Kohima, Aug 30 (SocialNews.XYZ) The cultivation of Naga King Chilli, popularly known as Raja Mircha, is emerging as an important source of rural income in Nagaland's Seiyhama village, which expects an annual harvest of around 3,200 tins and earnings of around Rs 30–32 lakh from the sale of fresh king chillies this year.

The figures were shared during the 4th Organic Naga King Chilli Festival held at Seiyhama on Saturday, highlighting the growing economic significance of the indigenous chilli crop and the sustained efforts of local farmers to promote the village as an important producer of Naga King Chilli.

According to the 2026 Farming Report presented by Information and Publicity representative Kevineizo Zumu, Seiyhama has 482 households, of which around 180 households are currently benefiting directly from king chilli cultivation.

Farmers have harvested around 1,700 tins of king chillies so far this year, while another 1,500 tins are expected during the remaining harvesting period, taking the projected annual production to around 3,200 tins.

Besides the sale of fresh chillies, value-added products such as pickles and other items prepared by Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are expected to generate an additional income of around Rs 1–2 lakh.

Zumu said that favourable weather conditions had contributed significantly to this year's harvest and added that the participating farmers had performed well during the current cultivation season.

The economic potential and growing importance of the crop were also highlighted by Reverend Kevichalie Metha, Pastor of Peraciezie Baptist Church in Kohima, and a native of Seiyhama, who attended the festival as the special guest.

Metha said the increasing popularity of the festival had helped bring wider recognition to Seiyhama village and its Naga King Chilli produce.

He noted that income generated from the sale of king chillies had enabled several families in the village to support their livelihoods and improve their economic prospects.

While attributing the successful harvest and progress of the village to God's grace, Metha emphasised that sustained agricultural growth and economic development also depended on the hard work, commitment and collective efforts of the farmers.

He encouraged more villagers to take up king chilli cultivation and called for continued cooperation and coordination among farmers, community members and other stakeholders.

He also stressed the importance of humility, unity and collective effort in sustaining the village's agricultural and economic progress.

Lhoulalie Zumu, former Chairman and former Convenor of the festival organising committee, said the initiative was first organised in 2022 with the objective of introducing Seiyhama and its Raja Mircha to a wider audience.

He added that Seiyhama was previously not widely known outside the region, but the festival had since emerged as an important platform for promoting the village, its indigenous produce and the hard work of its farming community.

Zumu acknowledged the support extended by the Nagaland Department of Horticulture, the North Eastern Council and other stakeholders towards promoting the initiative and supporting the farmers.

At the same time, he called for stronger institutional support and better agricultural and marketing linkages, particularly from the Agriculture Department, to help farmers further expand the cultivation and marketing of the indigenous chilli.

Transportation, he said, continues to remain a major challenge for farmers in the hilly region, while market access and agricultural linkages also need to be strengthened to enable producers to reach larger markets and expand their business opportunities.

He expressed hope that greater coordination and cooperation between farmers, government departments and other stakeholders would help improve connectivity, strengthen marketing opportunities and enhance the overall prospects of king chilli cultivation in Seiyhama.

The festival was organised with the participation of the village community, farmers and other stakeholders, underscoring the growing role of Raja Mircha not only as a traditional and indigenous crop but also as a promising source of livelihood, rural enterprise and sustainable economic opportunity for communities in Nagaland.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, July 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Harsh Malhotra on Sunday will lead the city BJP workers in tuning into the 137th episode of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme at more than 6,000 locations across the city.

Malhotra will listen to the PM Modi's radio show at Saini Enclave Park in Anand Vihar's Bhartendu Harish Chandra Marg Anand Vihar of East Delhi along with local Residents' Welfare Association members and BJP workers, a party leader said on Saturday.

The programme will be broadcast across the entire Akashvani and Doordarshan network, the AIR News website, and the Newsonair mobile app.

It will also be live-streamed on the YouTube channels of AIR News, DD News, the PMO, and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Akashvani will broadcast the programme in regional languages immediately after the Hindi broadcast, an official statement said.

On July 26, Malhotra after listening to PM Modi's monthly radio show observed silence and paid tribute to the soldiers who were martyred in the Kargil War.

Speaking to the media on the occasion, the Delhi BJP President described 'Mann Ki Baat' programme as inspiring and said that on Kargil Vijay Diwas, the Prime Minister respectfully paid homage to the brave martyrs and soldiers of the country and remembered their indomitable courage and sacrifice.

Malhotra said that while highlighting India's growing defence capabilities and self-reliance, the Prime Minister described the successful trials of INS Mahendragiri, the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket, and the Kusha missile as major achievements of the country's scientific and strategic capabilities.

The Delhi BJP President had listened to the radio show along with BJP National General Secretary Radha Mohan Das Agarwal, Odisha MP Balabhadra Majhi, Yuva Morcha President Rajat Chaudhary, Office Secretary Kailash Jain, Amit Gupta, and hundreds of young party workers.

Rajan Tiwari, State Convenor of the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme, had said that 6,450 'Mann Ki Baat' programmes were organised across Delhi on July 26.

On that occasion, Delhi BJP General Secretary (Organisation) Pawan Rana listened to the programme with party workers in the Outer Delhi district; State General Secretary Vishnu Mittal with workers in Delhi Gate Ward; General Secretary Yogita Singh with youth in Kalkaji; and General Secretary Mohan Lal Gihara in Madipur Ward.

BJP MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri had listened to the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme in Aya Nagar Ward; Kamaljeet Sehrawat in Amberhai village; Bansuri Swaraj, along with Rajya Sabha MP Alka Gurjar, Satish Poonia and BJP workers, in Sarojini Nagar; and MP Swati Maliwal in the Minto Road area.

Source: IANS

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Islamabad, Aug 28 (SocialNews.XYZ) Pakistan's deteriorating water scarcity has often been attributed to climate change, an increase in population or shrinking glaciers, but the crisis has also occurred due to political choices, failure of institutions, and the gradual privatisation of a resource that should be accessible to each individual, according to a local media report.

Per capita water availability in Pakistan has reduced from more than 5,000 cubic meters in the early 1950s to less than 900 cubic meters currently, resulting in the country being below the internationally recognised threshold for water scarcity. Currently, groundwater in Pakistan supplies around 70 per cent of domestic water, around 90 per cent of household needs in rural areas, and over half of agricultural irrigation, according to a report in The Express Tribune.

People of Pakistan cannot trust the water flowing from their taps, it noted, adding that corporations, however, earn by selling the same public resource to people in plastic bottles. The packaged water industry flourished as governments did not provide safe drinking water. As the people in Pakistan did not receive a water supply, multinational companies transformed a public necessity into a commercial product, it said.

The business model of beverage companies depends on an outdated legal framework, under which firms which buy land above productive aquifers can legally extract groundwater at negligible cost before selling purified water to people at prices hundreds of thousands of times more than the extraction charges they pay, according to the report. Over the years, major bottling firms in Pakistan have extracted billions of litres of groundwater, with nearly half of that water lost during processing, according to Supreme Court audits.

"The real battle for Pakistan's future is not simply over rivers or reservoirs. It is over whether water remains a shared public inheritance or becomes another resource captured by wealth and power," the Express Tribune report stated.

Earlier in July, Quetta, the capital and largest city of the province of Balochistan, was facing a severe water crisis with groundwater levels dropping to dangerously low levels and official supplies from the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) either completely stopped or severely restricted in many residential areas.

Residents of areas, including Sariab, Sirki Road, Samungli Road, Jinnah Town, Qambarani Road, Satellite Town, Sabzal Road, and Khayaban-e-Agha, were facing problems due to water shortage. Elderly people, women and young children in Quetta were forced to travel long distances on foot to fetch water.

Many houses in Quetta had received no tap water for the past six months, severely affecting their routine life. Speaking to The Express Tribune, residents of Quetta said that they don't receive water despite paying their WASA bills regularly. The issue has not been resolved despite multiple complaints from residents, with officials only providing verbal assurances.

Source: IANS

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Ahmedabad, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday urged graduating students of Gujarat Vidyapith to set goals for the country, society and the underprivileged rather than limiting their ambitions to themselves or their families, saying "this would help them face difficulties without being weighed down by success or failure".

Addressing the 72nd convocation of Gujarat Vidyapith in Ahmedabad, Union Minister Shah said the 900 students receiving their degrees were entering a new phase of life in which they would encounter family and social challenges.

The ceremony was held at Pranjivan Vidyarthi Bhavan, with Union Minister Amit Shah as the chief guest and Gujarat Governor and Chancellor Acharya Devvrat presiding over the event.

The Union Minister asked the students to decide on a goal before leaving the Vidyapith campus, but cautioned them against becoming burdened by questions over whether they would succeed.

"A very great person once told me that one should not think about whether a task will be accomplished or not. One should only think about whether the task is worth doing or not," he said.

He added that a goal centred on the country and society would allow a person to continue working despite setbacks.

"If you set a goal for society and the country, the burden of victory or defeat will not remain on you," Union Minister Shah said.

He referred to his own experiences to illustrate the point, saying he had faced "many difficulties" in life but had never allowed disappointment to take hold.

He attributed this to the fact that the purpose for which he had to face those difficulties was not for himself or his family.

"The only reason is that the goal for which the difficulties came and the purpose for which I had to live the rest of my life were not for me or my family," he said.

Despite attempts to discourage him, Union Minister Shah said, his enthusiasm for work remained intact and, "by God's grace", he continued to fight every battle and come through.

He also reminded students that their education at the Vidyapith should remain a continuing source of guidance after graduation.

"They would face challenges once they left, but if you continue the daily practice and self-study of what you have learnt here, a path will emerge on its own," he emphasised.

He described Gujarat Vidyapith as a place where education had been shaped through experimentation, including a village-centred development model and basic education.

"Students had been taught to move from the self towards others and to think about society as a whole," he said.

The Union Minister also explained his personal connection with the institution, saying he had been an avid reader of its library and had never imagined that he would one day address its convocation as the chief guest.

He recalled being influenced by Mahatma Gandhi from childhood and said his mother had been a devoted follower of Gandhi.

