivery to the poor, this is Modi's guarantee, the prime minister asserted. Modi said the NDA government ensured that the poor get access to the internet, which was meant only for rich people during the Congress rule. The PM also slammed the Congress for not taking any action against Maoists to preserve the party's vote bank.

Rahul Gandhi is wanted to become Prime Minister by Pakistani leaders: PM Modi in Palamu

In a fervent address at an election rally in Palamu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized past Congress administrations, branding them as feeble in addressing terrorism issues with Pakistan. Modi asserted that previous governments resorted to sending love letters to Pakistan in pursuit of peace, only to receive a surge of terrorists in return. Modi emphasized a decisive shift in India's stance towards Pakistan following the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, attributing it to the power of individual votes. He highlighted Pakistani leaders' aspirations for Rahul Gandhi to assume the role of Prime Minister after the recent parliamentary elections. Gone are the days, Modi proclaimed, when terrorists roamed freely and governments penned conciliatory missives to Pakistan. Instead, he emphasized a resolute New India ethos, symbolized by the refrain, Ghar mein ghus ke maarta hai (We enter their homes and strike). Modi commended the valor of those from Jharkhand and Bihar who safeguard the nation's borders, contrasting it with what he described as the timidity of previous Congress administrations. Highlighting the impact of surgical and Balakot strikes, Modi asserted that they had rattled Pakistan, prompting cries for help. He derided Pakistan's plea for assistance, stating that the country is now beseeching aid while harboring hopes for a Congress-led government under Rahul Gandhi. Modi underscored the need for a robust government to lead India, dismissing Pakistan's desires for a leadership change in India. The Prime Minister reiterated that Naxalism, terrorism, and Article 370 have been uprooted from the nation since 2014. In Jammu and Kashmir, the wall of Article 370 was brought down by the power of your vote. Naxalism and terrorism once plagued states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh, spreading fear and bloodshed. But your vote has brought hope to countless mothers and freed these lands from the grip of Naxalite terrorism, he declared. Former Pakistani Minister Fawad Chaudhry praised Rahul Gandhi, highlighting his socialist ideology reminiscent of his great grandfather, Jawaharlal Nehru. Rahul Gandhi, like his ancestor, carries the torch of socialism. The problems faced by India and Pakistan remain starkly similar even after 75 years of partition. Rahul ji rightly pointed out that a small fraction of families own a majority of wealth in both India and Pakistan. This inequality underscores the challenges of capitalism, Chaudhry expressed on social media. In Jharkhand, elections will be held across four phases: May 13, 20, 25, and June 1. In the 2019 elections, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) secured victory in 12 seats, with BJP alone clinching 11. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) and Congress each won one seat. The ongoing general elections span seven phases over six weeks, from April 19 to June 1. The first and second phases already took place on April 19 Arrival of Delegates from 23 Countries to Observe Lok Sabha Elections in India Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Big Names Face Critical Tests BJP's Post-Election Strategy: Focus Shifts to West Bengal

'Aaj ka Bharat ghar me ghus kar marta hai...': PM Modi at Jharkhand rally

Video: PM's 'silver spoon' jibe at Rahul Gandhi at Jharkhand poll rally

Video PMs silver spoon jibe at Rahul Gandhi at Jharkhand poll rally

BJP is in depression, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav says India bloc will form government on June 4

Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Tejashwi Yadav criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bihar visit, claiming BJP leaders are despondent and predicting an INDIA alliance government formation on June 4. Yadav remarked that Modi inviting Trump and Putin would be beneficial. He accused the PM of neglecting Bihar's development and job losses for youth. Campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand, Modi faces scrutiny over NDA's past performance in the region amid ongoing polls. In 2019, NDA dominated Bihar with RJD failing to secure any seats.

PM Modi exposes corruption ring; pledges legal action against culprits in Jharkhand rally

PM Modi exposes corruption ring; pledges legal action against culprits in Jharkhand rally Modi unmasked corrupt forces, all those who indulged in corruption will face action under law in next five years: PM at Jharkhand rally.

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Faces Corruption Charges, Modi Vows Anti-Corruption Drive at Gumla Rally

Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren Faces Corruption Charges, Modi Vows Anti-Corruption Drive at Gumla Rally Former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren behind bars for corruption, Modi committed to wipe out the menace: PM at Gumla rally.

PM Modi Blasts Opposition Leaders in Jharkhand, Accusing Them of Protecting the Corrupt

PM Modi Blasts Opposition Leaders in Jharkhand, Accusing Them of Protecting the Corrupt INDIA bloc leaders take out rallies in support of those indulging in corruption: PM Modi in Jharkhand's Gumla.

PM Modi highlights the digitization initiatives under his government, bringing internet access to the underprivileged

PM Modi highlights the digitization initiatives under his government, bringing internet access to the underprivileged Modi ensured the poor get access to internet, which was meant only for rich people during Cong rule: PM Modi in Jharkhand.

PM Modi Vows to Ensure Uninterrupted Free Ration Distribution for the Needy

PM Modi Vows to Ensure Uninterrupted Free Ration Distribution for the Needy No force on earth can stop free ration delivery to the poor, this is Modi's guarantee: PM at poll rally in Jharkhand.

PM Modi highlights Congress's past neglect of tribal districts during poll rally in Jharkhand

PM Modi highlights Congress's past neglect of tribal districts during poll rally in Jharkhand Congress ruined tribal districts, solely responsible for their backwardness: PM Modi at poll rally in Jharkhand's Gumla.

Pakistani leaders praying for Rahul Gandhi to make him PM, says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Jharkhand

Lashing out at ruling JMM and its alliance partner Congress, Mr. Modi alleged that leaders of both parties have accumulated immense wealth through corruption

Shaken By Surgical Strikes, Pak Leaders Now Praying Cong Shehzada Becomes Indias PM

Palamu (Jharkhand), May 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asserted his governments surgical and air strikes had shaken Pakistan, and the neighbouring countrys leaders are now praying that the Congress shehzada becomes Indias PM. Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel Modi, addressing a poll rally in Palamu, took a dig at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi without taking his name, and said the neighbouring country might want him as prime minister, but India wants a strong country with a [] The post Shaken By Surgical Strikes, Pak Leaders Now Praying Cong Shehzada Becomes Indias PM appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Bogey Of Political Vendetta: Jharkhand High Court Dismisses Hemant Soren's Plea Against ED Arrest In Illegal Land Case

PM Modi Celebrates Tribal Icon Birsa Munda's 150th Anniversary as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh' in Jharkhand's Palamu

PM Modi Celebrates Tribal Icon Birsa Munda's 150th Anniversary as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh' in Jharkhand's Palamu It is Modi's promise to celebrate tribal icon Birsa Munda's 150th anniversary as 'Janjatiya Gaurav Varsh': PM in Jharkhand's Palamu.

PM Modi Declares Unwavering Opposition to Congress's Plans for Muslim Reservation

PM Modi Declares Unwavering Opposition to Congress's Plans for Muslim Reservation Till I am alive, will not now allow any design of Cong to succeed in changing constitution for reservation to Muslims: PM Modi in Jharkhand.

PM Modi at Jharkhand Rally: Your Vote Helped Fulfill 500-Year-Old Ram Temple Dream

PM Modi at Jharkhand Rally: Your Vote Helped Fulfill 500-Year-Old Ram Temple Dream Your one vote contributed in building Ram Temple after struggle for 500 years: PM Modi at poll rally in Jharkhand's Palamu.

PM Modi Jharkhand | PM Modi Addresses Rally in Jharkhand | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | News18

PM Modi Jharkhand | PM Modi Addresses Rally in Jharkhand | Lok Sabha Elections 2024 | News18 : 'It's been 25 years, there's not a single blame of even 1 rupees' corruption against Modi,' said PM exudes confidence in Jharkhand's rally

25 Crore Indians Uplifted Out of Poverty Under NDA Rule, Claims PM Modi in Jharkhand Rally

25 Crore Indians Uplifted Out of Poverty Under NDA Rule, Claims PM Modi in Jharkhand Rally 25 crore people came out of poverty in last 10 years of NDA govt: PM Modi at poll rally in Jharkhand's Palamu.

PM Modi asserts spotless record as CM and PM during Palamu poll rally

PM Modi asserts spotless record as CM and PM during Palamu poll rally There is no blot of corruption on me in past 25 years as chief minister and prime minister: PM Modi at poll rally in Jharkhand's Palamu.

