Category Archives: Regional

Games & Sports, National, Regional, Sikkim

Sheer hard work, passion and professionalism set Chhetri apart from other players: Bhutia

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PTI, New Delhi, May 16, 2023 : Retiring India football captain Sunil Chhetri’s sheer hard work, passion and professionalism made him different from other players of his generation as he went on to become an iconic player, feels his former skipper Bhaichung Bhutia.


The 39-year-old Chhetri on Thursday announced his decision to retire after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6 in Kolkata, bringing the curtains down on a glorious career that is unparalleled in Indian football for its longevity and consistency.

“The sheer hard work, passion, dedication and true professionalism, his focus and desire to get better everyday is something which makes him different. As a young boy, he was always willing to learn and do everything possible (to excel),” Bhutia told PTI on Thursday, paying glowing tribute to Chhetri.

“Sunil has done a huge service for Indian football and his contribution is immense. It is a big loss for Indian football. He will go down as one of the greatest players India has ever produced.” Bhutia was already Indian football’s poster-boy and captain by the time Chhetri made his debut in 2005. They formed a great strike partner in the six years they played together in the Indian team, mostly under Englishman Bob Houghton. Chhetri later took over the mantle from Bhutia, who retired in 2011. In fact, Chhetri surpassed almost all the records set by Bhutia.

“We had a great understanding as a strike partner and we enjoyed it. I am honoured to have played along with him,” said the 47-year-old legendary player.

“When I came in, (IM) Vijayan was senior to me and when I was about to retire, Sunil came in. I have been fortunate to have been in between two of them.” Chhetri had in the past admitted Bhutia’s influence in his career, especially during his younger days.

Bhutia said Chhetri was different from others and he knew it from the time the youngster first joined the iconic club Mohun Bagan in 2002.

“From the day one he came to Kolkata as a professional, I was there in Mohun Bagan. As we are from the hills, we have always developed a relationship on and off the field,” said the ‘Sikkimese Sniper’.

“He (Sunil) did not lose track and focus. There were a lot of players who were with him and who came to Mohun Bagan at that time but many of them lost way. But Sunil was different.” 
Misc, Regional, West Bengal

12 killed in lightning strikes in West Bengal’s Malda district

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Agencies & PTI, MAY 16, 2024: At least 12 people were killed on 16 May in lightning strike in different places across Malda district of West Bengal, a government official said to news agency PTI. The district administration has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased, he said. A number of injured people are being treated at various hospitals.


Malda SP Pradip Kumar Yadav says, Twelve persons have lost their lives in the (lightning) incident but the cause of their death will confirmed after post-mortem, as reported by news agency ANI. Following the guidelines of MCC and after discussing with the concerned authorities, the administration will provide Rs 2 lakh each as compensation and Rs 2000 for last rites, said DM Nitin Singhania.

Meanwhile, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee in a post on X wrote, “My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones in Malda due to the tragic lightning strikes. I extend my deepest condolences to them during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with the injured, and I pray for their swift recovery. Our district administration is working tirelessly to provide all necessary support to the affected. We will do everything in our capacity to assist those in need”.

Three persons Chandan Sahani (40), Raj Mriddha (16) and Manajit Mandal (21) were killed in Malda’s Sahapur area, while another person identified as Asit Saha (19) died in Gajol after he was struck by lightning while working in a mango orchard, he said.

Eight-year-old Rana Sheikh in Manickchak’s Mohammed Tola and a couple, Nayan Roy (23) and Priyanka Singha (20) of Harishchandrapur, also lost their lives due to lightning, the official added. Eight-year-old Rana Sheikh in Manickchak’s Mohammed Tola and a couple, Nayan Roy (23) and Priyanka Singha (20) of Harishchandrapur, also lost their lives due to lightning, the official added.

In Haddatola, lightning killed Atul Mandal (65) and Sheikh Sabrul (11) while Sumitra Mandal (45) lost her life in Mirdadpur, he said. In Englishbazar’s Milki, a man identified as Pankaj Mandal (23) was killed. In Englishbazar’s Milki, a man identified as Pankaj Mandal (23) was killed.”,
PTI, Malda, May 16, 2024 :  At least 11 people were killed and two others injured in lightning strikes at various places across West Bengal’s Malda district on Thursday, police said.
    