He also recalled spinning yarn and weaving khadi during his younger years and said he had taken a lifelong vow to wear khadi.

Union Minister Shah concluded by wishing the graduates success and asking them to carry the lessons of the Vidyapith into their lives as they entered society.

Source: IANS

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Amreli, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Thursday inaugurated the 'Gujarat Gaurav Sarovar', a newly constructed water reservoir on the Gagadiyo river near Dudhala village of Amreli district, underlining the role of water conservation in addressing drought and improving groundwater availability.

The reservoir, constructed by the Dholakia Foundation, covers about 21 acres and is expected to benefit agriculture and local residents by improving water availability and groundwater conservation.

The lake, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs four crore over an area of 80,000 square feet, will benefit agriculture and residents of the area.

Union Minister Shah inaugurated the project in the presence of Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and other Ministers.

Addressing the gathering, Union Minister Shah praised the Dholakia family's work in water conservation and said the initiative to revive rivers and deepen ponds had brought significant benefits to the region.

"The newly inaugurated reservoir could store millions of litres of water and referred to the revival of groundwater levels and wells following such conservation efforts," he said.

Union Minister Shah also highlighted Gujarat's water conservation initiatives under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, recalling the construction of 1.5 lakh check dams in the state in 2003.

He noted that the Saurashtra Narmada Avtran Irrigation (SAUNI Yojana) had allowed surplus rainwater to be stored and Narmada water to reach Saurashtra, Kutch and Khavda, while around 10,000 reservoirs in North and Central Gujarat were being filled with Narmada water.

"Through the SAUNI Yojana, surplus water has been stored and today Narmada water has reached the entire Saurashtra-Kutch region and up to Khavda," Union Minister Shah said.

He added that the establishment of the Jal Shakti Ministry by PM Modi had placed greater emphasis on water conservation and public participation, adding that irrigation capacity had increased by 160 per cent.

He also urged people to conserve every drop of rainwater and recharge groundwater to reduce the risk of drought.

Union Minister Shah praised Savjibhai Dholakia for constructing 208 lakes and referred to his receipt of the Padma Shri despite, according to the Union Home Minister, not applying for the award.

"Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan and Bharat Ratna are not honours for families or acquaintances," he said, adding that such awards were meant for people who devoted their lives to public service without seeking recognition.

Deputy Chief Minister Sanghavi described the revival of Saurashtra's dried-up rivers as an "invaluable gift for future generations".

He also said Union Minister Amit Shah had shown a sustained interest in water conservation, environmental protection and social development, including tree plantation and establishing village libraries.

Gujarat Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani; Minister of State for Energy, Kaushik Vekariya; Rajya Sabha MP Govind Dholakia; MP Bharat Sutariya and other public representatives and citizens attended the inauguration.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday greeted Indians living in India and abroad on the eve of Raksha Bandhan.

In a message, President Murmu said, "The festival of Raksha Bandhan has been an integral part of our culture and tradition since ancient times. The rakhi thread, tied around the wrist with faith, has been regarded as a sacred bond of protection, known as 'Raksha Bandhan'."

The President added, "In many shlokas and mantras, we find the words 'Rakshe, Ma Chala, Ma Chala’. These words express the imploration, 'May this bond of protection continue forever'."

Raksha Bandhan has become popular as a social festival in which sisters tie a Rakhi on the wrists of brothers and their siblings. This symbolises the feelings of warmth, respect and mutual responsibility not only between brothers and sisters but also among siblings, families, friends and the society.

This festival reminds us that every relationship rests on the pillars of trust, sensitivity and mutual cooperation.

"On this auspicious occasion, let us pledge to strengthen the bonds among our families and our communities. Let us march forward with this spirit towards a 'Viksit Bharat'," President Murmu said.

In a separate development during the day, President Murmu interacted with the Officer Trainees of Indian Foreign Service (2025 Batch) and two diplomats from Bhutan, who are currently undergoing induction training programme in Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service.

Speaking on the occasion, the President congratulated the Officer Trainees of the Indian Foreign Service and said that they will have the privilege and responsibility of representing India abroad, advancing the nation's interests, and strengthening India's relations with countries across the world.

President Murmu said that India's economic rise is creating new possibilities for our engagement with the world.

She advised diplomats to remain alert to emerging opportunities in areas such as investment, technology, manufacturing, renewable energy and innovation, and build partnerships that advance India's national interests.

She said that diplomacy must contribute directly to India's prosperity.

The President said that India's engagement with the world should always align closely with the aspirations of our people: 'Rashtrahit Sarvopari'. This should remain an enduring principle of Indian Foreign Service officers' professional lives.

She highlighted the expanding role of diplomacy as the country progresses towards the goal of becoming 'Viksit Bharat by 2047'.

The President said that diplomats should not limit engagement to government offices and official meetings.

"They (Diplomats) should also reach out to universities, businesses, researchers, innovators, cultural institutions, civil society and local communities," she said.

President Murmu advised them to engage meaningfully with the Indian diaspora, especially to encourage young members of the diaspora to remain connected with India and identify opportunities for them to contribute to our development journey.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) A unique Raksha Bandhan celebration organised by the Muslim Rashtriya Manch (MRM) in New Delhi on Thursday, blended tradition with a strong message of social harmony and national unity.

Held at the Ghalib Auditorium, the programme saw Muslim sisters tie 'Raksha Sutra' (sacred thread) on the wrist of Indresh Kumar; Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) National Executive member, followed by a Tiranga Yatra in which women participants carried the National Flag.

The event was attended by national and Delhi-level MRM coordinators, workers and supporters from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist and Jain communities.

Among those present were Mohammad Afzal, Girish Juyal, Shalini Ali, Hafiz Sabrin, Imran Chaudhary, Anil Garg, Faiz Khan, Faiz Ahmed Faiz and Shakir Ali.

Addressing the gathering, RSS leader Indresh Kumar stressed peace, brotherhood and unity in diversity.

He urged people to rise above differences of religion, language and culture and treat them as India's collective strength.

He described Raksha Bandhan as an opportunity to build trust and promote greater social harmony.

Indresh Kumar's message carried special relevance for Gen Alpha and Gen Z, who are growing up in a digital world where social media can both connect and polarise.

He underlined that technology should foster dialogue and human connection rather than distance.

Shalini Ali highlighted women's empowerment, stressing education, confidence and economic independence as key to enabling women to contribute more actively to society and nation-building.

The subsequent Tiranga Yatra reinforced the national dimension of the programme.

Women carrying the Tricolour conveyed that nation-building is a shared responsibility across communities.

The National Flag was presented as a symbol of common identity that belongs to every Indian, regardless of religion, caste or region.

The programme linked the symbolism of the Rakhi -- trust, affection and brotherhood -- with the Tricolour's message of unity and collective responsibility.

It emphasised that India's diversity is a source of strength and that festivals like Raksha Bandhan can serve as bridges across communities.

The event concluded with a collective resolve to promote peace, social harmony, women's empowerment and national unity.

The message was clear: different identities, one India; together, a stronger India.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) In what could be one of the more pointed expressions of unease from within the CPI-M's Kerala unit in recent times, its Thrissur district committee member and former DYFI state Secretary T. Sashidharan has invoked the sacrifices of party martyrs, the ideological legacy of communism, and a warning from Lenin to question what he sees as the party’s drift towards power, money, and the comforts of office.

Though he did not name former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan or make any direct allegation against him, the timing and tenor of Sasidharan’s social media post give it a significance far beyond an ideological reflection.

Coming when Vijayan is facing renewed pressure over the Enforcement Directorate proceedings involving his daughter Veena Vijayan, and amid criticism of the former Chief Minister from within the CPI-M, the post is likely to be read as a veiled critique of the decade-long Vijayan era.

Sasidharan, a staunch supporter of former Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, begins by recalling party workers who were brutally beaten to death in prisons and those killed by political enemies.

It was their sacrifices, he says, that created the party and made possible what it enjoys today: "power, beautiful offices, cars, and modern facilities".

The contrast appears deliberate.

Recalling the political discussions of his younger days, Sasidharan says they revolved around (Italian ideologue Antonio) Gramsci, Mao, Che Guevara, Naxalism and revolution.

The dreams of that generation, he writes, were of humanism and equality and of a society without exploitation.

He then turned to money and business.

"Business, financial dealings and the immorality that often accompanies them were never part of our way of life," he held, arguing that a party representing millions living in poverty cannot adopt the curriculum produced by modern capitalism.

The passage acquires added political weight against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding financial transactions involving Veena Vijayan’s company and the continuing ED investigation.

Sasidharan, however, makes no direct reference to Veena or the probe.

The sharpest passage comes when he invokes Lenin, quoting the revolutionary leader’s warning that parties that perish do so because of their arrogance and because they fail to recognise where their real strength lies.

Sasidharan then calls for a leadership committed to serving the people and capable of attracting those who genuinely want to work for them.

“We must recognise not only the things we get right, but also the mistakes we sometimes make,” he says, stressing the need to correct them quickly.

The post therefore stops short of an open attack on any individual.

But its underlying message is that a party born out of sacrifice cannot allow power, privilege, money and distance from ordinary people to erode its ideological foundations; it inevitably raises questions about the political culture that has evolved during the Vijayan years.

For a leader associated with the old Achuthanandan camp, the intervention carries an added layer of significance. Achuthanandan’s emphasis on austerity, popular accessibility, and resistance to the concentration of power had often stood in contrast to Vijayan’s more centralised and assertive style of leadership.

It may not yet amount to an open revolt.

But coming from a serving CPI-M district committee member at a politically sensitive moment, Sasidharan’s post could well be read as the first unmistakable ideological salvo from within the party against the political culture that has come to define the Vijayan years.

Source: IANS

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Srinagar, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Administration (FDA) directed on Thursday that no junk food should be sold within 50 metres of schools in the Union Territory, officials said.

Officials added that the FDA has directed the School Education Department to strictly implement food safety regulations in all government and private schools, including a ban on the sale of junk food within school premises and within 50 metres of school gates.

