Category Archives: Regional

Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Following HC order, TMC accuses ECI of ‘batting for BJP’

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MP, 20 May 2024, Kolkata: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Monday criticised the Election Commission of India (ECI) accusing it of “batting for the ruling party. 

The Calcutta High Court on Monday restrained the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from publishing any kind of derogatory advertisements against the Trinamool Congress (TMC) till further orders. 
TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Saket Gokhale wrote on X: “ECI’s conduct throughout this election has been shameful. 
At every given opportunity, rules have been bent to favour Modi & BJP. Now even Calcutta HC has strongly rebuked the ECI for failing to take action on BJP’s fake & disparaging ads about @AITCofficial. The Hon’ble court has also restrained BJP & banned the ads. 
This is an election where the ECI openly bats for the ruling party.” Trinamool leader Chandrima Bhattacharya said: “There was an ad of BJP published a few days back in newspapers. 
A media house went to High Court and complained in a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution. Important order was passed by the court saying these ads should not have been published in newspapers because they are derogatory and have violated the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in spirit and letter. 
This should not have happened. ECI should have taken a significant step in this regard. It showed how BJP can stoop to any level.” 
TMC leader Mahua Moitra wrote on X: “Official twitter handle of@ECISVEEP should be changed to ECISLEEP.” 
Earlier, Moitra had accused the Election Commission (EC) of acting with bias for BJP since it is allegedly not taking action against the communal speeches of Prime Minister Narendra Modi or his party leaders. 
Moitra had pointed out: “We know that it is a violation of the Model Code of Conduct when a candidate uses communal speeches to polarise the electorate. However, the Election Commission as an independent body seems to be turning a blind eye and not taking any action”. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/following-hc-order-tmc-accuses-eci-of-batting-for-bjp-564616
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Will PM Modi take action against ‘corrupt’ BJP leaders, asks TMC

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Soumyadip Mullick, MP, 20 May 2024, Kolkata: In the wake of the alleged recovery of unaccounted cash from two BJP leaders in two separate incidents, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) questioned whether PM Modi, who vociferously champions the fight against corruption, will take any decisive action against his party leaders. 

On Monday, Abhishek Banerjee wrote on X: “On Stage: Na Khaunga Na Khane Doonga. Off Stage: Kaala Paisa Jamaunga Aur Jamaane Doonga! Will PM @narendramodi stick to his words and take action against BJP leader Samit Mandal, caught with unaccounted cash worth ₹35 lakhs right after the PM’s meeting in Kharagpur yesterday?” 
He further wrote: “Yesterday, BJP leader Samit Mondal, who was on the dais at PM Modi’s meeting, was caught red-handed by district police with ₹35 lakh unaccounted cash. Today, the ECI has transferred the SP of the same district. 
This is Modi’s guarantee: SAFE HAVEN FOR RAPISTS AND THE CORRUPT!” On Sunday night, TMC shared on social media that the district police seized Rs 35 lakh “unaccounted” cash from a BJP man identified as Samit Mondal, a close confidante of party candidate Agnimitra Paul. 
TMC wrote on X: “Irony died a thousand deaths! On the same stage from which PM @narendramodi made this grand statement against corruption, stood BJP leader and @paulagnimitra1’s close aide, Samit Mandal, from whom the Dist. Police seized over Rs. 35 lakh of unaccounted cash. ‘
Khaunga bhi, aur khane bhi dunga [as long as you’re in the BJP]’ seems to be the real mantra of our PM Modi – the self-proclaimed crusader against corruption.” On Monday, Trinamool further alleged that unaccounted cash and firearms were seized from another BJP leader in Hooghly. 
’ It wrote on X: “First Medinipur, now Hooghly – BJP’s corruption trail is spreading like wildfire. Rs. 35 lakh of undocumented cash was seized from BJP leader Samit Mandal at a Kharagpur hotel. If that weren’t enough, another BJP leader was nabbed in Hooghly with Rs. 2 lakh of unaccounted cash and unlicensed firearms. 
All this is unfolding while PM Modi is gallivanting across Bengal, preaching against corruption. The hypocrisy!” Trinamool leader Chandrima Bhattacharya told the media that the BJP needs to answer what their leader was doing with so much unaccounted cash. 
She said it was clear that this cash was meant for election purposes as Midnapore seat polls are due. She said it is not just a coincidence that the cash was recovered from a person close to BJP’s Midnapore seat candidate Agnimitra Paul. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-pm-modi-take-action-against-corrupt-bjp-leaders-asks-tmc-564621
Education, Regional, West Bengal