One Vote, Multiple Victories: PM Modi Highlights Successes from Scrapping of Article 370, Countering Terrorism

One Vote, Multiple Victories: PM Modi Highlights Successes from Scrapping of Article 370, Countering Terrorism Recognise value of your one vote, it resulted in scrapping of Article 370 in J&K, wiped out terrorism: PM Modi at Jharkhand poll rally.

Congress accuses Modi govt of step-motherly treatment to Jharkhand on coal royalties, scheme benefits

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Saturday claimed that the Centre owed Jharkhand lakhs of crores of rupees in coal royalties and central scheme benefits, and alleged that the Modi government dished out a step-motherly treatment to the state. Congress general secretary posed questions to the prime minister ahead of his rally in Palamu, Jharkhand. Why is the PM not releasing 1.36 lakh crores due to Jharkhand? Why is the PM denying 8 lakh people of Jharkhand the homes they were promised? What happened to the Mandal Dam? Ramesh said in a post on X. In Jharkhand, coal mines are operated by subsidiaries of Coal India Limited, which owes huge sums of money to the state government, he said. There is an outstanding of Rs 1,01,142 crore for non-payment of land compensation, Rs 32,000 crore under common cause dues head, and Rs 2,500 crore under washed coal royalty head. Sadly, given the BJP's track record in opposition-ruled states, the step-motherly treatment being dished out to Jharkhand is hardly a surprise, Ramesh said. What happened to the PM's favourite slogan - Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas? Where are the Rs 1,36,042 crores that Jharkhand and its people were promised? he said. Today mornings questions for the Prime Minister as he heads to Palamu, Jharkhand: 1. Why is the PM not releasing 1.36 lakh crores due to Jharkhand? 2. Why is the PM denying 8 lakh people of Jharkhand the homes they were promised? 3. What happened to the Mandal Dam? Jumla Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) May 4, 2024 Ramesh also said the Centre is yet to provide benefits to 8 lakh eligible beneficiaries in Jharkhand under the Centre's flagship housing scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). In 2021-2022, despite the scheme's portal listing more than 10 lakh beneficiaries, only 4 lakh homes were sanctioned. Most recently, about two lakh beneficiaries were arbitrarily removed from the list by the Ministry of Rural Development. Where are the 8 lakh homes that Jharkhand and its people are entitled to? he said. The Mandal Dam project in Palamu is yet another poll promise that PM Modi conveniently forgot about after elections, Ramesh said. Just ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the PM had laid the foundation stone of Mandal Dam project with great fanfare, he said. Five years later, the project remains stalled. Conceptualised to address agrarian distress in Jharkhand and Bihar, the project has languished even while the state has suffered back-to-back droughts in recent years, Ramesh said. He claimed that the dam's progress has been hindered as the BJP has refused to meet the demands of displaced families and failed to resolve compensation issues. PM will never tell you this...: Jairam Ramesh Despite promises of additional compensation, the project remains inactive, raising questions about the BJP government's commitment to completing crucial irrigation projects. Is the PM doing anything to ensure that this crucial project will be built? What is his vision to help rid Jharkhand of droughts? he said and asked the prime minister to break his silence on these issues.

