Tension flares as BJP workers reach BLO workers protest site outside Bengal CEO's office
KOLKATA: High drama unfolded as a group of BJP workers came face to face with protesting members of a booth-level officers' forum in front of the West Bengal CEO's office here around midnight, while a police force stood as a barrier between the two groups, a senior officer said on Tuesday. Several members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee were on a sit-in outside the CEO's office since the afternoon hours on Monday, alleging excessive work pressure and unmanageable workload during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Matters came to a head when around 50 BJP activists led by KMC Councillor Sajal Ghosh arrived at the spot at 11 pm, shouting slogans against TMC's alleged bid to stall the SIR exercise by intimidating the Election Commission officials who were confined in the CEO's office. The situation turned volatile when the protesting BLOs raised counter-slogans, accusing the BJP of working in collusion with the Election Commission to delete names of genuine voters in West Bengal. They also alleged that the BJP activists were rying to terrorise and provoke the peacefully demonstrating BLOs who only wanted an audience with the CEO. The protesters are not BLOs. They are leaders of TMC-backed organisations, Ghosh claimed. The BLO forum members dismissed the allegation. As the two groups traded barbs in front of mediapersons, a strong police force led by DC Central Indira Mukherjee stood between the warring sides to soothe frayed tempers. West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal - who was confined due to the sit-in by the BLOs - left his office around 11.40 pm. He refused to comment on the late-night development, but tension subsided as he and other EC officials were escorted by the police to their residences. Ghosh and his party men announced that they would leave the place as the CEO and others boarded vehicles in the presence of the police. As asked by our top leadership, we are now leaving the area. Our immediate objective was to see that the CEO and other officials are not harassed by the Trinamool Congress. Since they have managed to leave, we don't wish to stay back here any more. The TMC got a befitting reply to its sinister campaign to harass the CEO, Ghosh said. Earlier, members of the booth-level officers' platform engaged in altercations with the police while attempting to enter the Chief Electoral Officer's (CEO) office here during a demonstration. The BLO protesters went on a march from College Square to the CEO's office in central Kolkata on Monday afternoon. At least three BLOs in West Bengal have died by suicide over alleged inhuman work pressure during the door-to-door enumeration form distribution and collection process.
Washington Sundar Says His Batting Position Doesnt Matter If mindset Is Clear
Washington Sundar: Ahead of Day 4 of the ongoing second Test between India and South Africa, all-rounder Washington Sundar mentioned that the frequent changes in his batting position do not bother him much, as long as he maintains a positive mindset that he will perform and get a chance to play. Sundars batting position has been questioned by several experts and pundits of late as he was slotted in the middle order for the second Test after playing at No. 3 in the first game in Kolkata. Before the play commenced on Tuesday, Dinesh Karthik, while conversing with Sundar, asked, I've seen you've been pushed and pulled around a little bit in the batting order. How do you prepare for each of the batting slots that you're fitting into? The 26-year-old had a very positive response to the question as he said, I think in that case, I've just kept my mindset to one thing as to this is how I'm going to play, no matter what situation or what position that I'm put into. And that way, I think I have a lot more clarity and I'm more calm as well. And end of the day, it's just an opportunity for me to play out there and spend a lot of time out there in the middle. So, I think it's just a massive opportunity every time I go out there for me. The Proteas threatened the hosts in the second Test as well and continued to stand tall, holding a hefty lead of over 300 runs. The visitors bowled out India on Day 3 and got on with their second batting innings, looking to post a big target for the hosts to chase. India, meanwhile, will need to restrict South Africa to as low a total as possible in the second innings to maintain their hopes of winning the Test and concluding the series on a victorious note, especially after their heartbreaking loss in the opening game. The Proteas threatened the hosts in the second Test as well and continued to stand tall, holding a hefty lead of over 300 runs. The visitors bowled out India on Day 3 and got on with their second batting innings, looking to post a big target for the hosts to chase. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Pick wickets and also bowl really well and tight. I mean, can't really give away a lot of runs, especially in the first session. Bowl really tight and obviously pick up wickets, and you never know what can happen, especially with the batting lineup you've got, Sundar said. Article Source: IANS
Modi to kickstart Mission Bengal with public rally
NEW DELHI/KOLKATA : The BJP has shifted its attention from what its leaders are calling Fateh Bihar to an ambitious Mission Bengal, but insiders admit that West Bengal will be far more challenging than Bihar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi may kick off the poll campaign in the second week of December, followed by a strategy tour of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. Modi may address a rally in Hooghlys Arambag on December 13 or 14, followed by Bhagwats six-day tour beginning December 18. Hindu organisations will also hold a Panch Lokkho Konthe Gita Path at the Brigade Parade Ground on December 7 to consolidate Hindu voters. Party functionaries said the demographic mix in several Bengal districts, even after the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, remains formidable and favourable for the ruling Trinamool Congress. The BJP has drawn up a fresh strategy for the 2026 Assembly polls. Bengal might not go the way Bihar did because caste dynamics dont play the same role here, a senior functionary said. He added that the BJPs focus would be on consolidating Hindu voters who are less outspoken even after being subjected to exploitation by rowdy elements of a particular community enjoying government patronage. The state has been divided into 56 organisational zones, each monitored by senior leaders from outside Bengal. The party is spotlighting alleged law-and-order failures and Jungle-Raj under TMC, echoing its Bihar campaign. With women and youth, we will take the same approach that helped us in Bihar, a BJP leader said, citing the Prime Ministers recent assertion that Bengal bhi mukt hoga Jungle-raj se jald. As the SIR continues, the party expects large deletions of dead and bogus voters, which it claims will reduce the TMCs advantage. The BJP has set up more than 71,000 booth committees and brought in leaders such as Bhupender Yadav, Biplab Deb, Amit Malviya and Sunil Bansal to strengthen ground operations.
Kochi firm first private entity in India to design Navy warship
KOCHI: When the Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe on Monday, it was not just the launch of a new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvette, it was a landmark for Indias private ship design ecosystem. The Mahe-class lead ship, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), is the first Indian naval vessel designed by a private firm. And it has a Kochi tag. Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (India) Pvt Ltd (SEDS), a naval architecture company operating out of Kakkanad, has etched its name as a pioneer in the sector. INS Mahe, the first of eight shallow-water ASW corvettes, represents both a technological leap and a shift in how India is opening its defence architecture to private players. Frontline ships like aircraft carriers will continue to be designed by the Warship Design Bureau. But the government has been encouraging private sector participation to strengthen the shipbuilding ecosystem. INS Mahe is the first major result of that effort, said Hariraj Puliyankodan, COO of SEDS which employs 153 people. Designing the corvette required navigating tight spatial, weight and machinery constraints. These ships have to carry advanced sensors, weapons and equipment in a very compact frame. The design kept evolving with each requirement from the Navy, he said. Mahe now leads her seven sister ships, all under construction or trials at CSL. SEDS role in naval projects does not end with the Mahe-class. The company also provided the design for the Indian Navys massive `20,000-crore fleet support ship programme, currently being built at Hindustan Shipyard Ltd. This project had originally been contracted to Turkey. But when ties with Turkey soured, the deal was cancelled. The project was restarted entirely in India, and we designed the vessels from scratch, said Antony Prince, CEO of SEDS. SEDS designed Coast Guards Aadesh-class fast patrol vessels These enormous ships, built with double bottoms and double hulls in the cargo areas, are meant to replenish combat vessels with fuel, ammunition, spare parts, provisions and personnel during long deployments. The first ship in the class will be commissioned soon, Antony said. Antony brings over 50 years of maritime experience, spanning ship operations, management, construction and design. He also heads GTR Campbell Marine Consultants Ltd in the Bahamas. Around 2007, CSL was struggling for orders. The company brought in international projects, but realised India didnt have private ship design firms. So I started SEDS, he said. The success of the Trader series at CSL validated the move, and the firm soon began recruiting naval architects from Cusat to build in-house expertise, he said. Today, SEDS 153-member team works across defence and commercial ship design. It has brought in orders from Denmark and Germany to major Indian yards such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata. Closer home, SEDS designed the Coast Guards Aadesh-class fast patrol vessels 20 of which were constructed by CSL. The commissioning of INS Mahe underscores the Navys push for potent platforms capable of operating in Indias vast coastal and shallow-water regions. The corvette integrates weapons, sensors and communication systems into a powerful combat suite designed to detect and neutralise submarines. Engineered for sustained operations, the Mahe-class will serve as the Navys frontline coastal defence layer.
Chessboxer who blends brains and brawn on her way to glory
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: At just 20 years old, Arundhathy Raju Nair is already a force to reckon with in the rare and demanding sport that is chessboxing. A final-year BTech student at LBS Engineering College in Thiruvananthapuram, Arundhathy has managed to balance the pressures of academics with the intensity of training, and in the process, etched her name in Asia Book of Records for being the only female athlete to win the Asian Chessboxing Championship for three consecutive years: 2023, 2024 and 2025. Her journey began in Class V when she discovered chess. Representing her school at state-level competitions, Arundhathy quickly developed a reputation for her sharp mind and calm composure. However, her life took an unexpected turn when her coach, Sandhanu Vijayan, introduced her to chessboxing, a hybrid sport that demands both mental agility and physical aggression. I started with a loss after just two months of practice, she recalls. Later, I picked up momentum, winning gold or silver regularly in Asian and national championships. Unlike any other sport, the main challenge in chessboxing lies not only in mastering chess and boxing, two games at opposite ends of the spectrum, but also in switching seamlessly between them. First, a chess match is played in the boxing ring. If no decision is reached within three minutes, the players spar. The game keeps alternating until there is a winner. Unlike other combat sports such as kick boxing, chessboxing combines pure chess and pure boxing, with rules of both the disciplines enforced strictly. Usually, chess players do not take up boxing. They prefer concentrating on the board. Boxers, on the other hand, show aggression but may not think of ways to win a board game. Chessboxing shows you are both mentally and physically fit, Arundhathy explains. Arundhathy in action against Russias Oksana Komissarova during the Asian Chessboxing Championship in 2023 The toughest part, she admits, is regaining focus after a bout. You may not be in a position to think through the strategies you planned earlier. Her breakthrough moment came in 2023, during her first year of engineering, when she scored back-to-back victories against Maharashtras Madhavi Gonbare, a prominent Indian chessboxer. Those wins, first at the Asian Championship (her maiden Asian title) and then at the Indian Open World Championship, catapulted her to fame. I was just one of the players till then, she says. She has gone on to win gold at the Asian Championship in Kolkata, competing in the under-55 kg category, and has built a professional boxing record of two wins and one loss. Behind her success lies a strong support system. Arundhathy grew up in Oruvathikotta, Thiruvananthapuram, studied at GGHS Cottonhill, and comes from a family deeply rooted in academics and professional excellence. Her father, Raju N R, is a senior IT professional at Allianz Technology, while her mother, Suma M S, serves as the principal of Sholayur HSS in Palakkad. Her younger sister, Aparna N Nair, also tried her hand at boxing before Arundhathy. Her familys encouragement and example provided Arundhathy with a strong foundation of discipline, resilience and ambition, shaping her journey both inside the ring and on the chessboard. Training for her is a disciplined affair. She practises boxing at the Brothers Boxing Academy and hones her chess skills at Masters Academy. Before competitions, she follows a strict 45-day regimen that combines diet and training. I am underweight, so there isnt much weight restriction, she says with a smile, acknowledging the unique advantage she carries into her bouts. Chessboxing may still be a niche sport in India, but it is gaining recognition abroad. It was even showcased at the Paris Olympics cultural event. Arundhathy hopes to be part of the wave that brings the sport into the mainstream in India. Her next big goal is the World Championship in France, where she plans to represent the country on the global stage. Arundhathys story is not just about medals and records. It is about breaking stereotypes, proving that a chess player can throw punches, and a boxer can think several moves ahead. Her journey embodies resilience, discipline, and the courage to step into uncharted territory.
Kolkata Man Has Sex With Coworker On Pretext Of Marriage, Flees To Mumbai To Avoid Tying Knot; Held
The man allegedly engaged in a sexual relationship with a female colleague under the false promise of marriage.
