12 Candidates, Including Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma, Join Himachal Pradesh Bypoll Race

12 Candidates, Including Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma, Join Himachal Pradesh Bypoll Race Twelve candidates, including Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma, filed their nomination papers on Thursday, taking the total number of nominations filed in the past three days to 21. Singh, who filed his nomination from the Mandi Lok Sabha seat, attacked BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut in an oblique reference while Sharma, who filed his nomination papers from Kangra, shunned the ''outsider'' tag, and said they had never questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi, hailing from Gujarat, contested elections from Varanasi. ''We are doing politics of development, she is doing politics of entertainment,'' said Singh, adding that this ''picture'' directed by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur would fail at the ''box office'' on June 1. Singh, was accompanied by his mother and state Congress chief Pratibha Singh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and Himachal in-charge Rajiv Shukla, while Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania and Cabinet Minister Chander Kumar accompanied Sharma. ''Kangana had started her campaign 20-25 days back and from morning to evening, she used abusive words for us but has not uttered a single word on her vision for this parliamentary constituency'', he said, adding that she should tell people what she wanted to do. Mandi would be made a smart city and Jalori Jot tunnel would be constructed on the line of the Rohtang tunnel. The remote Pangi area of Chamba would also be connected through the tunnel, Singh told PTI. ''I would take forward the long and deep relation with the people of Mandi,'' the Congress candidate, who is the son of former chief minister late Virbhadra Singh, said. Scion of erstwhile Rampur estate, Singh is pitted against actor and BJP candidate Kangana Ranaut. ''Change of winds are visible in the country and after the first three phases of Lok Sabha polls, the BJP has been washed out in the South and halved in the North,'' he claimed. ''Vikramaditya Singh would win by a margin of over two lakh,'' said Sukhu. Later, addressing public rallies in favour of Singh and Sharma at Mandi and Dharamshala, Sukhu said that the MLAs who ''sold'' themselves would be behind the bars. Investigations are underway and soon ''big things'' will come out. He also targeted the BJP candidate from Dharamshala assembly seat Sudhir Sharma and alleged that the Dharamshala MLA also ''sold himself in the political market''. He was apparently referring to six Congress rebel MLAs who voted in favour of the BJP in Rajya Sabha elections, and later joined the BJP and are now contesting the Assembly by-polls from their respective seats on BJP ticket. ''This is an election between honesty and corruption and the issue of horse-trading by the BJP would be kept before the people, besides public welfare work undertaken by the state government like restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and Rs 1,500 monthly to women,'' said CM Sukhu. Interacting with the media, Sukhu claimed that he has extensively toured the constituency and people are praising the policies of the Congress government and the efforts made during the monsoon disaster, and they are against the BJP for allegedly not standing with the state during the disaster. After filing the nomination, Anand Sharma rejected the ''outsider'' tag given to him by the BJP and said that he is a Himachali, born in Shimla. ''We have never questioned that PM Narendra Modi is from Gujarat and contesting from Varanasi, we do not have such a small mindset,'' he said. Sharma, a four-time Rajya Sabha member and former Union minister who would take on BJP candidate Rajeev Bhardwaj, was accompanied by Speaker Kukdeep Singh Pathania and Cabinet Minister Chander Kumar. ''This is not a new place for me and we are going to the people and trying to convey our message to every voter. Our focus would be on promoting eco-tourism and adventure sports in Kangra and Chamba districts falling under the Kangra Lok Sabha seat,'' Sharma said while talking to media persons. Expansion of railways and setting up central institutions and a trade park in Chamba would also be the priorities, and at present 11 out of 16 MLAs in the Kangra parliamentary seat are from the Congress, while one seat of Dharamshala is going for bypolls along with the Lok Sabha elections, he added. Among others who filed the nominations were Congress rebel and BJP candidate Ravi Thakur, who filed his nomination papers for Lahaul and Spiti assembly by-polls. He was accompanied by Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur.

Congress candidate Anand Sharma files nomination from Kangra for LS polls

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Congress' Vikramaditya Singh, Anand Sharma file nominations from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi, Kangra

Congress leaders Vikramaditya Singh and Anand Sharma filed their nomination papers from Mandi and Kangra Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, respectively. While Singh will take on BJP's Kangana Ranaut, Sharma is against BJP candidate Rajeev Bhardwaj. Singh said he would make Mandi a smart City. Sharma focused on eco-tourism and adventure sports in Kangra and Chamba districts. Both leaders highlighted Congress achievements and promised to address state issues if elected.

Himachal: Only three women elected to LS polls till date, just two in fray this time

SHIMLA: Only three women have made it to the Lok Sabha from Himachal Pradesh in the past 72 years and this time, just two are in the fray. Women constitute almost 49 per cent of the total voters in the state. Rajkumari Amrit Kaur, Chandresh Kumari and Pratibha Singh, the three successful candidates till now belonged to royal families. Only the BJP and the BSP have nominated women candidates for the June 1 elections for the four Lok Sabha seats in the state. While the BJP has fielded actor Kangana Ranaut from Mandi, Rekha Rani is contesting on a BSP ticket from Kangra. Women from humble background rising high in politics and carving a niche for themselves is still a big challenge in the country and Himachal Pradesh is no exception. At present, women constitute about 49 per cent of the total voters in the state but representation is not even one fourth and this is a cause of serious concern, said Ramesh Chauhan, head of the department of political science at Himachal Pradesh University. In politics, what matters is who has the decision-making power. This power is normally with men and until women are given prominent positions, they would not emerge as empowered and surpass their dominant male counterparts, Chauhan told PTI. According to Kamal Manohar Sharma, who also teaches political science at Himachal Pradesh University, the status of women has been high in the state and even before reservation for women was introduced, women pradhans were elected in Mandi, Kinnaur and Kangra districts. But women were not so keen to climb the ladder to the assembly, he claimed. Moreover, the political parties also did not promote or encourage the women with humble background, he added. Political parties go all out to woo the women voters but when it comes to declaring candidates, women get few opportunities, the political experts felt. To add to it, participation of women voters surpass male voters especially in rural areas but still few women get elected, they added. Congress names 16 more candidates, Vikramaditya Singh to take on Kangana Ranaut in Mandi A total of 56,38,422 voters - 28,79,200 male, 27,59,187 female and 35 third gender persons - are eligible to exercise their franchise for the seats of Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla (SC) in the seventh and last phase of polling on June 1. Amrit Kaur, India's first health minister who hailed from the royal family of Kapurthala, was elected to Lok Sabha from Mandi constituency in 1952. Thereafter, no woman got a ticket till 1984. However, in 1984, Chandresh Kumari from the royal family of Jodhpur who was married in Himachal Pradesh, was fielded by the Congress from Kangra and won as the party swept the election, riding on the sympathy wave following the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi. Pratibha Singh, wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh unsuccessfully contested the Lok Sabha polls in 1998. However, she won the elections in 2004 when her husband was the chief minister. In 2009, Virbhadra Singh was elected to Lok Sabha from Mandi but he quit after becoming chief minister in 2012 and his wife Pratibha Singh won the by-election in 2013. She again contested the Lok Sabha polls in 2014 but lost to Ram Swaroop of BJP, who was re-elected in 2019. But the seat fell vacant when Ram Swaroop died in March 2021 and Pratibha Singh won for the third time in the by-election held in November 2021 after the death of Virbhadra Singh. In 2014, the AAP fielded Kargil war hero Capt Vikram Batra's mother Kamal Kanta Batra from Hamirpur but she polled only 15,329 votes and lost. Even in the 68-member state assembly, the representation of women has been abysmally low and no woman was elected till 1967. Only one woman entered the assembly in 1977 and 2022. However, the highest number of seven women was elected to the state assembly in the 1998 elections. So far, eight women have been elected to Rajya Sabha from the state.

Only three women elected to Lok Sabha from Himachal till date, just two in fray this time

While the BJP has fielded actor Kangana Ranaut from Mandi, Rekha Rani is contesting on a BSP ticket from Kangra

Gender Gap Narrowing: Girls Excel in HP Board Class 10 Results

Gender Gap Narrowing: Girls Excel in HP Board Class 10 Results Girls outshone boys yet again in Class 10 board exam results declared by the Himachal Pradesh Board of School Education (HPBOSE) on Tuesday. The overall pass percentage for the state stood at 74.61 per cent with 72 girls featuring among the top 92 performers, who secured the first 10 positions in the results. Girls had also performed better than boys in Class 12 HP board exam results declared recently with as many as 30 securing the top 10 position among the 41 students. The representation of government schools among the top ranks is noteworthy with 22 students making it to the top 92 compared to 70 from private schools. The state's top scorer Riddhima Sharma, from a government school in Nadaun, Hamirpur district, achieved an impressive 99.86 per cent. Following closely is Kritika Sharma from Newgal School in Bhawarna, Kangra, with 99.71 per cent, while Shivam Sharma (Bilaspur district), Adviti Tekta (Shimla district), and Rushil Sood (Kangra district) secured the third position with 99.57 per cent. A total of 91,130 students appeared in this year's examination, which was conducted from March 2 to March 21 across 2,258 centres in the state. The results were declared 15 days ahead of the schedule. Hem Raj Bairwa, the chairman of the state board, said this year's timely declaration of results reflects the board's commitment to efficiency. Additionally, to assist students, the board announced that certificates will be accessible via DigiLocker within 12 hours after declaration of the result and detailed results can be viewed on the board's official website.

President Draupadi Murmu begins 5-day visit to Himachal

President Draupadi Murmu begins 5-day visit to Himachal President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday arrived in Shimla on a five-day visit to Himachal Pradesh. She was welcomed in the state capital by Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at Kalyani Helipad, Chhabra, which lies close to the Rashtrapati Nivas, also called President's Retreat. Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania and Cabinet minister Dhani Ram Shandil gave bouquets of flowers to the president. During her visit, the president will stay at the President Retreat near Mashobra, about 14 km from Shimla. The retreat, which was officially declared open for the general public on April 20 last year, will remain closed to the public till the president is in Shimla, officials said. Shimla District Magistrate Anupam Kashyap told the media that the president would leave for Delhi on May 8. Her itinerary includes a visit to the Shimla catchment area on May 5. On May 7, she would perform a puja at Sankat Mochan and Tara Devi temples, take a stroll on Mall Road, enjoy a cultural evening at Gaiety Theatre, and join the dinner in her honour at Raj Bhavan. On May 6, the president will attend the seventh convocation of the Central University of Himachal Pradesh in Dharamshala. She is expected to award degrees and medals to several outstanding students, including 11 PhD and six MPhil gold medalists, as well as 25 postgraduate and five undergraduate toppers. In light of her visit to Dharamshala, Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa has prohibited paragliding and drone movement for the day. Police and security agencies will be exempt from these restrictions. Repairs of roads from the airport to the retreat and Sankat Mochan and Tara Devi temples were taken up ahead of the president's visit and movement of heavy vehicles in the town was barred, officials said. Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said security has been deployed to ensure smooth run of traffic. CCTV cameras have been installed for surveillance.

Congress releases another candidate list; Rahul Gandhi from Raebareli, KL Sharma from Amethi

Congress announced that its party leader Rahul Gandhi will contest Lok Sabha polls from Raebareli seat in Uttar Pradesh. Four candidates have been named in the fresh list and they include actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar from the Gurgaon constituency and former Union Minister Anand Sharma from the Kangra constituency in Himachal Pradesh.