Truth be retold: On archaeology, Indian history and more

The Earth is the library of mankind. For centuries, an obsessive, inquisitive and courageous tribe has been trying to excavate the extensive hoard of knowledge hidden beneath its layers of soil and sand, oceans, forests, rivers and ruinsa tribe called archaeologists. Their purpose is to exhume the debris of millennia, to understand the evolution of man, the rise and fall of civilisations and empires and, in the process, find a common thread between the past and present, and explain why we are as we are now. Their discoveries keep changing previous beliefs about religion, architecture, governance, ecology, tools, science, wars, gender and politics. Finding a piece of stone, a jawbone or molar that existed thousands of millennia ago can be a marker of mankinds peregrinations, answering the fundamental questions of creation. Who are we really? Where are we from? How did we come to become what we are? What next? They are, at the core, disruptors whose new findings are causing seismic shocks in established circles. The Great Migration didnt start from Africa, it was the reverse: proto-hominins, who lived in parts of Greece and Europe, moved to Africa first. Ancient Egyptian tombs may have been used to store radioactive nuclear waste. Arabia was a verdant expanse that supported all kinds of life 4,00,000 years ago. The poor Indian politician, who didnt see his ancestors change from apes to humans, was probably right; he couldnt have, even if he had lived 3,00,000 years ago in Africa. Humans did not evolve in a linear way. The famous monkey-to-man illustration published by Time-Life in 1965, known as the March of Progress, did much to embed this perception for generations. Archaeologists have contradicted this theory by analysing bone fragments found recently in digging sites. These conjure up a Frankensteins monster: different body parts evolving in different timelines and dimensional scales. the fossils of an ape, found to have lived in Greece between Eight-nine million years ago, possibly belonged to a male from a new species that foretold the arrival of man. Its DNA analysis suggests that humans evolved first in Europe, before moving to Africa, and then divided into two migratory streams Remains of Australopithecus sedibait walked like a humanwhich lived around 98 million years ago in South Africa, had a human hand attached to an ape-like arm and an advanced ankle bone connected to a primitive heel. Pre-human hominids (hominids are modern humans, extinct human species and all our immediate ancestors), however, were not as primitive as we think: researchers reconstructed a 4,76,000-year-old log building in Zambia, built more than 2,00,000 years before the Homo sapiens appeared on earth. FOLLOW THE TRAIL A new mind-boggling discovery in Greece is challenging the African migration theory. A team led by Canadian archaeologist David Begun recently concluded that the fossils of an ape, which lived in Greece eight-nine million years ago, possibly belonged to a male from a new species. Its DNA analysis suggested that human ancestors may have evolved first in Europe before moving to Africa, and then divided into two migratory streams. The result shatters the classical Darwinian theory; in 1871, he had suggested that all hominins are descended from a gene pool in Africa; or even Europe. To trace the Homo sapiens journey, scientists study two categories: Hominins and Hominids (modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans, plus all their immediate ancestors). This is a debate that has been ongoing for a long time. There are potentially a lot of places where the modern human could have developed from. There are believed to be at least 21 hominid species before Homo sapiens walked the earth. Whether they originated all out of Africa or in other corners of the world is a larger debate, says Shriya Gautam, Founder and Director of Research at Speaking Archaeologically, an archaeological education group. PREHISTORIC WARS ETCHED IN BONE Home sapiens is probably the only species that settles debates often with violence. Mans most primitive instinct to wage war was evident even then; archaeologists have plenty of evidence of brutality between humans and Neanderthals, who hunted big animals with clubs and spears. The longest war on earth lasted for 10,000 years between Neanderthals, who were physically powerful with larger brains and stronger arms, and the less stronger humans. Fossils of both species show signs of battle: traumas to the skull caused by clubs, parry fracture of the lower arm caused by warding off blows and spears plunged into chests. The warfare was prolonged, and through skirmishes, guerrilla-style raids and ambushes. Ashes to ashes The vulcanised city of Pompeii is proof that social inequality was ever present. Archaeologists identified ruins of a prison bakery where prisoners were locked up with donkeys, and forced to grind grain for bread. This suggested an organised justice system in a society that supported prison labour Our species kept losing for thousands of years because the enemy, which had superior strength and numbers, knew the terrain intimately. We dont know how or why they were beaten in the end. Humans had built weapons with longer range like bows, spear-throwers and throwing clubs, which allowed them to massacre Neanderthals from far away. Their new hunting and gathering techniques with such weapons encouraged population growth, which created larger tribes whose bigger numbers overpowered Neanderthals. Mysteries are the lifeblood of archaeology. Scientists are still trying to figure who the Giants of Lovelockthe massive 10-ft-tall skeletons discovered in and around Nevada caves in the last centurywere. By analysing their bone fragments using radiocarbon dating, it was found they lived between 2030 BC and 1218 BC. Native American legends speak about gigantic humans who inhabited the Lovelock area thousands of years ago: savage, redheaded, pale-skinned seafaring giants who attacked the local tribes. After years of war, they were cornered in a cave and massacred, according to indigenous lore. The human instinct to inflict pain, and kill predates Cain. The madness hasnt changed, only the methods have. Recently, archaeologists working in France found Stone Age remains of two women who were tortured and sacrificed in an Italian Mafia-style killing: the ligature binding their ankles to their necks would have resulted in self-strangulationa practice known as incaprettamento; the kind of revenge the Italian Mafia reserves for traitors. The first woman would have died gasping for breath with the weight of the second woman pushing down on her neck, and preventing her from breathing, leading to cardiac arrest. The study says homicidal ligature strangulation was an important part of ceremonies at ritual sites in the late Stone Age. There is speculation that these women were sacrificial victims. The second woman had two pieces of grindstone placed horizontally on her back. Grindstones are associated with agriculture. Researchers found more such instances of similar ritualistic murders of men and children too. Human sacrifices were common in the ancient world; prehistoric skeletons of men, women and children bearing signs of ritual killing have been dug up all across the earth. There was honour in burial too: women warriors in Mongolia and Scandinavia were interred in formal burial mounds with their horses and armour. Archaeology repeatedly proves that inequality and injustice has survived along with civilisation for millennia. In Pompeii, a city destroyed by a volcanic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, earth detectives identified the ruins of a prison bakery where prisoners were locked up with donkeys and forced to grind grain to bake bread, which suggested an organised justice system that supported prison labour. Foreign slaves were imprisoned for even small crimes. Excavators recently discovered a completely preserved fifth-century Mayan city built exclusively for the elite, demonstrating a strict distinction between the ruling classes and commoners. As wealth became hierarchical, powerful lords and rulers, Mayans and Egyptian kings and nobles were interred with their wives, servants and favourite animals like dogs and horses to accompany their masters into the afterlife. INDIAS AGE There is strong racial bias in archaeology. Conscious or not, most funding goes to digs examining Caucasian DNA of people of European descent. A new study showed that modern Japanese people descend from three ancestral groups, with the second being an unknown species. India too gets little funding for genomic research, despite its population of more than 1.4 billion, with more than 4,500 anthropologically well-defined populations, including castes, tribes and religious groups. The story of India starts 2.6 million years ago. The history of India starts 2,700 years ago. For over 99 per cent of the human past in the Indian subcontinent all you have is archaeology, says archaeologist and historian Kurush F Dalal. For over a century, British colonialists pushed the fraudulent Aryan migration theory as a superior racial trope. Now, fresh evidence released in early March suggests that Indians, like other races, travelled out from Africa around 50,000 years ago and possess Iranian ancestry. The examination of DNA of people in 18 Indian states concluded that most of us are descended from ancient Iranian farmers, Eurasian steppe herders and South Asian hunter-gatherers; not Aryan invaders, who thundered across the Indus to decimate and conquer. Gautam is circumspect. More research into it will be able to prove things in better light. Using present-day DNA to determine what has happened in the past can be useful but we cant rely on it 100 per cent, she says. Dalal has another take. Aryan is a linguistic term. There was never an Aryan invasion. There is zero evidence for this on the ground, she says. Last December, archaeologists established that human remains discovered in Rakhigarhi village, Haryana, are 8,000 years old. This debunks the Aryan invasion theory, which is supposed to have happened between 1,800 and 1,500 years ago. American archaeologist and Egyptologist Sarah Parcak is collaborating with the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to use remote sensing to map archaeological sites; a new science called satellite archaeology and satellite remote sensing. Parcak says that over 90 per cent of Indian heritage is buried in the earth. The Indian Culture Ministry will spend Rs 27,000 crore on reconstruction of historic sites; funding for archaeology has gone up by seven times. In January, archaeologists discovered remains of an 800-year-old human settlement in Prime Minister Narendra Modis native village Vadnagar in Gujarat: The oldest living city within a fortification ever to be unearthed in India. In July 2023, in Benisagar, Jharkhand, archaeologists found a village with a strong Hindu ethos; continuously inhabited by humans from the 5th century AD to 16-17th century AD. Benisagar was a thriving Hindu centre as its sculptural remains of temple complexes, images of Surya, Bhairava, Lakulisha, Agni and Kuber attest. A stone seal inscribed with Priyangu Dheyam Chatuvidya (Chaturvidya), indicated that a Vedic scholar named Priyangu lived in Benisagar. Dispelling current concepts of social morality, the frescoes of copulation in Benisagar also point at liberal sexual mores and sex education extant during that period. pyramid puzzle Egypt has been the focus of all things pyramidal, but thats not the half of it. There could be up to 138 of these structures in Egypt, but Sudan has far more: about 255, making it the country with the most of these mysteries The North-South political divide in India often rears its ugly head in archaeology. Excavations by the Tamil Nadu government has led Chief Minister MK Stalin to suggest that Indian history should be rewritten from the Dravidian point of view after finding 2,600-3,200-year-old objects in Keeladi. More money is needed to explore Indias vast subterranean heritage. The ASIs Adopt a Heritage 2.0 programme is meant to safeguard the countrys diverse cultural heritage with corporate stakeholders opening their wallets for the upkeep of more than 3,600 monuments. PEELING THE LAYERS Archaeology is the search to confirm that a common worldwide human imagination has existed on earth for millennia. For example, that pyramids are not confined to Egypt but also exist in Latin America and Cambodia. A study that spanned 20 years found that Amazonites had a strong urban culture, as proved by a vast network of interconnected cities in the heart of the rainforest. Social customs and class distinctions have become less crude, but have remained the same. Viking teeth showed that apart from tattoos, filed teeth and elongated skulls were signs of prestige. Researchers Matthias Toplak and Lukas Kerk think they might be members of a merchant guild. They told Newsweek magazine, This theory also implies that larger, organised communities of merchants existed already in the Viking Age, before the existence of formalised guilds. A 5,000-year-old mummy of an obese Anatolian farmer, nicknamed the Iceman, bore 61 ritualistic tattoos made with either a piece of bone or a copper awl. The worlds oldest-known pearl-fishing city found in the UAE revealed a flourishing ocean trade in precious things. Roman artefacts being discovered in Coimbatore to England to China showed the power and reach of the 1,000-year-old Empire. Many rulers were enlightened; at one time, the Persian Empire was one of the worlds oldest open societies. Unlike Irans Ayatollahs, Persian rulers welcomed outside craftsmen from Greece, Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan and other distant lands to build their capital city, Persepolis. Archaeological evidence of imperial ambition is widely available; the Cholas took Sri Lanka and Indonesia, while Kashmiri rulers raided Afghanistan and Xinjiang in China. The Nanda Empire of 345 BC had conquered Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan while the Mauryan Empire ruled over Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Tajikistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Pakistan in 322 BC. The study of power is the study of humanity, as archaeology amply proves. The recent excavation of a Mayan pyramid in Guatemala showed charred royal remains like a greenstone mask, usually placed in royal tombs with the dead king. Using historical coordinates and carbon dating, the team concluded that the citizenry had taken out the bones of the former ruler and burned it in public, signifying the arrival of a new monarch, likely Papmalil, who took over the Mayan kingdom of Kanwitznal then. LOST SCIENCES? Mythology is often derived from foggy historical images. In all ancient mythologies, fearsome weapons, in the form of thunderbolts and spears, can destroy mankind abound. A recent study, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science, suggests that nuclear waste has been found in Egyptian tombs that emit high radiation levels. The researchers think the ancient Egyptians were conversant with uranium-based technology. Studying ancient Egyptian literature in texts from 2,300-2,100 BC has revealed references to transformative processes and substances that resemble uranium-based materials, suggesting a high-level of technological sophistication in ancient Egypt that has gone unnoticed so far. Many superstitions arise from millennial prototypes, and it may be an error to dismiss ancient cultural symbols like the famous Chinese dragon as mythological nonsense. Excavators found a perfectly preserved fossil of an aquatic reptile resembling a Chinese dragon with snake-like features and elongated neck in the Year of the Dragon. It belonged to a Dinocephalosaurus orientalis, a 240-million-year-old reptile that lived or died in the Triassic period in southern China. Meanwhile, excavators digging inside a lignite mine in Kutch, Gujarat have discovered the bones of one of the most mammoth snakes ever known, dubbed Vasuki, which was 49-ft-long. FURY OF FAITH Where and when does God come into all this? A poignant discovery of religion, if not ritualism, came to light in 2016 when excavators found the 40,000-year-old body of a two-three-year-old child buried in a Spanish cave near Madrid. Named the Loyoza Child, its body was surrounded by hearths where bones, antlers and a rhino skull had been burned in a ceremonial cremation. Though evidence of organised religion doesnt appear till the Middle Paleolithic Age3,00,000 to 50,000 years ago when the Neanderthals were still around, and modern humans were yet to appearproof of religion was found in detailed cave paintings by Paleolithic artists 50,000 years ago. Where there is religion, superstition cannot be far behind. Fear of zombies and vampires rising from their graves are primal fears. Inside a late Neolithic or Early Bronze Age grave excavated in Germany, a large stone was found placed on a mans legs, pinning him down. Similarly, a 400-year-old grave of a child vampire, with a padlocked foot to prevent it from rising and drinking human blood was excavated in Poland last year. The Paleolithic Period, around 2.5 million years ago, has the first evidence of religion among Homo sapiens. In the Upper Paleolithic Period35,000 to 10,000 years agoappeared fertility goddesses (Venus statuettes). The loss of ancient languages mean the first religion must remain nameless, though the excavation of 92,000-year-old human remains found in the Qafzeh Cave, Israel, may be the earliest proof of faith. Archaeologists unearthed bones coloured with red ochre, accompanied by painted sea shells and flint artifacts; red ochre represents blood in religious rituals and reincarnation. The patterns of the earliest burial practices suggest a belief in life after death. Later findings show the existence of an ancestral skull cult 7,000 years ago in Palestine, where skulls with plaster moulds were kept in separate rooms. Science is truly the philosophy of opposites. One part goes into space to discover other civilisations while another searches inside the earth for lost ones. In the end, both are the same. Unravelling the mysteries of life and death, and the oldest enigma that ever existed: Time. A Brief History of Archaeology 6th century BC: The title of the worlds first archaeologist goes to the ancient Mesopotamian king, Nabonidus of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, who discovered and analysed the foundation deposit of the Akkadian Empire ruler Naram-Sin (2200 BC) 14th-15th century: Grave robbers from France, Britain and Denmark dug up ancient art objects to be sold as drawing room art showpieces. They travelled to the colonised Near-East and Egypt, where they looted pyramids and stole immense riches of the kings of ancient Egypt, Babylon and Persia from their tombs. This serendipitously led to the development of classical archaeology Classical Archaeology: In the 1400s, Cyriacus of Ancona collected and copied books and documents about archaeological monuments in Greece and the Mediterranean for 25 years. In the 18th century, people started to become aware of ancient civilisations Antiquarian studies: In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, art collectors appear in England, France and Scandinavia, which promoted antiquarian studies among scientifically adventurous people. British and European colonialism in Asia, Africa, America and Australia made it possible for collectors to bring home antiquities of great historical value and study. European museums were suddenly stocked with objects, and knowledge about arcane ancient Eastern and Western cults spread The Beginning of Scientific Archaeology: In 1814, a French customs official, Boucher de Perthes, discovered stone tools in the valley of the Somme in France, along with the fossils of prehistoric animals. In 1863, Sir Charles Lyell published the geological antiquity of man. In 1857, the fossil of prehistoric Stone Age man was discovered in a stone cave at Neanderthal in Germany. He was named the Neanderthal man. Archaeology was accepted as a science by the mid-19th century The Birth of Modern Archaeology: Charles Darwins Origin of Species further encouraged the study of mans antiquity and his evolution from an animal species from a remote time. Heinrich Schliemann conducted the first archaeological excavation in Greece to discover the city of Troy. Radiocarbon dating was invented in mid-20th century to reconstruct the unrecorded prehistory of man The India story 18th Century: Systematic research into the sub-continents history was first undertaken by the Asiatic Society founded by the British Indologist Sir William Jones in 1784 Enter ASI: British Army engineer Alexander Cunningham realised the need for a permanent body, and founded the Archaeological Survey of India in 1861. Shortly after, the body was suspended due to lack of funds. It was revived in 1871, and Cunningham was appointed its first Director-General. In fact, almost two decades later, another fund crunch led to the suspension of the Director-General post until 1902 Age of Discovery: Fear of the ASI being shut down prevailed until the discovery of the Nigali Sagar, an archeological site in Nepal containing the remains of Asokas pillar. In 1896, another related discovery was madethe Lumbini pillar inscription The Curzon era: The organisation truly came into its own from 1901 under the Director-Generalship of John Marshall, who encouraged epigraphical studies. Under his leadership, the excavations of Taxila began in 1913 and lasted for 21 years. The Indus Valley Civilisation at Harappa and Mohenjodaro were duly discovered in 1921 Independent India: The National Museum was inaugurated in Delhi on August 15, 1949 to house excavated artefacts. Excavations of Indus Valley sites at Kalibangan, Lothal and Dholavira were made in 1968 Present Day: Today the ASI administers close to 4,000 monuments and sites. The latest discoveries have been at Rakhigarhi, an Indus Valley Civilisation site in Haryana OLD TRADE, NEW TOOLS GPS It helps archaeologists locate and accurately map locations of sites across landscapes Satellite imaging Use of high-resolution satellites with thermal and infrared capabilities to pinpoint potential sites of interest in the earth 3D modelling It helps archaeologists reconstruct site models for research and academic purposes. It comprises techniques such as Structure for Motion and Building Information Modelling, which ensure efficient and accurate representation LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging is the process of detecting distant objects and determining their position, velocity, volume or other characteristics by analysing pulsed laser light reflected from their surfaces