ED hands over four attached flats of fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi for asset recovery
NEW DELHI: In a move against fugitive diamantaire Mehul Choksi in Rs 6000 crore PNB scam, the Enforcement directorate (ED) has handed over four flats of Gitanjali Gems Ltd to the liquidator, the agency said on Monday. The agency has facilitated the handing over of four flats in Project Tatva, Urja A Wing, Datthapada Road, Borivali (East), Mumbai, properties attached in the case of Mehul Choksi and others in PNB fraud case to the liquidator on November 21. It will enable the liquidator to proceed with monetisation for the benefit of victims, secured creditors and other legitimate claimants. Till now, immovable/movable properties located at Mumbai, Kolkata and Surat collectively having worth of Rs 310 crore have been handed over to the Liquidator of Gitanjali Gems Ltd, the agency said. Investigation in the case of Mehul Choksi revealed that Choksi connived with his associates and Bank officials of Punjab National Bank (PNB) during the period from 2014 to 2017 and fraudulently got issued Letters of Undertaking and Foreign Letters of Credit from PNB resulting in wrongful loss of Rs 6097.63 crore to PNB. He had also taken loan from ICICI Bank and had defaulted on that loan too. During the investigation, ED conducted searches at more than 136 locations all over India and seized valuables and jewelleries worth Rs 597.75 crore pertaining to Gitanjali Group of Mehul Choksi. Further, immovable/movable assets worth Rs 1968.15 Crore of Mehul Choksi/Gitanjali Group were attached which included immovable properties in India and overseas, vehicles, bank accounts, factory, shares of listed companies, jewellery, among others. In aggregate, assets worth Rs 2565.90 crore were attached or seized in this case and three Prosecution Complaints have been filed, the agency said in the matter. To expedite the process of restitution of properties to the victim banks, ED along with the banks took proactive steps towards monetisation of assets.
2nd Test: Washington Sundar Remains positive Despite Indias Struggles Against South Africa
Washington Sundar: As India fell into serious trouble in the second Test match against South Africa in Guwahati on Monday, Washington Sundar expressed cautious optimism, stating that the team must stay positive despite giving up a huge first-innings deficit. On Monday, South Africa took a commanding 314-run lead after India was bowled out for just 201, giving up control of the game. India's lineup struggled against a disciplined and tenacious Proteas attack on nearly perfect batting conditions, mostly due to poor shot selection. Got to stay positive in life. You never know what will happen, Sundar said when asked about Indias chances after a difficult Day 3 at the Barsapara Stadium. India's innings was further derailed when captain Rishabh Pant and wicketkeeper-batter Dhruv Jurel fell while attempting aggressive strokes against left-arm quick Marco Jansen. However, Sundar believed that blaming the collapse solely on those decisions would be unjust. On another day, both those shots would have gone into the stands, and all of us would have appreciated and clapped. Thats how it is, he said at the post-day media interaction. Sometimes you just have to back their plans and their skill sets as well, given the fact that they have shown a lot of proof and evidence in the past as well. Obviously, execution didnt go the way we wanted, he added. India had a great start to the day thanks to a 65-run opening partnership between KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Except for Sundar's own tough 48 from No. 8, the highest score of the innings, the hosts were reduced to 122 for seven due to a barrage of wickets. Only one game had passed since he finished that Test as India's top run scorer while batting at No. 3 in Kolkata. I would say I am happiest to bat wherever the team wants me to bat. That way, it is a lot more exciting. This is a team game. There are a lot of strategies that go into the game depending on the conditions, depending on the opposition. It is very tactical at times. Even in football, if you see good players, they might only get to play 2030 minutes. Thats how the game is, he said. Sundar acknowledged that there was no set strategy for session goals or scoring rates when considering India's batting strategy. I would say I am happiest to bat wherever the team wants me to bat. That way, it is a lot more exciting. This is a team game. There are a lot of strategies that go into the game depending on the conditions, depending on the opposition. It is very tactical at times. Even in football, if you see good players, they might only get to play 2030 minutes. Thats how the game is, he said. Also Read: Live Cricket Score If we were in a scenario where we only lost 45 wickets today, then we can always plan tomorrow, and we bat quite deep as well. Going into the day-to-day, I dont think there was any plan as to how much we need to get today or probably in the first innings as well. Article Source: IANS
KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Monday protesting the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwals proposal to set up polling booths inside private housing complexes. The CEO has sent proposals to the state government and directed all district magistrates, who are district electoral officers (DEOs) across the state on the matter. Agarwal has asked the DEOs not to engage the contractual Data Entry Operators and Bangla Sahayata Kendra staff for SIR-related or other election-related data work. When district offices already have a substantial number of competent professionals performing such functions, what necessities the CEOs office initiative to outsource the same work through an external agency for full year? Traditionally, field offices have always hired their own contractual data entry personnel as per requirement. If there is an urgent need, DEOs are fully empowered to undertake such hiring themselves, Mamata raised questions through the letter. Is this the exercise being undertaken at the behest of a political party to serve vested interests? she questioned indicating the CEO and opposition BJP. The Chief Minister, protesting the CEOs move to set up polling booths inside private housing complexes stated, The proposal is deeply problematic. Polling stations have always been-and must remain-located in government or semi-government institutions, preferably within a 2 km radius, to ensure accessibility and neutrality. Private buildings are typically avoided for clear reasons: They compromise fairness, violate established rooms and create discriminatory distinctions between privileged residents and the general public-the haves and have-nots. Why is such a move being contemplated at all? Again, is this being done under pressure from a political party to advance their partisan interests? she wrote in the letter. Why? Why? Why? she questioned the CEC. Its learnt that the ECI has already written to several housing societies in north Kolkata to set up booths on their premises. These booths will be exclusively for residents of societies with over 300 voters. After the incident of the BLOs deaths by suicide in Bardhaman and Jalpaiguri districts last week, Mamata came down heavily on the ECI alleging that precious lives are lost due work pressure and stress generated by the SIR process in the state. She urged the commission to immediately halt this unplanned drive before more lives are lost. BJP leaders alleged that the Chief Minister is fearing her partys fate in the coming assembly polls next year in the state and thats why she is involving saffron camp in connection with CEOs proposals.
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: South Africas commanding performance in the ongoing second Test drew praise from their fast bowling great Dale Steyn, who said it was rare to witness a visiting side dominate three days of cricket in India in the way the Proteas have done so far. On day threes play at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, South Africa, riding on Marco Jansens sixwicket haul, bowled out India for 201 to get a 288-run lead. Its rare to witness a visiting side dominate three days of cricket in India like this. South Africa got off to a good start by winning the toss and choosing to bat first, a decision that paid off. Since then, every move theyve madewhether in terms of batting application or bowling managementhas been spot on. In my view, their strategy and execution in these Guwahati conditions have outshined Indias efforts, said Steyn on JioStar. By stumps, openers Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram had guided the visitors to 26/0, stretching the lead to 314 runs. Having already won the opening Test in Kolkata, South Africa are closing in on their first Test series win in India since Hansie Cronjes side triumphed in 2000. There were a few nervy moments with edges flying past the bat, but overall South Africa got off to a solid start. Rickelton even managed a boundary off Bumrah, who has bowled over 30 overs in demanding conditions. Considering Bumrah has been on the field for 150 overs and has only spent 80 in the shed, having to come back out to bowl again is a tough ask for him and Siraj, while the spinners rest. There were a few nervy moments with edges flying past the bat, but overall South Africa got off to a solid start. Rickelton even managed a boundary off Bumrah, who has bowled over 30 overs in demanding conditions. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He also felt South Africas decision to bat again in the game and not enforce a follow-on was the right one. The decision to continue batting was the right oneaiming to stay positive, take calculated risks, and if a wicket falls, so be it. Tomorrow provides a full day of batting in more favourable conditions, offering an opportunity to build on this position, concluded Steyn. Article Source: IANS
Trinamool's answer to MLA's controversial Babri Masjid comment can only be silence
By denouncing Kabir's statement, Trinamool stands to lose a significant number of Muslim votes, which the party desperately needs against the rising political threat from the BJP. And that too, about six months after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee inaugurated her dream Jagannath temple in Digha, near Kolkata.
Bengal police bust fake birth-death certificate racket, Kolkata couple arrested
During the investigation, it was revealed that fake death certificates were made from Pathankoli in the Gosaba area, which is the gateway to the Sundarban National Park. Police said that the arrested couple -- identified as George Clinton Dickson and his wife, Carol Erickson Dickson -- allegedly procured a fake death certificate to fraudulently take possession of a rented shop in the Shakespeare Sarani area.
2nd Test: South Africa Swell Lead To 314 After Jansen's Six-for Bowls Out India For 201 (ld)
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: The chatter ahead of the third days play in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium was whether India could make runs quickly to claw back in the game they need to win to level the series. But by the time bad light brought an early end to the proceedings, South Africa ended by being in complete command, dismissing India for 201 and reaching 26/0 in eight overs, extending their lead over India to 314 runs. Openers Ryan Rickelton (13) and Aiden Markram (12) were at the crease when bad light forced stumps to be taken early. Tall left-arm fast-bowling all-rounder Marco Jansen produced a devastating spell and picked 6-48 to bundle India out for 201 in reply to South Africas 489. It was Jansens fourth five-wicket haul in Tests and capped a remarkable all-round performance after his 93 with the bat in the first innings. His short-ball barrage broke Indias middle-order and left them at 122/7. Jansen also became only the third left-arm fast-bowler to take a five-wicket haul in India after Zaheer Khan and Mitchell Johnson. On a surface offering little assistance, Jansens variations of length from a consistent line proved to be decisive. Yashasvi Jaiswal top-scored for India with 58, before Washington Sundar (48) and Kuldeep Yadav (19) offered resistance and showed great application in a defiant 72-run stand off 208 balls. Off-spinner Simon Harmer eventually ended Sundars defiance. At the same time, Jansen returned with the second new ball to dismiss Kuldeep and Jasprit Bumrah to bowl out India just after crossing the 200-run mark. With a 1-0 lead in hand, current World Test Championship (WTC) winners South Africa are closing in on their first series win in India since 2000. India, meanwhile, face mounting pressure in the face of their second series loss at home in two years and now require a miracle to secure a series-levelling win. In the morning, resuming from 9/0 in 6.1 overs, Jaiswal and KL Rahul began on a watchful note and negotiated the threat from spinners with utmost care. The duo took four boundaries collectively off Jansen and Wiaan Mulder, before South Africa brought on their spinners. With the spinners finding turn at times, Rahul began to use his feet while Jaiswal looked for sweep and slog-sweep something which fetched him boundaries against Keshav Maharaj and Harmer. At the stroke of the first drinks break, Rahuls discomfort against the turning ball eventually cost him when he went for forward defence on a slower ball from Maharaj and edged to first slip to fall for 22. Back at No. 3, B. Sai Sudharsan looked fluent from the outset through his cover drives reaching the boundary ropes twice. Meanwhile, Jaiswal continued to show intent against spin and reached his 13th Test fifty - the first half-century by an Indian batter in this series. But his progress was cut short when, in an attempt to play a late dab off Harmer, the ball stopped slightly and the outside edge was caught by short third-man, completing a sharp diving grab. Sudharsans attacking approach then caused his downfall as he pulled a short-ball from Harmer, which was caught by mid-wicket, who held on to the chase at the second attempt, and fell for 15. India were pushed on the back foot at the stroke of tea break when Dhruv Jurel looked to pull him from well outside off-stump, and that miscued execution resulted in mid-on moving across to his right to complete a diving catch, as the young wicketkeeper-batter fell for an eleven-ball duck. Indias hopes of mounting a fightback after the tea break quickly unravelled when Rishabh Pant, who was seen as the one batter capable of counterattacking against the Proteas, fell for just seven. Pants attempt to take on Marco Jansen backfired when he danced down the pitch for a wild slog, but only edged behind the keeper and burnt a review. Jansen then used his height to extract a steep bounce that forced Nitish Kumar Reddy into fending a rising delivery and was brilliantly caught for 10 by a diving gully, who completed the grab with one hand. Sundar, Indias best batter at No. 3 in Kolkata, came at eight and could just see Jansen continuing to wreak havoc with his barrage of short deliveries the latest of which climbed steeply onto Ravindra Jadeja, deflected off his shoulder and then took the outside edge to second slip to dismiss him for six. Sundar finally managed to get going by flaying Jansen for four, before using his long reach to smack Harmer for six. India survived a close call when Harmers appeal for lbw against Kuldeep was sent upstairs, only for replays to show the ball had brushed the glove before looping up to short leg. Kuldeep and Sundar then dug in, displaying solid defence and application, something which was missing in their other batting colleagues, to frustrate South Africa. Kuldeep, in particular, looked assured against spin, thus underlining that the pitch held no demons. As the ball grew older, batting became easier for both Kuldeep and Sundar till lunch arrived. Sundar and Kuldeep began the final session by adding valuable runs against the off-spin bowling pair of Harmer and Markram. With Sundar going solid and Kuldeep showing remarkable application, South Africa introduced centurion Senuran Muthusamy in the line-up, but without any success. Just before the second new ball was taken, Harmer produced a decisive moment by deceiving Sundar with a dip on a fuller delivery. Sundar pushed at it with hard hands and edged to first slip to depart for 46. Jansen then sealed his five-wicket haul in the very first over of the second new ball. Kuldeep, after having declined a single to shield Bumrah, was undone by a steep bounce and edged to second slip, giving Markram his fifth catch of the innings. Indias innings came to a close in a dramatic fashion when Bumrah was undone by a nasty bouncer from Jansen and was caught by the keeper, giving the all-rounder his six-wicket haul and completing one of the finest allround performances by a visiting player in Tests in India. After South Africa decided against enforcing the follow-on and opted to bat again, Rickelton began straightaway by punching Jasprit Bumrah through cover, before Markram found the edge wide of second slip to get another boundary of the opening over. After Markram punched Mohammed Siraj through extra cover for four, India tried making things happen by Bumrah changing his angle, with an over each of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav being bowled as well. But by the time the day ended, South Africa put themselves in a formidable position to win the match and series, while India are facing the prospect of losing their second series at home in two years. After Markram punched Mohammed Siraj through extra cover for four, India tried making things happen by Bumrah changing his angle, with an over each of Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav being bowled as well. Also Read: Live Cricket Score South Africa 489 and 26/0 in 8 overs (Ryan Rickelton 13 not out, Aiden Markram 12 not out) lead India 201 all out in 83.5 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Washington Sundar 48; Marco Jansen 6-48, Simon Harmer 3-64) by 314 runs Article Source: IANS
