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Lucknow: Durga Mata idol desecrated, hands severed amid Navratri, case booked against unidentified people

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On Thursday, 10th October, miscreants vandalized an idol of Maa Durga at the Mari Mata temple in the Cantt police station area in Neelmatha, Lucknow, severing the hand of the idol. The incident came to the fore on 10th October morning when the temple priest came to the temple to perform the puja. The priest noticed the damage and immediately informed local residents, prompting a large crowd to gather at the scene.

As per reports, massive tensions arose when the devotees and the Hindu community got enraged by the desecration of the idol. Upon receiving information, the police arrived at the temple to calm the situation. Inspector Cantt, Gurpreet Kaur, stated that a case has been registered at the police station and all the efforts to identify and capture the accused persons are being made.

The miscreants, as per the police, used a grinder machine to sever the idol’s hand. The incident has hurt the Hindu community. ACP Cantt, Abhay Pratap Mall, said that the situation has been resolved and a new idol at the temple has been placed. He further sought four days, during which he said that the miscreants would be identified and arrested.

The incident reportedly comes a day after a piece of meat was found lying outside a temple in Lucknow’s Bazar Khala police station area. The Hindu devotees protested on seeing the meat and demanded an investigation into the case. The Police then took cognizance of the issue and removed the piece of meat from outside the Lambeshwar temple. Later it was found that a woman named Alima used to feed the dogs with meat and one of the pieces might have been dragged by the dog towards the temple. The woman in the given case was arrested.

Bangladesh: Durga Puja mandap invites Muslims for ‘cultural performance’, they defile the Hindu festival by performing Islamic songs

On Thursday (10th October) evening, a group of Muslim men defiled the sanctity of a Durga Puja mandap in Chittagong city of Bangladesh by forcibly singing Islamic songs.

The radicals took to the stage of the JM Sen Hall Puja Mandap and sang the proselytising Islamic song ‘Shudhu Musolmaner Lagi Aseniko Islam (Islam did not come to light only for Muslims).’

The Muslim men, who were involved in the desecration of the Puja Mandap, belonged to the Chittagong Cultural Academy. A video of the incident has now surfaced on social media.

Atheist Bangladesh writer Taslima Nasreen, who is living in an asylum in India, remarked, “Jihadis are singing Islami jihadi songs in Durga puja pandal in Chittagong Bangladesh. What if Hindus sing hare ram hare krishna during Namaz inside mosques?”

While it is true that the radicals were allowed to sing on stage by the joint secretary of Chattogram Puja Celebration Council Sajal Dutta, he was assured that the group would sing only a patriotic song. No permission was sought to sing proselytising Islamic songs.

Chittagong Cultural Academy attempted to rationalise the desecration of the puja mandap by claiming that the song was about promoting ‘harmony.’

President Selim Jaman alleged, “Six of our members went there and performed a patriotic song and a song promoting harmony. One of them was ‘Aage Ki Sundor Din Kataitam,’ and another mentioned Hindus, Buddhists, and Christians.”

Following the incident, Hindus took to the stage in protest demanding action against the 6 radicals. Chittagong Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam went to the Puja pandal and assured all-out support.

She claimed, “No matter who they are and how powerful they are, they will be arrested within the next 24 to 48 hours.” In the meantime, the Puja committee expelled Sajal Dutta from the position of joint secretary of Chattogram Puja Celebration Council.

Hindus miffed over the desecration of Puja Mandap

General Secretary of the Bangladesh Puja Celebration Committee (Chattogram) Sukanta Mohajan Tutul stated, “We can’t take it lightly. This is a heinous act. We are trying to identify them through proper authorities.”

Jamaat-e-Islami has meanwhile claimed that the 6 Muslim men, who desecrated the Durga Puja mandap, were not affiliated with it or its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir.

Attack on Durga idols in Bangladesh

Ahead of the Durga Puja celebrations, a radical Muslim man vandalised the idols of Goddess Durga and other Hindu deities in Gouripur town in the Mymensingh district of Bangladesh on 25th September.

