Month: February 2025

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday said that 16 out of 57 road construction workers, who got trapped under snow in an avalanche that hit near Mana village in Chamoli district today, have been rescued and efforts are on to save the remaining people.

“57 of the BRO workers were trapped in the avalanche, out of which 16 workers have been rescued. All preparations have been made. We are taking help from the ITBP. The district administration and all others are in touch, and we are trying to rescue all as soon as possible,” Chief Minister Dhami told reporters.

CM Dhami said that relief and rescue operations are underway by personnel of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and BRO.

In a self-made video, Chamoli District Magistrate Sandeep Tiwari said that personnel from the Indian Army, the ITBP, and the state disaster relief force have been mobilised for the rescue operation.

“Information about an avalanche has been received. Around 57 labourers of BRO (Border Roads Organisation), who undertake snow-clearing operations, had camped there. Our teams have been mobilised – ITBP, SDRF and Administration. There is active rainfall and snowfall activities there. So, we are unable to deploy heli-services. Movement is difficult,” the Chamoli DM said.

He further said that there has been no reports of any casualties so far.

“Since satellite phones and other such equipment are not available there, we have not been able to have a clear communication with them. But we have not received any official information of any casualty…We are receiving full support from higher authorities. We hope that our team will reach there and rescue them safely,” the district magistrate said.

Inspector General of Police, State Disaster Response Force Ridhim Agarwal said that a total of 57 workers of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were affected in the avalanche near Mana village.

SDRF Inspector General of Police said that a team of the SDRF has left from Joshimath but due to road blockage in Lambagad, the process of opening the route by contacting the Army is underway.

“The second team has been kept on alert at Sahasradhara helipad. Exact coordinates of the area have been obtained. As soon as the weather conditions improve, the high-altitude rescue team of SDRF will be dropped by helicopter at the nearest available place,” Agarwal said.

Moreover, SDRF and district administration are coordinating with personnel of the BRO and the Army.

“The SDRF drone team has also been kept in readiness. Due to heavy snowfall, drone operations are not possible at the moment,” he said.

BRO Executive Engineer CR Meena said that the rescue operations is being hampered due to heavy snowfall and the team is facing difficulties.

“Three to four ambulances have also been sent, but due to heavy snowfall, the rescue team is facing difficulties in reaching there,” BRO Executive Engineer said.

Earlier today, Dhami posted on X, “Sad news was received about many workers being trapped under an avalanche during the construction work being carried out by BRO near Mana village in Chamoli district. Relief and rescue operations are being carried out by ITBP, BRO and other rescue teams. I pray for the safety of all the labour brothers.” (ANI)

European Commission Commissioners on Friday arrived at the Hyderabad House venue in the national capital onboard a bus powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology, which was developed and operated in collaboration with Tata Motors and Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).

The EU Commission Commissioners smiled for cameras as they sat in the bus that transported them to Hyderabad House, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held bilateral delegation level talks.

Photographs shared by the external,affairs ministry showed PM Modi welcoming Ursula von der Leyen before proceeding for talks. They ware seen in conversation as they stood near the bus.

The European Commission President is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of European College of Commissioners. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel received Ursula von der Leyen at the airport.

Upon her arrival in national capital yesterday the EU chief in a post on X wrote, “Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level.”

Earlier in the day, India and the EU held a bilateral cluster meeting in New Delhi on Friday and discussions focused on connectivity, India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, Meditteranean and the expansion of the European Union.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner and EU Commissioner for Mediterranean and Demography Dubravka Suica participated in the meeting.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Pleased to participate in the India-EU bilateral cluster meeting this morning alongside Commissioners @JozefSikela, @dubravkasuica, @MartaKosEU, @magnusbrunner of @EU_Commission and my colleagues @KVSinghMPGonda & @nityanandraibjp.”

“Our conversation focused on connectivity and IMEC, green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, Mediterranean and EU expansion,” he added. (ANI)

Thanking the people of Gunat for cooperation in the search of the accused in the Pune rape incident, Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar on Friday said that the accused will be produced before the Court and a special counsel will be appointed in the case.

“The accused was detained from Gunat village last night around 1:10 am… People from the Gunat village helped us nab the accused. Nearly 500 officers and personnel had been working on this operation for the past three days. Around 400-500 citizens of Gunat village extended significant cooperation in the search. Our dog squad provided leads from different locations, which yielded positive results. Drone cameras were also used, which proved beneficial. Although there was a delay, we finally arrested the accused last night,” Pune CP said addressing a press conference.

He further said that the Police are making every effort to build a “watertight case.”

