Amartya Sen moves court against Visva Bharati eviction notice

Visva Bharti University has asked Nobel Laureate Amartya Sen to vacate 13 decimals of its land by May 6. Sen has moved a disrict court in Bengal against the notice. The hearing is on May 15.

Amartya Sen is currently in the US and is expected to be in Shantiniketan in June.

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has approached a court against the eviction order issued by Visva Bharati University. The university, in a recent eviction order, had asked Amartya Sen to vacate the 13 decimals of land allegedly occupied by him in Shantiniketan by May 6.

The case has now been filed in West Bengal’s Suri district court on behalf of the Nobel laureate. Hearing of the case is slated for May 15.

However, according to the Visva Bharati notice to Amartya Sen, the last day to vacate the land is May 6.

Visva Bharati authorities have pasted the notice at the gate of the Nobel laureate’s house ‘Pratichi’. Visva Bharati has also said that it will use force if necessary to get the land vacated.

In his appeal to the court, Amartya Sen said Visva Bharati authorities were deliberately trying to evict him.

Advocate Soumen Mukhopadhyay and Gora Chand Chakraborty filed the case on behalf of Amartya Sen in Suri district court.

“We have filed an appeal in the Suri George Court. The judge has given May 15 as the date for hearing,” advocate Gora Chand Chakraborty told India Today.

Over 120 eminent persons have written an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi — the chancellor of Visva Bharati — condemning the eviction notice. They accused the university of harassing and humiliating Amartya Sen over the issue.

Earlier this week, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dared Visva Bharati authorities to bulldoze Amartya Sen’s house in Shantiniketan.

“Even I am seeing the audacity”æ they will bulldoze Amartya Sen’s house. If they bulldoze Amartya Sen’s house, I will sit there,” Mamata Banerjee said.

Actor Sooraj Pancholi acquitted in Jiah Khan suicide case

Sooraj Pancholi, son of actor Aditya Pancholi, was acquitted in the Jiah Khan suicide case on Friday. Jiah Khan, 25, was found hanging at her Mumbai home in 2013.

                               Actor Sooraj Pancholi acquitted in Jiah Khan suicide case

A special CBI court on Friday acquitted Sooraj Pancholi, son of actor Aditya Pancholi, of abetment charges in the Jiah Khan suicide case. Judge AS Sayyad acquitted the film star due to paucity of evidence.

Jiah Khan, 25, was found hanging at her Mumbai home in 2013. Her boyfriend, Sooraj Pancholi, was arrested for abetment to suicide after a letter by Jiah Khan revealed their tumultuous relationship.

The note narrated Jiah Khan’s “intimate relationship, physical abuse and mental and physical torture” at the hands of Sooraj, which led her to commit suicide, as per the CBI. However, Sooraj Pancholi was released on bail later.

Jiah’s mother, Rabia Khan, has been contesting the prosecution’s stand that this was a case of suicide and claimed that her daughter was killed. During her deposition, she had told the CBI court that Sooraj used to subject Jiah to physical and verbal abuse. She also told the court that neither the police nor the CBI had collected any “legal evidence” to prove that her daughter had committed suicide.

However, Sooraj Pancholi, in his final statement filed before the court, had claimed the investigation and chargesheet were false, adding that the prosecution witnesses testified against him at the behest of complainant Rabia Khan, police and the CBI.

Rabia Khan, a key prosecution witness in the case, will now file an appeal against the Mumbai court order.

Reacting to the verdict, Rabia Khan reiterated that her daughter was killed and said, “The charge of abetment to suicide has gone. But how did my child die?”

“This is a case of murder. Will approach the high court,” she told news agency ANI.

India-China border situation 'generally stable': China's defence minister Gen Li tells Singh

A Chinese Defence Ministry statement issued here on Friday said that during the meeting the two sides exchanged views on militaries and bilateral relations.