BLOs protest outside Bengal CEOs office over excessive work pressure under SIR
Members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee took out the procession from College Square in north Kolkata, carrying locks and fetters to symbolically close the main entrance of the building in which the office of the Chief Electoral Officer
Timeless Icon, Touched Countless Hearts: Indian Cricket Fraternity Mourns Dharmendras Demise
Breach Candy Hospital: Tributes poured in from the Indian cricket community after one of Indias veteran actors, Dharmendra, passed away on Monday at the age of 89. Dharmendra, who was earlier admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai, was discharged on November 12 after showing signs of recovery. However, the actor departed for the heavenly abode just a few days after returning home from the hospital. Indias World Cup-winning all-rounder Deepti Sharma, sharing a picture of the late actor on her Instagram story, wrote, Dharmendra Ji was not just a film star but a true hero, who made us all believe that you can dream and achieve with love in your heart! We all will miss him! Om Shanti. While former India batter Virender Sehwag wrote on X, Dharmendra ji was not just an actor, he was an era. A star in simplicity, a He-Man in strength, and gold at heart. His films, his style, and his warmth will be remembered for generations. A great artist, may God grant peace to his soul. Om Shanti. Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh penned a heartfelt note on X, saying, Heartfelt tribute to Dharmendra Ji a timeless icon whose grace, strength, and unparalleled charm have left an everlasting mark on Indian cinema. From his powerful performances to his warmth both on and off screen, he touched countless hearts and inspired generations. His films, his smile, and his spirit will forever remain etched in our memories. May his soul rest in peace. Om Shanti. The end of an era. Bollywoods beloved He-Man, Dharmendra Ji, is no more. His timeless films, warmth, and unforgettable legacy will continue to live in our hearts for generations. From a small village in Punjab to the heart of Indian cinema, his journey will forever inspire. Heartfelt tribute to the legend. Om Shanti, wrote former cricketer Kedar Jadhav. You stood tall, not just in stature, but in spirit. Dharmendra ji, thank you for showing us strength can be kind. Om Shanti, former India opener Shikhar Dhawan penned. Indian Premier League franchise Punjab Kings, sharing a picture of the veteran actor on X, wrote, Parde te amar, te saade dilan vich vi hamesha lai amar! in Punjabi, which translates to Immortal on the screen, and forever immortal in our hearts too! Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shared a picture of Dharmendra and captioned it, The He-Man of Bollywood, while the franchise put up another picture of the legendary actor with the teams co-owners, Bollywood celebrities Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, and wrote, Rest in Peace, Dharmendra ji. Farewell to a legend. Sending our condolences to Dharam Jis family, friends and fans across the world, said Delhi Capitals in their X post. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) shared a picture of Dharmendra and captioned it, The He-Man of Bollywood, while the franchise put up another picture of the legendary actor with the teams co-owners, Bollywood celebrities Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, and wrote, Rest in Peace, Dharmendra ji. Also Read: Live Cricket Score He is survived by his first wife, Prakash Kaur; their four children, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Ajeta Deol, Vijayta Deol; his second wife, Hema Malini; and their two daughters, Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Article Source: IANS
BLOs hold protest outside Bengal CEOs office over excessive work pressure under SIR
Kolkata: Booth-level officers, engaged in the ongoing SIR process in West Bengal, scuffled with police personnel on Monday while trying to enter the CEOs office here during a demonstration to protest against alleged excessive work pressure, a senior officer said. Members of the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee took out the procession from College Square in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
KOLKATA: On a day the West Bengal School Service Commission is scheduled to publish the SLST results for recruitment of teachers to classes 9-10, two groups of job aspirants held separate protest marches here on Monday over illegal mark allotment and recruitment delays, reflecting persisting unrest in the state's school education sector. Thousands of fresh SSC aspirants to classes 11 and 12 took out a march from the Sealdah Station in north Kolkata, breached multiple police barricades and clashed with personnel in uniform to reach the Esplanade area of central Kolkata, their destination. The unrest broke out after police denied permission to protesters to march along their planned route to the Y-channel in Esplanade and tried to divert them to the Ramleela Maidan on CIT Road instead, which the protesters refused to accept. Till reports last received, the agitating aspirants were holding a sit-in at the Esplanade crossing, throwing traffic along the arterial intersection out of gear. The new aspirants demanded scrapping of the 'experience'-based 10 marks granted to previously appointed teachers whose panel was cancelled by the court in the jobs scam case, public display of all OMR sheets, and creation of one lakh additional teaching posts. We will continue our agitation against the unlawful 10 marks. We worked day and night doing tuition to pay for the exam application fee, and now we are not eligible despite securing full marks, a protester said. The provision of 10 extra marks for experience to former teachers whose appointments were annulled has emerged as a major point of contention among new candidates and has been challenged before both the Supreme Court as well as the Calcutta High Court. In a separate mobilisation, hundreds of candidates from the 2016 Upper Primary batch marched from the Karunamoyee crossing in Salt Lake to Bikash Bhaban, the state education department headquarters, demanding completion of the long-pending appointment process. Though results were declared nearly a decade ago and a court had directed recruitment of 14,052 candidates, appointments of 1,241 qualified aspirants remain stalled despite completing all formalities, including interviews, the protesters alleged, while holding a sit-in near Central Park in Salt Lake. The protesters claimed that counselling he final step before appointment had not been conducted despite a Supreme Court upheld directive that set November 20 as the deadline. It is contempt of the Supreme Court order. Despite the deadline, we are being pushed back and forth between authorities. The chairman asks us to go to Bikash Bhavan for vacancy matching, and officials there direct us back to the chairman, a protester said.
BLO platform holds protest rally in Kolkata in demand of immediate stoppage of SIR in West Bengal
The platform claimed that the poll panel had not taken necessary steps to ease their workload and burdened them with digitization without training despite repeated requests, during the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls. The SIR started in Bengal on November 4.
PM Modi, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to visit West Bengal ahead of 2026 Assembly polls
KOLKATA: Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal Assembly polls, Prime Minister PM Narendra Modi and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat are likely to attend separate programmes to kick off election campaigns for BJP in the state. The Bengal BJP unit has already approached the state administration seeking clearance for a rally in Arambag of Hooghly district on 13 or 14 December. The Bengal leadership of the saffron camp held a meeting in Kolkata last week where the PMs visit to the state to attend the proposed election rally in Arambag was discussed. Besides the PM, heavyweights like Amit Shah, JP Nadda and others may also be called to address several rallies of the party in the state during December and January, according to the insiders of the party. Requesting anonymity, insiders said, The date of the Arambag programme will be finalised soon after the PMO clears their proposal. The union home minister Amit Shah is also expected to attend a programme in Kolkata in end-December. It will be a mega beginning for our party workers ahead of polls if leaders like Modiji and Amitji attend first two or three rallies separately in a row. In order to consolidate Hindu votes in poll-bound Bengal with 70 percent Hindu vote banks, RSS has outlined its plans at the backdrop against its ongoing centenary celebration programmes across the country. The RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat likely to visit the state for around six days from 18 December, hardly four days after Modi attends the Arambag rally. Bhagwat may attend programmes in Siliguri in northern part of the state, on 18 and 19 December. He is also expected to interact with intelligentsia in Kolkata at Science City auditorium on either 20 or 21 December. He has already attended such programmes meeting the intellectual community in Delhi and Mumbai. Besides Bhagwats visit, three Hindu organisations will also organise Panch Lokkho konthe Geeta Path event at the historic Brigade Parade Ground on December 7 where five lakh people will chant verses from the Bhagavada Gita. The same programme organised by the Hindu organisations was also held at the same venue in 2023. Sources said that the RSS would be there behind programme though it is organised by the Hindu bodies in papers. Observers felt that the main agenda of these events starting from RSS chiefs Bengal visits and Panch Lokkho konthe Geeta Path is to woo Hindu voters in favour of the BJP in the forthcoming elections in the state. The BJP had around 39 percent vote share in previous elections, while the ruling Trinamool Congress had retained around 46 percent. BJP plans to increases its vote percentage by a maximum of 6-7% , relying heavily on the Hindu vote bank amidst the ongoing Special intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The BJP leadership claims that there will be a huge deletion of around one crore dead and bogus voters in the list leading a electoral loss for the ruling party in the state.
Chartered Accountant Found Dead In Kolkata Hotel Room, 2 Arrested
Two people have been arrested after a man was found dead inside his room at a hotel in West Bengal's Kasba area in South 24 Parganas district.
2nd Test: Washington-Kuldeep Take India To 174/7, But Follow-on Cloud Looms Large For India
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: South Africa maintained their dominance in the ongoing second Test by reducing India to 174/7 in 67 overs at lunch on day three at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Monday. India still trail South Africa by 315 runs, though Washington Sundars unbeaten 33 and Kuldeep Yadavs resistance for 14 not out meant they are keeping the hosts in a fight through an eighthwicket stand worth 52 runs. Marco Jansens hostile spell of shortpitched bowling ripped through Indias middle order, claiming Rishabh Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja to leave the hosts reeling. Though Sundar and Kuldeep have batted for 141 balls together, Indias immediate target will be to avoid the followon, which is 116 runs away. Indias hopes of mounting a fightback after the tea break quickly unravelled when Rishabh Pant, who was seen as the one batter capable of counterattacking against the Proteas, fell for just seven. Pants attempt to take on Marco Jansen backfired when he danced down the pitch for a wild slog, but only edged to the keeper and burnt a review. Jansen then compounded Indias issues by using his height to extract steep bounce that forced Nitish Kumar Reddy into fending a rising delivery and was brilliantly caught by a diving gully, who completed the grab with one hand. With Reddy departing for 10, it left India in deep trouble. Washington Sundar, Indias best batter at number three in Kolkata, came at eight and could just see Jansen continuing to wreak havoc with his barrage of short deliveries the latest of which climbed steeply onto Ravindra Jadeja, deflected off his shoulder and then took the outside edge to second slip. With the review confirming the edge, Jadeja was dismissed for six, leaving South Africa jubilant and India despondent. Sundar finally managed to get going by flaying Jansen for four, before using his long reach to smack Simon Harmer for six. India survived a close call when Harmers appeal for lbw against Kuldeep was sent upstairs, only for replays to show the ball had brushed the glove before looping up to short leg. Kuldeep and Sundar then dug in, displaying solid defence and application, something which was missing in their other batting colleagues, to frustrate South Africa. Kuldeep, in particular, looked assured against spin, thus underlining that the pitch held no demons. As the ball grew older, batting became easier for both Kuldeep and Sundar till lunch arrived. Sundar finally managed to get going by flaying Jansen for four, before using his long reach to smack Simon Harmer for six. India survived a close call when Harmers appeal for lbw against Kuldeep was sent upstairs, only for replays to show the ball had brushed the glove before looping up to short leg. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Brief Scores: South Africa 489 in 151.1 overs (Senuran Muthusamy 109; Kuldeep Yadav 4-115) lead India 174/7 in 67 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 58, Washington Sundar 33 not out; Marco Jansen 4-43, Simon Harmer 2-61) by 315 runs. Article Source: IANS
BLOs to hold march in Kolkata on Monday to protest against work pressure under SIR exercise
Since the launch of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state, the BLOs across districts have been working under unprecedented and inhuman pressure, the committee alleged
BLOs to hold march in Kolkata to protest against work pressure under SIR exercise
Kolkata SIR protest BLO march: Since the launch of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls in the state, the BLOs across districts have been working under unprecedented and inhuman pressure, the BLO Adhikar Raksha Committee has alleged.