‘Start with UG admission process for academic year 2024-25 soon’

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MP, 20 May 2024, Kolkata: The All Bengal Principals’ Council urged the Higher Education department to commence the admissions for undergraduate courses for the academic year 2024-25 in state colleges as soon as all the private and government aided Minority colleges in the state have already opened their admission portal. 

The Council fears that if the admissions are not started sooner, the government colleges will lag behind. 
“In the last academic session 2023-24, Higher Education department took late decision for opening the admission portal which resulted in scarcity of students, especially in science and arts streams,” the Council in their letter stated, while adding that more than 75 per cent seats were lying vacant for the mentioned streams. 
With regards to the centralised portal, they urged the department principal secretary to give clearance for colleges to start admission using a standalone portal like last year if the uncertainty over the portal’s introduction still looms. 
Admissions under the centralised admission portal for undergraduate courses may start after Lok Sabha polls, a Higher Education official said. The last phase poll in the state is going to take place on June 1 and counting will take place on June 4. 
Through a centralised platform, a student will be able to apply to various colleges under the state just by logging into a single portal instead of going to individual institutions. 
The centralised online admission portal for UG will be used in all government-aided colleges, unitary universities and state-aided affiliating universities, excluding autonomous colleges, minority educational institutions or colleges, training colleges and law colleges. 
The Higher Secondary result was published on May 8. The successful candidates have started preparing for entrance examinations and applying for different colleges. 
Even though few colleges under the ones which will be excluded from centralised portal like Scottish Church College have opened their standalone portal to start the admission procedure. 
However, many colleges under Calcutta University are awaiting notice from the Higher Education department as to when the admission process through the centralised portal will start. 
According to a college principal, the testing of the centralised portal was successfully conducted and data was collected from them. Although no communication has been made either by the department or Calcutta University as to when the admission process can be started. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/start-with-ug-admission-process-for-academic-year-2024-25-soon-564622
Education, Regional, West Bengal

Higher Secondary Council trying to rope in college teachers in ‘cluster model’

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SOUMITRA NANDI, MP, 20 May 2024, Kolkata: The West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE) has decided to involve college teachers in a ‘cluster model’ for teaching students at the higher secondary level in the backdrop of acute scarcity of teachers in various subjects. 

The Council has already got the nod of the state Higher Education department in this regard. 
“We are encouraging cluster models for the benefit of students in the higher secondary level. If a particular school suffers from lack of teachers in a particular subject, teachers from a neighbouring school can be roped in for teaching the subject concerned in a cluster model. 
We have also made plans to rope in college teachers for addressing the same issue. However, the concerned teacher should be a permanent teacher,” said Chiranjib Bhattacharjee, president of WBCHSE. 
The concerned teacher can go to the neighbouring school for taking classes or students of three-four schools can be brought together 
in a common venue for the subject teacher to take classes. The same will be applicable for college teachers who will join this model. 
According to sources in the Council, the dearth of teachers in various subjects has turned so precarious that secondary teachers of a particular subject have to teach the same subject at the higher secondary level. 
In remote areas, even part time teachers are being roped in for plugging the gap. The Council is hopeful that the cluster concept will streamline this issue of teacher paucity to a reasonable extent. 
A Council official attributed this to the recruitment process remaining stalled for more than five years due to legal logjam and retirement of teachers every year in due course with attainment of age limit. 
The Council has introduced the semester system that will come into effect from 2024-25 for the students of class XI, while for class XII, it will be effective from 2025-26. 
The Council has introduced courses in data science, artificial intelligence, cyber security, science of well-being and application of artificial intelligence in recent times to make the plus-II curriculum up to date. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/higher-secondary-council-trying-to-rope-in-college-teachers-in-cluster-model-564626
National, Regional, West Bengal

Norden and Anuj of Jaldhaka reaches Kedarnath after running for 40 days.