The accused was identified as 22-year-old Yasin Mia. The police arrested him on 26th September for his involvement in the desecration of Hindu idols.

Mia entered the premises of Gobindajew temple in the wee hours of Wednesday and began destroying the idols, which had been sculpted for the past 20 days. While attempting to take the idols away, he was spotted by a Hindu woman named Dolly Rani.

She raised alarm and Mia was quickly apprehended by two locals, Akhil Chandra Bishwasharma and Bipul Ghosh. The accused was then handed over to the police

Idol vandalism at the Manikadi Palpara Barwari Pujamandap in Pabna

In the latest series of attacks, idols of Goddess Durga and other Hindu deities were vandalised at the Rishipara Barwari Puja Mandap and the Manikadi Palpara Barwari Pujamandap on 28th September and 1st October respectively.

The attacks were carried out in Sujanagar upazila in Pabna district in Rajshahi Division of Bangladesh. While a total of 4 idols were defaced at the Rishipara Barwari Puja Mandap, another 5 Hindu idols were destroyed at the Manikadi Palpara Barwari Pujamandap.

The attacks have raised concerns among the local Hindus, who have sought immediate intervention from the law enforcement authorities and district administration.

On Thursday (3rd October), 7 idols of Hindu deities were destroyed at the Gopinath Jiur Akhara Durga Puja mandap. The incident occurred in Kishoreganj in the Dhaka Division of Bangladesh.

Idols of Hindu deities vandalised at the Gopinath Jiur Akhara Durga Puja mandap

The vandalism was carried out in the wee hours of the night when the guards, responsible for ensuring the security of the temple, were asleep. The accused scaled the walls and broke off the heads of the idols. The Hindus staged a protest on Thursday evening.

They took to the streets and assembled outside the office of the district commissioner, seeking justice. Despite assurances by Deputy Commissioner Fouzia Khan and SP Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury, no arrests have been made so far.

Bangladesh: Crown of goddess Kali stolen from Jeshoreshwari temple in Satkhira, was gifted by PM Modi

A crown of goddess Kali has been stolen from the Jeshoreshwari temple in Satkhira’s Shyamnagar. This crown was gifted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the temple in March, 2021, as reported by The Daily Star.

The theft occurred on Thursday between 2.00 pm and 2.30 pm, after Temple Priest Dilip Mukherjee left following the day’s worship. The cleaning staff later found that the crown was missing from the deity’s head, as reported by The Daily Star.

“We are reviewing the temple’s CCTV footage to identify the thief,” said Inspector Taizul Islam of Shyamnagar Police Station.

The stolen crown, made of silver and gold-plated, holds significant cultural and religious importance.

According to Hindu mythology, the Jeshoreshwari Temple is one of the 51 Shakti Peeths scattered across India and neighboring countries. The name “Jeshoreshwari” means “Goddess of Jeshore.”

PM Modi visited the Jeshoreshwari Temple on March 27, 2021, during his trip to Bangladesh. On that day, he placed the crown on the head of the deity as a symbolic gesture. PM Modi also shared a video of his visit to the temple, which was his first visit to any country after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeshoreshwari Kali Temple a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the Goddess Kali, the temple is located in Ishwaripur–a village in Shyam Nagar, Upazila of Satkhira.

It is believed that the temple was built by a Brahman named Anari in the latter part of the 12th century.

He created a 100-door temple for the Jashoreshwari Peeth (shrine) and later it was renovated by Lakshman Sen in the 13th century and finally, Raja Pratapaditya rebuilt the temple in the 16th century.

According to Hindu mythology, of the 51 Peeths, the temple at Ishwaripur is the place where the palms and soles of the feet of Goddess Sati fell and the goddess resides there in the form of Devi Jashoreshwari and Lord Shiva appears as Chanda.

‘Now is the time to order Chinese army to take Arunachal Pradesh back’: Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun threatens to balkanise India in new video

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Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel for the banned terrorist organisation Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and designated as a terrorist by India, recently released a video threatening India’s sovereignty by advocating for independence movements beyond Punjab, TOI reported.

