Nasheman

India's largest selling Urdu weekly, now also in English

You are here: Home / Archives for 2024

Archives for 2024

TN teacher fatally stabbed in school assailant detained

by

TN teacher fatally stabbed in school, assailant detained

Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu): In a shocking incident, a woman teacher was fatally stabbed on government school premises in Mallipattinam in the district by a youth, leading to some tense moments in the educational institution, police said on Wednesday.

The youth, who was later detained, repeatedly stabbed the teacher in full view of her colleagues at the school’s staff room, they said.

The incident evoked the spontaneous ire of the locals and Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi strongly condemned the attack on the teacher Ramani, of Mallipattanam Government Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur district.

“Violence against teachers cannot be tolerated. Strict legal action will be taken against the attacker. We express our deepest condolences to the bereaved family, students and fellow teachers of teacher Ramani,” the minister said on the social media platform ‘X’, shortly after the incident occurred.

The police claimed personal reason to be the motive behind the murderous attack.

The teacher was rushed to the government hospital here, but was declared brought dead by the doctors.

Describing her death as a “huge loss” for the teaching community, Poyyamozhi told reporters in Chennai that the man responsible for her murder has been arrested.

Chief Minister M K Stalin has asked him to visit Thanjavur and console the bereaved family, the minister said.

“I have asked the district collector to declare a holiday for the school today and take steps to provide counselling to the students,” Poyyamozhi said.

Meanwhile, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami condemned the murder and said the incident had exposed that government teachers and doctors lacked safety and security at their workplaces.

“The DMK government has failed to maintain law and order. Murders and other crimes have become very common in Tamil Nadu. At least now the Chief Minister should devote his attention to maintaining law and order in the state,” Palaniswami said in a post on social media platform ‘X’.

Assuring stringent action as per law on the assailant, Chief Minister M K Stalin said the death of M Ramani, 26, who devoted herself to education in rural areas, was “an irreparable loss to the school education department, her colleagues and students.”

Expressing his deepest condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family, the chief minister said in a release that he had directed the officials to provide a solatium of Rs 5 lakh to the affected family from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

CBSE Class 10, 12 exams to begin from February 15 board announces datesheet

by

New Delhi: The board exams for class 10 and 12 will begin from February 15, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) announced on Wednesday.

In a late night notification, the board announced that the class 10 exams will conclude on March 18 while class 12 exams will end on April 4, 2025.

For the first time, the datesheet has been issued by the board at least 86 days in advance.

“Sufficient gap has been given between two subjects. The datesheet has been prepared by keeping in mind at least 40,000 subject combinations to ensure that no two subjects opted by a student fall on the same date,” CBSE Exam Controller, Sanyam Bhardwaj said.

Tribal woman assaulted, human faeces forced into her mouth in Odisha’s Bolangir

by

Bhubaneswar: A 20-year-old tribal woman was allegedly assaulted and human faeces were forced into her mouth in Odisha’s Bolangir district, police said on Wednesday.

The incident happened in Jurabandha village in Bangamunda police station area on November 16, they said.The accused, a non-tribal man, was operating a tractor on the woman’s agricultural land, causing damage to crops, to which she protested. The accused then assaulted her, and forced human faeces into her mouth, according to the FIR.

When her aunt went to rescue her, she was also assaulted by the accused, it alleged.

Addressing a press conference in Bhubaneswar, BJD MP Niranjan Bisi alleged that the police have not taken any action against the accused, which has angered the tribals.

He said if the law and order situation in Bangamunda deteriorates, the state government would be responsible.

Bolangir’s Superintendent of Police Khilari Rishikesh Dnyandeo said that the accused has been on the run since the incident.

“We have formed two special teams to nab him. Even police teams have been sent to neighbouring states in search of him,” the SP said.

He said he was optimistic that the accused would be arrested soon.

Another police officer said that a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act has been registered.

Hardik Pandya reclaims top spot among T20I all-rounders Tilak jumps 69 places to 3rd among batters

by

Hardik Pandya reclaims top spot among T20I all-rounders, Tilak jumps 69 places to 3rd among batters
Star India player Hardik Pandya

Dubai: Star India player Hardik Pandya on Wednesday re-claimed the top spot in the T20I all-rounders’ list while rising star and teammate Tilak Varma made a massive jump of 69 rungs to occupy the third place among batters in the latest ICC men’s player rankings.

Pandya overtook England dasher Liam Livingstone and Nepal dynamo Dipendra Singh Airee at the top of the T20I all-rounder charts on the back of some strong form during India’s recent series in South Africa, with the 31-year-old producing some eye-catching efforts with both bat and ball.