In a communication to the Directors of School Education, the FDA said the Food Safety and Standards (Safe Food and Balanced Diets for Children in School) Regulations, 2020, must be effectively implemented to ensure safe, hygienic and nutritionally balanced food for school children.

Under the regulations, schools must ensure that food products high in saturated fat, trans-fat, added sugar or sodium are not sold or offered within school premises.

The restrictions also extend to an area within 50 metres of the school gate in any direction, where the sale, marketing or advertising of such food products to schoolchildren is prohibited.

The FDA has also directed that school authorities or food business operators running food services on school campuses must be registered or licensed under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and comply with prescribed sanitary and hygienic requirements.

Such food facilities are also required to have Food Safety Display Boards and Food Safety Supervisors, wherever applicable.

The regulations further require schools to designate meal times to encourage healthy eating habits among children and provide safe drinking water free of cost to all students.

School authorities, including principals and headmasters along with the bodies responsible for management of the institutions, have been tasked with ensuring regular inspection of food premises and monitoring the quality, safety and hygiene of food served to students.

The FDA has also said that schools may appoint a Health and Wellness Ambassador or constitute a Health and Wellness team to act as a nodal mechanism for monitoring the availability of safe, balanced and hygienic food.

The FDA has accordingly called upon the School Education Department and school authorities to ensure strict compliance with the regulations across Jammu and Kashmir.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Gujarat government has extended by five months a scheme offering a 100 per cent waiver on penal interest to beneficiaries of housing schemes of the Gujarat Rural Housing Board, giving eligible beneficiaries until January 31, 2027, to clear their outstanding principal amount and avail the benefit.

The extension follows the first phase of the scheme, under which 2,988 beneficiaries paid Rs 10.57 crore towards their outstanding principal amount through 22 recovery camps organised at the district level.

The beneficiaries collectively received a waiver of Rs 39.51 crore in penal interest, according to details from the Gujarat Rural Housing Board.

The scheme was approved by the state government to waive the penal interest accrued on outstanding instalments of the principal amount for beneficiaries of housing projects constructed by the Board under its Hire-Purchase Scheme.

It covers beneficiaries of the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Lower Income Group (LIG), Middle Income Group (MIG), Competitive (Composite) and Cash Loan housing schemes.

"After making the required payments, all 2,988 beneficiaries who availed themselves of the scheme were issued Loan Clearance Certificates," the Board said.

The state government has now extended the deadline to January 31, 2027, citing the convenience of beneficiaries and providing those who could not participate in the first phase with additional time to settle their outstanding principal amount and claim the full penal interest waiver.

The Gujarat government had earlier announced the one-time waiver scheme for Rural Housing Board beneficiaries, with the measure aimed at allowing eligible families to clear their principal dues without having to pay accumulated penal charges.

The Chief Minister's Office had said the broader scheme was intended to benefit more than 9,000 rural families.

The Rural Housing Board has urged eligible beneficiaries to make use of the extended deadline and complete the required payments within the stipulated period.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) If Onam is about celebrations on nature's munificence, Kerala appears to have taken the instruction rather literally, with milk flowing in abundance and liquor not far behind.

Milma recorded a 5.61 per cent increase in milk sales, selling 1.46 crore litres between August 20 and Uthradam (the first Onam) on August 25. Curds did even better, registering a 9.68 per cent jump with sales crossing 18 lakh kg during the same period.

And then there was the other side of the festive table.

Liquor sales through BEVCO and Consumerfed surged to Rs 771.29 crore in the eight days leading up to Uthradam, compared with Rs 694.96 crore during the corresponding period last year, an increase of nearly 11 per cent.

Uthradam itself proved to be a particularly busy day for Kerala's liquor outlets.

Sales touched Rs 126.31 crore, with Consumerfed outlets alone accounting for around Rs 20 crore.

Major outlets of both networks witnessed heavy crowds as Malayalis stocked up for the festival.

So, while the traditional Onam kitchen was busy preparing payasam, avial, and an elaborate sadya, the state's retail counters were keeping pace in their own very different ways.

Milk, too, had its own festive rush.

The Thiruvananthapuram regional union recorded a 5.86 per cent rise in milk sales and a 7.94 per cent increase in curd sales.

The Ernakulam union reported growth of 4.2 per cent in milk and 16.44 per cent in curd, while the Malabar region recorded increases of 6.03 per cent and 8.7 per cent respectively. Ghee, an essential ingredient in the Onam culinary universe, also moved briskly.

The Thiruvananthapuram union sold 297.85 tonnes between August 1 and 25, while the Ernakulam and Malabar unions recorded sales of 172.58 tonnes and 358.35 tonnes, respectively.

Put together, the numbers offer an amusing snapshot of the Malayali Onam economy -- milk for the payasam, ghee for the sadya, and liquor for whatever comes after it.

The contrasting sales figures also underline how deeply consumption has become embedded in the festival.

Milma attributed its growth to advance planning, expanded procurement and careful supply-chain management to meet the seasonal rush.

BEVCO and Consumerfed, meanwhile, saw their outlets packed as the festival approached.

Milma Chairman K.S. Mani thanked consumers, dairy farmers, employees, distributors and others involved in ensuring uninterrupted supplies during the season.

The government has not released outlet-wise liquor sales figures, so the identity of Kerala's biggest Onam liquor seller remains a mystery.

But one thing is clear: like in previous years during Onam, Kerala made sure that neither the glass of liquor nor the glass of milk was left empty.

Source: IANS

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Ahmedabad, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Union Home and Cooperation Minister and Gandhinagar Lok Sabha MP Amit Shah on Thursday extended Raksha Bandhan greetings to the people of Gujarat and the country, using the occasion to underline the need to strengthen women's safety, education, economic independence and participation in nation-building.

In a message issued ahead of Raksha Bandhan on August 28, Union Minister Shah said the festival symbolised the bond of love, trust and affection between brothers and sisters, as well as the responsibility towards the safety, dignity and self-respect of women.

"The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was working with the resolve to make 'Nari Shakti' a force for national strength by placing women's empowerment at the centre of development," he added.

He cited initiatives including Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Lakhpati Didi and Namo Drone Didi, saying these schemes were aimed at connecting girls and women with education, healthcare, security, economic self-reliance and employment opportunities.

Union Minister Shah also referred to the Women's Reservation Act, describing the move to increase women's participation in the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies as a historic decision.

He said that initiatives such as Lakhpati Didi were helping take crores of women towards self-employment and self-reliance.

"The decisions of the PM Modi-led government are advancing India's journey beyond 'women's empowerment' towards 'women-led development'," Union Minister Shah added.

The Union Minister said the focus should extend beyond empowering women to creating greater opportunities for them to take leadership roles in the country's development.

He also called on people to strengthen efforts to ensure that every girl in the country was safe, educated and self-reliant.

He urged citizens to link the dignity and capabilities of women with national progress and work towards expanding women's participation in building a developed India.

Raksha Bandhan will be observed on August 28 this year.

The festival traditionally marks the bond between brothers and sisters, with sisters tying a rakhi around their brothers' wrists.

Source: IANS

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Dehradun, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha President Padam Thapa on Thursday expressed grief over the lives lost in the massive flash floods in Nepal, while assuring that the organisation is ready to send financial and relief assistance, including medicines, to those affected in the Himalayan nation.

Speaking to IANS, Thapa said that everyone, including those who have no direct connection with Nepal, "felt deeply saddened" after hearing about the tragedy in the neighbouring country, "with which we share close ties".

"Given the 'beti-roti' relationship between Nepal and Uttarakhand, naturally, families whose daughters are married there or whose daughters from Nepal have come here as daughters-in-law are very concerned and worried," he added.

Thapa said that the Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha has 46 branches spread across Uttarakhand.

"We are in continuous contact with the Presidents of each branch. Just now, I received a call from Maya Khadka, the President of the Rishikesh branch. She informed me that most of the affected people are in the Rasuwa area along the Nepal-Tibet border. As you may have seen, the villages around the Bhote Koshi and Trishuli rivers have been badly affected," he added.

Mentioning that many Gorkha families travel to Nepal for pilgrimage, and they may have relatives there as well, Thapa said: "We have asked them to be prepared at their level during this time of disaster. We are also trying to send them financial assistance, relief materials and medicines, whatever can be done from our end, after holding an executive body meeting (of the organisation) and that of our other branches."

"Members of the Gorkha community from India are also part of the Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimages...according to whatever communication we could have with the people there, they are saying that it is a disaster and that bodies are being recovered one after another," he said.

The Gorkhali Sudhar Sabha chief appealed to the Uttarakhand and Delhi governments to issue guidelines for the Nepali students who have come to India for higher studies, so that they do not panic and do not immediately plan to leave for their hometown.

"The government should make arrangements so that the students and families who want to go and meet their relatives in the Himalayan nation are able to do so later," he said.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 27 (SocialNews.XYZ) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday celebrated Raksha Bandhan with school children from across the city as excited girls tied the sacred Rakhi thread on her wrists amid celebrations and fun, an official said.

Sharing her experience, Chief Minister Gupta on social media platform X said, "The joy of festivals among children is exceptional. Today, I celebrated Raksha Bandhan with my dear little friends who came from different parts of Delhi."

"They tied so many Rakhis with immense love, fed me sweets to their heart's content, and then began unlimited chatter, laughter, and heaps of mischief," she added.

"My children, this love of yours is no less than a blessing for me. May your smiles always bloom like this, may every opportunity come your way in your dreams, and may Delhi always remain safe and full of possibilities for you," she said on X.

"Today, there are so many Rakhis on my wrist and heaps of your love in my heart," she added.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta's Rakhi celebrations with school girls came a day after she launched the 'Delhi Lakshmi Yojana', under which eligible women will receive monthly financial assistance of Rs 2,500 through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

She distributed approval and verification letters to thousands of women beneficiaries and formally initiated the process for transferring the monthly assistance into their bank accounts.

Extending her greetings to women on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the Delhi Lakshmi Yojana had now reached the doorsteps of women across the national capital.

"This Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, which has reached the doorsteps of all my sisters across Delhi today -- for this, while expressing my deepest gratitude from the bottom of my heart to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to that mother, and to all of you, I wish you all the very best for your future," CM Gupta added.