In his video, Pannun declared the SFJ’s mission with the statement, “Mission of SFJ 2024: ONE India, To 2047: NONE India.”

In his latest video, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun addressed Chinese President Xi Jinping, provocatively urging him to deploy the Chinese army to “take Arunachal Pradesh back,” falsely asserting that “Arunachal Pradesh is the territory of China.”

Additionally, Pannun threatened to ignite independence movements in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Manipur, and Nagaland, similar to his agenda in Punjab, with the expressed goal of “Balkanizing the Union of India.”

This statement appeared to be a response to Canada’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, David Morrison, who reiterated Canada’s stance on India’s territorial integrity, stating, “Canada’s policy is clear: India’s territorial integrity must be respected. There’s one India, and that’s been made very clear.”

David Morrison made this statement during a public hearing of the Canadian Foreign Interference Commission in Ottawa earlier this month. The commission is actively examining issues related to foreign interference, and Morrison’s remarks reaffirmed Canada’s official position on respecting India’s territorial integrity, emphasizing that Canada acknowledges and supports a unified India

Pannun’s remarks reflect his ongoing efforts to disrupt India’s unity by promoting separatist agendas, extending beyond his usual focus on Punjab. The SFJ has long pursued the goal of creating an independent Khalistan, often resorting to inflammatory rhetoric and attempts to incite unrest.

His response to Morrison’s affirmation of India’s territorial unity illustrates a rejection of international norms regarding state sovereignty and an intent to expand secessionist efforts. This rhetoric poses a significant challenge to India’s national security and underscores the need for continued vigilance and international cooperation to address threats posed by extremist groups.

SFJ is a designated terror organisation

Sikhs For Justice was formed in 2007 to create ‘Khalistan’, a separate homeland for Sikhs. In 2019, the Ministry of Home Affairs banned the organisation under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Later, its chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannun was also designated as a terrorist.

Who will take forward Ratan Tata’s legacy: Read about the frontrunners poised to take the mantle at Tata Trusts

Late on 9th October night, Ratan Tata, the Chairman Emeritus of Tata Sons, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 86. Shortly before he passed away, he was transferred from general to intensive care at Breach Candy Hospital on 7th October for age-related checkups. Ratan Tata was accorded a state funeral by the Maharashtra government. His body was kept at the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA) in south Mumbai’s Nariman Point from 10.30 am to 4 pm on 10th October for people to pay their final respects.

The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) declared that, as a symbol of grief, the tricolour would be flown at half-mast on government buildings in Maharashtra. Furthermore, there won’t be any entertainment events. Several prominent individuals including politicians, industrialists and film stars attended his last rites which took place at the Worli crematorium. His funeral took place according to the rituals followed by the Parsi community. Many renowned personalities including Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on his demise.

His death has resulted in a leadership void at Tata Trusts, the nonprofit groups essential to managing the $165 billion Tata Group. It is also the largest public charitable foundation in the country. The leadership of the Tata Trusts, which own the majority of Tata Sons, is crucial to the stability of the trusts as well as the group. Now, the board of trustees would have to make the appointment as Ratan Tata did not name a successor before his death. The principal owners of Tata Sons are the trusts, specifically the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust and the Sir Ratan Tata Trust, which together own nearly 52% of the company. Other trusts together own another 14% of Tata Sons, taking the total holding to 66%.

There are 13 trustees in total across the two trusts, with five individuals serving as common trustees for both. They will now choose the next chairman, and they could elect an interim head before making the final decision. The Tata family and the Parsi community have long been closely linked to the leadership of the trusts. Ratan Tata was the final person to serve as the chairman of both Tata Sons and Tata Trusts. The governance of the trusts’ structure was modified in 2022 to maintain the separation of the chairmanships of Tata Sons and Tata Trusts. The group’s efforts to improve management included this structural change.