Loksabha Election 2024: PM Narendra Modi to hold rallies in Jharkhand & Bihar

Senior BJP leader and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address two public rallies at Palamu and Sisai in Gumla district at 11 am and 12.30 pm today in Jharkhand. Mr Modi will campaign for NDA candidates from Palamu BD Ram and Samir Oraon from Lohardaga constituencies, going for polls in the fourth phase of General []

Congress cries foul over alleged bias of Modi government towards Jharkhand

Congress cries foul over alleged bias of Modi government towards Jharkhand The Congress on Saturday claimed that the Centre owed Jharkhand lakhs of crores of rupees in coal royalties and central scheme benefits, and alleged that the Modi government dished out a ''step-motherly treatment'' to the state. Congress general secretary posed questions to the prime minister ahead of his rally in Palamu, Jharkhand. ''Why is the PM not releasing 1.36 lakh crores due to Jharkhand? Why is the PM denying 8 lakh people of Jharkhand the homes they were promised? What happened to the Mandal Dam?'' Ramesh said in a post on X. In Jharkhand, coal mines are operated by subsidiaries of Coal India Limited, which owes huge sums of money to the state government, he said. ''There is an outstanding of Rs 1,01,142 crore for non-payment of land compensation, Rs 32,000 crore under common cause dues head, and Rs 2,500 crore under washed coal royalty head. Sadly, given the BJP's track record in opposition-ruled states, the step-motherly treatment being dished out to Jharkhand is hardly a surprise,'' Ramesh said. ''What happened to the PM's favourite slogan - Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas? Where are the Rs 1,36,042 crores that Jharkhand and its people were promised?'' he said. Ramesh also said the Centre is yet to provide benefits to 8 lakh eligible beneficiaries in Jharkhand under the Centre's flagship housing scheme, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). ''In 2021-2022, despite the scheme's portal listing more than 10 lakh beneficiaries, only 4 lakh homes were sanctioned. Most recently, about two lakh beneficiaries were arbitrarily removed from the list by the Ministry of Rural Development. Where are the 8 lakh homes that Jharkhand and its people are entitled to?'' he said. ''The Mandal Dam project in Palamu is yet another poll promise that PM Modi conveniently forgot about after elections,'' Ramesh said. Just ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the PM had laid the foundation stone of Mandal Dam project with great fanfare, he said. ''Five years later, the project remains stalled. Conceptualised to address agrarian distress in Jharkhand and Bihar, the project has languished even while the state has suffered back-to-back droughts in recent years,'' Ramesh said. He claimed that the dam's progress has been hindered as the BJP has refused to meet the demands of displaced families and failed to resolve compensation issues. ''Despite promises of additional compensation, the project remains inactive, raising questions about the BJP government's commitment to completing crucial irrigation projects. ''Is the PM doing anything to ensure that this crucial project will be built? What is his vision to help rid Jharkhand of droughts?'' he said and asked the prime minister to break his ''silence'' on these issues.