The Chief Minister said the scheme had received a significant response since its launch earlier this month, with more than nine lakh women registering to avail its benefits.

"We (Delhi government) launched this scheme on August 1; since then, 9,22,000 sisters have registered their names under this scheme. Today, under this Rs 2,500 monthly Delhi Lakshmi Yojana, we have officially handed over verification and approval certificates to the first 2,500 sisters, who are the initial beneficiaries to receive the benefits of this scheme," she added.

Source: IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) When Rahul Rafi first stepped on a skateboard at the SiSP skate school in Kovalam in 2014, representing India at an international competition in Russia was probably the last thing he imagined.

Twelve years later, the 25-year-old skateboarder is preparing to take that journey, carrying with him a story that reflects the rise of India's grassroots skateboarding movement.

Rahul, trained at the Sebastian India School Project (SiSP) in Kovalam, will represent India at the BRICS Skate Cup 2026, an international festival of street culture and action sports being held in Ryazan, Russia, starting on Thursday till Sunday.

More than 500 athletes from around 30 countries are expected to participate in the festival, which features skateboarding, roller sports and scootering, along with exhibitions, discussions and cultural programmes.

For Rahul, however, the trip is about more than competition. Skateboarding has become his profession and way of life.

"I never imagined I'd one day represent India at an international festival like the BRICS Skate Cup," Rahul said.

"Representing my country is a huge responsibility and a chance to inspire others."

His journey is particularly distinctive because Rahul is not a conventional full-time athlete.

He is also a professional skatepark builder, and says he has been involved in around 75 per cent of the projects undertaken by 100 Ramps Skate Park Construction in India.

Much of his working life is spent with concrete rather than conventional training equipment building skateparks and then skating the streets and facilities he helps create.

"I don't train like a typical athlete. For me, skateboarding is a lifestyle. I'm a skateboarder for life, more than just an athlete," he said.

The BRICS Skate Cup will bring together some of the biggest names in the sport, including Argentina's Matias Dell Olio, a 2024 Olympic finalist and world street skateboarding silver medallist, along with Russian champion Egor Kaldikov.

But Rahul's presence carries its own significance.

His journey from a skateboarder discovering the sport in Kovalam to an Indian representative on an international stage reflects how far India's skateboarding culture has travelled.

For Rahul, the message is simple, passion can create opportunities far beyond the streets where the journey begins.

"This is more than a competition," he said.

"It is proof that passion and hard work can open global doors and take you anywhere."

Source: IANS

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Washington, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Meta has reached a nearly $18 billion agreement with a bipartisan group of 52 US Attorneys General that would impose daily time limits and overnight restrictions on teenagers using Instagram and Facebook.

The agreement, announced on Wednesday, is subject to judicial approval. Most of its provisions would remain in force for 10 years across participating US states and territories.

Under the plan, users under 18 years would face a default two-hour daily limit across Instagram and Facebook. Teenagers could disable the restriction only with parental permission. Time spent across multiple accounts would count towards the combined limit.

Meta would also block teenagers from accessing the apps between midnight and 6 a.m.

Notifications would be muted between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., except for direct messages and account security or safety alerts.

Teenagers would receive prompts after every 15 minutes of continuous use and further notices after their total daily usage reaches 60 and 90 minutes. Direct messaging would remain available during the time, night and school restrictions.

The agreement would also allow teenagers to choose a non-algorithmic feed and turn off autoplay. Like and reaction counts would be hidden by default. Meta would block cosmetic surgery and extreme makeup filters for teenagers.

Meta said parents would receive information when a teenager links a secondary account or interacts with an account considered potentially suspicious. They would also get periodic usage updates and notices about attempted changes to protective settings.

Meta called on TikTok and YouTube to adopt similar restrictions, saying that teenagers frequently move between platforms.

"Because teens move fluidly across dozens of apps, we need an industry-wide solution," Meta Chief Legal Officer C.J. Mahoney said.

"We therefore call on our industry peers, TikTok and YouTube, to implement this new framework, right away."

The agreement calls for a nearly $18 billion payment over 10 years.

Participating states would receive about $12.7 billion. The money could support youth online safety programmes and other state priorities.

The remaining nearly $5.3 billion would be released only if TikTok and YouTube introduce a one-hour daily limit, night restrictions and age-assurance measures, and each company makes a matching payment linked to that portion of the funds.

Meta said it expected to record a nearly $10 billion legal expense in the third quarter of 2026. The charge was not included in the expense range issued during its second-quarter earnings call.

If TikTok and YouTube join the framework, Meta's daily limit would fall to one hour per app and its overnight block would expand from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

The time-limit and night-mode commitments would also be extended from five years to 10 years.

Meta is the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. Facebook was launched in 2004, while Meta later expanded its social-media business through the acquisition of Instagram and WhatsApp.

Source: IANS

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Guwahati, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), a UNESCO World Heritage Site under Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR), is set to introduce special additional joyride services from October 1 to make the upcoming Durga Puja festival season more memorable for tourists and visitors, officials said on Wednesday.

NFR’s Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) Kapinjal Kishore Sharma said that the initiative will offer enhanced opportunities to experience the historic railway, breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage of the Darjeeling hills.

As part of the festival-season initiative, DHR will operate four single-trip joyrides between Darjeeling and Ghum. Services from Darjeeling to Ghum will depart at 9.20 a.m. and 11.25 a.m., while services from Ghum to Darjeeling will depart at 10.25 a.m. and 12.30 a.m. Sharma said that these services will be operated by diesel-hauled trains with a proposed fare of Rs 800 per single journey.

In addition, DHR will introduce two special round-trip joyrides between Kurseong and Mahanadi, providing passengers with an opportunity to enjoy one of the most scenic and heritage-rich sections of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. The first service, “Red Panda”, will be steam-hauled and will depart from Kurseong at 9 a.m., with the return journey from Mahanadi at 10 a.m. The proposed fare for the round trip is Rs 1,530, the official said.

The second round-trip service, “Mukta Dhara”, will be diesel-hauled and will depart from Kurseong at 3.15 p.m. with the return journey from Mahanadi at 4 p.m. The proposed round-trip fare is Rs 1,030. The service has been named “Mukta Dhara” as a tribute to Nobel laureate poet Rabindranath Tagore, one of India’s most celebrated poets and literary figures.

Tagore’s celebrated poem Mukta Dhara is associated with the natural beauty of Paglajhora, adding a distinctive literary and cultural dimension to the new service.

The introduction of these special joyrides further strengthens NFR’s efforts to preserve and promote the rich legacy of DHR while offering an enhanced travel experience, the CPRO noted.

The services will provide tourists and local visitors an opportunity to enjoy the unique combination of heritage rail travel, steam technology, breathtaking mountain landscapes and the cultural richness of the Darjeeling hills.

Ahead of the regular commencement, a special run of “Mukta Dhara” will be organised at Mahanadi Railway Station towards the end of September, on the eve of the station Mahotsav.

The festival-season initiative is expected to add a distinctive dimension to tourism in the Darjeeling hills, giving travellers more opportunities to discover the region’s historic railway, scenic splendour and cultural heritage. Through these special services, DHR seeks to offer an enriching and memorable journey that brings together history, nature and the timeless charm of the hills.

The NFR, headquartered at Maligaon near Guwahati, operates across the Northeastern states as well as in seven districts of West Bengal and five districts of north Bihar.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined plans to increase the capacity of the seven high-density railway routes in the country, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said in an Instagram post.

These high-density routes are spread across nearly 11,000 km and carry a major share of the country's total rail traffic. While covering just 16% of the railway network, these routes account for nearly 41% of total railway traffic, Vaishnaw said.

"Under the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, Indian Railways is moving towards four-laning the entire high-density network to increase capacity and support the growing movement of passengers and freight across the country," the Railway minister said.

The seven high-density routes connect some of India's biggest cities and regions. These routes are Delhi–Howrah, Howrah–Chennai, Chennai–Mumbai, Mumbai–Delhi, Delhi–Chennai, Mumbai–Howrah and Delhi–Guwahati.

The aim is to create four railway lines across these high-density corridors, helping increase capacity on some of the busiest routes in the country.

Vaishnaw also underlined the environmental and economic advantages of rail transport.

With most of India's railway network now electrified, transportation of passengers and goods by trains is environmentally friendly. It is also economical as compared to air and even road transport.

According to officials, some stretches of these networks already have three lines. However, given the high volumes carried, capacity utilisation is over 100% in some of the networks.

"The expansion of these high-density routes is significant as it will help create more capacity across the railway network and support the future growth of passenger and freight traffic," the Railway minister said.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji, the four-laning of these key routes is part of a larger effort to build a railway network with greater capacity, lower transport costs and cleaner mobility," he added.

Officials said that this will help in overall economic development by providing mobility to people and moving more freight. "All hubs of the country have been covered. There will be a boost to the economy of the northeastern states as Delhi-Guwahati is one of the networks mentioned," one of them said.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The West Bengal government on Wednesday gave instructions to all the district magistrates in the state to identify migrant workers' families in the respective districts for allotment of Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Cards (GRGCs) that provide a statutory guarantee of 125 days of wage employment per financial year for rural households willing to do unskilled manual work.

A circular on this count issued by the state's Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Department had been sent to all the district magistrates asking the latter to start and complete the process of identifying the migrant workers' families in the respective districts at the earliest.

"The 'Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) Act, 2025' has come into effect in West Bengal from July 1 this year. Under this Act, adult members of rural families will get a maximum of 125 days of guaranteed work in a year. However, the work is mainly for adults interested in unskilled manual labour. The administration aims to use this guarantee to create regular income opportunities for the people of the village, boost the local economy and also ensure scope for migrant workers to return to their native state," a state Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Department official said.

That is why, he added, the issue of migrant workers has been given special priority in the guidelines of the Panchayat Department.

"As per estimates of the state labour department, the number of migrant workers currently identified in the state is more than 22 lakh. That list has already been handed over to the concerned district administration. Now, based on that information, the work of verifying the real situation of the families will begin," the official said.

