Category Archives: States

International, Regional, Sikkim

Inclusivity and safety top mission: HMI scales new heights in mountaineering coaching

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 The institute started a campaign to encourage the physically-challenged people to join mountaineering
Uday Kumar with Gp Capt JaiKishan at the summit of Mt Renok: Picture courtesy: HMI

Bitan Sikdar, Darjeeling, 24.05.24 : As the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI) approaches its 70th anniversary in a few months, it is not only about scaling new heights in excellence but also about fostering inclusivity.

The institute started a campaign to encourage the physically-challenged people to join mountaineering.
One 36-year-old Uday Kumar from Calcutta, who had lost his left leg in a 2015 railway accident, climbed Mt. Renok at 16,500 feet in the Khangchendzonga National Park in March — with the support of HMI instructors. The expedition was led by Gp. Capt. JaiKishan, the principal of the HMI, and Kumar’s training and expenditure were sponsored by the HMI.

“Uday sustained all weights with his hands and negotiated the difficult terrains all along. We want to say if he can do it, anybody can do it. Adventure sports are for the divyangjan,” he said.

Currently, the institute has around 150 students in the mountains, with a special focus on encouraging women climbers.

One notable example is Neha Rai from Sikkim, who previously worked as a guide over there.

The HMI is also focussing on mountaineering education and safety.

For example, it has introduced lightweight equipment such as chest crawl, kong stretcher, the avalanche victim detector and some other equipment.

The avalanche victim detector (AVD) is also known as an avalanche transceiver. These are small, compact radios used to identify avalanche burial sites and they transmit electromagnetic signals that are picked up by another transceiver on the receive mode.

The AVD works in two modes — receiving and transmit or search mode, explained a trainee, Julian.

Similarly, a kong stretcher is made of durable and lightweight materials. With its help, it becomes easier for rescuers to act promptly in emergencies. This helps in secure and stable transport across difficult terrains — steep slopes or rocky surfaces.

It can be easily folded or strapped, facilitating rescuers to carry this without adding much weight to their load, she explained.

“With the help of these tools, it is now possible for a small rescue team of mountaineers to conduct a big rescue operation in high-altitude mountains,” said Rohit Sanga, another trainee at this institute.
Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Business, Economy, Regional, West Bengal

North Bengal-based online platform launches three new travel shows to boost homestays

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 Homestaying.in, a north Bengal-based online platform which connects around 500 homestays in the hills and plains, has taken the initiative to offer accommodations which suit the requirements of tourists
A grab of the video released by homestaying.in shows Manpreet Kaur, a yoga instructor, performing a yoga session at a homestay in  the Darjeeling hills.: The Telegraph

Binita Paul, TT, Siliguri, 24.05.24 : A website dedicated to homestays in north Bengal has launched three new travel shows on its YouTube channel to draw more tourists to the region.

Homestaying.in, a north Bengal-based online platform which connects around 500 homestays in the hills and plains, has taken the initiative to offer accommodations which suit the requirements of tourists.

“We have released three new travel shows on our official YouTube channel. The idea is to popularise the local homestays and promote the tourism industry in north Bengal. The shows will feature three distinct hosts, taking the viewers for a travelling experience throughout the region,” said Prabhakar Thapa, the founder of homestaying.in.

He said the travel hosts were from different walks of life and would promote various homestays and travel destinations, particularly from the hilly region.

Among them, Priyanka Chakraborty is a travel content creator, Manpreet Kaur is a yoga instructor and Jigme Singh is a hotelier.

The travel shows, Thapa said, will have weekly episodes and have been introduced while keeping in mind the exponential growth of homestays.

Priyanka, who will run a show called ‘The Modern Traveller,’ will guide tourists to find popular tourist destinations, covering the colonial architecture built by the British.

Manpreet Kaur, on the other hand, will take tourists on a spiritual retreat. “People will know how to rejuvenate themselves during a trip. There will be sessions on sound healing,” she said.

Jigme, on the other hand, will showcase the local cuisine.

“Our region has its own food platter and we will motivate every individual to venture beyond their familiar territories in cuisine,” said the travel host.

Thapa, while elaborating on their activities, said through their website, tourists can find only homestays.

“There is no option for hotels. Through our website, they can filter their requirements. We have categories like tea bungalows, high-altitude stays, hostels, B&B, and camping sites. All these are being run by the local people,” he said.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph
Regional, West Bengal

Forest dept to monitor wildcats in North Bengal post monsoon

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Dibyendu Sinha, MP, 20 May 2024, Jalpaiguri: The role of different species of wildcats is crucial in maintaining the balance of forests. To understand their lifestyle and contribution better, the Forest department is set to start special monitoring of wildcat species. 