China's Defence Minister, General Li Shangfu held a 45-minute-long meeting with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on Thursday

BEIJING: After India firmly told China that its violation of the border pacts has “eroded” the entire basis of bilateral ties, China’s defence ministry on Friday said the situation at the border is ‘generally stable’ and both sides should put the boundary issue in an ‘appropriate position’ and promote its transition to ‘normalised management’.

China’s defence minister General Li Shangfu, who is in New Delhi to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers conference, held a 45-minute-long meeting with his Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh on Thursday during which the two ministers discussed the standoff at the eastern Ladakh area since May 2020.

At the meeting, Singh told Gen Li that China’s violation of border agreements “eroded” the entire basis of ties between the two countries and that all issues relating to the frontier must be resolved in accordance with the existing pacts.

A Chinese Defence Ministry statement issued here on Friday said that during the meeting the two sides exchanged views on militaries and bilateral relations.

Gen. Li pointed out that “currently, the situation on the China-India border is generally stable and the two sides have maintained communication through military and diplomatic channels.”

“The two sides should take a long-term view, place the border issue in an appropriate position in bilateral relations, and promote the transition of the border situation to normalised management,” he said.

“It is hoped that the two sides will work together to continuously enhance mutual trust between the two militaries and make proper contributions to the development of bilateral relations,” Li told Singh.

He said that as major neighbouring countries and important developing countries, China and India share far more common interests than differences.

“The two sides should view bilateral relations and each other’s development from a comprehensive, long-term and strategic perspective, and jointly contribute wisdom and strength to world and regional peace and stability”, he said.

The Indian government sources in New Delhi said Singh conveyed to Li that after disengagement in remaining friction points in eastern Ladakh, there should be a movement towards de-escalation and expressed hope for a “positive response”.

In a statement, India’s defence ministry said the two ministers had “frank discussions” about the developments in the India-China border areas as well as bilateral relations.

“The Raksha Mantri categorically conveyed that development of relations between India and China is premised on the prevalence of peace and tranquillity at the borders,” it said.

“He added that all issues at the LAC need to be resolved in accordance with existing bilateral agreements and commitments,” the ministry said in New Delhi.

Singh “reiterated that violation of existing agreements has eroded the entire basis of bilateral relations and disengagement at the border will logically be followed with de-escalation,” it said.

The talks took place hours after Li arrived in Delhi to attend the meeting of defence ministers of the SCO on Friday.

Singh also conveyed to Li that India wants to improve relations with China but it can happen only after peace and tranquillity are restored at the border, the sources said.

Defence Minister Singh categorically stated in the meeting that military cooperation between the two countries can progress only if peace and tranquillity are established at the border, they said.

In a tweet, Singh said: “Held discussions with China’s Defence Minister, General Li Shangfu in New Delhi.”

India has been slamming China’s deployment of a massive number of troops and its aggressive behaviour along the LAC in eastern Ladakh in violation of pacts on border management.

The meeting between the two defence ministers took place days after the Indian and Chinese armies held the 18th round of military talks on ending the border row.

In the Corps Commander talks on April 23, the two sides agreed to stay in close touch and work out a mutually acceptable solution to the remaining issues in eastern Ladakh at the earliest.

However, there was no indication of any clear forward movement in ending the three-year row.

On March 2, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held talks with his Chinese counterpart Qin Gang on the sidelines of a conclave of the G20 grouping in New Delhi.

In the talks, Jaishankar conveyed to Qin that the state of India-China relations is “abnormal”.

In line with a decision taken at the 16th round of military talks, the two sides carried out disengagement from Patrolling Point 15 in the Gogra-Hotsprings area in September last year.

The eastern Ladakh border standoff erupted on May 5, 2020, following a violent clash in the Pangong Lake area.

The ties between the two countries nosedived significantly following the fierce clash in the Galwan Valley in June 2020 that marked the most serious military conflict between the two sides in decades.

As a result of a series of military and diplomatic talks, the two sides completed the disengagement process on the north and south banks of the Pangong Lake and in the Gogra area.