Bengali film cinematographer Soumyadeep Guin found hanging at home
Prominent Bengali cinematographer Soumyadeep Guin was found dead by hanging at his South Kolkata residence on Sunday. The police are probing whether he died by suicide
Bengali film cinematographer found hanging at home
Prominent Bengali cinematographer Soumyadeep Guin was found dead by hanging at his South Kolkata residence on Sunday. The police are probing whether he died by suicide
Suspected suicide: Bengali cinematographer Vicky Guin dies
Tragic news has emerged from Kolkata, where esteemed cinematographer Soumyadeep 'Vicky' Guin, aged 40, was found lifeless in his home. Investigators are looking into the details surrounding his death, with early indications hinting at struggles with mental health and recent professional challenges. Vicky, a celebrated figure in Tollywood cinema, is mourned by his wife and beloved daughter.
Anand Mahindra praises city in Kolkata for its spotless roads, predicts it will have a 'renaissance'
A prominent industrialist expressed delight at Newtown's well-planned development, sparking online praise for the Kolkata township's spotless avenues and organized layout. While many lauded Newtown as a model for sustainable urban growth, others pointed out the stark contrast with other parts of Kolkata still facing infrastructure challenges, emphasizing the need for city-wide improvement.
Woman pushed off train while resisting snatchers in West Bengal
Kolkata: A woman passenger was seriously injured after she was allegedly pushed off the HowrahPuri Dhauli Express near Kolaghat in West Bengals Purba Medinipur district on Sunday while resisting a snatching attempt, a district police official said. Two snatchers were later arrested by the villagers and handed over to the railway police. Also ReadBurdened by Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
2nd Test: Kolkatas Wicket Was Different, This Is Road, Says Kuldeep Yadav
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Kuldeep Yadav who finished with a figure of 4/115 in first innings described ACA Stadium pitch as proper road after Indian bowlers' struggle continued on Day 2 of the second Test. South Africa posted a formidable 489 in their first innings, thanks to Senuran Muthusamys 109 his maiden Test century and Marco Jansens explosive 93. The duos career best scores in Tests took them to a commanding total and put them in a good position to draw the game. Kolkatas wicket was different, this is a road, said Kuldeep Yadav, who returned 4/115, at the press conference here on Sunday. Its challenging and thats why its called a Test wicket. It doesnt happen every day as a bowler. You always think of dominating, but when you get a good wicket then its also very important how you come back. The way we bowled yesterday, we were in very good control but obviously, in one session there was a partnership so we got a little behind in the game. Indias openers KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal ensured there were no setbacks and reached 9/0 in 6.1 overs at stumps on day twos play against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Sunday. Due to light conditions deteriorating hugely, it brought another early end to the day, with India trailing South Africa by 480 runs. It was a difficult wicket for the bowlers because I didnt feel that there was a lot of help in this wicket, even for fast bowlers it didnt seem like a lot of help. But yes, this is Test cricket and you should enjoy it. The more you learn, the more you mature, you shouldnt think so much about the wicket. Kuldeep Yadav finished with four wickets, while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Ravindra Jadeja claimed two apiece. Simon Harmer was the only South African batter not to reach double figures in an otherwise commanding display for the Proteas. The final session began with Siraj providing India the breakthrough they desperately needed when Muthusamy attempted for a hook, but failed to keep it down and was caught at fine leg, ending his career-best knock of 109 that had blunted India since he came out to bat at 201/5. Personally, I felt yesterday in the first session there was a bit of moisture in the wicket so I got a little bit of turn there. After that it was very good to bat on, said Yadav. There wasnt any turn yesterday as well as today. Jadeja and I have been talking about it but the wicket is very good to bat on. I mean, obviously its very good to have an attacking mindset but you have to understand how the wicket is playing and you cant just go attacking all the time and just leak runs, he said. Jansen continued to take charge - launching two towering sixes off Jadeja and taking a four and six off Siraj to push South Africa past 440, before Bumrah ripped out Simon Harmers off-stump. Jansen continued to find boundaries and also featured in a defiant last wicket stand with Keshav Maharaj for 18 runs. But Jansen fell agonisingly short of a maiden Test hundred - chopping on to a Kuldeep googly for 93. But his innings included seven sixes - the jointhighest tally in a knock for a lowerorder batter in India. With South Africa making a score more than any first-innings total to lose a Test in India, they have left themselves well-placed to push for a rare series win on Indian soil. Jansen continued to take charge - launching two towering sixes off Jadeja and taking a four and six off Siraj to push South Africa past 440, before Bumrah ripped out Simon Harmers off-stump. Jansen continued to find boundaries and also featured in a defiant last wicket stand with Keshav Maharaj for 18 runs. Also Read: Live Cricket Score With Jansen and Wiaan Mulder being economical, India managed to be watchful till stumps arrived. With three days left in the game, pressure will be huge on India to level the series and save themselves from a second series loss at home in two years. Article Source: IANS
Navy to commission first of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft in Mumbai
NEW DELHI: Amid Pakistans plans to augment its underwater combat capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to commission Mahe, the first of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday. The ceremony will be presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff. In a statement, the Indian Navy said, The commissioning of Mahe will mark the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian. She will serve as a Silent Hunter on the Western Seaboard powered by self-reliance and dedicated to safeguarding Indias maritime frontiers, the Navy added. With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class showcases Indias growing mastery in warship design, construction, and integration. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, Mahe represents the cutting edge of Indias Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative in naval ship design and construction. Compact yet powerful, the ship embodies agility, precision, and endurance qualities vital for dominating the littorals. Designed with a blend of firepower, stealth, and mobility, the ship will undertake submarine-hunting missions, coastal patrols, and the protection of Indias vital maritime approaches. Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ships crest features an Urumi, the flexible sword used in Kalaripayattu, symbolising agility, precision, and lethal grace. The ships being manufactured at CSL are part of the Navys larger plan to upgrade its anti-submarine warfare capability. The Mahe-class ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors. They are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as well as low-intensity maritime operations and mine-laying tasks. The ASW-SWC ships are 78 m long and the displacement is approximately 900 tonnes. They can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots with an endurance of up to 1,800 nautical miles, the Navy said. Two contracts for sixteen Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft ships eight each to be built by CSL, Kochi, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata were signed in April 2019. Given Indias vast 7,516.6-kilometre coastline with twelve major ports, 184 minor ports, and 1,197 island territories, coastal surveillance for anti-submarine warfare operations is considered critical. The induction of these specialised ships, featuring a lower draught, is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Navys shallow-water ASW capability, with improved performance of weapons, sensors, hull-mounted sonar, and towed sonar systems. The Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft have been named after ports of strategic importance along Indias coastline, and will carry forward the legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers that bore the same names. Chinas role in Pakistans underwater capability build-up China continues to be Pakistans largest arms supplier, with the ongoing Hangor-class submarine project being the latest example. Under the programme, eight new submarines are scheduled for induction into the Pakistan Navy, with the first likely to be commissioned in the first half of 2026. Three of these have already been launched by Chinese manufacturers. Significantly, all these submarines will be equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) technology, which allegedly enhances the submerged endurance of submarines several-fold. An AIP system allows a submarine to remain underwater, away from enemy sensors, for extended periods without surfacing. None of Indias submarines currently possess AIP technology.
Paan-India: How betel shops in Lucknow, Kolkata serve as portal to Nawabi era
Aadhaar Cards Dumped On Footpath Near Kolkata Recovered
Morning walkers noticed that Aadhaar cards bearing addresses in other states, including Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, were on the footpath near a field between the DA and CA blocks of the satellite city, a senior officer said
ED recovers Rs 14 crore during raids at 44 locations in Jharkhand, West Bengal over coal scam
RANCHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized cash and jewellery worth over Rs 14 crore during extensive raids carried out across Jharkhand and West Bengal on November 21, as part of a probe into an alleged illegal coal mining and smuggling network operating across the two states. According to an official statement, the searches were conducted under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, and targeted individuals and entities suspected of participating in a longstanding coal theft, transportation, and sale racket. Officials also recovered several property deeds linked to the alleged syndicate, documents related to land dealings, digital devices, and books of accounts belonging to companies reportedly controlled by the accused. In Jharkhand, raids were carried out at 20 locations in Dhanbad and Dumka, covering premises associated with Lal Bahadur Singh, Anil Goyal, Sanjay Khemka, Amar Mondal, and others. In West Bengal, ED teams searched 24 locations across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah, and Kolkata, including residences, offices, illegal toll booths, and coke plants tied to individuals such as Narendra Kharka, Krishna Murari Kayal, Yudhishthir Ghosh, Raj Kishore Yadav, Lokesh Singh, Chinmay Mondal, and Nirad Baran Mondal. More than 100 ED officers, supported by CRPF personnel, were involved in the coordinated operation. The crackdown follows multiple FIRs registered by police in both states, which allege that a wide network has been moving coal from Jharkhand into West Bengal using forged or invalid documents. Diaries, registers, seized documents, and digital data, according to ED officials, have corroborated claims of a large illegal supply chain and hinted at the involvement of local authorities. Register entries detailing illegal cash collections and beneficiary lists were also recovered, offering investigators key insights into the financial flow of the suspected racket. The ED said the syndicate was particularly active in border districts and generated huge proceeds of crime. The agency noted that scrutiny of the seized material is ongoing and further developments are expected as the investigation progresses.
Bowlers give India upper-hand, South Africa end day one at 247/6
GUWAHATI, Nov 22: Temba Bavuma paid price for his momentary indiscretion while Tristan Stubbs fell prey to Kuldeep Yadavs guile as bowlers put India on top in the second Test, reducing South Africa to 247 for six on an attritional opening days cricket, here. It was a track with a difference where survival, unlike Kolkata, wasnt difficult but at the same time, it wasnt a belter either where a team could just race away with a flurry of boundaries. The [] The post Bowlers give India upper-hand, South Africa end day one at 247/6 appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Kolkata airport primary runway to become fully CAT-III compliant from Nov 27
NEW DELHI: Flight delays on foggy days during the winter season are set to become a thing of the past at Kolkata's Netaji Subhash Chandra International Airport as one of its runways will become CAT-III compliant on both its ends from November 27. This upgradation will ensure that flights can land and take-off even during near zero visibility conditions at the airport. Airport Director Vikram Singh told TNIE , We have installed CAT-III facility on both side of our primary runway. In this runway, the end called 01R was already equipped to handle flights during extremely low visibility conditions six years ago. The other end 19L has also been upgraded now and will be declared CAT-III compliant from Thursday.The other runway is CAT-I compliant. Annually, severe fog in the months of December to February cause flight delays. With both ends of the runway now in a position to manage flights operations in poor visibility conditions, we hope to see no delays this winter, he said. The pilots of flights too need to be trained to operate in a CAT-III environment. Most airlines have incorporated this training for this pilots nowadays, the Director added. The airport witnesses an average of 370 Air Traffic Movements (arrivals and departures) daily with nearly 70,000 passengers using the airport on a daily basis. While domestic flights from hereconnect to most cities, it handles direct international flights to Singapore, Dubai, Thailand, Abu Dhabi and China. Due to the closure of airspace for Indian aircraft by Pakistan for the last seven months, Air India flights from San Francisco and Vancouver also stop here for refuelling enroute their destinations.