“After completing the formalities, he was arrested, and he will be produced before the Court today. A special counsel will be appointed, and we will try to fast-track the case… We believe that we will succeed in preventing such cases in the future, and we are working in this regard,” he added.

The Pune Police Commissioner thanked the people of Gunat and said that he will visit the village to honour the villagers.

“I thank the people of Gunat on behalf of Pune police. I will visit the village to honour the villagers who helped us,” he said.

The accused in the Pune rape incident, who was detained by a team of the Pune Crime Branch from Gunat village in Shirur Tehsil of Pune district, and was formally arrested, Pune Police said on Friday. DCP Smarthana Patil, Zone 2, Pune City Police, stated that the accused, Dattatray Ramdas Gade, has been formally arrested.

The accused Dattatray Ramdas Gade was absconding since the incident happened on Tuesday, when the rape survivor, a working woman, was waiting for a bus to return home to Phaltan, which is located around 100 km away. The accused allegedly approached her, falsely claiming that the bus to her destination was parked elsewhere. He led her to a MSRTC Shivsahi bus parked in the depot, where he allegedly raped her.

Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey called for maximum punishment for the accused in the case.

“The Pune incident has shaken the entire Maharashtra…We are living in modern times but such barbarism is happening in these times. Government and those responsible for law and order are responsible for this. People swear by the law and order in Maharashtra…The manner in which crime has increased in Pune is very unfortunate…After 48 hours, the government is appreciating itself that it has nabbed the accused…What is the guarantee that he acted alone? It is possible that there is a gang behind this…Locals say that buses remain parked there and incidents happen on those buses every day. This incident has come to light; several others might not have. Govt must dismantle this entire gang. We demand Devendra Fadnavis to hang the guilty and also have an investigation…Law and order of the entire Maharashtra is collapsing.,” Dubey said.

Maharashtra’s Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik also initiated a departmental inquiry against the Assistant Transport Superintendent and the Bus Depot Manager of the Swargate Bus Depot in Pune. (ANI)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a crucial meeting to review the law and order situation in the national capital on Friday.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood and senior officers from the Delhi government are present in the meeting.

Besides, Union Home Secretary and IB Chief along with senior officers from the Ministry of Home Affairs joined the meeting.

The meeting was expected to focus on strategies to enhance coordination between the newly formed Delhi government and the Delhi Police, as well as strengthen policing measures to address emerging threats to law and order in the city.

Shah has been actively monitoring security situations across the country and has previously emphasised the need for a robust law enforcement mechanism in Delhi, given its significance as the national capital.

Newly elected Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, the BJP’s debutante MLA from Shalimar Bagh who took oath as the fourth woman Chief Minister of Delhi on February 20, along with Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood joined the meeting in which Delhi Police Commissioner Sanjay Arora and other senior Delhi Police officers are also present.

Earlier on February 18, the Union Home Minister emphasized urgent necessity of enforcing “trial in absentia” provisions as well as full implementation of new criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir by April 2025 during a meeting with the Union Territory’s Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

During the meeting, Shah asked the UT administration for optimum use of technology to ensure speedy justice under the three new criminal laws– the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023; Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA), 2023; that replaced the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), and the Indian Evidence Act, respectively.He said that the progress of implementation of the three new laws in Jammu and Kashmir should be reviewed on a monthly, fortnightly and weekly basis at the level of the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, respectively. (ANI)

The World Bank on Friday said India will need to grow by 7.8 per cent on average over the next 22 years to achieve the country’s aspirations of becoming a developed country by 2047.

A new World Bank report released on Friday finds that this target of India is possible. Recognizing India’s fast-paced growth averaging 6.3 per cent between 2000 and 2024, the report notes that India’s past achievements provide the foundation for its future ambitions.

Getting there however would require reforms and their implementation to be as ambitious as the target itself, the World Bank said in a statement, soon after unveiling the report.

“Lessons from countries like Chile, Korea and Poland show how they have successfully made the transition from middle- to high-income countries by deepening their integration into the global economy,” said Auguste Tano Kouame, World Bank Country Director.

“India can chart its own path by stepping up the pace of reforms and building on its past achievements,” he added.

The report evaluates three scenarios for India’s growth trajectory over the next 22 years.

The scenario which enables India to reach high-income status in a generation, requires: achieving faster and inclusive growth across states; increasing total investment from current 33.5 per cent of GDP to 40 per cent (both in real terms) by 2035; increasing overall labour force participation from 56.4 per cent to above 65 per cent; and accelerating overall productivity growth.