Singh also held separate bilateral talks with his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Iran and Tajikistan and presented them with mementoes.

It is learnt that no memento was given to the Chinese minister.

Chinese foreign minister Qin is also set to visit India next week to attend a conclave of foreign ministers of SCO member countries in Goa.

The meeting is slated for May 4 and 5. India is hosting the SCO defence ministers’ meeting under its presidency of the Beijing-based grouping.

Indian Army to train differently-abled soldiers for Paralympics

Differently-abled soldiers who were injured on the battlefield will train in different fields for the Paralympics. 

The Indian team had won 19 medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The Indian Army will rehabilitate and help differently-abled soldiers who were injured on the battlefield, train for the Paralympics. It will identify potential talents for athletics, rowing, archery, swimming, shooting, para-lifting, kayaking and canoeing.

The Army wishes to help combat-hardened soldiers who have become ‘battle casualties’ in the process of undertaking their duties and are now unable to take up active duties. Officials said some of these differently-abled soldiers have remarkable shooting acumen which may be honed for the Paralympics.

“The Mission Olympic Wing (MOW) has the following institutes under its ambit which specialise in the training of such disciplines- Army Marksmanship Unit, Mhow (Shooting), Army Paralympic Node, Kirkee and Army Rowing Node, Pune,” said officials.

The volunteers will undergo screening and selected individuals will be retained at APN, Kirkee or other MOW nodes for further training.

AAP's Shelly Oberoi becomes Delhi Mayor for 2nd time after BJP nominee backs out

Incumbent Shelly Oberoi of the Aam Aadmi Party was elected Delhi Mayor without contest after BJP's Shikha Rai withdrew her nomination. 

AAP’s Shelly Oberoi (R) and Aaley Mohammad Iqbal (C) flash the victory sign after their wins in the MCD mayoral elections

The Aam Aadmi Party's Shelly Oberoi was unanimously elected Mayor of Delhi on Wednesday, April 26, after BJP candidate Shikha Rai withdrew her nomination. With this, Oberoi has secured a second term as the head of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Rai told the House that she withdrew her nomination because the election to the standing committee had not been conducted.

Incumbent Deputy Mayor Aaley Mohammad Iqbal of the AAP got another term at the post, as BJP nominee Soni Pal also backed out of the race. The outcome of the mayoral elections was welcomed by the ruling AAP.

"Congratulations Shelly and Aley on again becoming Mayor and Dy Mayor, this time unopposed. Best wishes to both. People have huge expectations from us. Work hard to meet their expectations (sic)," AAP national convenor and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said in a tweet.

Senior AAP councillor Mukesh Goyal was the presiding officer for the mayoral election. Goyal is the senior-most councillor of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Shelly Oberoi was elected as the Delhi Mayor on February 22, after three attempts to conduct the exercise were disrupted due to clashes between AAP and BJP councillors. Oberoi had defeated BJP’s Rekha Gupta by a margin of 34 votes. Oberoi polled 150 votes, while Gupta received 116 of the total 266 votes polled.

The voting was held at the Civic Centre — the headquarters of the MCD. The city gets a new mayor after the end of a financial year.

The post of mayor in the national capital sees five single-year terms on a rotational basis, with the first year reserved for women, the second for the open category, the third for the reserved category and the remaining two again for the open category.

Fan builds temple for ‘Goddess’ Samantha

Tenali Sandeep, a resident of Bapatla, has built a temple to honour Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who was recently seen in the mythological drama Shaankuntalam.

The statue of Samantha at the temple goes viral on social media.

GUNTUR: One of the many ways in which fans shower love on their favourite film stars is by building temples for them. This practice of worshipping stars, most prevalent in Tamil Nadu, where ardent followers have built temples dedicated to Khushbu, Nidhhi Agerwal and Hansika, has found its way to Andhra Pradesh.

