INDIA

Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday sought the protection of the voting rights of all genuine voters in the state and the country, but avoided directly mentioning the special intensive revision (SIR) in the state, which was announced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) earlier this week."The pillars of democracy must be kept strong. May everyone's democratic rights be protected. May everyone be able to exercise their own rights,” the Chief Minister said while addressing a gathering on the occasion of Jagatddhatri Puja.On the occasion, she also spoke about the rich tradition of communal harmony in West Bengal. "We celebrate all religious festivals. While everyone has the right to practise his or her religion, the celebration is for all. I wan...

Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Wednesday, had launched a scathing attack against West Bengal government and Trinamool Congress over a reported incident of vandalisation and beheading of idols of Goddess Jagatdhatri at Mandirbazar under Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha in South 24 Parganas district and claimed that the state government under the Trinamool Congress rule led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had become a "hotbed of Bangladesh-style radicalism".BJP's Information Technology Cell Chief and the party's central observer for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, has shared a video on his official social media account about the incident, which reportedly took place on Tuesday night."Mamata Banerjee's Bengal has become a hotbed of Bangladesh-style radicalism! From brandi...

Ahmedabad, Oct 29 (IANS) In a remarkable achievement, the government dental college and hospital in Gujarat’s Jamnagar recorded significant success in dental care and oral health. This is the second consecutive year that the dental college has been awarded by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The dental college won the honours in the Best Performing Dental College this year, for promoting dental health and spreading awareness about the harms of tobacco use.According to patients, the dental hospital not only provides dental treatment with modern equipment but also creates awareness about tobacco and cigarette addiction.“I've been coming here for treatment for four months and have gradually reduced my tobacco use because I'm now afraid of contracting a serious illness, like cancer. ...

Mysuru, Oct 29 (IANS) Karnataka Large and Medium Industries Minister M.B. Patil on Wednesday addressed concerns about industries going out from the state, stating that not a single industry has moved out and called on everyone to move past the false narrative being spread in this regard. Addressing reporters after visiting the district Congress office and participating in a party programme, Patil underlined that the state has an excellent working environment essential for industrial growth and possesses exceptional talent resources. Moreover, the government’s industrial policies are strong, he added."After the Congress-led government came to power, a Global Investors’ Meet was held in February this year, which ensured investment commitments worth Rs 10.27 lakh crore. Of this, more than 60...

Kolkata, Oct 29 (IANS) A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, granted interim protection to the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the West Bengal Assembly and senior BJP leader, Suvendu Adhikari, from the police on two FIRs registered against him in two police stations in the same case.The interim protection was granted to the Leader of the Opposition by the single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta till November 18.Justice Sengupta also directed the police to submit the case diaries relating to the FIRs to the court by the next date of hearing in the matter, which has been fixed on November 11.Justice Sengupta also directed that notices be served to the complainants in the two cases, based on whose complaints the FIRs were registered.Both the FIRs were in relati...

Patna, Oct 29 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday strongly condemned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s remarks against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling them highly objectionable and irresponsible.Addressing a press conference at a private hotel in Rohtas’s Dehri city, Saini said, “It is the leaders of the INDIA bloc who are dancing — sometimes in the name of alleged vote rigging, and sometimes on stage holding the sacred Constitution copy in their hands. Rahul Gandhi has nothing left to say or do.”He further accused the Congress of being directionless and divided.“The Congress party has neither a policy, nor an intention, nor leadership. The entire country has completely rejected the INDIA bloc,” Saini said.Saini’s remarks came in response to Rahul Gandhi’s sta...

Ahmedabad, Oct 29 (IANS) In a move to further enhance the tourist experience at Ekta Nagar, home to the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate 25 new electric buses (E-buses) during his visit on October 31, marking the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.With the addition of these new vehicles, the total number of E-buses operating in Ekta Nagar will reach 55, all of which provide free travel services for tourists.This initiative aims to make tourism in Ekta Nagar more comfortable, accessible, and environmentally friendly.The newly inducted 9-metre-long mini air-conditioned E-buses can travel up to 180 kilometres on a single charge.Each bus is equipped with two emergency exits, special facilities for differentl...

Aizawl, Oct 29 (IANS) The Mizo National Front (MNF), Mizoram’s main opposition party, on Wednesday observed a 10-hour statewide shutdown protesting the Forest Conservation (Amendment) Act (FCAA), 2023, enacted by the Centre.The Mizoram assembly during its recent monsoon session in August adopted a fresh resolution to extend the FCAA, 2023, to the state with effect from this year, following a motion introduced by Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Lalthansanga. The shutdown, which began at 6 am, was observed across the state except in the Mamit district in view of the November 11 by-election to the Dampa assembly seat. MNF Vice-President and Leader of Opposition Lalchhandama Ralte said that the shutdown was total and successful. According to police, all government and priva...

New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) Heritage Foods has acquired a 51 per cent majority stake in Get-A-Way Ice Cream & Desserts, Heritage Foods Executive Director Brahmani Nara said on Wednesday. Announcing the acquisition, Brahmani said Heritage Foods has been built on the principles of trust and transparency over the past three decades, and the values of Get-A-Way align closely with the company."For three decades, we’ve built Heritage on trust, transparency, and the belief that dairy should nourish both body and conscience. Get-A-Way shares that same passion, redefining indulgence to be guilt-free without compromise," Brahmani wrote on her X handle."By combining our strengths, Heritage’s deep dairy expertise and Get-A-Way’s bold innovation, we’re poised to lead India’s wellness economy into a ne...

Gandhinagar, Oct 29 (IANS) Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Gujarat State Cabinet in Gandhinagar to review the situation arising from the unseasonal rainfall that hit several parts of the state over the past week, causing significant damage to standing crops.Briefing the media after the meeting, State Government Spokesperson and Minister Jitu Vaghani said the Chief Minister expressed deep concern and sympathy for the affected farmers. He directed officials to launch an immediate survey of the damage across all affected districts under the norms of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and complete it within seven days.According to preliminary data from the State Emergency Operations Centre, between October 23 and 28, rainfall ranging from mod...