Tragedy Strikes: Cousin of Former Indian Cricketer Suresh Raina Succumbs to Road Accident in Dharamshala

Tragedy Strikes: Cousin of Former Indian Cricketer Suresh Raina Succumbs to Road Accident in Dharamshala Former cricketer Suresh Raina's cousin was killed in a hit-and-run incident, which also claimed the life of another man riding the same scooter, police said on Thursday. Saurabh Kumar, Raina's maternal cousin, and his friend Shubham from Kuthman died in a collision with a car near Gaggali airport on Wednesday, they said. Superintendent of Police (SP) Kangra, Shalini Agnihotri, said the incident took place around 11:30 pm on Wednesday near Himachal Timber in Gaggal. According to the police, the driver of the car, Sher Singh, was responsible for the collision. He had fled the scene but with the help of the CCTV footage, which captured the incident, Singh was later arrested in Mandi, they added. A case has been registered against the accused under sections 279 (rash driving) and 304A (causing death by negligence) of the Indian Penal Code, along with section 187 of the Motor Vehicles Act, the police said.

Kangra is not a new place for me, Anand Sharma as Congress fields him for LS Polls

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Kangana Ranaut has no knowledge of history says Congress' Vikramaditya Singh

Kangana Ranaut has no knowledge of history says Congress' Vikramaditya Singh Congress Lok Sabha candidate from Mandi Vikramaditya Singh on Wednesday took a dig at Kangana Ranaut and said that she knows nothing about our country and its history. ...She (Kangana Ranaut) has no knowledge of history, geography, or statistics. Sometimes she says that the country gained independence in 2014 and sometimes she says that Subhash Chandra Bose was the first PM of the country. Leave aside the history of the country or the state, she doesn't even know the history of her party, said Vikramaditya Singh. He further stated that he did not want to make any statement on the BJP candidate. I am only asking her that we want to interact with you with a mandate and a vision with committed leadership, he added. He challenged Ranaut saying, I request Kangana Ranaut that come and debate with me at Mandi's Seri Manch. I will tell you about our vision and what work we have completed... The Congress leader said that if she can forget the contribution by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, then what else can we expect out of her? Lashing out at Jairam Thakur, he said, He thinks of himself as the leader of Mandi only, he forgets that he has been the CM of the state. Being the CM also he used to talk only about his region, Mandi. I would urge him to rise above this politics of regionalism... he added further. Hailing Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, he said, I request them to come here and support us. Notably, Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats: Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra. The BJP had won all four seats in 2019. The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and by-polls to the six assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs will be held on June 1. Voting for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 was held on Friday across 88 Parliamentary Constituencies spread over 12 States and Union Territories. (ANI)

Raj Babbar gets Cong ticket from Gurgaon, Anand Sharma to fight from Kangra

An announcement has revealed the significant influence of satrap Bhupinder Hooda in choosing Haryana candidates, with actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar set to run for the Lok Sabha elections from Gurgaon. Babbar surpassed the partys OBC department chairman Ajay Yadav in the nomination race, reportedly due to Hooda's insistence on the former MP who is his close friend.

Congress fields Raj Babbar from Gurgaon, Anand Sharma from Kangra

Local Mumbai Congress leader Bhushan Patil will contest from the Mumbai North constituency in Maharashtra, taking on BJP Union Minister Piyush Goyal from the key seat

Congress fields actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar from Gurgaon

The Congress fielded actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar from the Gurgaon seat and former Union minister Anand Sharma from Kangra in Himachal Pradesh

LS polls: Cong fields Raj Babbar from Gurgaon; Anand Sharma from Kangra

New Delhi, April 30 (UNI) The Indian National Congress (INC) on Tuesday released a list of four candidates for the upcoming Lok Sabha election, with prominent names being Raj Babbar from Gurgaon and Anand Sharma from Kangra. Giving the information, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said that the names of the candidates were selected by... The post LS polls: Cong fields Raj Babbar from Gurgaon; Anand Sharma from Kangra first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

Congress announces candidates for Hamirpur and Kangra Lok Sabha seats

Opposition blames EVMs for its defeat, says Anurag Thakur

Opposition blames EVMs for its defeat, says Anurag Thakur Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision regarding EVMs. We welcome the decision of the Supreme Court. The opposition tried to spread confusion and blame EVMs for its defeat but now the Supreme Court has made it clear and has rejected the petition, he said. Slamming the INDI alliance, he said, My request to the opposition is that if they want to fight elections, then fight on issues, fight on ideology. We are working to take India forward under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Service, good governance and welfare of the poor are the identities of the Modi government. On the other hand, they must have changed the name from UPA to INDI alliance but the face and thinking are the same. The public is not ready to accept them, he added. Taking a dig at Rahul Gandhi, he said, If he is getting defeated in Wayanad then he must try to fight from any other seat. If he is taking support from the banned organisations like SDPI and PFI then, it in itself raises a question that just to win elections he has demeaned himself to such a level. Earlier, Thakur expressed his enthusiasm and encouragement for voters amid the Lok Sabha elections, urging them to come out in large numbers despite the extreme heat. Notably, Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats: Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra. The BJP had won all four seats in 2019. The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and by-polls to the six assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs will be held on June 1. Voting for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections 2024 began at 7 am on Friday across 88 Parliamentary Constituencies spread over 12 States and Union Territories. (ANI)

Himachal Pradesh: IMD predicts thunderstorms, rain in 10 districts during next 48 hours

Himachal Pradesh: IMD predicts thunderstorms, rain in 10 districts during next 48 hours The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday predicted thunderstorms, hail and rainfall in 10 districts of the state during the next 48 hours. Thunderstorms with lightning, hail and strong wind (30-40kmph) are very likely at isolated places over Bilaspur, Chamba, Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, Sirmaur, Solan, Una during the next 48 hours, said IMD Shimla. Meanwhile, severe heatwave conditions are likely to continue over East and South Peninsular India during the next 5 days, the India Meteorological Department said on Friday. According to the IMD, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions will likely prevail in many places over Gangetic West Bengal, in some parts of Odisha, and in isolated pockets over Sub-Himalayan West Bengal during the next 5 days. The IMD has also predicted a fresh spell of rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds is likely to occur over the Western Himalayan region from April 26-29 and the plains of Northwest India from April 26-28 and adjoining Central India from April 26-27. IMD further said that fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rainfall/snowfall accompanied by isolated thunderstorms and lightning and gusty winds (40-50 kmph) is very likely over Arunachal Pradesh and scattered to fairly widespread rainfall over Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura during April 26-30 2024. It added that isolated light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms and lightning is very likely over Sikkim on April 28, 2024. It added that heavy rainfall is likely over Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Meghalaya on April 28-30, 2024. (ANI)

Travel tips: Himachal is known for its beautiful tourist places, definitely visit these 8 places here.

Summer holidays are about to begin and if you are planning to visit some cool place to escape this scorching heat, then what could be better than Himachal? Himachal Pradesh is counted among the famous travel locations of North India. It attracts everyone's attention due to its beauty, tourist places and attractive places. The natural beauty of Himachal with its high valleys and hills provides peace and tranquility to the people coming here. Himachal Pradesh is a very favorite destination for tourists as well as pilgrims. So if you want to get some respite from the heat and want to spend some happy moments with your family, then come visit these places of Himachal: Dalhousie Dalhousie is a small town in Himachal Pradesh, which is considered like heaven for the tourists coming here. Dalhousie is surrounded by its natural scenery, meadows, flowers, fast-flowing rivers, and magnificent misty mountains. Dalhousie is considered to be one of the best places in Himachal for honeymoon. If you are planning to visit natural beauty and ancient attractions then famous Dalhousie is the perfect place. Spiti Valley Spiti Valley, located in Himachal Pradesh, is surrounded by the Himalayas on all sides and is situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet above sea level. The cold desert, snow-clad mountains, winding roads, and picturesque valleys of Spiti Valley excite the tourists visiting here. This is a place in Himachal Pradesh where there are about 250 days of sunshine in a year, making it one of the coldest places in the country. You can go to Spiti by motor vehicle only during summer and this place is covered with thick snow for about 6 months of the year. Bir Billing Valley Nestled amidst natural beauty, Bir is a small village in Himachal Pradesh which is also known as the paragliding capital of India. Bir is situated at an altitude of 5,000 feet amidst serene landscapes, snow-clad hills, and artistic temples. Bir is famous for recreational activities including trekking, paragliding, mountain biking, and hand gliding. Here too, there is something for people of all age groups, like you can stroll along the lake shore, go shopping on Mall Road, and go to the popular cafes here. Kasauli Kasauli remains a tourist center throughout the year. This village is full of foreign tourists. Parvati Valley of Himachal begins from Kasol village. The beauty of Parvati Valley and Parvati River is the main attraction here. One spent here -It will be a moment to remember. You will remember the unique feeling here throughout your life. Tourists from all over the world come here for the same feeling. There is a bridge in Kasol due to which it is divided into Old Kasol and New Kasol. Manali Manali is one of the most popular hill stations in the country, situated amidst the snow-covered slopes of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Manali is situated at an altitude of 1950 meters above sea level which is a part of the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Manali is an extraordinary natural destination with its lush green forests, flower-strewn meadows, blue-colored streams, and the constant scent of freshness. Manali is like a paradise for nature-loving tourists and couples. From museums to temples, from river adventures to trekking trails, from villages to rugged lanes, this hill station attracts tourists. The sound of the flowing water of the Kullu River and the sounds of birds will attract you. Dharamshala Dharamshala is a very special tourist place in Himachal, which is situated at a distance of 17 km from Kangra. Situated at an average altitude of 1,475 meters above sea level, Dharamshala is situated on a beautiful stretch of land in the Kangra Valley, which mesmerizes tourists for its spectacular beauty. The snow-laden Dhauladhar mountains here make this place very special. Besides, Dharamshala is also the holy place of the Dalai Lama. Dharamshala is one of the most serene destinations where you will find the perfect amalgamation of natural beauty and culture in North India. Mcleod ganj That part of Kangra in Himachal Pradesh which is the most popular tourist destination. Due to the residence of Tibetans here, it is also called Mini Lhasa. People go here for spirituality, exposure to the Himalayas, adventure, and beautiful views. This place is the main center of Buddhist devotees and the reason behind this is that it is the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama of Buddhists. Due to this, there is a crowd of devotees here. Kasauli Kasauli, a hill cantonment town on the road from Chandigarh to Shimla, is a peaceful holiday destination away from the hustle and bustle of the world. Kasauli is a small town in the south-western part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, located in the relatively lower reaches of the Himalayas. Situated amidst beautiful deodar forests, Kasauli is known for its grand Victorian buildings built by the British, whose mysterious and tranquil atmosphere attracts everyone. (PC: Lifeberrys)

No Positive Response For Marriage, Man Stabs Woman Several Times In Himachal: Cops

A woman was stabbed with a sharp-edged weapon by a youth at a local bus stand in Palampur under Kangra district on Saturday.