Passenger on board Vancouver-Delhi Air India flight develops medical emergency, dies
NEW DELHI: An 83-year-old flyer on board an Air India flight from Vancouver to Delhi via Kolkata developed a medical emergency on board on Friday night. The Punjab native, Balbir Singh, died in a local hospital later. The incident happened on board AI186. The Boeing 777-337 flight with 176 passengers had taken off from Vancouver airport at 5.12 pm on November 20. As it was heading towards Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport on November 21 night, the octogenarian, travelling with his sister, developed some health issues and became unconscious, said a source familiar with the matter. The cabin crew called out for help from any doctor on board and a medical professional came forward and performed CPR on him. They also briefed the Kolkata airport authorities about the emergency and doctors and an ambulance were on standby at the airport waiting for the flight to land. he said. Balbir Singh was wheeled out of the aircraft as soon as it landed at 9.55 pm, the source added. The airport doctors treated him first, he added. Airport Director Vikram Singh told TNIE , The flyer was taken to a local hospital where he was declared dead. An Air India source said, Our staff were very responsive throughout. They did whatever possible on board. Other staff members accompanied the patient to the hospital too. The airline staff also facilitated the travel of the sister of the deceased today (Saturday) morning from Kolkata to Delhi. There was no major delay of the flight due to this incident. Ever since the airspace closure by Pakistan, the flight regularly has a 90-minute technical stop at Kolkata to change crew and for refuelling. The same happened on Friday night too and the flight departed as usual, the source added. The body of the flyer will be transported later.
Injured Shubman Gill All But Out Of SA ODIs, Two-Way Race For Captaincy
Shubman Gill, who suffered a whiplash while batting in the opening Test in Kolkata, was forced to miss the Guwahati Test due to the injury.
SIR means govt choosing voters instead of other way round: Economist
Kolkata: Economist Parakala Prabhakar on Saturday claimed that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls means that it is the government choosing the voters instead of the other way round. He also alleged that the aim of the SIR is to weed out those people who the government thinks should not have been in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
TMC accuses ECI of bias, links SIR to multiple deaths
Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress on Saturday accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of acting to appease a particular political party and linked the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) to recent multiple deaths, including those of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) and ordinary citizens. The party also claimed that 34 people in the state have died Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Fresh TMCBJP clash erupts after another BLO suicide in poll-bound West Bengal
KOLKATA: Yet another Booth Level Officer (BLO) suicide in West Bengal has sparked a fresh TrinamoolBJP clash, heightening tensions ahead of next years Assembly elections. Hours after the death of BLO Rinku Tarafdar, a 53-year-old para teacher of a local school in Krishnagar in Nadia district on Saturday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee once again lashed out at the Election Commission of India (ECI), questioning how many more BLOs must die under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Profoundly shocked to know of the death of yet another BLO, a lady para-teacher, who has committed suicide at Krishnanagar today. BLO of part number 201 of AC 82 Chapra, Smt Rinku Tarafdar, has blamed ECI in her suicide note (copy is attached herewith) before committing suicide at her residence today, Mamata said in a social media post, continuing her protest against SIR. How many more lives will be lost? How many more need to die for this SIR? How many more dead bodies shall we see for this process? This has become truly alarming now! the Trinamool Congress supremo said, targeting the national poll panel. Rinku wrote in her suicide note that she had completed ninety per cent of the work but could not finish the digital component. She allegedly feared being penalised for it, writing that she did not want to have a stroke from the stress and dreaded the prospect of going to jail at this age for failing to comply. Accusing the Mamata government of indifference in appointing data entry operators for SIR work, the rival saffron camp alleged that the state administration was responsible for Rinkus death. The ECI had directed the appointment of data entry operators for SIR-related works, but the chief minister has been doing nothing despite the guidelines of the national poll body. According to Rinkus family members, she knew nothing about the computer-based online job of data entry operators. We could not have lost her if the state government had appointed data entry operators to relieve the workload of BLOs, alleged Agnimitra Paul, BJP legislator. Meanwhile, the state Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Manoj Agarwal has sought a detailed report from the district magistrate and the district electoral officer (DEO) of Nadia in connection with Rinkus death.
Air India Passenger Dies After Complaining Of Chest Pain On Vancouver-Kolkata-Delhi Flight
While the flight continued its journey with the remaining 176 passengers, Singh was taken to Charnok Hospital where he was declared brought dead.
Exports clock fall in 14 months: Crisil
KOLKATA, Nov 22: Indias merchandise exports fell 11.8 per cent year-on-year, since August 2024, to USD 34.38 billion in October, Crisil said in its report. This follows a 50 per cent increase in US tariffs on August 27 this year, a move that has subdued exports for the second month in a row, the report said. The decline in exports was broad-based across petroleum products, gems and jewellery and core sectors. Petroleum products exports declined 10.4 per cent year-on-year in [] The post Exports clock fall in 14 months: Crisil appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
One more BLO dies by suicide in West Bengal, family alleges SIR-related stress
KOLKATA: Another Booth Level Officer (BLO) in West Bengal died by suicide on Saturday, just days after a BLO from Jalpaiguri district took her life on Wednesday. The incident has intensified the ruling Trinamool Congresss campaign against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Since November 9, three BLOs have died, including two by suicide. Another officer succumbed to a cerebral attack in Memari, Bardhaman district, reportedly triggered by unbearable work pressure linked to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Bereaved families of the three deceased have alleged that the deaths were caused by deep depression resulting from the unbearable workload linked to the electoral roll revision drive in the state. On Saturday, the body of 53-year-old BLO Rinku Tarafdar was recovered from her house in Krishnagar, Nadia district. She was found hanging from the ceiling of her room. According to police sources, a suicide note was recovered, stating: There will be tremendous pressure on us (BLOs) if we cant complete SIR-related work by stipulated timelines. It was not possible for me to bear the work pressure. Family members alleged that Rinku took her life because she could not cope with the daily workload. She was a para-teacher but was never accustomed to computerised work like data entry of voter names after door-to-door distribution and collection of filled enumeration forms following thorough verification. She was virtually forced to do the SIR job by the administration. Finally, she killed herself because of depression and stress, they said. 'I cant do this SIR work anymore...': Gujarat teacher dies by suicide, cites BLO workload pressure On Friday, Chief Minister and Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, requesting a halt to the SIR process. Now, I am compelled to write to you as the situation surrounding the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) has reached a deeply alarming stage. The manner in which this exercise is being forced upon officials and citizens is not only unplanned and chaotic, but also dangerous. The absence of even basic preparedness, adequate planning, or clear communication has crippled the process from day one, her letter states. The human cost of this management is now unbearable. Yesterday, an anganwadi worker serving as a BLO in Mal, Jalpaiguri, died by suicide reportedly under crushing SIR-related pressure. Several others have lost their lives since this process began. A revision that previously required three years is now being forcibly compressed into three months, subjecting BLOs and officials to inhuman working conditions and forcing common people under the shadow of fear and uncertainty, the letter adds. With reports of BLO and voter deaths allegedly linked to SIR since the national poll body announced the electoral roll revision exercise in nine states, including West Bengal and three Union Territories, the Trinamool Congress has been demanding the withdrawal of the process. Mamata Banerjee has decided to intensify protests against the SIR through rallies and marches to reach out to voters. She is scheduled to kick off anti-SIR and CAA movements by addressing a party rally at Bongaon on Tuesday and participating in a protest march at Thakurnagar, a religious and administrative headquarters of the Matua community in North 24 Parganas district. The Trinamool Congress aims to woo the Matua vote bank, which influences the fate of more than 30 assembly constituencies in three districts, Nadia, North 24 Parganas, and Jalpaiguri, traditionally during assembly polls in the state. Matuas fear that a large number of voter names from their community may be deleted from the electoral rolls following the SIR. By intensifying its protest against the SIR, the Trinamool Congress seeks to reclaim Matua voters who had supported the rival BJP in previous elections.
The Kangra valley has been left shattered after Wing Commander Naman Syal, 34, of the Indian Air Force, was martyred when his Tejas fighter jet crashed in the United Arab Emirates on Friday while taking part in the Dubai Airshow 2025. The indigenous aircraft went down during a practice and demonstration flight in the afternoon local time, with visuals showing the jet losing altitude before hitting the ground and bursting into flames, sending thick smoke into the sky and leaving spectators at the prestigious airshow stunned. Wing Commander Syal, a resident of Patialakad village in Nagrota Bagwan, was known for his discipline and exceptional service record. He completed his schooling at Primary School Dalhousie, Army Public School YoL Cantt Dharamshala, and Sainik School, Sujanpur Tira in Himachal Pradesh, before joining the NDA in 2009, as reported by The Indian Express . His father, Jagan Nath Syal, a retired Army officer and former principal, recounted the devastating moment he learned of the crash to The Indian Express . I last spoke to my son yesterday. He told me to see his performance during the air show on TV channels or YouTube. Around 4 pm today, I was searching for videos of the ongoing air show in Dubai on YouTube when I saw reports about the plane crash. Immediately, I called my daughter-in-law, who is also a Wing Commander, to check what happened. Moments later, at least six Air Force officers arrived at our house, and I realised something bad happened. The Syal family, including his mother Veena Syal, is currently at Namans home in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, while his wife, also an IAF officer, was undergoing training in Kolkata. Jagan Nath Syal described his son as excellent in studies and someone who dreamt big about his life. This incident left us completely shattered, he told The Indian Express . Wing Commander Syal is survived by his wife and their six-year-old daughter. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed profound sorrow on X, saying, The news of the tragic death of Himachal Pradeshs Kangra districts brave son, Naman Syal ji, in the Tejas aircraft accident at the Dubai Air Show is extremely saddening and heartbreaking. The nation has lost a courageous, dutiful, and valiant pilot I bow to the indomitable bravery, sense of duty, and dedication to national service of the brave son, as reported. The tragedy sent waves of grief across the Kangra valley. Villagers gathered outside the Syal family home late into the night, many in shock, lighting bonfires to keep warm as they tried to come to terms with the loss of the brave officer. Pilot lost control or blackout due to g-forces: Defence expert Capt Anil Gaur Looking at the nature of the Tejas aircraft crash during the Dubai Air Show 2025, defence expert Captain Anil Gaur (Retd.) speculated that the incident might have occurred due to the pilot losing control or a blackout due to the g-forces induced by gravity. Speaking to ANI on Friday, Captain Gaur said that the exact cause of the crash can only be determined after the data from the cockpit is retrieved. Expressing condolences to the family of Wing Commander Naman Syal, who tragically lost his life in the crash, Captain Gaur said, It is sad that our Tejas jet was crashed during the Dubai air show and our brave pilot lost his life. From the visuals, it seems that the jet lost control during the acrobatics, or there might have been a pilot blackout. Blackout here means the excessive gravitational force. Pilots wear a G-suit so that the blood does not pool in their legs; there might have been an issue with that. What exactly happened can only be determined once the cockpit data is retrieved. I express my condolences to the family of the pilot, he added. Excessive g-forces can cause blood to pool in the lower body, potentially leading to a pilot blackout. The Indian Air Force announced the death of the Pilot after a Tejas aircraft crashed and burst into flames at the Dubai Air Show 2025 on Friday. An IAF Tejas aircraft met with an accident during an aerial display at the Dubai Air Show today. The pilot sustained fatal injuries in the accident. IAF deeply regrets the loss of life and stands firmly with the bereaved family in this time of grief, a statement by the Indian Air Force said. The IAF said a court of inquiry is being constituted to ascertain the cause of the accident in which the pilot succumbed to fatal injuries. The plane went down while performing an aerial display before a large crowd, local media reported. Khaleej Times reported that the fighter jet crashed into the ground soon after take-off. Photos and videos shared online show plumes of black smoke billowing into the air from the aircraft on the ground. The news outlet cited one eyewitness as saying, As soon as the plane took off, it crashed. I am not sure which aircraft it was. (With inputs from Agencies)
Special Intensive Revision: West Bengal CEO says most BLOs working well
SIR Review: West Bengal's electoral roll revision is progressing with 99% of booth-level officers working hard. The Chief Electoral Officer highlighted their crucial role. Meanwhile, preparations for the 2026 assembly elections are advancing. The first-level checking of EVMs and VVPATs has commenced in Kolkata. This process ensures the machines are ready for the upcoming polls.
