Month: December 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the next of kin of each deceased in the boat mishap in Mumbai on Wednesday.

In a post on X, PMO India said, “The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased in the boat mishap in Mumbai. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000.”

According to PMO, PM Modi said, “The boat mishap in Mumbai is saddening. Condolences to the bereaved families. I pray that the injured recover soon. Those affected are being assisted by the authorities.”

Earlier a devastating maritime accident occurred claiming the lives of 13 people near Mumbai as an Indian Navy boat collided with the passenger ferry Neelkamal, causing it to capsize while en route from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Caves.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the incident occurred around 3:55 pm when a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized in the sea after colliding with a Navy boat.

The Chief Minister announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh would be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of those who lost their lives.

Addressing the media, CM Fadnavis said, “Near Mumbai, on Buchar Island, a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized around 3:55 pm after colliding with a Navy boat. So far, 101 people have been rescued, but 13 lives have been lost as of 7:30 pm. Among the deceased, 10 were civilians, and three were Navy personnel. Two critically injured individuals are being treated at Navy Dockyard Hospital. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and police deployed 11 crafts and four helicopters for the rescue operation. However, the operation is still ongoing, and further information will be available by tomorrow morning regarding any missing persons. Families of those who lost their lives will receive an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh from the CM Relief Fund. The incident will be jointly investigated by the police and the Indian Navy.” (ANI)

After 13 people died in the Mumbai boat accident, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant said on Thursday that an inquiry will be done and action will be taken accordingly.

“Inquiry will be done in the whole matter and action will be taken accordingly. If there is some technical error then it is okay but if someone was driving a speedboat just for enjoyment then action should be taken against them,” Samant told ANI.

Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande termed the accident as “very saddening”.

“Such accidents are very saddening…Yesterday, the CM spoke about the causes behind this. Government will take care of the families of those who lost their lives. Something will also be definitely done for those who are injured. This is an accident and it should not be politicised…Several rules and regulations are already in place. Despite this if there is a human error, that should be tackled as well,” Kayande said.

Indian Navy and Coast Guard are continuing search and rescue operations for missing persons.

At least 13 people have died, and two are critically injured after a ferry capsized off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday evening, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed.

Indian Navy craft lost control while undertaking engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to engine malfunction. As a result, the boat collided with a passenger ferry which subsequently capsized.

So far, 101 people have been rescued, but 13 lives have been lost as of 7:30 pm. Among the deceased, 10 were civilians, and three were Navy personnel. Two critically injured individuals are being treated at Navy Dockyard Hospital.

Four of the six persons onboard the Navy boat which rammed into the ferry have lost their lives while one of them is critically injured. The ferry had approximately 110 passengers including 20 children, according to Indian Navy officials.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has assured that the government will provide all assistance to those affected, with rescue operations underway.

He announced that an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh would be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of those who lost their lives. (ANI)

Amid a controversy over Union Home Minister’s remarks on Babasaheb Ambedkar, Rashtriya Janata Dal Chief Lalu Yadav said on Thursday that Amit Shah has gone mad and he should renounce politics and leave.

“Amit Shah has gone mad. He must have hatred for Babasaheb Ambedkar. We condemn this madness of his. Babasaheb Ambedkar is great. He should renounce politics and leave,” Lalu Yadav said.

Earlier, former Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Tejashwi Yadav ashed out at Union Home Minister Amit Shah and accused him and his party of being “anti-constitution” and spreading hatred.

“Babasaheb Ambedkar is our fashion and passion. He is also our motivation and inspiration. We will not let anyone insult Babasaheb Ambedkar. These people are anti-constitution who spread hatred, and the language used in Parliament is condemnable,” Yadav, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, told ANI.

