More than 100 students and school staff were left stranded for hours on Saturday evening in the dense Katarniaghat forests of Uttar Pradesh while returning from an educational tour, officials said. The children, aged 14 to 18, were forced to endure the harsh winter cold and were left under the open sky without food, water, or appropriate clothing for the chilly temperatures, after school authorities ignored warnings from locals to halt their journey at a safe location, the officials added. There were 155 people, including 130 children, according to officials. According to news agency PTI, the group, from Gonda district, had been on an educational tour organised by the New Standard Training Institute in Dhanepur. Local social worker Jang Hindustani said that the group initially attempted to cross the Rupaidiha border in Uttar Pradesh into Nepal, but was stopped owing to border regulations. According to PTI, after being denied entry into Nepal, the tour organisers redirected the buses towards the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, which is known for its dense forests and dangerous wildlife, including leopards, tigers, and elephants. The buses passed through five forest checkpoints before reaching Amba village, deep within the sanctuary, PTI reported. Despite warnings from locals and authorities, the school staff insisted on continuing the journey. Around 5 pm, the buses attempted to head towards Nepal once more, but were again stopped from proceeding. The managers then decided to have the children sit in the open at Bichhiya railway station, located in the heart of the dense forest in Uttar Pradesh. As temperatures dropped, the children huddled together to shield themselves from the cold. After receiving information about the stranded group, District Magistrate Monika Rani ordered immediate action. Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Sanjay Kumar, along with police and forest department officials, arrived at the site to provide food, set up bonfires, and ensure the safety of the children and staff. SDM Sanjay Kumar confirmed that food was provided for everyone and strict instructions were given to prevent such incidents in the future. The children and staff were safely escorted back to Gonda around midnight, bringing an end to their ordeal. (With PTI inputs)
23 December,2024 12:05 AM IST | Bahraich | mid-day online correspondentAn 18-year-old man was arrested in Tangla town of Udalguri district, Assam, for allegedly murdering his two minor stepbrothers who had gone missing on Friday, police said.According to news agency ANI, the bodies of the victims — Class 5 and Class 6 students — were recovered on Saturday near a river in the Batabari area of Tangla.A senior police officer said that they have recovered the weapon of offence — a short sword — with which the accused, identified as Neeraj Sarma, had slit the throats of his minor stepbrothers. According to ANI, the police in Assam said that the victims were born to Sarma's father Mahendra's second wife.According to the police, the victims, who were students of Kendriya Jatiya Vidyalay in Tangla, had gone missing since Friday when they were on their way to school.Udalguri Superintendent of Police (SP) Pushkin Jain told ANI that Sarma has confessed to his crime and will be produced before the magistrate."We received information on December 20 (Friday) that two minors had gone missing while on their way to school. After receiving the information, we launched a search operation. On December 21 (Saturday) morning, we received information that the bodies of two unidentified minors in school uniforms were found near a jungle area. Our police team immediately reached the spot and identified the missing boys," Jain said."We immediately started our investigation, and a CID (Crime Investigation Department) team and a forensic team from Guwahati arrived here. We identified some suspects and detained them. We then established that Neeraj Sarma, the son of the victims' father from his first wife had murdered his stepbrothers. During interrogation, he confessed his crime. On the basis of his statement, we recovered the weapon and a motorcycle which were used in the crime," he added.The Udalguri SP further said that the main motive behind the crime seems to be that Neeraj wanted attention from his father. He thought that he and his mother were not given attention and felt some negligence from his stepmother and father."He thought that if he killed his stepbrothers, his family would likely pay attention to him. On this idea, he planned and executed the crime. During the investigation, we found that no other person was involved in this crime. Only Neeraj Sarma had made all this plan. We have registered a case and started further investigation. We will try to submit the chargesheet as soon as possible with scientific evidence," Jain added. (With ANI inputs)
