India's Response to Nepal's New Currency Note Featuring Disputed Territories

New Delhi: India's External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar, criticized Nepal for its unilateral action in introducing a new Nepalese Rupee 100 currency note featuring three disputed Indian territories. Speaking at an event in Bhubaneswar, Jaishankar stated that Nepal's move wouldn't alter the diplomatic situation between the two countries. Jaishankar emphasized that India and Nepal were in discussions about their boundary matters through an established platform. He mentioned that Nepal's unilateral measures wouldn't change the situation or the reality on the ground.On Friday, Nepal announced the printing of a new Nepalese Rupee 100 currency note featuring a map showing the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani. India has previously termed this move as untenable and an artificial enlargement. Nepal's government spokesperson, Rekha Sharma, informed the media that the decision to redesign the currency note was made during the cabinet meetings held on April 25 and May 2.Diplomatic tensions between Nepal and India escalated in 2020 after Nepal updated its map to include the three disputed territories. The move was made by Nepal's Ministry of Land Management, with the Department of Survey claiming to have incorporated the territories with accurate scale, projection, and coordinate system. However, India had already included these territories in its November 2019 map. The situation worsened further after the inauguration of a road linking Kailash Mansarovar via Lipulekh on May 8, 2020. Nepal objected to this move and handed over a diplomatic note to India. Prior to this, Nepal had raised objections to India's unilateral decision to construct the road.In response to Nepal's objections, India's External Affairs Ministry clarified that the road passing through Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district lies entirely within Indian territory. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Sikkim. Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh: India Will Not Coerce Capture of PoK NADA Suspends Wrestler Bajrang Punia for Failure to Provide Dope Test Bakshish Singh Beaten to Death Over Alleged Sacrilege at Gurdwara in Punjab

TMC, BJP cautiously navigate Jhargram's complex identity dynamics

TMC, BJP cautiously navigate Jhargram's complex identity dynamics The tumultuous days of Maoist violence may now be a thing of the past for residents of Jhargram constituency in western West Bengal but the tribal-dominated seat sits on a powder keg of identity politics which has a direct bearing on the elections. A long-standing demand for Scheduled Tribe status by the minority Kurmis, a traditional tiller community listed as OBCs in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha, had led to sporadic violence in the recent past and has vertically divided the inhabitants of region with the majority Adivasis, enlisted STs, firmly opposing it. Both the Trinamool Congress and the BJP have chosen to tread cautiously over this ''extremely sensitive'' issue which, some voices from the ground feel, has the ''potential to explode at the slightest provocation''. While the ruling party in the state has declared in its poll manifesto that it would ''actively work with the Centre'' to award the desired status to the Kurmi-Mahato community, the saffron party has officially remained silent. The BJP is defending this ST-reserved seat it snatched from the TMC five years ago but the latter bounced back in the 2021 state elections, winning all seven assembly segments of Jhargram and reducing the saffron camp to naught. ''Unless a quick constitutional remedy to the impasse is found, Jhargram could turn into another Manipur,'' warned Ashok Mahato, a local Kurmi leader. ''Parties across the board make promises ahead of polls but have hardly taken effective steps to make progress in the matter. The BJP made the same promise in 2019 but barely moved an inch. The state claims it has sent the Cultural Research Institute (CRI) report to the Centre with necessary recommendations but there is no feedback yet from the other side. People are getting impatient,'' he said. The Kurmi leader, who had previously unsuccessfully contested the state polls as an Independent candidate, said he has filed for registration for a separate party of Kurmis named Jungal Mahal Swaraj Morcha. In 2004, the Jharkhand government had recommended listing Kurmis as STs rather than OBCs. Following the Centre's Tribal Research Institute opposition to the proposal, the Union government turned down the state's plea in 2015. ''Kurmis have every right to make their demand but we oppose it,'' said Samai Hansda, leader of the Bharat Jakat Majhi Pargana Mahal, a social organisation of the Santhal community in Jhargram. ''Mahatos are primarily Kshatriyas and are already entitled to various social opportunities. It's the tribals who need constitutional protection due to their backwardness. As long as the Kurmis agitate in a democratic manner, we have no issues. But if push comes to shove, we won't stay silent,'' Hansda added. Over the past year or so, Jhargram and its neighbouring areas have witnessed multiple instances of long periods of road and railway track blockades by agitating Kurmis who were joined by their counterparts from adjoining Jharkhand. ''This matter must be resolved by making all stakeholders, including the state and central governments, sit across the table for discussions. I will do everything in my limited powers to facilitate that process, should I win the elections,'' said BJP candidate Pranat Tudu. Tudu was named as candidate after the party's sitting MP Kunar Hembram resigned from the BJP on March 9, barely days before the polls were announced, citing ''personal reasons''. TMC's nominee, Kalipada alias Kherwal Soren, a noted Santhali playwright and author recognised with Sahitya Academy and Padma Shri awards, said his party has already taken a principled stand on the issue which it clarified in its poll manifesto. ''We stand by the Mahato demands and have sent our CRI recommendation. The ball is now in Centre's court,'' he said. ''In my sustained interactions with the Adivasis during my campaign, I found no adverse repercussions on the ground over this,'' he claimed. A hotbed of ultra-Left Maoist activities during 2008-2011, Jhargram and its adjacent Bankura, Purulia and Paschim Medinipur districts witnessed wanton blood spill where victims included militants, security personnel and ordinary people. Following the encounter killing of Maoist commander Kishenji in November 2011, the Naxals lost grip over the region resulting in steady subsiding of turbulence. Despite acknowledging the benefits of peace returning to the region, Tudu was reluctant to give credit to the Mamata Banerjee administration for it. ''Everyone knows that the Maoist problem was the TMC's own creation. The rebels helped the party to come to power,'' he alleged. The sharp differences over ST status demand aside, both Kurmis and the tribals broadly agree on the other pertinent issues of Jhargram over which the elections are likely to be fought. ''People of Jhargram are looking forward to better facilities in sectors such as education, health, employment and environment protection,'' Mahato said, stressing on the need to build a dedicated elephant corridor to address increasing instances of man-animal conflict in the region. Hansda said, ''Adivasis are sensitive about their indigenous religion and associated social practices. We want no interference from governments in our traditional and personal lives and expect both the Centre and the state to honour our rights to water, forest and land.'' ''If the BJP implements Uniform Civil Code, like they say they would, the tribals would be the hardest hit,'' the TMC nominee chipped in. ''We have long fought for our rights to self control and never bowed before the British. Any attempts to impose social codes from above will meet stiff resistance from the Adivasis,'' Soren said. A radiologist by profession, BJP candidate Tudu highlighted ''crippled health infrastructure'' of the region, calling it an issue of ''paramount importance''. ''The Jhargram Medical College, the only facility which is supposed to provide tertiary healthcare to patients, does not even have an MRI machine nor performs echocardiogram on patients,'' he alleged. The 15 lakh-odd voters of the seat would exercise their franchise on May 25 during the sixth phase of polls.

Rift among INDIA bloc partners triggers three-cornered intense contests across Bengal

The rift between the Congress-Left combine and the TMC, fighting separately, has intensified as the final five phases of polls draw closer. Local issues such as corruption allegations, the cancellation of School Service Commission (SSC) jobs, incidents in Sandeshkhali, and implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are altering election dynamics in West Bengal. The Left-Congress alliance is fast gaining traction in several seats, turning the polls into a three-cornered contest in at least 18-20 LS segments.

Bengal polls: Rift within NDA triggers three-way contests in some seats

Bengal polls: Rift within NDA triggers three-way contests in some seats As the final five phases of polls draw closer, rift among INDIA bloc partners, Congress-Left combine and the TMC, who are fighting separately has intensified, triggering a fierce contest across half of the remaining 36 constituencies in West Bengal driven by local issues such as Sandeshkhali and the SSC scam. TMC's decision to contest independently in the state, rather than as part of the bloc, has led to a three-way contest, with the other contenders being the BJP and the Congress-Left alliance. Nevertheless, both TMC and Congress have asserted that they are part of the INDIA bloc at the national level and are authentic representatives of the opposition front in Bengal. Political analysts suggest that without a dominant national narrative like national security after the 2019 Pulwama attacks, local concerns such as corruption allegations, the cancellation of School Service Commission (SSC) jobs, incidents in Sandeshkhali and implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) are altering election dynamics. Maidul Islam, a political scientist at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, remarked, ''Till a few months ago, it seemed the elections in Bengal will be a bipolar contest between the TMC and BJP. But with issues like corruption and Sandeshkhali gaining prominence, the Left-Congress alliance is fast gaining traction in several seats and turning the polls into a three-cornered contest in at least 18-20 LS segments.'' He said besides the two and three seats in Malda and Murshidabad districts, where TMC and Congress secured two each and the BJP one in 2019, there are 13 seats spread across South Bengal, where the TMC and the Left-Congress alliance are engaging in intense competition. ''It's not that the Left-Congress will win many seats, but in segments where their vote share is above 10 per cent, there is a likelihood that they might influence the outcome, to the disadvantage of either the TMC or the BJP, if they manage to secure two per cent more votes,'' Islam added. According to sources in TMC and CPI(M), the electoral battleground extends beyond Malda and Murshidabad, encompassing Lok Sabha segments like Dum Dum, Srerampore, Arambagh, Hooghly, Howrah, Barrackpore, Bardhaman-Purba, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Bankura, Purulia, Tamluk, Kolkata North, and Jadavpur, all poised for a three-cornered fight. Notably, eight of these seats were won by TMC and the remaining by BJP in the 2019 parliamentary polls. ''The shift in dynamics presents the Congress-Left alliance as a significant player, and its emergence complicates the electoral narrative, transcending the conventional TMC versus BJP dichotomy,'' political analyst Subhomoy Moitra said. While the Left Front is contesting 30 seats, the Congress has fielded candidates in 12 out of 42 seats. ''We wanted an alliance with the Congress, but they were delaying the seat-sharing arrangements, so we decided to go alone. Now the Left-Congress alliance is helping the BJP by trying to eat into our votes,'' remarked TMC leader Santanu Sen. According to TMC leaders, the breakup of INDIA alliance in Bengal has both electoral advantages and disadvantages. ''After the Left and Congress alliance fell apart in West Bengal in 2019, it had led to a four-cornered contest with BJP bagging the entire chunk of the anti-TMC votes in the state,'' they said. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP bagged 18 seats and its vote share rose from 17 to 40 per cent. Meanwhile, despite a 3 per cent rise in vote share, the TMC lost 12 seats, dropping from 34 to 22. The Left drew a blank with a vote share decline from 24 per cent to 6 per cent, and the Congress lost two seats, shrinking its vote share from 9.5 per cent to 5 per cent and bagging just two seats. ''Local issues such as corruption and SSC scam are helping the Left-Congress in the state as there is anger among a section of people against the TMC and also against the BJP over the perception of a tacit understanding,'' a TMC leader said. Analysts observe that Mamata Banerjee's intensified criticism of Left and Congress, accusing them of aiding BJP, and the ensuing sharp responses from CPI(M) and Congress, alleging a secret pact between TMC and BJP, as indicative of the growing significance of Left-Congress alliance. Data from various local elections and by-polls conducted after 2021 assembly elections indicate a shift in anti-TMC votes as there has been a resurgence of Left-Congress combine. Incidentally, the BJP had witnessed a decline in its vote share as compared to the 2019 Lok Sabha and 38 per cent in 2021 assembly polls. In 2023, violence scarred panchayat polls which covered nearly 70 per cent of the states electorate, the TMC had bagged 51 per cent of votes whereas the BJP had bagged 22 per cent. The Left-Congress-ISF alliance had, however, bagged 23 per cent votes. The ISF this time, however, has decided to contest alone in 17 seats. Congress leader Suvankar Sarkar emphasized, ''People are disenchanted with the TMC and the BJP, as they are both sides of the same coin. People are coming out in large numbers to support the Left-Congress candidates.'' CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty expressed confidence in the Left-Congress alliance's potential to deliver surprising results in the elections, claiming initial success in breaking bipolar politics in Bengal. BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar downplayed the significance of the rift in opposition alliance and the three-cornered fight in various seats. ''People know that BJP is only fighting TMC's misrule in Bengal. Those who want to vote against TMC, will vote for us only just like in the 2019 and 2021 polls,'' he said. Political scientist Biswanath Chakraborty suggested that TMC stands to gain the most from the three-cornered contest. In minority pockets, the Left-Congress alliance could dent TMC's vote base, potentially aiding BJP's prospects, he noted.