Congress MP Manickam Tagore who moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha on Thursday demanding an apology from the Home Minister said, “He (HM Amit Shah) insulted Babasaheb Ambedkar inside the Parliament. Therefore, today we have moved an Adjournment Motion for his apology as well as resignation from the cabinet…”

Congress MP K Suresh said, “Yesterday also we moved an Adjournment Motion against Amit Shah because he made a remark in Rajya Sabha during the debate on Constitution. Today also we are giving Adjournment Motion to discuss this because Amit Shah’s statement is being totally opposed throughout the country. The nation is protesting against Amit Shah. His remark on Ambedkar is intolerable…”

Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha witnessed adjournments on Wednesday with the Congress and other opposition members protesting against remarks of Home Minister Amit Shah relating to BR Ambedkar during his attack on Congress in his speech in Rajya Sabha.

The issue snowballed into major political controversy with the Congress seeking resignation of Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other BJP leaders attacking the opposition party.

Amit Shah held a press conference and accused Congress of being “anti-BR Ambedkar and anti-Constitution”.

Shah responded to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge’s call for his resignation, saying it won’t make a difference to the Congress party’s fate. Shah claimed that the Congress party will remain in the opposition for the next 15 years, regardless of his resignation. (ANI)

On Wednesday, actor Allu Arjun’s father Allu Aravind visited the Hyderabad hospital to meet a boy who got injured in the Sandhya theatre incident.

Telangana Health Secretary Christina Z Chongthu and Hyderabad Police Commissioner C. Anand also accompanied him to know the condition of the child who has been admitted to the hospital since December 4.

The child lost his mother and suffered severe injuries in the incident that happened during the screening of Allu Arjun’s film ‘Pushpa 2’.

In a video shared by renowned PR Eluru Sreenu, Allu Aravind could be seen addressing the media post his visit to the hospital.

“The child has been recovering since the last 14 days and the recovery has been particularly visible in the last 10 days. But they also said that it will take more time for him to recover completely. We are ready to do everything necessary for the boy…,” Allu Aravind reportedly said.

As per Eluru Sreenu, Allu Aravind also noted that, “due to legal restrictions related to the ongoing case, Allu Arjun is currently unable to visit the child and his family.”

Last week, Allu Arjun was arrested in connection with the death of a woman during the screening of his latest film last week. He was released on Saturday morning on the orders of the Telangana High Court.

After his release from jail, Allu Arjun spoke with the media, expressing his gratitude for the support he received and reiterating that the incident was an unfortunate accident.

“I thank everyone for the love and support. I want to thank all my fans. There is nothing to worry about. I am fine. I am a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate,” he said.

He also extended his condolences to the family of the deceased, emphasizing, “We are extremely sorry for the family. I will personally be there to help them in whatever way possible.”

The actor went on to clarify that he had no direct involvement in the tragic incident, which occurred outside the theatre while he was inside watching the movie with his family.

“It was purely accidental and unintentional… I have been going to the same theatre for the last 20 years, and I have been to the same place more than 30 times. There has never been an accident like this before. I should reserve my comments because I don’t want to say anything that will tamper with the case,” he added. (ANI)

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir O Pedersen on Wednesday said that he engaged with various stakeholders, including leaders of armed factions, and emphasised the potential for a “new Syria” in line with Security Council Resolution 2254, envisioning a “new constitution, a social contract for all Syrians, and free and fair elections.”

Addressing the reporters in Damascus, Pedersen said, “I have been a few days here in Damascus. We have been meeting with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leadership, we’ve been meeting with other armed factions, including representatives from the Syrian National Council (SNC), and we’ve been seeing representatives from the families of the detained and missing, and we’ve been seeing representatives from the broader civil society, and of course a lot of women activists and a few others.”

“… I think it’s important to say that there is a lot of hope that we can now see the beginning of a new Syria. A new Syria that, in line with Security Council resolution 2254, will adopt a new constitution that will ensure that there is a social contract, a new social contract for all Syrians. And that we will have free and fair elections when that time comes after a transitional period, also in line with Security Council resolution 2254,” Pedersen added.

He further said that although stability is there in Damascus, the country faces several challenges.

He said, “But then of course, as you know very well, there are a few challenges. One is that the conflict isn’t over yet. Yes, there is stability in Damascus, but there are challenges in some areas, and of course one of the biggest challenges is the situation in the northeast. I’m very pleased that the truce has been renewed and that it seems to be holding but hopefully we will see a political solution to that issue. Then the second, and that of course is a major challenge as you all know, is the scale of the economic challenges.”