Two among the deceased were minors, both residents of Manikchak police station area, while three hailed from Sahapur under the jurisdiction of Malda police station, police added.

Two others were from Adina under Gajol police station and Balupur under Ratua police station. A couple died in Harishchandrapur when they were working in the fields. The rest were residents of Englishbazar and Manikchak police station areas.
Economy, Regional, West Bengal

Crisis in north Bengal tea industry, Dooars garden staff halt work over unpaid salary

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Around 80 staff and sub-staff of Nagaisuree, a tea estate in Matiali block of Jalpaiguri district, didn’t join duties on Wednesday

TT Correspondent, Jalpaiguri, 16.05.24 : The staff and sub-staff of a tea estate in the Dooars resorted to ceasework on Wednesday, alleging delay in their salaries.

Around 80 staff and sub-staff of Nagaisuree, a tea estate in Matiali block of Jalpaiguri district, didn’t join duties on Wednesday.
“Usually, we get our salaries by the 10th of every month. This month, we haven’t been paid till date (May 15). We have to run our families and meet various expenses, including educational expenses of our children,” said Deep Bhattacharya, a staff member.

Others like Biswasjit Das, Kamal Pradhan, Laxman Bhumij and Kishun Mahali said that unless the management paid them their salaries, they would not work.

“We have spoken with the garden’s manager and have made it clear that if the salaries are not paid immediately, we will not join our duties,” said Das.

Sources said a decline in tea production and prices over the past couple of months has landed the management of Nagaisuree in fund problems.

“Some other gardens in the Dooars are facing the same issue. If such a situation prevails, it will pose a question on the sustainability of these gardens,” said a senior tea planter in Siliguri.

Unlike the staff and sub-staff, the 1,450 tea workers of Nagaisuree have received their wages on time, said sources.

“The entire industry is in crisis. The management has been informed about the ceasework of employees. We hope the issue is resolved soon,” said a garden source.

Planters’ plea

The Indian Tea Planters’ Association (ITPA), an association of tea planters in north Bengal, has written to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, seeking financial aid for the brew belt.

“The north Bengal tea industry is in utter crisis due to production loss and price dip. Many tea estates are finding it tough to clear regular dues and a section of these are regulating working days,” said a source in ITPA.

“In such a situation, a financial package from the government is needed to help the industry tide over the crisis,” the source added.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

New traffic management plan to be implemented across Siliguri after Lok Sabaha polls

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 The traffic department of the police has already submitted a PowerPoint presentation to the civic body on how traffic management can be improved, along with recommendations

TT, Siliguri, 16.05.24 : The Siliguri Metropolitan Police and the Trinamul-run Siliguri Municipal Corporation will jointly enforce a new traffic management plan across Siliguri from next month after Lok Sabha polls to decongest city roads.

The traffic department of the police has already submitted a PowerPoint presentation to the civic body on how traffic management can be improved, along with recommendations.

Among these include regulating the movement of e-rickshaws on all prominent thoroughfares, relocating unauthorised parking of private buses of long-distance routes from Hill Cart Road and adjacent areas of Tenzing Norgay Central Bus Terminus, recolating the local bus stand from Siliguri Town station area to Tinbatti More and building an alternative bus terminus on a vacant plot near Darjeeling More.

“A major challenge for the civic body is to streamline traffic across the city. Every day, especially during rush hours, all prominent roads of Siliguri are chock-a-block with vehicles. Once the general election is over, we intend to implement the recommendations to decongest roads,” said a civic body source.

In Siliguri, indiscriminate movement of e-rickshaws and unauthorised parking of private buses bound for Calcutta and some other parts of south Bengal, as well as Bihar, Jharkhand and Assam are some of the reasons for traffic congestion.

Earlier, an initiative was taken to relocate the local bus stand from its existing place to Tinbatti More. A terminus has been readied at the location on a plot provided by the state transport department.

“However, owners who run buses on local routes across the Siliguri subdivision have moved court. Hence the project is held up,” said a source.

Mayor Gautam Deb has also planned to meet the principal secretaries of the state transport department and state urban development and municipal affairs department in Calcutta this week to seek their intervention.