His innings of 39 not out in the second game of the four-match series helped balance India’s innings, while his spell of 1/8 from three overs during the decisive fourth contest ensured his side claim an impressive 3-1 series triumph.

It is the second time Pandya has held the No.1 ranking for T20I all-rounders, with the consistent India performer first rising to the top at the end of this year’s ICC men’s T20 World Cup.

Pandya wasn’t the only India player to make giant strides in the latest rankings update, with Player of the Series and rising player Varma shooting up the batting charts a whopping 69 places following his two centuries and 280 runs for the series against the Proteas.

The rise sees Varma improve to third place overall behind No.1-ranked T20I batter Travis Head and England’s Phil Salt and means he is now the highest-rated batter from India, with skipper Suryakumar Yadav dropping one spot to fourth behind him.

Teammate Sanju Samson — who also managed two centuries during the series with South Africa — climbs 17 spots to 22nd on the same list for T20I batters.

Australian duo Adam Zampa and Nathan Ellis are among the biggest movers on the updated rankings for T20I bowlers, with India seamer Arshdeep Singh gaining three places to move to ninth and a new career-high rating following his efforts against South Africa.

Four-year-old boy dies after falling into borewell in Rajasthan’s Barmer

by

Jaipur: A four-year-old boy died after falling into an open borewell in Rajasthan’s Barmer district on Wednesday evening, police said.

The incident occurred in Arjun ki Dhani in Gudhamalani area where Naresh fell into the borewell while playing. A rescue operation was immediately launched after getting information from his family.

The boy was stuck at a depth of nearly 100 feet, the police said.

The rescue team pulled the boy out after nearly three hours but he had died by then, they said.

Prominent NRI businessman SM Syed Khalil passes away in Dubai

by

facebook sharing button
print sharing button

Prominent NRI businessman SM Syed Khalil passes away in Dubai
Photo credit: Sahilonline

Dubai: Prominent Kannadiga businessman SM Syed Khalil passed away after brief illness in Dubai in the wee hours of Thursday.

Syed Khalil SM was also the Chairman of Madhyama Communications Ltd., Mangalore and was known across Coastal Karnataka for his social services and contributions in the fields of Kannada, Konkani languages and their culture.

Syed Khalil, affectionately known as ‘C A Khalil’ among the general public, hailed from the Nawayat community of Bhatkal. His journey to prominence and distinction had not only brought pride to the Nawayat community but also to Kannadigas and Indians at large. He was renowned for his remarkable achievements and dedication to international trade, social service, and the education of underprivileged children.

Having ventured to the Gulf in 1978, Khalil’s faith and dedication to the Galadari family propelled the Galadari Company to unparalleled success over three decades. He was serving as the Founder Chairman of K&K Enterprises General Trading Company in Sharjah. Khalil also held positions in numerous educational and social service organizations in Karnataka and beyond.

Syed Khalil stood as one of the town’s first chartered accountants, renowned for his financial expertise. He was also a respected leader in social service, religious, and educational circles. His leadership roles have included the presidency of prominent organizations such as Anjuman Hami-e-Muslimeen and Rabita Society. Khalil was an advocate for girls’ education and has played a pivotal role in establishing extensive educational institutions.

ED records statement of audit company employee in Bitcoin scam CBI asks him to appear

by

Mumbai : The ED and the CBI on Wednesday ramped up their investigations against Bitcoin Ponzi ‘scam’ suspect Gaurav Mehta, a day after the BJP made public voice notes to allege that Congress and NCP (SP) leaders were trying to encash cryptocurrency to influence Maharashtra assembly polls.

The allegations were refuted by NCP (SP) leader Supriya Sule and Congress leader Nana Patole who termed the voice notes released by the BJP on the eve of polling as fake.

Gaurav Mehta, an audit company employee, was at the centre of the action taken by the two federal probe agencies on Wednesday with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) carrying out searches at his Raipur residence while the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) issued summons to him seeking his presence before the investigating officer as soon as possible.

The CBI has registered three cases related to Gain Bitcoin Ponzi scheme case last month on the orders of the Supreme Court issued in December, 2023.

The ED questioned Mehta and recorded his statement during the searches. It also seized some computers and digital devices.

ED officials said the agency has widened its ongoing money laundering probe into a crypto (Bitcoin) assets ponzi scam and is investigating the “links” of Mehta and some others with politicians, politically exposed persons and bureaucrats.

The agency attached assets worth Rs 98 crore of actor Shilpa Shetty and her husband Raj Kundra in April as part of this crypto-ponzi probe. The couple challenged the ED action and got relief from the Bombay High Court.