'Used Political Vendetta Bogey to Wriggle Out of Mess Created by Himself': Jharkhand HC in Order Dismissing Soren's Plea

The court, calling the former Jharkhand CM a losing litigant and anxious petitioner, said his excuse of illness of his parents for keeping more than Rs 36 lakh in cash prima facie looks untenable

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: PM Modi To Campaign For BJP In UP, Jharkhand; FIR Against Amit Shah For 'Poll Code Violation'

Lok Sabha Elections 2024 LIVE: The Prime Minister is also set to blow the poll bugle in Jharkhand's Palamu tomorrow

Lok Sabha polls 2024 LIVE updates: PM Modi to address two rallies in Jharkhand

Rahul Gandhi filed his papers from Uttar Pradeshs Rae Bareli constituency, barely an hour before nominations closed for the Lok Sabha seat.

Logs worth 5L seized in PTR, 4 held

Chatra admin, NTPC hold voters programme

25 senior cops keep hawk eye on campaign

HC allows Hemant to attend shradh of uncle in police custody

BCCL to pay dividend to CIL for the first time

Days after evading arrest, Giridih candidate summoned by poll office

ACs, coolers fly off shelves as mercury soars in Ranchi

Brothers feud steals limelight in Chatra

Borewell operators now need to notify RMC prior to drilling

Thousands wait in blazing sun for PMs roadshow in Ranchi

38 of 45 girls of CMs school of excellence fail in intermediate exam

BJP appeals to migrant voters to come home and vote

Nine candidates take political plunge to bring social change

Daughter of suspected Maoist aide arrested

60-Year-Old Man Shot Dead By Son Over Jharkhand Housing Scheme: Police

A 60-year-old man was shot dead allegedly by his son in a dispute over Abua Awas in Palamu district, police said on Friday.

JMMs Odisha Candidate List: Shibu Sorens Daughter to Fight for Both MP, MLA Seats

Bhubaneswar: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) announced its candidate list for the upcoming Odisha general elections on Friday. The list includes candidates for five assembly seats. Anjani Soren, the daughter of JMM leader Shibu Soren and the sister of ex-CM Hemant Soren is set to run for the Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat as well as [] The post JMMs Odisha Candidate List: Shibu Sorens Daughter to Fight for Both MP, MLA Seats appeared first on Pragativadi | Odisha News, Breaking News Odisha, Latest Odisha News .

Rainfall Update: There will be rain in this state for four days; Meteorological Department announced good news

UP Weather: There is going to be light to moderate rain in Eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand between 6-9 May. Apart from this, an alert has also been issued for thunderstorm and lightning. UP Weather: Amidst the scorching heat across the country, the Meteorological Department has announced good news on Friday. It is going to [] The post Rainfall Update: There will be rain in this state for four days; Meteorological Department announced good news first appeared on informalnewz .

Heatwave to Persist for Two More Days in Eastern and Southern Peninsular India

Heatwave to Persist for Two More Days in Eastern and Southern Peninsular India The record-breaking heatwave spell affecting east India and parts of the southern peninsular region continued unabated on Friday, with temperatures settling above 44 degrees Celsius in at least 13 places. Intensely hot conditions prevailed in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Odisha, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Maximum temperatures settled in the range of 43-46 degrees Celsius in parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha, Vidarbha, Madhya Maharashtra and 40-43 degrees in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Marathwada and north interior Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. Nandyal in Andhra Pradesh sizzled at 46.3 degrees Celsius, the highest maximum temperature in the country on Friday. The mercury settled at 44.6 degrees Celsius in Odisha's Boudh, 45 degrees in Khammam (Telangana), 46.2 degrees in Cuddapah (Andhra Pradesh), 43.4 degrees in Erode (Tamil Nadu), and 44.6 degrees in West Bengal's Kalaikunda. The IMD said the ongoing heatwave spell in east and south peninsular India will continue until May 5-6 and abate thereafter. The Met office on Wednesday said above-normal maximum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country in May and a significantly high number of heatwave days expected over the northern plains, central region and adjoining areas of peninsular India. April witnessed record-smashing maximum temperatures in east, northeast and southern peninsular India, prompting health warnings from government agencies and some states to suspend in-person classes in schools. A number of stations recorded their highest-ever April day temperatures. Five active western disturbances led to rainfall, thunderstorms and hail storms over north and central India at regular intervals in April, preventing heat waves. IMD data shows that heat waves this April were far worse than in 2023, the warmest year on record so far. This trend is likely to continue in May, with around eight to 11 heatwave days predicted over the south Rajasthan, west Madhya Pradesh, Vidarbha, Marathwada and the Gujarat regions. The remaining parts of Rajasthan, east Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Chhattisgarh, interior Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, north interior Karnataka and Telangana may record five to seven heatwave days during the month. Normally, the northern plains, central India and adjoining areas of peninsular India experience around three days of heat waves in May. India witnessed two spells of heat waves in April -- from April 5 to 7 and April 15 to 30. The IMD attributed the prolonged heatwave spell over east, northeast and south peninsular India in April to the absence of thunderstorms and an anticyclone at lower levels over the west central Bay of Bengal and the adjoining eastern coasts of India. This caused the sea breeze to cut off over Odisha and West Bengal on most days. The weather office said south peninsular India recorded an average maximum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius in April, the second-highest since 1901. The mean temperature (28.12 degrees Celsius) in April in east and northeast India was the highest since 1901, it said. The IMD said above-normal maximum temperatures have become frequent over south peninsular India since the 1980s. The region recorded 12.6 mm rainfall in April -- the fifth lowest since 1901 and the second-lowest since 2001. According to IMD data, the number of heatwave days this April was the highest in 15 years in Gangetic West Bengal and nine years in Odisha. Odisha also experienced the longest heatwave spell (16 days) in April since 2016. Amid the prevailing but weakening El Nino conditions, the IMD had earlier warned of extreme heat during the April-June period, coinciding with the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections. Hundreds of thousands of voters had to cope with the searing heat when they stepped out to exercise their franchise in the second phase of the elections on April 26. Polling for 94 constituencies across 12 states will take place on May 7. The weather office had earlier expected four to eight heatwave days in different parts of the country in April against a normal of one to three days. Ten to 20 heatwave days are expected against a normal of four to eight in the entire April-June period.

Congress, JMM in race for corruption and loot in Jharkhand: PM Modi

Congress, JMM in race for corruption and loot in Jharkhand: PM Modi Ranchi: Launching yet another blistering attack against the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday accused the Congress and the JMM of openly looting Jharkhands massive resources. Theres a race between the Congress and the JMM in Jharkhand a race for corruption [] The post Congress, JMM in race for corruption and loot in Jharkhand: PM Modi appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

State govts announce new school timings, holidays amid heatwave: Check complete list

State governments adjust school timings to protect kids from intense heatwave. IMD red alert for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha. Met 'Orange' alert for Telangana, Karnataka. Heatwave persists in May. Chhattisgarh summer vacation. Jharkhand school closure. Maharashtra early break.

State filled with promise: PM Modi shares thread highlighting Jharkhands progress under BJP

The News Mill

Growing Support for INDIA Bloc Gains Momentum Nationwide: Jharkhand CM

Growing Support for INDIA Bloc Gains Momentum Nationwide: Jharkhand CM Jharkhand Chief Minister Champai Soren on Friday asserted that the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the state will not have any impact on the poll prospects of the INDIA bloc as a ''strong wave'' is sweeping across the country in its favour. Addressing a public meeting at Bodhi Temple Ground here before JMM candidate Samir Mohanty filed his nomination papers from the prestigious Jamshedpur Lok Sabha constituency, Soren appealed to the masses to vote for INDIA bloc candidates to ''protect the Constitution and democracy''. When asked about the PM's visit, Soren, after Mohanty filed his nomination, told reporters, ''It is election time and any leader can go anywhere for campaigning. However, his visit will not impact the poll prospects of the INDIA bloc.'' PM Modi addressed a public meeting in Chaibasa, the district headquarters of West Singhbhum, on Friday evening in support of BJP candidates Union minister Arjun Munda (Khunti) and Geeta Koda (Singhbhum). ''We will register a historical victory in Jharkhand in the polls,'' Soren asserted. He alleged that 11 lakh ration cards were cancelled in the state when the BJP government was in power. ''Whoever spoke of development were sent behind the bars. Hemant Soren and Arvind Kejriwal were examples,'' he added.

Congress, JMM openly looting Jharkhand's resources, says PM Modi at Singhbhum rally

Addressing a public rally in the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, Prime Minister Modi said the relationship between BJP and Jharkhand is one from the heart and that if anyone understands Jharkhand and the feelings of the people here, then it is only the BJP. Bhajpa aur jharkhand ka jo ye rishta haina, vo dil ka hai, jharkhand ko, yaha ke logo ki bhavnao ko agar koi samajhta hai aur suljhata hai, toh vo sirf BJP hai, said the Prime Minister.