Girl stabbed with sharp-edged weapon in Himachal's Palampur, accused youth arrested

Girl stabbed with sharp-edged weapon in Himachal's Palampur, accused youth arrested A college girl was stabbed with a sharp-edged weapon by a youth at a local bus stand in Palampur under Kangra district on Saturday. The youth tried to kill the girl but a few alert passengers and passers-by overpowered the attacker and handed him over to the police. The girl suffered deep wounds on her body and head and was shifted to Tanda Medical College (TMC) in a critical condition. From there she was later shifted to PGI and is currently said to be out of danger. The crowd at the spot thrashed the accused and handed him over to police after which police registered a FIR against him under relevant sections. According to the police, the accused and victim are known to each other and the accused was pressurizing the victim for marriage. Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri said, In this incident, Manendra, a resident of Palampur, helped the victim and took her to hospital on his scooty. Taking immediate action police arrested the youth. The girl has been referred to Tanda Medical College and then to PGI to get better treatment soon. For now, she is said to be stable and after the doctor's approval, her statement will be registered. Agnihotri also said that the weapon offence 'darati' has been recovered. Taking about the accused relationship with the victim SP said, Both are known to each other from the last five to six years and came in contact through social media. As per the accused statement for some time the girl was avoiding him and blocked him on the social media platforms. He was trying to talk to her and also wanted to marry her but after not getting a positive response from her. Briefing about the details of when the incident happened SP Shalini Agnihotri said, On the day of the incident, the accused reached the bus stand as the girl -- after her classes -- arrived at the bus stand to board a bus for her village, Rajpur, the youth tried to talk her but after being avoided by her he attacked her multiple times with a 'darat' on the staircase of the bus stand. A video of the incident has also surfaced on the internet and has created a rage among the locals. (ANI)

Names of candidates for remaining parliamentary constituencies and assembly by-elections will be announced soon: CM Sukhu

Names of candidates for remaining parliamentary constituencies and assembly by-elections will be announced soon: CM Sukhu Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that names of the candidates for the remaining parliamentary constituencies and assembly by-elections would be announced soon and if there is one party that has played a vital role in strengthening the democracy and the security of this country, it's the Congress. CM Sukhu said, If there is one party that has strengthened the democracy and the security of this country, it's Congress. For the unity and integrity of the nation, two prime ministers from the Congress party have sacrificed even their lives, and Congress is trying to weaken the democracy of the country? Congress party has laid a strong foundation to strengthen the democracy of the country through its policies like providing 33 percent reservations to women in the Panchayati Raj system. Today, it's due to the strong democracy that the Prime Minister of the country is Narendra Modi. The party is yet to decide on candidates for the Kangra and Hamirpur parliamentary constituencies for the upcoming Lok Sabha polls and by-elections. The BJP has no right to talk about the ticket distribution of the Congress. BJP has given tickets to Congress rebels. We still have 40 days and we will declare the names of the candidates soon. Our ministers and leaders are campaigning in various constituencies. Voters will give a befitting reply to how the BJP has tried to topple government, he added. The BJP has fielded six disqualified Congress rebel MLAs in the Assembly by-polls, days after they joined the party. The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and bypolls to the six assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs and their eventual switch to the BJP will be held on June 1. (ANI)

Grave of a Historical Legend in Ramban

Robin Koul Raja Sultan Khan Chib He was the Last Independent King of Greater Bhimber and destiny brought him to get buried in the soil of Ramban. His grave can still be visited in the Chanderkote area of district Ramban. Family Lineage: Son of Sher Jhang Khan, Raja Sultan Khan Chib was the descendant of royal Katoch family from Kangra who migrated around 13th Century to the present day Bhimber. An alliance was made when Chib Chand the oldest [] The post Grave of a Historical Legend in Ramban appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

India's 'Mini Tibet', know where it is and how to visit

Nestled in the picturesque state of Himachal Pradesh, India, lies the enchanting town of Dharamshala. Often referred to as Mini Tibet, this serene destination has garnered attention for its vibrant Tibetan culture, breathtaking landscapes, and spiritual ambiance. The Tibetan Influence One of the most captivating aspects of Dharamshala is its strong Tibetan influence. In 1959, His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama fled Tibet and sought refuge in India, eventually settling in Dharamshala. Since then, the town has become the epicenter of Tibetan exile life, attracting Tibetan refugees and spiritual seekers from around the world. McLeod Ganj: The Heart of Dharamshala At the heart of Dharamshala lies McLeod Ganj, a bustling suburb that serves as the residence of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. Here, visitors can immerse themselves in Tibetan culture by exploring monasteries, attending teachings and meditation sessions, and indulging in authentic Tibetan cuisine. Namgyal Monastery One of the most significant landmarks in McLeod Ganj is the Namgyal Monastery, which serves as the personal monastery of the Dalai Lama. Visitors can witness monks engaged in prayer and rituals, soak in the tranquil atmosphere, and even participate in meditation sessions led by experienced practitioners. Tsuglagkhang Complex Adjacent to the Namgyal Monastery is the Tsuglagkhang Complex, which houses the residence of the Dalai Lama, the Tsuglagkhang Temple, and the Tibet Museum. Here, visitors can gain insight into Tibetan Buddhism, admire exquisite thangka paintings, and pay their respects at the shrine of Avalokiteshvara, the Buddha of Compassion. Exploring Beyond McLeod Ganj While McLeod Ganj is undoubtedly the focal point of Dharamshala, the surrounding areas offer their own unique charm. From serene trekking trails to cascading waterfalls, there's no shortage of natural beauty to explore. Triund Trek Adventure enthusiasts can embark on the Triund Trek, a moderate trek that rewards hikers with breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The trail winds through dense forests, alpine meadows, and rocky terrain, culminating in a panoramic vista of the Dhauladhar Range. Bhagsu Waterfall For a more leisurely experience, visitors can visit the Bhagsu Waterfall, located just a short distance from McLeod Ganj. Surrounded by lush greenery, this cascading waterfall offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. How to Reach Dharamshala Dharamshala is well-connected by road, rail, and air, making it easily accessible from major cities across India. By Road The town is approximately 475 kilometers from Delhi and can be reached by road via NH44. State-run buses and private taxis are available from cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Manali. By Rail The nearest railway station to Dharamshala is Pathankot, located approximately 85 kilometers away. From Pathankot, visitors can take a taxi or bus to reach Dharamshala. By Air The nearest airport is Gaggal Airport, also known as Kangra Airport, located approximately 13 kilometers from Dharamshala. Regular flights operate from cities like Delhi and Chandigarh. Dharamshala offers a unique blend of Tibetan culture, natural beauty, and spiritual serenity, making it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking a tranquil retreat. Whether you're exploring the vibrant streets of McLeod Ganj or trekking through the pristine Himalayan landscapes, Dharamshala promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you feeling rejuvenated and inspired. These dresses are popular among teenage girls, include them in your wardrobe this summer season Do you wear the same necklace for every type of neckline? So don't make this mistake from now on Do you also wear short clothes during summer? These losses can occur

Congress is mother of corruption.. says BJP's Himachal Pradesh Vice President Rajeev Bhardwaj

Congress is mother of corruption.. says BJP's Himachal Pradesh Vice President Rajeev Bhardwaj The Vice President of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Himachal Pradesh and candidate from Chambal Lok Sabha Seat, Rajeev Bhardwaj, launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, labelling it as the mother of corruption. While speaking at a public meeting in the Nurpur city of Himachal Pradesh on Friday, Bhardwaj said, Congress has an old relationship with corruption, and Congress is the mother of corruption. The BJP's PM Modi has put a lock on Congress' looting system. Corruption became the identity of the country during the Congress government. Before 2014, there were scams worth crores of rupees. The former Prime Minister of the Congress himself said that if one rupee is sent from Delhi, only 15 paise reach the poor, so the public needs to recognise who's 'Panja' stole money in between, he added. Accusing the Congress of siphoning off public funds, he stated that if there was a Congress government in the country, they would have looted 28 lakh crore Rupees out of these 34 lakh crore. The BJP government has sent 34 lakh crore rupees directly into the bank accounts of beneficiaries in the last ten years. If there was a Congress government in the country, Congress would have looted 28 lakh crore rupees out of these 34 lakh crore. Since independence, Congress has understood that it has a licence to loot the country, Bhardwaj said. After coming to power in 2014, Modi cancelled the licence of Congress' loot and this has only been possible because of the immense support of the public. This time too, the public will overwhelmingly vote for the BJP from Kangra and the BJP will once again form the government at the center, he added. He further alleged that Congress' criticism of Modi stemmed from its inability to continue its alleged looting practices. It is only because the shop of loot has closed that Congress is now abusing Modi. But Congress does not know that crores of people and mothers and sisters of the country are standing as a shield for Modi. Since the earning of these scammers and middlemen has been stopped, their temper has reached the seventh sky. Such is the situation of Congress Party in both the country and Himachal Pradesh, Bhardwaj said. Expressing optimism about the party's prospects in the upcoming elections and reaffirming the public's endorsement of Modi's leadership, Rajeev Bharadwaj said that the enthusiasm of BJP workers shows that Narendra Modi will be the Prime Minister of the country for the third time. Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats-Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra. The polling for four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh, along with six Assembly seats that fell vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLAs, will be held on June 1. (ANI)

RBI imposed fine of lakhs of rupees on five banks for violating rules

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed penalty on Rajkot Citizens Co-operative Bank, Kangra Co-operative Bank (New Delhi), Rajdhani Nagar Co-operative Bank (Lucknow), District Co-operative Bank Garhwal and District Co-operative Bank Dehradun. RBI has imposed a total fine of Rs 60.3 lakh on these five banks. The central bank said that penalties have been [] The post RBI imposed fine of lakhs of rupees on five banks for violating rules first appeared on informalnewz .

Congress treading cautiously in announcing candidates on Hamirpur and Kangra seats

Congress struggles in candidate selection for Himachal Lok Sabha seats. Caste dynamics crucial, seeking balance with Rajput candidates. Focus on Hamirpur seat against Anurag Thakur's stronghold. BJP historically dominant in the region.

Cong fields Himachal Pradesh minister, MLA from Mandi, Shimla Lok Sabha seats

Cong fields Himachal Pradesh minister, MLA from Mandi, Shimla Lok Sabha seats The Congress on Saturday fielded its MLA from Himachal Pradesh's Kasauli Vinod Sultanpuri from Shimla Lok Sabha seat and pitted state minister Vikramaditya Singh against BJP candidate and Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut in Manali. Two-time MLA from Shimla (Rural) assembly segment and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh is the son of six-time chief minister Virbhadra Singh and Pratibha Singh, the sitting MP from Mandi and the Congress' state unit president. He is the titular king of the erstwhile princely state of Bushahr and has also represented Himachal Pradesh in Rifle and Trap shooting Competition in the National Shooting Championship. An alumni of St. Stephen's College, Delhi and a post-graduate in history, Vikramaditya Singh was Himachal Pradesh Youth Congress president from 2013 to 2018. He did his schooling at Bishop Cotton School, Shimla. He is not new in the mandi parliamentary constituency as his father and mother each won the seat thrice. In the 2021 Lok Sabha bypoll to the seat, Singh had campaigned extensively for his mother Pratibha Singh. On the other hand, the Congress' Shimla (SC) Lok Sabha seat candidate Vinod Sultanpuri, the son of former MP Krishan Dutt Sultanpuri, was elected to the Himachal Pradesh Assembly for the first time in 2022. He has been fielded against incumbent MP and former state BJP chief Suresh Kashyap. Sultanpuri completed his schooling at Lawrence School Sanawar and did his LLB from ILS Law College, Pune. He was Youth Congress' Solan district unit chief from 2006 to 2008 and the outfit's national secretary from 2009 to 2011. The BJP has announced candidates for all four Lok Sabha candidates in Himachal Pradesh, the Congress is yet to announce its candidates from Hamirpur and Kangra. The BJP had won all four Lok Sabha seats in 2019 with a thumping majority. However, the death of Ram Swaroop Sharma necessitated the 2021 Mandi parliamentary bypolls which Pratibha Singh had won.