He added, “We need immediate humanitarian assistance, but we also need to make sure that Syria can be rebuilt, that we can see economic recovery and that we can hopefully see the beginning where we start the process to end sanctions. And third, but not last of course, it is the importance of making sure that we have a political transition that will be credible, inclusive and include the broadest range of the Syrian society and Syrian parties.”

Notably, Syria’s newly appointed Prime Minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, has focused on repatriating Syrian refugees living abroad as one of his key goals. Al-Bashir aims to “bring back the millions of Syrian refugees who are abroad” as part of efforts to restore stability in the country. (ANI)

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said there is no discussion in the INDIA bloc regarding a change of leadership and that a meeting of the constituents has not been held.

“No such discussion is taking place, there has been no meeting of INDIA bloc; where will the talk of leadership change? There is no such thing,” Omar Abdullah said answering media queries on Wednesday.

He was asked if there were discussions for a leadership change in the opposition grouping.

He also said Congress and BJP are two parties with a national footprint and in such a situation, Congress has a role of leadership of opposition.

Trinamool Congress leaders have suggested change in the leadership of the INDIA bloc following the election drubbing of the Congress in Maharashtra and the party losing Haryana assembly polls despite huge expectations of its victory.

Trinamool Congress general secretary and Member of Parliament Abhishek Banerjee on December 16 said that Mamata Banerjee is a senior leader and three-time Chief MInister.

“INDIA alliance will sit and discuss this. She is the senior-most. This is her third term as the Chief Minister and she has also been a Union Minister before as well. So there should be a detailed discussion regarding this…,” the TMC MP told reporters.

RJD leader Lalu Prasad and NCP(SP) chief Sharad Pawar have backed suggestions that Mamata Banerjee is capable to lead the alliance.

Sharad Pawar said Mamata Banerjee was a prominent leader of the country.

“Yes, certainly (she is capable of leading the alliance). She is a prominent leader of this nation… she has that capability. The elected leaders she sent to Parliament are responsible, dutiful, and well-aware people. Therefore, she has the right to say so,” he said.

Omar Abdullah had earlier said that Mamata Banerjee should stake claim in an INDIA bloc meeting if she wants leadership of the alliance.

“There has been no meeting of the INDIA Bloc after the Lok Sabha elections, so the question of change of leadership does not arise. Let there be a meeting and let Mamata Banerjee claim the leadership if she wants… There would be discussion on it,” he had said. (ANI)

Bollywood star Ranveer Singh paid tribute to Ravichandran Ashwin, who announced his retirement from international cricket after the conclusion of the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Wednesday.

Taking to Instagram Story, Ranveer wrote, “One of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you for the memories.”

Actor Nakuul Mehta also gave a shoutout to Ashwin.

“End of The Carrom Ball Maestro Era. I have felt heavy all day. Some of the greatest moments of my life have been benchmarked by how we played at that time. Sachin’s desert storm, Laxman and Dravid at Eden, Dhoni’s six at Wankhede, Kohli chasing, Beating Aussies in their den and Ash wrecking havoc at Chepauk and saving us the blushes for the n’th time with the bat,” he wrote.

Nakuul added, “Ashwin’s contribution to Indian cricket would truly be understood in the years to come. An absolute master and servant to the game. Thank you for making our lives so much richer with how you played and upheld the game. Can’t wait to see you and DK analyse the game from the box.”

Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against the West Indies, marking the beginning of an illustrious career in red-ball cricket. He featured in 106 Tests, taking an astounding 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and scored 3,503 runs.

Ashwin played 23 Tests against Australia, claiming 115 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 2.71. The 38-year-old also holds the record for the most wickets taken in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, with 29 scalps during the 2020-21 edition.

In the longest format of the game, Ashwin set numerous records that may prove difficult to surpass. He is the fastest Indian bowler to claim 350 Test wickets and ranks as India’s second-highest wicket-taker in Tests, with 537 dismissals at an economy rate of 2.83. (ANI)

At least 13 people have died, and two are critically injured after a ferry capsized off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday evening, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed.