Noel Tata, the chairman of Trent and half-brother of Ratan Tata, businessman Mehli Mistry, lawyer Darius Khambata, former defence secretary Vijay Singh and automobile industrialist Venu Srinivasan are the five common trustees. The other trustees include Ratan Tata’s younger brother Jimmy Tata and Jehangir Hospital CEO Jehangir HC Jehangir at Sir Ratan Tata Trust along with ex-Citi India CEO Pramit Jhaveri at Sir Dorabji Tata Trust.

The prime contenders

The trustees vote by majority consent to choose the chairman of Tata Trusts. Some members of the board of trustees are being discussed as possible successors. Both TVS Group supremo Venu Srinivasan and Vijay Singh have been vice-chairmen of the trusts since 2018. However, is unlikely that one of them will be chosen to be the chairman. On the other hand, there’s a strong possibility that 67-year-old Noel Tata will be chosen as the chairman. The philanthropic organisation, which gave out $56 million (Rs 470 crore) in FY23, would have a founding family member leading it, which would appease the Parsi community.

Considering the Tata family’s history of leading the trusts, Noel Tata is regarded as a formidable contender. His credibility is enhanced by his four decades of expertise working for the Tata Group. Moreover, his candidacy is strengthened by the Parsi community’s preference for a family member to run the trusts. Initially appointed to the board of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust in 2019, Noel Tata also became a trustee of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust in 2022. Many people view his engagement with these trusts as a part of the shift meant to preserve continuity in leadership following Ratan Tata. He would be the sixth chairman of the Sir Ratan Tata Trust and the eleventh chairman of the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust if he were to be selected.

Noel Tata holds positions on the boards of six key companies, including Trent, Titan, and Tata Steel. Noel is a director of six significant businesses, including Tata Steel, Titan, and Trent. He was believed to be a possible successor to Tata as chairman of Tata Sons after Tata’s term in office. However, his brother-in-law late Cyrus Mistry was appointed to the post. Ratan and Noel Tata were not frequently seen together and instead chose to maintain their distance from each other. The half-brothers had, however, substantially bridged the distance between them recently.

Notably, Noel Tata’s name had frequently surfaced as Ratan Tata’s possible successor as chairman of Tata Sons, however, due to his lack of experience in Tata’s operating companies, he was disregarded. He didn’t have enough experience, Ratan Tata himself admitted in an interview while the selection committee was interviewing possible candidates.

N Chandrasekaran, another significant contender, took over Tata Sons in 2017 following Cyrus Mistry’s controversial exit and is currently its chairman. He is well-regarded for his dependable leadership and was previously the CEO of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). He is currently regarded as the group’s most important leader. Mehli Mistry, a close friend of Ratan Tata, and Darius Khambata, a seasoned lawyer who has provided advice on succession issues, are two other important candidates in this decision. Ratan Tata’s personal preferences might not be effective in a legal manner, but the trustees will likely consider them when picking the future leadership.

In the past, there have been times when a non-Tata has taken on the Group leadership. Sir Nowroji Saklatwala became the chairman from 1932 until 1938. Cyrus Mistry took over later in 2012, but his term ended in 2016. N Chandrasekaran is now in charge of Tata Sons.

The next generation

Noel Tata’s 34-year-old daughter Maya Tata has emerged as an important name within the Tata Group. She began her work at Tata Capital as an analyst and has since advanced within the organization. She holds degrees from the University of Warwick and Bayes Business School and has held prominent positions in Tata Digital and the Tata Opportunities Fund. She also played a key role in the development of the Tata Neu App.

Neville Tata (32), Noel Tata’s son is deeply involved in the family’s retail ventures. Neville’s business expertise has been demonstrated as the head of Star Bazaar, a prominent hypermarket chain owned by Trent Limited. Two powerful corporate dynasties are further connected by his marriage to Manasi Kirloskar of the Toyota Kirloskar Group.