“I will hold a meeting with officials so that they, too, can come up with recommendations on Siliguri’s traffic management. We have requested the Siliguri Jalpaiguri Development Authority to allocate funds for a bus terminus at Paribahan Nagar in Matigara so that we can shift buses plying from here to other states and Calcutta there,” said the mayor.
Economy, International, Regional, West Bengal

Bitter brew over Nepal tea imports, Darjeeling industry ‘shocked’ at lack of proper testing

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 The latest bitterness against the government’s failure to check the quality of Nepal tea comes after 28 trucks carrying Nepal tea were reportedly allowed to enter India in April-end without food security checks from the Panitanki border near Siliguri

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 16.05.24 : The Darjeeling tea industry is bitter over the government’s alleged move to allow Nepal tea imports without properly testing the entire consignment.

Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) has alleged that it is “shocked that cheap and dubious Nepal tea is being allowed to be imported without FSSAI checks”.

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is a statutory body under the Union ministry of health and family welfare and regulates, among other things, the quality of food articles in India, including its imports.

“The FSSAI in its order dated 23.04.2024 has clearly mandated that all import teas need to be subjected to full and accurate testing as per stated FSSAI protocol… Cheap duty-free dumping of low quality and FSSAI non-compliant teas from Nepal have turned the Darjeeling tea industry into an ICU patient…,” said a DTA official.

The latest bitterness against the government’s failure to check the quality of Nepal tea comes after 28 trucks carrying Nepal tea were reportedly allowed to enter India in April-end without food security checks from the Panitanki border near Siliguri.

Sources said that these trucks were first stopped and the entire consignment of Nepal teas was tested, but vehicles were allowed inside India before the test reports came in.

Administrative sources admitted that the trucks were allowed to enter India with a directive from “higher authorities.”

“At the moment, the first five consignments of importers (for tea) are now being tested and this is valid for six months. Of course, random tests are also done,” said a source in the known of things.

The incident of the 28 trucks created a flutter in Nepal.

“The issue was taken up right to the Nepal Prime Minister’s office by Nepal tea growers. The matter was also raised with the Indian government,” said a source in Nepal.

The Darjeeling Tea industry wants the government to take stringent measures against the “dumping” of Nepal tea into India. Industry stakeholders have alleged that many unscrupulous dealers in India are either mixing or selling Nepal tea as Darjeeling tea.

The tea-growing districts of Nepal are contiguous to Darjeeling district.

Nepal exports around 16,000 tonnes of tea, around 90 per cent to India.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Health, National, Northeast, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

Neonatal mortality rates worsen in multiple states in India, account for nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children

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Findings published in medical journal JAMA Network Open, underline an ‘immediate need’ for health authorities to focus on strategies to improve quality aspects of institutional deliveries
The neonatal intensive care unit of Rural Development Trust Hospital in Bathalapalli, Andhra Pradesh: File picture

G.S. Mudur, TT, New Delhi, 16.05.24 : Neonatal mortality rates have stagnated or worsened in multiple states in India in recent years and account for nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children under five years of age, researchers have said in a study.

Their study has found that nearly 50 per cent of deaths in children under five in India occurred within seven days after the child’s birth, both in 2016 and in 2021, alongside improvements in overall child mortality rates.
The findings, published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open, underline an “immediate need” for health authorities to focus on strategies to improve quality aspects of institutional deliveries, the researchers have said.

India’s proportion of institutional deliveries — births in healthcare facilities — has more than doubled from around 40 per cent in 2005-06 to 83 per cent in 2019-21.

The new study led by S.V. Subramanian, professor of population health at Harvard University, has suggested that reductions in neonatal mortality have not kept pace with the rise in institutional deliveries.

Subramanian and his colleagues used three decades of datasets from the Union health ministry’s National Family Health Surveys — the latest in 2019-21 — to analyse child mortality patterns after seven days, 30 days, a year, and five years of birth.

They classified deaths within seven days as early neonatal mortality, deaths between 8 and 28 days as late neonatal mortality, and deaths between a month and a year as post-neonatal mortality.

India’s overall under-five child mortality has decreased to 42 per 1,000 live births in 2019-21 from 50 per 1,000 in 2015-16 and 75 per 1,000 in 2005-06. And most states have seen decreases in mortality rates across all the child age groups.