Bengal BJP To Set Up Legal Cell To Aid Teachers Who Lost Jobs In West Bengal SSC Scam | News18

Breaking News | Bengal BJP to set up legal cell to aid teachers who lost jobs in West Bengal SSC scam

Sandeshkhali sting claims Suvendu Adhikari planned conspiracy, Mamata Banerjee calls BJP 'anti-Bengal'

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday lashed out against the BJP, calling the party anti-Bengal and accusing it of having orchestrated a conspiracy to defame our state at every possible level.

Slum pockets get water 2 hours a week; No water problem, says BWSSB

BENAGALURU : The slum pockets of DJ Halli and Chikka Banaswadi, which previously had continuous water supply for 24 hours every day, are now getting water for merely two hours a week, and are forced to buy water. A significant part of their income is being spent on buying water every day. TNIE visited the slum pocket and interacted with the residents. The migrant population told TNIE that they were hopeful that before the Lok Sabha elections, someone would address their water shortage concerns. We have always been and will continue to be neglected. Since our voting rights belong elsewhere, we are not considered priority citizens here, said a migrant labourer from West Bengal. Initially, some kids went to schools here, but now we have asked them to help us with daily chores and bring water instead. We buy water from whoever is willing to sell, irrespective of quality, a labour said. I am unable to cover the education cost of my kids, as my auto wash business is not generating any income these days, he added. The locality in DJ Halli which houses approximately 40-50 people, receives two hours of water per week. One hour is allocated for drinking water, while the other hour is dedicated for treated water, both on separate days, said Reshma, a resident of the locality. The lanes are so narrow that we cannot call the water tankers inside. Neither we can afford to pay for the services, she added. The area has multiple meat shops, furniture stores, and paint labourers, along with a migrant population relying on daily earnings for their livelihoods. Residents lament that frequent delays in the water supply is disrupting their daily routine, in turn directly affecting their income. Ramesh, a resident of Chikka Banasawadi, stated that his house needs around 20 pots of water daily, costing Rs 40. The expense is a big concern. Even the nearby public borewell has dried up, he said, and added that despite the water quality, they continue to use it due to a lack of alternatives. When TNIE brought the issue of water shortage to the notice of BWSSB Chairman Ram Prasath Manohar, he dismissed the issue and went on to say that there have not been any complaints from the above slum pockets. Inspections and weekly meetings being held to assess areas experiencing water shortage and identify any associated issues, Manohar said.

Surge in Election Spending Poised to Boost Rural Economy, Experts Predict

Surge in Election Spending Poised to Boost Rural Economy, Experts Predict Even as the 2024 Lok Sabha polls have started to unfold, anticipation remained high not only in the political landscape but also about the ripple effects on the economy, particularly in rural India, as experts described the elections as the most expensive one ever fought in the country's history. With an expenditure of a staggering Rs 1.35 lakh crore estimated by N Bhaskara Rao, who chairs the Centre for Media Studies and has been tracking election spending for 35 years, significant parts of the amount spent during the polls will reach the pockets of India's rural population boosting sales, business houses feel. According to a study, about 35 per cent of election expenditure in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in India was made on campaigns and publicity. The second highest expenditure head was payments to voters via various means hiring workers, purchasing campaign materials, freebies and direct cash transfers in some cases. Industry leaders expect these will have a positive impact on the economy, especially in India's countryside. ''The considerable election expenditure anticipated over the next two to three months would ignite a notable increase in rural spending. Propelled by optimism and economic activity stemming from political campaigns, this surge in rural demand will be fortified,'' Keshav Bhajanka, Executive Director of India's top plyboard maker, Century Plyboard, told PTI. He said his company aims to leverage this opportunity by monitoring rural market dynamics and adapting its product offerings and marketing strategies to align with the evolving preferences and needs of rural consumers. ''The company also plans to intensify its efforts to expand its distribution network and enhance brand visibility in rural areas to capture a larger share of the anticipated post-election market growth,'' Bhajanka said. Shreeram Bagla, Managing Director of city-based snacks major Annapurna Swadisht, highlighted that rural demand for the FMCG sector as a whole had been slightly subdued during the second and third quarters of the 2023-24 fiscal. ''We are expecting a steady recovery in demand in the rural and semi-urban markets in the wake of higher spending on election-related expenses. The government seems to be laying a major thrust on boosting the rural economy. This is likely to spur consumption in villages, thereby shoring up the demand for FMCG products,'' Bagla noted. Emami Ltd, another FMCG major with considerable rural dependence, also expressed a positive outlook. ''We expect the economy to bounce back on multiple counts in the backdrop of the election. First, anticipation of a good monsoon is expected to boost the rural economy. Secondly, with the softening of raw material prices, while companies are gearing up to pass on the benefits to the consumers, they will also invest more in brand building. The combination of these will definitely push the demand for the FMCG sector up,'' Emami Wholetime Director & Vice Chairman, Mohan Goenka, told PTI. Amnish Aggarwal, head of Institutional Research at Prabhudas Lilladher, while offering a nuanced perspective, pointed out that in present circumstances election spending may not be boosting rural demand in the manner it did before. Reflecting on the trends observed in past elections, Aggarwal underscored that the correlation between poll expenditure translating into a surge in rural demand is over-hyped in current times due to cash movement restrictions which are imposed with the model code of conduct. ''This direct correlation was perhaps true a decade or more ago. Factors like the anticipation of a good monsoon and inflation play pivotal roles in shaping consumer behaviour in current times compared to cash flow during polls,'' he said. Political parties, though, acknowledged that demand for vehicles goes up during poll seasons, whether sourced from rentals or new purchases for use in election activities. Automobile sales in March this year were up by 10 per cent over last year, totalling 3.7 lakh vehicles. However, a senior official of a major car company said that on account of model code of conduct-related restrictions, overall sales of both passenger and commercial vehicles were subdued in April. Grassroots-level workers of political parties said that there has been a high purchase of snacks and beverages and certain FMCG items required for workers. FMCG products are also used as freebies for audiences brought to political rallies, they said. A shopkeeper in Hooghly district stated, ''Local political leaders become more generous during election times, and we sell more.'' West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer confirmed that since the commencement of MCC, freebies worth Rs 57.67 crore have been seized from the state.

Didi dares PM Narendra Modi to debate her on 'basics of Hinduism'

CM Mamata Banerjee challenges PM Narendra Modi on Hinduism basics and vote jihad, criticizing BJP's exploitation of Matuas for elections. She promises land deeds to refugee families and criticizes the Bengal governor and BJP's nominee, Jagannath Sarkar.

Allegations cheap drama at Mamatas behest: West Bengal Governor

KOCHI: West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Saturday termed the molestation allegations against him a cheap political drama during election times at the behest of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The state government has no power to announce a probe against the governor. Will take strict action if it crosses the legal limits. Ill convey everything to the central government at the appropriate time, Bose told a local channel while on a visit to Kochi. His response comes in the wake of West Bengal Police launching an inquiry after a contractual woman employee lodged a complaint on Thursday evening, accusing him of molesting her. Youth Congress activists waved black flags when Bose reached the Guest House in Aluva around 11am. As they were about to reach Boses vehicle, the police team intercepted the protesters and removed them from the place. Later, the police recorded the arrest of five protesters and shifted them to the nearby police station.

Abhishek Banerjee Expresses Willingness for Congress Alliance

Abhishek Banerjee Expresses Willingness for Congress Alliance Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said his party was keen on an alliance with the Congress, for which he even went to meet Rahul Gandhi at his residence at 6 am. Abhishek, the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and heir apparent to the party, asserted that Trinamool Congress candidates are the true representatives of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal. ''Had I not been serious, I would not have rushed to Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi at 6 am. We were willing to have an alliance with the Congress in Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, and despite state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury's barbs at our party for months, we did not react for a long time,'' he said on Saturday. ''We gave Congress time till December but we could not wait indefinitely as we had to make preparations. Till December 31, 2023, not a single spokesperson of our party, including Mamata Banerjee, reacted to what Choudhury was saying,'' he added. Banerjee, the MP of Diamond Harbour, said the seat-sharing talks failed because of the state Congress' belligerence.

Heatwave Intensity Reduces In Eastern, Southern India; Orange Alert Issued For Rainfall In Northeast | Weather Updates

The are predictions of light to moderate rainfall and thunderstorms in Odisha, Gangetic West Bengal, Bihar, and Jharkhand from May 5 to 9

Two sanitation workers die while cleaning Noida sewage shaft

NEW DELHI: Two sanitation workers, both hailing from West Bengal, died after allegedly inhaling poisonous fumes inside a sewage shaft at a house in Noida, police said on Saturday. The incident took place on Friday evening when Nooni Mandal and Tapan Mandal were working at the residence of an individual named Sumit Chawla in Sector 26. According to police officials, both workers hailed from Malda district in West Bengal and were residing in a slum in Noida Sector 9. An individual in Noida Sector 26 had hired two persons for cleaning of the septic tank at his home. Last night, while cleaning the tank, the duo became unconscious. They were taken to a hospital but did not survive, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Vidya Sagar Mishra said. Sharing details, another police officer said the two deceased had arrived at the house at 7 pm on Friday and had entered the sewage shaft area to clean it. A source said that both men were taken to the hospital after 11.15 pm and were already dead by the time the doctors checked on them. Police said they have inspected the incident site and have informed the families of the two deceased. Here, we may recall the an October 2023 order by the Supreme Court, issuing a slew of directives to both the Union and state governments, focussing on the effective implementation of the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and their Rehabilitation Act of 2013. These directives encompassed active measures for rehabilitating victims and their families, providing scholarships, and skill development opportunities. While pronouncing the judgment, the top court bench comprising Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice Aravind Kumar observed that large segment of Indias population continues to be involved in the practice of manual scavenging as unseen, unheard and mute in bondage, systematically trapped in inhuman conditions.

BJPs Kolkata Uttar LS candidate files complaint with EC against Trinamool candidate

BJPs Kolkata Uttar LS candidate files complaint with EC against Trinamool candidate Kolkata: Tapas Roy, the BJP candidate for West Bengals Kolkata-Uttar Lok Sabha seat, has filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) against Trinamool Congress candidate Sudip Bandopadhyay accusing the latter of running his party office occupying space within a renowned school [] The post BJPs Kolkata Uttar LS candidate files complaint with EC against Trinamool candidate appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

Meet woman who cracked UPSC exam at 23 in her first attempt, became IFS officer, her rank was...

Hard work and determination can turn impossible things to possible. This saying was yet again proved true by the story of IFS Tamali Saha from West Bengal.

Special events help BITM, Science City log record footfall in heatwave month

Rattled by fake videos in poll season, city cops seek Xs help

Abhishek: People will boycott Raj Bhavan till Bose is guv

Bldgs dept reshuffle in16 boroughs

Garments unit damaged in Chinar Park fire

Clear no dues cert to poll nominees, EC tells chief secys

Notices fake, CISCE cautions kids, parents

Sandeshkhali sting: TMC gets a stick to beat BJP with

2 detained for assault on couple in Narkeldanga

Lost deaf-mute boy reunited with dad

Civil society members appeal against NRC

3 dupe bizman into investing 25L, arrested

Weekend traffic diversions kick in at Dalhousie

Forest Fragrance in good shape

Pond-filling: KMC lens on Behala-Joka & Tolly belts

Electricians, bidi-workers kids make it to 90% list

West Bengal poll war hots up as TMC hits BJP with Sandeshkhali sting clip

Trinamool released Saturday a sting video showing a Sandeshkhali BJP functionary admitting that many of the charges, including rape in the area, were levelled following instructions allegedly from party seniors, including the LoP in Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari. BJP dismissed the clip as fake. The video focuses on Sandeshkhali Block-II BJP mandal president Gangadhar Koyal.

Viral video claiming BJP orchestrated Sandeshkhali movement triggers row in Bengal

A political slugfest erupted in West Bengal on Saturday after a video went viral showing a BJP leader claiming that the protests staged by the women at Sandeshkhali against alleged sexual harassment by local Trinamool Congress leaders were orchestrated by the BJP.

Sting video: Mamata Banerjee doing this to hide sin committed in Sandeshkhali, says West Bengal BJP chief

The News Mill

Resident Welfare Association to pay GST on receipt of funds towards sinking fund, holds AAAR

The Appellate Advance Ruling Authority (AAAR) in Mumbai has determined that contributions to Resident Welfare Associations (RWA) are subject to taxation at the time of receipt, specifically for Corpus or Sinking Funds. This decision impacts the tax liabilities of RWAs and their members in West Bengal.