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KalimNews, Kalimpong, 21 May 2024 : Dreams of Norden and Anuj came true when they finally reached Kedarnath in the midnight of the 40th day of their run and after 43 days of their start. They had to take rest for three days during their run. 

The two youths of Jaldhaka, 27 years old Norden Tamang and 23 years old Anuj Sharma could not run but walk on their last day before reaching Kedarnath due to the huge crowd of devotees on their way of pilgrimage and heavy rain. 
They almost had to crawl due to the slippery road and the crowd of men and women and mules carrying the old and the sick. On the last lap they were accompanied by the members of the Jaldhaka Runners and others of their native place. 
After walking for about 16 hours on May 20, at midnight 12.00 am they stepped into the famous temple of Kedarnath Dham and cried with joy and cheers. They made some puja rituals to the Gods of their dream and rested for the night. 
They had started their expedition from Jholung of Jaldhaka under Kalimpong District of the West Bengal state on 8 April, 2024 and finished it after 43 days.
Their route was through Chalsa, Siliguri and via Pani Tanki they entered into Nepal. Their run continued from Kakarbhitta via Birtamode, Hetauda, Kailali, Bardiya, Mahendranagar and entered into Uttarkhand. In Uttarkhand they ran via Bhimtal, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, Guptkashi, Gaurikund and finally to Kedarnath.
A run of about 1750 km was completed by both Norden and Anuj though Anuj suffered heel and Norden had knee problem, it was not an obstacle and they didnot stop. Gopal Gurung, manager of Jaldhaka Runners has expressed gratitude to all the well wishers, contributors and those who encouraged the team through various means. 
The team were received warmly by people of all walks of life including the defence and police forces and various clubs and associations in Nepal and India. 
With a message “Stride towards wellness” and “Run for Health” both Anuj and Norden ran the run to encourage all especially the youths for a better healthy life through running. The significance of running in making small changes in our lifestyle, can take strides towards a healthier and happier life. They said in unison that everything is possible in life for everyone with determination and a definite goal. 
Though they had less experience in the marathon and long run but that minimum experience helped them a lot in the long run and the whole expedition.  
Regional, West Bengal

Thunderstorms likely in next 48 hours: MeT

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20 May 2024 11:51 PM Kolkata: The Regional Meteorological Centre in Alipore on Monday predicted thunderstorms and lightning in several South Bengal districts in the next 48 hours. 
Several districts received moderate to heavy rainfall on Monday afternoon as the fifth phase of Lok Sabha polls occurred in a few districts. 
People in South Bengal may witness hot and sultry weather till the afternoon hours while thunderstorms may happen in the afternoon hours. Kolkata and several South Bengal districts received rainfall on Monday afternoon. 
People in South Bengal may also witness a similar weather where several parts may receive rains and thunderstorms accompanied with strong breeze measuring 40-60 kmph. The situation may continue till Wednesday. 
Several North Bengal districts received heavy rainfall on Monday. The intensity of rainfall will decrease in South Bengal in the next 24 hours. 
Kolkata on Monday registered its lowest temperature of the day at 29.5 degree Celsius while the highest temperature was recorded at 36.6 degree Celsius on Sunday. 
People in the western districts may undergo heatwave conditions towards the end of the week. 
The MeT office had earlier predicted that some of South Bengal districts, including Kolkata, might receive rainfall on the day of fifth phase election on May 20. 
Several south Bengal districts like Birbhum, East Burdwan, Purulia, Bankura, Jhargram, West Midnapore may receive light rainfall. 
According to the MeT office prediction, heatwave is again going to haunt the people in some of the South Bengal districts with the mercury expected to go up by 3-4 degree Celsius towards the end of the week. 
The MeT office said that the weather will mostly stay dry. Some of the North Bengal districts may receive rainfall in the next few days. 
Though, there may be scattered rainfall in some pockets in the coastal regions as well. 
Many of the South Bengal districts may witness the highest temperature at 40 degree Celsius soon. Kolkata is expected to touch 38 degree Celsius in the weekend while the western districts may touch 42. 
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the southwest monsoon is likely to advance into the South Andaman Sea region by the end of this week. 
If realised, this would make a timely onset of the monsoon over Southeast Bay of Bengal and neighbourhood areas. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/thunderstorms-likely-in-next-48-hours-met-564630
International, National, Politics, Regional

Nepal PM Prachanda wins vote of confidence in Parliament; fourth time in 18 months

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PTI, Kathmandu, May 20 2024 : Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda’ on Monday won a vote of confidence in Parliament, allowing him to lead a coalition government in the Himalayan nation while attempting to maintain political stability amidst frequent power struggles.