But between 2016 and 2021, early neonatal mortality increased in nine states or Union territories, late neonatal mortality either remained stagnant or increased in 13 states, and post neonatal mortality increased in 12 states, their study found.

Early neonatal mortality rose in Haryana, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Delhi, Andaman and Nicobar and Daman and Diu, late neonatal mortality rose or didn’t improve in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Telangana and Andaman and Nicobar. Post-neonatal mortality rose in Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Telangana, Tripura, Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar and Chandigarh.

“While India has made substantial progress over the years in reducing the risk of mortality among young children, age-specific interventions may be needed to address mortality in different age groups,” Subramanian told The Telegraph. Early neonatal mortality may require improvements in quality of care in healthcare institutions while post-neonatal mortality would need a focus on ensuring vaccination and food.

The researchers’ call for urgent measures to address neonatal mortality comes against a backdrop of long-standing concerns among paediatricians and public health experts about neonatal deaths hampering progress towards infant mortality targets.

India’s National Neonatology Forum had in 2003 highlighted the need for intensified efforts to protect babies during the first four weeks of life as part of efforts to reduce infant mortality rates.

The health ministry has helped establish a network of newborn care facilities, including newborn intensive care units, sick newborn care units, and newborn stabilisation units in public health facilities across the country.
Games & Sports, National, Regional

Stalwart Chhetri announces retirement, World Cup qualifier match in Calcutta on June 6 to be his last game

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Chhetri, who made his debut in 2005, has scored 94 goals for the country. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player

PTI, New Delhi, 16.05.24 : The iconic Sunil Chhetri on Thursday announced his decision to retire from international football after the FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Kuwait on June 6, bringing the curtains down on a career that is unparalleled in Indian football for its longevity and consistency.

The long-serving national team captain announced his decision via a video he posted on his social media accounts.
Chhetri, who made his debut in 2005, has scored 94 goals for the country. He will leave the scene as India’s all-time top scorer and most-capped player.

He is also third in the list of goal scorers among active players behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi and currently sits as the fourth in the all-time list of international goal-scorers as well.

Chhetri, 39, will walk into international sunset after rendering yeoman service for nearly two decades, 19 years to be precise, to a team that was heavily reliant on the 5’7″ forward to deliver the goods every time he wore the blue jersey.

https://assets.telegraphindia.com/telegraph/2024/May/1715837464_chhetri-sunil-2.jpg
“The match Against Kuwait is the last,” Chhetri said while announcing his decision.

Chhetri’s final match will be played at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata, and it is appropriate that he will end his journey in a city, where he has played a lot of his football while evolving into a potent striker.

India are currently second in Group A with four points, behind leaders Qatar.

Chhetri had made his 150th national appearance in March and scored on the occasion against Afghanistan in Guwahati. India, though, stunningly lost that game 1-2.

On his international debut against Pakistan way back in 2005, Chhetri, who would go on to become one of the game’s most lethal strikers, scored, and he rated it as his best moment.

“There is one day that I never forget and remember it quite often is the first time I played for my country man, it was unbelievable.

“But the day before, morning of the day, Sukhi sir (Sukhwinder Singh), my first national team coach, in the morning he came to me and he’s like, you’re going to start? I can’t tell you how I was feeling man,” Chhetri recalled.

He added, “I took my jersey, I sprayed some perfume on it, I have no idea why. So that day, everything that happened, once he told me, from breakfast to lunch and to the game and to my first goal in my debut, to conceding late in the 80th minute, that day is probably that I will never forget and is one of the best days of my national team journey.” Speaking on the future of Indian football, Chettri said that it was time for the country to find the next 9. He felt the team is currently handicapped as none of the current lot of players play as the main striker for their respective clubs and sees the massive hole in the current national team.

In recent times, Chhetri said he could sense that he was heading towards the end of his glorious journey.

“You know the feeling that I recollect in the last 19 years is a very nice combination between duty, pressure and immense joy. I never thought individually, these are the many games that I’ve played for the country, this is what I’ve done, good or bad, but now I did it.

“This last one and a half, two months, I did it and it was very strange. I did it because probably I was going towards the decision that this game, this next game is going to be my last.” The moment he had arrived at the decision, memories came flooding back to his mind.