Was Keen on Alliance with Congress, Even Went to Meet Rahul Gandhi at 6 Am: TMC's Abhishek

Abhishek, the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and heir apparent, claimed that TMC candidates are the true representatives of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal.

Krishnanagar Candidate of BJP, Richest Candidate in 4th Phase Bengal Elections

Krishnanagar Candidate of BJP, Richest Candidate in 4th Phase Bengal Elections Twenty-one candidates fighting the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal's eight constituencies, which are going to the polls in the fourth phase, have assets of more than Rs 1 crore, and among them, BJP's Krishnanagar nominee Amitra Roy is the richest, according to a report. A total of 75 candidates are in the fray in these eight seats, and Roy is the richest among them with total assets worth Rs 554 crore, an analysis of their affidavits by West Bengal Election Watch and the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) revealed. Roy is followed by TMC's Asansol candidate Shatrughan Sinha who has assets worth Rs 210 crore and Baharampur candidate Yusuf Pathan whose total assets are valued at Rs 45 crore. TMC's seven candidates have assets worth over Rs 1 crore, followed by BJP whose six candidates found a place on the list. Two candidates each of SUCI(C), Congress and CPI(M) also have assets worth over Rs 1 crore. One candidate each of BSP and Indian National Socialist Action Forces also found a place on the list, it said Independent candidate in Ranaghat Jagannath Sarkar has assets of Rs 3,587, the lowest for any nominee in this phase. Also, there are 13 candidates with criminal cases, it said. Polling in Asansol, Baharampur, Bardhaman Purba, Birbhum, Bolpur, Bardhaman-Durgapur, Krishnanagar and Ranaghat will be held on May 13.

TMC blaming BJP as reality of CM Banerjee coming to fore: Phalguni Patra on Sandeshkhali sting operation video

TMC blaming BJP as reality of CM Banerjee coming to fore: Phalguni Patra on Sandeshkhali sting operation video After a video of a sting operation surfaced, alleging that West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari hatched the Sandeshkhali conspiracy, BJP Mahila Morcha President Phalguni Patra said on Saturday that the TMC is blaming the BJP as the reality of CM Mamata Banerjee is coming to the fore. TMC is blaming the BJP as the reality of CM Mamata Banerjee is coming to the fore. This is not just Malda nor Sandeshkahli; complete Bengal is suffering from a situation similar to that of Sandeshkhali. In every corner, rapes occur and Mamata Banerjee is not taking any action against the accused involved in these types of incidents, Patra said. Meanwhile, TMC General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee warned that if the central leadership of the BJP does not issue an apology to the people of the state within 48 hours, it will be interpreted that the BJP devised a plan to belittle West Bengal. I will tell the leaders of the Centre that if you do not apologize to the people of Bengal within forty-eight hours, otherwise (it is right to think that) this conspiracy was hatched on your instructions to belittle Bengal, he said. On Saturday, a video of a sting operation surfaced that has stirred up controversy in Sandeshkhali and was broadcast by a local television channel. In the alleged video, purportedly a BJP Mandal (booth) president named Gangadhar Koyal is heard saying that Sandeshkhali women, who weren't sexually assaulted, were projected as 'rape' victims at the behest of the LoP. Claiming that Suvendu 'helped' him get this done, the person in the video said that the former told him that the TMC's strongmen in the area wouldn't be arrested unless he is falsely implicated in a ape case. However, the news channel that broke the alleged sting operation did not check the veracity of the clip. Earlier in the day, while sharing a clip from the alleged sting operation, Mamata Banerjee's nephew, Abhishek Banerjee, claimed on his official X handle that the people should see through the BJP's attempts to tarnish Bengal's image and reputation to advance and achieve its political ends. I am shocked beyond words to see the Sandeshkhali sting video. Every citizen must witness the Bangla Birodhi BJP's orchestrated attempt to defame and malign WB for their petty political ends. This abhorrent act epitomises the grossest abuse of power in history. Shame!, Abhishek posted from his official X handle on Saturday. A viral video today exposed how the BJP left no stone unturned to malign Bengal. From mass rape to arms seizure, every claim was BOUGHT and STAGED by none other than @SuvenduWB People won't forgive these Bangla-Birodhis. Bengal's mothers & sisters shall avenge this! read a post on the TMC's official X handle. Shahjahan, the key Sandeshkhali accused, is currently behind bars in connection with the attack on a team of the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) while it was in the process of raiding his residence in connection with the alleged ration scam. The women of Sandeshkhali in the North 24 Parganas district came out on the streets earlier against the ruling TMC and Shahjahan, accusing the strongman and his aides of perpetrating gross excesses and atrocities on them while also gobbling up their land. Multiple women on the island accused Shajahan and his aides of land-grab and sexual assault under coercion. (ANI)

TMC's Abhishek Keen on Alliance With Congress, Met Rahul Gandhi Early Morning

TMC's Abhishek Keen on Alliance With Congress, Met Rahul Gandhi Early Morning Senior TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee on Saturday said his party was keen on an alliance with the Congress, and because of that he went to meet Rahul Gandhi at his residence at 6 am. Abhishek, the nephew of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and heir apparent, claimed that TMC candidates are the true representatives of the INDIA bloc in West Bengal. ''Had I not been serious, I would not have rushed to Rahul Gandhi's residence in Delhi at 6 am. We were willing to have an alliance with the Congress in Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, and despite state Congress president Adhir Ranjan Choudhury's barbs at our party for months we did not react for a long time,'' he said. ''We gave Congress time till December but we cannot wait indefinitely as we have to make preparations. Till December 31, 2023, not a single spokesperson of our party, including Mamata Banerjee, reacted to what Choudhury was saying,'' he added. Banerjee, the MP of Diamond Harbour, said the seat-sharing talks failed because of the state Congress's belligerence.

Edited Headline - Sandeshkhali video sparks controversy: TMC defends footage, BJP alleges manipulation

Edited Headline - Sandeshkhali video sparks controversy: TMC defends footage, BJP alleges manipulation Amid the row over incidents in Sandeshkhali where allegations of sexual abuse against Trinamool Congress leaders have surfaced, the party on Saturday released a video on social media, claiming that the footage vindicated its stand that the BJP was behind the episode. In the purported video, a man claimed to be Gangadhar Kayal who is a BJP mandal president in Sandeshkhali, was heard saying that the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly ''Suvendu Adhikari is behind the whole conspiracy''. While Adhikari said the video posted by the TMC was doctored, Kayal lodged a complaint with the CBI alleging that it was a morphed and edited video. The central agency is probing into the incidents on an order of the Calcutta High Court. ''The entire Sandeshkhali incident was preplanned. The BJP had scripted it well. The truth has been exposed. I have been saying this for a long time. I have not seen the entire video. I will definitely see it,'' TMC supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister said at an election rally in Chakdah in Nadia district. PTI did not verify the authenticity of the video posted by the TMC. I never thought the politics of Bengal would stoop so low to get votes We have been saying from day one that a shameless attempt was made to malign Bengal ahead of the elections, TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, considered number two in the party, told a press conference in Kolkata. He alleged that to create grounds for imposition of Article 355 in Bengal, Adhikari orchestrated the entire incident in Sandeshkhali. Abhishek Banerjee asserted that the honour of Bengali women was compromised by such allegations in Sandeshkhali, which he believes are aimed at maligning the state. He demanded that the BJP's top leadership apologize for maligning Bengal about Sandeshkhali within 48 hours. Denying any role by the TMC in the alleged sting video, Banerjee said, I am sure some independent journalists have done it. And they did a commendable job. Let the people of Bengal decide on the veracity of the video. It is in public domain.'' Responding to the TMCs allegations, Adhikari said, It is a fake and doctored video. It seems that the TMC sensed defeat (in the election) and is trying to divert attention. There have been hundreds of complaints by women of Sandeshkhali.'' In his written complaint to the CBI, Kayal said, the video in question was uploaded from an unverified YouTube channel owned by someone named Williams. It can be seen that the same (footage) has been made using my face and the voice has been moduled using Artificial Intelligence (AI) so that it can mislead the public at large, the BJP mandal president said. In his complaint, Kayal also provided the link to the YouTube video. The edited video was made to safeguard the actual culprits of Sandeshkhali incidents by shifting the blame and the burden to the person who stood by the victims of the Sandeshkhali incident and also to disturb the ongoing investigation conducted by the CBI, Kayal said in his letter to the agency. In the press conference, Abhishek Banerjee claimed that the BJP mandal president had confirmed in the morning that it was his voice. ''However, after pressure from party higher-ups, he is now invoking the AI theory,'' he added. Abhishek Banerjee wondered why state Governor CV Ananda Bose, who was vocal in condemning the incidents of Sandeshkhali, is silent on this video. He also questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi has kept mum on the allegation of molestation of a woman employee inside Raj Bhavan. It is claimed in the video that several women were given Rs 2,000 each to lodge complaints of atrocities against them. ''It is shameful that the BJP thinks it will win polls by selling the honour of women of Bengal at the cost of Rs 2,000, Abhishek Banerjee said. Referring to the remark of the BJP Lok Sabha candidate Rekha Patra that the content of the video is concocted, the TMC national general secretary said she should file a defamation suit against her own mandal president. Patra is a resident of Sandeshkhali and an alleged victim of atrocities at the hands of TMC local leaders such as arrested Zilla Parishad member Shajahan Sheikh. To a question, Banerjee said the TMC working committee should have taken a little more time before suspending Shahjahan Sheikh and two other TMC leaders from the party who were accused of committing atrocities on women in Sandeshkhali. ''We will take a call on the issue. But law will take its own course,'' he said.

LS Polls: Jurist turned-politician Abhijit Gangopadhyay files nomination from West Bengals Tamluk

The News Mill

BJP confusing Matua voters through CAA notification: Mamata Banerjee

BJP confusing Matua voters through CAA notification: Mamata Banerjee Kolkata: The BJP and the Central government are trying to confuse the Matua population concentrated mainly in West Bengal by notifying the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee claimed on Saturday. The Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are confusing our Matua brothers. The [] The post BJP confusing Matua voters through CAA notification: Mamata Banerjee appeared first on Mangalorean.com .

NDTV Battleground: Contest Of Fine Margins Between BJP, Trinamool In Bengal

West Bengal's 48 seats make it the third-largest contributor of MPs to the Lok Sabha but what has made the state even more important and interesting in these Lok Sabha elections is the keenly fought contest between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP.

Allegations against West Bengal Governor: Raj Bhawan staff members summoned by police fail to appear

The News Mill

Heatwave intensity decreases in eastern and southern India

The intensity of the heat wave in eastern and southern peninsular India decreased slightly on Saturday. Relief from the scorching conditions in these regions is predicted after two days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in parts of Gangetic West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and Telangana.

'West Bengal ...': NDTV Battleground

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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.

If BJP Brings Modi Factor To Bengal...: Swapan Dasgupta On Elections

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be able to boost the BJP's chances in West Bengal if the party can convince people that the national narrative is much credible than the Trinamool Congress's arrow views.

TMC accuses BJP of staging Sandeshkhali, cites video

The TMC released a video, in which a man, claimed to be a BJP mandal president in Sandeshkhali, was heard saying that leader of the opposition in the West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari is behind the whole conspiracy.

Mamata accuses PM Modi govt of turning democracy into jail

Birnagar (WB): Claiming that the BJP has not been able to deliver on its promise of acche din (good days), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government was turning democracy into a jail. She claimed that though the saffron party was repeatedly saying that the BJP-led NDA would Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

Mamata alleges erosion of democracy under Modi's leadership

Mamata alleges erosion of democracy under Modi's leadership Claiming that the BJP has not been able to deliver on its promise of ''acche din'' (good days), West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Narendra Modi-led government was turning ''democracy into a jail.'' She claimed that though the saffron party was repeatedly saying that the BJP-led NDA will get above 400 seats in the Lok Sabha polls, it will ''lose'' the elections. Addressing an election rally here in Ranaghat Lok Sabha constituency in Nadia district, the TMC supremo asked, ''Where is the acche din promised by them (BJP)?'' Banerjee claimed that the BJP is planning to make ''one nation, one party, one government, one leader, and send all others to jail.'' She alleged that the Modi-led government was turning ''democracy into a jail.'' Banerjee asked whether the BJP was a washing machine, alleging that anyone accused of illegalities becomes clean if they join the saffron party. She accused the BJP of making false claims of providing various reliefs to the people from electricity to cooking gas or free ration. ''We have delivered on promises made by us, from Lakshmir bhandar to free healthcare under the Swasthya Sathi project,'' she said. The TMC boss claimed that those who are already citizens of India were being asked to make applications for getting it again under the CAA. Ranaghat constituency has a significant Matua population, over whose citizenship issue the BJP and the TMC have been sparring for quite a long time. ''I cannot make false promises like (Prime Minister Narendra) Modi,'' the chief minister said, asserting that she makes only those incentives which she can keep. Banerjee accused the Centre of not giving West Bengal its financial dues on account of GST collection.