The oldest of Noel Tata’s children, Leah Tata (39), contributes her expertise to the Tata Group’s hospitality division. She has made a contribution to Taj Hotels Resorts & Palaces and controls operations at the Indian Hotel Company, enhancing the group’s standing in the hospitality sector. She graduated from Spain’s IE Business School.

Ratan Tata and Tata Trusts

In 1962, Ratan Tata joined the family business after completing his studies in architecture at Cornell University. He was appointed Chairman of Tata Sons in 1991. The Tata Group grew internationally under his leadership, acquiring Jaguar Land Rover by Tata Motors and making companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) public. Additionally, he made significant donations to Indian philanthropy via the Tata Trusts.

Ratan Tata resigned as chairman in 2012, but held the title of Chairman Emeritus and was actively involved in the Tata Trusts, which support a range of charity projects throughout India. Many even claimed that he was making decisions on behalf of the trusts. When Cyrus Mistry was fired as Tata Sons chairman, he also brought up the issue of the two power centres.

Since Ratan Tata’s passing, there has been much conjecture about who will take over as chairman of Tata Trusts, a crucial position that determines the course of the biggest conglomerate in India. The board of directors of each Tata firm provides direction and oversight while enabling it to function autonomously. As of 31st March, there were 26 publicly traded Tata companies with a combined market capitalization of almost $365 billion (about Rs 30.65 lakh crore).

PM Narendra Modi unveils 10-point plan to bolster ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership to enhance connectivity and resilience

Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a 10-point plan to bolster the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit to enhance connectivity and resilience.

To commemorate a decade of the Act East Policy, PM Modi announced a series of people-centric initiatives, including a Youth Summit and Start-up Festival.

“The India-ASEAN Summit was a productive one. We discussed how to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and ASEAN. We look forward to deepening trade ties, cultural linkages and cooperation in technology, connectivity and other such sectors,” PM Modi posted on X.

PM Modi’s 10-point plan to strengthen the ASEAN-India partnership also involves doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and invitation to ASEAN leaders to join ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign.

Notably, in keeping with the Chair’s theme of “Enhancing Connectivity and Resilience,” PM announced a 10-point plan, the Ministry of external Affairs said in a press release.

The 10-point plan includes — Celebrating the year 2025 as ASEAN-India Year of Tourism for which India would make available USD 5 million towards joint activities; to celebrate a decade of Act East Policy through several people centric activities including Youth Summit, Start-up Festival, Hackathon, Music Festival, ASEAN-India Network of Think Tanks and Delhi Dialogue; to organise ASEAN-India Women Scientists Conclave under ASEAN-India Science and Technology Development Fund; doubling the number of scholarships at Nalanda University and provision of new scholarships for ASEAN students at Agricultural Universities in India.

The plan also includes the review of ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement by 2025; enhancing Disaster Resilience for which India would make available USD 5 million; initiate a new Health Ministers’ track towards building Health Resilience; initiate a regular mechanism of ASEAN-India Cyber Policy Dialogue towards strengthening Digital and Cyber Resilience; workshop on Green Hydrogen; and invitation to ASEAN leaders to join ‘Plant a Tree for Mother’ campaign towards building climate resilience, the MEA stated.

Meanwhile, PM Modi also shared a post on his X about the 10-point peace plan and said, “Proposed ten suggestions which will further deepen India’s friendship with ASEAN.”

Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson of Ministry of External Affairs also shared about PM Modi’s 10 Point Plan and said, “On the 10th day of the 10th month of the milestone year celebrating 10 years of Act East policy, PM @narendramodi announced a 10 Point Plan to strengthen ASEAN-India Comprehensive Partnership at the 21st ASEAN-India Summit.”

In another post, he said, “‘Enhancing connectivity and resilience’ together with the ASEAN family. PM @narendramodi participated in the 21st ASEAN-India Summit in Vientiane, Lao PDR, today.”

“In the 10th year of the Act East Policy, PM announced a 10-point plan to strengthen connectivity and resilience based on the theme of ASEAN Chair 2024, including physical, digital, cultural and spiritual connectivity towards achieving cyber, disaster, supply chain, health and climate resilience. PM reiterated India’s support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific,” the post added.

