‘No question of lifting prohibition’: Gujarat Minister after eight die in hooch tragedy

Vijayanagara (Karnataka), May 28 (IANS) BJP State President and MLA, B.Y. Vijayendra, on Thursday launched a sharp attack on the government in Karnataka and said that the biggest question before the state now is who will become the next Chief Minister after Siddaramaiah.

Speaking to the media in Hosapete, Vijayendra said, “Who will become the Chief Minister after Siddaramaiah is a million-dollar question.”

“In the three years of Congress rule, Karnataka has fallen into an economic crisis. This government has made no sincere effort to provide good governance to the people,” he alleged.

Claiming that governance in the state has completely collapsed, Vijayendra accused the government of focussing only on minority appeasement while neglecting farmers, the poor and the youth.

“The government has failed to listen to the problems of farmers, poor people and unemployed youth. The fight for the Chief Minister’s chair has become bigger than governance itself. The internal power struggle for authority has affected administration. Youth in the state are deeply dissatisfied with this government. Karnataka is heading towards becoming a drugs capital,” he alleged.

Referring to the ongoing speculation over Siddaramaiah’s resignation, Vijayendra said competing camps have already emerged within the Congress party over the Chief Minister’s post.

“After Siddaramaiah’s resignation, there is a tussle over whether G. Parameshwara should become Chief Minister, or D.K. Shivakumar, or even AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge. Whoever becomes Chief Minister, there will be no benefit to the state. Karnataka’s financial condition has deteriorated to such an extent that it cannot be easily revived,” he claimed.

“There is growing anarchy in the state. People are fed up with corruption. A conspiracy has been hatched to create an artificial shortage of fertilisers. Ministers in charge and MLAs are not listening to the concerns of farmers. Instead, they are camping in Delhi in pursuit of power,” Vijayendra alleged.

Responding to a question on BJP’s role in the political developments, Vijayendra clarified that the Congress government has a full majority and that the BJP would not interfere in its internal matters.

“We cannot play politics in this matter. As an Opposition party, we have performed our responsibilities effectively. BJP will not interfere in the functioning of the government or poke its nose into Congress affairs,” he stated.

–IANS

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Kolkata, Sep 30 (IANS) On the occasion of Maha Ashtmai on Tuesday, ‘Kumari Puja (worship of girls as Goddess Durga)’ was performed at Belur Math, the headquarters of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission at Belur in Kolkata-adjacent Howrah district, with enthusiasm and devotion of the followers of Shri Ramakrsihna Paramhansa, his wife and spiritual consort, Maa Sarada and disciple Swami Vivekanda.

Ardent believers of Swamiji and his philosophy of “Service of God through service of humanity” is the basic reason that the devotional attraction of the Kumari Puja has remained the same year after year, since Swamiji started this ritual at Belur Math in 1901.

According to Jayita Sarkar, an avid believer in Swamiji’s philosophy and a teacher of English literature in one of the reputed Kolkata-based schools, the main idea behind Kumari Puja is the expression of respect towards “women-power” and “women-dignity” in society.

“Inspired by the teachings of Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and blessed by the support of Maa Sarada, Swamiji established Belur Math and said — ‘the unblemished rays out here will enlighten the entire world and will change the pattern of human life.’ For me, with the goal of bringing this attitudinal change in human thought process, especially as regards acknowledging women’s power, Swamiji started Kumari Puja, where the main idea is worshipping a young girl as the symbol of Matru-Shakti or women’s empowerment. For every woman, this occasion is truly special. Every time I am there at Belur Math on the occasion, I am swayed by the spiritual devotion of the thought behind this ritual,” Sarkar said.

According to Sampa Chowdhury, a senior counsel of Calcutta High Court and an avid enthusiast of Swamiji’s philosophy, the concept of Kumari Puja also reflects Shri Ramakrishna’s spiritual thoughts of viewing the Goddess in every woman.

As per historical records, nine girls were worshipped on the first occasion of Kumari Puja in 1901. Since then, the ritual became an integral part of Durga Asthami Tithi at Belur Math.

On Tuesday, as every year, thousands visited Belur Math and became witnesses to the ritual, which was marked by the same enthusiasm and devotional spiritualism associated with it.

The ritual started around 9 a.m. and ended a little after 10 a.m.

Thousands of followers of the Sanatan Dharma celebrated the Kumari Puja with grandeur at Belur Math. They consider this ritual to be simultaneously the worship of God and the establishment of women’s dignity.

On Tuesday, the ritual was performed as per tradition with the message being honouring and acknowledgement of women’s power, worship of the “Divine Femininity” and service to humanity.

The monks at the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission performed the rituals. Thousands of devotees attended the puja, coming from faraway places, maintaining the dignity and devotional spiritualism associated with the rituals.

The day will end with the Sandhi Puja, held at the juncture of Maha Ashtami and Maha Navami, which is regarded as the most sacred moment of the Durga Puja festival. The ritual commemorates Goddess Durga’s victory over demons, Chanda and Munda.

–IANS

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New Delhi, Dec 29 (IANS) Delhi woke up to another hazardous winter morning on Monday as a toxic mix of dense fog and severe air pollution engulfed the national capital, pushing the Air Quality Index (AQI) beyond 400and sharply reducing visibility.

The national capital was blanketed in thick smog on Monday morning, with the overall AQI recorded at 402 at 7 a.m., placing it firmly in the ‘severe’ category.

Pollution levels crossed 400 at more than half of Delhi’s air quality monitoring stations, highlighting extremely hazardous conditions across large parts of the city.

Out of 40 monitoring stations, 25 reported AQI levels in the ‘severe’ range.

Vivek Vihar recorded an AQI of 458, making it the most polluted area, followed by Anand Vihar at 459, Wazirpur at 444 and Rohini at 445. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) remained the dominant pollutant.

Data from Lodhi Road and RK Puram stations was unavailable.

The pollution crisis was compounded by dense fog, which drastically reduced visibility across Delhi and the surrounding regions.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a ‘red alert’ for very dense fog in most parts of the capital between 5:31 a.m. and 8:31 a.m., advising people to drive cautiously, use fog lights, avoid unnecessary travel and cover their faces while stepping outdoors.

Visibility began dropping sharply late Sunday night and remained poor through the early hours of Monday, slowing traffic and making travel risky. At Delhi airport, visibility fell to around 125 metres, with runway visibility ranging between 100 and 150 metres.

In a passenger advisory posted on X, Delhi Airport said, “Flight operations are currently being conducted under CAT III conditions due to dense fog, which may result in delays or cancellations.”

Authorities warned that disruptions could continue and urged passengers to check flight status with their respective airlines. Ground staff were deployed across terminals to assist travellers.

Several airlines also issued advisories. IndiGo said that fog and cold winter conditions at Delhi and Hindon airports had led to fluctuating visibility and slower operations, while reiterating that passenger safety remained its top priority. The airline advised travellers to monitor flight updates and said rebooking and refund options were available.

Air India, in a late-night advisory, said, “Weather forecast for tomorrow morning indicates dense fog with low visibility in parts of northern India, including Delhi, which is likely to impact flight operations. We have taken proactive steps to minimise disruptions… However, in the event of unexpected delays, diversions, or cancellations, please rest assured that our ground teams will extend all necessary assistance.”

Rail services were also affected, with several trains, including the Rajdhani Express, Vande Bharat and Jan Shatabdi, running behind schedule.

With air quality remaining in the ‘severe’ category, health experts have advised residents to limit outdoor exposure as authorities continue to monitor the evolving situation.

–IANS

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