Lok Sabha Election 2024: | NDTV Battleground | West Bengal

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Lok Sabha Election Mamata Banerjee | NDTV Battleground | West Bengal

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West Bengal BJP 30 | NDTV Battleground | Lok Sabha Election 2024

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Kolkata Police seeks CCTV footage from Raj Bhavan in sexual harassment plaint against Bengal Guv

Kolkata, May 4: A special probe team constituted to conduct an enquiry into the sexual harassment complaint against West Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, has sought CCTV footage of the Raj Bhavan. The Kolkata Police sought the footage from the officer-in-charge of the police outpost within the Governors House on Saturday. A senior police officer [] The post Kolkata Police seeks CCTV footage from Raj Bhavan in sexual harassment plaint against Bengal Guv appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Yogi Adityanath Accuses Congress of Planning to Implement Jizya Tax

Lucknow: Ut tar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath criticized the Congress party, accusing them of intending to implement the Jizya tax, originally imposed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb on non-Muslim minorities. Adityanath made these remarks while addressing a public meeting in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar district on Saturday, where he was campaigning for Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Jyotiraditya Scindia for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Adityanath referred to the Congress manifesto, highlighting its proposal for an inheritance tax, which he likened to Aurangzeb's Jizya tax. He stated, Even a civilized Muslim family does not name their son Aurangzeb. Aurangzeb was the most cruel Mughal king. Aurangzeb had imposed a tax named Jizya tax. Today, Congress also talks about the Jizya tax in its manifesto. He criticized the Congress further, claiming that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized respecting inherited property, the Congress proposed an inheritance tax in its manifesto. Adityanath asserted that Congress intended to implement the Jizya tax and questioned whether Indians would accept it. Moreover, Adityanath alleged that the Congress aimed to reduce reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBC) and Scheduled Castes (SC), citing the party's manifesto. He accused Congress of reducing OBC reservations in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh during their respective governments. Responding to Adityanath's remarks, Congress leader Pawan Khera challenged the accuracy of his claims and asked Adityanath to cite the page number in the manifesto where the Jizya tax proposal was mentioned. Khera emphasized that Yogis, like Adityanath, should speak the truth. The Lok Sabha polls in Madhya Pradesh are being conducted in four phases. The first two phases were held on April 19 and April 26, while the remaining two phases are scheduled for May 7 and May 13. Vote counting is set for June 4. Malaysia Teams Up with MWL to Host Big Religious Conference in Asia Maruti Swift vs. Tata Tiago EV: Features and Price Comparison BJP's Post-Election Strategy: Focus Shifts to West Bengal

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

Two Laborers Die While Cleaning Septic Tank in Noida, Uttar Pradesh

Noida: I n a tragic incident in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, two laborers lost their lives while cleaning a septic tank of a house on Saturday morning. The incident occurred in Sector 26 of Police Station Sector 20 area. Upon receiving information, the police team reached the spot to investigate. The bodies were sent for post-mortem, and further actions are being taken by the police. The deceased, identified as Nooni Mandal and Tapan Mandal, originally from West Bengal, were residents of Sector 6 in Noida and worked as laborers. They were relatives, akin to brothers-in-law. Both had gone to work at a house identified as A-94 in Sector 26. While cleaning the septic tank, they suddenly stopped moving. They were found unconscious and immediately rushed to Kailash Hospital. Unfortunately, both laborers succumbed during treatment at the hospital. The local police were informed about the incident, and the police from Sector 20 station reached the spot. The family members were informed, and the bodies were sent for post-mortem. Noida's Deputy Commissioner of Police, Vidya Sagar Mishra, stated that the two laborers were called to clean the safety tank of a house in Sector 26. However, they became unconscious during the cleaning process. Despite being rushed to the hospital for treatment, they could not be saved. Legal action is being taken by the police in this matter. Archaeological Investigation to Uncover Truth about Bhojashala Loco Pilot Killed After Being Hit by Rajdhani Express in Bihar's Gaya District Relief from Scorching Heat Expected as Rainfall Forecasted for UP and Bihar

West Bengal: TMC's Kunal Ghosh meets Derek in signs of rapprochement

Former TMC leader Ghosh visited MP O'Brien in Ballygunge for reconciliation with Basu. The 1.5-hour meeting aimed to mend ties after Ghosh supported a BJP candidate, leading to party action.

Nepal Decides to Print New Rs 100 Currency Note with Controversial Map

Kathmandu: N epal has announced the printing of a new Rs 100 currency note featuring a map that includes the disputed territories of Lipulekh, Limpiyadhura, and Kalapani, a move criticized by India as an artificial enlargement of Nepal's territorial claims. The decision to print the new map on the Rs 100 currency note was taken during a meeting of the council of ministers chaired by Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda', according to government spokesperson Rekha Sharma.The cabinet approved the redesigning of the Rs 100 banknote to include the new map, replacing the old map printed in the background of the banknote, said Sharma, who is also the Minister for Information and Communication. In June 2020, Nepal updated its political map to include the strategically important areas of Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura by amending its Constitution, a move that India strongly opposed, calling it a unilateral act and rejecting the artificial enlargement of Nepal's territorial claims.India maintains that Lipulekh, Kalapani, and Limpiyadhura belong to it. Nepal shares a border of over 1,850 km with five Indian states Sikkim, West Bengal, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.During Prime Minister Pushpakamal Dahal 'Prachanda's visit to India in June 2023, both India and Nepal pledged to resolve the boundary dispute in a spirit of friendship.Currently, India and Nepal have border disputes over the Kalapani-Limpiyadhura-Lipulekh trijunction between India, Nepal, and China, as well as the Susta area in the West Champaran district of Bihar. Kalapani, administered by India as part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, lies along the Kailash Mansarovar route. The Kali River in the Kalapani region marks the border between India and Nepal, with discrepancies over the source of the river leading to boundary disputes.The Susta area, located on the banks of the Gandak River, is another area of contention. The Gandak River, known as the Narayani River in Nepal, merges with the Ganges near Patna in Bihar. Changes in the course of the Gandak River have fueled disputes over the Susta area. Mansukh Mandaviya, BJP Candidate from Porbandar, Equates Party Workers to God Crorepati Candidates Dominate Odisha Lok Sabha Polls: A Detailed Analysis of Wealth Distribution Malaysia Teams Up with MWL to Host Big Religious Conference in Asia

Key Highlights: Unveiling the Notable Aspects

Key Highlights: Unveiling the Notable Aspects Following are the top stories from the Eastern Region at 5.10 pm. ELN 59 ELECTIONS-BH-MODI ****At Bihar rally, Modi rakes up Godhra train arson to accuse oppn of appeasement Darbhanga: Raking up the 2002 Godhra train arson, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday charged RJD president Lalu Prasad with having tried to save those responsible for burning alive more than 60 kar sevaks during the rule of Sonia madam.**** ELN 58 ELECTIONS-JH-LD MODI ****Shaken by surgical strikes, Pak leaders praying Cong shehzada becomes India's PM Palamu: 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.**** ELN 57 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.**** ELN 44 ELECTIONS-SANDESHKHALI-TMC-VIDEO ****Sandeshkhali incidents conspiracy by BJP to defame Bengal: TMC Kolkata: Amid the row over incidents in Sandeshkhali where allegations of sexual abuse against TMC leaders have surfaced, the party on Saturday released a video on social media, claiming that the episode was a ''conspiracy'' by the BJP to defame West Bengal ahead of the Lok Sabha polls.**** ELN 35 ELECTIONS-JH-MODI-CORRUPTION ****All those who indulged in corruption will face legal action in next five years: PM Modi Sisai: 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.**** CAL 3 WB-GOVERNOR-POLICE-LD-PROBE ****Police constitute team to probe woman's complaint against Guv; to speak to witnesses Kolkata: Kolkata Police have constituted an inquiry team to probe a woman employee's allegation of sexual molestation by Governor C V Ananda Bose, a senior officer said on Saturday.****

Police set up team to probe woman's complaint against Bengal Governor, will speak to probable witnesses

KOLKATA: Kolkata Police have constituted an inquiry team to probe a woman employee's allegation of sexual molestation by Governor C V Ananda Bose, a senior officer said on Saturday. The team as part of its investigation will speak to probable witnesses over the next few days and has requested the Raj Bhavan to share the CCTV footage, the officer said. Under Article 361 of the Constitution, no criminal proceedings can be instituted against a Governor during his term in office. We have formed an inquiry team which will be speaking to some probable witnesses over the next few days in this matter. We have also requested the Raj Bhavan to share the CCTV footage, in case they are available, the officer said. Woman accuses West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose of sexual harassment When asked how the police could initiate a probe despite Constitutional immunity to the Governor, another senior police officer said that it's a regular practice to start an investigation after getting any complaint, especially from a woman. We have to investigate any complaint lodged by anybody. This is a regular practice and we are just following that. And if needed we may visit the spot (Raj Bhavan), he said. A contractual woman employee of the Raj Bhavan on Friday lodged a written complaint with the Kolkata Police alleging sexual molestation by the West Bengal Governor in the Raj Bhavan. The Raj Bhavan has already issued a statement saying that Bose has ordered a ban on the entry of cops to the Raj Bhavan in the guise of conducting unauthorised, illegitimate, sham and motivated investigations to placate political bosses during the election.