21 Injured in Himachals Kangra as bus carrying pilgrims overturns

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Chaitra Navratri 2024: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan

Chaitra Navratri has started from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this, there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming into the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelry fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of the 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar Pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of the Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmada. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Her mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that, the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple, the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and the Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Vardhaman The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in the Ketugram area of the district. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place, the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple, and Kumari Temple are situated in this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place, devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain in Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in the Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is called Sugandha. Another name for this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh fell in Jayantiya Pargana in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in the Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in the Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati fell. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of the Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason, this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Her mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: PTI, Social media)

Travel tips: Names and locations of 52 Shaktipeeths, which one is closest for darshan

Chaitra Navratri is starting from 9th April. You can visit goddess temples during the nine-day holy festival of Navratri. There are many ancient and miraculous Goddess Mata temples in India. Apart from this there are 52 Shaktipeeths. According to the legend, Mother Sati had reached the yagya organized by her father King Prajapati Daksh without invitation. There her husband Lord Shiva was ridiculed and abused. Saddened by the insult she and her husband faced at home, Mother Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the fire pit. When Lord Shiva came to know about this, he picked up the mortal remains of Goddess Sati and started wandering here and there. Due to his anger, destruction started coming in the world. Lord Vishnu cut the body of Mata Sati with Sudarshan Chakra to prevent the cataclysm. When 52 pieces of Mata Sati's body and jewelery fell at various places, they were called 52 Shaktipeeths. Let us know what are the names of 52 Shaktipeeths and in which cities they are located. Mother's Shaktipeeth Shaktipeeth in Uttar Pradesh 1. Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Manikarnika of Mata Sati had fallen here. Here Vishalakshi and Manikarni forms of Mother are worshipped. 2. Mata Lalita Devi Shaktipeeth, Prayagraj - The finger of Mata Sati's hand had fallen at this place in Allahabad. Here the mother is known as Lalita. 3. The right breast of Mata Sati had fallen in Ramgiri, Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh. At this place, she is revered as Mother Shivani. 4. Uma Shaktipeeth is located in Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh. It is also known as Katyayani Shaktipeeth. Mother's hair bunch and Chudamani had fallen here. 5. Mata's left shoulder had fallen in Devi Patan Temple, Balrampur. In this Shaktipeeth, Mata is present in the form of Mateshwari. Shaktipeeth of Madhya Pradesh 6. Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths of Goddess in Madhya Pradesh. One of these is Harsiddhi Devi Shaktipeeth, where the elbow of Mata Sati had fallen. It is situated on the western bank of Rudra Sagar pond. 7. Shondev Narmata Shaktipeeth- Mother's Daya Nitamp had fallen in Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh. Due to the origin of Narmada river here, Mother Goddess is worshiped here in the form of Narmata. Shaktipeeth of North India 8. Naina Devi Temple- The eye of Goddess Sati had fallen on Shivalik mountain in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh. Here mother goddess is called Mahisha Mardini. 9. Jwala Ji Shaktipeeth- The tongue of the goddess had fallen in Kangra, Himachal, hence it was named Siddhida or Ambika. 10. Mahamaya Shaktipeeth, Pahalgaon of Amarnath, where the neck of Mata Sati had fallen, Mahamaya is worshiped here. Punjab and Haryana Shaktipeeth 11. Tripuramalini Mata Shaktipeeth- The left level of Mata had fallen near Cantonment Station in Jalandhar, Punjab. 12. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri, the heel of Mata's feet had fallen in Kurukshetra, Haryana. Shaktipeeth of Mata Savitri is situated here. 13. Mother Bhadrakali's right ankle had fallen in Devikup Temple, Kurukshetra, Haryana. Here the form of Mother Bhadrakali is worshipped. Shaktipeeth of Rajasthan 14. Manibandh Shaktipeeth- Two anklets of Mata Sati had fallen on Gayatri mountain in Pushkar, Ajmer. Here the Gayatri form of Mother is worshipped. 15. Shaktipeeth of Mata Ambika- There is a temple of Mata Ambika in Birat, Rajasthan. The toes of Mata Sati's left foot had fallen here. 16. Matabadi mountain peak Shaktipeeth- is in Radhakishorpur village of Udarpur in Tripura. Mother's right foot had fallen at this place. Here the mother goddess is called Tripura Sundari. Shaktipeeth in Gujarat 17. Ambaji Temple Shaktipeeth- There is a temple of Mata Ambaji in Gujarat. It is believed that the mother's heart had fallen here. 18. Mother Chandrabhaga Shaktipeeth, Junagadh, The stomach of Goddess Sati had fallen in Junagadh, Gujarat. Here the mother is known as Chandrabhaga. Shaktipeeth of Maharashtra 19. Mata's chin had fallen at the Shaktipeeth of Bhramari form of Mata, Janasthan in Maharashtra. After that the Bhramari form of the goddess started being worshiped here. Shaktipeeth in Bengal 20. Temple of Goddess Kapalini- Bengal has the highest number of Shaktipeeths of Mata. There is a temple of Goddess Kapalini in Vibhash located in Tamluk of Purba Medinipur district. Mother's left heel had fallen here. 21. Mata Devi Kumari Shaktipeeth- The right shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen in Ratnavali in Hooghly, Bengal. In this temple the mother is called by the name Devi Kumari. 22. Shaktipeeth of Mata Vimala The crown of Goddess Sati had fallen in Kiritkon village of Murshidabad, West Bengal. Here there is Shaktipeeth of Mata and Vimala form of Mata is worshipped. 23. Bhramari Devi Shaktipeeth- Mata's left leg had fallen in Salbarhi village in Boda mandal of Jalpaiguri, West Bengal. The form of Mother Goddess Bhramari Devi is worshiped at this place. 24. Bahula Devi Shaktipeeth- Ket of Bardhaman district The left hand of Mata Sati had fallen in Ugram area. 25. Mangal Chandrika Mata Shaktipeeth - Mata's Shaktipeeth is in Ujjani of Vardhaman district. Mother's right wrist had fallen here. 26. Shaktipeeth of Maa Mahishmardini Goddess Sati's eyebrow had fallen in Vakreshwar, West Bengal. At this place the mother is called Mahishamardini. 27. Nalhati Shaktipeeth- The bone of the mother's leg had fallen in Nalhati, Birbhum. 28. Phullara Devi Shaktipeeth- The lips of Mata Sati had fallen in Attahas, West Bengal. Here the mother is called Fullara Devi. 29. Nandipur Shaktipeeth- The necklace of Mata Sati had fallen in West Bengal. Mother Nandani is worshiped here. 30. Yugadha Shaktipeeth- The thumb of Mata's right hand fell in Ksheergram of Vardhaman district. Shaktipeeth of Mata was built at this place, where she is called as Goddess Jugadya. 31. Kalika Devi Shaktipeeth- According to beliefs, the toe of the right foot of the mother had fallen in Kalighat. She is known here by the name of Maa Kalika. 32. Kanchi Devgarbha Shaktipeeth- The bones of the goddess had fallen in Kanchi, West Bengal. Here Mata Dev is established in the form of Garbha. Shaktipeeth in South India 33. Bhadrakali Shaktipeeth- Now if we talk about the Shaktipeeths located in South India, then Mata's back had fallen in Tamil Nadu. Mata's Kanyashram, Bhadrakali Temple and Kumari Temple are situated at this place. She is called by the name Shravani. 34. Shuchi Shaktipeeth- Shuchi Theertham Shiva temple is located near Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. Here also there is Shaktipeeth of Mata, where her upper molar had fallen. Mother has got the name Narayani here. 35. Vimala Devi Shaktipeeth- The navel of the goddess had fallen in Utkal, Orissa. Here Mata is known by the name Vimala. 36. Sarvasail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth- There are two Shaktipeeths in Andhra Pradesh. A Sarvashail Ramhendri Shaktipeeth, where the mother's cheeks had fallen. At this place devotees worship Rakini and Vishweshwari forms of Mother Goddess. 37. Srisailam Shaktipeeth- The second Shaktipeeth in Andhra is in Coornoor district. The anklet of the right foot of Mata Sati had fallen in Srisailam Shaktipeeth. Here, it is installed in the nose of Mata Shri Sundari. 38. Karnataka Shaktipeeth- Both the ears of Goddess Sati had fallen in Karnataka. Jai Durga form of Mother is worshiped at this place. 39. Kamakhya Shaktipeeth- Among the famous Shaktipeeths is Kamakhya ji situated on Neelantal mountain of Guwahati. Mother's vagina had fallen in Kamakhya. Here the Kamakhya form of Mother is worshipped. Shaktipeeth in foreign countries 40. Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth- Chattal Bhawani Shaktipeeth is on Chandranath mountain in Chittagong district of Bangladesh. Here the right arm of Mata Sati had fallen. 41. Sugandha Shaktipeeth- Mata's nose had fallen 20 km away from Shikarpur, Bangladesh. In this Shaktipeeth, mother is called Sugandha. Another name of this Shaktipeeth is Ugratara Shaktipeeth. 42. Jayanti Shaktipeeth- Mata's left thigh had fallen in Jayantiya Pargana in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mata Devi is established here by the name Jayanti. 43. Srishail Mahalakshmi- Mother Sati was strangled in Sylhet district of Bangladesh. Mahalakshmi form is worshiped in this Shaktipeeth. 44. Yashoreshwari Mata Shaktipeeth- There is a place named Yashore in Khulna district of Bangladesh, where the left palm of Mother Sati had fallen. 45. Indrakshi Shaktipeeth- The anklets of the goddess fell in Nallur, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. This Shaktipeeth is called Indrakshi. 46. Guheshwari Shaktipeeth- This Shaktipeeth is on the banks of Bagmati river, at some distance from Pashupatinath temple in Nepal. Here both the knees of Mother Sati had fallen. Mahamaya or Mahashira form of Shakti is worshiped here. 47. Aadya Shaktipeeth- There is Aadya Shaktipeeth near Gandak river in Nepal. It is believed that the left cheek of Mother Sati had fallen at this place. Here the Gandaki Chandi form of Mata is worshipped. 48. Dantakali Shaktipeeth- Teeth of Mother Sati had fallen in Bijayapur village of Nepal. For this reason this Shaktipeeth is known as Dantkali Shaktipeeth. 49. Mansa Shaktipeeth- The right palm of Mata Sati had fallen near the Mansarovar river in Tibet. Here she is called Mata Dakshayani. Mata is established here in the form of a rock. 50. Mithila Shaktipeeth- The left shoulder of Mata Sati had fallen on the India-Nepal border. Here mother is called Devi Um. 51. Hingula Shaktipeeth- Hingula Shaktipeeth of Goddess is in Balochistan, Pakistan. In this Shaktipeeth, the mother is known as Hinglaj Devi. There is a religious belief that the head of Mother Sati had fallen here. (PC: Soical media)

