Podcasts about Uttarakhand

First, The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs Editor Shubhajit Roy discusses the showdown between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington D.C.Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Anonna Dutt about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's campaign for India's rising obesity epidemicLastly, we discuss the ongoing rescue efforts for Uttarakhand's avalanche that struck a project site.Hosted by Ichha SharmaProduced and written by Shashank Bhargava, Niharika Nanda and Ichha SharmaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Today's news: 8 dead as avalanche hits BRO camp in Uttarakhand's Mana, ‘We're constructive': Ukraine ready to sign minerals deal with US, says Zelensky, Israel halts humanitarian aid to Gaza as Hamas rejects US-backed truce proposal, Oscars 2025: Anora wins Best Picture and 4 more awards at one of the most boring ceremonies in years, Varun Chakravarthy's high-five return to Dubai in India's win over NZ

How a Hindi phrase in UCC is making even Uttarakhand BJP leaders squeamish    

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 24th of February and here are the headlines.Eight workers remain trapped after the SLBC tunnel in Telangana partially collapsed on Saturday. Despite efforts, Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao said survival chances are “very remote”. A team of rat miners, previously deployed in Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel collapse, joined the rescue team. Around 300 personnel, including NDRF, SDRF, and Army members, are involved. However, muck and debris are hampering progress, with rescuers 13 km inside the tunnel, and water blocking access to the trapped workers.Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Madhya Pradesh's rise as a business hub during the Global Investors Summit 2025 in Bhopal. Praising the state's skilled workforce and growing industrial sectors, Modi noted that India will remain the world's fastest-growing economy. He emphasized Madhya Pradesh's role in the electric vehicle revolution and aerospace sector, assuring investors of the state's lucrative opportunities. He urged global businesses to tap into the state's flourishing market.The Uttar Pradesh government told the Supreme Court that the well near the disputed mosque in Sambhal is on public land and not connected to the mosque. The well, known as 'Dharani varah koop,' is located near, but not inside, the disputed site. Tensions have risen over claims that the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid was built over the demolished Hari Mandir temple. The case continues to stir religious disputes between local communities.In the 2025 German election, the conservative CDU/CSU alliance led by Friedrich Merz emerged victorious, with the far-right AfD securing its best result, placing second with 20.8% of the vote. US President Donald Trump praised the win, calling it a rejection of policies on energy and immigration. Incumbent Chancellor Olaf Scholz's SPD dropped 10 percentage points, finishing in third. Merz is now poised to become Germany's next Chancellor.The Trump administration announced a massive reduction in USAID personnel, putting nearly all employees on leave and eliminating around 1,600 positions. This decision follows a legal battle where Trump sought to cut thousands of USAID jobs but was halted by a federal judge. The judge ruled that the pause would not be permanent. The cuts are part of a broader “reduction in force” effort, impacting the agency's global operations.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by the Indian Express.

Modern tarımın hiç uğramadığı Hindistan'ın Uttarakhand Himalaya bölgesindeki ‘sertifikalı organik tarım' üzerine konuşuyoruz. 

This week on Hafta, Newslaundry's Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, Raman Kirpal and Anand Vardhan are joined by Supreme Court advocate Mihira Sood and journalist Govindraj Ethiraj.The panel discusses the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand. Mihira says, “There are many peculiarities of the law, but the strangest is that registration of live-in relationships is more cumbersome than a marriage…The penalty for not registering a marriage is nothing, but the penalty for not registering a live-in relationship can be imprisonment.” Commenting on the backlash to inter-faith relationships in the state in the recent past, Manisha adds, “What we know from newspaper reports is that registrations will be scrutinised by the Bajrang Dal…What the Uttarakhand government wants to do here is just police people who are living together.”On the new budget announced for 2025-26, Govindraj says there's “nothing really landmark” in the budget but the “benefits offered to the middle class are a good thing”. “It is correcting a problem of the recent past – the pressure of inflation on households and incomes not growing as they did before,” he says.The panel also discusses the continuing depreciation of the rupee against the dollar, and the ‘unease' of doing business in India. This and a lot more. Tune in!We have a page for subscribers to send letters to our shows. If you want to write to Hafta, click here. Check out the Newslaundry store and flaunt your love for independent media. Download the Newslaundry app. Contribute to our latest NL Sena here.Timecodes00:00:00 - Introductions and announcements 00:02:12 - Headlines 00:13:37 - Uniform Civil Code00:44:08 - ‘Unease' of doing business00:49:57 - Budget 01:11:05 - Depreciation of the Rupee01:23:27- Letters01:45:00 - Recommendations Produced and recorded by Priyali Dhingra and Ashish Anand, edited by Hassan Bilal. This episode is outside of the paywall, just for the week and just for you. Before it goes back behind the paywall, why not subscribe? Get brand-new episodes of all our podcasts every week, while also doing your bit to support independent media. Click here to subscribe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of 2025, we talk about how climate change is affecting tourism. In this episode we are joined by Gunjeet who is a journalist based in Uttarakhand. She is closely observing the impact of climate change in the hill state and shares her views in this episode.We also discuss changing travel patterns and how it would look in a world affected by climate change.Connect with Gunjeethttps://www.instagram.com/gunjsra/https://www.instagram.com/sbcltr.in/Share your thoughts and feedbacksanshul.akh99@gmail.comYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DailyPassenger/videosTwitter: https://twitter.com/passenger_v2Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daily.passenger/Blog: https://dailypasseneger.com/

