Hours before the Maharashtra Assembly Elections, former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ravindra Nath Patil on Tuesday made explosive claims, alleging that Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole were involved in a cryptocurrency scam. However, the NCP (SP) leader has denied all the allegations made against her in a post on social media platform X. Familiar tactics of spreading false information to manipulate the righteous voters are being resorted to, a night before the polling day. We have filed a criminal complaint to the Hon’ble ECI & the Cyber crime department against the fake allegations made of bitcoin… pic.twitter.com/g8Selv1DFk — Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) November 19, 2024 According to news agency IANS, Patil accused the two leaders, whose parties are a part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, of using Bitcoin manipulation to fund election campaigns. Patil further alleged that the cash obtained from cryptocurrency dealings is being utilised in the campaign for Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024. He further alleged that similar manipulation had been resorted to during the recently held Lok Sabha Elections, too. Speaking to IANS, Patil implicated Pune's former Police Commissioner Amitabh Gupta and cybercrime investigator Bhagyashree Navatke, claiming that they were involved in the Bitcoin scam but had received protection from Sule and Patole. Sharing the details of the whole scam, Patil explained that in 2018, his company had hired him (Patil) as a cryptocurrency expert to investigate the scam. However, in 2022, he was arrested on fraud charges and spent 14 months in jail. During this time, he was trying to ascertain as to why he was framed. He and his colleagues continued working to get to the facts. And finally, they have come across startling facts, he added. Patil revealed that a key witness in the case, Gaurav Mehta — an employee of an audit firm — had contacted him several times in the past few days. When Patil finally responded, Mehta shared details about the 2018 cryptocurrency fraud investigation. Mehta alleged that during the arrest of Amit Bhardwaj, a cryptocurrency trader, a hardware wallet containing Bitcoin was seized. However, according to Mehta, the wallet was replaced by another one allegedly under the Gupta's direction. Mehta further claimed that Patil and his colleagues were arrested unjustly, while the real culprits were Gupta and his team. According to Patil, Mehta had named Sule and Nana Patole in the scam and alleged that the two politicians were using the cash obtained through Bitcoin manipulation to fund election campaigns, including the Lok Sabha polls and the current Maharashtra Assembly elections. Patil claimed that Mehta, under Gupta's direction, made multiple trips to Dubai to convert Bitcoin into cash, which was then used to finance election activities in Maharashtra. Patil told IANS that Mehta sent several voice recordings on Signal — social media app — including messages from Sule requesting cash in exchange for Bitcoin. In the recordings, Sule allegedly assured Mehta that there was no need to worry about the investigation, as they would handle it once they came to power. Another recording reportedly featured Patole, inquiring about the delay in the cash transaction. Though the audio messages are available with IANS, the agency claimed that it does not vouch for the veracity of the clips. Patil also spoke of another recording featured Gupta demanding Rs 50 crore. In another conversation, Gupta allegedly said that he had created four cryptocurrency wallets in the names of Patil and his colleague and that transactions had been made from these wallets. Gupta allegedly suggested that if an investigation took place, both Patil and his colleague would be implicated, and "we would be safe", said Patil referring to chats with Mehta. The former IPS officer added that Mehta had already sold Bitcoin worth Rs 150 crore, and he still held hundreds of crores worth of it. He claimed that this remaining cryptocurrency was being used for election-related funding. Patil expressed his readiness to cooperate with investigating agencies, stating that he had all the necessary screenshots and audio recordings to support his claims. According to him, Navatke is also heard saying, “We need cash Gaurav, I am coming to Mumbai.” Patil was in fact arrested in 2022 by Pune Police in connection with a multi-crore cryptocurrency fraud case. He is a 2004-batch IPS officer and had worked in the corporate sector as a cybersecurity expert since 2010. In 2018, he was appointed as a forensic auditor in the Bitcoin fraud case. (With IANS inputs)
19 November,2024 11:29 PM IST | Pune | mid-day online correspondentA Tahsildar in Peddapalli district of Telangana was on Tuesday caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) for allegedly taking bribe of Rs 12,000, ACB said. The officer was booked for the second time now, on the charges of taking bribe. V Ramesh, the Tahsildar of Anthergaon mandal was caught when he "demanded and accepted the bribe" from the complainant through a Revenue Inspector for showing an official favour, an ACB release said here. The official favour was "to release the tractor seized by the SI, Anthergaon on November 11, while the complainant was illegally transporting sand," it said. The bribe amount of Rs 12,000 was recovered from the backyard of the Tahsil office, Anthergaon. On noticing the arrival of the ACB officials, the Revenue Inspector managed to escape from the office by throwing the bribe amount, the release said. The bureau further said, while working as Tahsildar of Dharmaram mandal in Peddapalli district, Ramesh was caught red-handed by the ACB in 2016 when he allegedly "demanded and accepted" Rs 10,000 from a complainant for issuing pattadar passbooks and updation of online pahanies pertaining to 25 farmers. This case is pending trial before the Special Court for ACB cases at Karimnagar. 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