'Time has come for PM Modi to hit fours, sixes, to take India to new heights': Anurag Thakur

'Time has come for PM Modi to hit fours, sixes, to take India to new heights': Anurag Thakur Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that the Prime Minister has played 'one-day' in the past 10 years, adding that the time has come to 'hit fours and sixes' to take India to new heights. Batting for Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government's third term in the run-up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, Anurag Thakur said, In these two terms, PM Modi has laid a strong foundation for India so that it can become a developed India. It is the season of IPL and in the last 10 years, PM Modi has played like one-day and now the time has come to hit fours, and sixes because a strong foundation has been laid. Now the time has come to take India to new heights, he remarked. Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats: Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra. The BJP had won all four seats in 2019. The elections to the four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh and by-polls to the six assembly constituencies that fell vacant with the disqualification of six rebel Congress MLAs will be held on June 1. (ANI)

Ex-Cong MLA Sudhir Sharma seeks FIR against Himachal CM for criminal defamation

Ex-Cong MLA Sudhir Sharma seeks FIR against Himachal CM for criminal defamation Former Himachal Pradesh Congress legislator Sudhir Sharma, disqualified from the assembly for defying a party whip, filed a police complaint on Sunday against Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu for defamation over his ''MLAs sold for Rs 15 crore'' remark. Days earlier, he sent a defamation notice to Sukhu demanding a Rs 5-crore compensation over his remarks. On Sunday, he sought the registration of an FIR against the chief minister. ''The allegation was made against me and other MLAs who recently joined the BJP and are contesting elections,'' Sharma told the PTI on Sunday. He has been fielded by the BJP for the Dharamshala assembly bypolls. In his complaint addressed to the Superintendent of Police of Kangra and the state police chief, the four-time MLA said, ''Recently, a video and media reports have surfaced in my constituency regarding a misleading speech by Sukhu at Kutlehar in Una district on April 4 making a baseless allegation that legislators were sold for Rs 15 crore each''. ''It is deeply concerning that public funds were used by the chief minister to travel to Kutlehar and spread lies. His speech, lacking any evidence, has created offensive content that has spread widely, both within the state and beyond,'' Sharma said. ''Such defamatory statements by a person of chief minister's stature are highly irresponsible and have caused significant harm to my reputation, as well as to the sentiments of my family and supporters. I urge you to take immediate action and register an FIR against the chief minister for criminal defamation and misleading the masses in his capacity as a public servant,'' he added in the complaint. When contacted, SP of Kangra Shalini Agnihotri told the PTI that a complaint has been received through email. Sharma was among the nine MLAs -- six Congress rebels and three Independents -- who voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections held on February 27. The Congress rebels were disqualified by the Speaker for defying a whip to be present in the assembly and vote in favour of the government during the cut motions and budget. All the nine legislators later joined BJP and the Congress rebels were fielded by the saffron party from their respective constituencies. At a rally in Kutlehar on Thursday Sukhu alleged that the ''six Congress rebels and three Independents were sold for Rs 15 crore each''. A day later, addressing a gathering in Nadaun in Hamirpur district, Sukhu dubbed Sharma as the ''kingpin'' of rebels and alleged that he must have received more than Rs 15 crore. Slamming the chief minister for his comments, Sudhir claimed that the funds available with various departments for development works were withdrawn by the state government and pending payments were stalled.

Travel tips: These Durga Mata temples have special glory, wishes can be fulfilled just by darshan.

Mother Durga is worshiped on the occasion of Chaitra Navratri. On this occasion Ghatasthapana takes place in the house. Also, devotees visit nearby Durga Mata temples. There are many ancient Durga Mata temples in the country, as well as 52 Devi Shaktipeeths, which you can visit for darshan. Many temples have miraculous beliefs. It is said that there are some Durga Mata temples where the wishes of the devotees are fulfilled just by visiting them. On the occasion of Navratri, there is a rush of devotees in these temples, because the wishes are fulfilled by just visiting here for nine days. Kamakhya Temple, Guwahati Kamakhya Temple is situated on the Nilanchal Hills in Guwahati city of Assam state. A part of Goddess Sati had fallen at this place, due to which Kamakhya Mata Temple is known as Shaktipeeth Mata, one of the main 52 Shaktipeeths. It is believed that the vagina part of Mata Sati had fallen here. On the occasion of Navratri, you can visit Kamakhya Mata Temple. Vaishno Devi Temple, Katra There is a court of Mata Vaishno Devi in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is one of the most ancient and prominent Durga temples of India. There is a temple of Mata on Trikuta hill in Katra district of the state. Here Mother Durga is present in the form of Vaishno Devi. Mahalakshmi, Mahakali and Mahasaraswati live in a cave on Trikuta mountain in the form of Pindi. Jwala Devi Temple, Kangra Jwala Devi Temple is located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. It is believed that visiting Jwala Devi temple brings an end to all the troubles of the devotees. Goddess Sati's tongue had fallen at this place. Later Raja Bhumi Chand Katoch built a grand temple. The unbroken flame keeps burning in this temple. It is believed that Mother Durga resides here in the form of flame. You can visit this temple on the occasion of Navratri, it is said that bad things get resolved by seeing Jwala ji. (PC: Social media, PTI)

5.3-magnitude earthquake hits Chamba in HP

5.3-magnitude earthquake hits Chamba in HP Tremors were felt in parts of north India as a 5.3-magnitude earthquake hit Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on Thursday. The earthquake struck at 9.34 pm, the National Center for Seismology (NCS) said. Mild tremors were also felt in Chandigarh and parts of Punjab and Haryana. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 km in Chamba district, officials of the meteorological department in Shimla said. No loss of life or property has been reported from any part of Himachal Pradesh in earthquake that lasted a few seconds, officials said. ''I felt a strong jolt lasting a couple of seconds. Just when I was thinking of rushing downstairs, the tremors stopped,'' said Sanjay Kumar, a Chandigarh resident. An 8-magnitude earthquake on this day in 1905 in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra had led to large-scale death and destruction. According to NCS records, more than 20,000 people had died in the disaster in the Western Himalayas.

Himachal: Kangra police gear up for free and fair election, intensify patrolling, mark sensitive areas

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Pratibha vs Kangana duel on Mandi poll stage likely

CHANDIGARH : Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh may again be fielded from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency where the BJP has named Kangana Ranaut as its candidate, according to party leaders. The coordination committee has shortlisted Pratibha Singh, the incumbent Mandi MP, for the seat, party sources said, though she had earlier expressed her unwillingness to contest Lok Sabha polls. The Congress is likely to pit Una MLA Satpal Raizada against BJP MP and Union Sports Minister Anurag Thakur on the Hamirpur seat. Sources said that the first meeting of the coordination committee of the Congress was held in Chandigarh on Wednesday in which AICC in-charge of Himachal Rajeev Shukla, Pratibha Singh and CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu were present. A consensus was reached on the candidature of Pratibha and Raizada, the sources said. The second meeting of the committee will be held in Delhi on April 5 or 6. After that, central election committee of the Congress will take the final decision and the party will announce all the candidates before April 10, leaders familiar with the matter said. It is learnt that the Congress might field some BJP rebels in the assembly bypolls to be held for six seats. The BJP has fielded the six Congress rebels, who joined the BJP, for the bypolls. According to sources, the Congress is yet to shortlist candidates for Shimla and Kangra seats. The names of Asha Kumari and Sanjeev Chuahan are doing the rounds for Kangra. Amit Nanda, Vinod Sultanpuri and Dayal Pyari are in the party panel for Shimla. L-G orders probe Delh Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena has sought a detailed investigation report from Delhi Police commissioner Sanjay Arora in connection with an allegedly derogatory social media post made by Congress leader Supriya Shrinate against actor-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut, Raj Niwas officials said on Thursday. A controversial comment was posted on social media platforms from Shrinates accounts against Ranaut, who has been fielded by the ruling BJP as its candidate from Mandi in Himachal Pradesh. On partys command Days after announcing her decision to not seek re-election from the Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh on Thursday said if the partys central leadership wanted her to contest from the seat, she would follow their directions. If the central leadership of the Congress asks me to contest the Lok Sabha elections from Mandi seat, I will follow their directions. I have always followed what the high command said and now too I will do what they say, she said.

Himachal Professor Arrested For Allegedly Raping Student: Cops

A professor at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh in Kangra was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly raping a student, police said.

Himachal central university professor arrested for raping student

Himachal central university professor arrested for raping student A professor at the Central University of Himachal Pradesh in Kangra was on Wednesday arrested for allegedly raping a student, police said. According to the police, Chemistry Professor Rajender Kumar (44) asked for sexual favours from the student to change her research topic. Kumar told her that if she agreed to his terms he would help her, Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri told PTI. The professor then took her to a hotel, police said. Kangra Assistant Superintendent of Police Bir Bahadur said the matter came to light when the woman approached the police on Tuesday. In her complaint, the student alleged that she was raped by her professor. An FIR has been registered against Kumar under section 376 (rape) of the Indian Penal Code and he has been arrested, police said. He was produced before a court, which remanded him in police custody till March 30, the SP said.

BJP Fields All 6 Cong. Rebels in Himachal Assembly Bypolls

New Delhi: The BJP has nominated for the bypolls, the six former Congress Himachal Pradesh MLAs, who had joined the party after they were suspended and disqualified for cross-voting against the Congress Rajya Sabha pick. Other than Himachal Pradesh, the BJP central election committee (CEC) on Tuesday also named its candidates for the Assembly polls in Sikkim and bypolls in other states, including Gujarat, West Bengal and Karnataka. In Himachal Pradesh, the BJP nominated all six former Congress MLAs Sudhir Sharma from Dharamshala, Ravi Thakur from Lahaul and Spiti, Rajinder Rana from Sujanpur, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal from Barsar, Chetanya Sharma from Gagret and Devinder Kumar Bhutto from Kutlehar. These MLAs and three Independents had voted in favour of the BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha polls held in the state on February 27, triggering a crisis for the Congress-led government in the state. The three independents Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur constituency), Hoshiyar Singh (Dehra) and K.L. Thakur (Nalagarh) had submitted their resignations on March 22 and joined the BJP the next day. The Himachal Pradesh Assembly bypolls will be held on June 1, along with the election to the four Lok Sabha seats in the state Hamirpur, Shimla, Mandi and Kangra. With the disqualification of six Congress MLAs, the strength of the ruling party came down from 40 to 34, including the Speaker who can vote only in the case of a tie during a floor test, in the 68-member Assembly. The BJP has 25 members. Ever since the Rajya Sabha polls, the BJP and the Congress have been trading charges with the ruling party slamming the Opposition for hatching a conspiracy to topple the democratically elected government in the state by using money power and maintaining that the public will not forgive the Congress rebels for their betrayal. In Gujarat, the BJP's candidates for bypolls to five seats also includes Arjun Modhvadiya, Chatursinh Chavda and Arvind Ladani, who had recently joined the party from the Congress. The BJP named its candidates for the bypolls to two seats in West Bengal and one seat in Karnataka, besides for nine Assembly seats in Sikkim. The party has named former minister Narasimha Naik, also known as Raju Gowda, as its candidate for the Shorapur Assembly bypoll in Karnataka, which is to be held on May 7. The party has named Bhaskar Sarkar and Sajal Ghosh for the Bhanawangola Baranagar seats bypolls in West Bengal. Assembly elections in Sikkim are held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. The BJP recently broke its alliance with the state's ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha.