Uttarakhand becomes the first Indian state to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) since Independence. On January 27, 2025, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami officially rolled out the UCC, a move that promises uniformity in civil laws but comes with key exemptions—tribal communities and the Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) remain outside its purview. What does this mean for minority communities? How do the new provisions impact live-in relationships? And what are the broader implications of this historic decision? This video breaks it all down. Guest: Alok Prasanna Kumar, co-founder of the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy Host: Aaratrika Bhaumik Edited by Jude Francis Weston

In light of the Uttarakhand government implementing the Uniform Civil Code yesterday, we are revisiting an episode that originally aired last year (8 February, 2024), when the state first passed it in the Assembly. In this episode, we discussed in detail the changes it proposes, the concerns it raises, and why the BJP chose Uttarakhand as the first state for its implementation.Guests: The Indian Express' Apurva Vishwanath, Avaneesh Mishra, and Liz MathewHosted and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

On the 1st Episode Season 4 of our podcast “Talk in the Town”, we spoke to Ms. Retu Chatterjee & Mr. Anoop Nautiyal - Members of the Dehradun Citizens Forum [DCF]. This civic group of 400 residents is leading efforts to address Dehradun's pressing urban, social, & environmental challenges while championing a Green Agenda for the city. The DCF recently organised a "Mayor Samvad" on 18th January 2025 to advocate for sustainable urban policies in the upcoming Dehradun Municipal Corporation election, which is part of the Uttarakhand Municipal Elections. This event brought together mayoral candidates to present their visions for Dehradun's future & sought their commitments to citizen-driven demands, such as better waste management, pollution control, & to "think green." Our first guest, Retu Chatterjee is a seasoned entrepreneur in the hospitality sector. Ms. Chatterjee has spent over 18 years advocating for environmental & social causes, along with promoting sustainable urban development. Our second guest, Anoop Nautiyal is a social activist, & environmental advocate. Mr. Nautiyal is committed to conserving Uttarakhand's natural resources & empowering communities for a sustainable future. To go through the Urban Green Agenda for Uttarakhand prepared by DCF, visit: https://lnkd.in/d257Z_Ec

UCC was debated more in the Constituent Assembly than in Uttarakhand. Why it's a problem

Mahakumbh 2025: Underwater drones, AI cameras, NSG commandos part of security, Uttarakhand: 6 dead, 22 injured as bus falls into gorge in Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand: 6 dead, 22 injured as bus falls into gorge in Pauri Garhwal, California wildfires live updates: Death toll rises to 24, most fatalities in Eaton Fire zone, Jasprit Bumrah's injuries likely to be roadblock for Test captaincy, surprise name joins race to succeed Rohit

Bhang has been mentioned in the Vedas; the use of cannabis as a medicinal boon has been mentioned in a lot of Indian scriptures for thousands of years, and it has been used in Ayurveda. During the British era, the colonisers looked down upon cannabis usage among Indians. They were familiar with alcohol but not with ganja and they considered it beneath them. So, it is the recent history of cannabis in India that has made it taboo. But it is still the most used "illicit" narcotic in the country. In India, with even something that's illegal, if it's culturally appropriate, a lot of people will tun a blind eye. This is so especially in the north of the country. India is very complex and its perspectives towards this plant are also very complex and divisive. In places like Uttarakhand and Himachal, the attitude to cannabis is different; in the south, in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, even openly talking about using it is a big no-no" Karan Madhok, author, 'Ananda; An Exploration of Cannabis in India' talks to Manjula Narayan about everything from Lord Shiva and the availability of bhang in Banaras, Manipur's Satjal and Kawariyas to the immense economic potential of the plant, its medicinal uses, the movement for its decriminalization, and the road ahead for this ancient Indian weed

The Mohua Show is a weekly podcast about everything from business, technology to art and lifestyle, But done and spoken ईमानदारी सेConnect with UsMohua Chinappa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohua-chinappa/The Mohua Show: https://www.themohuashow.com/Connect with the GuestSheetal Raj: https://www.instagram.com/sheetalthemountaingirl/?hl=enFollow UsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/litlounge_pod/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMohuaShowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/themohuashow/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/themohuashow/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/themohuashowFor any other queries EMAILhello@themohuashow.comEpisode Summary: In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Sheetal Raj, a trailblazing mountaineer from Salmoda, Uttarakhand, recognized as the first Indian woman to summit Mt. Cho Oyu, one of the world's tallest peaks, despite undergoing knee surgery two years ago. She was inspired to continue her journey by the movie 12th Fail, with support from the Hans Foundation. Raj's climbing milestones include scaling Everest in 2019 and becoming the youngest woman to conquer Kanchenjunga at age 22. Her achievements were further honored when she received the Tenzing Norgay National Adventure Award in 2021 by the President of India.She emphasizes the importance of resilience, community support, and the impact of her achievements on future generations of female climbers. Her story is a testament to determination and the spirit of adventure.Chapters:00:00 - Highlights01:38 - Introduction02:27 - Inspiration to Choose Mountaineering03:10 - Journey to Reach Mount Cho-O-Yu04:32 - Challenges due to Knee Surgery07:15 - Motivation Behind the Success 09:38 - Struggles in Childhood Stage12:28 - Planning to Conquer Summits14:31 - Learnings Through Expeditions17:00 - How to Plan Any Expedition20:04 - Most Rewarding Moment22:56 - Leaving Behind Own Legacy Through Women EmpowermentDisclaimerThe views expressed by our guests are their own. We do not endorse and are not responsible for any views expressed by our guests on our podcast and its associated platforms.#TheMohuaShow #MohuaChinappa #Mountaineering #SheetalRaj #Women in adventure #Cho-O-Yu #Mount Everest #Mental resilience #Adventure sports #Female empowerment #Climbing #Outdoor adventure #Podcast Thanks for Listening!