19 November,2024 11:03 PM IST | Hyderabad | PTIThe stage is set for the second and final round of Jharkhand Assembly Elections 2024 on Wednesday, as the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-Congress-Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) coalition seeks to retain power, while the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) aims to wrest control. This phase will determine the electoral fate of Jharkhand Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Soren (both JMM), and Leader of Opposition Amar Kumar Bauri (BJP), alongside more than 500 other candidates vying for 38 of the total 81 assembly seats. During the election campaign, the NDA has attacked the JMM-led coalition over allegations of infiltration from Bangladesh and corruption, including the CM's ongoing bail in a case linked to a land scam. The BJP-led alliance has also raised the issue of Hindutva. Meanwhile, the ruling dispensation has tried to win over voters by promising welfare schemes and accusing the BJP of spending Rs 500 crore on "malicious campaigns" against a "tribal leader" in reference to CM Soren. Polling will begin at 7 am in 14,218 voting centres and continue until 5 pm, except for 31 booths where voting will end at 4 pm. The first phase of elections was held on November 13. Eighteen of the 38 constituencies going to the polls in this phase are located in the Santhal Pargana region, which comprises the districts of Godda, Deoghar, Dumka, Jamtara, Sahibganj, and Pakur. The NDA has alleged that large-scale infiltration occurred in Santhal Pargana during the JMM-led government's tenure. A total of 1.23 crore voters, including 60.79 lakh women and 147 third-gender voters, are eligible to cast their votes on Wednesday. In total, 528 candidates – 472 men, 55 women, and one third-gender person – are contesting. 2019 Jharkhand Assembly Elections: JMM won 30 seats, BJP 25 Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K. Ravi Kumar said that all preparations for the voting process have been completed, with polling personnel dispatched to all booths peacefully. Top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, BJP President JP Nadda, and several state chief ministers, have targeted Hemant Soren, particularly over his five-month stint in jail in connection with a money-laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. They also made the removal of Champai Soren as CM, shortly after Hemant Soren's release on bail in June, a key poll issue, claiming that a tribal leader had been insulted by the JMM. Champai Soren later joined the BJP and is contesting in the assembly elections. INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress's Rahul Gandhi, party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren, and his wife Kalpana Soren, have campaigned extensively, promising welfare schemes and accusing the BJP-led Centre of using the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to target rival parties. Prominent candidates in this round include Chief Minister Soren and his wife, BJP state president and former CM Babulal Marandi, Assembly Speaker Ravindra Nath Mahto (JMM), and BJP ally AJSU Party leader Sudesh Mahto. The election includes 28 reserved seats for Scheduled Tribes (ST) candidates and nine for Scheduled Castes (SC) candidates. In the 2019 polls, JMM won 19 ST seats, Congress six , BJP two, and Jharkhand Vikas Morcha (Prajatantrik) 1. Of the SC seats, JMM won 2, BJP six, and RJD one. In the NDA, the BJP has fielded candidates in 68 seats, All Jharkhand Students Union (AJSU) Party in 10, Janata Dal (United) in two, and Lok Janshakti (Ram Vilas) in one. The INDIA bloc has fielded JMM candidates in 43 seats, Congress in 30, RJD in six, and CPI(ML) in four, with friendly contests on some seats. The 2019 assembly elections saw a close contest, with JMM winning 30 seats and BJP securing 25, down from 37 in 2014. The JMM-Congress-RJD alliance secured a comfortable majority with 47 seats. Since the Model Code of Conduct was implemented, illegal materials and cash worth Rs 200 crore have been seized, the highest in recent history, according to the CEO. A total of 90 cases of violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) have been recorded. Of the 14,218 polling stations, 239 will be entirely managed by women officials, and 22 booths will be manned by persons with disabilities (PwDs), the CEO confirmed. (With PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 10:56 PM IST | RanchiRegistering a suo motu PIL over the recent death of three elephants in Sambalpur district, the Orissa High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the state government, seeking to know its measures to check such incidents. Two full-grown female elephants and a calf died after coming in contact with live wires laid by poachers in the Naktideul range of the Rairakhol forest division in the early hours of Monday, officials said. The next date of hearing of the case has been fixed for November 26, an advocate said. Meanwhile, the Odisha government placed three forest department officials under suspension after finding prima facie evidence of negligence on their part. Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) Susanta Nanda attributed the elephant deaths to negligence and lack of vigilance by forest personnel. The forest department has also recommended action against two senior officers. Two suspected poachers have been detained in connection with the incident, while search is underway to trace two other accused, the officials said. 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