Former Himachal minister quits BJP to protest ticket to Congress rebel, will contest bypolls

SHIMLA: Former Himachal Pradesh minister and BJP leader from Lahaul and Spiti assembly constituency, Ram Lal Markanda, on Tuesday quit the party to protest the fielding of Congress rebel Ravi Thakur who had defeated him on the seat in the last assembly election. Hours after the BJP announced assembly tickets to all the six former Congress MLAs, disqualified from the House, Markanda quit the party and announced that he will contest the bypoll from Lahaul and Spiti, possibly as a Congress candidate. Markanada was the agriculture and tribal development minister during the previous BJP government led by Jai Ram Thakur. He had lost the 2022 assembly elections to Thakur, who was then in the Congress, by a margin of 1542 votes. He was a frontrunner for the BJP ticket from Lahaul and Spiti. He resigned from the BJP as Congress rebel Thakur was named in the BJP list for assembly bypoll from the assembly constituency. The Himachal Pradesh Assembly bypolls will be held on June 1, along with the election to the four Lok Sabha seats in the state -- Hamirpur, Shimla, Mandi and Kangra. I have left the BJP today along with my supporters and would definitely contest the assembly polls, he told PTI over the phone. A meeting of Lahaul and Spiti core committee has been convened tonight to chalk out the future strategy, Markanda said. It is unfortunate that the BJP is taking such people who are against reservation and had hurled abuses against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the past, he said. I will contest the assembly bypolls for sure. There is a possibility of my contesting from the Congress party, he said. My people want me to contest elections for the development of Lahaul and Spiti, he said. BJP fields ex-Congress MLAs in Himachal Pradesh, Gujarat bypolls Talking to media persons here, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also said some BJP leaders are in contact with the Congress. The BJP on Tuesday named its candidates for the assembly bypolls in several states and fielded the six MLAs from the seats they held as Congress members before their disqualification. Thakur is a two-time legislator and was the chairman of state Congress Seva Dal and vice chairperson of National Commission for Schedule Tribes. Besides Thakur from Lahaul and Spiti, the BJP nominated Sudhir Sharma from Dharamshala, Rajinder Rana from Sujanpur, Inder Dutt Lakhanpal from Barsar, Chetanya Sharma from Gagret and Devinder Kumar Bhutto from Kutlehar. All the six of the Congress dissidents switched over to the BJP on March 23, nearly a month after being disqualified from the Himachal Pradesh Assembly for defying a party whip to be present in the House and vote in favour of the government during the cut motions and the budget. These MLAs and three Independents had voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the Rajya Sabha elections held in the state on February 27, triggering a crisis for the Congress-led government in the state. With the disqualification of the six Congress MLAs, the strength of the ruling party has come down from 40 to 34, including the Speaker who can vote only in the case of a tie during a floor test, in the 68-member assembly. The BJP has 25 members in the House. Congress' disqualified Himachal MLAs join BJP

Former HP CM Shanta Kumar rues state of politics, asks BJP to heed Lord Ram's principles

Former HP CM Shanta Kumar rues state of politics, asks BJP to heed Lord Ram's principles BJP leader and two-time Himachal Pradesh chief minister Shanta Kumar has expressed his anguish at the state of politics in the country saying his party too has swept in the wave. ''We built Ram Mandir but simply constructing the Ram temple will not help, we must also follow his principles,'' he told reporters recently. Kumar's remarks come in the wake of a political turmoil in the state, with six Congress members breaking away and joining the BJP, an act which the Congress termed as part of a conspiracy by the BJP to topple the state government. ''I am surprised. The politics of enslaved India was for the country, but the politics of free India is for the chair. And I am pained that my party is also swept in the wave,'' said Shanta Kumar, who has also been a Member of Parliament from Kangra seat four times. ''Politics of principle is the need of the hour and I pray that the leaders of my country follow their values and standard of politics improves in the country,'' he added. The six Congress rebels joined the BJP in New Delhi on Saturday, along with three independents. The nine had voted in favour of the BJP in the last month's Rajya Sabha polls. Deputy Chief Whip and Congress MLA Keval Singh Pathania on Sunday through a statement asked the BJP to think over their colleague's advice. He also said that with the Congress rebels' switching sides, it has become clear that they were instigated by the BJP to topple the elected government. The six former Congress MLAs, who were disqualified for defying a whip to be present in the assembly and vote in favour of the government during the cut motions and budget, were Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala), Ravi Thakur (Lahaul and Spiti), Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Barsar), Chetanya Sharma (Gagret) and Devinder Kumar Bhutto (Kutlehar). The three independents are Ashish Sharma (Hamirpur constituency), Hoshiyar Singh (Dehra) and K L Thakur (Nalagarh).

Kangna Ranaut pays obeisance at Baglamukhi temple in Kangra

Kangra, (UNI) Famous Bollywood actress Kangna Ranaut on Saturday visited Baglamukhi temple at Bhankhandi in the district and paid obeisance there. She performed pooja in the main sanctum sanatorium of Baglamukhi temple and sought blessings of the goddess. Renowned Bollywood celebrities, besides well-known politicians of the country, visit the temple and pay obeisance to the... The post Kangna Ranaut pays obeisance at Baglamukhi temple in Kangra first appeared on Central India's Premier English Daily .

PICS: Kangana Ranaut pays obeisance at Baglamukhi temple in Kangra

Kangra: Famous Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut visited Baglamukhi temple at Bhankhandi in the district and paid obeisance there. She performed pooja in the main sanctum sanatorium of Baglamukhi temple and sought blessings of the goddess. Renowned Bollywood celebrities, besides well-known politicians of the country, visit the temple and pay obeisance to the presiding deity. , , ( ) , , pic.twitter.com/owANMvpT2g Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) March 23, 2024 Kangana Ranaut is likely to contest the Lok Saba polls on a BJP ticket from Mandi Lok Saba seat.

Congress to finalize Himachal Lok Sabha candidates soon; options open for rebels: Rajneesh Kimta

Congress to finalize Himachal Lok Sabha candidates soon; options open for rebels: Rajneesh Kimta The State General Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, Rajneesh Kimta, on Thursday said that the Congress party will finalize the candidates for Lok Sabha in ten days. The party has kept options open for the return of rebel and disqualified legislators. In all four parliamentary constituencies, we received applications and all have been submitted to the Congress High Command. The names have been discussed in the screening committee meeting and very soon another meeting will be conducted in 10 to 12 days. The candidates will be finalized after the meeting of the central election committee, said Rajneesh Kimta while speaking to ANI. As far as the BJP is concerned they are over-ambitious and in a hurry. They should not forget they lost in elections and also in assembly. We shall field the strong candidates and shall win all elections, added Kimta. On being asked on the announcement by the state party chief (Pratibha Singh) for withdrawal of candidature from the Mandi parliamentary he said that she will answer and there is no resentment among the party workers. I don't know why she has said so because there is no one in the party who is annoyed. We have fulfilled the promises and delivered to every section of the society. We have managed during the disaster in the state. We have given a package of 4500 crore rupees to the people of the state despite not getting any support from the union government, added the State General Secretary. The Congress leader further said, We have implemented the Old Pension Scheme and provided an honorarium of 1500 rupees to the women. Also, support prices were increased and apple prices to the Farmers, there is no problem in the party. Our leaders are not denying and it's good that Kaul Singh has advocated for young people. Whatever situation has arisen in the disqualification of MLAs, the people have given a mandate against the BJP and if we have to go for a by-election, we shall win all. We are open to talks with the rebels to come back to power. Everything went well at the party. After Holi festival we shall organize a meeting of the coordination committee, Kimta added further. For four parliamentary seats, in Shimla SC constituency 16 Congress leaders have applied, for Kangra, 13 leaders have applied, for Hamirpur 5 congress leaders have applied to contest and for Mandi, three candidates have applied. Himachal Pradesh has four Lok Sabha seats -- Hamirpur, Mandi, Shimla, and Kangra. The BJP had won all four seats in 2019. Later, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh's wife Pratibha Singh snatched Mandi from the BJP in a bypoll necessitated in 2021 following the death of incumbent MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. The bypolls to six Assembly seats in Himachal Pradesh, fallen vacant following the disqualification of Congress MLAs, will be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls on June 1, state's Chief Electoral Officer Maneesh Garg said earlier. The counting of votes will be held on June 4. (ANI)

EC launches campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout

EC launches campaign in Himachal Pradesh to boost voter turnout The Election Commission has launched a special campaign in Himachal Pradesh to maximise voter turnout in 414 polling stations which registered less than 60 per cent voting in the last Lok Sabha polls. Bypolls to six assembly seats that fell vacant after disqualification of Congress MLAs would be held simultaneously with four Lok Sabha seats in Himachal Pradesh in the last phase on June 1. The main focus of the campaign -- ''Mission 414'' -- is increasing the vote percentage in 414 identified polling stations which registered less than 60 percent voting in the last Lok Sabha polls, Chief Electoral Officer, Himachal Pradesh, Maneesh Garg told PTI on Monday. Awareness campaigns and cultural events would be held besides making these 414 stations model polling stations. Booth youth icons from first time voters would be roped in and special invitation cards made by children would be given to prospective voters, he said. Letters had been sent to the respective Deputy Commissioners in February for increasing voter participation in low voter turnout polling stations and assembly constituencies, sources in the department said. A similar initiative is underway for 22 assembly segments and is aimed at increasing the voter turnout to 72 percent in polling stations where the turnout was less than 70 percent in the last Lok Sabha elections. The average voter turnout in Himachal Pradesh in 2019 was 72.42 percent. ''Basically it is an activity to reach out to the voters at the ground level and educate them about exercising their right to vote'', Garg said, adding interventions in these segments would be on motivating employees, women and youth and carrying out a door-to-door outreach programme. Another initiative is related to eight assembly constituencies where turnout of women voters was less than men. 'Mahila Preraks' (motivators) would be appointed in gram panchayats in these segments to motivate women to vote. Besides appointing women icons, girls studying in educational institutes would be motivated by campus ambassadors to reach out to working women and housewives through anganwadi workers, self-help groups, Mahila Mandals, officials said. As many as 7,990 polling stations, which are 267 more than the last Lok Sabha elections have been notified and 150 polling stations would be supervised exclusively by women election officers, 54 by youth and 29 by PwD (People with Disability). Sharing details, Garg said people with more than 40 percent disability (PwD) and voters above the age of 85 would have facility of home voting. There are 56,320 PWD voters and 60,995 voters aged above 85 years in the state. A total of 56,38,422 voters -- 28,79,200 men, 27,59,187 women, and 35 third gender persons are eligible to exercise their franchise for four Lok Sabha seats of Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, and Shimla (SC) seats in the seventh and last phase of polling, Garg said. There are 1,38,918 first time voters while the number of voters in the age bracket of 20-29 is 10,40,756, which is over 20 percent of the total voters (56,38,422). However, this number is expected to go up as the state election commission has received 8,654 advance applications of youth in the 17 plus age group attaining 18 years of age on April 1. The expenditure limit of candidates for Lok Sabha polls would be Rs 95 lakh and assembly bypolls Rs 40 lakh. Tashigang polling station in Lahaul and Spiti located at an altitude of 15,256 feet is the highest polling booth in the country. Manola polling station in Dalhousie of Chamba district has the maximum number of 1,410 voters, while Kaa polling station in Kinnaur district has the lowest of 16 voters.