Prachanda, 69, a former guerilla leader from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre) — the third largest party in the House of Representatives (HoR) — received 157 votes in the 275-member House of Representatives.
The government required at least 138 votes to win the vote of trust.
In total, 158 lawmakers took part in the voting. The main Opposition Nepali Congress boycotted the voting process and chanted slogans against Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Rabi Lamichhane, accused of misappropriating cooperative funds, leading to the delay in the session. One HoR member remained neutral. Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire announced that Prachanda had won the floor test as he got a majority in Parliament.
This was the fourth time that Prachanda sought a vote of confidence in the House since he assumed prime ministership in December 2022.
The vote comes days after one of the coalition partners, Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), withdrew its support last week for his government while quitting the coalition government.
Earlier, the voting had to be delayed due to obstructions caused by the Nepali Congress, which has been demanding the formation of a Parliamentary probe committee to investigate Lamichhane’s alleged involvement in the scam.
According to constitutional provisions, a prime minister has to take a vote of confidence after an ally withdraws support to the ruling coalition.
Earlier on March 13, Prime Minister Dahal won his third consecutive vote of confidence, days after he dumped the Nepali Congress and forged a new alliance with the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist).
Last year, Prachanda faced a floor test after former prime minister KP Sharma Oli-led CPN-UML withdrew its support to the Prachanda-led government following a rift over backing the main opposition party’s candidate for the presidential poll.
Prachanda is serving a third time as prime minister, although he did not complete the full five-year term during previous stints.
In the past few decades, three big parties the Nepali Congress, the CPN-UML, and the Maoist Centre have ruled the country turn by turn, forever changing coalitions and partners at their convenience.
Nepal has had 13 governments since it abolished its 239-year-old monarchy in 2008 and became a republic.
Crime, Regional, Religion, West Bengal

Criminals attack Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Siliguri

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Photo Courtesy : UBS

EOI, SILIGURI, 20 MAY 2024 : The Ramakrishna Mission premises in the Bhaktinagar area of Siliguri came under attack on Sunday night as about a dozen criminals entered the campus with firearms and sharp weapons and tried to take possession of the property.

They threatened to kill the security guard and monks living there and asked them to vacate the house.
They broke the CCTV cameras installed in the premises and snatched the mobile phones of all the inmates of the ‘ashram.’ They threatened the monks with death unless the property was not demolished soon.
Later the ashram authorities filed a written complaint with the Bhaktinagar police station, narrating the whole incident.\MLA of Siliguri Shankar Ghosh said: “Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has threatened RamaKrishna Mission, Bharat Sevashram Sangha and ISKCON from an open stage and Trinamool Congress goons have threatened the monks of the ashram. This cannot be tolerated. 
I strongly condemn the incident. The culprits must be given exemplary punishment. Mayor of Siliguri Gautam Deb said: “We will not tolerate such activities. These are land mafias. Action will be taken against them.
“It was learnt that the intruders were part of a land mafia trying to encroach on the land and property of Ramakrishna Mission. The “Sewak House ” of Ramakrishna Mission at Salugara on Sevoke Road in Siliguri had been donated to the RKM authorities by a devotee. Ashramites of RKM had been living in that place for a long time.
Crime, Regional, West Bengal

EC removes BSF Jawan from poll duty after ‘molestation’ complaint

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Agencies, 20 May 2024 : The Election Commission on Monday removed a BSF jawan from poll duty in Uluberia Lok Sabha constituency following a complaint of molestation against him, an official said. 