Notably, the 21st ASEAN-India Summit was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR, on October 10. Marking a decade of India’s Act East Policy, PM Modi joined ASEAN leaders to review the progress of ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and chart the future direction of cooperation. This was PM’s 11th participation in the Summit.

In his address, PM Modi reiterated India’s support for ASEAN Unity, ASEAN Centrality and ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific. Calling the 21st century as the Asian century, he noted that India-ASEAN ties were critical to guiding Asia’s future.

Emphasising the vibrancy of India’s Act East Policy, PM noted that in the last ten years India-ASEAN trade had doubled to over USD 130 billion.

“ASEAN is today one of India’s largest trade and investment partners; direct flight connectivity established with seven ASEAN countries; promising beginning made with Fin-tech collaboration with the region; and significant progress made in restoration of shared cultural heritage in five ASEAN countries,” the MEA said in the release.

PM Modi also underlined the need to complete the review of ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA) in a time bound manner towards harnessing greater economic potential for the benefit of the ASEAN-India community. He also spoke about the progress in India-ASEAN knowledge partnership through the scholarships provided to ASEAN youth at the Nalanda University.


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

What Ratan Tata did when he was asked to pay Rs 15 crore bribe by Union Minister to set up aviation business

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Ratan Tata, the name associated with one of India’s most famous industrial conglomerates, the Tata Group, has left an indelible influence on the worlds of business and society. His leadership, charity, and imaginative thinking have revolutionized not only the corporation but also the Indian and global corporate landscapes. His death on 9th October created a huge void in the industrial space provoking each Indian to remember his ideals, his greatness, and his determination towards the nation’s overall development. 

One such incident to be recalled is that of when Tata was asked Rs 15 crore bribe by a Minister for an undisclosed business deal. In the year 2010, Tata disclosed in a media interview that he avoided entering into the domestic airline business as he was not comfortable with the idea of offering a bribe to a Union Minister.

Ratan Tata’s predecessor, JRD Tata, established the first commercial airline in India, ‘Tata Airlines’, which was ultimately taken over by the government and renamed Air India. Responding to questions about how he succeeded without compromising ethics and values, Tata, 72, stated that he did not have a methodology in this regard, but went on to recount the entire history of the Tatas’ failure to re-enter the aviation business.

He regretted that, despite being a pioneer in the airline business, the group encountered numerous challenges in establishing a domestic airline in conjunction with Singapore Airlines. Ratan Tata attempted to pursue the aviation business on at least three occasions, petitioning the government in 1995, 1997, and 2001.

“We approached three PMs but an individual thwarted our efforts to form the airlines. I didn’t want to go to sleep knowing that I had set up an airline by paying Rs 15 crore,” Tata said. On asking how could he just avoid corruption, Tata was quoted as saying, it’s self-regulating and would be difficult to understand.

Ratan Tata took over the Tata Group during India’s struggle to open up in the early 1990s. The Tata Group was already a major corporation, but Ratan Tata led it through a tremendous transition. He streamlined operations, brought numerous businesses together, and concentrated on establishing a global footprint.

One of his most important accomplishments was the global expansion of Tata. He oversaw the acquisitions of multinational companies such as Tetley Tea (UK), Daewoo’s commercial vehicle unit in South Korea, Corus Group (a European steel giant), and the famous Jaguar Land Rover. These acquisitions established Tata as a global force to be dealt with, and during his leadership, the Tata Group’s revenues increased severalfold.

His aim for creating Tata as a global brand was more than just expansion; it was also about upholding the values that the Tata name represented- trust, integrity, and service to society. His dedication to ethical business methods gained the Tata Group widespread acclaim, both in India and beyond.

Despite his immense success, Ratan Tata was widely regarded as a humble and private individual. He was recognized for his simplicity, frequently traveling without a huge entourage and leading a comparatively humble lifestyle in comparison to other corporate leaders of his caliber.