This is the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express, and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 25th of December, and here are the headlines:BJP Meets NDA Leaders to Counter Opposition NarrativeAmid Congress and the INDIA bloc's attack over Amit Shah's remarks on B.R. Ambedkar, top BJP leaders, including Shah and J.P. Nadda, met NDA allies to discuss a united front. They focused on countering the opposition's narrative, especially on Shah's comments, caste census, and social justice issues. Shah emphasized Congress's attempts to create false narratives, urging NDA leaders to stand together against the opposition's criticism.Delhi CM Takes Action Over Fraudulent NoticesDelhi Chief Minister Atishi announced strict administrative action against two officers for disowning two AAP schemes. The officers released public notices calling the Mukhyamantri Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana fraudulent. The schemes, which aim to provide financial aid to women and free medical treatment for seniors, were targeted in the notices. Atishi condemned the officers' actions and vowed immediate steps to address the situation.Uttarakhand Bus Accident Leaves 3 Dead, Dozens InjuredA tragic road accident in Uttarakhand's Bhimtal area resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to over two dozen. The bus, traveling from Bhimtal to Haldwani, fell into a 100-meter deep ditch with 20-25 passengers on board. Rescue teams, including the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), swiftly responded, taking the injured to nearby hospitals. The rescue operation is ongoing as authorities investigate the cause of the crash.Plane Crash in Kazakhstan Leaves 30 Dead, 32 SurviveA plane crash near Aktau, Kazakhstan, involving an Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer 190, has left over 30 dead, with 32 survivors. The flight from Baku to Grozny crashed during an emergency landing attempt approximately 3 kilometers from Aktau. Disturbing footage shows the plane bursting into flames upon impact. Emergency teams extinguished the fire, and survivors were rushed to hospitals. Investigations are underway into the cause of the crash.Russia Strikes Ukraine's Energy System on Christmas DayOn Christmas Day, Russia launched a brutal missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, leaving at least seven people dead or injured. Strikes on Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk caused blackouts and heating disruptions, with half a million people left without heat. President Zelenskyy condemned the attacks, calling them inhuman, as Russia fired more than 70 missiles and 100 drones during the holiday assault.This was the Catch-Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, we speak to The Indian Express' Diplomatic Affairs editor Shubhajit Roy who shares everything we need to know about the current situation of Indo-China relations. He talks about the status of the disengagement process, what External Affairs minister S Jaishankar had to say about ties between the two nations, the negotiations that happened and what lies ahead. Next, we talk to The Indian Express' Amitabh Sinha who explains why a case has been filed at the International Court of Justice regarding climate change and how do we expect it to pan out. (11:49)Finally, we talk about a technology which is successfully treating active landslide zones in Uttarakhand. (24:44)Produced and hosted by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.Today is the 08th of November and here are the headlines.A tragic accident occurred in Uttarakhand's Almora on Monday, where at least 36 people died when a bus carrying 42 passengers lost control and fell into a gorge near Marchula. The bus was traveling from Kirath to Ramnagar when it went off the road. Initial reports indicated that the crash was so severe that several passengers were thrown from the vehicle.Leaders of Canada's three major federal parties condemned violent clashes that occurred during a visit by Indian consular officials to a Hindu temple in Brampton. Following the incidents, the High Commission of India expressed disappointment over the disruptions affecting routine consular work. Sikhs for Justice, a banned group advocating for Khalistan, claimed responsibility for the protests against the Indian officials, who were present to offer administrative services, including pension assistance for seniors.Meanwhile, Donald Trump scripted history on Wednesday, becoming the first President in 120 years to return to power after being ousted after his first term. Addressing his supporters after winning three swing states of North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania, Trump laid the blueprint of his second term. With at least 51 Senate seats secured, Republicans will retake control of the chamber for the first time in four years. As soon as the results were officially declared, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated American President Donald Trump on his election and stated, quote “As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership,” unquote.The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on Wednesday passed a resolution for the restoration of its special status, calling upon the “Government of India to initiate dialogue with elected representatives” of the Union Territory to work out “constitutional mechanisms for restoring these provisions”, even as the BJP protested the move. The resolution said that the Assembly “reaffirms the importance of the special status and constitutional guarantees, which safeguarded the identity, culture, and rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and expresses concern over their unilateral removal”. It further added that “any process for restoration must safeguard both national unity and the legitimate aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir”.Sharad Pawar, the Nationalist Congress Party chief, hinted at retiring from active parliamentary politics, signaling his intention to pass the leadership baton to younger generations. Speaking about Maharashtra's Baramati constituency, Pawar emphasized the importance of youth leadership for the next 30 years. While Pawar stated he would step back from electoral politics, he confirmed his continued involvement in public service. His message underscored his faith in his family's legacy and the need for fresh leadership, urging support for Yugendra Pawar in the upcoming Assembly elections.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

https://theprint.in/feature/kashmir-to-uttarakhand-women-farmers-are-on-the-frontlines-of-indias-climate-change-war/2343350/

