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Politics

Politics

‘India surpasses WHO guidelines with 1:900 doctor-to-population ratio’ | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India is undertaking a journey that looks at illness to wellness from a completely new prism, said Bhubaneswar Kalita, chairperson, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, underlining "investing in health and hygiene is not just a moral imperative, it is an economic necessity".As we delve into the significance of health and hygiene, let us acknowledge India's remarkable evolution in this realm, Kalita said at ASSOCHAM's second Awareness Summit on Illness to Wellness.The WHO recommends a doctor to population ratio of 1:1000, Kalita said, adding we have achieved a ratio of 1:900 which is an improvement over the guidelines."Beyond being just buzzwords, health and hygiene are the pillars upon which prosperous societies are built. The journey has been arduou...
Politics

Who is Rajeev Kumar, Bengal CM Mamata’s top cop removed from poll duties by ECI for the 3rd time

Kolkata: The Election Commission of India (ECI) Monday removed West Bengal’s Director General of Police (DGP) Rajeev Kumar and ordered he be shifted to non-election-related posts with immediate effect. The 1989-batch West Bengal cadre-IPS officer, Kumar was appointed the acting DGP in December 2023. IPS Sanjay Mukherjee has been appointed as the new DGP following the reshuffle. But this isn’t the first time the poll body has barred Rajeev Kumar from dispensing election duties. In the 2016 Vidhan Sabha and the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he was moved to non-election-related posts.  Show Full Article Welcoming the ECI action and alleging that Kumar’s proximity to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee wouldn’t give a level-playing field to oppo...
Politics

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha MLA Sita Soren resigns from party

Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) MLA from Jama Sita Soren, in Ranchi. File | Photo Credit: PTI In a blow to the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), Sita Soren, who is party MLA from the Jama Assembly seat from Dumka, tendered her resignation from the party on March 19, citing allegations of being sidelined along with her family.She is also sister-in-law of former chief minister Hemant Soren who is currently in jail in connection with a money laundering case. Ms. Soren has sent her resignation letter to party chief Shibu Soren.In the letter addressed to the party's supremo and her father-in-law, Ms. Sita expressed her grievances, stating that following the demise of her husband, Durga Soren, the party failed to provide adequate support to her and her family.Ms. Sita lamented and said she was feel...
Politics

CJI Raps SCBA Prez For Petition Seeking Suo Motu Review Of Electoral Bonds Case Judgement­­— WATCH

The Supreme Court's hearing on the electoral bonds case, held on Monday, took a dramatic turn after the Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud rebuked the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association Advocate Adish Aggarwala for his petition seeking suo motu review in the Electoral Bonds case judgement. In the video, Aggarwala can be seen making multiple mentions of his petition in front of the bench to which CJI Chandrachud replies: "Mr Aggarwala, apart from being a senior counsel, you are the President of the SCBA...you have already written to me. This is all publicity-oriented and we will not permit it. Please keep it at that, otherwise I will have to say something more which might be distasteful". "This is publicity, anything more said w...
Politics

Begusarai of Bihar most polluted metropolitan city globally in 2023 – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The 6th Annual World Air Quality Report has unveiled critical insights, ranking India among the world’s top three most polluted countries in 2023. This comprehensive analysis, based on data from over 30,000 air quality monitoring stations worldwide, highlights a grim reality for India's environment and public health.According to the report, India's average PM2.5 concentration was recorded at 54.4 µg/m3, surpassing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) annual guideline by more than tenfold.This places India in a precarious position, trailing only behind Bangladesh and Pakistan in the list of the most polluted countries.As per the report, 83 of the 100 worst polluted cities in the world are in India.Significantly, the report underscores that Begusarai, a city in Bihar, has emer...
Politics

BJP Discusses Candidates On 25 Lok Sabha Seats Of UP. Brij Bhushan, Apna Dal (S) Likely To Get 

The Bharatiya Janata Party held a meeting of its Uttar Pradesh core committee on Monday night to discuss candidates for the remaining 25 Lok Sabha seats of the state. Among the constituencies that were discussed included Barabanki, Mirzapur, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj, Ghazipur, Kanpur, Ballia, Deoria, Raebareli, Mainpuri, Saharanpur, and Robertsganj.  NDA ally and Anupriya Patel's Apna Dal (Sonelal) can be given their old Mirzapur and Robertsganj Lok Sabha seats for the polls, sources told ABP News.  BJP MP from Barabanki, Upendra Rawat might be replaced with a new face.  Embroiled in the wrestlers' protest, former Wrestling Federation of India chief and MP from Kaiserganj, Brij Bhushan Sharan is not expected to get a ticket again this time. Instead, his wife Ketaki...
Politics

Sri Lanka ‘will go up in flames’: Astrologers spar over dates for new year rituals – Times of India