Ratan Tata’s honesty and ideals distinguished him in a world where financial success is frequently associated with ruthless ambition. His decision-making, which was always motivated by a sense of social responsibility, earned him a place among the most respected figures not only in India but around the world.

Tata, 86, died on Wednesday at a Mumbai hospital. His death signals the end of an era in Indian business, where one man changed the country’s industrial environment and rocketed his family-owned corporation to global prominence. His death has sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from around the country.

West Bengal: Protesting doctors express frustration over state govt’s silence on their concerns, seeks immediate status report and security audit

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The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front on Thursday wrote a letter to Chief Secretary Manoj Pant, expressing frustration over the state government’s silence regarding their concerns.

In their letter, the doctors expressed disappointment that it took 96 hours of an indefinite hunger strike to secure a meeting. They are demanding timely updates on their previous requests and accountability from the government.

The letter read, “As we expressed yesterday, we were disheartened by the fact that it took 96 hours of indefinite hunger strike for you to even call us for a meeting.”

They noted that their previous emails on September 26 and September 29 had gone unanswered, despite their hopes that the government was taking their demands seriously.

The doctors stated that the recent meeting provided no new information and that they were verbally updated on their demands, which had already been publicly announced. They insisted on their right to know the progress of the government’s actions.

“We reserve every right to formally know the progress of the works that are being done by the state,” the letter continued, emphasising their demand for a status report every seven days. The group pointed out that it has been 23 days since their last meeting without any updates or the promised security audit.

The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front also requested an immediate status report and security audit from the government, stating, “Hence, we request you to provide us a status report of the works undertaken by yourselves and also the security audit undertaken by you (as stated by yourself) immediately.”

On Tuesday, around 50 senior doctors and faculty members of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata resigned in solidarity with their junior colleagues, who are on a hunger strike protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor on the institution’s premises in August this year, according to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA). (ANI)

In their letter, the doctors expressed disappointment that it took 96 hours of an indefinite hunger strike to secure a meeting. They are demanding timely updates on their previous requests and accountability from the government.

The letter read, “As we expressed yesterday, we were disheartened by the fact that it took 96 hours of indefinite hunger strike for you to even call us for a meeting.” They noted that their previous emails on September 26 and September 29 had gone unanswered, despite their hopes that the government was taking their demands seriously.

The doctors stated that the recent meeting provided no new information and that they were verbally updated on their demands, which had already been publicly announced. They insisted on their right to know the progress of the government’s actions.

“We reserve every right to formally know the progress of the works that are being done by the state,” the letter continued, emphasising their demand for a status report every seven days. The group pointed out that it has been 23 days since their last meeting without any updates or the promised security audit.

The West Bengal Junior Doctors’ Front also requested an immediate status report and security audit from the government, stating, “Hence, we request you to provide us a status report of the works undertaken by yourselves and also the security audit undertaken by you (as stated by yourself) immediately.”

On Tuesday, around 50 senior doctors and faculty members of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata resigned in solidarity with their junior colleagues, who are on a hunger strike protesting the rape and murder of a trainee doctor on the institution’s premises in August this year, according to the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA).


(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Two arrested in Surat gang-rape case, one accused dies in hospital after suffering from acute breathing problem

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A 17-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men on Tuesday, out of which two were arrested. On Thursday, one of the two died in police custody over health issues. The deceased has been identified as Shiv Shankar alias Dayashankar Chourasiya from Tadkeshwar village.

45-year-old Shiv Shankar fell ill in custody, and he was taken to Surat’s New Civil Hospital treatment. He was suffering from acute breathing problem, and was kept on a ventilator. But he succumbed to the complication of the situation during treatment at the hospital. Doctors declared him dead at around 3.50 pm on Thursday.

A post-mortem examination will be done, and the cause of the death will be confirmed after the report is out, said authorities.

The incident took place when the minor victim and her friend were passing through the outskirts of Mota Borsara village on Tuesday. They stopped midway as the two-wheeler they riding ran out of fuel. At that moment, three men, Shiv Shankar, Munna Paswan, and Raju, arrived there on a motorcycle. When they stopped and approached them, they got scared and tried to flee.