A woman lodged the molestation complaint at Uluberia Police Station on Sunday evening, he said. “We have removed him from election duty. We are waiting for the police report. If found guilty, necessary action will be taken as per law,” the poll panel official told PTI. 
Voting for the fifth phase of the Lok Sabha polls commenced across seven parliamentary constituencies of West Bengal amid tight security on Monday. 
The Election Commission has designated over 57 percent of the polling stations as sensitive, and deployed over 60,000 personnel of central forces, in addition to around 30,000 policemen. 
The number of security forces deployed for this phase surpasses that of any of the earlier four phases in the state, the official added. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/seven-parl-seats-to-go-to-polls-today-564491?infinitescroll=1
Northeast, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

IMD issues yellow alert for thunderstorms with lightning in all districts

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MP, 19 May 2024, Kolkata: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms with lightning in almost all districts of Bengal from Sunday to May 22. However, a heatwave alert was issued for West Midnapore and West Burdwan on Sunday. 

Orange alert for rain, thunderstorm, lightning with gusty wind of 40 to 50 kilometre per hour was issued for Nadia, Murshidabad, Birbhum and East Burdwan on Monday. 
“A cyclonic circulation lies over Gangetic West Bengal and neighbourhood at 3.1 kilometre above mean sea level. 
Under favourable synoptic conditions and strong moisture incursion from Bay of Bengal, thunderstorms with lightning along with gusty wind speed and thunder squall activity are very likely to occur over the districts of West Bengal from May 19 to May 22,” Indian Meteorological Department stated. 
Kolkata on Sunday recorded a maximum temperature of 37 degree Celsius and minimum temperature of 28 degree Celsius. 
While in other parts of Southern Bengal, the maximum temperature in Kalaikunda was 42.2 degree Celsius, Asansol and Panagarh recorded 41.5 degree Celsius while Purulia and Barrackpore recorded 40 degree Celsius. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/imd-issues-yellow-alert-for-thunderstorms-with-lightning-in-all-districts-564461?infinitescroll=1
Education, National, Regional, States

‘Admissions under centralised admission portal for UG courses may start after Lok Sabha polls’

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MP, 19 May 2024, Kolkata: Admissions under centralised admission portal for undergraduate (UG) courses may start after Lok Sabha polls, a Higher Education official said. 

The last phase poll in the state is going to take place on June 1 and counting will take place on June 4. Through a centralised platform, a student will be able to apply to various colleges under the state government just by logging into a single portal instead of going to individual institutions.

The centralised online admission portal for UG will be used in all government-aided colleges, unitary universities and state-aided affiliating universities, excluding autonomous colleges, minority educational institutions or colleges, training colleges and law colleges. The Higher Secondary result was published on May 8. 
The successful candidates have started preparing for entrance examinations and applying for different colleges within the state as well as outside. Even though few colleges under the ones which will be excluded from the centralised portal like Scottish Church College have opened their standalone portal to start the admission procedure. 
However, many colleges under Calcutta University are awaiting notice from the Higher Education department as to when the admission process through the centralised portal will start. 
According to a college principal, the testing of the centralised portal was successfully conducted and data was collected from them. Although no communication has been made either by the department or Calcutta University as to when the admission process can be started. 
The centralised portal was going to be introduced last year but at the last moment the decision to implement it was revoked and colleges were asked to take new admissions through a standalone portal. 
The Higher Education authorities had reasoned that the centralised admission portal was developed based on the three-years degree UG programme and needed to be modified as per the recent implementation, which was four-years degree UG programme. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/admissions-under-centralised-admission-portal-for-ug-courses-may-start-after-lok-sabha-polls-564462
Health, Regional, West Bengal

‘About 40 people infected with new KP.2 Covid variant in state’

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MP, 19 May 2024, Kolkata: New variant of Covid has been detected in Bengal with 40 odd persons found to be infected with the same. The new variant KP.2 has affected 272 people across the country so far. 