The state government had advised the district magistrate not to consider the exercise of identifying the migrant workers' families and check their data as a routine exercise.

Instead, the district magistrates have been advised to take up the task as a priority and hence complete the process at the earliest.

Of the 22 lakh identified migrant workers in the state, Murshidabad has the highest number at around four lakh, followed by Malda at around 3 lakh and West Medinipur at more than 1.5 lakh.

The state government had already received assurance for central assistance in the matter and around Rs 1.265 crore had been allocated by the State Ministry of Rural Development under the VB-G RAM G Act scheme.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) More than 1.14 crore beneficiaries from over 25 lakh families in Gujarat have received foodgrains under the state's Food Security Scheme over the past five years, with the government distributing wheat, rice and coarse grains either free of cost or at subsidised rates, according to data released by the Food and Civil Supplies Department on Wednesday.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister Raman Solanki said the state government had taken several measures to strengthen food security under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

"Beneficiaries are provided wheat, rice, sugar, edible oil, gram and coarse grains on a monthly basis and during various festivals," he added.

The data shows that 3,06,026 families, comprising 14,48,943 beneficiaries, were covered under the scheme in 2022-23.

The coverage increased to 5,63,406 families and 25,43,101 beneficiaries in 2023-24.

In 2024-25, 7,49,252 families comprising 34,53,403 beneficiaries availed the benefits, while in 2025-26, 9,20,610 families covering 39,65,325 beneficiaries received foodgrain benefits.

Foodgrain distribution data for the five-year period shows that 26.91 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 12.57 lakh metric tonnes of rice were distributed in 2021-22.

In 2022-23, the state distributed 12.66 lakh metric tonnes of wheat and 22.70 lakh metric tonnes of rice.

In 2023-24, the distribution comprised 9.20 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 11.03 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 1.28 lakh metric tonnes of coarse grains.

This was followed by 10.48 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 11.35 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 0.84 lakh metric tonnes of coarse grains in 2024-25.

In 2025-26, 8.76 lakh metric tonnes of wheat, 10.45 lakh metric tonnes of rice and 0.88 lakh metric tonnes of coarse grains were distributed.

The expenditure on foodgrain distribution was Rs 11,118.10 lakh in 2021-22, including Rs 6,640.04 lakh on wheat and Rs 4,478.06 lakh on rice.

It stood at Rs 11,677.77 lakh in 2022-23, Rs 6,761.85 lakh in 2023-24, Rs 7,665.94 lakh in 2024-25 and Rs 7,001.25 lakh in 2025-26.

According to the Food and Civil Supplies Corporation, the state government has sought to ensure timely and transparent delivery of foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Central government will start the sale of onions directly to consumers at a subsidised price of Rs 35 per kg in the national capital from Thursday to cool down soaring prices of the vegetable, which are hovering at Rs 55-60 per kg.

The onions being released into the market are from a buffer stock of 1.21 lakh tonnes maintained across producing states for 2026, and the Centre is using its price stabilisation fund to rein in rising onion prices, a senior official said.

The retail intervention will be carried out through Nafed, National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) and Kendriya Bhandar outlets.

NCCF will sell onions directly to consumers through 100 Kendriya Bhandar stores and also plans to extend the sale through Mother Dairy outlets in Delhi-NCR.

NCCF holds a buffer stock of 62,000 tonnes of onion and is transporting 400 tonnes from Nashik in Maharashtra with the "Kanda Express" scheduled to reach Delhi on Thursday.

Nafed, which is maintaining a buffer of less than 55,000 tonnes of onion, will similarly sell onions in Delhi and other centres, including Kochi and Guwahati. The first such rake, carrying 800 tonnes of onions, has already left Nashik and is en route to Delhi.

Besides Delhi, four other centres -- Chennai, Ernakulam, Madurai and Guwahati --are set to receive onion supplies through special freight trains being run for the purpose.

Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi said that the government intends to roll out the scheme in Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Guwahati, and Raipur in the coming days

Meanwhile, prices of onion in the wholesale market in Nashik and Lasalgaon in Maharashtra started to drop following the government announcing its move to intervene in the market. This has lowered inflationary expectations, which are playing a key role in fuelling the price spiral, a senior official said.

The move comes amid a steep spike in onion prices over the past month. The all-India average retail price rose over 28 per cent to Rs 44.72 per kg on August 25, up from Rs 34.80 per kg a month earlier on July 25. Compared with a year ago, when onions retailed at Rs 28.67 per kg, prices have jumped 56 per cent.

Source: IANS

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Chamarajanagar (Karnataka), Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) A 12-year-old tigress was captured by a Forest Department team near Maddur in Karnataka's Chamarajanagar district after it wandered into areas close to human habitation, triggering fear and panic among area residents.

The tigress, which is believed to have sustained an injury to its chest, had been moving around Maddur Colony and surrounding residential areas, apparently unable to return to the forest. Forest officials suspect that it may have suffered the injury during a fight with another tiger.

The presence of the tigress had left local villagers living in fear for several days. They finally heaved a sigh of relief after the Forest Department successfully captured the animal following a prolonged operation.

On Tuesday, a youth identified as Rajendra from Maddur village in Gundlupet taluk spotted the tiger while he was working in his agricultural field. The animal reportedly appeared just a few metres away from him, leaving him shocked and frightened.

Fearing for his life, Rajendra immediately ran back towards the village and escaped unhurt. The villagers were alerted following the incident and promptly informed officials of the Bandipur Forest Department.

A team of forest officials rushed to the area and launched an operation to track the animal. Using a drone camera, the officials closely monitored the tigress's movements and identified its location.

The Forest Department subsequently conducted a prolonged operation during the night and succeeded in safely capturing the tigress.

Officials are expected to conduct a detailed medical examination of the animal, particularly to assess the injury to its chest. A decision on its treatment, rehabilitation, or release will be taken based on its health condition.

The movement of the injured tigress near residential areas and agricultural fields had caused considerable concern among villagers, particularly farmers and others working in the surrounding areas. With the animal now captured, residents have heaved a sigh of relief.

For the first time in nearly five decades, a tiger has been sighted in the forests near Hampi, marking a rare return of the big cat to the region. The tiger movement was captured on a camera trap at Kishkinda Hills in Koppal district. The last recorded presence of a tiger in these forests dates back to the 1970s.

The experts believe the tiger may have made the Kishkinda Hills its home for the last many months and might have moved here from the Shrishailam wildlife corridor in Andhra Pradesh. People have been advised not to venture into the area alone and to avoid sleeping outside their houses at night.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 26 (SocialNews.XYZ) The mother of Rishikesh Kumar, the 31-year-old MSc Physics student at IIT Delhi who died by suicide on the institute's campus, has recalled an emotional conversation with him a day before his death, saying he had spoken about intense emotional pain and suicidal thoughts despite being afraid of taking such a step.

Rishikesh, who had reportedly been undergoing treatment for mental health concerns, died by suicide on August 22. He was rushed to the hospital on the IIT campus, where doctors declared him brought dead. Police said no suicide note was recovered from the spot. A mobile phone found in his pocket was seized and is being examined as part of the investigation.

According to his mother, Asha Poddar, Rishikesh had broken down during a conversation with her on the night before his death.

"He cried a lot and told me, 'Mummy, I am hurting a lot. I am even afraid of suicide; I would not be able to bring myself to do that either. I am useless and good for nothing. Despite having talent, I am unable to achieve anything in this world'," she said in a telephonic interview with NDTV.

Recalling her son's words, she said he felt that despite his abilities and academic potential, repeated obstacles had disrupted his education and prevented him from achieving his goals.

"He would say that he had enough talent to clear any competitive examination, but something or the other would always go wrong. One problem after another kept arising, forcing his studies to come to a halt. He kept asking, 'What am I supposed to do now?'" she said.

She said Rishikesh sometimes wondered whether some unexplained misfortune was preventing him from progressing in life, even though he believed he possessed considerable academic ability.

Asha Poddar also recalled the difficult circumstances her son had faced over the years. According to her, Rishikesh had enrolled at NIT Rourkela but was forced to discontinue his studies in 2014 following the death of his father. He later completed his graduation in Physics from Magadh University between 2022 and 2025.

His mother said the family later faced another difficult phase after Rishikesh developed mental health concerns while studying at IIT Delhi. She had moved with him to an off-campus accommodation after he was advised to remain under continuous parental supervision.

Asked about her demands from IIT Delhi following her son's death, the grieving mother said she had not yet been able to think about the matter.

"I have not really thought about anything. Whatever the students ask for, or whatever his friends decide, is acceptable to me. I have left it entirely to them. I am in mourning and have no demands of my own," she said.

She added that Rishikesh's friends were devastated by the loss of their companion.

"He was very selfless and open with everyone. Such a wonderful young man has been taken away from us," she said.

Describing her son's interests beyond academics, Asha Poddar said he was a talented singer and also loved writing poetry. He participated in kavi sammelans and had a creative side that was known to those close to him.

Rishikesh's brother, Abhishek Kumar, said his brother had directly told their mother that he was experiencing suicidal thoughts. The family had also sought medical help after becoming concerned about his condition.

"He was telling Mummy that he was having suicidal thoughts. We even spoke to a doctor about it. He kept saying that his life was meaningless and that he did not want to live anymore," Abhishek said.

According to him, Rishikesh had also complained of severe headaches and difficulty thinking clearly. He repeatedly told the family that he wanted to leave Delhi and return home to Patna.

"He kept saying, 'Mummy, let us go to Patna quickly. Let us go home.' We spoke to him at length that night and tried to convince him not to do anything drastic. We asked him to sleep and urged him to speak to a doctor. He had convinced himself that he was suffering from migraines," Abhishek said.

The family also alleged that Rishikesh had been deeply distressed over issues relating to his accommodation and academic life at the institute. According to his brother, Rishikesh was unhappy about not being allotted a hostel room and found it difficult to study while living off campus.

Students at IIT Delhi have been protesting since Monday, raising concerns over what they describe as systemic problems affecting student welfare. The protesters have claimed that eight students have died by suicide at the institute over the past 30 months.

