INDIA

Bhopal, Dec 12 (IANS) Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarti Parishad (ABVP) members held a protest at a missionary school in Madhya Pradesh's Bhind following a controversy that erupted over not allowing a student to wear a 'kalawa' (sacred thread) and 'tilak'. On Wednesday noon, around 25-30 ABVP members along with parents of some students shouting religious slogans, barged into the St. Michael's school premises.Protesters chanted 'Jai Shri Ram' and recited Hanuman Chalisa sitting in the school's courtyard.ABVP members alleged that a sixth-class girl student was forced to return to his house as she had come to school wearing 'kalawa' and had applied 'tilak' on her forehead.Pankaj Sharma, father of the student, talking to media persons claimed that his daughter was sent back home from school because she...

Patna, Dec 12 (IANS) The family of AI engineer Atul Subhash, who allegedly committed suicide under mysterious circumstances in Bangaluru, returned with ashes to Patna on Wednesday evening and made an emotional appeal for justice. Atul's mother fainted while speaking to the media at the Patna airport."My son was mentally harassed and tortured. I want justice for him," she said, demanding a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her son's death.Atul's brother, Vikas Kumar, highlighted a poignant detail from a suicide note left by the deceased, which read, "Justice was not delivered to me."Expressing his frustration, Vikas remarked, "My brother detailed how men are being harassed under the guise of women's law. He also accused a 'judge,' regarded as the symbol of justice, ...

Patna, Dec 12 (IANS) Security measures at the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bodh Gaya, have been heightened after the temple's management received a threatening letter to blow it up, an official said on Wednesday. The temple management promptly alerted Gaya's district police about the threat.Manoj Kumar Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of the Bodh Gaya Police Station, confirmed the incident and stated that investigations are underway to determine the origin of the letter."The Mahabodhi management received the threat two days ago and immediately informed the district police. We are actively working to trace the sender’s location," Singh told IANS.In response to the threat, security at the temple premises has been significantly increased. Sources revealed that the ...

Kohima, Dec 11 (IANS) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Wednesday said that the iconic Hornbill Festival has elevated the state's reputation on the global stage, showcasing the vibrant energy, creativity and innovation of the state’s youths to the international community, while enabling them to pursue their aspirations.The Chief Minister said that this year marks a historic milestone as Nagaland commemorated 25 years of this famed festival, a matter of immense pride for all citizens of the northeastern.The 10-day long (December 1-10) annual festival culminated at the picturesque Naga heritage village Kisama, 12 km from the state capital Kohima.In the silver jubilee edition of the Hornbill Festival this year, Japan, the US, the UK (Wales) and Peru were the country partners while Sikkim...

Ghaziabad, Dec 11 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday addressed the 'Smart India Hackathon 2024' organised across the country through video conferencing, students from the KIET Group of Institutions in Ghaziabad also participated in this hackathon. After PM Modi's address, students were filled with enthusiasm regarding this hackathon event and showcasing innovation and putting use of their technical knowledge and skills.Preeti Bajaj, Director General, KIET Group of Institutions, said, "Today's generation is called Gen Z. This hackathon is a great medium to solve the biggest problems of the country through innovation. Prime Minister Modi has been giving this opportunity for the last eight years. This hackathon event is the world's biggest platform to solve your everyday lif...

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed a plea filed by senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia seeking relaxation of the bail condition requiring him to report to the Investigating Officer semi-weekly. A bench headed by Justice B.R. Gavai decided to delete the bail condition requiring Sisodia to report to the Investigating Officer every Monday and Thursday between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m.“We do not find the said condition is necessary and the same is therefore deleted. However, it is directed that the applicant (Sisodia) shall regularly attend the trial court,” ordered Justice Gavai-led Bench.Earlier on Monday, the Bench, also comprising Justice K.V. Viswanathan, agreed to list on December 11 the plea moved by Sisodia af...

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) India has the potential to create more than 30 million new women-owned enterprises, according to a report.The report -- on democratisation of entrepreneurship in India -- by consulting firm KPMG stated that this can translate to 150 to 170 million more jobs in the country.Investing in women-led ventures can have a multiplier effect, as they are more likely to reinvest in their communities, the report said.Further, boosting venture capital (VC) funding in women-led startups in India can enhance gender equity. It will also enable women founders to scale their businesses, create jobs, and contribute to the economy on a larger scale.“More than 20 per cent of India’s MSME startups were by women-led ventures and 45 per cent of these came from tier II and III cities,” sai...

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 11 (IANS) A day after the Kerala High Court spoke tough against how the ruling CPI(M) held a party meeting in the middle of a busy road in the heart of the state capital on December 5, both the Kerala Police and the ruling party on Wednesday started taking measures, as the petition will again come before the court on Thursday.On Wednesday, the Kerala Police registered a case against the top party leader who erected the stage in the middle of the road and 31 others, the CPI(M) Thiruvananthapuram district secretary V.Joy, who is also an MLA from the district said it was a mistake that happened and should not have happened.Incidentally, on December 5 hours before the meeting began in the evening, one side of the road was blocked leading to massive traffic snarls as it ...

New Delhi, Dec 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday paid homage to former President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, on his birth anniversary, calling him a "statesman par excellence." Mukherjee, born on December 11, 1935, served as India's 13th President from 2012 to 2017. A Bharat Ratna awardee, he passed away on August 31, 2020, in Delhi.Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "Remembering Shri Pranab Mukherjee on his birth anniversary. Pranab Babu was a one-of-a-kind public figure - a statesman par excellence, a wonderful administrator, and a repository of wisdom.""His contributions to India's development are noteworthy. He was blessed with a unique ability to build consensus across the spectrum due to his vast experience in governance and his deep understanding of India's culture as wel...