But the three men overpowered them. They thrashed and robbed the male friend of the minor girl, and took the girl to an isolated place where they brutally gang-raped her. They also snatched the phones of both the victims, and a gold chain from the girl.

They took turn in raping her, while other kept her freeing captive. But he somehow escaped and told the villagers in Mota Morsara villages about the incident. As a large number of villagers arrived at the scene, the attackers fled from the scene, and the police were informed about the case.

Police quickly launched a search operation, and located the two-wheeler used by the perpetrators with the help of a dog squad. This led to the arrest of two accused, Shiv Shankar and Munna Paswan. However, third accused Raju is still absconding.

Surat Superintendent of Police Hitesh Joyser said, “We found a bike lying abandoned near the crime spot. We took details of it from the Surat Regional Transport Office, and found it was purchased by a resident of Surat in 2005. Finally, the details of the last owner of the bike led us to the house of the accused. The Crime Branch officials also joined in the probe.”

Police arrested Shiv and Munna after a brief chase at Karanj where the three accused were living in a rented house. Both the arrested accused had criminal records, and Shiv was even facing a murder charge.

This is the second gang-rape case in Gujarat during the Navratri. In a similar case, a 16-year-old minor was allegedly gang-raped in the outskirts of Vadodara city on October 4. Police have arrested three main accused and two others in relation to the case. The five accused are identified as Munna Abbas Banjara, Mumtaz alias Aftab Banjara, Shahrukh Banjara, Saif Ali Banjara and Ajmal Banjara.

Give Sanjay Raut a befitting reply: Jyotiraditya Scindia to MP voters after Raut’s Ladli Behna Yojana remarks

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Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia took a potshot at Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut on Thursday over his recent remark on Ladli Behna Yojana and requested Madhya Pradesh’s women to giv him “a befitting reply.”

“I would request that Ladli Behnas of Madhya Pradesh should give a befitting reply to Sanjay Raut. The scheme has been started by the Madhya Pradesh government to empower every woman in the state. Those who are ignorant and those who neither do anything in life nor want to do anything are tarnishing the public welfare scheme today. I would like the women of the country to give him a befitting reply,” Scindia told reporters.

The Union Minister further asked why Raut was so jealous and also expressed hope that perhaps his (Sanjay Raut) family members also become beneficiaries of the scheme.

“Ladli Behna Yojana has been started in Maharashtra too and four instalments have been transferred so far. Every woman is being empowered in Maharashtra too. Why is Sanjay Raut so jealous? I hope that perhaps his family members also become beneficiaries of the scheme,” he added.

Recently, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut said that Ladli Behna Yojana failed in Madhya Pradesh and the economy of the state had collapsed.

“The Ladli Behna Yojana has not been successful in any part of the nation. It is just a political game…Ladli Behna Yojana has also not been successful in Madhya Pradesh and the economy of the state has collapsed. The Maharashtra government is working by taking thousands of lakhs of debt…Ladli Behna Yojana will run for a month then it will be closed,” Raut said.

Meanwhile, reacting to union cabinet decision to supply of free Fortified Rice under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and other welfare schemes from July, 2024 to December, 2028, Scindia said that the aim is that every Indian should remain healthy and should get nutritious grains.

“The thought and ideology behind the decision is that every Indian should remain healthy and every Indian should get nutritious grains. On the basis of it, every Indian would be able to contribute to the country. It is the thinking of the Prime Minister, and the Government of India is committed to enable every Indian to give their full contribution in Viksit Bharat,” he added.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved continuation of the universal supply of Fortified Rice under all schemes of the Government including Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) and Other Welfare Schemes etc. in its present form, from July 2024 and upto December 2028.

The rice fortification initiative will continue as a central sector initiative with 100 per cent funding by the Government of India as part of PMGKAY (Food Subsidy), thus providing a unified institutional mechanism for implementation.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)