Amid the protests, IIT Delhi on Tuesday announced the constitution of a five-member external inquiry committee to examine the circumstances surrounding Rishikesh's death. The institute said student welfare and mental well-being remained among its highest priorities.

In a statement, IIT Delhi said Rishikesh had joined the institute in July 2025 and was initially staying in a hostel on campus. The institute described him as an academically bright student.

According to IIT Delhi, concerns about his well-being were raised by fellow students a few days after the Holi festivities earlier this year. He was immediately taken to the IIT Delhi Hospital in an institute ambulance and was assessed and supported by the institute's psychiatrist.

The statement said the family subsequently expressed their preference to take him to a specialised hospital for further treatment.

Rishikesh then underwent around a month of inpatient treatment at the specialised hospital before being discharged. Later, he sought withdrawal from the second semester, covering the January-May 2026 period, and the request was approved by IIT Delhi.

The institute further said that his health records were reviewed in July and medical advice was given that he should continue to remain under parental supervision. It added that he received counselling and treatment support from the institute's counsellor and doctors in both July and August.

His request to withdraw from the third semester, covering July-November 2026, was also approved, according to the institute.

However, Abhishek alleged that his brother had become increasingly distressed because he felt his medical clearance and efforts to resume his academic life were not being adequately recognised by the institution.

According to him, getting into IIT had been Rishikesh's biggest dream, and he had worked passionately towards achieving it.

"Getting into IIT was his only dream. It was his craze. But when that dream was finally realised, and he felt repeatedly humiliated by the college, the dream began to shatter. He was already struggling, and the college only added to his distress," Abhishek alleged.

He said Rishikesh had performed well during his first semester and secured an 8 CGPA out of 10. The difficulties, according to the family, became more pronounced during the second semester.

Abhishek said his brother suffered a setback and was admitted for treatment. After recovering, he received medical clearance to resume his studies, he claimed.

"He recovered within two months and rejoined college after the doctor issued an NOC. Even though the doctor certified that he was fit and could attend classes and stay in the hostel, with regular check-ups continuing, the college insisted that its own team would decide whether he could study there," he said.

The family objected to what they described as repeated assessments by the institute after Rishikesh had already received treatment from external specialists.

"If the hospital says that the student is fine and capable of studying, why insist on another examination? Why refer the case elsewhere? What objection did the college have?" Abhishek asked.

He also questioned the decision relating to his brother's hostel accommodation and alleged that Rishikesh was not allowed to stay on campus despite wanting to do so.

Asked whether Rishikesh had previously attempted to harm himself, Abhishek referred to two incidents that his brother had allegedly disclosed to their mother after returning to college.

"He told our mother that he had tried twice and had gone up to the ninth floor of the college building. He was deeply hurt by not getting a hostel room and felt that he could not study properly while living outside," he said.

According to Abhishek, Rishikesh felt the decision was unfair because he had performed well academically during his first semester and had received medical clearance to continue his studies.

The family has also alleged a lack of cooperation regarding an academic research project. Abhishek claimed that while other students were paired for projects, his brother was left to work alone.

"He wanted to pursue a research project, but everyone else was paired up while he was left alone. He felt he received no cooperation there either," Abhishek said.

The family said they had approached the institute's administration regarding the accommodation issue. According to Rishikesh's brother, their mother had repeatedly appealed to the authorities to allow him to stay in the hostel.

"Our mother pleaded with them and begged them to let him stay there. He was adamant about living in the hostel and felt suffocated living outside the campus," he alleged.

Abhishek said Rishikesh had been staying with his mother in a small room near the institute and was troubled by the high rent. He also allegedly felt guilty about the inconvenience and financial burden being placed on his mother.

"He felt that his mother was being troubled because of him. All these circumstances made him more depressed, and he felt that he was simply suffering," Abhishek said.

He further alleged that the family did not receive adequate support from the institute.

"There was no help from the college. Is this what they call counselling? Instead of supporting the student, they were harassing him and asking for NOCs from different places," he alleged.

The allegations made by the family come as IIT Delhi has ordered an external inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the student's death. The committee is expected to examine the sequence of events and issues connected with the case.

The death has also renewed concerns about mental health support and student welfare at premier educational institutions, with students demanding greater accountability and stronger support systems on campuses.

Police are continuing their investigation into the case, including an examination of the mobile phone recovered from Rishikesh. The institute's external committee will separately look into the circumstances leading up to his death.

His mother, who says she has left the question of demands and accountability to her son's friends and fellow students, remembers him not only as an IIT aspirant but also as a young man who sang, wrote poetry and shared his creativity with others.

Source: IANS

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Thane, Aug 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Schoolchildren celebrated Raksha Bandhan in a special way at Kolshewadi Police Station in Kalyan East of Maharashtra's Thane district, by tying rakhis on the wrists of police personnel and seeking their assurance of safety.

The children visited the police station and tied the sacred thread on the wrists of police officers and staff as a gesture of respect, affection and trust. They also offered sweets to the personnel, making the celebration a warm interaction between the children and police.

Assistant Police Inspector Pramila Kawale encouraged the students and said ensuring the safety of children was a responsibility of the police.

She urged the children to remain fearless and aware of their surroundings.

Kawale also explained to the students how they should behave responsibly in society and what steps they should take if they face any difficulty or find themselves in an unsafe situation.

She advised them to approach the police without hesitation whenever they require assistance.

She particularly encouraged the girl students to remain alert about incidents occurring in society and to stay aware of their immediate surroundings.

Kawale said education should not be limited to academic studies and that children should also understand social circumstances so they can respond wisely to difficult situations.

During the visit, the students toured the police station and learned about its functioning. They interacted with police officers and gathered information about various activities carried out at the station, including policing and security arrangements.

The children appeared excited to get a closer understanding of how a police station operates.

Police officials said children visit the police station every year during Raksha Bandhan to tie rakhis to police personnel. The initiative is aimed at strengthening trust and a sense of belonging between children and the police.

The police said their objective is to ensure that children do not fear the police but instead view them as trusted safety partners and approach them freely whenever they need help.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Clocking a remarkable journey in renewable energy production, Gujarat has emerged as the country's leading state in cutting down carbon emissions by record levels, thereby playing vital role in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Clean and Green India' and also leading the march towards 'net zero' emission goals by year 2070.

In the 2025-26 financial year alone, Gujarat has successfully reduced carbon emissions by 49.79 million tonnes and generated 67,655 million units of green electricity.

According to estimated data, the western state has reduced total carbon emissions by 179 million tonnes, over the past five years.

This achievement has been made possible through new energy policies aimed at expanding solar and wind energy, as well as incentives for green investments, implemented under the stewardship of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel.

The successful implementation of schemes such as the 'PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana' — which encourages citizens to install rooftop solar plants—and the 'PM-KUSUM Yojana' — which motivates farmers to install solar pumps in their fields — has played key role in establishing Gujarat as the leading 'green energy' state. These schemes not only helped promote savings of beneficiaries but also promote environmental conservation.

By promoting clean energy, Gujarat is making a significant contribution to the fight against climate change.

Through the government's Integrated Renewable Energy Policy-2026 and Green Hydrogen Policy, combined with the coordinated efforts of entities like Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited (GUVNL), Gujarat Energy Development Agency (GEDA), and Gujarat Power Corporation Limited (GPCL), the state is rapidly advancing towards its goal of establishing 100 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030.

Simultaneously, it is emerging as a model state in the realms of clean energy, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

Speaking on the achievement, Gujarat Energy Minister Rishikesh Patel said told reporters that the state government has reduced carbon emissions by 49.80 million tonnes in the 2025–26 period and an additional 67,655 million units of electricity was generated.

Shalini Agrawal, Managing Director of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited, said, "Initiatives such as renewable energy, green energy, and hydrogen are being implemented on a large scale across Gujarat. As a result, Gujarat currently ranks first in India in the renewable energy sector. The state is currently producing 52 gigawatts of renewable energy."

A beneficiary of PM Surya Ghar yojana, Bharatbhai Padhiyar told IANS, "Earlier, my monthly electricity bill used to be between Rs 6,000 and Rs 7,000. We then installed a solar system, availing a 50 per cent subsidy — which powers our TV, lights, fans, and even the AC, and also allows us to charge our electric vehicle. Now, our electricity bill has dropped to zero."

"We have been relieved of the burden of paying electricity bills. We are receiving a continuous supply of water thanks to this solar pump," another beneficiary Khalpabhai Chaudhary said.

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) More than 4.5 lakh rakhis prepared by Anganwadi workers across Gujarat will be sent to soldiers serving along the country's borders as part of the state's "Ek Rakhi Desh Ke Jawano Ke Naam" initiative, officials said on Tuesday.

A 'Raksha Sutra Kalash' containing the rakhis was symbolically handed over to senior personnel of the Indian Army, Air Force, Navy, Border Security Force (BSF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Gandhinagar in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi and Women and Child Welfare Minister Manisha Vakil.

The initiative seeks to acknowledge personnel who remain away from their families while performing duties to safeguard the country.

The rakhis, prepared by Anganwadi workers under the guidance of the Women and Child Welfare Department, are intended to convey their prayers and wishes for the safety of the soldiers during Raksha Bandhan.

Gujarat has been observing "Ek Rakhi Desh Ke Jawano Ke Naam" for the past three years.

The initiative has sought to use Raksha Bandhan to strengthen the connection between women in the state and personnel serving in difficult conditions at the borders.

The Raksha Sutra Kalash was received in Gandhinagar by personnel representing the Army, BSF, CRPF and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), while rakhis were also handed over to senior officers representing the Air Force and Navy.

The latest initiative builds on the state's earlier efforts to send rakhis to serving security personnel.

In 2024, Gujarat's Anganwadi workers sent more than one lakh rakhis to soldiers under the same initiative, with the state government describing the gesture as a way of conveying the affection of mothers and sisters to personnel serving away from their homes.