It was alleged by the ED that the bitcoins were to be utilised for mining and investors were supposed to get huge returns in crypto assets but the promoters “cheated” the investors and have been concealing the “ill-gotten” bitcoins in obscure online wallets.

Kundra, the ED alleged, received 285 bitcoins from the “mastermind” and promoter of Gain Bitcoin Ponzi “scam” Amit Bhardwaj for “setting up” a bitcoin mining farm in Ukraine.

These bitcoins were sourced from the “proceeds of crime” collected by Amit Bhardwaj from gullible investors, it said.

The agency arrested three people — Simpy Bhardwaj, Nitin Gaur and Nikhil Mahajan — in the case last year.

Main accused Ajay Bhardwaj and Mahendra Bhardwaj are absconding, the ED said, adding that it attached properties worth Rs 69 crore in the case earlier.

Two chargesheets have been filed in the case till now — the first in June 2019 and the second in February this year.

The BJP on Tuesday played purported voice notes of Baramati MP Supriya Sule and Maharashtra Congress chief Patole alleging attempts were being made to encash bitcoins to influence the elections.

Sharing the audio clips, in which voices and signal chats purportedly of Sule and Patole allegedly indicate that bitcoins were used for funding the poll campaign, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi had said it is clear that the MVA has seen the writing on the wall that it will be defeated in the polls.

The allegations were strongly refuted by both leaders who said that the voice recordings were not theirs.

Sule said she has filed a complaint with the Election Commission and the cybercrime department of the state against the false allegations. She told reporters on Wednesday that she “did not know Gaurav Mehta”.

Patole also dismissed the BJP’s allegations and said, “The voice in the clip being circulated is not mine. Even (Prime Minister) Narendra Modi recognises my voice.” Voting in Maharashtra elections took place on Wednesday for 288 Assembly seats where BJP-led Mahayuti alliance is facing a challenge from NCP (SP), Shiv Sena (UT) and Congress alliance known as Maha Vikas Agadi.

A former IPS officer Ravindranath Patil, who was arrested in a 2018 cryptocurrency “fraud” case being probed by Pune Police, has also claimed that Mehta had provided him 10 voice notes on the Signal app which had purported audio clips of Sule, Patole, and IPS officers Amitabh Gupta (ex-Pune Police commissioner) and Bhagyashree Navtake, who was the DCP (cyber) in Pune when he was arrested.

He had also sent a complaint to the Election Commission alleging three voice notes were sent by Sule to Mehta in which she is purportedly heard asking the latter to encash the Bitcoins as funds were needed for elections and assuring him that he need not worry about inquiries as once they come to power, they would handle them.

In his complaint sent to the EC via email, Patil stated that according to the chats that he claims to be in possession of, it appears that hundreds of bitcoins worth billions of rupees may have been pumped in the assembly polls and the previous Lok Sabha elections.

It also appears that Mehta is currently having custody of the misappropriated bitcoins, amounting to hundreds of crores of rupees, Patil said in the complaint.

The ED’s money laundering probe in the crypto-ponzi case stems from FIRs of Maharashtra Police and Delhi Police against a company named Variable Tech Pvt Ltd and individuals named (late) Amit Bhardwaj, Ajay Bhardwaj, Vivek Bhardwaj, Simpy Bhardwaj and Mahender Bhardwaj, among others.

A number of multi-level marketing agents are alleged to have collected huge amounts of funds in the form of bitcoins (worth Rs 6,600 crore in 2017) from the public with the “false promise” of 10 per cent per month return in the form of Bitcoins.

The Supreme Court handed over cases registered against Variable Tech Pte Ltd across the country to the CBI in December last year.

Malayalam actor Meghanadhan dies at 60

by

Noted Malayalam film and serial actor Meghanadhan, known for his villainous roles, passed away at a hospital here in the early hours of Thursday, according to film industry sources.

He was 60.

He died at 2 am while undergoing treatment for respiratory-related ailments, they said.

Meghanadhan was the son of the renowned actor Balan K Nair.

He appeared in over 50 films, including notable works such as Chamayam, Chenkol, and Ee Puzhayum Kadannu.

Meghanadhan began his acting career in 1983 with the film Astram, directed by P N Menon.

He gained prominence by portraying villainous roles in Malayalam cinema.

Social media ban for children younger than 16 introduced in Australia’s Parliament

by

Melbourne (AP): Australia’s communications minister introduced a world-first law into Parliament on Thursday that would ban children younger than 16 from social media, saying online safety was one of parents’ toughest challenges.