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 4th of November and here are the headlines.A tragic accident occurred in Uttarakhand's Almora, where at least 36 people died when a bus carrying 42 passengers lost control and fell into a gorge near Marchula. The bus was traveling from Kirath of Nainidanda to Ramnagar when it went off the road. Initial reports indicate that the crash was so severe that several passengers were thrown from the vehicle. Rescue operations are ongoing, and officials warn that the death toll may rise as efforts continue.In a dramatic session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, lawmakers engaged in a heated debate as it convened for the first time in six years. The discussion was ignited by People's Democratic Party (PDP) legislator Waheed Para, who proposed a resolution opposing the abrogation of Article 370. In response, the Council of Ministers called for restoring statehood, reflecting public sentiment. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha assured members that the government would do everything possible to restore the state's status.The Mumbai Police are facing a significant issue with over Rs 7 crore in unpaid dues from various government agencies for security services. Data revealed through a Right to Information request shows that at least 14 agencies owe a total of Rs 7,10,67,252 for services rendered over the past seven years. The Income Tax department is the largest defaulter, followed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).Leaders of Canada's three major federal parties condemned violent clashes that occurred during a visit by Indian consular officials to a Hindu temple in Brampton. Following the incidents, the High Commission of India expressed disappointment over the disruptions affecting routine consular work. Sikhs for Justice, a banned group advocating for Khalistan, claimed responsibility for the protests against the Indian officials, who were present to offer administrative services, including pension assistance for seniors.As the United States presidential elections approach, the spotlight is on the tight race between Democratic nominee Kamala Harris and Republican candidate Donald Trump. Both candidates plan to hold rallies in Pennsylvania and visit swing states. Recent opinion polls show Harris receiving strong support from female voters, while Trump is gaining traction among Hispanic men. Trump aims for a comeback after his controversial exit in 2020, while Harris seeks to make history as the first woman president.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Today on AMV, our guest is Sarvjeet Tamta—a self-taught qawwali singer who founded Rehmete Nusrat. At 16, he left Almora, Uttarakhand, to follow his passion for music. Coming from a Dalit background, Sarvjeet faced caste discrimination, but he didn't let it stop him. Now, he's performing to full houses across the country, making a name as one of the most promising qawwals of this era.  If you like our work then consider supporting: 1. Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/anuragminusverma 2.BuyMeACoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/anuragminus 3.UPI: Minusverma@upi 4.RazorPay: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pages.razorpay.com/pl_NM7M52cur24w7k/view⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ My website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.anuragminusverma.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Watch the video on YouTube:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@TheCultureCafebyAMV-re8hs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Insta account of Guest; https://www.instagram.com/rehmatenusrat/  Their Website: https://www.amarrass.com/rehmat-e-nusrat

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 24th of October and here are the headlines.After assessing cyclone preparedness in Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Majhi announced that evacuations would be completed within hours. Heavy rainfall affected parts of West Bengal and Odisha as the states prepared for the impending landfall of Cyclone Dana later tonight. Currently located over the east-central Bay of Bengal, the storm is expected to strengthen into a severe cyclonic storm and make landfall between Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port. Odisha has already evacuated over a million people from vulnerable areas. The meteorological department predicts that Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, and Balasore districts will experience the worst effects, with wind speeds reaching 100-120 km/h.A key meeting of the Public Accounts Committee was adjourned after SEBI chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch notified the panel just hours before the meeting that she couldn't attend due to a "personal exigency." PAC Chairman K C Venugopal stated that the committee postponed the meeting following SEBI's communication about Buch's absence. He also noted that Buch had previously requested an exception to appear before the PAC, which was denied.The Supreme Court dismissed a contempt petition against officials from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, which alleged unlawful demolitions in violation of prior court orders. The bench observed that the petition by the National Federation of Indian Women relied primarily on newspaper reports and lacked substantial evidence to support its claims. Without concrete proof, the court ruled that media reports alone were insufficient to warrant pursuing a contempt case, leading to the dismissal of the petition.Khalistani violent extremism poses a significant challenge for Canada, according to Chandra Arya, a prominent MP of Indian origin. Speaking in the House of Commons, Arya emphasized the need for law enforcement to address the issue seriously. He noted that the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is actively investigating this extremism through a national task force. Arya highlighted that extremism and terrorism transcend national borders, urging agencies to prioritize this pressing concern.Bushra Bibi, the wife of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, was released from Adiala Jail on Thursday after obtaining bail related to a case involving the illegal sale of state gifts. Her release comes after nearly nine months of imprisonment, having been arrested in January. Imran Khan remains incarcerated in the same facility, where he has been held since August of last year. Bibi's release marks a significant development amid the ongoing legal troubles faced by the couple.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

This is the Catchup on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.Today is the 2nd of October and here are the headlines.Israel's military Wednesday said it is engaged in “close-range” operations in southern Lebanon and dismantled Hezbollah's infrastructure through precision-guided munitions. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) added that “over 150 terrorist infrastructure sites have been destroyed in air strikes, including Hezbollah's HQ, weapon storage facilities, and rocket launchers.” Meanwhile, Hezbollah said it was clashing with Israeli troops in the border town of Maroun el-Ras after it had pushed back forces near another border town. The group said it had also fired rockets at military posts inside Israel. This comes at a time when the conflict between Israel and Iran escalated following Tehran firing a barrage of missiles at Tel Aviv on Tuesday.67 Indians trapped in job scams in Cambodia have now been rescued, the Indian Embassy in Phnom Penh announced today. While 39 of them have already reached India, 28 others will be leaving Cambodia soon, it added. THe embassy in a statement declared: “The Embassy of India, Phnom Penh has been actively engaged in rescuing and repatriating Indian nationals trapped in fraudulent job offers obtained through fake agents, who lure them into cyber crime in scam compounds. On 22 September, following specific leads by the Embassy, the Cambodian Police rescued 67 such Indian nationals from Poipet."Three people were killed this morning when the helicopter they were flying in crashed in the Bavdhan area of Pune while on its way to Mumbai. Vinoykumar Choubey, Police Commissioner, Pimpri Chinchwad, confirmed the deaths. According to the police, the deceased have been identified as Girishkumar Pillai, Pritamchand Bharadwaaj, and Paramjeet.Days after CPI(M) said it had “snapped all ties” with Left-backed legislator PV Anvar, another party-backed independent legislator and former minister KT Jaleel today said he would quit electoral politics after the term of the current Kerala Assembly ends in 2026. Addressing the media in Malappuram, Thavanur MLA Jaleel said: “I have no commitment to any party, be it CPI(M) or Congress. But I will continue to cooperate with the CPI(M). I agree with certain issues raised by PV Anvar. At the same time, I disagree with him on certain other issues”.The Centre has said that in emergencies where the state forest department lacks the necessary technical expertise, other government departments may be allowed to carry out forestry activities in forests to prevent natural disasters. The Union Environment Ministry on Tuesday issued guidelines detailing steps that can be taken to prevent or manage natural disasters in forest areas. The guidelines were issued after Uttarakhand's chief secretary wrote to the ministry and the National Disaster Management Authority, asking them to explore and evolve effective measures for areas prone to frequent forest fires.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express.