The programme was attended by Women and Child Development Secretary Rakesh Shankar, Commissioner (Women and Child Development) Ranjit Kumar Singh, senior officials of the department, personnel from the BSF, CRPF and NDRF, and Anganwadi workers and supervisors.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and former Minister of State Vijay Goel on Tuesday highlighted public sufferings due to the nonchalant attitude of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and government officials who allegedly ignore requests from MPs, MLAs, and Corporators for lifting garbage and other waste from their constituencies.

In a post on social media platform X, Goel said, "What an irony that the MCD and government officers aren't doing their jobs, and the MPs, MLAs, and Corporators are running around the streets and alleys, begging them to get any work done."

He added that some officials allegedly project routine cleanliness tasks as big favours to the elected representatives, without realising that it is the officials' primary responsibility not to allow collection of any garbage or construction and demolition waste in areas under their jurisdiction.

Goel on his X post message, in Hindi, said, "If the officials manage to get the garbage picked up from somewhere, they feel like they've accomplished something monumental. They don't even question why the garbage was there in the first place, despite these officials being around."

"The elected representatives have to plead with these officials over issues like drains, manholes, roads, sewers, electricity, and water. And yet, the work still doesn't get done. So, who's bothered about the public in all this?" the BJP leader added.

The former Minister of State's outburst against "lax" civic officials comes at a time when the Rekha Gupta government has launched a campaign named "Delhi ko Kude se Azadi" – from August 17 to October 2.

Chief Minister Gupta had began the 'Delhi Ko Kude Se Azadi-Swachhta Abhiyan 2026' on August 17 at the Kedarnath Sahni Auditorium at the MCD headquarters, encouraging different civic wards to compete for Rs 1 crore prize money.

The cleanliness campaign aims to strengthen the city's sanitation system further, promote scientific waste management, ensure cleanliness of public spaces, and increase public participation by making citizens more aware of cleanliness, she said.

A brochure on the cleanliness campaign was also released on the occasion.

Minister of State and Delhi BJP President Harsh Malhotra, Delhi Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood, Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi, Chief Whip and MLA Abhay Verma and others were present at the programme.

Malhotra said the resolve of 'Delhi Ko Kude Se Azadi' is not limited to the sanitation system, but is an effort to make cleanliness a part of people's thinking and behaviour.

Referring to Mahatma Gandhi's efforts to link cleanliness with the freedom movement, the Delhi BJP President added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too, had called for turning cleanliness into a national movement in his first Independence Day address after taking charge as the country's Prime Minister.

Despite criticism at the time, the cleanliness campaign became a mass movement across the country and played an important role in providing crores of families with access to dignified toilet facilities.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 25 (SocialNews.XYZ) The body of 15-year-old Mithun, a Class 8 student who went missing after falling into an open drain in southeast Delhi's Jasola village, was recovered on Tuesday, bringing a tragic end to a four-day search operation.

Mithun reportedly fell into the drain on Saturday morning while trying to retrieve a kite near his home. The teenager had gone missing at around 11 a.m., following which his family feared that he had been swept away in the drain.

His family, originally from Uttar Pradesh, lives in the area and works as daily-wage labourers here.

Soon after the incident, a massive search operation was launched involving multiple agencies. Personnel from the Delhi Fire Service, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), other rescue teams and divers searched the drain and connected areas in an attempt to trace the boy.

Despite continuous efforts, Mithun could not be located for several days. His body was eventually recovered on Tuesday and has been sent for a post-mortem examination.

The incident also sparked outrage after a video purportedly showing Mithun's father searching for his son inside the drain went viral on social media. In the video, the distraught father was seen entering the drain with a stick in his hand and looking for the teenager as the search operation continued.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier expressed deep grief and strong displeasure over the incident. She directed the Chief Secretary to provide details regarding the jurisdiction and responsibility for the drain within an hour and called for action against officials found responsible for any lapse.

Following the incident, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) suspended a junior engineer of the South East (Central) Zone for alleged dereliction of duty.

The civic body said disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against the official. The action came amid questions over the safety and maintenance of the open and unguarded drain where the teenager reportedly fell.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) on Monday announced a peaceful protest march in the national capital on September 5, accusing the Centre of failing to honour commitments made to young people on July 25.

In a statement, the CJP said it would mobilise young people for a peaceful march from India Gate to the new Delhi Police Headquarters. The protest will be led by the families of deceased NEET victims and victims of alleged police brutality.

"CJP announces youth mobilisation on September 5th, with a peaceful march from India Gate to Delhi Police Headquarters, led by families of deceased NEET victims and victims of police brutality, over the Government's failure to honour its July 25 commitments," it said in the statement.

"The National Working Committee of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) convened today to review the Government of India and BJP/NDA ruled states' compliance with the solemn commitments made to the young people of this country on 25 July 2026, on the basis of which the nationwide youth protests were withdrawn in good faith. Members of the Committee expressed serious doubts over whether the Government intends to honour its word at all."

The party alleged that, instead of implementing the commitments made a month ago, the government had delayed action and avoided providing clear assurances.

"For a month now, instead of implementing what was solemnly promised, the Government has played delay games, hidden behind technicalities, and avoided giving clear commitments even before the Supreme Court of India," the CJP said.

Referring to the Supreme Court proceedings on August 18, the party said the court had repeatedly asked the Union Government to provide a list of FIRs registered across the country so that it could consider quashing them collectively.

“Yet, the Government refused to give a clear commitment to do so. The written assurance from the Government to the CJP is also due,” it added.

The CJP further said that their patience cannot be mistaken for weakness.

"This cannot continue. Our patience cannot be mistaken for weakness. Our good faith cannot become an opportunity for the Government to betray us," the CJP said.

"We announce a peaceful protest march from India Gate to the New Delhi Police Headquarters on September 5, led by the families of the deceased NEET victims and victims of police brutality, and joined by students and young citizens from across the country," the statement said.

The party said it had been "forced to return to the streets" because the government appeared determined to commit a "vishwasghaat (betrayal)" with Gen-Z, the young generation of the country, and families who had lost their children.

The CJP further said that on July 25, solemn promises were made publicly at a joint press conference.

"The young generation trusted those promises. We withdrew a nationwide movement in good faith. A government cannot take the trust of an entire generation, use it to send them home, and then quietly retreat from its own word. We will not accept this attempted betrayal," the statement read.

The CJP appealed to students, youth organisations and young citizens across the country to gather in large numbers at India Gate and participate peacefully in the march.

"The families who lost their children will walk at the front. Victims of police brutality will walk with them. And behind them will walk a generation demanding only one thing from its Government: KEEP YOUR WORD. If solemn commitments made to the youth of this country mean anything, the Government must honour them, in letter and in spirit," it added.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Supreme Court on Monday permitted Tamil Nadu to approach the Cauvery Water Management Authority (CWMA) with its grievance that Karnataka was not releasing the State’s proportionate share of Cauvery water and posted the matter for hearing on August 31.

A Bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta was hearing Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking directions to Karnataka to release 26.954 tmcft of Cauvery water.

Senior advocate C.S. Vaidyanathan, appearing for Tamil Nadu, submitted that the State had received the water directed to be released by the CWMA as of Monday morning. However, he said Tamil Nadu’s grievance was that the CWMA had not directed Karnataka to make up the deficit in the proportionate quantity of water that the State was required to receive.

“We have to receive a proportionate quantity of water, that is unfortunately not happening,” Vaidyanathan submitted. The senior counsel informed the Justice Nath-led Bench that the CWMA was meeting on Monday and Tuesday and said Tamil Nadu would raise its grievance before the authority.

He requested the apex court to keep the matter for hearing on next Monday. Vaidyanathan also highlighted that Karnataka had around 78 tmcft of water in its Cauvery reservoirs, contending that Tamil Nadu was not receiving its proportionate share of the available water.

The Supreme Court thereafter posted the matter for August 31, observing that the parties could place an updated status of the water releases before it.

Tamil Nadu had approached the apex court seeking directions to Karnataka to release 26.954 tmcft of Cauvery water, alleging that the neighbouring State had failed to comply with directions issued by the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee (CWRC) and the CWMA.

The plea followed a decision of the CWRC at its 139th meeting held on July 28, when it reviewed the hydrological and meteorological conditions in the Cauvery basin and directed Karnataka to ensure a flow of 3,500 cusecs at Biligundlu for 15 days, from July 29 to August 12.

The committee had also instructed Karnataka to regulate releases from the Krishnaraja Sagar (KRS) and Kabini reservoirs to maintain the stipulated flow.

The CWMA, during its 54th emergency meeting held on July 30, examined the basin conditions and endorsed the CWRC’s recommendation.

However, Tamil Nadu alleged that the quantity of water received at Biligundlu after the order was far below its rightful share. The State had submitted that Karnataka’s four major Cauvery basin reservoirs together held 77.537 tmcft of water as of August 3. According to Tamil Nadu, the KRS reservoir had storage of 23.078 tmcft, Kabini 18.610 tmcft, Harangi 7.827 tmcft and Hemavathi 28.022 tmcft, with total utilisable storage stated to be 67.517 tmcft. Tamil Nadu had argued that, with such storage levels, Karnataka would have no difficulty in releasing its proportionate share of water.

It also pointed to heavy rainfall in the catchment areas of the KRS and Kabini reservoirs, resulting in a significant improvement in inflows. Tamil Nadu had maintained that, based on the prevailing hydrological conditions and the prescribed sharing formula, it should receive 26.954 tmcft of water at Biligundlu. By contrast, the release directed by the CWMA -- 3,500 cusecs for 15 days -- would amount to about 4.536 tmcft, which Tamil Nadu described as grossly inadequate.

Source: IANS

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Kolkata, Aug 24 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a unique gesture of compassion, Eastern Railway (ER) medical staff are applying a healing touch to thousands of devotees suffering from physical injury, exhaustion and dehydration after completing their pilgrimage to Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar.

Till August 17, ER has recorded a footfall of nearly 20 lakh pilgrims who passed through its stations to reach the site, which is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas and a Shakti Peeth. "As thousands of devotees undertake the arduous Shravani Mela pilgrimage, ER's dedicated medical teams at Jasidih and Deoghar stations are working 24/7 to deliver prompt, compassionate care to pilgrims battling physical exhaustion, dehydration, and injuries," a senior official said.