NEW DELHI: In Sri Lanka, the onset of the traditional Sinhala and Tamil New Year is a significant event marked by various rituals and customs. These practices are deeply rooted in the astrological beliefs of the island's Buddhist and Hindu communities.The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, known locally as Aluth Avurudda and Puthandu, respectively, is a major cultural festival in Sri Lanka that usually falls in April. Astrologers, who are highly regarded in Sri Lankan society, play a pivotal role in determining the auspicious dates and times for these new year rituals. Their guidance influences not only personal and family events but also national matters such as elections.The recent squabble among Sri Lanka's government-backed astrologers over the dates for new year rituals has garnered atten...
Politics

After Kavitha’s Arrest, Jailed Conman Sukesh Says ‘Dearest Kejriwal’ Will Be Exposed Now

Conman Sukesh Chandrashekhar, currently incarcerated in Delhi's Mandoli prison in connection with a Rs 200-crore money laundering case, has released another sensational letter. In the letter, addressed to 'Akkaiah' K Kavitha, he welcomed her to the 'Tihar Club' and hinted at having more information regarding Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Sukesh alleged that Kavitha's arrest would unveil a "Pandora's Box of corruption" and will lead to the exposure of "dearest Arvind Kejriwal" to a new level. BJP leader Ramesh Naidu Nagothu shared the letter on his official X handle, and stated: "Imagine the level of corruption they've done in the name of Public Service."  As per Sukesh Chandrashekhar, - MLC @RaoKavitha has looted crores of money and investe...
Politics

Pashupati Paras resigns from Union cabinet after NDA-Chirag Paswan seal deal for Bihar | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Lok Janshakti Party president and Union minister Pashupati Kumar Paras on Tuesday resigned from the NDA-led cabinet a day after BJP sealed pact on seat sharing in BiharDissatisfied with getting no seat for the upcoming Lok Sabha Election, Pashupati Kumar Paras said, "Yesterday, the NDA alliance announced the list of 40 candidates for Bihar Lok Sabha...Our party had five MPs & I worked with utmost sincerity.Injustice has been done with us & our party. Therefore, I resign from the post of Union Minister."The development comes after NDA allotted five Lok Sabha seats to Paras's estranges nephew Chirag Paswan. The national democratic Alliance finalised its seat-sharing formula for Lok Sabha elections, announcing the BJP will contest 17 constituencies, JD(U) 16 an...
Politics

Congress to fight against Modi’s divide and rule policy: K.C. Venugopal

AICC general secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal (file) | Photo Credit: SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been implementing the divide and rule policy of the British government in the country, All India Congress Committee general secretary K.C. Venugopal, MP has said.Speaking after inaugurating the UDF Kalpetta legislative constituency convention here ahead of the Lok Sabha polls on Monday Mr.Venugopal said the BJP was trying to divide the people in the country on behalf of religion and cast, for which they would even amend the Indian constitution.They had special intention to enact the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) just ahead of the poll. However, the Congress party would fight against the Act until the government withdrew it , Mr . Venugopal said. All the ...
Politics

SC Raps Patanljali Ayurved, Asks Baba Ramdev To Appear In Court Over Misleading Advertisements

The Supreme Court on Tuesday came down heavily on Patanjali Ayurved MD Acharya Balakrishna and Baba Ramdev for not filing a show cause notice as to why contempt of court proceeding should not be initiated against them. The court also asked Baba Ramdev to be personally present in court for not filing reply to show cause notice in contempt proceedings against him over misleading advertisements of Patanjali Ayurved. Earlier, in Februrary, the Supreme Court issued a show cause notice to Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Ayurved and its Managing Director Acharya Balakrishna for causing contempt over running misleading advertisements despite an undertaking to the top court. The court took a prima facie view and said that the company has violated the November 2023 order ...
Politics

Caste math, averting dissent — how Rajasthan CM has given charge of state bodies to upset BJP leaders

New Delhi: Eyeing a victory in several key Lok Sabha constituencies of Rajasthan, Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma has made a bid to curb dissent by appointing seven BJP leaders — believed to be upset with the party — as chairmen of various state government organisations.The move came early Saturday, hours before the Election Commission (EC) held a press conference notifying the dates of the Lok Sabha elections and putting in force the model code of conduct. The seven seats where the CM is working out the caste and electoral math are Nagaur, Jodhpur, Sikar, Ajmer, Bikaner, Churu and Ganganagar. These are also the seats where reports of resentment among BJP leaders and workers have surfaced. Show Full Article C.R. Chaudhary, the forme...
Politics

Centre plans campaign, measures to curb dropout rates among transgender students | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: With the National Human Rights Commission asserting the need to address the issue of dropouts among transgender students, the ministry of education is planning to put in place a comprehensive campaign aimed at identifying the root causes of dropout rates and implementing measures to mitigate them.It is learnt from sources that at the NHRC core group meeting, the ministry also sought suggestions from transgender community members that can be included in the ‘Gender Inclusion Fund’ guidelines being prepared by the govt in keeping with the National Education Policy 2020. According to sources, the participants at the meet also put forth the view that it is important to give adequate coverage of transgender issues in the B.Ed. curriculum to sensitise future educators.NHRC chairper...
Politics

Stock market today: BSE Sensex plunges over 600 points; Nifty50 dips below 22,000 – Times of India

