Archives for August 2024

Jalgaon: In a bone-chilling incident at Jalgaon railway station in Maharashtra, a Railway Protection Force (RPF) personnel successfully rescued a woman, who was hit by a train while trying to cross the railway tracks on Wednesday. The dramatic rescue was captured on the station’s CCTV camera.

The footage shows the cop, Chango Patil, observing the woman attempting to cross the tracks just as a train approaches the platform. Acting swiftly, he runs towards her as she struggles to climb onto the platform. Despite his quick response, Patil’s initial attempt to pull her to safety fails, and she becomes trapped between the coach and the platform.

The train subsequently hits the woman and drags her for several meters. Patil immediately races to her side and manages to rescue her from the dangerous situation.

Following the rescue, other officers and passengers on the platform assisted in transporting the woman to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, as reported by NDTV.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma

Guwahati: A day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that he “will take sides” and “will not let Miya Muslims take over Assam”, eighteen opposition parties have filed a police complaint at the Dispur police station accusing him of trying to ‘promote enmity’ based on religion and race.

According to a report in The Indian Express, the parties have accused Sarma of “criminal conspiracy” aimed at creating unrest in the state, warning that a “riot-like situation” could ensue unless he is “arrested or restrained.” Bhupen Borah, chief of Assam Congress, alleged that Sarma is provoking communal riots and making inflammatory statements even within the assembly. Borah also indicated that they plan to write about the issue to the President.

This comes amid rising inter-community tensions in Assam, which intensified following the alleged gang rape of a 14-year-old girl in Nagaon district on August 22. Sarma and several of his ministers have termed the incident, in which the accused are Bengali-Muslims, an “attack on the indigenous,” as mentioned by IE.

In response to accusations of partiality, Sarma reaffirmed his stance, stating, “I will take sides. What can you do about it?” The Chief Minister’s remarks included a controversial assertion that he would not permit “Miya Muslims” — a pejorative term for Bengali-speaking Muslims in the state — to dominate Assam. Sarma said, “Why will people from Lower Assam go to Upper Assam? So that Miya Muslims can take over Assam? We won’t let it happen.”

Sarma has a history of making provocative statements targeting specific religious communities. Last year, he remarked that he would clear Guwahati’s footpaths of “Miya” vegetable vendors. Earlier this month, he accused the University of Science and Technology in Meghalaya (USTM) which is owned by a Bengali-Muslim, of engaging in ‘flood jihad,’ claiming that the university’s hill demolitions for new construction had contributed to waterlogging issues in the capital city.

New Delhi: Days after she was reprimanded for her controversial remarks on the farmers’ protest, BJP MP Kangana Ranaut met party president JP Nadda at his residence here on Thursday.

This is the second time that Ranaut has met the BJP president since she stirred a controversy earlier this week with her disparaging remarks on the farmers agitation against the now repealed three farm laws.

The Mandi MP had on Monday posted a clip of her interview with Hindi daily Dainik Bhaskar in which she suggested that a “Bangladesh-like situation” could have erupted in India but for the country’s strong leadership. She then alleged that “bodies were hanging and rapes were taking place” during the farmers’ protest against the now-repealed three farm laws.

She also alleged the involvement of China and the US in the “conspiracy”, drawing flak from the opposition parties.

Acting swiftly, the BJP denounced her remarks expressing its disagreement with her views and made it clear that she is neither permitted nor authorised to comment on the party’s policy matters.

“The Bharatiya Janata Party has directed Kangana Ranaut to not make any statement of this kind in future,” the ruling party said in a statement as her controversial remarks threatened to inflame an issue it has tried hard to contain over the last few years.

“The BJP is committed to following the principles of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas’ and social harmony,” the statement added.

Eminent scholar, lawyer, and political commentator A G Noorani

Mumbai: Eminent scholar, lawyer, and political commentator A G Noorani passed away on Thursday in Mumbai at the age of 93. Noorani, widely respected for his deep expertise in constitutional matters and incisive political analysis, left a significant mark on Indian scholarship and journalism.

Over his long and distinguished career, Noorani authored several influential books, including the well-known “The Kashmir Question,” and contributed columns to major dailies across the country, including Greater Kashmir. His writings, particularly on issues related to Indian Muslims and constitutional law, were highly regarded for their depth and insight. He also presented numerous papers at seminars nationwide, educating audiences on a wide range of critical issues.

The news of Noorani’s passing has been met with widespread condolence messages from across the political and academic spectrum.