19 November,2024 10:55 PM IST | Bhubaneswar | PTIFifteen assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh (UP), Punjab, Kerala and Uttarakhand will go for bypolls on Wednesday. The votes will be counted on November 23. However, it will not have any direct impact on the respective legislative assemblies. Polling will take place in several constituencies across UP, including Katehari, Karhal, Meerapur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, Sisamau, Khair, Phulpur, and Kundarki, news agency PTI reported. A total of 90 candidates are contesting in these seats, with the highest number — 14 — standing in Ghaziabad. This will be the first electoral test for both the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) bloc and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in this politically significant state since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. In the 2022 assembly elections, Sisamau, Katehari, Karhal, and Kundarki were won by the Samajwadi Party (SP), while the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) secured victories in Phulpur, Ghaziabad, Majhawan, and Khair. The Meerapur seat was won by BJP ally the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). By-elections will also be held for four assembly seats in Punjab: Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, Chabbewal (SC), and Barnala, reported PTI. These by-elections were necessitated after the legislators representing these constituencies were elected to the Lok Sabha. Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal were previously held by the Congress, while Barnala was represented by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). A total of 45 candidates, including three women, are contesting in these by-polls. Around 6.96 lakh voters are eligible to cast their ballots, PTI reported. The results of these by-elections will decide the fate of key contenders, including BJP's former Punjab finance minister Manpreet Singh Badal, Congress's Amrita Warring, Jatinder Kaur, AAP's Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon, Dr Ishank Kumar Chabbewal, and BJP's Kewal Singh Dhillon, Sohan Singh Thandal, and Ravikaran Singh Kahlon. Warring is the wife of Punjab Congress chief and Ludhiana Member of Parliament (MP) Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, while Jatinder Kaur is married to Gurdaspur MP and former Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa. Polling will also be held for the Palakkad seat in Kerala and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. The by-election in Palakkad was called after Congress Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Shafi Parambil was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Vadakara constituency. The Kedarnath seat became vacant following the death of sitting BJP MLA Shailarani Rawat in July. Both BJP's Asha Nautiyal and Congress's Manoj Rawat have previously represented the Kedarnath Assembly seat. Nautiyal won it in 2002 and 2007 as a BJP candidate, while Shaila Rani Rawat, who had won it in 2012 on a Congress ticket, contested the seat as a BJP nominee in 2017 but lost to Manoj Rawat. She regained the seat from Manoj Rawat in 2022. A total of 90,540 voters, including 45,775 women, are eligible to vote in the Kedarnath constituency. (With PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 10:05 PM IST | Lucknow | mid-day online correspondentIndian Railways will induct around 1,000 General Class coaches in trains by November 2024, an official statement said on Tuesday. It said that in response to the growing demand for rail travel across the country, Indian Railways is accelerating its efforts to expand passenger facilities. As part of this initiative, the Railways has added approximately 600 new General Class (GS) coaches to various trains over the past three months. By November 2024, the total number of new GS coaches will exceed 1,000, spread across about 370 regular trains. This expansion will benefit around 1 lakh passengers daily, offering them more seating and improved travel options. The statement said that the addition of these new coaches is part of a broader plan to enhance the travel experience for general class passengers, who represent a significant portion of the railway's daily commuters. According to the Railway Board, the new GS coaches are designed to accommodate the increasing number of passengers while ensuring comfort, safety, and efficiency. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director (Information and Publicity) at the Railway Board, emphasized that general class passengers remain a top priority for Indian Railways. He stated that these 1,000 new GS coaches would be introduced in the period between July and November 2024, with each of the 370 trains receiving additional coaches. This will provide thousands of passengers with better travel options and ease congestion on crowded trains. The expansion of the GS category coaches is part of a long-term strategy to increase the capacity of non-AC coaches. Over the next two years, more than 10,000 new non-AC GS coaches are expected to be added to the railway fleet. Of these, over 6,000 will be GS coaches, while the remaining will be sleeper class coaches. These additions will allow approximately 8 lakh additional passengers to travel by train every day. A key feature of the new coaches is their LHB (Linke Hofmann Busch) design, which is lighter, stronger, and more secure compared to traditional ICF (Integral Coach Factory) coaches. The LHB coaches are designed to improve safety during accidents and reduce the damage caused, ensuring a safer travel experience for passengers. Dr. Swapnil Nila, Chief Public Relations Officer of Central Railway, added that Central Railway will be adding 90 new GS coaches to 42 trains, which will benefit more than 90,000 additional passengers daily. This initiative aims to meet the increasing demand for train travel, particularly in heavily populated regions. Indian Railways’ commitment to improving passenger amenities and addressing the growing demand for travel comes as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize and expand its services. With more coaches on the way, passengers can expect a more comfortable and reliable rail travel experience in the coming months.