Established under a strategic collaboration between Starbucks Coffee Company & Tata Starbucks, the FSP aims to empower 10,000 Indian coffee farmers by 2030 Starbucks will open its 500th coffeehouse in India this week in Delhi NCR a Starbucks Reserve location offering a premium and immersive coffee experience Reaffirming its long-term commitment to India, and its plans to deepen its coffee leadership in the market, Starbucks Coffee Company today announced the establishment of a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP). In collaboration with Tata Starbucks Private Limited, the FSP will connect local agronomists and farmers to global farming best practices through open-source agronomy. Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Starbucks re-affirm coffee leadership and announce a Farmer Support Partnership (FSP) to strengthen the coffee value chain from Bean to Cup Strengthening Indias coffee value chain from bean to cup Starbucks Coffee Trading Company, SARL (SCTC), Starbucks global procurement and trading subsidiary, will collaborate closely with Tata Starbucks to empower 10,000 farmers by 2030. The FSP based in Karnataka will combine Tata Starbucks deep local knowledge, Indias coffee-growing heritage, and decades of Starbucks global agronomy expertise. It will support farmers from Indias key coffee growing states including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala to strengthen connections with Starbucks global network, drive innovation, and share best practices in farming and sustainability to ensure a sustainable future for India coffee. The FSP will set up technical model farms in partnership with farmers in India, incorporating global learnings, to embed best practices in coffee agronomy and test sustainable solutions. The FSP in India will serve as a hub for testing new varietals, provide knowledge on innovative farming techniques aligned to Indian practices and conditions, and share insights about other agroforestry initiatives to improve coffee quality, productivity and climate resiliency. The goal is to build upon traditional methods to help farmers improve both the quality of their crops and their profitability. The FSP will work closely with existing centers of excellence within the Starbucks global network. This includes partnering with Farmer Support Centers (FSC) in coffee-growing regions around the world, where agronomists collaborate directly with farmers on research, and learning from existing model farms within Starbucks supply chain. This network includes FSCs in the APAC region in North Sumatra, Indonesia and Yunnan, China and Hacienda Alsacia in Costa Rica, Starbucks first company-operated coffee farm and headquarters to the Starbucks Costa Rica Farmer Support Center and Starbucks Global Research and Development team. Through the FSP, Indian farmers will also benefit from Starbucks 2026 global digital training tools, which will offer detailed online modules on agronomy, coffee quality, and C.A.F.E. (Coffee and Farmer Equity) practices to foster ethical sourcing and ultimately enhance productivity and sustainability. It will also educate farmers about Regen-Ag (regenerative agriculture) practices and methods to reduce carbon, water, and waste footprints, and contribute to agroforestry and social development initiatives. The FSP will develop projects across the key Starbucks commitments of unlocking coffee productivity, increasing farm profitability and building climate resiliency over the next 5 years. To build capability and strengthen Indias entire coffee value chain, Tata Starbucks will also donate one million high-yield variety Arabica seedlings to farmers over the next five years. During his visit to India this week, Brian Niccol, chairman and chief executive officer of Starbucks said, India is one of our fastest-growing markets. Were partnering with Tata to shape the future of coffee in India, including supporting farmers, empowering communities, and delivering the highest quality offerings to our customers. Its a long-term commitment to build a stronger, more sustainable coffee ecosystem that benefits everyone, from bean to cup . Sunil D'Souza, Managing Director & CEO at Tata Consumer Products said, Through the past decade, together, Tata Consumer Products and Starbucks, have helped shape Indias thriving coffee culture and industry. With this new initiative, we are pleased to pair Starbucks global agronomy expertise with Tatas footprint in India to drive tangible impact and pave the way for the future of responsible coffee farming in India . Re-affirming Starbucks coffee leadership through differentiated and elevated experiences Since its inception in 2012 as a joint venture between Starbucks Coffee Company and Tata Consumer Products, Tata Starbucks has been dedicated to delivering the unique Starbucks Experience to customers in India. This has set the stage for Indias ever evolving and dynamic coffee culture. This week, Tata Starbucks will celebrate the opening of its 500th coffeehouse in India, marking a significant milestone in its growth journey and reaffirming its long-term commitment to the market. As one of Starbucks fastest-growing international markets, India remains central to the companys plans for strategic and sustainable expansion, with continued focus on job creation and meaningful development opportunities for its partners (employees). The 500th coffeehouse will be the second location to offer a Starbucks Reserve coffee experience in Delhi NCR, engaging coffee enthusiasts with an immersive experience that showcases Starbucks coffee craft, heritage, and storytelling. The coffeehouse and its Starbucks Reserve experience underscore Tata Starbucks commitment to elevating Indias coffee craftsmanship through elevated store design, handcrafted beverages, and locally inspired innovations. As part of the global strategy to make Starbucks a welcoming coffeehouse where people gather to enjoy the finest coffee handcrafted by skilled baristas, Tata Starbucks will continue to focus on creating a differentiated and elevated coffee forward experience in India. It invites customers to experience the full flavor profile it offers - serving the worlds finest coffee and elevated offerings in a welcoming coffeehouse environment that has made it a beloved part of Indias coffee landscape. Sushant Dash, chief executive officer of Tata Starbucks said, As the largest specialty coffee player in India, we are proud to bring the Farmer Support Partnership in collaboration with SCTC, a meaningful step toward strengthening Indias coffee-growing community and securing the future of high-quality Arabica. Our commitment to India extends beyond growth, to investing in farmers, partners (employees) and customers to continue building a vibrant coffee culture. We will continue to serve the finest Arabica coffee from India and around the world, brought to life through the warm, welcoming third place experience that defines Starbucks . About Starbucks Since 1971, Starbucks Coffee Company has been committed to ethically sourcing and roasting high-quality arabica coffee. Today, with more than 40,000 stores worldwide, the company is the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world. Through our unwavering commitment to excellence and our guiding principles, we bring the unique Starbucks Experience to life for every customer through every cup. To share in the experience, please visit us in our stores or online at about.starbucks.com or starbucks.com . About Tata Starbucks Private Limited Starbucks entered the Indian market in October 2012 through a 50/50 Joint Venture with Tata Consumer Products Limited and currently operates more than 497 stores in India across 81 cities, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Alibaug, Amritsar, Anand, Aurangabad, Bangalore, Bhatinda, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Calicut, Chandigarh, Chennai, Dehradun, Faridabad, Gandhinagar, Ghaziabad, Goa, Guntur, Gurgaon, Guwahati, Gwalior Haridwar, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Jodhpur, Kanpur, Kochi, Kolhapur, Kolkata, Lonavala, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Mangalore, Meerut, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Mysore, Nagpur, Nashik, New Delhi, Noida, Pathankot, Patiala, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Siliguri, Sonipat, Surat, Thrissur, Trivandrum, Udaipur, Vadodara, Vapi, Varanasi, Vijayawada, Varanasi and Vizag are cities in India. through a network of over 4,437 passionate partners (employees). Starbucks stores are operated by the joint venture, Tata Starbucks Private Limited, and branded as Starbucks Coffee - A TATA Alliance.
A Dumping Ground, Under Control Of Encroachers Is Now Indias 30th Test Cricket Venue
Barsapara Stadium (also known as the Assam Cricket Association Stadium) in Guwahati is staging a Test match for the first time ever. After what happened at Eden Gardens, the pitch and the new venue both are in focus now. The BCCI head curator Ashish Bhowmick is looking after the pitch and since this is home turf, his responsibility is much more. The India -South Africa Test at Barsapara Stadium, situated on the outskirts of Guwahati and inaugurated in 2012, is a historic occasion for Assam as this the first venue in the North-East where a Test is played. The local people after watching IPL games and the ICC Womens World Cup matches, will now watch the real stuff. Few years back, who would have thought that Guwahati shall give BCCI its Secretary Devojit Saikia and now the city is 30th venue in India to stage a Test. Earlier the centrally located Nehru Stadium was the centre of states most of the sporting activity including cricket and now cricket has its own home. The Assam government has plans to make Nehru stadium a FIFA Olympic-standard football stadium. Some facts about the Barsapara Stadium: *The wicket is made of red earth and expected to remain firm longer. * Capacity: 37,000 * Due to the geographical location of the state and India following a single time zone, players will experience something new. Instead of a usual Test match start of 9.30 AM, the Guwahati Test will witness a 9.00 AM start with toss at 8.30 AM. Lunch and Tea reversed. The first break from 11.00 AM to 11.20 AM. Lunch will be taken at 1.20 PM, and the final session will run from 2.00 PM. Tea before Lunch has was seen in the initial day-night Tests in Australia, but probably for a day Test, its a new start. * This year, the ICC Womens Cricket World Cup 2025 got off to a historic start here and the opener between India and Sri Lanka was watched by 22,843 fans, a record for the most attended group stage fixture at any Womens World Cup (Previous record: 15,935 set during the India-Pakistan ICC Womens T20 World Cup in 2024). * The construction of the stadium started in 2006 (in 2004 the foundation stone was laid by the then Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi). In 2012, the stadium was inaugurated by State PHE Minister Gautom Roy, who was also the president of ACA, and thereafter hosted its first professional game an East Zone Senior Women's Inter-State One-Day Championship match between Assam and Odisha. *The first international match here took place in 2017, a mens T20I between India and Australia and this marked the return of international cricket to Guwahati after seven years. *Womens T20Is were held here in 2019, and England were the visitors. * The rise of Assam in cricket circles coincide with the emergence of a new talent from east, named Riyan Parag, the first male cricketer from the state to go on to play for India and his IPL side Rajasthan Royals made Guwahati their second home. *The Stadium also hosts the Assam Cricket Association Academy. *In 2010, the stadium was officially renamed Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium by the ACA to honour the renowned lyricist, musician, and filmmaker. *An area of 59 bighas of land was allotted to ACA by the State Government and after clearing a portion from encroachers, the construction started. So, this is a story of a dumping ground, converted into a Test venue. * Klorophyll (India) Sports Turf Technology & Construction Private Limited has constructed the main field covering approximately 16800 sq. m., which is first of its kind in the entire country, as it is 100% sand based USGA perched water table profile installed with a detailed subsoil drainage network on grid pattern. The region is subject to very heavy precipitation, so the subsoil drainage system is designed to withstand cloudburst, such that play can start within minutes of a rain stoppage. * The main field has eight pitches on the wicket square, and there are ten pitches on a separate practice wicket area covering more than 2000 sq. m. * In 2020 the IPL had a new venue in Guwahat and was scheduled to host two of Rajasthan Royals' home matches (against Delhi Capitals and Kolkata Knight Riders), making it the first city in the north-east of India to host an IPL match. However, the IPL was shifted to Dubai during the pandemic. The IPL returned to Guwahati in 2023 and Rajasthan Royals played against Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Charanpal Singh Sobti
2nd Test: Can Expect Interesting Decisions From Pants Instincts As Captain, Says Sundar
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Indias offspin bowling allrounder Washington Sundar believes Rishabh Pant will rely heavily on his instincts as he leads the side in the second Test against South Africa at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium. Pant becomes Indias 38th Test captain, and is only the second wicketkeeperbatter after MS Dhoni to lead the side in the longest format. Incidentally, Pants first outing as Test skipper comes at the same venue where he made his ODI debut in 2018. He was entrusted with leadership duties after regular skipper Shubman Gill was ruled out due to a neck injury. Hes a little different from him as the captain. Hes someone who would go in with his instincts and we all know how he thinks about his game, especially when he bats. So I think we can expect a lot from his instincts and I hope he takes some interesting decisions as well, said Sundar to broadcasters ahead of the start of the game. The inaugural Test in Guwahati begun at 9am, earlier than the customary 9.30am start in India. The first session break will be for tea, limited to 20 minutes, followed by a 40minute lunch interval starting at 1:40pm. Reflecting on preparations ahead of the Guwahati Test, especially after losing the Kolkata Test by 30 runs, Sundar said, I mean, it is good. We had a decent prep in Eden Gardens itself immediately after the last game and then coming over here, we got a couple of days. Conditions are a little different over here like early morning starts. Conditions are a lot more different here and we need to sort of gather a lot of information in the first couple of days. So its going to be a lot more exciting. India need to win in Guwahati to level the two-game series and avoid a second series loss in two years. Sundar remarked that the Indian team is up for the challenge to save the series. Its the beauty of Test cricket over here. You are going to be challenged no matter what happens. Even if you are doing really well in the series, you will come out and be challenged every single day throughout the game. So I think all of us are really up for the challenge, especially when playing at home, we genuinely feel strong and we are prepared enough as well. India need to win in Guwahati to level the two-game series and avoid a second series loss in two years. Sundar remarked that the Indian team is up for the challenge to save the series. Its the beauty of Test cricket over here. You are going to be challenged no matter what happens. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Its all got to do with how I manage my time and the day. The fact that its not a long series means I have got enough time to give to both batting and bowling and also to fielding here and there. But then yes its a great opportunity to play at number three, especially at the highest level for the Indian cricket team, I would take it any day with both my hands. Article Source: IANS
IND vs SA second Test: South Africa elects to bat; Sai Sudharsan, Nitish Kumar Reddy in playing XI
South Africa lead the two-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Kolkata by 30 runs.