Congress, JMM openly looting Jharkhands resources, says PM Modi at Singhbhum rally

The News Mill

Congress, JMM indulged in loot of Jharkhand's resources, their leaders involved in scams: PM Modi

Congress plans to handover property to those involved in 'vote jihad': PM Modi in Jharkhand

Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of planning to distribute property to those involved in vote jihad while emphasizing his commitment to protecting the rights of the poor, Dalits, and tribals. He asserted that no force would be allowed to alter the Constitution. Modi criticized the JMM-led coalition in Jharkhand for allegedly patronizing infiltration and engaging in vote bank politics similar to West Bengal.

Congress plans to handover property to those involved in 'vote jihad': PM Modi claims in Jharkhand

The PM said the JMM-led coalition was patronising infiltration in Santhal Parganas and indulged in vote bank politics akin to neighbouring West Bengal

Jharkhand's Resources Exploited by Congress and JMM, Claims PM Modi at Chaibasa Rally

Jharkhand's Resources Exploited by Congress and JMM, Claims PM Modi at Chaibasa Rally Congress, JMM indulged in loot of Jharkhand's resources, their leaders involved in scams: PM Modi at Chaibasa rally.

Schools closed, class timings revised in these states due to heatwave: Check complete list here

States are adjusting school schedules to deal with the ongoing severe heatwave. Class 10 activities in Bihar's Patna district are limited to 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chhattisgarh's summer break lasts from April 22 to June 15. Jharkhand closes schools up to Class 8, adjusting Class 9-12 hours to 7 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Maharashtra announces an early break, while Meghalaya and Tripura close schools temporarily. West Bengal moves summer vacation to April 22.

Jharkhand HC refuses provisional bail to former CM Hemant Soren

RANCHI: The Jharkhand High Court on Friday denied the petition filed by jailed former Chief Minister Hemant Soren seeking provisional bail for attending shraddha ritual of his uncle who passed away on last Saturday. The Court, however, allowed Soren to attend the last rites of his uncle for few hours under police custody. Refusing to grant him provisional bail, the court gave strict instructions that while attending the ritual to be held on May 6, Hemant Soren will not talk to the media nor hold any political discussion with anybody. Soren, who is currently lodged in Birsa Munda Central jail after being arrested Enforcement Directorate on January 31, had approached Jharkhand High Court for provisional bail after the Special PMLA Court in Ranchi refused to grant him the same. In his appeal, he had sought provisional bail for three days from the High Court. In the petition, he had requested the court to allow him to attend the Shraddha of his uncle. Notably, elder brother of JMM patriarch Shibu Soren, Rajaram Soren, passed away following prolonged illness early in the morning on April 28. Earlier on Friday, the Jharkhand HC also dismissed Hemant Sorens petition challenging his arrest by the ED in a money laundering case linked to a land scam. Hemant Soren will come back stronger; Jharkhand will not bow down: Kalpana hits out at BJP

SC notice to CBI on Jharkhand govt. plea in Sahibganj illegal mining case

The Bench headed by Justice Sanjiv Khanna said the chargesheet, if any, should be retained in a sealed cover till the next date of hearing in the Supreme Court on July 18

11-year-old student dies during physical activity at school in Jharkhand

An 11-year-old student of a residential school in Jharkhand's Ramgarh district died allegedly during physical activity on the school ground. The incident has prompted an investigation by the authorities.

Tragic Loss: Young Student Passes Away at School

Tragic Loss: Young Student Passes Away at School An 11-year-old student of a residential school died allegedly during physical activity on school ground in Jharkhands Ramgarh district on Friday morning, an official said. Ramgarh sub-divisional officer (SDO), Ashish Gangwar, told PTI that a probe order has been issued into the death of a class-5 student, identified as Aryan Kumar. ''The probe panel will be headed by District Superintendent of Education (DSE), Ramgarh, Sanjit Kumar,'' he said. The incident happened at Radha Govind Residential School in Jara Basti of the district when the student came to the school ground to take part in routine physical activity. ''The student, who hailed from Basantpur under Mandu block of the district, suddenly fell on the ground during the activity. He was taken to Sadar hospital where doctors declared him brought dead,'' said BN Sah, chairman of the institution. In view of severe heatwave conditions in parts of Jharkhand, the state government has suspended classes from kindergarten to class-8 across the state till further notice. The DSE said that the residential schools have been exempted from the government order for suspension of classes. ''We have taken the issue of death seriously and necessary action will be taken after the probe,'' he said.

Land scam case: Jharkhand High Court dismisses former CM Hemant Soren plea against ED arrest

The Jharkhand High Court on Friday dismissed former Chief Minister Hemant Sorens plea against his arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the land scam case. A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Shree Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar dismissed his plea 4 days after the Supreme Court, posting Sorens plea against ED Arrest in the []

Here's What 2024 Lok Sabha Elections Schedule: Seven Phases from April 19 to June 1

The 2024 Lok Sabha elections are set to unfold in seven phases, spanning from April 19 to June 1, with results expected on June 4. The Election Commission has revealed the schedule, highlighting that April 19 will witness the highest number of constituencies, totaling 102, while the fifth phase, on May 20, will see the lowest number at just 49. Here's a breakdown of the election phases across different states: Single Poll Date (22 states): Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Chandigarh, Delhi, Goa, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu. Two-phase Voting (4 states): Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tripura, Manipur Three-phase Voting (2 states): Chhattisgarh, Assam Four-phase Voting (3 states): Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand Five-phase Voting (2 states): Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir Seven-phase Voting (3 states): Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal The Lok Sabha Election 2024 schedule is as follows: Phase 1 (April 19): 101 Seats Phase 2 (April 26): 89 Seats Phase 3 (May 7): 94 Seats Phase 4 (May 13): 96 Seats Phase 5 (May 20): 49 Seats Phase 6 (May 25): 57 Seats Phase 7 (June 1): 57 Seats Each phase covers various states and Union Territories, ensuring a comprehensive electoral process across the nation. In the first phase on April 19, a total of 102 seats will be contested across several states and Union Territories: Arunachal Pradesh: Arunachal West, Arunachal East Assam: Sonitpur, Kaziranga, Jorhat, Dibrugarh, Lakhimpur Bihar: Aurangabad, Gaya, Nawada, Jamui Jammu & Kashmir: Udhampur Madhya Pradesh: Sidhi, Shahdol, Jabalpur, Mandla, Balaghat, Chhindwara Maharashtra: Ramtek, Nagpur, Bhandara-Gondiya, Gadchiroli-Chimur, Chandrapur Manipur: Inner Manipur Meghalaya: Shillong, Tura Mizoram: Mizoram Nagaland: Nagaland Rajasthan: Ganganagar, Bikaner, Churu, Jhunjhunu, Sikar, Jaipur Rural, Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Karauli-Dholpur, Dausa, Nagaur Sikkim: Sikkim Tamil Nadu: Thiruvallur, Chennai North, Chennai South, Chennai Central, Sriperumbudur, Kancheepuram, Arakkonam, Vellore, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai, Arani, Viluppuram, Kallakurichi, Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Tiruppur, Nilgiris, Coimbatore, Pollachi, Dindigul, Karur, Tiruchirappalli, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Chidambaram, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Thanjavur, Sivaganga, Madurai, Theni, Virudhunagar, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukkudi, Tenkasi, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari Tripura: Tripura West Uttar Pradesh: Saharanpur, Kairana, Muzaffarnagar, Bijnor, Nagina, Moradabad, Rampur, Pilibhit West Bengal: Cooch Behar, Alipurduars, Jalpaiguri Chhattisgarh: Bastar Uttarakhand: Tehri Garhwal, Garhwal, Almora, Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar, Hardwar Andaman & Nicobar: Andaman Nicobar Islands Lakshadweep: Lakshadweep Puducherry: Puducherry These elections aim to engage citizens in the democratic process, allowing them to exercise their right to vote and shape the future of their nation. Congress Announces Candidates for Lok Sabha 2024, Rahul Gandhi to Contest from Rae Bareli Congress KL Sharma to Contest against BJP's Smriti Irani in Amethi Trinamool Congress Accuses Congress Leader of Promoting BJP Agenda

Demand for Air conditioners soar as temperatures continue to rise, some companies raise prices by 3-5 per cent

