Archives for 2025

Bhubaneswar: A third-year B-Tech Nepali student at a private engineering institute here allegedly died by suicide in her hostel, leading to campus tension following which a group of students from the Himalayan kingdom were evicted on Monday.

The deceased, identified as Prakriti Lamsal, was studying at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT), the varsity’s registrar said.

As the situation escalated on campus, KIIT authorities allegedly evicted several Nepali students from the hostel and dropped them at Cuttack railway station without making any arrangements for their travel, sources said.

Some students claimed, “We had no food, water, or money to purchase train tickets.” Many students boarded the Puri-Patna Express train in a general compartment, unable to secure reservations.

However, the intervention of Nepal’s Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli offered some relief to the distressed students.

Oli posted on Facebook in Nepali, “It has come to our attention through media and social media that a Nepali student has died in a hostel of KIIT University in Odisha and that Nepali students have been forcibly evicted. The government is working on this matter through diplomatic channels and is in contact with the relevant authorities.”

Following his intervention, KIIT authorities appealed to Nepali students to return to campus.

“An appeal is made to all our Nepali students who plan to leave the campus to return and resume classes,” the university stated.

In a post on X, Oli said, “Our Embassy in New Delhi has dispatched two officers to counsel Nepali students affected in Odisha. Additionally, arrangements have been made to ensure they have the option to either remain in their hostel or return home, based on their preference.”

The incident gained further attention when the deceased’s cousin filed a complaint at Infocity police station in Bhubaneswar, alleging that his sister hanged herself in her hostel room on Sunday.

He claimed that a boy student at the university had been blackmailing his sister, which he believed led to her suicide.

KIIT authorities confirmed that the third-year B-Tech student had died by suicide in her hostel room on Sunday.

“It is suspected that the girl was having an affair with another student at KIIT, and she may have committed suicide for some reason,” the university said, adding that the matter was immediately reported to police.

Bhubaneswar DCP Pinak Mishra said, “We have registered a case at Infocity police station based on the allegation that a male student abetted her suicide. The accused student is in police custody and is being interrogated. Police have seized the mobile phone, laptop, and other gadgets of the deceased woman. We are undertaking a scientific investigation into the matter.”

Police sources mentioned that the accused, a KIIT student, was apprehended at Biju Patnaik International Airport on Sunday while attempting to flee the city.

The news of the Nepali student’s death spread quickly, causing hundreds of students, including those from the neighbouring country, to gather on the campus on Sunday night. They staged a demonstration demanding justice.

As tension mounted at KIIT, the university authorities held discussions with the agitating students. “In view of the situation, Nepali students have been sent to their respective homes. The situation remains calm at present,” the KIIT said in a statement.

Regarding the eviction of Nepali students from the hostel, KIIT clarified, “The administration made extensive efforts, engaging in counseling and discussions for over 10 hours to manage the situation peacefully. However, despite their best attempts, some protestors were unwilling to listen to the university authorities and continued to create disruptions, posing a challenge to law and order. They also blocked the main public road for hours, causing inconvenience and escalating tensions.”

The university further added, “To ensure a smooth and unbiased investigation, Nepali students have been advised to return to their respective places voluntarily with the help of local guardians until the local inquiry is completed. The students are encouraged to return to the campus and will participate in normal academics, which will be restored very soon. Their academic aspects will not be disturbed during this period and will be taken care of by the university.”

As a result, the temporary suspension of academic classes and hostel accommodations was immediately lifted. “This step has been taken purely to maintain peace and ensure that justice is served appropriately,” KIIT authorities said.

To maintain order on the campus, two platoons (each platoon consisting of 30 personnel) of police were deployed. The police also sealed the deceased student’s room and kept her body in the mortuary until her parents arrived.

Students from different states also alleged that they were not allowed to leave the hostel by private security guards.

A video showing a scuffle between male students and security guards went viral on social media, but PTI could not independently verify the video’s authenticity.

In another viral video, some female officials of the university were heard telling the girls, “Pack up and leave the hostel immediately.”

KIIT authorities are yet to comment on the students’ allegations that they were not allowed to leave the hostel.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives The Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani upon his arrival in India

New Delhi: Extending a rare gesture of hospitality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday went to the airport to receive Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who arrived here on a two-day a visit to India this evening.

The Amir is scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Modi on Tuesday.

His visit comes at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. This would be the second state visit of the Amir of Qatar to India. He earlier visited India in March 2015, the MEA earlier said.

India and Qatar have deep-rooted historical ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect. In recent years, the ties between the two countries, including in the areas of trade, investment, energy, technology, culture and people-to-people ties, have continued to strengthen.

 Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as the next chief election commissioner on Monday, the law ministry said.

Kumar is the first CEC to be appointed under the new law on the appointment of the members of the Election Commission (EC).

His term will run till January 26, 2029, days before the EC is expected to announce the schedule of the next Lok Sabha election.

Vivek Joshi, a 1989-batch Haryana-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, has been appointed as an election commissioner.

During his tenure as the 26th CEC, Kumar will oversee the Bihar Assembly polls later this year, and the Kerala and Puducherry Assembly polls in 2026.

Similarly, he will oversee the Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, which are also due in 2026.

Kumar, who played a key role in implementing decisions following the abrogation of Article 370 of the Constitution in Jammu and Kashmir during his stint in the Union home ministry, took charge as an election commissioner on March 15, 2024.

His appointment came hours after the Congress asked the government to defer its decision on the new CEC till the Supreme Court concludes its hearing on a petition challenging the composition of the selection panel.