Kia Carens Diesel MT replaces my Ertiga: Booking & ownership review

BHPian kaustavguha recently shared this with other enthusiasts. Hello everyone, this is my first ever review/ report on Team BHP so kindly bear with me and correct me where I have made mistakes. I have tried to divide the post into various sections to make It easier to navigate. The needWe were proud owners of a 2016 Maruti Suzuki Ertiga ZXI+ which was serving us well, we bought it in February of 2016 just after the facelift for the 1st generation Ertiga was launched, back then our running was quite low because I was still doing my masters and did not need a car to commute to college and my father doesn't drive and did not want to hire a driver to commute to work hence we picked the petrol version(Maruti still sold diesels back then.)Fast Forward to 2020, COVID-19 happened, and both my father and started commuting to work together in the Ertiga after the lockdown was relaxed for obvious fears of travelling by public transport.I am a 1st generation driver in my family so using a car for daily commutes was never something we ever thought of until the pandemic.Our workplace is roughly 50 kms from home and we were clocking close to 2000 kms a month!For the 1st 4 years of the Ertiga, it had run 19 k kms, and the year after it had run close to 25 k kms just in 1 year!The need for a diesel/ car with better mileage began in early 2022 when the Ertiga clocked 45 k kms.The searchAs in most Indian families, no matter how old you are, you need the blessings of your parents before taking any big decision and in June of 2022, we began our search after my parents and better half agreed to a new car.Our requirements were simple, a comfortable 7-seater, preferably diesel within 20 Lakhs.The test drives Mahindra XUV 700The first car that came to my mind was the new XUV 700, in my opinion, it was a really good-looking car with a spacious interior and a premium up-market feel; I went to the Mahindra dealer closest to home and was promptly offered a test drive of the diesel automatic.The drive was really good, the AC was really good (quite an important deciding factor as I live in Kolkata), the boot space was really good with the last row folded down and the car had a great road presence. When asked when I get the car, the SA said that there is a minimum of 6 months waiting for the diesel auto but the wait could be more. Quite disheartened by the wait, I decided to explore some other options.Hyundai AlcazarWent to the Hyundai showroom, and asked for the TD of the Alcazar, the SA said that the diesel TD car was unavailable and I did not want to TD the petrol one because I had no intentions of buying a petrol; however I sat in the display vehicle in the showroom and I have to say, the interiors feel like that from a segment above, but the 3rd row is quite cramped, there isn't much space, although we will rarely need it, I still wanted a spacious 3rd row, after some thought decided to drop the Alcazar.Kia CarensRight next to the Hyundai Showroom is Eastern KIA, this time I took my wife along with me so that I could come to a conclusion.Had already talked to an SA over the phone and he said that the TD cars would be available.After reaching the showroom, we were shown a Diesel Manual Carens, at that point in time I was not even considering the automatic.Drove the car for a good 15 kms and the SA kept explaining the different features to my wife and me throughout the drive and he never asked me to cut the TD short.Returned to the showroom and asked about the waiting period for the Luxury Plus 7-Seater Diesel Manual, the SA said on the booking form it would be 24 weeks but we may be able to get one within 8 weeks.Went home and after a discussion with my parents we decided to book the car, the following Saturday we went to the showroom, showed the car to my parents and the SA offered another TD, we happily went on another TD and now everyone was on board. Came back to the showroom and booked a Carens Luxury Plus 7-Seater Diesel Manual in Imperial Blue. The slight hiccupWe had booked the car in the last week of June and in the 1st week of September our SA called me and asked me to come for PDI, overjoyed I went to the showroom the very next day but I saw that Kia had started providing one smart key along with the cars and the second key would be provided within 6 months, I found this to be unacceptable, in some unfortunate incident if the smart key is lost or damaged, the car can only be unlocked with the second key, but it cannot be started; I told the SA I have no issues in waiting but I want both the keys along with the car; the SA agreed after some back and forth with the GM.The DeliveryIn early November I got a call from the SA and he said that a Carens Luxury Plus 7-Seater Diesel Automatic in Imperial Blue was available and I could have it immediately, I was a bit confused as I had never driven an automatic before, but I also wanted the car and the price difference wasn't that much of a concern, so I asked for a TD of the automatic.After the TD I really wanted the automatic, the convenience it provided in city traffic and it was very smooth in the shifts (it is a torque converter).We finalised the car after PDI and the registration-related formalities were done and the 28th of November 2022 was decided as the D-Day.We arrived at 3 PM at the showroom, and after a quick second PDI, checked all the documents and the accessories requested; we went for the delivery. The LikesVery spacious for a family of 4, being a large individual, space was a priority.The A/C is an absolute chiller; even for the 3rd row occupants thanks to the roof-mounted A/C Vents.The 2nd row type C charging ports.The ventilated seats.The upmarket and premium feel of the interiors, the piano black dash looks like that from a segment above.The torque converter AT box is smooth.The DislikesAt 20 Lakhs+ OTR a 360-degree camera would have been nice.The headlights are good for the city but on the highways, they feel quite dim.A fabulous infotainment system but no wireless Android Auto/ Apple Car Play?At that time the UV Cut glasses were not being offered, a necessity in the era sun-film ban.The gauge cluster is a bit basic for a car at this price.Despite the dislikes, the Carens fit our requirements and budget the best, hence no other cars were given a second thought. The booking and delivery experience was really good at Eastern Kia Newtown, Kolkata; they were courteous and attended to most of my requests.On the day of delivery took a nice pen for the SA and his team leas and a box of sweets for the dealership. The cost break-up:Variant: Kia Carens Luxury Plus Diesel Automatic 7-SeaterEx-Showroom Kolkata 17,99,900.00Road Tax. 1,79,990.00Registration 740.00Insurance 62,605.00Accessories 7,496.0Extended Warranty 26,532.00 (4th and 5th Year, Unlimited km)Fastag 500.00Total 20,77,763.00 No discounts were being offered at all, the showroom provided me with the 3D Mats complementary. I opted for the lifetime road tax, in West Bengal you can choose to pay the road tax at 5-year intervals or lifetime as it made more sense to me. I opted for the Extended Warranty for unlimited kms 4th and 5th year as Kia is still new to the Indian market and I just wanted that peace of mind; unlimited kms because my running right now is quite high; 2000-2500 kms per month, mostly on the highway. The safetyThe car has a lot of safety features as standard like ABS, EBD, Hill Hold, Hill Decent control, and 6 Airbags.It did score a 3-star safety rating which is a bit concerning but I always take GNCAP ratings with a pinch of salt.The Features This is probably the best part, the feature list goes on and on, I will try to list the most prominent ones:Ventilated seats, work really really well.Apple Car play is really difficult to imagine the infotainment without it.The 10.8-inch infotainment system is really smooth.The Bose sound system, for someone like me, who isn't an audiophile is very good.The ambient lights look soothing at night and the brightness and colour can be controlled.The Keyless entry makes everything a lot more convenient.Charging ports in every row.The reverse camera is of very high definition and the adaptive guidelines make life a lot easier.The front parking sensors are a lifesaver on narrow streets, although a 360-degree camera is missed!The front cup holders are cooled and in summer they are quite efficient in keeping a bottle of water cool.The driver's seat is adjustable for everything except the lumbar support.The Steering wheel is tilt and telescopic adjustable.Being an automatic the gear knob is nice and chunky, and the different positions are clearly demarcated and easy to understand.The driving modes do make a difference between throttle response and gear shifts quite noticeably between normal sport and eco.Kia Connect sends and alarm to your phone if you forget to lock your car or if a door boot or bonnet is open.With Kia Connect you can remotely do a lot of functions but most importantly lock, unlock, and start your car along with the A/C.The Automatic headlights and wipers work like a charm, and once you get used to it, it is difficult to remember to turn off the lights.The looksI think the car looks very good for an MPV, especially in imperial blue(when clean).The DRL is large and very bright and they double up as indicators that in LED looks cool!The tail lights have a connected design which makes the car look very premium.Overall a very upmarket look for an MPVThe built quality is good there are no creeks or squeaks anywhere in the car, and nothing shakes or rattles(as of now).The panel gaps are very consistent and the paint finish seems to be very good.The car comes with 16-inch alloys which IMO looks good in with the car, the MRF Wanderers are pretty good although for the next tire change, I will probably go for the Bridgestone B390s.The InteriorThe interior is very well put together the leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the piano black finish on the dash all look really good.The front seats provide good adjustment, anyone could be comfortable in this; under-thigh support is also good.The 2nd row is also adjustable and has very good knee and headroom; it is wide enough for 3 adults of average built.The cream colour seats go very well with the navy dash and door cards.The soft-touch part of the doors feels very good.The 2nd and 3rd row both have adjustable recline which is a major plus.Lots of bottle holders and cubbies for your cell phones etc.The 2nd row curtains are a good size and prove a good shield from the sun.It is very easy to find a comfortable driving position and there are not many blind spots. The boot is extremely spacious with the 3rd row folded down but with it up, a few mid-sized bags will fit. The PerformanceWith 250 nm of torque and a smooth auto box, it pulls and pulls, you will reach the speed limit before the engine runs out of power.The torque converter auto box is really smooth, at 80 kmph the engine is at 1700 rpm which is very fuel efficient.If you need to overtake and you floor the accelerator the gearbox shifts down pretty quickly.If you put it in sport mode the car will hold gears longer and also the throttle feels more responsive.The brakes have a good bite to the pedal and the braking performance is also good.The engine is super silent for a diesel, most petrol bunk attendants mistake it for petrol.I have driven the car for 30 k kms at the time of writing this and most of that has been on the highway.The car is reasonably easy to manoeuver in city traffic but on narrow streets, it gets a bit tricky.The NVH levels are good, you hardly hear any road noises or wind noises.The all important kitna deti hain?The mileage in city traffic is 12 kmpl and on the highways, if driven conservatively it will return 16 kmpl.This is with my driving style.The ride quality is very good, feels a lot better than the Ertiga.It absorbs small bumps on the road very well, you will only feel the sharper ones.The serviceFor all the service and body work I went to Eastern Kia.At the 1k kms service it is just a basic checkup and wash, which took around 2 hours, the SA asked me if I had any issues with the vehicle, but I did not.The bill came out to zero and the car was washed very well.At the 10k kms service the usual work like engine oil, oil filter, air filter, ac filter was changed, I asked the SA to get the wheel alignment and balancing done as well. The labour was free on this service.The service took around 4 hours and pick up and drop was available but I decided to go in myself.The bill was Rs. 4,514.At the 20k kms service the same things were done and the SA recommended AC evaporator cleaning, I was skeptical at first but decided to get it done, and it did improve cooling, the route that I travel on has a lot of dust so I thought of getting it done. The labour was free on this service as well.I also got the wiper blades changed.The bill was Rs. 6,814At around 28 k kms there was a whistling noise coming from one of the front wheels, took it to the service centre and the front brake pads had nothing left in them and a small rock had got stuck between the brake pad and disc causing lines on the disc, the SA recommended to change the discs and the brake pads and I agreed.The bill came out to Rs. 16,789.At the 30 k kms I got all the wiper blades changed, the wheel alignment, wheel balancing, and the AC evaporator cleaned as mentioned earlier; this was in addition to the usual service jobs.The bill was Rs. 15,253Overall I am happy with the service experience.The Body Shop ExperienceUnfortunately, in November of 2023, I had a slight graze with another car near home, and the rear right door was dented, sent the car for bodywork and there was a bit of delay due to the Diwali holidays but the work was done flawlessly and the insurance company paid for everything, I only paid the mandatory deductible.A few days after I got the car back, at a signal a Tata ace smashed against the left-side ORVM and broke it completely, thankfully no one was injured. This time as it was just the mirror, I did not want to go through insurance for this because it meant leaving the car with the service center again for 3-5 days, I asked the SA to paint the ORVM cover and let me know when it is ready to be fitted, and 2 days later I went in for around 10 mins and the job was done.Overall I am very happy with the car and would recommended it to anyone looking for a 7-seater in this price range.Thank you so much for reading, if you have any questions please do ask! A few pictures of the delivery and the blessings of the almighty at Adyapeath. Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

BJP orchestrated the Sandeshkhali incident to defame Bengal: TMC

History will witness how Bengal will rise in rage against Delhi's conspiratorial regime and ensure their Bishorjon, says West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Sandeskhali News Updates | Mamata Banerjee Slams BJP Over Sandeshkhali | West Bengal News | News18

Sandeskhali News Updates | Mamata Banerjee Slams BJP Over Sandeshkhali | West Bengal News | News18

West Bengal BJP vs TMC, Lok Sabha Elections 2024 ? | NDTV Battleground

7 , . 8 NDTV Battleground With Sanjay Pugalia .

3-Day Traffic Restriction Between Rangpo Siliguri Along NH10

Pakyong , 04 May : The district administration of Kalimpong in West Bengal has officially announced restrictions on vehicular traffic along NH 10, connecting Sikkim to Siliguri in West Bengal, The post 3-Day Traffic Restriction Between Rangpo Siliguri Along NH10 appeared first on The Voice Of Sikkim .

Will PM Modi's Bengal Push Pay Dividends? Experts Discuss The Factors In Play

Ahead of NDTV's special election show - Battleground West Bengal - at 8 pm tonight, Editor-in-Chief Sanjay Pugalia and a panel of top experts were at Kolkata's iconic Flurys restaurant, looking at crucial factors that are at play in Bengal during the Lok Sabha elections, including Sandeshkhali and political violence.

