STATE’S

Kolkata, March 9 (IANS) Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar visited the revered Kalighat Kali Temple on Monday morning, where he offered prayers and sought divine blessings for the well-being of the people of West Bengal. During the visit, he reiterated the Election Commission’s commitment to ensuring free, fair, and peaceful elections in the state.Speaking during the visit, Kumar emphasised that the democratic process must remain inclusive and fearless for every voter. Referring to the upcoming electoral exercise, he said, “This time, it will be a festival of fearless and fair elections.” The remark highlighted the Commission’s focus on ensuring a transparent and secure voting process.The temple visit comes amid the Election Commission of India’s ongoing review of electoral pr...

Gandhinagar, March 8 (IANS) Road infrastructure works worth Rs 1,185 crore have been approved to upgrade connectivity across the Surat Economic Region (SER), with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel describing the move as part of Gujarat’s roadmap towards “Viksit Gujarat@2047”.The projects, covering 24 works over a total length of 383 kilometres, will be implemented in districts forming part of the SER, including Surat, Bharuch, Navsari, Valsad, Tapi and Dang.According to the state government, these districts together contribute more than 35 per cent to Gujarat’s overall economic development.Announcing the decision, the Chief Minister said the initiative aligns with the national vision of “Viksit Bharat@2047” given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is aimed at strengthening infrastructure-led...

New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) BJP national President Nitin Nabin on Sunday congratulated the Indian cricket team for winning the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, praising the players for their determination, discipline and teamwork throughout the tournament.In a post on X, the BJP chief described the victory as a proud moment for the nation and said the team’s performance had brought immense joy to millions of Indians.“Congratulations to #TeamIndia on becoming the T20 World Cup Champions! A magnificent victory built on determination, discipline and outstanding teamwork. The players have made the entire nation proud,” Nitin Nabin wrote.He said the triumph reflected the resilience and winning spirit that continue to inspire people across the country.“This triumph reflects the resilience and winning spir...

Jaipur, March 8 (IANS) Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said on Sunday that women are the backbone of society, and their empowerment leads to the progress and development of the nation. Calling for greater awareness regarding women’s rights, respect and equal opportunities on International Women’s Day, he emphasised the importance of education, health and self-reliance of half the population.The Chief Minister was addressing the state-level International Women’s Day programme organised at Dhan Mandi in Hanumangarh on Sunday.Extending his greetings on the occasion, he said women’s strength continues to inspire society. He cited the achievements of President Droupadi Murmu, the country’s first tribal woman President, and the role of Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika...

Guwahati, March 8 (IANS) Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday highlighted the overwhelming public response to the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) ongoing Jana Ashirwad Yatra, stating that the large participation across several Upper Assam constituencies reflects a strong wave of public support for the party.Taking to social media, the Chief Minister said one has to witness the yatra on the ground to truly understand the scale of the “saffron surge” sweeping across Assam.“You must witness our #JanaAshirwadYatra on the ground to understand the scale of the saffron surge in Assam. These blessings are priceless and the greatest strength in life,” the Chief Minister wrote, expressing gratitude to people for their enthusiastic participation.During the yatra on Sunday, the Chief Mini...

Kolkata, March 8 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday alleged that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls conducted in the poll-bound state was intended to help the BJP in the upcoming Assembly elections.Addressing party workers from her sit-in demonstration site at Esplanade, CM Banerjee claimed that the exercise had resulted in the deletion of names of several voters from the electoral rolls.She said that even with the support of the Election Commission, the BJP would not be able to win the Assembly elections in the state. “The people of Bengal will give them a befitting reply for snatching their rights,” CM Banerjee said.Referring to the alleged deletion of voters’ names, the Chief Minister questioned how people who had voted in the 2024 Lok Sabha...

Rajouri, March 8 (IANS) The National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) is playing a vital role in empowering rural women and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities in the border district of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir.The scheme is helping poor and below poverty line families, especially women, to become financially independent through the formation of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and small-scale livelihood units across different blocks of the district.Under the initiative, the NRLM department has established several women SHGs where members are engaged in different income generating activities. One such successful example is the "Kangan Spices Namkeen, Packing and Manufacturing Unit" located in the Choudhary Nar area of Rajouri, where a group of rural women are earning a steady monthl...