A senior official of the state Health department said that in the past four months, several samples were sent for genome sequencing for the purpose of detecting variants and the new one KP.2 has been found in 40 cases. 
An offshoot of the Omicron strain, KP.2 was first detected in India in early January this year. There was an upsurge of cases in Maharashtra, especially in Pune, so it is also called the Pune variant. 
However, doctors have assured that there are no reasons for panic with this new variant as its severity has been found to be comparatively lesser than other variants. 
“It is infectious but its fatal effect is less. There is nothing to worry about in the present situation. New Covid sub-variants are expected to emerge in the days to come. Basic sanitisation like washing of hands, using of masks if affected with cough and cold should be followed,” said Dr Narayan Bandyopadhyay. 
According to city doctors, the symptoms of the KP.2 variant are the same as that of others. It includes trembling in fever, cough and cold and sore throat. There may be leg pain, headache and vomiting. 
America is presently leading in KP.2 variant affected cases globally. Since the beginning of Covid making inroads in 2019, health experts have reiterated that Covid will not completely bid goodbye , however its effect will gradually wane. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/about-40-people-infected-with-new-kp2-covid-variant-in-state-564465
Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

Sudden rise in water level of river Rangpo, 3 stranded fishing rescued

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Amitava Banerjee, MP, 19 May 2024, Darjeeling: The sudden surge in the water level of River Teesta on Saturday night resulted in the panic button being pressed owing to the devastation wrecked by the Teesta flash floods still fresh in the memory. Around 5 families were shifted from low lying vulnerable areas of the river bank. 

About 3 persons stranded on a rock were also rescued on Saturday night. Heavy rainfall in Sikkim resulted in the rise in the water level of the Teesta. “Around 5 families have been shifted to a community hall near Melli due to the sudden surge in water levels on Saturday night. 
On Sunday the situation is normal but we are keeping a close watch,” stated Balasubramanian T, District Magistrate, Kalimpong. 
“For how long will we run? Where will we run? We are spending sleepless nights. We lost everything in the October 2023 flash floods. Whatever little we have is all set to be lost yet again. Where is the promised rehabilitation? Where is the land that was promised to us for rehabilitation,” questioned a resident of Melli, a victim of the flash flood. 
Screen grab of the rescue video

At around 8 pm on Saturday with the water level rising, people started running helter skelter with whatever belongings they had along with documents. 
“There are many residing in relief camps since the October 4, 2023 flash floods. Monsoons have not even commenced and this is the situation. The district administration and GTA have to look into this seriously,” stated another eyewitness. 
On May 18, Gangtok had recorded 54.4 mm of rain.
Incidentally, both the Kalimpong and Jalpaiguri districts had faced widespread damages owing to flash floods in the River Teesta triggered by a glacial lake outburst in North Sikkim on October 4, 2023, that had washed away the Teesta III Dam at Chungthang. 
In a daring rescue, 3 youths stranded on a rock on the Rongpo Khola, a tributary of the Teesta, were rescued by the Teesta Rangeet Rescue Center at around 11.20 pm on Saturday. 
Shanti Rai, River rescuer and guide, while talking to Millennium Post, stated: “The Sikkim Police and Bengal Police informed us that three persons who were fishing, were stranded on a large rock in the Rongpo Khola and could not cross over owing to the surging river. We got news at around 7 pm and rushed to the spot with equipment and rafts. Rescue was very difficult in the torrential river in darkness. The water had surged owing to the overflow in the dam. 
Finally after great difficulty we managed to rescue the three at 11.20 pm on Saturday.” The three rescued included Gideon Karkidoli (22) Sahil Rai (24) and Avinah Thapa (24). 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/ec-removes-bsf-jawan-from-poll-duty-after-molestation-complaint-564498?infinitescroll=1
Regional, West Bengal

Jaldhaka runners Anuj and Norden to reach Kedarnath by today.

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Norden and Anuj near Kedarnath

KalimNews, Kalimpong, 20 May 2024 : Two youths of Jaldhaka, Anuj Sharma and Norden Tamang are on the final stage of their expedition from Jaldhaka of Kalimpong District under West Bengal state and is reaching Kedarnath by this afternoon. 