“India can take advantage of its demographic dividend by investing in human capital, creating enabling conditions for more and better jobs and raising female labour force participation rates from 35.6 per cent to 50 per cent by 2047,” said Emilia Skrok and Rangeet Ghosh, co-authors of the report.

In the past three fiscal years India has accelerated its average growth rate to 7.2 per cent. In order to maintain this and attain an average growth rate of 7.8 per cent (in real terms) over the next two decades, the World Bank report recommends four critical areas for policy action: increasing investment; fostering an environment to create more and better jobs; promoting structural transformation, trade participation and technology adoption; and enabling states to grow faster and together.

In 2025-26, the Indian economy is projected to grow between 6.3 per cent and 6.8 per cent, as noted in the Economic Survey presented on January 31.

The survey document highlights that the country’s economic fundamentals remain strong, supported by a stable external account, fiscal consolidation, and private consumption.

India’s GDP grew by an impressive 8.2 per cent during the financial year 2023-24 and continued to be the fastest-growing major economy. The economy grew by 7.2 per cent in 2022-23 and 8.7 per cent in 2021-22. The government expects 6.4 per cent growth for the current fiscal. (ANI)

India and the EU held a bilateral cluster meeting in New Delhi on Friday and discussions focused on connectivity, India Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, Meditteranean and the expansion of the European Union.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela, EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner and EU Commissioner for Mediterranean and Demography Dubravka Suica participated in the meeting.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Pleased to participate in the India-EU bilateral cluster meeting this morning alongside Commissioners @JozefSikela, @dubravkasuica, @MartaKosEU, @magnusbrunner of @EU_Commission and my colleagues @KVSinghMPGonda & @nityanandraibjp.”

“Our conversation focused on connectivity and IMEC, green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, Mediterranean and EU expansion,” he added.

Yesterday, EAM Jaishankar called on the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and lauded her views on reenergizing India’s engagement with Europe.

“Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi. Appreciate her thoughts on reenergizing India’s engagement with Europe. The wide-ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the importance we place on deeper India-EU ties,” Jaishankar said in a post on X.

The European Commission President is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of European College of Commissioners. Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel received Ursula von der Leyen at the airport.

Upon her arrival in Delhi, European Commission President in a post on X wrote, “Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level.”

This is Ursula von der Leyen’s third visit to India. She previously visited India for a bilateral official visit in April 2022 and to attend the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023. PM Narendra Modi and President Ursula von der Leyen have also met regularly on the sidelines of multilateral meetings. (ANI)

Amid the DMK’s government’s strong opposition to the Three-language policy, Governor RN Ravi said that there’s a strong demand for implementation of New Education Policy 2020 because the youth feel “hugely deprived” of opportunities.

“There is huge demand for implementation of the NEP 2020. The youth of this region feel hugely deprived of opportunities compared to those from neighboring states due to the rigid two language policy of the State Government,” the Governor said in a statement posted on X by the Tamil Nadu Raj Bhavan.

He further stated that the ‘stringent’ two-language policy is “unfair” and that the youth “must have a choice to study language.”

“Unfortunately in the name of opposition to Hindi they are not allowed to study even any other South Indian languages. This is indeed unfair. Our youth must have a choice to study language,” he said

The Governor said that he had interacted with a large number of leaders from a cross section of South Tamil Nadu and received a positive response on the centre’s new education policy.

“Number of leaders from cross sections of South Tamil Nadu including education, business, health, hospitality, youth startups, women entrepreneurs, MSME sectors. Also students from several institutions. It was encouraging to see their positive energy and enterprise transforming lives for the better despite numerous difficulties and systemic obstacles. This region is rich in human and natural resources and yet it feels like a neglected backyard,” Governor Ravi said.

Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu CM Stalin urged the people to “rise” to defend the state in a fight against the delimitation of constituencies and the three-language policy.

Sharing a video message, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister said that the state is confronting two critical challenges: language and the fight against delimitation.

“Today, Tamil Nadu is confronting two critical challenges – the battle for language, which is our lifeline, and the fight against delimitation, which is our right. I earnestly urge you to convey the true essence of our battle to the people. Constituency delimitation directly impacts our state’s self-respect, social justice, and welfare schemes for the people. You should take this message to people. Every individual must rise to defend our state,” Stain said in a video message on X.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Student Organisations – Tamil Nadu (FSO -TN) and DMK launched a protest against the arrival of Union MoS Education Sukanta Majumdar. The Union Minister is in Chennai to attend an event at IIT Madras. They showed black flags against the Minister.