Stakes high for both Congress and BJP in Himachal's Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat

Stakes high for both Congress and BJP in Himachal's Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat Stakes are high for both the Congress, the ruling party in Himachal Pradesh, and the BJP in the high profile Hamirpur Lok Sabha constituency as by-elections to four assembly constituencies out of six which fell vacant after disqualification of rebel Congress MLAs, fall under this parliamentary seat. The by-elections would be held simultaneously with the Lok Sabha polls. With the disqualification of six Congress MLAs, the party's strength has been reduced from 40 to 34, including the Speaker in the 68-member assembly. The BJP, with 25 members, enjoys the support of three independents and these six seats can break or make the government as 35 MLAs are needed for a majority in the House. The selection of candidates for the by-elections is a tedious job for the BJP as all the rebels had defeated the BJP candidates in 2022 polls while the Congress would have to look for new candidates. These six MLAs were disqualified for supporting the BJP's Rajya Sabha candidate, and this fact would be kept in mind while giving the ticket. However, the final call in this regard would be taken by the top leadership, former chief minister and Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur told PTI on Sunday. Four out of the six assembly seats going to poll on June 1, represented by Congress rebels namely Rajinder Rana (Sujanpur), Inder Dutt Lakhanpal (Barsar), Chetanya Sharma (Gagret), and Devinder Kumar Bhutto (Kutlehar) fall in Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, while two seats -- represented by Sudhir Sharma (Dharamshala) and Ravi Thakur (Lahaul and Spiti) fall under the Kangra and Mandi Lok Sabha seats, respectively. These seats had become vacant after the six rebel Congress MLAs, who had abstained from voting on the cut motion and the Finance Bill (Budget) in the assembly, were disqualified for defying the party's whip to be present in the assembly and vote in favour of the government. They were among the nine MLAs, including three Independents, who had voted in favour of BJP nominee Harsh Mahajan in the recently held Rajya Sabha polls. Sitting BJP MP and Union Minister Anurag Thakur is contesting from the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency for the fifth time, while the party's national president J P Nadda hails from Bilaspur and had represented the Bilaspur (Sadar) seat, which also falls under the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency, thrice. On the other hand, both Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and his deputy Mukesh Agnihotri also represent the Nadaun and Haroli assembly segments in the Hamirpur parliamentary constituency. The expenditure limit for Lok sabha candidate and assembly candidates would be Rs 95 lakh and Rs 40 lakh, respectively as per the state election commission. The disqualified MLAs have filed an appeal against their disqualification in the Supreme Court and the hearing is slated for March 18.

Clear divide between Shimla and Kangra parliamentary constituencies in Himachal Pradesh

Clear divide between Shimla and Kangra parliamentary constituencies in Himachal Pradesh Even though the two parliamentary constituencies hold the same number of assembly segments, Shimla emerges as a favourite over Kangra when it comes to picking of people to be inducted into the cabinet. The present Congress cabinet has five ministers, one deputy speaker, and three chief parliamentary secretaries from Shilma, while two ministers, a speaker, and two CPSs from Kangra. Both parliamentary constituencies have 17 assembly segments each. Kangra Lok Sabha seat has 13 assembly segments from Kangra and four from Chamba district. The Shimla LS seat consists of seven assembly segments from Shimla and five each from Solan and Sirmaur districts. Kangra, though overlooked, holds the key to power in the state if the pattern so far is to be believed. It has become kind of become a thumb rule that the party which captures Kangra district forms the government in the state. The rule was vindicated once again in 2022 assembly polls, when Congress formed the government on the back of 10 assembly seats from Kangra. Initially, only one minister was inducted in the cabinet from Kangra. However, as tensions brewed in the party, another was included in cabinet expansion in December 2023. Since 1966, when Kangra was merged with Himachal, people have a feeling that the district has been given a short shrift which has reflected, at least this time, in an iniquitous representation in the cabinet. For this reason and more, the disparity, in the coming Lok Sabha election, may benefit the BJP, which has been upbeat since the Ram Temple consecration and may leverage the sentiments of the people in the Hindu predominant state. The party also received a vote of confidence when six Congress MLAs cast their lot in its favour during the recently held Rajya Sabha election. On the other hand, Congress is struggling to quell infighting in the party and is accused of allowing over-concentration of power in Shimla district. There is also a speculation that the BJP may field Sudhir Sharma, one of the six Congress rebels, from Kangra parliamentary constituency. According to the long held convention, when Congress comes to power in the state, its chief minister hails from old areas of Shimla or Sirmaur, while when the BJP forms the government, the CM comes from merged areas of Kangra and Hamirpur. For the first time in 2022, the state got a chief minister in Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu from the merged areas. The BJP won all four Lok Sabha seats in 2014 and swept the polls by a huge margin in 2019, with Krishan Kapoor from Kangra, Ram Swaroop Sharma from Mandi, Anurag Thakur from Hamirpur, and Suresh Kashyap from Shimla elected as MPs. However, the death of Ram Swaroop Sharma led to by-elections in the Mandi parliament seat in 2021. The election was won by Pratibha Singh, the wife of former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and current Congress state chief.

Himachal will go to polls for four Lok Sabha, six Assembly seats on June 1

Shimla, March 16 (IANS) Voting for the four Lok Sabha seats in Congress-ruled Himachal Pradesh will be held in a single phase on June 1, it was announced on Saturday. All four seats Kangra, Mandi, Hamirpur and Shimla (reserved) are held by the BJP. By-elections to six Assembly seats, all held by the []

Four national highways, 279 roads closed as snow, rain lash Himachal Pradesh

SHIMLA: A total of 279 roads, including four national highways, have been closed for vehicular traffic in Himachal Pradesh due to recent snow and rains even though the state witnessed a dry day on Friday. Manali received traces of snow in the past 24 hours, the MeT said on Saturday, adding a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the western Himalayan region from the night of March 20. About 96 per cent of the total roads are blocked in the high altitude and tribal areas, and a maximum of 249 roads were closed in Tribal Lahaul and Spiti, 11 in Chamba and nine in Kinnaur on Friday night. Four roads are blocked each in Kullu and Mandi, one each in Kangra and Shimla, as per the state emergency operation centre. As many as 246 transformers are out of order and three water supply schemes are disrupted. There was no significant change in the minimum temperatures and Keylong at minus 7. 7 degree Celsius was the coldest at night while Kukumseri recorded a low of minus 4.1 degree Celsius.

Former Cong minister, sitting Kangra MLA played anchor role during cross-voting for RS polls: Himachal CM Sukhu

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Himachal govt preparing blueprint for promoting tourism in Palampur: CM Sukhu

Himachal govt preparing blueprint for promoting tourism in Palampur: CM Sukhu Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, while addressing a public meeting at Palampur in district Kangra on Thursday, said that the government was preparing a blueprint to promote tourism activities in Palampur. He said that since the formation of the new government in the state, the development of Kangra district has been his priority, and we have pledged to make Kangra the 'Tourism Capital' of the state. To increase the footfall of domestic and international tourists, the Kangra Airport is being also expanded to promote tourism, he said. Making a series of announcements for Palampur constituency, the Chief Minister announced adequate funds for Martyr Memorial in Palampur. Besides, he announced installation of an MRI machine and operation theater in Palampur Hospital, a sewerage scheme for the town and the expansion of OBC Bhawan and Palampur bus stand. He assured provision of adequate funds for construction of BDO office complex and additional district-level court office in Palampur, the construction of a Railway overhead bridge over Badehad-Patti Road. The Chief Minister said that during the tenure of 15 months, the present government successfully faced the economic challenge, the challenge posed by the disaster and the political upheaval. The Central Government did not provide any special package to Himachal Pradesh to provide relief to the disaster affected. The state government provided a special relief package of Rs 4,500 crore from its limited resources to rehabilitate disaster-affected families. To overcome the financial crisis, the government exercised options to generate the same through its resources and, as a result, achieved additional revenue of Rs 2,200 crore. The Central Government imposed many financial restrictions when we announced providing OPS to 1.36 lakh employees of the state in the very first cabinet meeting, whereas as soon as the BJP government was formed in Rajasthan, the OPS implemented during the Congress regime there was withdrawn. Chief Parliamentary Secretary Ashish Butail thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating developmental projects worth about Rs 250 crore to the people of Palampur and said that in the previous BJP government, the development of the area was neglected. He said that the people of the state were standing with the Chief Minister against all odds. (ANI)

BJP likely to field Himachal Congress rebels in Kangra, Mandi seats

BJP likely to field Himachal Congress rebels in Kangra Mandi seats

Intermittent rains, thunderstorms lash Shimla and surrounding areas

Intermittent rains, thunderstorms lash Shimla and surrounding areas Intermittent rains and thunderstorms lashed Himachal Pradesh capital Shimla and the surrounding areas on Wednesday while scattered rains occurred at isolated places and the tourist resort of Kufri received traces of snow. Rajgarh received 13.4 mm rain, followed by Shimla 8 mm, Baijnath 5 mm, Kufri 4 mm, Gohar 2 mm and Jubbarhatti 1.3 mm. The day temperatures dropped by a few notches and Dhaulakuan was hottest in the state with a high of 25.8 degree while Dharamshala, Shimla and Manali recorded a high of 18.1 degree, 14.8 degree and 11.5 degree. The local meteorological office has predicted rain, snow and thunderstorms at isolated places in mid and higher hills on March 14 and dry weather thereafter. As many as 280 roads, including 255 roads in Lahaul and Spiti, ten in Kinnaur, six in Kullu, five in Chamba, two in Mandi and one each in Shimla and Kangra districts, and five national highways are closed while 280 power transformers and three water supplies schemes are disrupted.

J&K runners shine at Kangra Heritage Marathon

Excelsior Sports Correspondent JAMMU, Mar 12: Jammu and Kashmir runners performed remarkably well in the Kangra Heritage Marathon. Jammu and Kashmir runners endurance and skill were on full display at the Marathon. In the difficult terrain of Kangra, which boasted extreme elevation gains and breathtaking landscapes including the ancient Baglamukhi Temple, the 8th-century Rock cut Masroor Temples, and the revered Brajeshwari Mata Temple, the initiative, which aimed to unite ultra runners and hone their abilities for ultra-distance races, made its [] The post J&K runners shine at Kangra Heritage Marathon appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Runner of Jammu and Kashmir posing for group photograph during Kangra Heritage Marathon.

Runner of Jammu and Kashmir posing for group photograph during Kangra Heritage Marathon. The post Runner of Jammu and Kashmir posing for group photograph during Kangra Heritage Marathon. appeared first on Daily Excelsior .