Asaduddin Owaisi, President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), paid tribute to Noorani on X, writing, “AG Noorani, a giant among scholars, has passed away. I learnt a great deal from him, from the constitution, to Kashmir, to China, & even the art of appreciating good food. May Allah grant him maghfirah.”

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also expressed his sorrow on X, stating, “Sorry to hear about the demise of A G Noorani Sb earlier today. Noorani Sb was a man of letters, an accomplished lawyer, a scholar & a political commentator. He wrote extensively on matters of law and on subjects like Kashmir, RSS, and the constitution. May Allah grant him the highest place in Jannat.”

Journalist Iftikhar Gilani took to Facebook to share his thoughts, noting, “Just received news that distinguished scholar, lawyer, and political commentator A. G. Noorani is no more. He breathed his last a few minutes ago in Mumbai. His loss is a significant one for all who value rigorous, insightful analysis and thoughtful discourse. May his legacy endure and continue to inspire future generations. Rest in peace, A.G. Noorani.”

Entrepreneur Mukesh Ambani and Gautam Adani

Mumbai: Recouping the dent caused by the Hindenburg Research report, Gautam Adani’s networth shot up 95 per cent to Rs 11.6 lakh crore last year, which helped him replace Mukesh Ambani to become the richest Indian, a report said on Thursday.

Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Ambani’s overall networth increased by 25 per cent to Rs 10.14 lakh crore, as per the 2024 Hurun India Rich List.

In 2023’s report, Adani’s wealth declined by 57 per cent to Rs 4.74 lakh crore, and Ambani was way ahead with a fortune of Rs 8.08 lakh crore.

It can be noted that Adani’s networth declined sharply following various allegations levelled by US-based short seller Hindenburg Research. The conglomerate has denied all the allegations.

In the 2014 edition, Hurun had pegged Adani’s fortunes at Rs 44,000 crore, which made him the tenth richest Indian then.

Shiv Nadar and family of HCL gained one spot to be the third richest with a networth of Rs 3.14 lakh crore, while Serum Institute of India’s Cyrus Poonawalla slipped by one notch to the fourth position with a networth of Rs 2.89 lakh crore in 2024.

Sun Pharmaceuticals’ Dilip Shanghvi continued his ascent on the list, securing the fifth richest tag against sixth last year with a networth of Rs 2.50 lakh crore.

Radha Vembu of Zoho was the wealthiest among self-made women with a fortune of Rs 47,500 crore, while Zepto’s co-founders Kaivalya Vohra and Aadit Palicha, who are in their early 20s, were the youngest on the list with a networth of Rs 3,600 crore and Rs 4,300 crore, respectively.

The list, which captures Indians having a networth of over Rs 1,000 crore, grew by 220 individuals to 1,539 people in 2024. The cumulative wealth has seen a 46 per cent jump in the year.

Actor Shah Rukh Khan made his debut on the list with a fortune estimated at Rs 7,300 crore, which was much higher than business partner Juhi Chawla with Rs 4,600 crore networth secured second place among the entertainers.

Interestingly, 16 professionals also made it to the list with Arista Networks’ chief executive Jayshree Ullal being the wealthiest at Rs 32,100 crore and followed by D-mart chief executive Ignatius Navil Noronha at Rs 6,900 crore, according to the list.

Gera Developments’ Kumar Pritamdas Gera’s wealth grew the fastest at 566 per cent in the 2024 list, while Ambani and Adani had the biggest growth by quantum, the list said.

Bahraich(UP): A forest department team of Uttar Pradesh captured on Thursday a fully grown male wolf under its ‘Operation Bhediya’ launched to capture a pack of wolves on the prowl in Mehsi tehsil of Bahraich district that has so far killed seven people.

The department has so far captured four wolves.

Barabanki Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Akashdeep Badhawan, the in-charge of ‘Operation Bhediya’, that a male wolf was trapped in one of the cages set up near Sisayya Chudamani village in the morning.

The animal caught is a fully grown male, he said.

Six children and a woman have been killed by the animals in the last month and a half in Bahraich with the latest attack taking place in a village on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday.

Drone cameras and thermal drone mapping techniques are being used by the forest department to catch the wolves. Permission to tranquillise the animals has been granted by the chief wildlife warden, according to an official statement.

As per the forest department, there is uncertainty about the total number of wolves in the area, officials said.

Principal Chief Forest Conservator (Wildlife) Sanjay Srivastava on Wednesday said 16 teams were working to capture the wolves, and 12 district-level officers are also stationed here.

Additional Principal Chief Forest Conservator Renu Singh will remain on-site until the remaining wolves are captured, he added.