22 December,2024 10:40 PM IST | Udalguri | mid-day online correspondentA 15-year-old boy allegedly died by suicide in Sangli district of Maharashtra after his mother refused to get him a mobile phone, police said on Sunday. The incident occurred in Miraj city on Saturday night, an officer said. The boy took the step at his house on Saturday night when his mother and sister were asleep, the officer added. According to the officer, the boy had celebrated his birthday two days ago and had asked his mother for a mobile phone. However, she denied the request owing to some financial problems, news agency PTI reported. The boy's family found him dead the next day, he said. An accidental death report (ADR) has been registered, and further investigation is underway, the officer added. 19-year-old woman found dead in Delhi, police suspect suicide A 19-year-old woman was found dead in her room in Delhi, police said. She is survived by her five-month-old daughter, news agency ANI reported.The death occurred in Khirki Village on Saturday. Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide, the police said.The woman was married to a man who already had a first wife, the police added.As per the investigation, her husband married her last year in September with the "consent" of his first wife after she was unable to conceive, ANI reported."On the day of the incident, the husband had gone to pick up his nephew from school and found his wife dead upon his return," the police stated, adding that they have recovered a suicide note and the woman's mobile phone from the scene, as part of their ongoing investigation. Constable facing probe in alleged police recruitment scam found dead in Chhattisgarh A Chhattisgarh Police constable, who was facing a probe in connection with an alleged police recruitment scam, was found dead in Rajnandgaon district on Saturday, ANI reported.The constable was posted in Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai district and placed on duty during the procedure of ongoing police recruitment exercise.His body was found at Ghorda village. Senior police officers, forensic team and dog squad reached the spot and began the probe.Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has raised suspicion on the death and termed it as the fallout of the alleged irregularities in the recruitment drive.In an X post, Baghel asked Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to ensure Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into it. (With ANI and PTI inputs)
22 December,2024 09:37 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentKuwait on Sunday conferred its highest honour, 'The Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer', on Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi for his role in strengthening the bilateral relations between India and Kuwait. Prime Minister Modi received the honour from Kuwait’s Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah, at the Bayan Palace. "I am honoured to be conferred the Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al Sabah. I dedicate this honour to the people of India and to the strong friendship between India and Kuwait," Modi said in a post on X. The 'Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer' is a knighthood order of Kuwait, news agency PTI reported. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar expressed that the conferment of this prestigious award on Prime Minister Modi is a proud moment for all Indians. “The honour recognises the Prime Minister’s steadfast commitment and leadership in strengthening linkages with the Gulf region. It also showcases the depth of India-Kuwait’s historic ties and people-to-people relations,” he said in a post on X. In a release, the Ministry of External Affairs stated that PM Modi dedicated the award to the long-standing friendship between India and Kuwait, the Indian community in Kuwait, and to the 1.4 billion people of India. "The conferment of the award on this historic visit of a Prime Minister of India to Kuwait after 43 years added a special meaning to the occasion," the ministry said. Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described it in a post on X as “a testament to the long-standing India-Kuwait friendship.” The award was given to Prime Minister Modi for his efforts in strengthening relations between the two countries, according to Kuwait's state-run news agency, KUNA. According to PTI, the officials said this is the 20th international honour conferred on PM Modi by a foreign country. Instituted in 1974, Kuwait's highest civilian award has been conferred on select global leaders, including former United States Presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush, and British monarch Prince Charles, PTI reported. PM Modi arrived in Kuwait on Saturday for a two-day visit. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the Gulf nation in 43 years. Upon arrival, PM Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour at the Bayan Palace. Earlier, Modi had received honours from other Gulf countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain. In November, Guyana and Dominica conferred their top awards on Prime Minister Modi for his contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic and his exceptional work in strengthening bilateral ties with the two Caribbean nations. In the same month, Nigeria honoured him with the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger for his statesmanship and significant contribution to fostering bilateral ties, making him the second foreign dignitary to receive the distinction. (With PTI inputs)