1. His Holiness the Dalai Lama to Participate in Long Life Prayer Ceremony Organized by Taiwanese Group 2. His Holiness the Dalai Lama Meets Kangra District Officials and Praises about Indian Government Hospitality 3. European Union Reiterates Concern about the Continuous Dire Situation in Tibet and Calls for the Preservation of Tibetan Identity 4. Sikyong Penpa Tsering Begins His Second Leg of Official Visits to Tibetan Settlements in Uttarakhand and Sirmaur 5. Sikyong Penpa Tsering Highlights Tibet's Political Situation During Meeting with Friedrich Naumann Foundation Delegation 6. Conference on Promotion of Buddhism Featuring Monks of Tibetan, Theravada, and Han Traditions Held in Taipei 7. Artistes from Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts Attend the 9th Edition of Zanskar Festival 8. ITCO- AJK Mass Communication and Research Centre Media Student Program Concludes with Insightful Documentaries on Tibetan Exile Life

As part of our ongoing collaboration with the Central Square Foundation - we bring to you the second part of this five part series where we will speak to experts in the field of EdTech to understand, how access to educational technology solutions can transform learning in the classroom and aid in shaping the overall learning and development of a child in school and at-home.Findings from a recent household-level survey conducted across families from low-income settings by Central Square Foundation, showed that EdTech reach in rural households was at 85 per cent, with nearly one-third of the households having access to ONE smartphone. Growing smartphone penetration, and India's position as the largest mobile data consumer in the world, make it an ideal ground for using technology to support learning.In this episode, Niharika Nanda will be in conversation with Gouri Gupta, Project Director for EdTech at CSF, Sashwati Banerjee, the Founder of Top Parent and Priyanka Aggarwal, a parent from Haridwar, Uttarakhand who has been using EdTech for over two years to support her child's learning at home.Hosted and produced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh PawarLink to episode 1 of our five part series with CSF:https://indianexpress.com/audio/3-things/the-rss-bjp-rift-rise-in-indian-asylum-seekers-and-a-bid-to-muzzle-press/9550762/

We explore the significance and glory of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga and the stories related to his manifestation. Many believe that Bhimashanker is in Maharashtra near Mumbai & Pune.  As per the Shiva Purana, the Bhimashanker Jyotirlinga is in Kamarupa or Assam. A third belief is that Bhimashanker is in Uttarakhand in Nainital district in a place called Ujjanak where there is a huge shiva mandir.Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

We explore the significance and glory of Bhimashankar Jyotirlinga and the stories related to his manifestation. Many believe that Bhimashanker is in Maharashtra near Mumbai & Pune.  As per the Shiva Purana, the Bhimashanker Jyotirlinga is in Kamarupa or Assam. A third belief is that Bhimashanker is in Uttarakhand in Nainital district in a place called Ujjanak where there is a huge shiva mandir.Please support this podcast by pressing the follow button and support Chinmaya Mission Mumbai projects taken up by Swami Swatmananda, through generous donations. Contribution by Indians in INR can be made online using this link: https://bit.ly/gdswatmanDonors outside India who would like to offer any Gurudakshina/donation can send an email to enquiry@chinmayamissionmumbai.com with a cc to sswatmananda@gmail.com to get further details.These podcasts @ChinmayaShivam are also available on Spotify, Apple iTunes, Apple Podcasts, Podomatic, Amazon music and Google PodcastFB page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinmayaShivampageInsta: https://instagram.com/chinmayashivam?igshid=1twbki0v3vomtTwitter: https://twitter.com/chinmayashivamBlog: https://notesnmusings.blogspot.comLinkedIN: www.linkedin.com/in/swatmananda