Epic Bhutan road trip on my BMW R 1200 GS: Covered 5500 km in 16 days

BHPian cjt2012 recently shared this with other enthusiasts. This trip was on my mind for a couple of years, after having planned the trip last year, we dropped the plan a few days before the trip due to the extreme heat in May. This year, however, we decided to venture on the trip towards the end of March. A road trip is always about the adventure and thrill of the journey and not just about the destination. As a group of four (Parvez Patel Age 70 - 2022 BMW R1250GSA, Khodaram Zandbaf Age 62 - 2017 BMW R1200GS, Darayus Dastoor Age 61 - 2022 Kawasaki Versys 1000 and myself Clement Thomas Age 48 - 2017 BMW R1200GS); we started planning for the trip at the beginning of January 2024, a WhatsApp group was made and that was about it. It was not until 14 days before the trip that we really sat down and did some groundwork on the possible routes and arrangements in Bhutan. One of the group members had his sister undertake the journey by air last year, so we decided to employ the services of the same travel company, to arrange our Hotel bookings, bike clearances and meet us at the Indo-Bhutan border. Odometer Reading the day before the trip Loading the Base attachment of the Moskomoto Reckless 80 setup Initially, inside Bhutan we were contemplating renting Bhutan-registered RE Himalayan, however, thankfully better sense prevailed once we reached Bhutan. Some arrangements inside Bhutan are mandatory a brief list of requirements as listed below:A Bhutanese tourism department-approved guide is mandatory to accompany tourists along with a Taxi and driver for the guide.Passports or Voter ID is required to enter Bhutan. We used our Passports which were duly stamped upon entry. Tourist must pay a sustainability fee at Immigration of Rs1200/- head/ night of stay in Bhutan (For Indians, Srilankans and Maldivians). For all other nationalities, USD 250/- night must be paid as sustainability fees.The tour operator has to present Proof of hotel reservations. All hotels for tourists have to be three-star and above. Travel insurance is also required which is set at Rs700/- per person for the duration of the stay.Original RC of the bike, Valid insurance, PUC, Original Valid Indian Driving license card, are the necessary documents for any Motor vehicle including Motorcycles.It is preferable to have the motorcycle in your name otherwise you may need an authorization letter from the owner permitting you to ride in Bhutan.Rs 4500/- per Night of Stay in Bhutan for Motorcycle/Motorcar is to be paid in cash at the Regional Transport office in Phuentsholing.These documents have to be submitted to the RTO in Bhutan who will then issue the Route Permit.Indian Currency is accepted, and the exchange rate is 1:1One very important point - Make sure you have your bank cards cleared for transactions in Bhutan (generally on most Indian bank-issued cards - it's written in the small print that the cards cannot be used in Nepal and Bhutan). You will be required to call your Bank helpline number and ask them to allow usage of the cards in Bhutan.Please also ensure that you have sufficient INR currency at hand, as everything has to be managed by cash inside Bhutan.My bike is generally well-kitted for long trips, but I did a small service at home only wherein I, changed the Oil, cleaned the K&N air filter, Cardan shaft removed and greased, Cardan Oil changed, Checked torque values on all crucial nuts and bolts and Tyre pressure checked. I have both Aluminium Panniers and Soft Luggage and for this trip, I decided to go with the soft luggage basically to manage the weight (Panniers tend to be heavier) Some very essential generic requirements on the motorcycle are as below:USB Charging port 12V (My bike has 3 USB ports)Aux LightsHeadlight guards / protectorsThe Connected cradle to accommodate the phone is a very essential requirement when using a Phone for Google map Navigation.In hindsight, I should have probably used a Tail bag instead of the dry bag in my Moskomoto Reckless 80 set up along with the two dry bags on the side. Pack one bag with all necessary travel essentials (preferably the tail bag) which should contain everything that you may require for the night stay at the hotel and your next day's morning routine, The other bags can be left secure on the Motorcycle itself, this saves you time and effort to get back on the road the next morning.Ensure you have a good set of riding gear, this is non-negotiable - I was using Klim Adventure Rally Pro Jacket, Klim Badland Pants, Rynox Gloves, Scorpion AT950 modular helmet, Rynox Dry Innerwear (Not a big fan of this product- I found it to be a little uncomfortable as it sticks to your body after sweating, I rather prefer a cotton t-shirt inside in this heat).All four of us were using the Parani intercom, but the pairing was not as seamless as they claimed and the four of us could never get connected with each other. Only two of us could always remain paired. I am not entirely sure if we were pairing it the correct way, but it was very frustrating after having invested in a new intercom only to see it unable to connect all four of us.Other equipment carried were: Sony Action cam with loop recording charged by the bikes 12v USB port, essential tools, a Puncture repair kit, a compact air compressor (12V supply from the bike), a jump starter, Cable ties (very important), straps, bungee chords, Essential first aid and medicines, Spare Brake pads front and rear, Spark Plug set, key fob spare battery, Emergency key. Throughout the trip, only regular fuel was used on my bike, however, my friends used 95 octane wherever possible, but as we realized on the highways it was not easily available. The only thing unanimously decided was that we would not be riding late into the night, and that, we should find a decent hotel with safe parking by sunset.Day 1: 24.03.24 Mumbai (MH)- Akola (MH) (583Km)As usual, group members were not exactly on time. By the time we congregated and started the trip, it was 6:15, getting out of Mumbai in the early hours of the morning was easy, however, roads after Thane for about 30-35 km are under repairs and have a lot of diversions. Lack of route planning meant that we were just following Google and it did take us through some villages. Not a very smart idea, and we decided that the route needed to be better thought out, We all decided that, we would stick to National Highways only, and if they were not available, only then take a State Highway. For the most part, the roads were good. We stayed at the Grand Jalsa resort off the highway at Akola.Day 2: 25.03.24 Akola (MH) - Rewa (MP) (780km)After the previous day's experience, we decided to only stick to NH, and the route took us via Nagpur, Seoni, Jabalpur, Katni to Rewa. By far, the best National Highway in the entire trip, first NH53 until Nagpur (absolutely brilliant roads ) then NH 44 and NH 30 towards Rewa, The roads were so good that I could engage Cruise control at 100kmph and leave it for up to 15min on some stretches. The motorcycle being absolutely planted and stable, it just gobbles up distances effortlessly. We stayed at Hotel Chandralok, the hotel is owned by a Sikh gentleman and he is a bike enthusiast. Nice hotel and good food. The festival of Holi was around and this meant that traffic on the road was not as bad, but this would impact us the next day. Near Pench Tiger Reserve - Hydration stop At Hotel Chandralok Rewa - Brilliant Hospitality specially for Bikers Day 3: 26.03.24 Rewa (MP) - Muzaffarpur (BR) (530km)Started late from Rewa due to the good hospitality, Again sticking to NH as planned we made rapid progress, However, soon we realized a serious problem, It was Holi and it was a very big festival in Bihar. So big in fact, that everything, and I mean every damn thing is closed in the entire state of Bihar. This meant that Petrol would become an issue, and sure enough, three of the bikes were down to one line on the fuel gauges (The GSA with 31ltr fuel tank was very comfortable / not concerned) and no petrol pumps were open, we had already started riding very conservatively but we were very concerned with our fuel situation. Towards late afternoon, we found a petrol pump which was closed, however, there was a pushcart next to the pump and they were selling petrol in Black, Selling 750ml whiskey bottles filled with petrol (say about 700ml per bottle) at Rs150/-. We bargained and were able to strike a deal for one bottle of petrol at Rs110/- . We bought 6ltrs each, enough to propel us until Patna. This entire fuel fiasco meant that we wasted a lot of time trying to find a petrol station. Contrary to popular belief, Roads were very good initially via Hanumana, Mirzapur, Mughalsarai, Mohania, Arrah, Patna towards Muzaffarpur, NH30, NH135, NH35, AH1, NH319, NH922, NH22. We got some traffic on the outskirts of Patna. As dusk set in we stopped for the night at Hotel The Premier in Muzaffarpur (BR). Don't even ask how rubbish that hotel was, but nonetheless a place to stay the night. Near Mirzapur - road side eatery Highway services after a Toll plaza Day 4 27.03.24 Muzaffarpur (BR) - Bagdogra (WB) (438km)Started later than planned, got very heavy traffic to exit the town, following NH only as planned, The roads were, for the most part, good. Towards evening, we were tired and decided to stop for the night at Bagdogra. Route taken was Darbhanga, Phulparas, Forbesganj, Araria, Purnia, Dalkhola, Kishanganj, Islampur, to Bagdogra. That is NH27 all the way. The section of road after Dalkhola until Kishanganj was no so good with some potholes. The night was spent at Orbit Hotel, which had decent facilities with food. Near Purunia - The best and simple Dhaba food experience during the trip Day 5 :28.03.24 Bagdogra (WB) - Jaigaon (WB) (158km)We had a leisurely breakfast and left the hotel late since this was the last leg to Bhutan, we took the most scenic and stunning northern route, surprisingly the roads were excellent and through some densely forested areas with tall trees on both sides, after which started the tea gardens, we crossed the famous Coronation Bridge on the Teesta river, which is a sight to behold, towards evening we reached Jaigaon. At Jaigaon, as we were approaching the border the roads were very bad with chaotic traffic. We have a friend who is a businessman and an avid motorcycle rider at Jaigaon, so we had a good evening tea and snacks while we waited for our Guide to take us into Bhutan. After the immigration process, we proceeded to Hotel Gardhen, Since Parvez was tired and exhausted, he decided that he would not be riding the motorcycle inside Bhutan and instead sit in the car with the Guide and Driver, and to give him company, Khodaram also decided that he will also not ride inside Bhutan. Both the bikes were left at Jaigaon with our friend and only Darayus and I got our bikes into Bhutan. As mentioned in the beginning, we were contemplating renting Bhutan-registered RE Himalayan, but when we saw the bikes on offer, we quickly changed our mind and decided to use our own bikes. The difference between Jaigaon and Phuentsholing is stark and you will be amazed at how clean and quiet Bhutan is. Tea Gardens in West Bengal Jaigaon/Phuentsholing Border Entry gate to Bhutan Day 6 : 29.03.24 Phuentsholing - Thimpu (150km)We checked out of the hotel at 9:00 am and went to clear immigration which was a time-consuming process, Indians make up the bulk of the tourists who visit Bhutan, and Immigration clearance took about 1.5hrs. Then we went to file the route plan and clear the paperwork for the two motorcycles which we intended to ride, it was also a slightly lengthy procedure which took about an Hour to complete, we paid Rs22500/- per bike for the 5 nights route plan inside Bhutan. Formalities completed, and we started our trip to Thimpu. The quality of the roads is excellent and they are completely built and maintained by the Border Roads Organisation, the roads are totally winding in nature and are a real pleasure and fun experience. On the way we stopped at Takthikoti canteen operated by BRO on the invitation by Chief Engineer of Project Dantak, towards evening we reached Thimpu and checked into Hotel Nordenma. One of the fellow riders knew Kelly Dorji (Actor and Model), he invited us to his Restobar in Thimpu called Grey Area, we had some great food with impeccable hospitality from Kelly. A huge thanks to him for inviting us. Enroute to Thimpu - Kawasaki Versys 1000 and the BMW R1200GS Day 7: 30.03.24 Thimpu Local SightseeingStarted the day visiting the Buddha Dordenma, Simply Bhutan, Royal Takin Pzeserve (Takin is the national animal of Bhutan), Bhutanese Cuisine at an authentic restaurant, and some local shopping. Buddha Dordenma at Thimpu- Angels look mesmerizing Day 8: 31.03.24 Thimpu - Punakha (73km)Again a day on the motorcycle, with excellent roads and breathtaking scenery, The two of us on the motorcycles would take off using Google maps and reach the pre-determined meeting point. as discussed with the guide, driver and our two other friends. We stopped at Dochula Pass which is a monument with 108 stupas in memory of the fallen soldiers. The bikes always generate a lot of interest among the public wherever we stop, At Dochula, we saw a lot of tourists, specially a group of Ladies only tourists group from various parts of India, we ended up meeting the same group a few times more along the trip in the next couple of days. We also met a group of three German riders who rented RE bikes locally and were exploring Bhutan. Onwards we rode to Chime Lhakhang The Divine Madman temple, whilst there, we witnessed a freak accident, burning down and gutting the Monastery which was being newly constructed for the Monks, we chipped in to help in any way we could to remove combustible material from the immediate vicinity. This put us behind schedule to visit a few more places in Punakha, We later went to our Hotel and called it a day. We stayed at Hotel Lobesa, it had a beautiful view outside the windows, a good balcony and big rooms, by far the best hotel we stayed at in Bhutan. Punakha Fort Entry - Note the large honeybee comb Day 9: 01.04.24 Punakha - Paro (115km)Started after breakfast, since we missed a few sightseeing locations the previous day due to the fire at the Monastery, we went to the Punakha Fort. This is an impressive structure with unmistakable Bhutanese architecture, a sight not to miss is the school of Trout fish which you can see from the bridge leading to the fort, after spending some time at the fort we were on the road again back along the same road for most of the way. Stopping again at Dochula Pass, the cafe is very good and since the sky was a bit more clear than the previous visit, we were able to see a few of the tall Himalayan mountain peaks at a distance. The highlight of the day was our invitation from the Chief Engineer of Project Dantak to visit the headquarters. We were deeply honored and thrilled to have received his Invitation, we had a very good interactive dialogue with the Chief Engineer, who was kind enough to explain the various aspects of the BRO's mandate in Bhutan, the history behind the entire project and the Museum. We were presented with a coffee table book consisting of the entire history of Project Dantak. Deeply honored and Salute to our soldiers who work in such extreme terrains. We then took to the road leading to Paro, as usual, the roads were brilliant with swooping curves at every turn. Paro is a beautiful town located in the Valley, this is also the town with the International Airport. Towards evening we reached our Hotel. We stayed at Hotel Ratna Vara, a decent hotel, However, the food could have been better. We retired early as the next day was the big trek to Tiger's Nest.Day 10: 02.04.24 Paro Local sight seeingWe left the Hotel early to the Tiger's Nest base, but before that, we stopped and had a refreshing breakfast at a local diner. Tiger's nest by far symbolizes Bhutan, it's a must-do trek for tourists arriving in Bhutan. It's by no means easy, and definitely not for the faint-hearted, and you need to be relatively fit to attempt such a Trek. The base camp is at 7300ft and the Nest is at 10500ft, the trek itself is about 5.5km, Parvez, the oldest among us chose to sit this one out, We started climbing at about 8:40 am and finally reached the summit at about 12:00, spent about an hour in the temples on top, the view of tiger's nest from any direction is breathtaking and beautiful. The trek consists of trails and steps both paved and stone steps. The cafe midway is a good place to rest your legs and re-energise. The trek down was also quite daunting, by the time we reached the base it was about 2:30pm, and we were all tired and decided to head back to the hotel. In the evening, we went out for a bit of souvenir shopping. Tiger's Nest - A Bhutan trip - must do trek Day 11: 03.04.24 Paro - PhuentsholingWe had a leisurely breakfast and then headed back on the road to the border town of Phuentsholing. We again had the same invitation to refresh and recharge at the Takthikoti GREF canteen which we accepted. Reached Phuentsholing towards evening, and headed to the same Hotel (Hotel Gardhen). Parked the bikes and came out to Jaigaon to have tea at our friend's place. After that, we headed back to the Hotel in Phuentsholing and retired early since we planned an early start for the return road trip.Day 12: 04.04.24 Phuentsholing - Darbhanga (BR) (530km)The previous night's food did not seem to go down well with my gut. I felt sick in the stomach and threw up a few times in the night. My friends did not think I was fit enough to ride, but, that was not a choice. The friend in Jaigaon was also riding with us for a few hundred kms on his Triumph Tiger 800, he offered to take me to a hospital on the way. By 10:00am my condition had worsened, I had thrown up about 5 times and was feeling severely dehydrated, I spoke to a doctor's friend, and she prescribed Tab Ondem and an Antibiotic to fight the food poisoning. The tab immediately helped and I was feeling a lot better, thus decided to continue as much as possible, and took the same roads back so we knew that the roads were good. By nightfall we were in the town of Darbhanga and decided to stop for the day at Hotel Garcia International, It was a very nice hotel and we had a nice peaceful night.Day 13: 05.04.24 Darbhanga (BR) - Hanumana (MP) (500km)I felt a lot better in the morning, starting at about 8:30 am roads were good as we were taking the same road back, the afternoon heat was too much and we were stopping often to hydrate and stretch our legs as we were having cramps. Passed UP in the evening, it was very sad to see the lack of any hotels after Mirzapur, by nightfall we had passed Mirzapur but could not find any hotels, so we kept pressing ahead, it was only after entering MP we saw a newly built hotel, we took the rooms even though it did not have any AC, it was about 9:30 pm by the time we reached the hotel, had dinner and retired for the day. We stayed at the Highway Treat Hotel.Day 14: 06.04.24 Hanumana (MP) - Nagpur (MH) (598km)Road were as good as they could be, made rapid progress. These bikes on such wonderful roads are really a treat and a dream ride. The skies were overcast and that also meant that the heat was a little lesser than usual. Reached Nagpur by sunset and called it for the day.Day 15: 07.04.24 Nagpur (MH) - Wadner (MH) (370km)Since we were not in a tearing hurry to reach, we took it easy with the riding, the day time heat had again started to rise, the roads were excellent and by early evening we decided to stop for tea at a roadside hotel which had just newly launched, since rooms were available with AC we decided to stay put there. Stayed at Hotel Gurukripa.Day 16: 08.04.24 Wadner (MH) - Mumbai (MH) (520km)Started around 7:30am and took a slightly different route than when we had left from Mumbai, using NH53 passing through Bhusawal, Jalgaon, Dhule then onto NH60 towards Malegaon, Nashik, Igatpuri, Thane and Mumbai. NH60 was good but every intersection has multiple speed breakers and as such has to slow down. The real agony was the poor condition of roads leading to Thane which starts about 30km before Thane and the afternoon traffic with the scorching heat was really unbearable. Finally reaching home by 6:00 pm. The epic round trip was about 5500km, In hindsight, we could have accomplished this trip in 2 weeks, but with a group of riders, we have to cater to the pace at which everyone is comfortable. The bikes which accomplished this trip were the real gems, each of the motorcycles did not miss a beat or give us any kind of mechanical trouble. The benefit of shaft drive was amply apparent as the Versys chain needed to be lubed before the return trip. The superior comfort of the GS/GSA is also something I wish to highlight, the suspension is truly an engineering marvel. Without a doubt, the BMW GS/GSA is one of the best motorcycles ever made. I wish here to thank my fellow riders for such a great trip, a memory etched forever in my mind. Before I conclude, I have to say that our Highway systems have seen a remarkable improvement, they were simply fantastic. One takeaway for anyone planning a road trip - stick to the National highways for as long as you can before you consider altering to SH or any other roads. Few more photos for your viewing pleasure Enroute to Thimpu - On Arguably the best purpose-built motorcycle At Takthikoti GREF Canteen Enroute to Thimpu One of the Few waterfalls on the route to Thimpu With Mr Anil, Road trip back to Mumbai somewhere in the forest of Jalpaiguri All the bikes in formation, a nice photo opportunity William Tell is aiming for the Apple on the head of Mr Parvez Finally After an Epic trip - Odometer on arrival back home A small Bhutan sticker to highlight the achievement Check out BHPian comments for more insights and information.