Tenali Sandeep, a resident of Bapatla, has built a temple to honour Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who was recently seen in the mythological drama Shaankuntalam. He has built the temple near his house in Alapadu village and is set to inaugurate it on Friday (April 28) to mark the star’s birthday. The statue of the actress has gone viral on social media. A car driver by profession, Sandeep even took up a pilgrimage to Tirupati, Chennai and Nagapatnam to pray for Samantha’s health after she announced that she was diagnosed with Myositis.

He said, “I have been Samantha’s fan since the start of her career, but what has inspired me is her sensibility and kindness. She has helped several families and children through Prathyusha Foundation.”

A father of two, Sandeep recalled how people did not believe him at first when he told them he wanted to build a temple for Samantha.“Later, they thought I might be crazy for wasting money like that. However, their comments had no effect on me. My family was very supportive. They never once ridiculed me or asked me to stop.” Grand arrangements have been made for the unveiling ceremony of the temple. While the news has made Sandeep quite popular, Samantha’s other fans are now eager to hear from the actress about this one-of-a-kind tribute.

60-year-old man arrested in Indore for sending death threat to Rahul Gandhi

Dayasingh (60) was arrested for sending a letter threatening to bomb Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra in November 2022. 

Dayasingh alias Aishilal Jham was arrested for sending a letter with death threats to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. 

A 60-year-old man accused of sending a letter with death threats to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi last year before the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Madhya Pradesh was arrested on Thursday. The sender of the letter had threatened to bomb Rahul Gandhi as soon as the yatra entered Indore in Madhya Pradesh. The letter was found outside a sweet shop in Indore.

Dayasingh alias Aishilal Jham was arrested under the National Security Act after police received information that he was about to flee by train.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Nimish Agrawal said the district administration had issued an order that Jham be jailed under the NSA. Agrawal said it is not yet clear why the accused sent the letter to Rahul Gandhi and a probe is underway.

Right after the letter was discovered in November 2022, a case was registered under section 507 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the unidentified person and an investigation was launched.

"I Would Wish Death...": Wrestling Body Chief Amid #MeToo Row

Star Indian wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, among many others are accusing Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh of sexual harassment and mistreatment of athletes. 

                                 "I Would Wish Death...": Wrestling Body Chief Amid #MeToo Row 

New Delhi: Amid fresh protests and a sit-in by India's grapplers demanding action against Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Singh, who they accused of sexual harassment, the BJP MP on Thursday released a personalised video saying he would wish to embrace death the day he feels helpless.

"Friends, the day I introspect on what I gained or lost, and feel that I no longer have the strength to fight; the day I feel helpless, I would wish death as I won't be living a life like that. Instead of living such a life, I would wish that death takes me in its embrace," Brij Bhushan said in the video.

Star Indian wrestlers such as Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, and Bajrang Punia, among many others, are hiding an ongoing protest against the WFI chief, accusing him of sexual harassment and mistreatment of athletes.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) president PT Usha said the wrestlers should have approached the body earlier instead of taking to the streets against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president.

"Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has a committee to deal with complaints of sexual harassment. Instead of taking to the streets, they (the protesting wrestlers) could have come to us earlier. But they did not. This isn't good for our sports. They should have shown some discipline," Ms Usha told reporters.

The IOA president's statement drew the ire of the protesting wrestlers, who called it "insensitive".

Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sakshi Malik said, "Being a woman athlete, she (PT Usha) is not listening to other women athletes. We have followed her since childhood and were inspired by her. Where is the indiscipline here? We are holding a peaceful protest."

Vinesh Phogat, the CWG and World Championship medalist, echoed the refrain.

Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra supported the wrestlers with a tweet on Wednesday.

"As athletes, we train hard every day to represent our country on the international stage. It is deeply concerning to see our athletes finding it necessary to protest on the streets regarding the allegations of harassment in the Indian wrestling administration," Mr Bindra tweeted.