Michelle Rowland said TikTok, Facebook, Snapchat, Reddit, X and Instagram were among the platforms that would face fines of up to 50 million Australian dollars (USD 33 million) for systemic failures to prevent young children from holding accounts.

“This bill seeks to set a new normative value in society that accessing social media is not the defining feature of growing up in Australia,” Rowland told Parliament.

“There is wide acknowledgement that something must be done in the immediate term to help prevent young teens and children from being exposed to streams of content unfiltered and infinite,” she added.

The bill has wide political support. After it becomes law, the platforms would have one year to work out how to implement the age restriction.

“For too many young Australians, social media can be harmful. Almost two-thirds of 14- to 17-years-old Australians have viewed extremely harmful content online including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm as well as violent material. One quarter have been exposed to content promoting unsafe eating habits,” Rowland said.

Government research found that “95 per cent of Australian care-givers find online safety to be one of their toughest parenting challenges,” she said.

Social media had a social responsibility and could do better in addressing harms on their platforms, she said.

“This is about protecting young people, not punishing or isolating them, and letting parents know that we’re in their corner when it comes to supporting their children’s health and wellbeing,” Rowland said.

Child welfare and internet experts have raised concerns about the ban, including isolating 14- and 15-year-olds from their already established online social networks.

Rowland said there would not be age restrictions placed on messaging services, online games or platforms that substantially support the health and education of users.

“We are not saying risks don’t exist on messaging apps or online gaming. While users can still be exposed to harmful content by other users, they do not face the same algorithmic curation of content and psychological manipulation to encourage near-endless engagement,” Rowland said.

The government announced last week that a consortium led by British company Age Check Certification Scheme has been contracted to examine various technologies to estimate and verify ages.

In addition to removing children under 16 from social media, Australia is also looking for ways to prevent children under 18 from accessing online pornography, a government statement said.

Age Check Certification Scheme’s chief executive Tony Allen said Monday the technologies being considered included age estimation and age inference. Inference involves establishing a series of facts about individuals that point to them being at least a certain age.

Rowland said the platforms would also face fines of up to AUD 50 million (USD 33 million) if they misused personal information of users gained for age-assurance purposes.

Information used for age assurances must be destroyed after serving that purpose unless the user consents to it being kept, she said.

Digital Industry Group Inc., an advocate for the digital industry in Australia, described the age limit as a “20th century response to 21st century challenges.”

CM Siddaramaiah directs officials not to cancel ration cards of poor families

by

Bengaluru : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday instructed the Food Department officials not to cancel the ration cards of poor families.

The order follows controversy over reports that over 22.6 lakh Below the Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders were deemed ineligible.

The chief minister ordered that if the ration cards of any family other than government employees and income tax payers are cancelled, they should be returned immediately, the Chief Minister’s Office said in a statement.

“The chief minister has warned that action will be taken against the Food Department officials if the ration cards of poor families are cancelled without any reason,” it added.

Official sources said the Karnataka government has identified 22.63 lakh ineligible BPL card holders in the state as it decided to revise the list.

They said the state did a survey of BPL cardholders in August this year, which revealed that there are 22,62,482 ineligible BPL cardholders. Now the government is contemplating cancelling them.

Fear loomed large over withdrawal of many benefits given to lakhs of families including 10 kg food grains to each member of the family every month under the Anna Bhagya scheme.

There were apprehensions that the women head of the BPL families availing Rs 2,000 a month under the Congress guarantee Gruha Lakshmi scheme may be withdrawn.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister K H Muniyappa told reporters in Kolar that all the southern states do not have BPL cardholders more than 50 per cent.

“In Karnataka, which is second most tax revenue generating state after Maharashtra, there cannot be 75 to 80 per cent BPL card holders. So we have to cancel them,” Muniyappa said.

He, however, clarified that the government was not cancelling the cards but only converting them from BPL to Above Poverty Line (APL) cards.

According to the minister, those in government jobs, paying income taxes or those whose annual income is above Rs 1.2 lakh are ineligible for BPL cards.

This move gave the opposition BJP a new weapon to target the ruling Congress in the state.

The party led by the Opposition leader in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka, former Deputy Chief Minister C N Ashwath Narayan and K Gopalaiah, took out a march in the city visiting houses of the BPL families. Later, they staged a demonstration against the government move.

A BPL card holder told reporters in Bengaluru that she got to know that her ration card has been cancelled after she went to a government run ration shop.

She was worried that her newborn daughter would not get the Karnataka government’s welfare programme for girl child and get her educated.

Reports poured in from various parts of the state where people from the economically weaker section expressed their shock and dismay over the government’s move.

KNOW US

GET INVOLVED

PROMOTE

Archives