Delhi Police nabs UP gangster in Kolkata
'Vanished From The Books': Air India Sells 40-Year-Old Plane It Didn't Know It Owned
Air India completed the sale of a four-decade-old Boeing 737-200 plane that it did not know it owned. The plane was grounded and left forgotten at a remote bay in Kolkata Airport.
Good news for Kolkata commuters! More trains to run on this line from...; check details
The first train will depart at 6.32 am from Salt Lake Sector V and at 6.30 am from Howrah Maidan.
An old Air India Boeing 737-200, lost to records for over a decade, has been sold. The aircraft, over 40 years old, was found at Kolkata airport. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson confirmed the sale. This marks the removal of a forgotten relic from the airline's past. The jet was originally delivered in 1982.
India vs South Africa, 2nd Test - Who will win today IND vs SA match?
IND vs SA , 2nd Test , Cricket Tips :South Africa stunned Team India in Kolkata and pulled off a famous win, defending just 123 runs. They beat India in their own spin trap, which will be on the minds of the hosts. The second test will be held at Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Saturday at 9 AM IST. Shubman Gill has been ruled out after sustaining a neck injury, and Rishabh Pant has been given the responsibility of leading the side. For South Africa, Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second test, but he didn't play the first test. So, there will be no change for South Africa. IND vs SA: Match Details Date : November 22-26, 2025 (Saturday-Wednesday) Time : 9:00 AM IST Venue : Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati IND vs SA: Live Streaming Details Tune into Star Sports Network to watch the live action of the second IND vs SA test. For live streams, Indian fans can switch to the Jio Hotstar app or website. IND vs SA: Head-to-Head Total Matches : 45 India : 16 South Africa : 19 Drawn : 10 IND vs SA: Ground Pitch Report The wicket in Guwahati is expected to be more in favor of spinners. The wicket will slow down with time, and it will break out. That will make the ball turn sharply with an uneven bounce. That is how the pitches in India behave for tests. IND vs SA: Possible XIs India : KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant (wk & c), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj South Africa : Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Wiaan Mulder, Temba Bavuma (c), Tony de Zorzi, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne (wk), Marco Jansen, Corbin Bosch, Simon Harmer, Keshav Maharaj IND vs SA: Player to Watch Out For Probable Best Batter Without Gill, a lot will depend on how KL Rahul bats. He is the most experienced batter and has performed in these conditions. Temba Bavuma is the key for South Africa; he has the determination to play long in these conditions. Probable Best Bowler Kuldeep Yadav bowled well in Kolkata and will be a threat to South Africa in this game. For South Africa, Simon Harmer will be key because of his wicket-taking ability. Today Match Prediction : South Africa had a great first game, while India were poor. But it is hard to beat India in consecutive home tests. Hence, we predict India to win this game. IND vs SA Match 2nd Test, Today Match IND vs SA, IND vs SA Prediction, IND vs SA Predicted XIs, Injury Update of the match between India vs South Africa Also Read: Live Cricket Score Disclaimer : The prediction or cricket tips are purely based on the understanding and research of the writer. So kindly make sure to consider the points above while making your predictions.
Ruturaj Gaikwad To Lead Maharashtra In 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: India opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has been named Maharashtras captain for the 2025/26 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy starting on November 26, said the Maharashtra Cricket Association announced on Friday. Gaikwad heads into the tournament on the back of strong form for India A in their 50-over series in Rajkot, where he amassed 210 runs, including a century. Maharashtra will play its groupstage fixtures at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, and will start their campaign against Jammu and Kashmir on November 26. Apart from J&K, Maharashtra will also face off against Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and Chandigarh in their Elite Group B league matches. Meanwhile, Shubham Khajuria has been named captain of the J&K team. The squad includes fast bowler Umran Malik and hardhitting batter Abdul Samad, both of whom bring valuable experience to the side whose fortunes in the Ranji Trophy have been on a high. For their white-ball games, they will have the services of their guest player leg-spinner Murugan Ashwin, who previously played for Tamil Nadu and Chandigarh. Previously, Jharkhand named wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as their captain for the tournament, where they are slotted in Elite Group D, alongside Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, and Tripura in Ahmedabad. Karnataka, meanwhile, have named Mayank Agarwal as their captain, with availability of Devdutt Padikkal, Prasidh Krishna and KL Rahul depending on their selection for the ongoing multi-format series against South Africa. Previously, Jharkhand named wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan as their captain for the tournament, where they are slotted in Elite Group D, alongside Delhi, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Saurashtra, and Tripura in Ahmedabad. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Jammu & Kashmir squad: Qamran Iqbal, Shubham Khajuria (c), Vivrant Sharma, Musaif Aijaz, Abdul Samad, Yawer Hassan, Kanhaiya Wadhawan (vc), Abid Mushtaq, Vanshaj Sharma, Ashwin Murugan, Yudhvir Singh, Auqib Nabi, Umran Malik, Nasir Lone, and Sunil Kumar Article Source: IANS
Probe Agency ED Conducts Raids Across Bengal In Multi-Crore Coal Smuggling Scam
The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted simultaneous raids and search operations at several locations across West Bengal, including the state capital Kolkata, as part of a money laundering probe against the coal mafia.
2nd Test: South Africa Will Look To Be Ruthless And Take On Opportunities, Says Bavuma
World Test Championship: South Africa captain Temba Bavuma said his side will play in a ruthless way in the second Test against India, starting at the Barsapara Stadium on Saturday, and look to seize every opportunity in their quest to get a 2-0 series win. South Africa defeated India by 30 runs in a lowscoring contest at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, to take a 10 lead in the twomatch series and extend their impressive run since winning the World Test Championship in June. The result also marked the Proteas first Test victory in India in 15 years. Having recently drawn 11 in Pakistan, Bavuma & Co. now have the chance to script history by securing a first Test series triumph on Indian soil since Hansie Cronjes team achieved the feat in 2000. Ultimately, every game you've got to play to win. I think our mindset is not on protecting the lead that we have. We want to play from the front, and we will continue to do so. In terms of the game, we'll play what's in front of us. We understand that, yes, light does become an issue, but we don't want to go in there with that defensive type of mindset. Whatever opportunities are there within the game, we'll look to be ruthless and take them. But if there's an opportunity for it to be 2-0, then so be it, Bavuma told reporters on Friday. He also expressed full confidence in the experienced Lungi Ngidi to step up for the Proteas following the absence of Kagiso Rabada due to a rib bone stress injury. I think he wasn't under any delusions about him not being included within this (original) Indian team squad. Communication is a big thing within the team. I think with that being said, the guy has a lot of experience, and in a game like this where you want to be able to call upon your experience. I think it would be a little bit unfair on maybe bringing in a younger seamer to come and potentially do a role in this game. When Lungi was bowling yesterday, he was bowling as well as he's ever bowled. The last Test he played, you know, he did quite well. So, you know, there's confidence there. We'd like to feed off that confidence and the opportunities there for him to do well, he added. Bavuma further said the pitch in Guwahati appeared to be a typical subcontinental wicket offering assistance to batters in the first few days before gradually turning in favour of the spinners as the match progresses. When Lungi was bowling yesterday, he was bowling as well as he's ever bowled. The last Test he played, you know, he did quite well. So, you know, there's confidence there. We'd like to feed off that confidence and the opportunities there for him to do well, he added. Also Read: Live Cricket Score So think of all the fundamentals that come with playing in the subcontinent. First innings becomes crucial from a batting point of view to really set the game up. And your spinners, in our case, Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, supported by Aiden, (Markram) have them come into the game within the second or later half of the game, he concluded. Article Source: IANS
Rohan Pariyars Renaissance-inspired Kolkata showcase brings the women of Medici dynasty to life
An evening of Renaissance art, music, and couture transformed Kolkatas Victoria Memorial into a shimmering crossroads of two civilisations
Pant Will Handle It Fine As Indias Captain For Guwahati Test Against SA, Says Ponting
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has backed wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant to be fine in handling the captaincy role for India in the upcoming second Test against South Africa, saying his vast experience will serve him well to lead the hosts in the absence of Shubman Gill. Pant will become Indias 38th Test captain when the Guwahati Test begins at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on Saturday, after regular skipper Gill was ruled out due to a neck injury sustained in the first game at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A series-levelling win in Guwahati will also help India to climb to third place in the World Test Championship standings. It's never easy to come in and fill in for someone as a stopgap captain, especially when you've just lost a Test match a few days before. Rishabh is a reasonably experienced Test match player now though as well. I think being a wicket keeper probably helps to see the way that the game is evolving and what's happening in the game. He has done at IPL level now for the last few years, obviously done it in Delhi (Capitals) before that. I think he'll handle it fine, said Ponting on the ICC Review show. Pant and Ponting previously shared a captaincoach dynamic at Delhi Capitals before the former moved to Lucknow Super Giants, while the latter shifted to Punjab Kings. Pant brings considerable leadership experience from whiteball cricket, as well as captaining India in the T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. Though Pant will captain India in red-ball cricket for the first time, he will bank on his experience of leading Delhi in Ranji Trophy and more recently, of leading India A in the two-game series against South Africa A at the BCCI CoE ground in Bengaluru. Ponting is keen to see how Pant would modify his style of play in Guwahati due to the leadership duties. Pant and Ponting previously shared a captaincoach dynamic at Delhi Capitals before the former moved to Lucknow Super Giants, while the latter shifted to Punjab Kings. Pant brings considerable leadership experience from whiteball cricket, as well as captaining India in the T20I series against South Africa in June 2022. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The IPL is probably almost as big as a Test match for a lot of these guys because of the crowds and the scrutiny that comes in an IPL game. I think the modern players are a bit more ready for that and a bit for those leadership roles and the enormity of the situation than they might have been 15 years ago. So I think Rishabh will handle it fine, he added. Article Source: IANS
IND vs SA Test series: South Africa fast bowler Rabada ruled out of second test against India
We will finalise the starting 11 tomorrow when we have had a look at the wicket, but it looks a little bit fresher than Kolkata with a bit more grass on the wicket, so that suggests it will play a bit better, captain Temba Bavuma told reporters
After Shubman Gill, Kagiso Rabada ruled out of India vs South Africa Guwahati Test
South Africa faces a blow as star pacer Kagiso Rabada is out of the second Test against India in Guwahati due to a rib injury. Captain Temba Bavuma confirmed the absence, noting the Guwahati pitch is expected to differ from Kolkata's. This marks the Barsapara Stadium's debut Test match, adding an element of the unknown for both teams.