“And the moment I told myself first, that yes, this is the game that is going to be my last, is when I started recollecting everything.

“It was so strange, I started thinking about this game, that game, this coach, that coach, that team, that member, that ground, that away match, this good game, that bad game, all my individual performances, everything came, all the flashes came. So when I did decide that this is it, this is going to be my last game.” His family members reacted differently to his big decision.

“I told my mom, my dad and my wife, my family first, my dad was…he was normal, he was relieved, happy, everything, but my mom and my wife started crying,” he said.

“…they couldn’t express to me as to why they burst into tears. It’s not that I was feeling tired, it’s not that I was feeling this or that, when the instinct came that this should be my last game, then I thought about it a lot.” Among major successes, Chhetri helped India win the Nehru Cup (2007, 2009, 2012) as well as the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championship (2011, 2015, 2021).

He also played a part in India’s 2008 AFC Challenge Cup win, which helped them qualify for the first AFC Asian Cup (2011) in 27 years.

The Secunderabad-born footballer, who made his club debut for Mohun Bagan in 2002, went on to play for USA’s Major League Soccer team Kansas City Wizards in 2010 as well as for the reserve team of the Sporting CP in the Portuguese football league back in 2012.

The seven-time AIFF Player of the Year winner has also represented major Indian clubs like East Bengal (2008-2009), Dempo (2009-2010), and Indian Super League sides Mumbai City FC (2015-2016) and Bengaluru FC.

In club football, he has tasted most success at Bengaluru FC, winning major trophies like the I-League (2014 and 2016), ISL (2019), Super Cup (2018). He also led Bengaluru FC to the AFC Cup final in 2016.

Chhetri was felicitated ahead of his 150th outing for the Blue Tigers in the World Cup qualifier against Afghanistan in Guwahati.
Economy, Regional, West Bengal

Tea gardens struggle as weather wreaks havoc

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MP, 15 May 2024, Alipurduar: This year, tea production has been significantly impacted by extreme weather conditions. 

After thorough analysis, the tea plantation workers’ organisations are planning to approach the state government. 
Due to a lack of rain, tea production has suffered greatly in Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Alipurduar, sparking widespread concern among various tea gardens. 
The Trinamool Cha Bagan Shramik Union (TCBSU) intends to approach Labor minister Malay Ghatak regarding this issue. 
The letter will detail the extent of production loss in over 300 tea gardens in North Bengal, providing an overview of the situation in these gardens, according to union leaders. 
Gangaprasad Sharma, a leader of TCBSU, stated: “This year, many tea gardens have experienced production losses of up to 90 per cent compared to last year. Naturally, we are deeply concerned. 
Additionally, it was decided in our organisational meeting that TCBSU will soon submit a memorandum on this matter at the Jalpaiguri PF office.” The tea industry attributes the decline to the lack of rainfall over the past four months, which has led to diseases and insect attacks in the plantations. 
Chinmoy Dhar, Chairman of the Tea Association of India, North Bengal, remarked: “Rainfall is now a blessing for us. 
This year has brought unprecedented weather extremes, posing significant challenges for the tea industry.” 
However, scattered rainfall has been observed in the tea gardens of North Bengal since Saturday. 
The Saraswatipur tea garden in Jalpaiguri district received a record amount of 6.5 inches of rain. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/tea-gardens-struggle-as-weather-wreaks-havoc-563939
International, Regional

Body of B’desh tourist to be handed over to kin in Kurseong

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MP, 15 May 2024, Darjeeling: The relatives of the deceased Bangladeshi tourists arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday and proceeded to Bagdogra by flight. 