The Tamil Nadu government has strongly opposed implementing the New Education Policy (NEP) of 2020, raising concern over the “three-language formula” and alleging that the Centre wants to ‘impose’ Hindi. (ANI)

The Delhi High Court on Thursday granted more time to former Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy and Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others to file short note on the submissions in the National Herald Case.

Justice Vikas Mahajan’s bench, after granting more time to the parties, has scheduled the matter for July. The court has extended the stay on the trial court’s proceedings in the case

The High Court was hearing a plea by Subramaniam Swamy to present evidence before the trial court in the National Herald case, where Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others are accused.

Subramaniam Swamy moved the High Court against a February 11, 2021 trial court order that declined his plea to present evidence to prosecute the Gandhis and other accused in the case. The trial court had stated that Swamy’s application under Section 244 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) to present evidence would be considered after his examination in the case was completed.

Swamy’s application emphasized that the case is primarily based on documentary evidence, which needs to be verified through witnesses. He sought the summoning of several officials, including Secretary-General (Registry Officer) of the Supreme Court, Deputy Land and Development Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Income Tax Circle-1, a Congress official who issued a press statement on November 2, 2012, and journalist.

Senior advocates R.S. Cheema and Tarannum Cheema represented the Congress leaders in court. RS Cheema, had previously cross-examined the Swamy in the matter. The National Herald case, filed by Swamy, is being heard by a special court in Delhi’s Rouse Avenue against Sonia, Rahul, and other associated individuals.

According to Swamy’s complaint, Associated Journals Limited (AJL) had taken an interest-free loan of Rs 90.25 crore from the Indian National Congress, which was allegedly not repaid. Swamy filed the case in 2012, accusing the Gandhis and others of conspiring to cheat and misappropriate funds. Congress leaders have denied the allegations. (ANI)

Former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino interacted with PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya students in New Delhi on Thursday.

Massimino also explored the school’s facilities, including the AR-VR Lab, Atal Tinkering Lab, and language lab.

While interacting with the students, Massimino praised India’s Chandrayaan-3 mission, emphasising its significance for India and the global space community.

He highlighted the challenges of landing on the Moon’s South Pole and how this achievement could provide key insights into water sources essential for habitation. Additionally, he underscored the importance of international collaboration in future space programs.

He said, “It’s wonderful. They made me feel so welcome… The students were very polite, had some great questions, and the whole school was very welcoming… The school couldn’t be nicer… India has a lot to offer. I am familiar with many people I worked with at NASA. A lot of Indian students we have in the US are very smart and hardworking… Chandrayaan’s mission was amazing…”

Massimino shared how a movie based on 7 astronauts inspired him to become an astronaut. Engaging with the students, he answered their questions about space exploration, the kind of food they had during their space trips, etc.

Recounting his personal experiences, he described how he adapted to zero gravity in space and elaborated on their sleeping arrangements, consoles to work, etc. Students were also curious about AI’s role in space exploration.

In response, he explained that AI would streamline the processes, making them more efficient, cost-effective, and safe. Concluding his interaction, he advised students on the subjects and skills they should pursue if they aspire to a career in space exploration.

During the event, students asked several questions about the challenges of pursuing a career as an astronaut and the key subjects essential for their preparation. Massimino emphasised the importance of exploring various fields, including soil sciences and marine biology.

His practical and insightful answers left the students excited and deeply inspired. They also asked him about the most challenging project he worked on at NASA and whether human habitation on Mars would be possible in the near future.

He explained that while living on the Moon could become a reality soon, settling on Mars would take longer due to the technological challenges that still need to be overcome.

Mike Massimino, a former NASA astronaut, is a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University and the senior advisor for space programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum.

He received a BS from Columbia University, an MS in mechanical engineering and technology and policy, and a PhD in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

After working as an engineer at IBM, NASA, and McDonnell Douglas Aerospace, along with academic appointments at Rice University and the Georgia Institute of Technology, he was selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1996 and is the veteran of two space flights, the fourth and fifth Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions in 2002 and 2009.

Mike has a team record for the number of hours he spent spacewalking in a single space shuttle mission. He was also the first person to tweet from space. During his NASA career, he received two NASA Space Flight Medals, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the American Astronautical Society’s Flight Achievement Award, and the Star of Italian Solidarity.

He is the Senior Adviser for Space Programs at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City and a professor at Columbia University’s engineering school, The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Somit Shrivastava, Joint Commissioner (Pers); BK Behra, Deputy Commissioner (Academics) KVS HQ; SS Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner, KVS Delhi Region; GS Pandey and KC Meena, Assistant Commissioner, Delhi Region; VK Mathpal, Principal KV No 2, Delhi Cantonment; and others were also present at the programme. (ANI)