Rahul, Priyanka express grief as Kerala floods claim 12 lives; schools closed in rain-hit districts

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Thiruvananthapuram: Heavy monsoon rains continued to batter Kerala on Sunday, triggering waterlogging, flood-like conditions and landslides, with the death toll rising to 12. Authorities declared a holiday for educational institutions in nine districts on Monday as the state remained on high alert.

Schools, colleges and other educational institutions will remain closed in Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Wayanad, Malappuram, Thrissur, Idukki, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta. In Alappuzha, educational institutions functioning as relief camps have also been shut, while all institutions in the flood-prone Chengannur and Kuttanad taluks will remain closed.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for all 14 districts, forecasting isolated heavy rainfall of 7-11 cm over the next 24 hours. Authorities have advised residents in flood- and landslide-prone areas to avoid unnecessary travel and follow official advisories.

Meanwhile, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed grief over the loss of lives and widespread destruction. Rahul conveyed condolences to the bereaved families, wished a speedy recovery to the injured and urged people, especially those in hilly regions, to remain vigilant. Priyanka also expressed solidarity with affected families and appealed to Congress workers to assist ongoing relief and rescue efforts.

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President Murmu highlights link between healthy society and developed India

Haridwar, Nov 2 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday reflected upon the link between wellness and a developed India, expressing confidence that the students trained in Yoga, Ayurveda, and naturopathy would help build a healthy society.

Speaking at the second convocation ceremony of the University of Patanjali in Haridwar, the President said that India’s great personalities have made invaluable contributions to the development of human culture.

Maharishi Patanjali, the greatest of sages, removed the impurities of the mind through Yoga, of speech through grammar, and of the body through Ayurveda, she said.

She noted that the University of Patanjali is making the great tradition of Maharishi Patanjali accessible to society.

The President appreciated the University for advancing education and research in the fields of Yoga, Ayurveda, and Naturopathy, hoping that the students of this university would make significant contributions to building a healthy society and a developed India with their righteous conduct.

She also appreciated the India-centred educational vision of the University of Patanjali.

President Murmu said that education with the vision of the spirit of universal brotherhood, integration of ancient Vedic knowledge and cutting-edge scientific research, and resolution of global challenges is advancing the Indian knowledge tradition in modern contexts.

The President said that students who have received an education in accordance with the ideals of this university must have realised that protecting the environment and adapting their lifestyle to nature is essential for the future of humanity.

She expressed confidence that they will always be ready to face global challenges, including climate change.

President ​Murmu said that the wish for universal well-being is the hallmark of our culture.

“This well-being paves the way for harmony and inclusive development. She was confident that the students of this University would put the life value of harmony into practice,” she said.

The President said that nurturing individuals leads to nurturing families, which leads to society and nation-building.

She noted that the University of Patanjali has adopted the path of nation-building through individual development.

–IANS

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BJP trying to rig votes through SIR, Cong to file cases, says Rajasthan party chief Dotasra

New Delhi, Jan 19 (IANS) Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra on Monday alleged that the BJP is attempting to rig votes in the state under the guise of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Addressing the media at the Congress headquarters here, Dotasra claimed that a “well-planned conspiracy” was executed after Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Jaipur.

Dotasra said that the SIR process was proceeding smoothly until January 3, but the situation changed after BJP National General Secretary B.L. Santhosh held a meeting in Jaipur on that day.

According to him, the “fraud agenda” was finalised between January 3 and January 13, during which fake, computer-generated forms were prepared for every assembly constituency.

He alleged that Amit Shah stayed at the Chief Minister’s residence on January 13, following which BJP MLAs and candidates were allegedly provided pen drives containing fraudulent data.

“From the evening of January 13 to January 15, a conspiracy was hatched to delete 10,000 to 20,000 voter names per constituency, especially in areas where Congress had won. Forms were specifically prepared to remove the names of voters belonging to a particular community,” Dotasra claimed.

The PCC chief further alleged that fake signatures of Booth Level Officers (BLOs) were used to submit these forms. “In my own constituency, over 2,000 fake forms were brought, but the SDM refused to accept them. The BLOs themselves have confirmed that their signatures were forged,” he said.

Dotasra accused BJP leaders of pressuring officials to accept bulk applications despite clear instructions from Chief Electoral Officer Naveen Mahajan prohibiting such practices.

He claimed that by January 15, nearly 1.40 lakh forms had already been registered. Citing examples, he said that 13,882 forms were accepted in Jhunjhunu, 16,276 in Mandawa, and 1,478 in Khetri, allegedly in violation of Election Commission norms.

He further alleged that BJP leaders were asking BLOs for OTPs to add fake names and remove voters with the Congress ideology. “I can provide proof of BLOs being asked for their OTPs,” he said.

Calling it an attack on democracy, Dotasra urged government officials not to bow to political pressure and appealed to Congress workers to monitor the process closely at SDM offices. He announced that the Congress is filing cases wherever fraud has been detected and vowed that the party would not allow the BJP’s “vote theft conspiracy” to succeed in Rajasthan.

–IANS

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