They started their run from Jholung on 8th April and ran via Nepal and Uttarkhand. A run of about 1800 km is being completed today by 3 pm on the 43rd day of their run, stated Gopal Gurung, manager of Jaldhaka Runners. 
With a message of “Run for Health” Anuj (23) of Jholung Bazar and Norden (27) of 45 block Rongo, members of Jaldhaka Runners started their run with challenges ahead. They had to face many unexpected instances.
Earlier they had run and participated in short distance marathons.
They ran at the rate of 60 km per day and on their way were welcomed by all and received with warmth everywhere. Due to the unexpected weather condition and the summer season, they had to tolerate extreme heat of 43 degree in some places during their run. Both of them said that their run will be an inspiration to many for such expeditions.
They were happy to represent people of Jaldhaka and the Gorkhas to Kedarnath and ready to pay their homage to the Gods at Kedarnath.Dham at a height of about 11,755ft in the district of Rudraprayag in Uttarkhand. 
Politics, Regional, Religion, West Bengal

‘Never indulged in politics’: Bengal monks dismiss Mamata’s allegation : Mamata accused some monks of working in favour of BJP

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PTI, May 19, 2024 : Amid a raging controversy over West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accusing some monks of two prominent monastic orders of working in favour of the BJP in the elections, the religious bodies on Sunday claimed that they have always stayed away from politics and never sought votes for candidates of any party.


Banerjee, the Trinamool Congress supremo, had in an election rally on Saturday alleged that some monks of two prominent monastic orders in West Bengal were working “under instructions of the BJP”.

Banerjee had alleged that some monks of Ramakrishna Mission had asked devotees in Asansol to vote in favour of BJP, while a monk of Bharat Sevashram Sangha had forbidden a TMC agent to sit at a polling station in Baharampur in Murshidabad.

Referring to the allegations, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at a rally in Purulia on Sunday, said that TMC has gone “beyond limits” by spreading canards against Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha and that Banerjee was “threatening them” to appease her vote bank.

Both Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha dismissed the allegations and asserted that they focus only on service to the society.

A senior monk at Ramakrishna Mission’s headquarters at Belur said, “We are pained and anguished at the insinuations… we do not wish to be implicated in any controversy… thousands of visitors from all walks of life come to our premises to pray and meditate, including the PM and the CM… everyone is same for us.”

“We try to spread among people the eternal values of religion and spiritualism. To my knowledge, neither the mission nor any monk of our order had asked anyone to vote for any particular party,” he added.

A spokesperson of the Bharat Sevashram Sangha said, “From cyclones to COVID, we have always rushed to the aid of the affected in far flung areas. We are a 107-year-old organisation and our monks run charitable health clinics, hospitals and educational institutions across the country. Neither had we ever been involved in politics nor we will be in the future.”

Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, said in a post on X, “I stand with Bharat Sevashram Sangha, I stand with ISKCON, I stand with all revered Hindu monks.”

Adhikari later told reporters that the monks are widely revered by people of West Bengal and respected by all communities for their service to the poor.

“Her statement was condemned by all,” Adhikari said.

State Congress president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that Banerjee’s comments showed “how she uses monks for her own political interest and when ties sour for some reason, she speaks against them”.

“The monk concerned (of Murshidabad) against whom she levelled charges used to be very close to her. She had even used him against me in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls. Apparently, their equations have changed with the emergence of the BJP,” he alleged. 
National, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