The Darjeeling police will be handing over the dead body of the deceased to them in Kurseong. The 65-year-old tourist, on a visit to Darjeeling, had died en route. 
His body has been kept at the Kurseong Sub Divisional Hospital where a post mortem has been conducted. 
The deceased has been identified as 65-year-old Sk Azizul from Mohammadpur, Dhaka. He was a retired banker. 
On Tuesday he had arrived from Dhaka by train. “From NJP he along with another person boarded my taxi to Darjeeling. 
At Rohini, he stated that he was feeling unwell and we stopped and he rested for nearly an hour. 
After some time he stopped talking and started breathing heavily. 
I then rushed to the Kurseong hospital,” stated Shyamal Chandra Singh, the taxi driver. 
He was declared dead at the hospital. 
“We have started an unnatural death case,” stated Palash Mohanta, Inspector-in-Charge, Kurseong Police Station. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-retrieve-bengals-dues-within-3months-once-india-bloc-forms-govt-563965?infinitescroll=1
Regional, West Bengal

Siliguri: Two dead, 26 hurt after pickup van turns turtle

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MP, 15 May 2024, Siliguri: A pickup van overturned on National Highway 31 near Goaltuli More in Phansidewa block under Siliguri Mahakuma Parishad, resulting in two deaths and leaving 26 others injured. 

According to local sources, on Wednesday, several families from the Helagach area were en route to Bihar in a pickup van to attend a marriage ceremony. 
While attempting to overtake a truck, the pickup van lost control and overturned. 
Phansidewa Police Station responded promptly and dispatched the injured to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital. 
Tragically, two of the injured passengers succumbed to their injuries, while the remaining are receiving medical treatment. 
A probe is underway with Phansidewa PS leading it. Following the accident, traffic was temporarily halted. 
Siliguri Mayor Gautam Dev and Mahakuma Parishad president, Arun Ghosh visited the medical college to oversee treatment facilities. Follow @mpostdigital @mpostdigital @mpostdigital @mpostdigital Team MP 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/will-retrieve-bengals-dues-within-3months-once-india-bloc-forms-govt-563965?infinitescroll=1
Economy, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

After a lull in April, tourists start returning to Darjeeling, Sikkim

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Sanchita Aich Bag, MP, 15 May 2024, Siliguri: After a slump in tourism during the month of April, it is back on track again with a large number of tourists visiting Darjeeling and the neighbouring state of Sikkim. 

However, fewer tourists are visiting the Dooars area compared to the hills. Currently, hotels and homestays have 90 per cent occupancy in Darjeeling. 
The tourist footfall in Sikkim is also huge following the Teesta disaster caused by flash floods in River Teesta on October 4, 2023. 
The flash floods had wreaked havoc taking a toll mainly on road connectivity. “Very few tourists visited Sikkim in April this year as compared to last year. 
However, a large number of tourists are visiting Darjeeling this month. 90 per cent of occupancy is booked. We hope we will witness a tourist rush in the month of June also,” said Samrat Sanyal, the Secretary of Himalaya Hospitality and Tourism Development Network (HHTDN). 
Every year, from April to June, a large number of tourists visit Darjeeling, Sikkim. However in April this year, hotels and homestays experienced around 50 to 60% occupancy. 
In some places, the percentage dipped to 45 per cent also.” Tourism stakeholders blamed it on the Lok Sabha election. 
They also blamed excessive price hikes on flight fares. “Fewer flights are operating from Bagdogra Airport. The fare has increased. Many tourists are avoiding visiting this region owing to this also,” Sanyal added. 
North Sikkim has been heavily affected by the October flash flood. Owing to disruption in road connectivity and the closure of National Highway 10 frequently for repairs have further contributed to the dip in tourists. 
Vehicles to Sikkim and Kalimpong to and fro Siliguri had been diverted through Lava and Gorubathan which is a longer route. 
Therefore, the vehicle fares also shot up. All these reasons added up to fewer tourists visiting Sikkim in April. 
However, this month onwards, with road connectivity restored and heat waves sweeping the plains, people have started visiting Sikkim. Almost 70 per cent occupancy has been recorded in different places in Sikkim, including Gangtok.

Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/after-a-lull-in-april-tourists-start-returning-to-darjeeling-sikkim-563948
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Scripting Sandeshkhali incident: BJP’s LS candidate Rekha Patra moves HC, seeks protection from coercive action

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: BJP candidate from Basirhat Lok Sabha seat Rekha Patra on Wednesday approached Calcutta High Court seeking protection from coercive action by the state police. 