The Congress’s demand was put forth by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi during a meeting of the selection panel chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said.

The meeting took place in the South Block office of the prime minister. Besides Modi and Gandhi, Home Minister Amit Shah is the third member of the selection panel.

Kumar is a 1988-batch Kerala Cadre IAS officer.

After completing his B.Tech in Civil Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, he studied Business Finance in ICFAI, India and Environmental Economics in HIID, Harvard University, US.

He has worked in the government of Kerala as the assistant collector of Ernakulam, sub-collector of Adoor, managing director of the Kerala State Development Corporation for SC/ST, municipal commissioner of the Corporation of Cochin, besides holding other posts.

As a secretary to the government of Kerala, Kumar handled diverse departments, such as finance resources, fast-track projects and the public works department.

In the government of India, he has rich experience of working as the joint secretary in the Ministry of Defence, joint secretary and additional secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, secretary in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and secretary in the Ministry of Cooperation. He superannuated on January 31, 2024.

Bengaluru: The Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board (BWSSB) on Monday imposed restrictions on the usage of drinking water for non-essential purposes in the city, citing rising temperatures and depleting groundwater levels.

Those found violating the prohibitory order would be fined Rs 5,000, it said.

According to the order issued in public interest, under Sections 33 and 34 of the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Act 1964, the BWSSB has prohibited usage of potable water in the city of Bengaluru for cleaning vehicles, gardening, construction of buildings and roads, for entertainment purposes or decorations like fountains.

Malls and cinema halls are permitted to use water only for drinking.

“In case of violation of prohibitory order, a fine of Rs 5,000 will be applicable for the first time offence and recurrence of this violation will result in a fine of Rs 5,000 with an additional penalty of Rs 500 per day,” it stated.

Highlighting that the supply of drinking water to all is essential, the BWSSB said at present, temperature is rising in the city everyday and the ground water level has decreased due to lack of rains in recent days. So, it is necessary to prevent wastage of water in the city of Bengaluru.

It has been made necessary for the public to use drinking water sparingly, it said.

The public have been urged to use water judiciously and immediately inform the Bengaluru Water Supply and Sewerage Board’s call centre 1916 if anyone is found violating the prohibitory order.

Maha Kumbh Nagar : President Droupadi Murmu on Monday visited the Maha Kumbh Mela and took a holy dip at the Triveni Sangam.

She will also offer prayers at the Akshayavat and Bade Hanuman Temple, with Chief Minister Adityanath accompanying her.

Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Adityanath earlier received the President on her arrival in Prayagraj, officials said.

Maha Kumbh, which began on January 13, is the world’s largest spiritual and cultural gathering, attracting devotees from across the globe. It will continue until Mahashivratri on February 26.

Malappuram : Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Monday said that Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh’s resignation was “long overdue”.

Violence has been “carrying on” in the northeastern state for two years, she told reporters here when her reaction was sought on the matter.

“It was long overdue…(For) two years, this has been carrying on in Manipur,” the leader said.

Biren Singh tendered his resignation to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan in Imphal on Sunday.

More than 250 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless since ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023. Priyanka Gandhi, A Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad, attended various programmes in the high-range constituency in the last two days.

She would visit the houses of persons who had lost lives in wild animal attacks in the constituency on Monday before leaving for New Delhi.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh with MoS Sanjay Seth and Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar during the inauguration of Aero India 2025

Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to consider and give incentives to manufacturers of aircraft and helicopters to set up their manufacturing facilities in the state and the country.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 15th edition of Aero India event here.

“Karnataka plays a crucial role in India’s aerospace sector, contributing 67 percent of the country’s aircraft and helicopter manufacturing for defence services and 65 percent of India’s aerospace-related exports,” Shivakumar said.

He said that despite these impressive figures, there is a significant gap in the industry.

“While aircraft servicing and repair are well-established in India, the manufacturing of aircraft and helicopters is not yet taking place in India. Most of the aircraft and helicopters used by the country are still purchased from other nations,” he said.

Noting that Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru, boasts some of the best talent in the aerospace industry, making it an ideal location to establish aircraft and helicopter manufacturing facilities, the Deputy CM said, “By offering incentives to manufacturers, we could retain this talent within India, prevent the brain drain.”

“Hence I appeal to the Honourable Defence Minister to consider and give incentives to Manufacturers of aircraft and helicopters to set up their manufacturing facilities in Karnataka and India,” he added.

The Aero India, considered Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, was inaugurated by Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station here.

Noting that Bengaluru is the only city in the world to have both commercial and defence airports operating from the same strip, a testament to the city’s strategic importance in national and international aviation, Shivakumar said, “Innovation takes flight right here in Bengaluru.”

Bengaluru is India’s aerospace capital, home to over 60 percent of the country’s aerospace manufacturing and defence research, he said, over 1,50,000 people work in Bengaluru’s aerospace sector, making the city a global leader in aviation and defence technology.

Pointing out that Bengaluru is among top 3 global aerospace cities in attracting foreign investments, the Deputy CM said, the Government of Karnataka is also developing aerospace and defence hubs across the state — Bengaluru, Belagavi, Mysuru, Tumakuru and Chamarajanagara.

Bengaluru is also a pioneer in drone technology and unmanned aerial systems, which are changing both commercial and defense sectors, he added.

Shivakumar, also highlighted that Karnataka was the first state to announce an aerospace policy in 2013. “Our state has also set up a dedicated aerospace park in 1,000 acres near Devanahalli for aerospace companies.”