NCB arrests wife of drug trafficking kingpin, seizes drugs valued at Rs 50 crore

Ahmedabad, June 12 (IANS) Among the 242 people aboard the ill-fated Air India flight AI171, which tragically crashed shortly after takeoff near Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon, 38-year-old British national Ramesh Vishwaskumar Bucharvada miraculously survived.

Bucharvada was seated in 11A, a window seat located right behind an emergency exit on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner bound for London Gatwick. According to Aerolopa, seat 11A is positioned in the first row of the Economy cabin, on the aircraft’s right side, two rows ahead of the wings — directly behind one of the plane’s emergency exit doors.

A video captured moments after the crash shows an injured Bucharvada walking towards an ambulance while surrounded by bystanders. Speaking in Gujarati, he described the terrifying moment: “The plane exploded.” Asked about the fate of the other passengers, he replied, “They are back there inside (at the crash site).”

Ahmedabad Police Commissioner G.S. Malik confirmed that Ramesh is the sole survivor of the disaster. “The police found one survivor in seat 11A. One survivor has been found in the hospital and is under treatment,” Malik told media persons. He added that the death toll is expected to rise as the flight crashed in a densely populated residential area.

The flight, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members, took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 pm IST. Radar data showed that the aircraft climbed only 625 feet before losing contact with air traffic control less than a minute later. The plane struck a hostel building of B.J. Medical College and Hospital shortly after. Rescue and recovery operations were carried out on war footing by various agencies. Armed forces also helped the local workers in the rescue operations at the crash site as authorities continued to assess the full extent of the tragedy.

–IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 20 (IANS) In a major initiative to support Kerala’s animal husbandry sector, the premier central institute – Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology (BRIC-RGCB) has opened its first veterinary medical laboratory services unit at Oyoor in Kollam district.

The multi-speciality diagnostic centre, inaugurated on September 19 by Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J. Chinchurani in the presence of RGCB Director Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana, is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for a wide range of veterinary clinical tests.

While its primary focus is on veterinary services, the unit will also extend diagnostic services to the public at affordable rates.

The facility was set up in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department at a building provided by the Velinelloor Village Panchayat.

“This facility will be a big support for the animal husbandry sector, especially livestock and poultry activities. More such units will be opened in different parts of the state,” Prof. Narayana said, adding that the Oyoor centre will be developed into a nodal hub for research in animal husbandry and agriculture.

RGCB will soon establish collection and reporting centres in government veterinary hospitals and dispensaries across Kollam district.

In its next phase, the research wing will focus on preventing disease outbreaks in livestock and devising scientific precautions in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry Department.

RGCB is already partnering with the Animal Husbandry Department and Kerala Livestock Development Board on projects to enhance milk, egg, and meat production, as well as research on improving the shelf life and value addition of dairy and poultry products.

Beyond veterinary care, RGCB has expanded its public health laboratory network across Kerala.

In association with the State Health Department, it operates diagnostic services in government hospitals, including Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and General Hospital, Pala, with a hub-and-spoke model linking over 300 centres statewide.

Meanwhile, the RGCB’s Diagnostic and Research Laboratory at the Cochin Cancer Research Centre, Kalamassery, is nearing completion.

Spread over 30,000 sq ft, the facility will provide clinical services while serving as a dedicated cancer research hub—envisioned as a model for the entire country.

–IANS

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Chennai, Nov 17 (IANS) Farmers’ organisations in Tamil Nadu have firmly dismissed Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar’s recent claim that the Mekedatu dam project will not affect their state’s share of Cauvery water.

They argue that Karnataka has repeatedly failed to honour the monthly water releases mandated by the Supreme Court and have urged Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to push for a daily water release mechanism to safeguard the state’s irrigation needs.

The concerns gained momentum after the Supreme Court dismissed Tamil Nadu’s petition challenging the Mekedatu project. Following the verdict, Shivakumar reiterated that the dam would not obstruct the flow of water to Tamil Nadu and that Karnataka intended to move forward with construction.

He also maintained that the proposed balancing reservoir would ensure water supply during periods of scarcity.

Farmers in Tamil Nadu, however, view the situation differently. They point out that the state has struggled to receive even the minimum monthly quota fixed by the apex court.

With the agricultural season already underway, farmers maintain that the current pattern of irregular and delayed releases from Karnataka adversely affects crop planning and threatens the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on Cauvery irrigation.

According to farmers’ associations, Tamil Nadu was entitled to receive 9.19 TMC of water for June and 31.24 TMC for July under the Supreme Court’s directives. Yet, the flow during these months has been far below the stipulated levels.

Farmers argue that this chronic shortfall demonstrates Karnataka’s unwillingness to meet its obligations, casting doubt on assurances linked to the Mekedatu project. They believe the Tamil Nadu government must adopt a more assertive approach, urging the neighbouring state to comply strictly with the Court’s orders.

The view among farmers’ groups is that monthly release schedules have proven ineffective and that only a structured daily allotment can ensure consistent availability of water for irrigation. They also emphasise that Karnataka has a track record of releasing water only when its reservoirs are filled during monsoon periods, leaving Tamil Nadu vulnerable during dry spells.

With Samba cultivation progressing across the delta region, farmers warn that any further delay or reduction in water supply could lead to significant agricultural losses. In this context, farmers have appealed to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin to initiate strong, sustained negotiations with Karnataka to secure uninterrupted daily release of Cauvery water and prevent a deepening crisis in TN’s irrigated farmlands.

–IANS

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