19 November,2024 07:13 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentPrime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi met French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. According to news agency PTI, the two leaders discussed ways to keep working closely in sectors such as space, energy and artificial intelligence (AI). The PM also complimented the French President on the successful hosting of the Olympic Games and the Paralympics in Paris earlier this year. "It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron," Modi said in a post on X late on Monday. "We talked about how India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI and other such futuristic areas. Our nations will also work closely to enhance people-to-people linkages," he added. It is always a matter of immense joy to meet my friend, President Emmanuel Macron. Complimented him on the successful hosting of the Paris Olympics and Paralympics earlier this year. We talked about how India and France will keep working closely in sectors like space, energy, AI… pic.twitter.com/6aNxRtG8yP — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 18, 2024 Macron also posted about the meeting and wrote, "It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister @NarendraModi, as our partnership with India is both rich and multifaced.""We reviewed the progress on the initiatives launched during my state visit last January, as well as key international issues," he added in the post and also posted a small video showing the two leaders hugging and sharing a laugh. It is always a pleasure to meet with Prime Minister @NarendraModi, as our partnership with India is both rich and multifaced.We reviewed the progress on the initiatives launched during my State visit last January, as well as key international issues. pic.twitter.com/WSatqfqout — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 19, 2024 The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), in its post on X, described the meeting as "advancing India-France Strategic Partnership". "Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President Emmanuel Macron of France, on the sidelines of the G20 Brazil Summit," the MEA post stated. "The leaders discussed ways to further strengthen India-France ties in the areas of trade and investment, technology, AI, DPI (Digital Public Infrastructure). They also exchanged views on regional and international issues, including the Indo-Pacific," the MEA added in the post. Modi — who arrived in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday after concluding a two-day trip to Nigeria — has met leaders of several countries, including those from Italy, the United Kingdom (UK), Indonesia, Norway and Portugal, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit. Earlier in the day, Modi met American President Joe Biden and briefly interacted with him. It was not immediately known what transpired between the two leaders.Modi also interacted with leaders, including those from Brazil, Singapore and Spain, on the sidelines of the G20 Summit on Monday. (With PTI inputs)
19 November,2024 04:52 PM IST | Rio de Janeiro | mid-day online correspondentThe air quality in the national capital on Tuesday has remained in the 'severe plus' category for a second consecutive day, with dense smog enveloping the city, leading to reduced visibility and worsening pollution levels to alarmingly high levels of poor AQI, reported the ANI.. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) on Tuesday reported an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 488 at 8 am, categorising it as 'severe plus.' Such elevated AQI levels pose serious health risks, especially to vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions. Drone footage from Bhikaji Cama Place at 7:20 am this morning revealed a thick layer of smog covering the area. Despite the smog, train operations have continued in Delhi. However, reports from New Delhi Railway Station indicated delays for 22 trains and rescheduling for 9 others due to the poor visibility conditions. Visuals from Kartavya Path and nearby areas showed individuals engaging in their morning routines, such as walking and cycling, amidst the pervasive haze. Additionally, toxic foam has been spotted floating in sections of the river near Kalindi Kunj and Okhla Barrage, highlighting ongoing environmental concerns. Residents throughout Delhi are expressing alarm as air quality readings in various neighbourhoods remain in the 'severe plus' category. As of 8.30 am, the AQI for Anand Vihar was recorded at 500, Bawana at 500, CRRI Mathura Road at 500, DTU at 494, Dwarka Sector-8 at 494, ITO at 391, Jahangirpuri at 493, Lodhi Road at 488, Mundka at 498, Narela 500, North Campus at 494, Punjabi bagh at 495, RK Puram at 490, Shadipur at 498 and Wazirpur at 498, according to SAFAR-India (System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research), stated ANI. In response to the deteriorating air quality, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has