Stock market today: BSE Sensex and Nifty50, the Indian equity benchmark indices, tanked in trade on Tuesday on weak signals from Asian markets, coupled with a decline in IT stocks. Nifty50 dipped below the 22,000 mark.Meanwhile, the Bank of Japan raised interest rates for the first time in 17 years.At 10:22 AM, BSE Sensex was trading at 72,113.57, down over 630 points or 0.87%.Nifty50 was at 21,848.75, down over 200 points or 0.94%.The IT index saw a significant drop of 1.4%, leading to losses in the sector. TCS experienced a decline of 3%, emerging as the top loser in the Nifty50 pack, following a block deal valued at Rs 9,000 crore, where Tata Sons is believed to have divested its stake, stated an ET report.Investor focus is now directed towards the outcome of the US Fed's FOMC meetin...
Politics

Delhi Excise Policy Case: K Kavitha Conspired With CM Kejriwal, Sisodia For Favours, Claims ED

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday alleged that BRS leader K Kavitha and several others conspired with top AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to secure favours in the now-repealed Delhi excise policy, news agency PTI reported. The probe agency claimed that they paid Rs 100 crore to the ruling political party in Delhi. MLC Kavitha, aged 46, daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested by the federal agency last week from her Hyderabad residence. She remains in ED custody until March 23. Investigation found, the ED claimed in an official statement, that Kavitha along with others "conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for getting favours in the Delhi exc...
Politics

Six pivotal battlegrounds in 2024 US presidential election – Times of India

WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump clinched enough support last week to become the standard-bearers for their parties in November's presidential election.Under the US Constitution, each of the 50 states holds its own vote for the next commander-in-chief and candidates are awarded "electors" from each state according to its size.With candidates needing 270 electors to win the White House, elections tend to be decided in the hotly-contested "swing states" with a history of alternating between Republican and Democratic candidates.In the 2024 cycle, those crucial battlegrounds look set to be Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.Biden won all six to secure a 306-232 "electoral college" victory over Trump in 2020. But Trump now leads opi...
Politics

Astronaut Thomas Stafford, commander of first US-Soviet space mission, dies at 93 – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Astronaut Thomas P. Stafford, known for his leadership in pivotal space missions, passed away at the age of 93 on Monday. He breathed his last in a hospital close to his residence in Space Coast, Florida, as confirmed by Max Ary, the director of the Stafford Air & Space Museum in Oklahoma.Stafford's legacy includes commanding the Apollo 10 mission, a crucial precursor to the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing.His journey in space not only involved groundbreaking missions but also contributions to space exploration beyond what met the public eye. He played a significant role in various NASA initiatives, such as providing expertise on Mars missions, safety protocols, and resolving challenges like the Hubble Space Telescope's issues.In all, Stafford logged 507 hours in space a...
Politics

5.4 magnitude quake hits Pakistan’s Balochistan province

Residents gather next to the debris of their houses that collapsed following an earthquake in the remote mountainous district of Harna northeast of Balochistan province. File photo | Photo Credit: AFP A 5.4-magnitude moderate earthquake struck Pakistan's Balochistan province on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, and there were no immediate reports of any causalities, authorities said."The quake's epicentre was 150 kilometres Northwest of Quetta with a depth of 35 km,” a met official said.According to details, the earthquake jolts were felt in the capital city of Quetta, Noshki, Chagi, Chaman, Qilla Abdullah, Dalbadin, Pishin and some other areas of the province.The Pakistan Met Office said the earthquake tremors were also felt and recorded at the Pakistan-Iran border areas.However, officials did...
Politics

Delhi World’s Most Polluted Capital Again, India Has 3rd Worst Air Quality: Report

Delhi was identified as the capital city with the poorest air quality whereas Bihar's Begusarai emerged as the world's most polluted metropolitan area, a new report said. As per the World Air Quality Report 2023 by Swiss organisation IQAir, India had the third worst air quality out of 134 countries in 2023 with an average annual PM2.5 concentration of 54.4 micrograms per cubic metre after Bangladesh (79.9 micrograms per cubic metre) and Pakistan (73.7 micrograms per cubic metre), news agency PTI reported. In 2022, India was ranked as the eighth most polluted country with an average PM2.5 concentration of 53.3 micrograms per cubic metre.  Begusarai has emerged as the most polluted metropolitan area globally, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 118.9 mi...
Politics

Google celebrates Nowruz 2024 with vibrant Doodle | India News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Google on Tuesday celebrated 'Nowruz', the Persian new year, with a special Doodle. Nowruz means "new day" in Persian and marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere, symbolizing renewal. The vibrant doodle has been designed by an Iranian guest artist Pendar Yousefi.The Doodle showcased elements of Persian culture like floral designs and the Haft-sin table, set with seven items starting with "sin" in Farsi, each representing a concept for the year ahead. According to Google, the annual festival has been around for over 3,000 years. Nowruz originated in ancient Iran to welcome the blooming season. The tradition spread along the Silk Roads to various countries and ethnic groups. During Nowruz, families gather to display items symbolizing rejuvenation, such as wheat for...