Demand for Air conditioners soar as temperatures continue to rise, some companies raise prices by 3-5 per cent The demand for air conditioners (ACs) have surged during the April month due to the increase in temperature, especially in North and Central India. It has prompted a strong outlook for AC demand until mid-June 2024. According to a report by Anand Rathi Financial Services Limited, after the surge in demand for AC's the manufacturing companies have increased prices. The AC manufacturing company Blue Star has increased prices by 3-5 per cent across various models. The report highlights that in South India, particularly Tamil Nadu, AC volumes soared by 40-50 per cent year-on-year (y/y). While Karnataka and Telangana witnessed a 15-20 per cent y/y growth in AC volumes. In Central India, including Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Madhya Pradesh (MP), AC volumes grew by 15-20 per cent y/y. However, the local dealers have reported shortages of the ACs across brands, leading to increased delivery times. In North India, particularly in Rajasthan and Haryana, AC demand has surged post-Holi, with volumes growing by 20-25 per cent in April 2024. The report highlights that some dealers anticipated further growth in AC demand by 25-30 per cent in May. In the Eastern region, Odisha saw a 25-30 per cent increase in AC volumes, while Jharkhand experienced a 10-15 per cent y/y growth. Despite rising demand, no pricing action was observed by any brand in the region, and dealers are facing a shortage in giving timely supply. The demand for AC in the Western region including Gujarat and Maharashtra have surged in the latter half of April, with volumes growing by 15-20 per cent y/y. According to the report several brands in Gujarat increased prices by 3-5 per cent across various models. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday that most parts of the country are likely to record above-normal maximum temperatures in May. The IMD, however, stated that some parts of northwest and central India and adjoining areas of northeast peninsular India are likely to record normal to below-normal maximum temperatures. According to IMD, the average minimum temperature (22 degrees Celsius) in April in east and northeast India was the highest since 1901. (ANI)

Centre approves appointment of Sanjaya Kumar Mishra as President, GSTAT

The Appointment committee of Cabinet has approved the appointed Sanjaya Kumar Mishra, former Chief Justice, Jharkhand High Court as President GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT) for 4 years.

Setback To Hemant Soren, Jharkhand High Court Turns Down His Plea Against ED Arrest

Hemant Soren was arrested on January 31 in the case after he resigned as the Jharkhand chief minister, and party loyalist and state transport minister Champai Soren was named as his successor.

Odisha: Five arrested, CISF constable axed for negligence of duty

PARADIP: Police on Wednesday busted a racket that was illegally lifting coal from within a prohibited area of Paradip Port and arrested five persons in this connection besides suspending a CISF constable for negligence of duty. On April 29, three trucks had entered the prohibited zone within the port to unload iron ore. Though the trucks were to leave without any cargo, sources said, around 30 to 35 metric tonne of coal was loaded on each of them. The vehicles then left through the port gate without proper checking or transit passes. Later acting on an intel, police patrolling the port town chased the vehicles. While two vehicles managed to escape, one was detained at Atharbanki and its driver Kamal Seikh arrested. During interrogation, Seikh confessed to transporting the stolen coal to Manguli in Cuttack besides revealing the names of his accomplices. Seikh was from Mirzapur in Jharkhand while his aides were identified as Galib Hasim and Rakesh Panda of Jajpur, Barada Behera of Kendrapara, and Subhransu Sekhar Mohanty from Cuttack. The suspended CISF constable is Amit Lakra. President of Jagannath Truck Owners Association Rakesh Jena said the trucks had loaded coal without obtaining proper loading slip from local truck associations. The truck did not have a waybill or other necessary documents for transporting cargo from the port. Local unscrupulous transport agencies are using outside trucks for illegal transport of coal and other cargo because they offer lower rates, he added. Paradip SP Rashmi Ranjan Sahu filed an FIR at Paradip Model police station and a case under sections 379, 411, and 34 of the IPC was registered. Assistant superintendent of police, Paradip Santosh Kumar Jena said `1.98 lakh in cash, two cars and eight mobile phones were seized from the accused. More people are likely to be arrested in this connection. Commandant CISF Akshit Patel said constable Lakra was suspended for negligence of duty. Inquiry is underway against other personnel on duty during that time and action will be taken against them if found guilty, he informed. Sources said some transport and stevedoring agencies, instead of hiring local trucks for transporting cargo in the port, reportedly engaged outside trucks because they charged lower rates and facilitated illegal transport of coal and other cargo from the prohibited areas within the port.

Odisha: Furnace explosion in KJS Ahluwalia plant leaves 10 injured

KEONJHAR/BARBIL: At least 10 workers sustained grievous burn injuries following an explosion in one of the furnaces of KJS Ahluwalia Steel Plant on Thursday evening. Four of the injured were critical and shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Sources said an explosion took place in induction furnace number -1 of the plant and molten iron spilled on the workers who were present under it. The plant is situated in Barapada area within Rugudi police limits. The injured workers were immediately rushed to Keonjhar district headquarters hospital and four of them were later shifted to SCB. Dr Pradeep Kumar Naik, a senior specialist in Department of Surgery, confirmed that four persons were critically injured in the accident which took place at about 4.45 pm. Police sources said the injured workers are natives of different states like Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and Assam. Deputy director and assistant director of Directorate of Factories and Boilers visited the spot to investigate the matter. The reason behind the explosion is yet to be ascertained. Initial investigation revealed about eight workers sustained injuries due to the explosion. Further probe into the matter is continuing, said DIG, Niti Shekhar. Odisha Fire and Emergency Service personnel rushed to the spot but things did not get worse as the incident did not trigger any fire accident. The incident has raised concerns about safety of the workers in the plant. In January this year, an explosion had occurred in induction furnace-2 of the same plant.

Hemant Soren gets provisional bail for uncle's last rites

The Jharkhand high court on Friday approved provisional bail for imprisoned former chief minister Hemant Soren. The bail is granted for him to participate in the funeral rituals of his late uncle, Rajaram Soren.

Jharkhand HC dismisses Hemant Soren's plea challenging his arrest

RANCHI: In yet another blow to former CM Hemant Soren, the Jharkhand HC on Friday dismissed his petition challenging his arrest by the ED in a money laundering case linked to a land scam. A two-bench judge comprising of Chief Justice S Chandrashekhar and Justice Navneet Kumar had kept its order reserved on February 28 after hearing the arguments of both sides. It was argued on behalf of Hemant Soren that the case in which he has been arrested was not a scheduled offence and there was no case of money laundering against him. Soren's name was not even mentioned in the documents related to the land of Bagdai and claimed that his name was dragged deliberately. ED on the other hand, argued that the then CM Hemant Soren had tried to destroy the evidence by misusing his power and position after the summons were issued against him. Notably, Hemant Soren has also moved the Supreme Court against the delay in giving the verdict after the Jharkhand High Court reserved its orders on February 28. It has been said in the petition that due to the decision not coming in the case, he is not able to participate in the Lok Sabha election campaign.

Hemant Soren will come back stronger; Jharkhand will not bow down: Kalpana hits out at BJP

RANCHI: Launching a scathing on the BJP-led Centre, the wife of jailed former Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, Kalpana Soren posted a photograph of her posing with a bow and arrow on the social media platform 'X' with captions targetting the saffron party for the recent events in the state. After filing nominations for the Gandey Assembly by-poll, Kalpana Soren has been making scathing attacks on the BJP-led Centre for allegedly targeting the non-BJP-ruled states. In her 'X' handle, the JMM leader said, Sach hai vipatti jab aati hai; Kayar ko hi dahlati hai. Surma nahin vichalit hote; Chhan ek nahi dheeraj khote. Vighnon ko gale lagate hain; kanto me raah banate hain. (It is true, when disaster strikes; only the coward is frightened. Braves dont get distracted; never lose patience even for a moment. Embrace obstacles; makes a path among the thorns.) Speaking to a news agency on Thursday, she said that the people of Jharkhand are seething in anger against the BJP government and will throw out this tyrannical force which is looting its rich mineral resources. According to Kalpana Soren, Hemant Soren's arrest was unexpected and unwarranted and it triggered a shock in the JMM and the family. The tribals of the state will not bow down and Hemant Soren will emerge stronger, she said. We have full faith in the judiciary and we are waiting for Hemant ji to come out on bail and campaign for the Lok Sabha polls. He is innocent and has been trapped in a pre-planned conspiracy by the BJP-led government at the Centre, said Kalpana Soren. Kalpana Soren, who projected herself as the JMM leader before the nation during the concluding ceremony of 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' for the first time on March 17 and gave the slogan Jharkhand Jhukega Nahin - India Rukega Nahi (Jharkhand will not bow down - India will not stop), is said to have been taking almost all key decisions in the party. Kalpana has also been quite vocal on social media against the BJP after Hemant Soren's arrest. Party sources claimed that Kalpana, who has already taken charge of the JMM in the absence of Hemant Soren, may replace Champai Soren as the Chief Minister of Jharkhand if she contests successfully in the Assembly elections.