opted to conduct classes online until November 22, citing the hazardous conditions in Delhi and the NCR. Similarly, in Haryana, the Deputy Commissioner’s Office in Gurugram announced that all in-person classes for students up to the 12th standard would be suspended from November 19 to November 23, or until further notice. The air quality crisis extends beyond Delhi, affecting several cities, including Mumbai and various northern regions, raising significant health concerns. In light of the ‘severe’ pollution in the national capital, the Supreme Court has issued a circular urging litigants and advocates in its premises to wear masks and follow health precautions on Monday. The Supreme Court referenced an order from November 17, 2024, regarding the implementation of Stage-IV measures of the Graded Response Action Plan for the National Capital Region. "Inviting reference to Order dated November 17, 2024, of Director (Technical), Member Convenor of Sub-Committee on GRAP, Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas notifying implementation of Actions under stage-IV (Severe Air Quality) of revised Graded Response Action Plan in Delhi-NCR, it has been directed that an advisory be issued for taking preventive health measures including wearing of mask," the SC stated in the notice. The SC notice advised the public to adopt preventive health measures, including mask-wearing, to mitigate the health risks associated with the current air quality crisis. (With inputs from ANI)
19 November,2024 02:20 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentAn on-duty railway employee, identified as Vipin Kumar Singh, died after being hit by train number 07545 Katihar-Jogbani Passenger on platform number 3 of Katihar railway station in Bihar on Monday. Vipin Kumar, who worked in the SSE (C&W) department, is a resident of Katihar and was performing his duties at the time of the accident. The incident occurred when Vipin Kumar was busy with work on the platform. He was struck by the approaching train, resulting in his death. Upon receiving information about the accident, the Government Railway Police (GRP) immediately reached the spot to begin their investigation. Vipin Kumar’s body was recovered and sent for the postmortem at Sadar Hospital. The GRP has launched an inquiry into the matter to determine the exact circumstances leading to the accident and to address potential shortcomings in operational protocols. Manoj Kumar Singh, Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM) of the Katihar Railway Division, expressed sorrow over the incident, saying, “The incident is very sad. Orders have been given to investigate the matter. Further action is being taken.” Vipin was reportedly involved in shunting trains when he was struck by Katihar-Jogbani Passenger. The unexpected accident caused chaos at the railway station, leaving passengers and staff alarmed. On November 9, a tragic accident occurred at Barauni Railway Station in Begusarai, Bihar, when an employee was crushed between engine and bogie and died on the spot. The incident occurred at platform five when railway worker Amar Rawat, who was responsible for uncoupling the engine from the bogie of the 5204 Barauni-Lucknow Express, lost his life after an engine unexpectedly moved backwards without a signal, trapping him between the engine and the bogie. 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
19 November,2024 01:34 PM IST | Patna | IANSThe Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Trust Board has passed a resolution banning political statements within the sacred precincts of Tirumala, warning that legal action will be taken against violators and those propagating such statements. This decision was made in the first meeting under the chairmanship of BR Naidu on Monday at the Annamaiah Bhavan in Tirumala. In addition to the political statement resolution, the board also discussed key issues concerning the management and services of the temple. Among the notable decisions, the TTD Trust Board resolved to request the Andhra Pradesh Government to take appropriate action regarding the presence of non-Hindu employees working within the Tirumala temple complex. Another significant resolution was the decision to use enhanced-quality ghee for preparing the famed Srivari Laddu, ensuring a better experience for devotees. The board meeting, which reviewed 80 important matters, also unveiled the TTD local temple calendar, marking an essential milestone in temple administration. Speaking to the media post-meeting, TTD board chief BR Naidu explained that steps were being taken to reduce the lengthy darshan times of Sri Venkateswara Swamy, from 20-30 hours to just 2-3 hours, by leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced technologies, with expert consultation. Further decisions included the merging of the SRIVANI Trust into the TTD account, and a thorough examination to potentially rename the trust while continuing its services. Additionally, the board resolved to discontinue the Tourism Corporation's darshan quota