TMC insulting faith of Hindus, infiltrators changing demography of Bengal: Modi

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PTI, Medinipur (WB), May 19 2024 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused the TMC of insulting the faith of Hindus to appease its vote bank and asserted that infiltrators are “perilous” to West Bengal since they are “disturbing” the demography of the state.
Addressing his third election rally in West Bengal during the day, the Prime Minister said, “Infiltrators, who are the vote bank of the TMC, is a threat to the state as in many areas, Hindus have become fewer in number.”
“In Bengal, TMC is synonymous with terrorism, corruption, appeasement and nepotism. To appease its vote bank, the TMC is insulting the Hindu society and its faith. The entire country is angry due to the recent derogatory statement made by West Bengal CM,” he said at the Medinipur rally.
Modi was referring to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent remarks against Ramakrishna Mission and Bharat Sevashram Sangha.
The PM said that ongoing infiltration in West Bengal is “fast changing the demography” of the state.
“TMC’s appeasement has disturbed Bengal’s demography. Infiltration has disturbed the state’s demography. The TMC calls people from other states ‘outsiders’. However, it embraces infiltrators,” he said.
He also said, “Infiltrators are perilous to Bengal since they are disturbing the state’s demography. In many parts, Hindus have become a minority.”
Modi alleged, “Infiltrators are capturing the land of Dalits and the underprivileged. Our daughters and sisters are not safe anymore.”
The Prime Minister said in areas where infiltrators are in majority, “the TMC considers those as safe seats.”
“The TMC government kowtowing before its vote bank doesn’t deserve your votes. Teach TMC a lesson in this election,” he said.
Criticising the TMC for opposing the CAA in Bengal, Modi said, “Due to vote bank politics, they are opposing it.”
“The TMC welcomes infiltrators, but the West Bengal CM opposes the persecuted Hindus from neighbouring countries getting citizenship. I had promised to give citizenship to these refugee families. They are our brothers and sisters. However, TMC opposes the CAA, stating that they will not let it be implemented in Bengal and withdraw it,” he said.
Reaching out to the Matua community of the state, who are expected to benefit most from the CAA, he said, “Till Modi is alive, you won’t be able to do anything against the CAA. CAA is a law to accord citizenship.”
“The TMC is spreading lies, claiming that it will revoke citizenship as soon as the forms are filled,” he said.
Earlier, while addressing an election rally at Bishnupur, Modi said, “The refugee families of West Bengal will also soon get their citizenship under the CAA.”
“I am happy that the first batch has received citizenship under the CAA,” he said.
The first set of citizenship certificates under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act was issued Wednesday in New Delhi to 14 people, nearly two months after rules under the contentious law were notified to grant Indian nationality to persecuted non-Muslim migrants from three neighbouring countries.
This comes in the midst of the general elections which started on April 19. The last phase of polling will be held on June 1 while counting will take place on June 4.
The CAA was enacted in December 2019 for granting Indian nationality to persecuted Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, Parsi and Christian migrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.
After the enactment, the CAA got the president’s assent but the rules under which the Indian citizenship was granted were issued on March 11 after over a delay of four years.
National, Regional, West Bengal

DHR presses in 2 additional joy rides to meet rush

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PTI, DARJEELING, MAY 18, 2024 :  The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway will introduce two additional joy ride services to cater to the increased flow of tourists to the hills station. The DHR is already operating eight joy rides on the popular toy train. 

Meandering through narrow roads with houses on both sides of the road, the joy ride covers a distance of 16 km from Darjeeling to Ghoom and back and is one of the most sought after tourist activities. 
Station Master of Darjeeling Suman Pradhan said tourists were facing difficulty in purchasing tickets from the counter due to the rush. 
“There is huge rush and demand for the joy ride. Presently, we are running eight rides. We are booked till May 26. This has resulted in several tourists failing to take the ride. Therefore, we have decided to introduce two more joy rides to cater to the demand,” he said. 
Pradhan said the two new joy rides will be on diesel engines and will operate at 11.25 a.m and 1.25 p.m. 
“One of the main reasons people come to Darjeeling is to take the joy ride. If we see more demand for the joy ride then we will introduce two more rides,” said Pradhan. 
Tourists who were not getting tickets for the joy ride have welcomed the decision of the DHR to press into service additional rides. 
“One of the reasons we came to Darjeeling during this time was to beat the excruciating heat back home. We heard that two joy rides were introduced today, and we are happy about it. Being a large group of 13 t5 tourists, we were not getting tickets. We wanted to enjoy the joy ride together and we finally got a chance,” Karthick Ghosh, a tourist from Kolkata, said. 
Moumita Ghosh, also from Kolkata, said: “This is the first time I will be taking a ride in the toy train and this was possible only due to the additional two rides being started. Looking at the large crowd here I feel they will have to introduce more joy rides.” 
The 16 km joy ride meanders through the roads of Darjeeling passing the shops and houses along the way. 
The ride also passes through the Batasia War Memorial where a short break is made with another break made at the Ghoom Railway Station which is the highest railway station in Asia. Visitors can also take a tour of the DHR museum before the return trip back to Darjeeling.