22 December,2024 07:08 PM IST | Kuwait City | mid-day online correspondentAn ancient stepwell, estimated to be between 125 and 150 years old and spanning approximately 400 square meters, was unearthed on Sunday during excavation efforts in the Laxman Ganj area of Sambhal’s Chandausi in Uttar Pradesh, reported news agency PTI. The excavation began on Saturday, said Krishna Kumar Sonkar, the Executive Officer of Chandausi Nagar Palika. The discovery occurred shortly after the reopening of the Bhasma Shankar temple in Sambhal on December 13, which had been closed for 46 years. Authorities said they stumbled upon the stepwell during an anti-encroachment drive initiated in the area. During this operation, two damaged idols were also found within the temple's well. According to local sources, this stepwell was built during the reign of the maternal grandfather of the king of Bilari, stated PTI. Sambhal District Magistrate Rajender Pensiya said the possibility of a survey by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the site is being considered, as per PTI, and a request may be submitted to ASI if necessary. Speaking to the media, Pensiya confirmed that the site was previously registered as a pond. The well's upper floor is made of bricks, while the second and third floors are of marble. The structure also features four rooms and a well, he said, reported PTI. "The excavation, which has so far uncovered 210 square meters of the site, will continue, and encroachments in the area will be removed. Preliminary estimates suggest the stepwell is approximately 125 to 150 years old," said the DM. Pensiya added that work is being carried out cautiously to avoid damage to the structure. The District Magistrate also addressed concerns regarding the Banke Bihari temple located nearby the stepwell, which is currently in disrepair. The DM confirmed that this temple, reportedly around 150 years old, contains two idols safely housed in separate temples. Plans are underway to renovate the Banke Bihari temple, and efforts will be made to remove any encroachments in its vicinity. During a recent public meeting, local resident Kaushal Kishore highlighted the condition of both the ancient stepwell and the Banke Bihari temple. Kishore claimed that, in earlier times, the area was inhabited by the Hindu community and that the queen of Bilari used to stay there, stated PTI. (With inputs from PTI)
22 December,2024 06:27 PM IST | Sambhal (Uttar Pradesh) | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, during his two-day visit to Kuwait, underscored the growing importance of trade and commerce in strengthening the bilateral ties between India and Kuwait, news agency ANI reported. PM Modi visited Kuwait at the invitation of Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of the State. This marks the first visit by an Indian PM to Kuwait in 43 years. In an interview with Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Saturday, he highlighted the significant rise in two-way trade, emphasising their energy partnership and the increasing presence of 'Made in India' products across various sectors in the Middle Eastern country, ANI reported. "Trade and commerce have been important pillars of our bilateral relationship. Our bilateral trade has been on an upswing. Our energy partnership adds a unique value to our bilateral trade," PM Modi said. "We are happy to see 'Made in India' products, particularly in automobiles, electrical and mechanical machinery, and telecom segments making new inroads in Kuwait. India today is manufacturing world-class products at the most affordable cost. Diversification to non-oil trade is key to achieving greater bilateral trade," he added. According to ANI, he also spoke about deepening the potential for collaboration in diverse fields such as health, technology, digital innovation, and textiles. PM Modi further said that India and Kuwait share a deep and historic bond, and the relationship between both countries has always been one of warmth and friendship. He noted that the crosscurrents of history and exchanges through ideas and commerce have brought the people of both nations closer together, KUNA reported. "We have traded with each other since time immemorial. The discoveries in Failaka Island speak of our shared past. The Indian Rupee was a legal tender in Kuwait for over a century until 1961. This shows how closely our economies were integrated," PM Modi told KUNA. He added, "Overall, the bilateral ties are progressing well and, if I could say, scaling new heights. I eagerly look forward to my talks with His Highness the Emir to elevate our ties in various areas including defence, trade, investment, and energy. The strong roots of our historical ties must be matched by the fruits of our 21st-century partnership – dynamic, robust, and multifaceted. There is a lot we have achieved together, but the possibilities are limitless for our partnership. I am sure this visit will give new wings to it." Earlier on Sunday, PM Modi received a rousing ceremonial welcome and a Guard of Honour in Kuwait during his state visit to the Gulf country. He was accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Bayan Palace, Kuwait, with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, also present during the ceremony. Details of the meeting were shared by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs on X. "A special welcome on a historic visit! PM @narendramodi arrives at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait to a ceremonial welcome and Guard of Honour. Warmly received by HH Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah, PM of Kuwait. Extensive talks with HH the Amir, Crown Prince, and PM of Kuwait lie ahead," Randhir Jaiswal wrote. On Saturday, PM Modi visited the Gulf Spic Labour Camp in Kuwait, where he interacted with Indian workers and highlighted their contribution to the country's development. PM Modi spoke about the aspirations of Indian workers, linking them to his vision for a "Viksit Bharat 2047." (With ANI inputs)