There are instructions from General Manager Gitika Pandey and Sangrah Maurya, Divisional Railway Manager, Asansol, to railway medical teams to remain on round-the-clock alert to provide timely care to pilgrims and address health concerns arising from prolonged walking, physical exertion and fatigue.

"Medical staff at the Deoghar First Aid Booth provided advanced wound care for severe foot injuries to devotees suffering from extensive, ruptured friction blisters across the forefoot and toes caused by prolonged barefoot walking. The team thoroughly cleaned, irrigated and dressed the exposed raw areas with sterile, non-adherent padding, administered analgesics, assessed the need for tetanus prophylaxis, and provided essential guidance for proper recovery," the official said.

Medical staff at Jasidih station swiftly arranged wheelchair assistance for a disoriented pilgrim requiring emergency care for heat exhaustion and disorientation. At the Jasidih Health Unit, doctors stabilised him with Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS), close clinical observation and supportive care, successfully restoring his alertness before safely reuniting him with his family.

Nataraj Basappa, principal chief medical director, ER, is closely monitoring medical arrangements at Jasidih and Deoghar during the ongoing Shravani Mela, treating pilgrim healthcare and well-being as a priority.

He has reviewed facilities, interacted with pilgrims and patients through repeated visits to medical and first-aid centres, and assessed the preparedness of medical teams to provide prompt treatment and immediate assistance. This medical aid ensures that the pilgrims do not suffer complications on returning home and return to their daily routine smoothly.

Special arrangements were made by ER for the pilgrims at the station. These included holding areas to prevent overcrowding on the platforms, rest areas with mobile charging points, drinking water facilities and toilets. There was constant CCTV monitoring to ensure safety, while medical staff kept watch on the pilgrims' health.

"These instances reflect ER's unwavering commitment to timely medical intervention, continuous monitoring and compassionate care for pilgrims during the Shravani Mela. From treating foot injuries to managing dehydration, exhaustion and other health concerns, prompt medical attention helps prevent complications and ensures a safer, healthier and more comfortable pilgrimage experience for every devotee," the official added.

"Passenger and pilgrim safety remains our foremost priority. ER's responsibility goes far beyond transit—through dedicated medical teams, prompt wheelchair assistance, and compassionate care, we strive to stand beside every devotee. We are reaching the spiritual hearts of thousands by providing care, compassion and a helping hand at every step," ER CPRO Shibram Majhi noted.

–IANS

jg/uk

Source: IANS

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Gwadar, Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A leading human rights organisation on Sunday condemned the enforced disappearance of two brothers in Gwadar, Pakistan.

Paank, the human rights department of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), condemned the enforced disappearance of two brothers, Sajid Baloch and Akeel Baloch, sons of Muhammad Bakhsh, who were forcibly taken by Pakistani military forces in Gwadar on Saturday.

"According to information received by Paank, Sajid Baloch and Akeel Baloch, residents of Sandum village in Kolwah, were working as labourers in the Kantani area of Gwadar. While travelling back to their hometown in Kolwah, they were intercepted and forcibly disappeared by military personnel in Gwadar. Their whereabouts remain unknown,” Paank stated on X.

It called enforced disappearance a “grave violation of international human rights law,” and said it places victims outside the protection of the law, exposing them to the risk of torture and other serious abuses.

“Paank holds the state authorities fully responsible for the safety and physical and psychological well-being of both brothers. Paank demands the immediate and safe release of Sajid Baloch and Akeel Baloch and calls for an end to the ongoing practice of enforced disappearances across Balochistan,” noted the statement.

The rights body also condemned the enforced disappearance of Mehraj Baloch and Irshad Baloch, sons of Hasil, who were forcibly abducted by Pakistani security forces during a military raid in the Bhan area of Turbat on the evening of August 18.

“According to information received by Paank, Pakistani security forces carried out a raid in the area, subjecting residents to harassment and house searches before forcibly disappearing the two brothers. Originally from Patok village in Dasht, Mehraj and Irshad had relocated to Turbat, where they were residing at the time of their abduction,” the rights body stated on X.

It called this case ‘particularly alarming’ because both brothers have previously been subjected to enforced disappearance.

“Mehraj endured more than a year of unlawful detention before his release, while Irshad had also previously been forcibly disappeared. The repeated targeting of the same individuals reflects a disturbing pattern of abuse and a complete disregard for fundamental human rights and the rule of law,” the rights body stated.

–IANS

ksk/uk

Source: IANS

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Gandhinagar, Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) A morning of cycling, sport and classroom-style activities brought schoolchildren together at the Sports Authority of India (SAI)'s National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Gandhinagar on Sunday, as the 87th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle was held under the theme 'Unnat Bharat Abhiyan'.

Students from Om Landmark School and Green Valley School for Children participated in the event at Swarn Jayanti Park, taking part in a range of fitness, recreational and educational activities before cycling through the SAI NCoE campus.

The programme began with a warm-up and physical training session, followed by a fitness challenge in which students competed in push-ups.

The morning also featured cultural performances and activities aimed at giving the children opportunities beyond physical exercise.

Sayanti, a Class 6 student of Green Valley School for Children, presented a dance to the patriotic song 'Teri Mitti', adding a musical element to the programme.

Ravalveer, a Class 10 student of Om Landmark School, performed a Gujarati folk song for the participants. The event also included a short session on financial awareness.

Harshiv of Green Valley School for Children gave a presentation on the 'Basic Introduction to Finance', introducing participants to fundamental aspects of the subject.

The students later took part in games, including train box, badminton, volleyball, carrom and chess before moving on to the cycling activity. They cycled within the SAI National Centre of Excellence campus as part of the weekly fitness initiative.

The 87th edition was held across the country, with events also taking place in locations, including New Delhi, Leh, Kargil and Port Blair.

In Visakhapatnam, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports Raksha Khadse led a BRICS Friendship Cycling Event alongside representatives from several BRICS member countries.

More than 18,000 locations across the country were reported to have participated in this week's cycling drive.

Mandaviya said cycling is beneficial not only as exercise but also in helping address traffic congestion and pollution, while reducing fuel consumption.

"Therefore, let us all stay fit to build a developed India," he added.

'Fit India Sundays on Cycle' was launched in December 2024 by Mandaviya and is organised by the Sports Authority of India under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of India and partner organisations.

The initiative is conducted simultaneously across states and Union territories, including at SAI Regional Centres, NCOEs, SAI Training Centres, Khelo India State Centres of Excellence and Khelo India Centres.

The programme combined the cycling initiative with sports, cultural activities and basic learning, giving participating schoolchildren a varied Sunday morning centred on fitness and participation.

Source: IANS

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Fazilka (Punjab), Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a heartfelt tribute to soldiers guarding the nation's borders, 1,100 special rakhis prepared by the local Women Welfare Society were dedicated to the armed forces on Sunday at the state-level programme 'Rakhi Sarhad Ke Naam -- Samman of National Defence, Pride of Sisters' at the Asafwala War Memorial located a few kilometres away from Punjab's Fazilka district.

The programme witnessed a strong spirit of patriotism, gratitude and respect for the armed forces.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria attended the programme as the chief guest.

Appreciating the rakhis prepared by the women members of the society, the Governor said that society's respect and gratitude towards the soldiers guarding the nation's borders must always remain strong.

Lieutenant General Shamsher Singh Virk and several senior Army officers were also present.

The programme highlighted the courage and dedication of soldiers who remain deployed along the borders in extremely challenging conditions, from sub-zero temperatures to scorching heat.

Their commitment enables citizens to live safely with their families, while the soldiers remain away from their loved ones in the service of the nation.

The atmosphere at the Asafwala War Memorial was emotional and deeply patriotic.

Women members expressed their respect and affection for the soldiers and paid tribute to the bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the nation.

The dedication of 1,100 rakhis became a powerful expression of the sisters' love, gratitude and respect for the nation's protectors.

The programme also aimed to connect the younger generation with the sacrifices, courage and dedication of the armed forces.

Participation by women and people from different sections of society conveyed a strong message that the community stands firmly with every soldier guarding the nation.

The organisers expressed gratitude to the KGF team, Asafwala War Memorial Committee and the civil administration for their cooperation in making the programme a success.

Holding the initiative at the historic Asafwala War Memorial added special significance to the occasion and reinforced the message of remembrance, respect and national pride.

Source: IANS

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New Delhi, Aug 23 (SocialNews.XYZ) Vishnu Vaghela from Gujarat is the captain of Indian blind football team. Though he hails from a rural background and lost his eyesight in childhood but that didn't deter him from pursuing his dream.

He dared to dream big and has today carved a distinct identity for himself by leading the football team, at both national and international levels.

His achievements have made his family happy and ecstatic while the villagers in his hometown Banaskantha are taking pride in his accomplishments.

Vishnu faced many difficult circumstances but that didn't let his passion for the game decline. His family also stood by him at every step.

Sharing his tumultuous journey, Vishnu Vaghela said, "I have travelled to 10 countries to play. I have also won the 'Best Player' title on two or three occasions. I play as a defender for the Indian team, while I play as a striker for the Gujarat team. I have also received the 'Top Scorer' award three times."

Vishnu's father Tejubhai Vaghela shared that his son went to multiple locations, and it was in Ahmedabad that Vishnu began playing football and received support from the villagers.

Since then, Vishnu has never looked back. He has played at the state level and also earned acclaim at the national level as well.

The Blind People's Association (BPA) in Ahmedabad has played pivotal role in honing Vishnu's skills.

With support of government and public, the BPA not only provided him with access to a sports ground but also facilitated superior training facilities.

Bhushan Punani, General Secretary of the BPA, said, "The organisation has state-of-the-art football ground in Naz village. A Premier League match has been held here for the second time. Today, thanks to Vishnu Vaghela's courage, initiative, and determination, Gujarat has emerged as a leading state in the country for 'Football for the Blind'."

Vishnu serves as an inspiration to other differently-abled athletes in the state. He won the 'Best Player' award for his outstanding performance against Brazil at the BRICS Blind Football Tournament held in Moscow in 2025.

Source: IANS

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