On the same day, BJP leader Piyali Das approached the High Court against the Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court’s order refusing her bail. The lawyer representing Patra reportedly stated that several false cases have been filed against her by the police. Patra also sought for security and protection from the Calcutta High Court. 
The case will be heard by Justice Jay Sengupta on Thursday. Meanwhile, it was learnt that Das surrendered in Basirhat Sub-Divisional Court on May 14. There were allegations against her of getting women in Sandeshkhali to sign on white papers. 
The court rejected the bail plea and sent her to seven days judicial custody. When questioned by the media, Das said that the allegations against her are false and that there is no evidence to support those allegations. 
The ruling Trinamool Congress recently shared a video of an alleged sting operation featuring BJP leader Gangadhar Koyal. In the purported video, the veracity of which could not be confirmed by news agency, a man resembling Koyal was seen claiming that allegations of sexual abuse in Sandeshkhali were “staged”. 
Koyal had approached the High Court seeking transfer of investigation to the CBI into an alleged sting video. He claimed in his petition that technology-aided videos mimicking his voice were being circulated in a bid to defame him. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/scripting-sandeshkhali-incident-bjps-ls-candidate-rekha-patra-moves-hc-seeks-protection-from-coercive-action-563961
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

Mamata Bala’s daughter starts indefinite protest

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: The daughter of Trinamool Congress MP Mamata Bala Thakur, has started an indefinite protest against the BJP Bongaon candidate Santanu Thakur for allegedly not allowing them access to Boro Maa’s (Matua matriarch Binapani Devi) idol. 

On being asked the reason for this indefinite protest, Madhupartna Thakur told the media: “BJP’s Bongaon candidate Santanu Thakur drove us out of our home a month back using muscle power and locked it. This is our birthplace. We are not able to see Binapani Devi’s idol. The room where it is kept remains ill-maintained. We will not tolerate this and won’t stop our protest till we get justice.” 
On April 7, TMC claimed that Santanu Thakur had attacked its Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Bala Thakur. 
The feud broke out between the two factions over the control of a house where community matriarch Binapani Devi, popularly known as ‘Boroma’, lived till her death five years back. Santanu is the grandson of Binapani Devi, while Mamata Bala Thakur is her daughter-in-law. Thakurnagar is in North 24-Parganas district. 
According to the TMC, the incident happened on April 7 when Santanu Thakur along with his supporters allegedly tried by force to take control of the house where Mamata Bala presently resides. 
She had taken out a rally in North 24-Parganas’ Thakurnagar to protest the attack. She had said: “I have lodged a complaint at Gaighata Police Station as Shantanu Thakur and his associates tried to break in at my residence. 
They forcibly entered my residence”. TMC wrote on X: “Madhuparna Thakur, the daughter of Rajya Sabha MP Mamata Thakur, is leading an indefinite protest at the Thakurbari premises. 
After being forcefully evicted by Shantanu Thakur over a month ago, they are now denied access even to Boro Maa’s idol. 
The ancestral house is shrouded in darkness and dirt. This reprehensible act is yet another proof of the BJP’s Matua-Birodhi agenda!” 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/mamata-balas-daughter-starts-indefinite-protest-563963
Crime, Politics, Regional, West Bengal

CBI starts collecting details of teachers who lost jobs

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MP, 13 May 2024, Kolkata: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started collecting the details of the more than 25,000 school teachers who are accused in the alleged SSC recruitment scam. 

According to sources, 25,753 teachers and non-teaching staff were dismissed from their jobs by Calcutta High Court and a CBI probe was ordered. However, the Supreme Court later imposed a stay on the order of dismissal but upheld the order of CBI probe. 
The Supreme Court directed that the investigation ordered by the Calcutta High Court as per clauses 7 and 8 in the operative directions shall continue but no coercive steps be taken. 
The CBI recently has taken the initiative and started gathering the details of the said teaching and non-teaching staff. 
According to sources, several such teachers and non-teaching staff have been summoned recently. The Central agency has reportedly started collecting documents from teachers and other staff. 
In some cases, the CBI has started collecting this information on its own initiative. The CBI is collecting the exam results, interview and physical test pass certificates, job offer letters, appointment letters, joining reports, salary statements etc. from schools. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/cbi-starts-collecting-details-of-teachers-who-lost-jobs-563631
Regional, West Bengal

2024-25 session: More options for Class XI students

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: Students who passed Class XI in 2024 or 2023 and who desire to study class XI afresh under newly-introduced semester system from the academic session 2024-2025 were given an option to do so by the West Bengal Council of Higher Secondary Education (WBCHSE). 