22 December,2024 05:51 PM IST | Kuwait City | mid-day online correspondentDelhi Police have revealed that two bomb threat emails sent to schools in Rohini were sent by their own students who wanted to delay their exams. The Special Cell of Delhi Police, following an investigation, identified the culprits and found that both students sent the threats as they were unprepared for their upcoming exams. According to a Delhi Police spokesperson, the students had intended to disrupt the exams to gain more time to prepare. "After investigation by the Special Cell of Delhi Police, it was found that the emails were sent to two different schools by two students of the same school. They had sent the emails with the sole intention of postponing the exams as they were unprepared," the police said. The students, once apprehended, were counselled and later released. "Since both of them were minors, they were counselled and then let off. The issue was handled sensitively," the Delhi Police spokesperson added. The first incident occurred on December 14, when the Special Cell traced an email sent to a school in Paschim Vihar, which contained bomb threat details. Upon tracking the IP address, the police identified the student responsible and apprehended him at his home. The student confessed to the act and was subsequently counselled. A warning was issued to his parents to monitor his behaviour closely. In the span of just a few days, Delhi schools were targeted multiple times with bomb threat emails. On December 13, a total of 30 schools in the city received similar hoax threats. On December 14 and 17, two more schools in Rohini were sent bomb threat emails, which led to further investigations by the police. The recurring threats prompted concerns from Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, who on December 13 expressed worries over the psychological and academic toll these incidents were having on students. Kejriwal noted that such disruptions could significantly affect students' studies and overall well-being if the trend continued unchecked. In response to these incidents, the Delhi High Court had earlier in November issued instructions to the Delhi Government and Police to formulate a comprehensive action plan. This includes developing a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to handle bomb threats and other emergencies in schools. The court set a deadline of eight weeks for the authorities to implement these measures. (With inputs from ANI)
22 December,2024 11:25 AM IST | New DelhiUnion Minister Sukanta Majumdar has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's remarks on the 'One Nation, One Election' Bill, asserting that the proposed reforms would benefit the country by saving money. However, Majumdar claimed that Banerjee would oppose the initiative simply because it would be advantageous for the nation. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, Majumdar highlighted that in a democracy, everyone in the opposition has the right to speak, there is discussion. "Discussion took place in all the states, Mamata Banerjee said that she is against it, while many states say that they are in favour of it... Right now it has gone to JPC, and people from all parties are involved in it, they will give their suggestions and the government will include them and only after that it will be implemented. The country will benefit from this, money will be saved but Mamata Banerjee will not support it because the country is benefiting from it," he said. In a post on X, CM Mamata claimed that the bill is not a "carefully-considered reform", but an "authoritarian imposition". "The Union Cabinet has bulldozed their way through with the unconstitutional and anti-federal One Nation, One Election Bill, ignoring every legitimate concern raised by experts and opposition leaders. This is not a carefully considered reform; it's an authoritarian imposition designed to undermine India's democracy and federal structure," she said. "Our MPs will oppose this draconian legislation tooth and nail in Parliament. Bengal will NEVER bow to Delhi's dictatorial whims. This fight is about saving India's democracy from the clutches of autocracy!" Mamata Banerjee added. Meanwhile, the bill, introduced in the Lok Sabha, proposes simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and state assemblies across India. It has been sent to the Joint Parliamentary Committee to have a deep discussion on the bill. The Joint Parliamentary Committee to examine 'One Nation, One Election' Bill will have 21 members from Lok Sabha including Congress leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Manish Tewari, NCP's Supriya Sule, TMC's Kalyan Banerjee and BJP's PP Chaudhary, Bansuri Swaraj and Anurag Singh Thakur. The 31-member panel will have 10 members from Rajya Sabha. Opposition members have opposed the amendments, and have argued that the proposed change could disproportionately benefit the ruling party, giving it undue influence over the electoral process in states, and undermining the autonomy of regional parties.