A version of this essay has been published by firstpost.com at https://www.firstpost.com/opinion/climate-tragedy-of-wayanad-and-the-vulnerability-of-western-ghats-13808331.htmlAfter days of intense coverage of the landslides in Wayanad, the news cycle has moved on to other calamities. But the problems remain, and things cannot be left to benign neglect as is usually the case. For example there was a strange thundering noise from deep underground that alarmed people in the area. This is ominous, as it may presage a tectonic movement, although there have been no big quakes here for centuries.A dramatic before-and-after report from Reuters, using satellite images from Planet Labs, Google, Maxar Technologies and Airbus, shows how the landslide left a giant scar on the surface of the earth, washing away hundreds of houses, leading to widespread fatalities and destruction.Prime Minister Modi visited the afflicted area. Better governance, both by Center and State, is sorely needed to tackle the problem, because it is not simple: there are proximate, preponderant and root causes. A lot of it is anthropogenic based on local factors, but climate change is also a major factor, as the local climate and rainfall patterns have shifted dramatically in the recent past. There was a drought in 2015, followed by the Ockhi cyclone in 2017, and then landslides and floods in 2018 and 2019.As a resident of Kerala, who has visited Wayanad only twice (once in 2018 and the second time in April this year), both the problems and the possible solutions are of immediate importance to me, because the very same issues are likely to crop up all over the State, and unless remedial measures are taken now, we can expect further tragedies and endless suffering. Proximate Cause: Excess RainThe proximate cause is La Nina-enhanced rainfall, which has been higher this year along the west coast. In Wayanad itself, it rained 572mm in 48 hours before the landslide: about 1.8 feet, an enormous amount. Before the Wayanad landslide, there had been another in Shirur on the Karnataka coast near Ankola, where a number of people were swept away. The story of Arjun, a Kerala trucker whose truck full of lumber disappeared, was all over the news, and after a weeks-long search, there was no sign of him or the truck. The total rainfall since June 1 was of the order of 3000mm in Wayanad, which is unusually high, creating vulnerability to landslides. In a recent interview, environmental expert Madhav Gadgil mentioned that quarrying may have added to the intensity of the rainfall, because the fine dust from the mining and explosions forms aerosols, on which water molecules condense, leading to excessive precipitation. The intense rainfall saturated the soil, and in the absence of sufficient old-growth vegetation that might have held it together, the hillside simply collapsed. Preponderant Cause: Population Pressure, Over-Tourism, EcocideThe preponderant causes of the problems in Wayanad are obvious: population pressure, over-tourism and environmental destruction. The forest has basically ceased to exist due to human exploitation. According to India Today, 62% of the green cover in the district disappeared between 1950 and 2018 while plantation cover rose by around 1,800%. Fully 85% of the total area of Wayanad was under forest cover until the 1950s.Overpopulation, settlement and habitat lossMy first visit to Wayanad was in 2018, when we drove to Kerala from Karnataka: from the Nagarhole/Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuaries to the contiguous Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, all forming a Project Tiger ecosphere along with neighboring Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu. Together they form the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. Bandipur/Nagarhole actually looks like a forest. But I was astonished when we drove into Wayanad, because it does not look like a forest any more: it is full of human habitation. It looks like any of the other districts in Kerala: thickly populated, with settlements all over the place. It appeared to be only notionally a wildlife sanctuary.Habitat loss, especially that of forest cover, is true of all of Kerala, as highlighted in a study by IISc scientists. It is startling to see how much of this has happened in just a few decades. But it is the culmination of a process that started at least a century ago. Wayanad, according to myth and legend, was once a lovely, lush forest inhabited by a small number of tribals. There were fierce Kurichya archers (it is possible they were warriors banished to the forest after losing a war) who, with Pazhassi Raja, carried on a guerilla war against the British colonials in the 19th century until the Raja was captured and executed. I visited the Pazhassi Museum in Mananthavady this May, on my second visit to Wayanad. There were artifacts there from the tribal settlements.Then, in the 20th century, there was a large migration of lowland people, mostly Christians from Central Travancore, to the Wayanad highlands (and the Western Ghats uplands in general). They encroached on public/forest lands, cleared the forests, and created plantations and agricultural settlements. Their struggles against malaria, wild animals and the land itself was the subject of Jnanpith winner S K Pottekkat's renowned novel Vishakanyaka (Poison Maiden).The public land thus captured eventually made some people rich, but the whole process also in effect enslaved the tribals, who became an exploited underclass: the very same story as of Native Americans, who are still struggling for social justice after centuries of being untermenschen.Since most of the settlers were Christians, the Church became a powerful spokesman for them. Successive governments gave a lot of the settlers title to the land they had illegally captured. So there is a class of rich planters, and on the other hand, miserable plantation workers, often migrants especially from Tamil Nadu. The green deserts need to be turned back into forestsKerala's highlands, over time, became ‘green deserts', rather than ‘tropical rainforests'. The monoculture of tea, rubber, coffee, and especially invasive species such as acacia and eucalyptus is destructive. They crowd out native species, ravage the water table, do not put down deep roots, and offer almost no sustenance to wild animals. It may look deceptively green, but it is no forest. An expert committee, the Madhav Gadgil Commission, recommended in 2011 that the entire Western Ghats was ecologically sensitive (ESA or Ecologically Sensitive Area) and 75% of it must be preserved intact with minimal human presence. The report was scathing about quarrying, including blasting with dynamite, which upset the already fragile ecosystem, ravaged as it was by the removal of old growth forest and the root system that held the soil together. At the time, Gadgil did say that the calamity would not take a 100 years, but it would happen in ten to twenty years. He was right, but he was ignored as though he were Cassandra. The Church opposed the Gadgil report tooth and nail, and the Government of Kerala pushed back on it. So the Central government created the Kasturirangan Commission (2013), which reduced the proposed ESA to 37%. It classified 60% of the Western Ghats as a ‘cultural landscape' with human settlements, plantations and agriculture. But that too was not acceptable. In fact, Jayanthi Natarajan claimed that she was forced to resign as Environment Minister because she actually notified the order on protection of the Western Ghats the day before she was removed. Her successor duly put the order on hold.Sitting Congress MP in nearby Idukki, P T Thomas, says he was dropped in the 2014 elections because he supported the Gadgil report against “encroachments… illegal constructions, quarrying, timber smuggling, sand mining from the rivers and ganja cultivation…My stand upset the Idukki dioceses of the Syro Malabar Catholic Church. The Idukki Bishop had openly opposed my candidature.”The GoK convened a third committee, the Oommen Commission (2014), which was specific to Kerala, and it recommended keeping all inhabited areas and plantations out of the ESA altogether. Mission accomplished. No more restrictions on land use.Over-tourism and carrying capacity of the landThis is one reason for the proliferation of resorts and homestays in Wayanad. Every second house caters to tourists, as can be seen from a Google Map (of the area around Kalpetta). The environmental pressure from this (what about solid waste disposal? Do they dump liquid wastes into rivers?) is horrific and increasing. Trash lines the area near the Thamarassery Pass.As a tourist myself, I did not choose a plantation resort, but instead a homestay which has a working farm. Perhaps I made a wrong choice, because a plantation has a lot of space to absorb the tourist impact. The homestay had many youngsters from Bangalore over the weekend, and it was perfectly nice, but I wonder how much I contributed to the human toll on the environment. I had gone to Wayanad to visit the Thirunelli temple and the Edakkal caves, which have petroglyphs and drawings reliably dated back to 8000 Before the Present, making them second only to the Bhimbetka caves in Madhya Pradesh, whose rock art dates back to 10,000 BP and earlier. So this area, despite the geological fault lines, has indeed been inhabited for a very long time. The carrying capacity of the land was sufficient in those prehistoric times and even up until recently; now the land can no longer sustain the population. It is also host to another recent influx. Muslims from nearby lowland Kozhikode and Malappuram districts have come up the Thamarassery Pass and settled in Wayanad in numbers. They have added to the population pressure in Wayanad. Incidentally this is one reason Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency (which includes areas from nearby Kozhikode and Malappuram districts that are heavily Muslim) is so dependably a Congress citadel. When I made my trip in April, just before elections, I asked several people who would win there: the candidates were Rahul Gandhi (Congress), Annie Raja (CPI), K Surendran (BJP). All of them said “Rahul Gandhi”. One man told me “Rahul Gandhi is going to become the PM”. Another laughed and said, “Are you joking? We all know the answer”. It was, pun intended, a landslide win for the Congress candidate. Root Cause: Geology and Errant RainfallThe root cause of the problems in Kerala is the increasingly unstable landscape. It is remarkable that Kerala has such a high number of landslides and vulnerable spots. India Today reports that Kerala has recorded the largest number of landslides in the country, 2,239 out of 3,782 that occurred between 2015 and 2022. The “Landslide Atlas of India 2023” from ISRO lists 13 out of 14 Kerala districts among the top 50 landslide-prone areas of the country.This is surprising, because the more obvious fault lines must be in the North, where the Indian Plate continues to grind up against the Eurasian Plate, and the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau continue to gain a few centimeters in elevation every year. Indeed Arunachal, Himachal, J&K and Uttarakhand are landslide-prone. But why Kerala, at the other end of the land-mass?It must be the case that there have been severe tectonic movements in Kerala in the past: the Parasurama legend of the land coming up from the sea is based on a real event, presumably caused by an earthquake in a prehistoric time frame. More recently, the thriving Kerala port of Kodungalloor (aka Muziris), the principal West Coast port in historical times along with Bharuccha in Gujarat, was suddenly rendered bereft in 1341 CE after a severe flood in the River Periyar, and port activities shifted to nearby Kochi.More recently, old-timers talk about the Great Flood of ‘99, i.e. 1099 Malabar Era, or 1924 CE. Exactly 100 years ago there were torrential rains in July, and records suggest it was 3368mm or 1326 inches over three weeks, that is 11 feet of rain. Floodwaters rose up to 6 feet, rivers changed course, and at least 1,000 people died along with large numbers of livestock, and there was massive destruction of agricultural land and foodgrains. The Flood of ‘99 became etched in the collective memory of the area, but it mostly affected the lowland areas of Travancore and Cochin, leaving the highlands largely untouched. That has changed with deforestation, quarrying, construction, and denudation of hillsides.There were the floods of 2018, which affected the hills, especially in Munnar. A full mountainside fell 300 meters into a river there. Entire settlements were washed away. A total of 2,346mm of rain or 923 inches was recorded in July and August, almost 50% higher than the norm. 483 people were killed, with many more missing and unaccounted for. Infrastructure was wiped out, including roads and clean water supply. Dams had to be opened, wreaking havoc on those downstream. There is also the perennial threat of Mullaperiyar Dam overflowing or being breached, which is, among other things, a source of friction between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Other root causes include the following: * Climate Change: A study by the World Weather Attribution group indicated that climate change has intensified rainfall in the region by about 10%, contributing significantly to the severity of the disaster. The ongoing increase in global temperatures has led to more extreme weather patterns, including heavier monsoon rains.* Soil Characteristics: Wayanad's soils are loose and erodible, particularly in areas with steep gradients exceeding 20 degrees. When saturated, these soils lose their structural integrity, making them susceptible to landslides. The presence of large boulders and mud further complicates the stability of the slopes during heavy rains.* Soil piping: Previous landslides in the region, such as the 2019 Puthumala event, created conditions for soil piping, where voids form in the subsurface soil, increasing the risk of subsequent landslides during heavy rainfall.* Lack of Effective Land Management Policies: There is a notable absence of comprehensive land use and disaster management policies in Kerala, particularly in ecologically fragile areas. Despite previous disasters, there has been insufficient progress in implementing hazard mapping and community awareness programs to mitigate risks associated with landslides.Thus Kerala is vulnerable to a host of issues, especially climate change (which is also eating away at the coastline). Behind the tropical paradise facade of “God's Own Country”, there lie tremendous dangers related to excessive human exploitation, amounting to ecocide. What is the solution? Maybe Madhav Gadgil was right, after all, and strict controls should be imposed on human activity, especially denudation of forest, and quarrying. His report had included Vythiri, Mananthavady and Sulthanbathery taluks in Wayanad as Ecologically Sensitive Zone ESZ-1, which means no change whatsoever in land use is permissible there. Chooralmala, Mundakkai, and Meppadi, where the worst of the disasters happened, are all in Vythiri taluk. No effective disaster prevention or mitigation efforts have been put in place. The only solution is reforesting and restoring green cover, and stopping construction, quarrying, and tourism and the most contentious issue, relocating people away from the ESZ. Unfortunately the tropical rainforest may not restore itself if simply left alone (as temperate-zone forests do), and perhaps efforts such as Miyawaki foresting with native species may need to be pursued.It is to be hoped that we have not passed the point of no return. Kerala's population is shrinking (Total Fertility Rate is 1.80, well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman), but there is no limit to human greed.What needs to be done There are no magic solutions, but comprehensive climate action and improved disaster management strategies can mitigate things to an extent. Experts emphasize the importance of:* Enhanced Communication and Coordination: There is a critical need for better intergovernmental communication regarding disaster preparedness. This includes timely warnings and efficient evacuation plans to mitigate the impact of natural disasters.* Land Use Policies: Implementing stringent land use regulations is essential to prevent construction in ecologically sensitive areas. The degradation of green cover due to unregulated development has significantly increased the risk of landslides.* Early Warning Systems: Developing robust early warning systems for landslides and floods can provide crucial alerts to communities at risk. These systems should be supported by regular community education and drills to ensure residents are prepared for emergencies.* Afforestation and Environmental Conservation: Massive afforestation and reforestation drives (especially with native species) are necessary to stabilize hillsides and reduce landslide risks. Protecting and restoring natural habitats can help mitigate the effects of climate change and enhance biodiversity. Collaborating with local communities for reforestation projects can also provide economic incentives and foster a sense of stewardship.* Community Engagement: Empowering local communities to participate in disaster preparedness and environmental conservation efforts is vital. Education on risks and proactive measures can significantly reduce the impact of disasters.* Tourism Management: Over-tourism can exacerbate environmental degradation. Developing a sustainable tourism strategy that limits visitor numbers, promotes eco-friendly practices, and educates tourists about environmental conservation is essential. Establishing eco-tourism zones and supporting community-based tourism initiatives can provide economic benefits while preserving the natural environment.* Regulation of Quarrying and Construction: Strict regulation and monitoring of quarrying and construction activities are necessary to prevent ecological damage. Implementing sustainable practices in these industries, such as controlled quarrying methods and responsible waste management, can mitigate their impact on the environment. Regular audits and penalties for non-compliance can enforce these regulations.* Surveillance and meteorological data collection: With modern technology like drones, continuous monitoring of the landscape is possible at a relatively low cost; and this can also be used for collecting large amounts of meteorological data to support early-warning systems. Satellite images from India's own as well as foreign sources can be used to warn of dangerous construction, quarrying, and loss of forest cover. Some of these are purely technical solutions, offering computerized forecasts and disaster warnings. The social and governance aspects are even more important: discipline, co-operation and awareness on the part of the residents, and the strict enforcement of land use rules and regulations. Dealing with powerful settlers, encroachers, and vested interests requires a delicate balance of enforcement and negotiation, carrot and stick. Government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and local communities must collaborate to develop and implement policies that address these challenges. Advocacy for stronger environmental laws and community involvement in decision-making processes can help align interests and foster co-operation.With all these in place, it may be possible to repair the damaged hills of the Western Ghats, one of the global hotspots of biodiversity. 2200 words, Aug 17, 2024 updated 3000 words, Aug 19 This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit rajeevsrinivasan.substack.com