After Missing Kolkata Game Due To Rib Injury, Rabada Ruled Out Of Second Test
Seamer Lungi Ngidi: After missing South Africas 30-run win over India in the first Test at Kolkata, fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has been ruled out of the second Test against India in Guwahati and the subsequent whiteball series due to a rib bone stress injury. Seamer Lungi Ngidi has already been drafted into the squad as a cover for the injured Rabada. The injury has been closely monitored by the Proteas medical team, and due to ongoing discomfort in the affected area, Rabada has been withdrawn from the remainder of the tour. He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation program with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test, said Cricket South Africa (CSA) in a statement on Friday. The development also means that South Africa could field an unchanged playing eleven for the upcoming clash in Guwahati. Simon Harmer emerged as South Africas standout bowler in the Kolkata Test, claiming eight wickets in a Player of the Match performance. He will continue the initial phase of his four-week rehabilitation program with the Proteas medical team before returning to South Africa at the conclusion of the second Test, said Cricket South Africa (CSA) in a statement on Friday. Also Read: Live Cricket Score The Temba Bavuma-led South Africa come into the game in Guwahati with an aim to get their first series win on Indian soil after 25 years. Since becoming the World Test Championship winners in June, South Africa drew 11 in Pakistan and then edged India by 30 runs on a challenging pitch with variable bounce at Eden Gardens. South Africa now have a chance to secure a Test series triumph in India after the Hansie Cronje-led Proteas last did it in 2000. Article Source: IANS
Seven BLOs of Kolkata issued show-cause notices by ECI
The complaint concerns improper and incomplete digitisation of collected enumeration forms, says the official
Strong earthquake tremors were felt across West Bengal, including Kolkata, on Friday morning around 10:08 AM. A 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck near Ghorashal in Bangladesh, with its epicenter 14 km from Narsingdi. The tremors caused panic, leading people to evacuate buildings across various districts.
A powerful earthquake shook central Bangladesh on Friday morning. The 5.5-magnitude tremor caused buildings to sway in Dhaka. At least six people lost their lives. Dozens more sustained injuries. Residents rushed into the streets for safety. The quake was centered near Dhaka. This event highlights seismic activity in the region.
5.7magnitude earthquake in Bangladesh triggers tremors in West Bengal
Kolkata: Tremors were felt across West Bengal and parts of the northeast on Friday morning, as an earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolted Bangladeshs Narsingdi, the National Centre for Seismology said. The quake struck 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi in the neighbouring country at 10.08 am, and at a depth of 10 km, it said. Also Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Pant To Captain India In The Guwahati Test Against South Africa In Gills Absence
Guwahati Test: Rishabh Pant will captain India in the second Test against South Africa beginning at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati on Saturday. Pant steps in to lead India in the must-win game following regular skipper Shubman Gill suffering a neck injury in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Shubman was keen to play the match. He showed resilience even when his body was not permitting. We have taken a decision on who will play in the playing eleven in place of Shubman. The person who will play in the match knows he is playing, said Pant in the pre-match press conference on Friday. Though Gills availability was always in doubt despite travelling to Guwahati with the Indian team, it is understood that he is likely to be released from the squad to rest and seek a specialist consultation in Mumbai for chalking out further course of recovery. It also means that hes in serious doubt to play in the subsequent ODI series against the Proteas, starting on November 30. For now, Pant will become Indias 38th Test captain and just the second wicketkeeper-batter after MS Dhoni to lead the side in the longer format. Pant is now set to be India's seventh Test captain in the last five years and his task will be to ensure India gets a series-levelling win in Guwahatis debut as a Test venue after suffering a 30-run defeat in Kolkata. It also means that hes in serious doubt to play in the subsequent ODI series against the Proteas, starting on November 30. For now, Pant will become Indias 38th Test captain and just the second wicketkeeper-batter after MS Dhoni to lead the side in the longer format. Also Read: Live Cricket Score Sometimes if you think too much about big occasions, it doesn't help. I want to be conventional and also blend it with out-of-box thinking. I want to have nice balance and blend both when captaining, added Pant. Article Source: IANS
After sustaining a neck injury during the Kolkata Test, Team India's Test skipper Shubman Gill has been released from the squad ahead of the second match in Guwahati.
Earthquake In Bangladesh Triggers Tremors Across Kolkata, Northeast India
The 5.7-magnitude Bangladesh earthquake today was a moderate seismic event that shook parts of Eastern India.
Earthquake Kolkata: A magnitude 5.7 earthquake originating near Dhaka, Bangladesh, caused noticeable tremors across Kolkata and Northeast India. The shallow quake, with its epicenter 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi, struck at 10:08 am, prompting residents to evacuate buildings as a safety measure. No immediate injuries or damage were reported in the affected cities.
Kolkata Earthquake Today: Kolkata experienced mild tremors on Friday morning. Residents quickly evacuated homes and offices around 10:08 AM. The shaking lasted only a few seconds, causing brief panic. No damage or injuries were reported. The tremors were linked to a magnitude 5.7 earthquake in Bangladesh's Narsingdi district. Social media buzzed with shared experiences.
ED raids in Jharkhand, West Bengal against coal mafia
RANCHI/KOLKATA, Nov 21: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday conducted a mega search operation in Jharkhand and West Bengal as part of a money laundering probe against the coal mafia in the two neighbouring states, officials said. More than 40 premises are being covered in the raids that were launched around 6 am with almost 100 officials and staff of the federal probe agency participating. Teams of central security forces provided security to the ED teams, which searched residences and offices [] The post ED raids in Jharkhand, West Bengal against coal mafia appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Tremors Felt in West Bengal, NE as 5.7 Magnitiude Quake Jolts Bangladesh
Several people in Kolkata and other districts were seen coming out on the streets as a precautionary measure
Strong tremors shake West Bengal, NE as 5.7-magnitude earthquake hits Bangladesh
Tremors were felt across WesT Bengal, including Kolkata and parts of North East on Friday morning after a 5.7-magnitude earthquake struck Bangladeshs Narsingdi district, the IMD reported. The quake occurred at 10:08 am, with its epicentre located about 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi at a depth of 10 km. Several people in West Bengal and the northeast, including Kolkata and Assam's Guwahati, were seen coming out on the streets as a precautionary measure. No immediate reports of damage or injuries have been received. Futher details are awaited.
Tremors Felt Across West Bengal As 5.7 Magnitiude Quake Jolts Bangladesh
KOLKATA, Nov 21: Tremors were felt in several places of south Bengal, including Kolkata on Friday morning, as an earthquake of magnitude 5.7 jolted Bangladeshs Narsingdi, the IMD said. The quake struck 13 km south-southwest of Narsingdi in the neighbouring country at 10.08 am, and at a depth of 10 km, it said. Several people in Kolkata and other districts were seen coming out on the streets as a precautionary measure. There was no immediate report of any injury or [] The post Tremors Felt Across West Bengal As 5.7 Magnitiude Quake Jolts Bangladesh appeared first on Daily Excelsior .
Earthquake of magnitude 5.7 strikes Bangladesh, GFZ says
Mild tremors were reportedly felt in Kolkata as well.
Tremors Felt In Kolkata, Northeast After Earthquake In Bangladesh
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake in Bangladesh sent strong tremors across Kolkata and parts of Northeast India on Friday morning.
IND vs SA 2nd Test: What lies beneath? Surface tension in Guwahati too?
After the uproar over Kolkata's deteriorating pitch, batting coach Kotak expressed his shock regarding the extreme turn of the surface, noting that the team had envisioned a more standard track. He addressed Gambhir's earlier comments, particularly the challenges posed by inconsistent bounce.
Most Intense Earthquake Of My Life: Residents On Kolkata Tremors
An earthquake of magnitude 5.2 struck Bangladesh's Ghorashal, with the tremors being felt in West Bengal's Kolkata.
Kolkata Earthquake: Tremors in India's eastern city as 5.7-magnitude quake hits Bangladesh
Kolkata experienced mild tremors on Friday morning, lasting only a few seconds around 10:10 AM. These tremors are believed to be linked to a magnitude 5.7 earthquake that struck Bangladesh at a shallow depth. No immediate damage or injuries were reported, though the event caused brief concern among residents.
Kolkata Earthquake: Strong tremors of 5.2 magnitude felt in Kolkata, adjoining areas, Bangladesh
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the quake was located in Ghorasal in Dhaka and the depth of the quake was 10 km.
ED raids over 40 locations in Jharkhand and West Bengal against coal mafia
Enforcement Directorate officials on Friday carried out searches at more than 40 locations across Jharkhand and West Bengal in connection with a money laundering probe involving the coal mafia network. The cases together point to large-scale coal pilferage, causing an estimated loss of hundreds of crores to the government. In Jharkhand, the agency is searching around 18 locations as part of its probe. In West Bengal, the EDs Kolkata unit is conducting searches at 24 premises across Durgapur, Purulia, Howrah and Kolkata. These operations pertain to several major cases of coal theft and smuggling, including those linked to Anil Goyal, Sanjay Udhyog, LB Singh and Amar Mandal. Premises associated with Narendra Kharka, Anil Goyal, Yudhistir Ghosh, Krishna Murari Kayal and others are also being searched. (This is a developing story)
West Bengal govt convenes meeting with DMs over 2026 assembly polls on Saturday
Kolkata: The West Bengal government has convened a meeting on Saturday with senior administrative officials to discuss preparations for next years assembly polls, sources said. Chief Secretary Manoj Pant is likely to chair the meeting with the district magistrates at the state secretariat, they said. It will focus on the electoral infrastructure and Electronic Voting Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
Tremors from Bangladesh quake jolt Indias Kolkata and nearby areas
A 5.6 magnitude earthquake in Dhaka sent noticeable tremors across Kolkata and several parts of eastern India. The sudden quake caused panic as people in offices, markets and residential buildings rushed outside for safety. The post Tremors from Bangladesh quake jolt Indias Kolkata and nearby areas appeared first on Fusion - WeRIndia .
Don Jr visits Agra, to attend star-studded wedding in Udaipur
LUCKNOW / JAIPUR: Donald Trump Jr, son of US President Donald Trump, on Thursday visited the Taj Mahal in Agra. A group of 126 special guests from nearly 40 countries accompanied him during the tour of the 17th-century marvel. In view of the high-profile visit, the authorities had tightened security and spruced up the arrangements. According to sources, around 200 police personnel were deployed across key locations in the city and the security detail included officers of ACP and ADC rank. This is Trump Jrs second visit to India. In February 2018, he had toured New Delhi, Mumbai, Pune and Kolkata. From Agra, Trump Jr will travel to Udaipur in Rajasthan to attend a high-profile wedding. Sources said he will reach Udaipur on Friday evening and will stay there till Monday. Sources said Trump Jr will be staying at The Leela Palace. The multi-day celebrations, from November 21 to 24, are for the wedding of Netra Mantena, daughter of US-based billionaire Rama Raju Mantena, and Vamsi Gadiraju. The main ceremony is on November 23 at the iconic Jag Mandir Palace, set on an island in Lake Pichola. The guest list includes Hollywood stars Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber, who are expected to perform at the event. Internationally acclaimed South African DJ and song writer Black Coffee is also set to perform at the gala wedding. From Bollywood, Hrithik Roshan, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, Kriti Sanon, Jacqueline Fernandez, Vaani Kapoor, Janhvi Kapoor, and Karan Johar are expected. Event management firm Wizcraft, known for organising the IIFA Awards in Jaipur earlier this year, is overseeing the wedding arrangements.
A month-long fest in Kolkata that will celebrate arts and culture with a dash of politics
Uber partners with NGO Sulabh to direct drivers in nine cities to cleaner toilets
The partnership is in place in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Lucknow and Kolkata.
Seven BLOs in Kolkata issued show-cause notice by EC for poor performance
Seven Booth Level Officers in Kolkata's Beliaghata have been showcaused by the Election Commission for their slow digitization of enumeration forms. This poor performance, with digitization rates between 4% and 8% against a target of 30%, is negatively impacting the assembly's overall progress. The Election Commission has urged officials to expedite the process to meet the December 4 deadline.
India's coach sparked fresh controversy by claiming people have an agenda against Gautam Gambhir while reopening the ongoing pitch debate. He suggested external criticism is unfair and also held players accountable for the recent defeat, reigniting scrutiny around the team's performance.
Mamata slams SIR as chaotic, coercive, urges CEC to stop exercise
Kolkata: Upping the ante on SIR, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wrote a strongly worded letter to CEC Gyanesh Kumar on Thursday, asking him to immediately halt the exercise that she claimed was chaotic, coercive and dangerous. Banerjee said she was compelled to write because the Special Intensive Revision of the electoral rolls in Get the latest updates in Hyderabad City News , Technology , Entertainment , Sports , Politics and Top Stories on WhatsApp & Telegram by subscribing to our channels. You can also download our app for Android and iOS .