"My heart goes out to all those who have been affected. We must ensure that this issue is handled properly, with the athletes' concerns heard and addressed fairly and independently. This incident highlights the crucial need for a proper safeguarding mechanism that can prevent harassment and ensure justice for those affected. We must work towards creating a safe and secure environment for all athletes to thrive in," he added.

Over the last four days, the wrestlers have slept and trained at the protest site, near the Jantar Mantar in the national capital.

On Wednesday, the grapplers held a candlelight march at Jantar Mantar against the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) president. Vinesh Phoghat, Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik were present in the march.

Speaking to the media, Sakshi Malik said, "We urge PM Modi to listen to our Mann Ki Baat. Even Smriti Irani-ji is not listening to us. We are trying to show them the light through this candlelight march."

The ace wrestler said no FIR has been filed even after they lodged a complaint against the WFI chief on Friday.

"We are now counting on the Supreme Court to give us justice," said Ms Malik.

Delhi Police on Wednesday submitted before the Supreme Court that a preliminary inquiry would be needed before lodging an FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan Singh over allegations of sexual harassment.

Delhi Police apprised the court that the police felt that there were some issues that needed preliminary inquiry. However, it clarified that it has no hesitation in filing an FIR immediately if the court directs it to do so.

A bench headed by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud said the matter is scheduled to be heard on Friday and the bench will look at the entire material.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court issued notice to Delhi Police on the wrestler's plea seeking an urgent hearing on a petition seeking registration of FIR against WFI president Brij Bhushan.

The court noted that there are serious allegations in the petition by wrestlers who have represented India.

The Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced on Monday that the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) will be forming an ad-hoc committee to conduct the elections for the Executive Committee of the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) within 45 days of its formation, to manage day-to-day affairs of the body, including the selection of athletes and making entries for the participation of players in international events.

This committee will be functioning for an interim period till a new Executive Committee takes charge.

In light of the protests by some of the country's most followed and celebrated grapplers earlier in January, the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had announced the formation of an 'oversight committee' to probe allegations against the WFI chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh and other coaches.

The committee, headed by Olympian MC Mary Kom, was tasked with probing the charges and submitting a report to the ministry.

Thai woman held for murdering 12 friends by poisoning them with cyanide: Reports

Police said the victims include her former partner and two female police officers but did not identify the victims.

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn in police custody.

Thailand’s police have arrested a pregnant woman suspected of killing 12 of her friends and acquaintances using cyanide, reports said.

Sararat Rangsiwuthaporn (32), was arrested in Bangkok on Tuesday and charged with first-degree murder over the deaths which happened over the span of several years.

She came under suspicion following the death of her friend Siriporn Khanwong (32), who collapsed during a trip with her to the western Thai province of Ratchaburi on 14 April, the Independent reported.

One of the victims targeted by Sararat had loaned her 250,000 baht ($7,300), police said. The woman had lunch with Sararat, after which she vomited and fainted. However, she survived, according to a report in Wion.

Police said the victims include her former partner and two female police officers but did not identify the victims.

The Independent report, citing the police, said the murders may have been motivated by financial reasons.

According to the Mirror, Sararat, who is pregnant, denied all charges and experienced her blood pressure rising to 170-220 while in custody, according to her lawyer.

The suspect, who is the former wife of a senior police officer, was reportedly denied bail by the court as she is considered a flight risk.

She is currently detained at the Central Women's Correctional Institution, the Mirror added.

Indians evacuated from Sudan thank PM Modi, hail Indian jawans as 'real heroes'

After arriving to safety, those who were evacuated from violence-hit Sudan chanted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Indian Navy zindabad’ among other slogans

IAF carries 246 Indians from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah

The Indian Air Force's C-17 Globemaster heavy lift aircraft has brought back 246 Indians from Saudi Arabia's Jeddah, after they were evacuated from strife-torn Sudan's Khartoum region. On Wednesday, the first batch of 360 Indians were carried in a chartered flight and brought to Delhi.