Will frame stringent laws to eliminate corruption: HP CM

Will frame stringent laws to eliminate corruption: HP CM The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh is committed to curbing corruption and would frame strict laws to eradicate it completely, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Tuesday. Addressing public meetings in Fatehpur in Kangra district and Chamba, Sukhu lashed out at the BJP, saying its efforts to snatch power in the state will not succeed as the people have given a clear mandate to the Congress. ''The state government is committed to curbing corruption and will frame strict laws to eradicate it completely,'' Sukhu said. The chief minister dedicated 14 developmental projects worth Rs 232 crore to the people of Fatehpur and 24 development projects worth Rs 275 crore to Chamba, a statement issued here said. ''I have never compromised with my principles and always raised the voice of the poor and the downtrodden. I am well aware of the sufferings of the common man, the farmers and the employees as well,'' Sukhu said. Referring to the six Congress rebels who cross-voted in the Rajya Sabha polls, the chief minister attacked the BJP and asked who was financing their stay in a five-star hotel in Panchkula and posh resorts in Rishikesh in Uttarakhand. ''The BJP is managing all this with the help of its central leadership and it seems the rebel MLAs have surrendered to them. But truth will prevail at last and the people of the state will never forgive the politics of horse-trading,'' he said. ''The BJP tried to destabilise our government by using money power, but as long as I am here, every door leading to corruption will be closed,'' he added. The rebel MLAs had voted for the BJP candidate in the Rajya Sabha election for the lone seat in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the defeat of the Congress' official candidate Abhishek Manu Singhvi. Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania later disqualified the six MLAs for allegedly defying a party whip on being present in the house and voting for the state Budget in the assembly.

CBI chargesheets 88 in 2022 HP Police Constable recruitment examination paper leak

It alleged that multiple organised gangs in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Haryana were allegedly part of the conspiracy as were several individuals running coaching institutes in Nalanda (Bihar), Kangra (HP), Rohtak (Haryana), Delhi and Jammu.

Sukhus trouble mounts as rebels reach Ukhand

CHANDIGARH : Six Congress MLAs from Himachal Pradesh and three independent legislators, who voted for the BJP in the recent Rajya Sabha elections, have been shifted to a resort at Rishikesh in Uttarakhand from Panchkula in Haryana, a development that shows that crisis still looms over the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led government. Sources familiar with the development said the nine legislators flew from Chandigarh in a private plane to Dehradun from where they left for Rishikesh. These lawmakers are likely to stay at the resort in Rishikesh until the Supreme Court hears their plea as they have challenged the speakers decision of disqualification, said a source, adding a team of cosp have been deployed to provide security to the MLAs. Addressing a public gathering in Kangra on Friday, Chief Minister Sukhu said, These MLAs must have been shifted to unknown place as there was a lot of pressure on them from their family members to return home. These MLAs must be going through tough times as they would have realized by now that they have made a mistake. When they will eventually come out, they will have this regret of having tried to topple the government and weakening democracy, he said. When asked if any lawmakers were in touch with him, Sukhu said, I am not in touch with any of these MLAs. Uttarakhand Congress spokesperson Garima Mahara Dasoni said, By bringing the rebel MLAs who were disqualified from the legislative assembly to Uttarakhand, the BJP has committed a constitutional sin.

Vande Bharat bus from Palampur to Amb starts tomorrow: Himachal Tourism Corporation Chairman RS Bali

Vande Bharat bus from Palampur to Amb starts tomorrow: Himachal Tourism Corporation Chairman RS Bali The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation's Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Tourism Development Board, RS Bali, launched the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Vande Bharat Bus Service, scheduled for flag-off on Saturday. The inaugural service, starting from Palampur and terminating at Amb in the Una district via Nagrota and Kangra, aims to cater to tourists arriving via the Vande Bharat train to the Kangra district. Departing from Palampur at 8:00 am, the Vande Bharat bus will offer a comfortable journey for tourists, departing from Amb to Kangra and back to Palampur by 11:30 am. In addition to this, in a gesture of appreciation towards soldiers, all current and ex-servicemen from the state will be entitled to a 50 per cent discount on their stays in state tourism hotels for eight months, and a 30 per cent discount for the remaining four months, March, April, May, and June. Furthermore, soldiers will avail a 30 per cent discount on food expenses. Thirdly, registered journalists across the state will also receive a 50 per cent discount on accommodation in state tourism hotels for eight months and a 30 per cent discount for the remaining four months, March, April, May, and June. Additionally, registered journalists will benefit from a 30 per cent discount on food. Bali emphasized that these announcements are poised to benefit numerous tourists, citizens, soldiers, and registered journalists in Himachal Pradesh. He expressed gratitude towards the Chief Minister for his continuous support and guidance in the government's endeavours towards public welfare. The three major initiatives were announced during a press conference held on the occasion of Mahashivratri. Along with Bali, MD Rajiv Sharma, Block Congress President Man Singh, Vice President Pratap Riad, General Secretary Arun Katoch, and other dignitaries were present during the press conference. (ANI)

Fresh western disturbance likely to hit Himachal, over 400 roads remain closed

Fresh western disturbance likely to hit Himachal, over 400 roads remain closed A fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region next week, likely triggering thunderstorms and rain in Himachal Pradesh, the meteorological department said. Meanwhile, over 400 roads, including four national highways, in the state remained shut for vehicular traffic on Thursday after heavy snowfall and rain lashed several areas recently. According to the meteorological department, a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect the Western Himalayan region from the night of March 10. The MeT has sounded a 'yellow' warning for thunderstorms accompanied by lightning at isolated places from March 11 to 13. According to the state emergency operation centre, of the 400 roads shut, 286 are closed in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by 51 in Chamba, 24 in Kinnaur and Kullu each, 21 in Shimla, two in Mandi and one in Kangra district. As many as 629 transformers are out of order and 22 water supply schemes have been disrupted, the centre said. Mild snow was witnessed in a few high altitude and tribal areas. In the past 24 hours, Kalpa in Kinnaur district recorded 3.8 cm deep snow, while Manali was the wettest receiving 10 mm of rain followed by 2.2 mm at Bhuntar and 1 mm at Pandoh, the weather bulletin showed. Kukumseri was the coldest at night, recording a minimum temperature of minus 6.8 degrees Celsius, followed by minus 1.6 degrees at Kalpa, 2.6 degrees at Manali and 2.7 degrees Celsius at Kufri, according to the bulletin. Dalhousie recorded a low of 3.2 degrees Celsius, Bharmaur noted 3.5 degrees Celsius, Sarahan 3.5 degrees Celsius and Shimla 4.1 degrees Celsius, it added.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu launches toll-free number 1962 for mobile veterinary services

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu launches toll-free number 1962 for mobile veterinary services Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launched the 1962-Mobile Veterinary Service of the Animal Husbandry Department on Tuesday. Under this service, ambulances have been provided in 44 development blocks in the first phase, spending Rs 7.04 crore. Three mobile ambulances each are being provided to Bilaspur, Una, Solan and Kullu districts, two for Lahaul-Spiti, five for Mandi and Shimla, four each to Chamba, Sirmaur and Hamirpur, one to Kinnaur and seven for Kangra district. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the Pashu Sanjeevani Call Centre on the occasion. The Chief Minister said that with the launch of these two services, farmers from any part of the state can call on toll-free number 1962 and get veterinary services at their doorstep for the treatment of serious animal diseases in case of any emergency. He said that a veterinary doctor and a pharmacist would be available with each ambulance. Whenever any cattle breeder needs help in an emergency, he would be able to call the toll-free number 1962 and help will be provided to him through the nearest veterinary service. The veterinary services in the state would be available from 9 am to 5 pm on any working day, he added. He said that this service would be expanded in a phased manner in the coming days. Sukhu said that the state government was taking many steps to protect the interests of farmers. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to provide minimum support price on milk, where cow milk is being purchased at the rate of Rs 45 per litre and buffalo milk at Rs 55 per litre. He said that the state government was going to set up a milk processing plant of one lakh 50 thousand litres per day capacity at Dhagwar in Kangra district, its capacity could be increased to 3 lakh litres per day. This plant would be fully automated and Rs 226 crore will be spent on the project. He said that the state government was making efforts to strengthen the rural economy because the state can be made self-reliant only by making the villages self-reliant. He said that the state government had started many schemes in the agriculture sector to strengthen the economy of the farmers and farmers should take maximum benefit of these schemes. While speaking to the media, he said that the lease period of the Shanan project was going to end soon and Himachal should get its all due rights. He said that the state government would strongly plead its stand on this matter in the Supreme Court. Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Minister Prof. Chander Kumar, MLA Neeraj Nayyar, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, former MLA Satpal Raizada, Director Animal Husbandry Dr. Pradeep Sharma and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. (ANI)

Avalanche in Lahaul and Spiti obstructs Chenab's flow; over 650 roads closed in HP due to snow, rain

SHIMLA: An avalanche hit a village in Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh in the early hours of Sunday, obstructing the flow of the Chenab river and triggering an alert in the adjoining areas, officials said. Heavy snow and rainfall in the last two days have triggered more than half-a-dozen avalanches and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, leading to the closure of over 650 roads, including five national highways, they added. No casualty has so far been reported in any of the avalanches, the officials said. The flow of the Chenab was obstructed following an avalanche at the Dara waterfall near Jasrat village in Lahaul and Spiti. The district, located at a high altitude, reported heavy snowfall in the last 24 hours. The residents of the adjoining villages of Jobrang, Rapi, Jasrath, Tarand and Tharot have been advised to stay cautious and inform the nearest police post in case of an emergency, Superintendent of Police (SP), Lahaul and Spiti, Mayank Chaudhary said. Some shops were buried in an avalanche at the Tandi bridge in Lahaul sub-division. Multiple avalanches occurred in Lahaul and Spiti at the Seli nallah in Rashel village, Faldi nallah in Jobrang, Cho Veer Mod in Lohni and Tatha nallah near Udaipur village. An avalanche was also reported from a location near the Karcham helipad in Sangla in Kinnaur district, the officials said. A total of 652 roads, including five national highways, are closed for vehicular traffic in the hill state. The maximum of 290 roads are closed in Lahaul and Spiti, followed by 149 in Shimla, 100 in Chamba, 75 in Kinnaur, 32 in Kullu, five in Mandi and one in Kangra, according to the State Emergency Operation Centre. People have been advised not to travel to the upper Shimla areas as the roads have become slippery due to snowfall, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap said. He said work is underway to clear the blocked roads and resume traffic movement. Life was thrown out of gear in parts of Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba as heavy snowfall disrupted electricity and communication. As many as 1,749 transformers are out of service in the state and 78 water supply schemes disrupted, according to the emergency operation centre. Three houses, one each in Lahaul and Spiti, Solan and Sirmaur, were damaged due to snow, rain and lightning. The supply of essential commodities, such as milk, bread, vegetables and newspaper, was affected in the upper Shimla region. According to a bulletin issued by the meteorological department here, Rohtang received the maximum snowfall in the state in the last 24 hours, measuring 150 cm. Chitkul and Atal Tunnel recorded 120 cm snow, Solang 75 cm, Khadrala 62 cm, Kalpa, Kaza and Moorang 60 cm each, Sangla 52.5 cm, Nichar and Gondla 45 cm each, Keylong 28 cm, Narkanda, Killar, Udaipur, Sissu, Koksar and Chansel 30 cm each, Reckong Peo 15 cm, Shillaro five cm and Kufri two cm, the bulletin said. Intermittent rain lashed several parts of Himachal Pradesh and Manali, which recorded 88 mm rain, was the wettest in the state, followed by Nahan (84 mm), Pachhad (76 mm), Sarahan (70 mm), Kangra (65 mm), Rampur (64 mm), Rohru (60 mm), Kotkhai (56 mm), Dharamshala (55 mm), Dalhousie and Guler (53 mm each) and Chamba (50 mm). State capital Shimla received 35 mm rain, according to the bulletin. Keylong was the coldest place in the state, recording a minimum temperature of minus 4.5 degrees Celsius.