Arrival of Delegates from 23 Countries to Observe Lok Sabha Elections in India

India's Election Commission has extended invitations to 75 guests from election management bodies (EMBs) across 23 nations to witness the unfolding of the world's largest elections. This initiative, unprecedented in scale, aims to showcase the democratic process to a global audience. Representatives from Bhutan, Mongolia, Australia, Madagascar, Fiji, and more will participate, alongside members of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) and media teams from Bhutan and Israel. The Election Commission of India views this as a testament to its commitment to conducting elections of the highest caliber. They describe it as an opportunity for international observers to experience India's democratic practices firsthand. The Election Visitors' Programme (IEVP) commenced on May 4, intending to familiarize foreign delegates with India's electoral system and best practices. Notable figures such as Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar will address the guests during the program. Delegates will visit various constituencies in Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, and other states to observe the election process firsthand. The program will conclude on May 9. The arrival of delegates marks a significant moment in India's electoral history, showcasing the nation's commitment to transparency and openness in its democratic process. As these international observers immerse themselves in the intricacies of India's election system and witness firsthand the vibrant democracy in action, it underscores the importance of global cooperation in fostering democratic values worldwide. The Lok Sabha elections, spanning seven phases, began on April 19 and will end on June 1, with vote counting slated for June 4. Read More Election news: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Big Names Face Critical Tests BJP's Post-Election Strategy: Focus Shifts to West Bengal Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mega Campaigning in Ayodhya: All You Need to Know

Showbiz personalities galore in Bengal electoral fray

The trend of major political parties in West Bengal backing film personalities continues in the ongoing Lok Sabha polls, with stars of yesteryears and contemporary icons vying for seats. The ruling Trinamool Congress leads with six filmstars in the fray, including Shatrughan Sinha and Dev. The BJP and CPI(M) have also fielded film personalities. While TMC's strategy aims to consolidate its support base, the opposition hopes to dent it. The role of these stars-turned-politicians and their impact on the election remains to be seen.

2 sanitation workers die while cleaning sewage shaft at Noida house

Two workers from West Bengal tragically lost their lives after inhaling poisonous gases in a sewage shaft in Noida. They were cleaning a septic tank at a house in Sector 26 when the incident occurred. The workers were transported to the hospital but did not survive.

Starry nights: Entertainers light up Bengal poll campaign

Starry nights: Entertainers light up Bengal poll campaign The not-so-old trend among major political parties in West Bengal to throw their weight behind silver screen personalities continues unabated in the current edition of Lok Sabha polls where stars of yesteryears are contesting the elections shoulder to shoulder with contemporary celluloid icons of the industry. In terms of numbers the state's ruling Trinamool Congress, like in the past, is way ahead of its completion this time around as well by fielding six of the nine filmstars in the poll fray. While the opposition BJP has nominated two film personalities, the CPI (M) has settled for one well-known tinsel town figure from the Tollygunge film and TV industry to try and dent the opposition vote bank. TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has reposed her faith in Bollywood superstar of the 70s and 80s, Shatrughan Sinha, a repeat candidate from Asansol, and on reigning Tollygunge superstar Dipak Adhikari aka Dev from the Ghatal seat for a third consecutive term in Lok Sabha. She also nominated tried and tested contemporary actors-cum-politicians Saayoni Ghosh and June Maliah from the Jadavpur and Medinipur constituencies respectively. Satabdi Roy, another popular star of the 80s, is TMC's candidate from Birbhum who is eyeing her fourth term in the lower house of the Parliament. Successful Bengali film heroine of the 90s, former Miss Calcutta and immensely popular TV show host, Rachana Banerjee, is the party's candidate of choice from the Hooghly seat. Banerjee, of course, makes her debut in politics with her role as a prospective parliamentarian. TMCs inclination for film stars also comes with Mamata Banerjee's decision to drop from the fray Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan, leading ladies of the Bengali film fraternity who won the polls in 2019 from Jadavpur and Basirhat seats respectively. ''I am happy to be working under the country's strongest and most popular political figure Mamata Banerjee and want to continue serving the people of Asansol,'' Sinha, fondly called 'Bihari babu' by his fans, said. The veteran actor has already spent over two decades in politics and switched camps from the BJP to the Trinamool following his fallout with the Narendra Modi-led BJP regime. A distant follower of the TMC with respect to the number of showbiz figures it has managed to field, the BJPs candidate list includes actor-turned-politician Locket Chatterjee from the Hooghly seat and Tolly star Hiran Chatterjee from Ghatal. While Hiran, a sitting BJP MLA from Kharagpur, takes on fellow star Dev, debutant Rachana finds herself pitted against Locket, the incumbent MP from Hooghly. An initially reluctant Dev, who publicly expressed his desire to stay away from electoral politics during the current polls, later relented under the insistence of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee and the party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. ''My dream is to implement the Ghatal masterplan which will put an end to people's distress arising out of recurrent floods in the area. I have been trying to implement the project since 2014 and felt I should continue in politics a while longer and finish what I started,'' Dev told PTI. Dev's rival Hiran had debuted in politics ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls. ''Its easy to fight injustices on reels, but you have to be part of the system to change it,'' said Hiran who is a bitter critic of alleged corruption under the current TMC regime. Rachana, so far, seems to be enjoying the different kind of limelight she has been put under. ''I don't believe politics is a pastime for people like us. Village women are mobbing me. They want to touch me. Men are asking me to bless their children during road shows,'' said Banerjee, host of the high TRP-grosser 'Didi Number One' reality show. Rachana, though, drew a flak from her rival Locket who is seeking re-election for the third time. ''If she thinks hitting campaign trails coming straight from a studio and waving hands at people will fetch her votes, she is grossly mistaken. Elections are a different ball game,'' Chatterjee said. Another familiar face from the industry, June Maliah, a Trinamool MLA of the Medinipur assembly segment, is locking horns with BJP's Agnimitra Paul, a known fashion designer and MLA of Asansol South, at the Medinipur Lok Sabha seat. TMCs youth wing president and a popular actor in her own right, Saayoni Ghosh, has been pitchforked by the party to lead the party's challenge in Jadavpur. Ghosh had unsuccessfully contested against Paul in the 2021 assembly elections. ''My experiences over the past three years have been rewarding and helped me mature as a politician. That is allowing me to reach out to my electorate in a better manner this time,'' Ghosh said. CPI(M) nominee Devdut Ghosh, a familiar face in TV soaps, OTT platforms and films, is trying his luck from the Barrackpore Lok Sabha seat after biting the dust in the 2021 state polls from Tollygunj. ''As an actor, I have a certain sensitivity. I cannot remain confined to my profession and fraternity when the state is burning. I need to respond and drive home my message to the people I can connect with,'' he said, justifying his foray into electoral politics. TMC spokesperson Trinankur Bhattacharya said, ''Dev, June and Saayoni have already proved their political acumen. While Dev and June have regularly been in touch with the voters of their constituencies, Saayoni gave a good fight to the BJP in 2021. She has emerged as an important leader with street fighter instincts. SFI state committee member Subhajit Sarkar called TMCs nomination of candidates like Rachana Banerjee ''nothing but a stunt''. ''Remember they did not renominate Nusrat Jahan or Mimi Chakraborty. People have seen through their gimmicks,'' he said. BJPs actor-leader Rudranil Ghosh said he was all in favour of people joining politics from various walks of life. ''But we don't need star personalities with little or no idea of what they are getting into,'' he added.