The Chief Minister stated that the incident occurred around 3:55 pm when a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized in the sea after colliding with a Navy boat.

“The rescue operation is still ongoing, and a final statement will be issued tomorrow,” said CM Fadnavis.

The Chief Minister announced that an ex-gratia of Rs5 lakh would be provided from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of those who lost their lives.

Addressing the media, CM Fadnavis said, “Near Mumbai, on Buchar Island, a passenger vessel named Neelkamal capsized around 3:55 pm after colliding with a Navy boat. So far, 101 people have been rescued, but 13 lives have been lost as of 7:30 pm. Among the deceased, 10 were civilians, and three were Navy personnel. Two critically injured individuals are being treated at Navy Dockyard Hospital. The Indian Navy, Coast Guard, and police deployed 11 crafts and four helicopters for the rescue operation. However, the operation is still ongoing, and further information will be available by tomorrow morning regarding any missing persons. Families of those who lost their lives will receive an ex-gratia of Rs5 lakh from the CM Relief Fund. The incident will be jointly investigated by the police and the Indian Navy.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Navy explained that the collision occurred when an Indian Navy craft lost control during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to an engine malfunction. This resulted in the death of 13 people.

According to the Navy, 99 survivors have been rescued so far.

“Search and rescue efforts were immediately launched, involving four naval helicopters, 11 naval crafts, one Coast Guard boat, and three marine police crafts to recover survivors,” the Indian Navy stated.

The Navy spokesperson further added, “This afternoon, an Indian Navy craft lost control during engine trials in Mumbai Harbour due to engine malfunction, which led to the collision with a passenger ferry that subsequently capsized. Thirteen fatalities have been reported. Survivors are being shifted to nearby hospitals. As of the last update, 99 survivors have been rescued.”

According to officials, the ferry, carrying 85 passengers, including five crew members, was en route to Elephanta Island when the incident occurred near Uran, Karanja, around 6:30 pm. (ANI)

IMD scientist Dr Soma Sen Roy on Wednesday stated that foggy conditions in the national capital, Delhi, are likely to persist tomorrow and the day after due to the influence of western disturbances.

Highlighting the prevailing weather conditions, Dr Roy added that a drop in minimum temperatures is expected as a result of these western disturbances.

She explained that variable and calm wind conditions, combined with increased moisture due to the western disturbance, are conducive to the formation of fog.

Dr Roy further noted that this western disturbance has brought significant moisture, particularly from the Bay of Bengal, creating favourable conditions for fog formation.

Speaking to ANI, Dr Soma Sen Roy said, “In the last two days, there has been a western disturbance. Today, a fresh disturbance has emerged. While these disturbances haven’t caused significant rainfall, they have induced a low-level cyclonic circulation that has drawn in considerable moisture, especially from the Bay of Bengal. This increase in moisture has led to a rise in minimum temperatures and the emergence of foggy conditions. As we had predicted, moderate to dense fog is likely to persist today and tomorrow.”

She added, “Western disturbances disrupt wind patterns, making them variable and calm, while increasing moisture levels–both of which are ideal for fog formation. As this disturbance moves eastward, we expect northerly winds to resume, driven by light snowfall over the western Himalayan region. Consequently, northwesterly winds will start affecting the region. For Delhi, tomorrow, we have forecast light to moderate to dense fog, which is likely to continue for another one or two days.”

Dr Roy also noted that the western disturbance is expected to cause a drop in minimum temperatures across north India. Temperatures are predicted to fall by two degrees Celsius over the plains after 48 hours and over the hills within 24 hours.

She said, “As these western disturbances move away, the northwesterly winds will bring a fall in minimum temperatures by two degrees Celsius, primarily over the plains after 48 hours and the hills after 24 hours. This temperature drop is expected to increase the intensity and distribution of cold wave conditions across north India, particularly in East Rajasthan, and these conditions are likely to persist.”

Earlier today, Delhi woke up to a blanket of fog, which reduced visibility in parts of the city. The minimum temperature dropped to 5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. On Tuesday, Delhi recorded a temperature of 7.4 degrees Celsius at 2:30 am, according to the IMD. (ANI)