This project will commence in the protected forest areas of North Bengal after the end of the monsoon season. 
Camera traps will be installed to track the movement of these species. According to Forest department sources, various species of wildcats often resemble leopards, sometimes causing unnecessary fear among people. 
This resemblance can lead to these animals facing human wrath. For instance, a few years ago in Latapota village of Mathabhanga, a wildcat mistaken for a leopard fell victim to such an incident. 
Forest department officials note that species like the marbled cat, golden cat and leopard cat play a significant role in protecting the forest environment. Therefore, the Forest department is launching this 
initiative in collaboration with the West Bengal Zoo Authority across the protected forest areas of North Bengal. Dwijaa Pratim Sen, Divisional Forest Officer of Gorumara Wildlife Division, said: “Trap cameras will be installed in forest areas of Gorumara National Park, Chapramari, Neoravalli, as well as Jaldapara, Buxa, Central Singalila, Mahananda Sanctuary and Kurseong once the monsoon ends. 
Cameras are already installed in several places and hundreds more will be set up for this special purpose. Through these cameras, different species of wildcats, including marbled cat, leopard cat and golden cat will be monitored. 
We aim to determine the number of species present and understand how the forest balance is being maintained for these species. Detailed information will be collected about their behavior and lifestyle.” 
Recently, a multi-level meeting was held regarding this initiative, with consultations from all reserved forest authorities. The officials of the Forest department in North Bengal have also held a meeting to discuss the plan further. 
Courtesy & source- Millennium Post
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/forest-dept-to-monitor-wildcats-in-north-bengal-post-monsoon-564587
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
Crime, Politics, West Bengal

Three Raj Bhavan staff summoned by police seek more time

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MP, 20 May 2024, Kolkata: Three Raj Bhavan staff, who were summoned by the police in connection with the probe relating to a case where a woman had accused the Governor C V Ananda Bose of sexual harassment, is learnt to have sought more time from the police. 

It was reportedly learnt that the complainant had alleged that the three staff had kept her confined within the Raj Bhavan premises. 
The police had hence summoned all three of them at the Hare Street Police Station on Sunday. However, none of them appeared at the station. The police have again summoned them on Tuesday but it has now come to light that the staff members have sought more time for appearance. 
Sources said that the police do not want to give them more time, especially when they were summoned three times and each time they failed to appear. It was learnt that the police, if needed, may consider the arrest of these three staff. 
It reportedly came to light that one among the three staff, S S Rajput has informed that he is out of station and has sought time for 10 days along with the copy of an FIR from the police. The other two have sought seven days-time and a copy of the same. 
It was learnt that apart from these three, the police have also summoned four others and have sent notices under Section 160 of the CrPC. The summon list also includes the supervisor of the complainant who was contractual staff at Raj Bhavan. 
The complainant is also learnt to have recorded her statement with the magistrate. She has alleged that the day she was sexually harassed, she was restrained from egressing Raj Bhavan. 
https://www.millenniumpost.in/bengal/three-raj-bhavan-staff-summoned-by-police-seek-more-time-564627
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
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.
National, Sikkim

Sikkim government constitutes high-level committee to scan through tourism complaints

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 Report to be submitted within 15 days, glare on high cab fares and lack of amenities

Vivek Chhetri, TT, Darjeeling, 20.05.24  : A Himalayan forest in north Sikkim

The Sikkim government has constituted a high-level committee to look into complaints of “exploitative” cab fares and permit rates and lack of amenities for visitors, among other things.

Sources said that the committee headed by an additional secretary of the tourism department has been formed to look into the complaints and submit a report within a fortnight.

“On Sunday senior officials of the tourism department also visited Changu Lake and Nathu-la to take stock of the situation,” said a source.

Plans are also afoot to introduce a centralised permit system to visit Nathu-la along the India-China border.

The initiative comes after the Union ministry of tourism wrote to the Sikkim tourism and civil aviation department on May 13, expressing concerns on various tourism related issues.

The letter sent by the CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) of the ministry said tourists visiting the Himalayan state had lodged several complaints about the problems they faced during their recent trips.

K.P. Wasnik, a former additional commissioner of the Union ministry of agriculture, had been to Sikkim and Darjeeling from April 27 to May 5 with his family. After his visit, the letter said, he filed a complaint with the tourism ministry, narrating several issues.

“The issues raised (by Wasnik) included exploitative pricing by the travel agencies for permits to visit various tourist spots, safety concerns at Nathu-la point due to narrow steps and inadequate infrastructure, lack of amenities and security measures at tourist spots and exorbitant charges by travel agencies for car rentals,” the letter sent by the ministry, said.

“It is requested that the matter kindly be examined and action as deemed fit,” said the letter.

In his complaint, Wasnik said he and the family had visited Lachung, Zero Point, Yumthang Valley, Nathu-la and some other spots in Sikkim.

“The travel agencies charged ₹ 4,000 for Zero Point and Yumthang Valley and another ₹ 4,000 for

permits to go to Nathu-la pass and the lake. This is sheer exploitation of the visitors. I suggest that the government department should issue the pass online by accepting the fee, if any, through online mode,” the former official said in his letter.

He also said no arrangements were available at the tourist spots to provide shelter or proper food to visitors in case of a sudden downpour or snowfall.

“The travel agencies charge very exorbitant rates for travelling by car,” Wasnik said in his complaint to the tourism ministry and suggested that the Sikkim government fix the rates.

Courtesy & source- The Telegraph

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