Tragic Loss: Two Sanitation Workers Perish During Sewage Cleaning Operation in Noida

Tragic Loss: Two Sanitation Workers Perish During Sewage Cleaning Operation in Noida Two sanitation workers from West Bengal died allegedly after inhaling poisonous gases inside a sewage shaft at a house in Noida, police said on Saturday. The incident took place Friday evening when Nooni Mandal and Tapan Mandal were working at one Sumit Chawla's house in Sector 26. Both workers hailed from Malda district in West Bengal and lived in a slum in Sector 9, according to police. ''A person in Sector 26 had hired two persons for cleaning of the septic tank at his home. Last night, while cleaning the tank, the duo became unconscious. They were taken to a hospital but did not survive,'' Deputy Commissioner of Police (Noida) Vidya Sagar Mishra said. According to a police officer, the two had come to the house at 7 pm and had entered the shaft area to clean it. A source told PTI that both men were taken to the hospital after 11.15 pm and were already dead when the doctors checked on them. Police said they have inspected the incident location and have informed the victims' families.

Sexual harassment complaint against Bengal Guv: BJP, CPI(M) highlight TMC connections of accuser

Kolkata, May 4: With the Trinamool Congress highlighting the sexual harassment complaint against West Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, by a temporary staff member of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, the Opposition parties including the BJP and CPI(M) have started questioning the links of the woman to the ruling party. The Opposition is pointing to an [] The post Sexual harassment complaint against Bengal Guv: BJP, CPI(M) highlight TMC connections of accuser appeared first on The Shillong Times .

Police to speak to witnesses in complaint against WB Guv; seeks CCTV footage from Raj Bhavan

KOLKATA: The Kolkata Police inquiry team constituted to investigate a woman employee's allegation of sexual molestation by Governor CV Ananda Bose, will speak to the witnesses over the next few days, a senior officer said on Saturday. The investigators, she said have already requested the Raj Bhavan to share the CCTV footage. We have formed an inquiry team which will be speaking to some probable witnesses over the next few days in this matter. We have also requested the Raj Bhavan to share the CCTV footage, in case they are available, the officer said on Saturday. Woman accuses West Bengal Governor Ananda Bose of sexual harassment A contractual woman employee of the Raj Bhavan on Friday lodged a written complaint with the Kolkata Police alleging sexual molestation by the Bengal Governor in the Raj Bhavan. Under Article 361 of the Constitution, no criminal proceedings can be instituted against a governor during his term in office. Incidentally, the Raj Bhavan has issued a statement saying that Bose has ordered a ban on the entry of cops to the Raj Bhavan in the guise of conducting unauthorised, illegitimate, sham and motivated investigations to placate political bosses during the election.

Sexual harassment complaint against Bengal Governor: BJP, CPI(M) highlight TMC connections of accuser

Kolkata: With the Trinamool Congress highlighting the sexual harassment complaint against West Bengal Governor, CV Ananda Bose, by a temporary staff member of Raj Bhavan in Kolkata, the Opposition parties including the BJP and CPI(M) have started questioning the links of the woman to the ruling party. The Opposition is pointing to an event where []

Anticipated above-normal Southwest monsoon brings hope for India's agricultural sector: Geojit report

Anticipated above-normal Southwest monsoon brings hope for India's agricultural sector: Geojit report Multiple meteorological organizations are anticipating abundant rainfall during this year's southwest monsoon season in the Indian subcontinent. According to Geojit insights, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) expects above-normal rainfall, with the total from June to September anticipated to be 106 per cent of the long-period average. Private forecaster Skymet Weather Services and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Climate Centre have echoed similar forecasts. Last year, the southwest monsoon ended with a 6 per cent deficit of the long-period average, mainly due to El Nino, resulting in wide spatial and temporal variations in rainfall distribution. However, regions that generally receive good rainfall experienced shortages, while dry regions like West Rajasthan and Saurashtra-Kutch received bountiful rainfall. Out of the total 36 meteorological subdivisions, 7 subdivisions, including Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, experienced deficient rainfall. The forecast of normal monsoon rains this year comes as a relief at a time when agricultural output is declining, and food inflation remains high, exacerbated by dwindling water levels in reservoirs. Slow growth in agriculture is mainly attributed to declining farm output, with food grain production expected to decline by six percent in 2023-24. The deficient monsoons last year and warmer, drier weather due to El Nino have left considerable impact on water levels in reservoirs across the country. Currently, reservoir storage stands at 31 per cent of the total live storage capacity, significantly lower than the 10-year average. With the summer approaching its peak, the situation in southern India, where reservoir levels are critically low, has worsened, increasing the threat of drought. Apart from affecting standing crops and agricultural productivity, dwindling water levels could impact other sectors as well. The prediction of normal monsoons this year brings hope for boosting the production of kharif crops such as rice, soybean, sugarcane, and pulses, cooling down food inflationary pressures, and replenishing water resources. However, the arrival, distribution, intensity, and departure of the monsoon remain crucial factors that will impact agricultural production and productivity. Skymet expects good rainfall in southern, western, and northwestern parts of the country, with Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh expected to receive adequate rainfall. However, eastern states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal may face the risk of deficit rainfall during peak monsoon months, impacting kharif crops heavily dependent on early rainfall. Additionally, heavy showers during the latter half of the monsoon season may pose a threat to standing crops across the country. (ANI)

In West Bengal, candidates battle record-breaking temperatures during campaign trail

Candidates take several measures to stay hydrated to keep going in these extreme weather conditions

Delhi Police Busts Ring Trafficking Rohingyas from Myanmar

In a significant breakthrough, Delhi Police has dismantled a network engaged in trafficking Rohingyas from Myanmar, transporting them through Bangladesh to various parts of India and abroad, including Russia. The operation came to light with the arrest of two individuals in Hyderabad. These arrests followed the deportation of a Myanmar couple who had used fake Indian passports to travel to Russia via New Delhi. The clandestine network, operating primarily from Bangladesh, not only facilitated illegal entry into India but also provided forged Aadhaar and PAN cards. While some individuals were directed to different parts of India, those with financial resources were sent overseas. Authorities disclosed that the syndicate offered a bundled deal of 10 lakh Bangladeshi takas per person. Two suspects, identified as Nurul, also known as Noor Alam, and Abdul Gaffar alias Arka Roy, have been apprehended. The investigation revealed that the illegal scheme was exposed after the deportation of a 30-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman from Russia. The man possessed a passport issued under the name Shuvojit Das, while the woman carried documents in the name of Babita. Subsequent inquiries revealed their true identities as Toha and Rabiya, both citizens of Myanmar. Shockingly, the passports were issued from the regional passport office in Kolkata. The couple departed for Russia from Delhi on February 20. Upon their deportation, they confessed to being lured by Alam into acquiring Indian documents, even selling their family jewelry to afford his services. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Airport) Usha Rangnani disclosed, The agent facilitated their illegal entry into India through the Agartala border. They then traveled to various places in West Bengal, where Alam and his associates arranged Aadhaar and PAN cards for them, along with fraudulently obtained passports. Alam, traced to Hyderabad, was apprehended along with his associate Gaffar at the city's airport. He revealed that he managed the illegal operation from Bangladesh, while his partner, Sheikh Arif Ali, oversaw activities from West Bengal. Ali, employed at a firm handling Aadhaar card updates, possessed skills in Photoshop and other editing software, which he used to fabricate documents. Gaffar confessed to collaborating with Alam in forging documents and attempting to secure a work visa. Read other news: Delhi High Court Grants AAP's Manish Sisodia Weekly Visits to Ailing Wife During ED, CBI Custody Delhi High Court rejects Delhi government's circular on private schools not to hike fees without permission Bomb Threats Shake Delhi-NCR Schools Updates: Nearly 100 Institutions on Alert

West Bengal Class 12 Result 2024 to be out next week

West Bengal Class Result to be out next week

Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Big Names Face Critical Tests

The Lok Sabha elections for 2024 are in full swing, with Phase 3 set to take place on May 7th. This phase encompasses 95 seats across 12 states and Union Territories. Among the contenders are notable figures such as Union Home Minister Amit Shah, rebel BJP leader KS Eshwarappa, Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Dimple Yadav, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Supriya Sule. The key players in Phase 3 hail from prominent political parties including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Samajwadi Party (SP), the Congress, and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), among others. Let's take a closer look at some of the top contenders: Amit Shah: Union Minister Amit Shah seeks re-election from Gandhinagar Lok Sabha seat in Gujarat. He faces competition from Congress' Sonal Patel. The BJP has maintained a stronghold on this seat since 1989, with Shah securing victory in 2019 by a significant margin. Dimple Yadav: SP candidate Dimple Yadav is contesting from the 'Mainpuri' constituency in Uttar Pradesh, a stronghold of her party. Following the passing of SP founder Mulayam Singh Yadav, Dimple Yadav won the seat in a bypoll. She now faces BJP candidate Jaiveer Singh in a bid to uphold Mulayam's legacy. Jyotiraditya Scindia: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia represents the BJP in the Guna Lok Sabha constituency of Madhya Pradesh. He goes head-to-head with Rao Yadvendra Singh of the Congress, aiming to reverse his defeat in the 2019 polls. Shivraj Singh Chouhan: Former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the BJP's candidate from Vidisha Lok Sabha constituency. Chouhan, a five-time MP from Vidisha, competes against Pratap Bhanu Sharma of the Congress. Supriya Sule: NCP leader Supriya Sule, daughter of Sharad Pawar, contests from the Baramati seat in Maharashtra. Her candidacy sparks interest as she faces Sunetra Pawar, wife of Ajit Pawar, who recently joined the BJP-led NDA. The constituencies participating in Phase 3 cover a wide geographical spread across India, including states like Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal, along with Union Territories like Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. The Election Commission reports a total of 1,351 candidates vying for seats in this phase, with Gujarat and Maharashtra leading in the number of nominations. Notably, Osmanabad constituency in Maharashtra and Bilaspur seat in Chhattisgarh witness significant participation, indicating the intense competition characterizing Phase 3 of the Lok Sabha elections 2024. BJP's Post-Election Strategy: Focus Shifts to West Bengal Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Mega Campaigning in Ayodhya: All You Need to Know PM Modi Vows Justice for Victims of the West Bengal Teacher Recruitment Scam

Fire breaks out at garment unit in Kolkata's New Town area

CM to PM: How does Rahul Gandhi's seat matter to you?

Mamata Banerjee criticized BJP's tactics, alleging threats to industrialists, manipulation of EVMs, and spreading falsehoods. She questioned the Election Commission's actions in denying voting rights to cops and highlighted opposition unity in Bengal.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee campaigns for LS polls

Bardhaman: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, in Bardhaman, Friday, May 3, 2024. (PTI Photo) Bardhaman: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a public meeting for Lok Sabha elections, in Bardhaman, Friday, May 3, 2024. (PTI Photo) Bardhaman: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee during a Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .

West Bengal Governor denies sexual assault allegations

KOCHI: Denying the sexual harassment allegations levelled against him, West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose said he would have the final laugh when the allegation unravels. Speaking to reporters at Nedumbassery here on Friday after arriving from Kolkata, Ananda Bose said as a governor, there is no need to respond to this. But I can reveal with honesty to the Keralites who brought me up. On the day the prime minister stayed at the Raj Bhavan, it was alleged that I had touched an employee of the Raj Bhavan without permission. Everyone knows the truth behind this. There is no issue between me and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, he said. The Kolkata police on Friday set up a team to probe the allegations of sexual harassment against Bose by a contractual employee of Raj Bhavan. In her written complaint to the Hare Street police station, the woman alleged that the governor sexually harassed her, first on March 24, and later on May 2, after summoning her to his chamber on the pretext of offering her a permanent job.

Bengal governor C V Ananda Bose leaves for Kochi, says a more sinister plot has been hatched in Raj Bhavan

Governor C V Ananda Bose disclosed a sinister plot at Raj Bhavan, facing political challenges and vowing to combat corruption and violence. He remained resolute despite allegations, indicating readiness to confront any threats to dignity and respect.

PM Modi Bows Down To Woman During His Rally In West Bengal's Birbhum

In a humble gesture, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday bowed down to a woman supporter who wanted to seek his blessings at a rally in West Bengal's Birbhum.

Gang that sneaked in Rohingyas busted

Delhi Police uncovered a trafficking racket moving Rohingyas via Bangladesh, Tripura, and West Bengal, providing fake Indian IDs and passports. Two individuals were deported from Russia with fraudulent documents. The gang operated from multiple locations, including Kolkata and Hyderabad.

CM: Whats the PM doing on guv issue?