However, this option will only be available for the academic session 2024-25 keeping in mind the interest of the students so that they can benefit from the semester system, if they want. This option will not be available from next academic session and cannot be cited as precedence, the Council stressed. 
Apart from this, the students who were not successful or could not appear in class XI annual examination till the academic session 2023-24 will continue class XI academic curriculum with the newly introduced semester system from 2024-25. 
For all these cases, the students will have to register themselves afresh with the Council by surrendering the existing registration certificates and/or admit card considering the case to the Council through their Head of Institutions. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/2024-25-session-more-options-for-class-xi-students-563811?infinitescroll=1
Politics, Regional, West Bengal

‘SC directs Chancellor to complete V-C appointment process in 21 state univs’

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MP, 15 May 2024, Kolkata: State Higher Education minister Bratya Basu on Tuesday stated that the Chancellor/Governor C V Ananda Bose was directed by the Supreme Court to complete the vice-chancellor (V-C) appointment process in 21 state universities. The Chancellor on Monday appointed three more V-Cs in state universities — Rani Rashmoni Green University, Harichand Guruchand University and Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu University. 

“The Hon’ble Supreme Court today directed the Chancellor to complete the process of appointment of all the 21 V-Cs of the state-aided universities as directed by the Hon’ble Court. A compliance report in this direction is to be filed on Friday. In fact the counsel for the Chancellor requested not to record the direction appointment of 21 vice-chancellors in the order. 
All attempts for stalling the process were foiled by the Hon’ble bench today,” Basu wrote on his social media ‘X’ feed.A case is going on with regards to appointment of interim vice-chancellors in state universities. 
A Special Leave Petition was filed by the state challenging the Calcutta High Court’s judgement which upheld the interim V-C appointments made by Chancellor in 13 universities. 
On Monday, Asutosh Ghosh was appointed as the V-C of Rani Rashmoni Green University in Tarakeswar. He was given the dual responsibility as V-C of Harichand Guruchand University as well. Ghosh was one of the state nominees. 
Another person, Kallol Paul was appointed as V-C of Sadhu Ram Chand Murmu University in Jhargram. Also Read – Illegal liquor, contraband seized; three held In an earlier occasion, V-Cs were appointed for two other universities. Burdwan University professor Pabitra Chattopadhyay was appointed as the officiating V-C of Gour Banga University and Bhaskar Gupta was appointed as the officiating V-C at Jadavpur University. 
Bench of Justice Surya Kant and K V Viswanathan on Tuesday heard the Special Leave Petition filed by the state challenging the order passed by Calcutta High Court with regards to the interim V-C appointments made by Bose in 13 state universities. 
During an earlier hearing of the matter in March, Justice Kant observed: “We were expecting understanding and maturity from both sides since this is a question of educational institutions and the future careers of lakhs of students. 
Bengal has been a hub of quality education right from the time of Shantiniketan. We thought those standards, values and morals would be observed by both sides and they would help us solve this amicably.”
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/sc-directs-chancellor-to-complete-v-c-appointment-process-in-21-state-univs-563813
Crime, Regional, Sikkim, West Bengal

Illegal liquor, contraband seized; three held

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EOI, Siliguri: The Excise Department seized a significant quantity of illegal liquor from a pickup van loaded with vegetables, leading to the arrest of one individual, identified as Dharmendra Kumar, a resident of Bihar. 

On Monday night, acting on a tip-off, officials of the Excise Department raided the Champasari area in Siliguri and recovered 138 cartons of foreign liquor hidden under sacks of vegetables. 
The estimated value of the liquor was Rs 31,05,000. The liquor was brought from Sikkim to be smuggled to Bihar. Meanwhile, Kharibari Police apprehended two individuals with 52 grams of brown sugar and 19 bottles of illegal cough syrup from the Panitanki overbridge in Kharibari on Monday night. 
The accused have been identified as Lalita Barman, a resident of Goursing Jote, and Bal Bahadur Tamang, a resident of Sikkim. Police sources revealed that the accused had traveled from Sikkim to Panitanki. All the suspects were produced at Siliguri Court on Tuesday

https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/illegal-liquor-contraband-seized-three-held-563821