Similarly, several Indian nationals are still being carried to Jeddah on naval warships from Port Sudan after they are being brought there in busses from the internal parts of the northeast African nation.

After arriving to safety, those who were evacuated from violence-hit Sudan chanted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, ‘Indian Navy zindabad’ among other slogans in the presence of Union minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan, who was overlooking the India's flagship evacuation mission – Operation Kaveri.

One of the evacuees, who was onboard the heavy-lift aircraft en route to Mumbai, thanked the Indian government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi while explaining how their evacuation took place from the capital of Sudan. “We reached Jeddah and our jawans, who are our real heroes, provided us with complete hospitality and service. Now we are going to Mumbai, our home. We all are very grateful of the Prime Minister and the entire country,” the evacuee said before the C-17 Globemaster left for India.

“It's good to see you coming back from Sudan,” the Union minster said while addressing the group of Indians who were brought to the port in Jeddah. He also met with the Indians on board the military transport aircraft.

Over 1,700 Indian nationals have been evacuated from the conflict zones in Sudan and the government is focused to get every citizen out of the harm's way as soon as possible, according to foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra. Around 3,400 Indians had contacted the government either though registering online or keeping in touch with the embassy in Khartoum.

A total of 495 Indians are currently in Jeddah, while another 320 are in Port Sudan. More Indians are being moved in buses from Khartoum to Port Sudan. Two C-130J medium lift aircraft of the IAF stationed in Saudi Arabia and naval warships will make sorties across the Red Sea to take the Indians arriving in Port Sudan to Jeddah.

Exemplary Management Of Rajeev Jhawar – Usha Martin Jumps High In Profits

Rajeev Jhawar Usha Martin is a leading global manufacturer of wire ropes and is also engaged in the manufacturing of wires, LRPC strands, prestressing machines, accessories and optical fiber cables. According to its website, Usha Martin's wire rope manufacturing facilities in Ranchi, Hoshiarpur, Dubai, Bangkok, and the UK produce widest range of wire ropes that find application in various industries across the world.

Rajeev Jhawar-Managing Director at Usha Martin

Rajeev Jhawar is an industrialist with over three decades of experience in strategic management. He is an alumnus of Ranchi University and London Business School and completed Management Development Course at the University of Pennsylvania. He has been the Managing Director at Usha Martin Limited since May 19, 2008. He is also the Director of Neutral Publishing House Ltd.

Usha Martin share price: The scrip has surged 9.66 per cent in the last five sessions. Usha Martin ended the previous year with 103.81 per cent gains. In response to an exchange query on significant movement in share price, Usha Martin, on December 30, 2022, clarified that "there is no material event and/ or information which is not in the public domain, which could have a bearing on the price and volume behavior of our traded scrip."

As a result of the hard work of Rajeev Jhawar and his team, Shares of Usha Martin rose sharply to hit their one-year high level in early trade on Monday. The stock jumped 14.76 per cent to touch its 52-week high of Rs 197.45 over its previous close of Rs 172.05. A total of 1.61 lakh shares changed hands today. The turnover on the counter stood at Rs 3.04 crore. The company commanded a market capitalisation (m-cap) of Rs 5,849.52 crore. On the earnings front, the wire ropes manufacturer posted an over 7 per cent growth in its standalone net profit to Rs 45.09 crore during the quarter that ended September 2022. The company had clocked a net profit of Rs 42.05 crore in the same period a year ago.

Usha Martin Limited, under the exemplary management of Rajeev Jhawar is all poised for expansion. This includes enhancing their product mix, focusing on building share in international markets and investing in capacity increase. “We are in the process of expanding our capacities for rope production, focusing on high-end ropes, specialized wires and also LRPC. We have capital expenditure planned to the tune of approximately Rs.285 Crore and expect to complete our expansion programme over the next 12-15 months”, Rajeev Jhawar, MD Usha Martin said.