for various states following complaints regarding irregularities in the issuance of Special Entry Darshan (SED) tickets. In the realm of infrastructure, the TTD Trust Board announced plans to clear the piled-up debris in the dumping yard at Tirumala within three to four months. The Srinivasa Setu Flyover will be renamed Garuda Varadhi, and the board intends to request the state government to hand over 20 acres of land near the Devlok Project to TTD. The TTD board also emphasised the importance of regular maintenance, approving repairs to the age-old Potu temple kitchen and modernisation of the Vengamamba Annaprasadam Complex, with a partnership with TVS company. Furthermore, a 10 per cent increase in Bahumanam (honorarium) for employees who served during the recent Brahmotsavam of the Tirumala Srivari Temple was approved. These decisions highlight the board's continued focus on improving temple operations, maintaining its sanctity, and ensuring better services for pilgrims. The board has also requested a review of employee policies, including a letter to the Andhra Pradesh Government to address the issue of non-Hindu employees working at Tirumala. (With inputs from ANI)
19 November,2024 01:14 PM IST | TirupatiCongress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday paid a heartfelt tribute to his grandmother, former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, at Shakti Sthal in New Delhi, commemorating her birth anniversary, reported the ANI. In a touching social media post on X (formerly Twitter), Rahul Gandhi reflected on Indira Gandhi’s legacy, describing her as an embodiment of "courage and love." दादी हिम्मत और मोहब्बत दोनों की मिसाल थीं। उन्हीं से मैंने सीखा है कि निडर होकर देशहित के रास्ते पर चलते रहना असली ताकत है। उनकी यादें मेरी शक्ति हैं, जो हमेशा मुझे राह दिखाती हैं। pic.twitter.com/TfVSaoAcNi — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 19, 2024 He emphasised the strength he draws from her memories, stating, "Grandma was an example of both courage and love. It is from her that I have learnt that the real strength is to fearlessly walk on the path of national interest. Her memories are my strength, which always shows me the way," the post read. Indira Gandhi, born on November 19, 1917, to India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and Kamala Nehru, holds a prominent place in Indian history as the first and only female Prime Minister. Her tenures spanned from January 1966 to March 1977, and again from January 1980 until her assassination in October 1984. Notably, she was the second longest-serving Prime Minister after Nehru, recognized for her transformative economic and social policies, including the nationalisation of banks and the abolition of privy purses for former princely states. Indira Gandhi’s leadership and policies remain influential. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, also paid respects at Shakti Sthal on Tuesday. सशक्त एवं प्रगतिशील भारत के निर्माण में अपनी दक्षता, दृढ़ इच्छाशक्ति, कुशल नेतृत्व, अद्वितीय कार्यशैली एवं दूरदर्शिता से भारत निर्माण में अग्रणी योगदान देने वाली भारत की प्रथम महिला प्रधानमंत्री व हमारी आदर्श, इंदिरा गांधी जी को भावभीनी श्रद्धांजलि। 📍शक्ति स्थल, दिल्ली pic.twitter.com/nVkEjXZlmF — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 19, 2024 Taking to X, Kharge highlighted her as the "Iron Lady of India," stating that she was an epitome of struggle, courage, and dynamic leadership. “We have believed - and we do believe now - that freedom is indivisible, that peace is indivisible, that economic prosperity is indivisible.”~ Indira Gandhi Crores of Indians shall continue to draw inspiration from the life of ‘Iron Lady of India’, Smt. Indira Gandhi for she… pic.twitter.com/VBcfTPcEwW — Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) November 19, 2024 “Crores of Indians shall continue to draw inspiration from the life of 'Iron Lady of India', Indira Gandhi for she was the epitome of lifelong struggle, courage and dynamic leadership, who selflessly contributed to nation building. She sacrificed her life to preserve the unity and integrity of India. Our humble homage on her birth anniversary,” wrote Mallikarjun Kharge. Indira Gandhi, who was hailed as one of the tallest world leaders, was assassinated by her own Sikh bodyguards at her residence on Akbar Road on October 31, 1984. This came after Operation Bluestar was executed at Amritsar's Golden Temple, wherein Gandhi ordered the Indian Army to confront Sikh separatists who had taken shelter at the holy shrine. Indira Gandhi, recognized as one of the most prominent global leaders, was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards at her residence on Akbar Road on October 31, 1984. This tragic event occurred in the aftermath of Operation Blue Star, which she had ordered to be carried out at the Golden Temple in Amritsar. The operation aimed to confront Sikh separatists who had sought refuge within the sacred site. (With inputs from ANI)
19 November,2024 12:37 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