22 December,2024 09:44 AM IST | Agartala | ANIIn Odisha, six districts comprising 24 villages, along with two previously recognized villages, making a total of 26 villages, have been recognized as "Tsunami Ready" by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), said a press statement on Saturday. The recognition was based on 12 specific indicators, achieved through a series of well-planned activities aimed at building resilience against tsunamis. These activities included -- Training and Capacity Building, Community Awareness Programs, Distribution of Tsunami Awareness Materials, Preparation of Tsunami Management Plans, Conducting Mock Drills, Identifying Evacuation Routes, and Installation of Tsunami Hoardings and Signages. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad, played a pivotal role in this initiative. INCOIS operates a 24-hour tsunami monitoring and alert system that encompasses everything from risk assessment to the dissemination of warnings, ensuring timely and effective action. The preparedness activities in Odisha have drawn national and international attention. A live evacuation simulation was conducted at Kaitha village in Kendrapara district, in the presence of Dr T Sinanivasa Kumar from UNESCO, Dr Sunitha Jena General Manager OSDAMA, and Amlan Anupam Senapati Dist project officer involving active participation from community members. Interactions with local leaders and residents provided valuable insights into their preparedness journey, which has now become a model for coastal safety. Odisha's recognition as "Tsunami Ready" showcases a successful collaboration between India's National Tsunami Warning Centre, local authorities, and coastal communities. It serves as a shining example of how proactive measures can save lives and build disaster-resilient communities. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
22 December,2024 09:42 AM IST | Kendrapada | ANIThe Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital remained in the 'very poor' category on Sunday, with a thin fog blanketing parts of the city and significantly reducing visibility. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI was recorded at 388 at 7 am on Sunday, slightly lower than the previous day's figure of 398. However, the air quality continues to be alarming, with several areas witnessing hazardous levels of pollution. The AQI levels in various parts of the city remained concerning. At prominent locations such as ITO, the AQI was recorded at 384, while Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium reported 372. The Delhi Technological University (DTU) saw an AQI of 354, and IGI Airport (T3) recorded 372. Additionally, the AQI at DU North Campus stood at 381 at 7 am on Sunday. Despite some variation in readings across locations, the overall trend pointed to 'very poor' air quality in most parts of Delhi. However, certain areas of the capital were listed under the 'severe' category, including Alipur (411), Anand Vihar (427), and RK Puram (408). The 'severe' category indicates dangerous pollution levels that pose serious health risks to the population. The AQI scale categorises air quality from 0 to 500, with values between 301-400 deemed 'very poor' and those above 400 classified as 'severe.' The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also reported a drop in temperatures, with the minimum recorded at 8°C on Sunday. The cold weather, combined with the thick fog, exacerbated the air quality issue, leading many people to seek shelter in night homes across the city. Motorists and residents alike are facing increased discomfort due to the severe air pollution. One rider from Noida shared his experience of encountering severe pollution upon entering Delhi. "I ride every Sunday and felt fine in Noida, but once I entered Delhi, my eyes started burning and the fog was thick. I had to take off my helmet mirror repeatedly," he told ANI. Another rider expressed difficulty in breathing, stating, "The pollution was overwhelming, and I had to take off my helmet as I could hardly breathe." In response to the deteriorating air quality, the Delhi government has implemented Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across the National Capital Region (NCR) since December 16. This includes stringent measures aimed at reducing air pollution and safeguarding public health. (With inputs from ANI)
22 December,2024 09:22 AM IST | New DelhiCongress leader Pawan Khera announced on Saturday that Congress Members of Parliament (MPs) from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, along with members of the Congress Working Committee (CWC), will hold press conferences in 150 cities across the country. These conferences will focus on demanding the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah over his controversial remarks regarding Dr. B.R. Ambedkar made in the Rajya Sabha. Khera, speaking to the press, stated that the Congress party has been consistently calling for Shah’s resignation following his remarks during an attack on the opposition party. "On December 22 and 23, in over 150 cities, our MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, along with CWC members, will conduct press conferences to demand the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah and condemn his disrespect towards Babasaheb Ambedkar," Khera said. The Congress party’s protests against Amit Shah have intensified following his statement in the Rajya Sabha, which the party claims was an insult to Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution and a symbol of the struggle for equality and justice for the marginalised. The Congress has been vocal in demanding that Shah be held accountable for his words. In addition to the press conferences, Khera also outlined plans for further demonstrations. On December 24, Congress will organise the Babasaheb Ambedkar Samman Marches across various districts in India. These marches will culminate in the submission of memorandums to President Droupadi Murmu through district collectors, reiterating the demand for Amit Shah’s resignation. "On December 24, we will hold marches at our district headquarters and submit memorandums to the district collectors, which will be addressed to the President. In these memorandums, we will again demand the resignation of Amit Shah," Khera added. The Congress party’s mobilisation is seen as part of its ongoing campaign against the BJP government, with the party seeking to highlight issues of respect for the Dalit community and the importance of upholding Ambedkar’s legacy. The demand for Amit Shah’s resignation continues to be a central point of contention between the two major political parties. (With inputs from ANI)
22 December,2024 09:12 AM IST | New DelhiADVERTISEMENT