Womens national football tourney: Manipur drubs Jharkhand 7-0, Sikkim holds Maharashtra 1-1

GUWAHATI:Manipur showcased their prowess with a commanding 7-0 victory over Jharkhand in the inaugural Group B match of the 28thSenior Womens National Football Championship for the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy Final Round. The match took place at the AIFF National Centre of Excellence in Kolkata on Thursday (May 02). Led by India international Dangmei Grace, Manipur [] The post Womens national football tourney: Manipur drubs Jharkhand 7-0, Sikkim holds Maharashtra 1-1 appeared first on NORTHEAST NOW .

With Dhami in toe, BJP nominee Sanjay Seth files nomination for Ranchi LS seat

RANCHI: Sanjay Seth, the BJP candidate for the Ranchi Lok Sabha constituency, on Thursday filed his nomination in the presence of Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Accompanied by CM Dhami, leader of opposition in Jharkhand Assembly Amar Kumar Bauri, AJSU chief Sudesh Mahto, JD(U)s Kheeru Mahto and other BJP leaders, Seth expressed confidence for his victory from Ranchi. Before filing of the papers, a grand poll meeting was organised in Morabadi ground in Ranchi where thousands of supporters from different assembly constituencies were also present. Expressing hope that the NDA will win all 14 seats in Jharkhand, CM Dhami said the entire nation is eager to see Narendra Modi become Prime Minister for the third time. The overwhelming support is evident in Jharkhand and people are enthusiastic. The NDA is poised to claim victory in all 14 seats in Jharkhand. Sanjay Seths campaign will set new records, securing Ranchis support to represent them in Parliament, he added. CM Dhami also underscored the Centres efforts towards societal uplift, particularly in integrating tribal communities into the mainstream. He expressed confidence in the people of Jharkhand contributing significantly to achieving the Abki Baar 400 Paar resolution. Polling for Ranchi is scheduled for May 25, part of the multi-phase elections in Jharkhand.

Shah deepfake probe: Political leaders skip police summons

NEW DELHI: Not even a single member of any political party on Thursday appeared before Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit of the Delhi Police special cell in connection with the sharing of Union Home Minister Amit Shahs fake video, officials said. We have asked some of the leaders from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh and one person from the Northeast. But no one turned-up for questioning on Thursday, a senior police officer said. The Delhi Police is likely to serve a second notice to the members of the Telangana Congress in connection with the uploading and sharing of the fake video of Shah. The four members of the Telangana Congress, who were supposed to appear before the office of the IFSO, did not come on Wednesday. We will again ask them to appear before the IO (investigating officer), as they did not come on Wednesday, an officer said. The summonses were issued to Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy and four Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) members, Shiva Kumar Ambala, Asma Tasleem, Satish Manne and Naveen Pettem, under sections 91 and 160 of the CrPC. According to the police sources, if a person is served notice under section 160/91 of the CrPC, the person can either make a physical appearance before the IO or send a legal representative. According to police, about 22 people from various parties in Jharkhand, UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have been served notices in connection with the case On Wednesday, Reddys lawyer appeared before Delhi Police and asserted that his client had nothing to do with creating or posting the doctored video. Noida man held for sharing Yogi deepfake A man was arrested on Thursday by the Special Task Force of UP Police for allegedly posting an AI-generated deepfake video of CM Yogi Adityanath, officials said. The purported video was used to spread misleading information and anti-national narrative, the police said.

Kerala: Climate change reality gets heatwave check

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Valerian Isaac, a traditional fisherman from Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram, is deeply concerned about the impact of climate change on his livelihood and the overall quality of life. He used to enjoy his summer with the sea cooling down when folks in the town sweltered in the heat. The situation however has changed dramatically. The sea has warmed up significantly. Consequently, the fish have migrated to cooler waters away from the coast. Previously, we relied on good winds and occasional rains to alleviate the heat. But this summer has proven to be the toughest yet, Isaac said. With the dwindling catch, only a handful of fishermen dare to venture out into the sea in his area. And they are not the only ones suffering. Adverse weather has also affected autorickshaw drivers, tour operators, vegetable vendors and those in the construction sector. As the government considers imposing further restrictions on operations between 11am and 3pm, the livelihoods of even more sectors hang in the balance. Isaac, like many others, had not heard of the term El Nino, a climate phenomenon responsible for warming the sea surface temperature in the Pacific Ocean and often cited as a primary cause of harsh summers. However, he, along with the rest of the populace, has become acquainted with the term heatwave in recent times. Its sudden appearance in the vocabulary coincided with its confirmation in Palakkad on April 26, the day of the general elections. Such weather was once considered unusual, mostly associated with the traditional hot regions of the country. The India Meteorological Department first issued a heatwave alert in Kerala in 2016, the warmest year on record for the state, primarily focused on Palakkad. This year, the focus has again been on Palakkad which experienced scorching temperatures throughout April, with Thrissur following suit. Subsequently, heatwave alerts were issued for Kollam, Kozhikode and Alappuzha, as temperatures in these districts deviated from the norm significantly. A majority of those belonging to the fishing community in Perumathura in Thiruvananthapuram are spending their time under the shade of coconut palms. The reason being the roofs of their homes are made of asbestos and tin sheets, which increase the heat Weather experts assert the situation is similar across south and east India. An Asia-wide heatwave map published by international weather agencies depicts most countries in the region coloured in red. The temperature rise is attributed to global warming induced by climate change. The impact of El Nino exacerbates the situation, said D Sivananda Pai, senior scientist and ADGM of India Meteorological Department. According to him, the dry weather in Kerala has increased the temperature. In Palakkad, the relative humidity is now in the 30-40% range in comparison to the normal 60-80%. Thats why the temperature remains high. The condition is worse for people living in more humid areas as high moisture content does not help reduce body temperature, he said. Like this year, 2016 too was an El Nino year. While it was the warmest year in recent history, the damage, technically, was limited to a heatwave alert in Palakkad. What makes the conditions worse than 2016 is the absence of summer rain, especially in the northern districts, and the land use and land cover changes because of urbanisation, said Rajeevan Erikkulam, a meteorologist with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority. Weather experts pointed out the situation is likely to improve by the second week of May when summer rains are expected to be more regular. The El Nino effect is expected to be neutral during the time of monsoon, but the experts have a warning the next El Nino year could be much worse than 2024. What is heatwave? Qualitatively, heatwave is a condition of air temperature that becomes fatal to human body when exposed. Quantitatively, it is defined based on the temperature thresholds over a region in terms of actual temperature or its departure from normal. Criterion for declaring heatwave Heatwave is considered to be in effect if the maximum temperature of a station reaches at least 40Celsius or more in the plains, at least 30Celsius or more in hilly regions, and 37 Celsius or more in coastal regions. The departure from normal is 4.5 to 6.4Celsius. If the above criteria is met in at least two stations in a meteorological sub-division for at least two consecutive days, a heatwave is declared on the second day. A woman carrying a pedestal fan on a two-wheeler in Kochi. With mercury level going up, residents are opting for various methods to beat the scorching heat Heatwave prone states Heatwave generally occurs over the plains of northwest India and central, east and north peninsular India from March to June. It covers Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, parts of Maharashtra and Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Sometimes, it occurs over Tamil Nadu and Kerala too. Impact of heatwave Water stress Health problems Livelihood problems Heatwave in Kerala First alert - Palakkad, in 2016 First alert - Kozhikode - 2020 First confirmation this year - Palakkad, on April 26 First alert in Alappuzha - April 30 Reasons for heatwave Global warming El Nino Absence of summer rain Urbanisation Number of days above 40 degrees Celsius in April in Kerala 2024 - 16 (15 in Palakkad) 2023 - 3 2016 - 14 1989 - 8

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live: PM in Bengal, Jharkhand today, Amit Shah in 3 states

Lok Sabha Election Live PM in Bengal Jharkhand today Amit Shah in states