Kolkata doctor's rape-murder: 12-hour Bengal bandh call; CM Mamata Banerjee to lead protest, ISRO set to launch EOS-8 satellite with SSLV-D3 today, Uttarakhand nurse raped, murdered while returning from hospital; 1 arrested, Ben Affleck celebrates birthday with ex-wife Jennifer Garner while Lopez drops blast from the past, Jay Shah's sizzling take on India's one coach stance

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things by The Indian Express and I'm Ichha SharmaToday is the 15th of August and here are the headlines.In the first Independence Day speech of his third term, Prime Minister Narendra addressed core ideological issues, underlining the need to move towards a “secular civil code” instead of the existent “communal civil code”. PM Modi said, quote, “The Supreme Court has repeatedly discussed a Uniform Civil Code in India. It is true that the civil code that we have is a communal civil code. It is based on discrimination. It is our duty to fulfil the vision of our constitution makers. Unquote.A team of UN experts will visit Bangladesh next week to investigate the killings of protesters before and after Sheikh Hasina's resignation as Prime Minister last week. According to a post by the Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh on X, this will be the first UN fact-finding mission to Bangladesh since its independence in 1971 to address widespread human rights abuses. Muhammad Yunus, who assumed office as Chief Adviser on the 8th of August following Hasina's departure to India, confirmed the visit. The mission will focus on atrocities committed during the Student Revolution in July and early August over the government job quota reforms.The Central Bureau of Investigation summoned five doctors today for questioning in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a trainee doctor at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. The Kolkata police detained nine people following a night of violence and vandalism on the ground floor of the Emergency building at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Nurses have demanded proper security on the premises, with one stating to PTI that such hooliganism inside a hospital is unacceptable.Meanwhile, in Uttarakhand's Udham Singh Nagar district, a daily wage worker was arrested a week after the body of a nurse working in a private hospital was found. According to police, the accused, identified as Dharmendra Kumar from Bareilly, allegedly sexually assaulted and murdered the woman after intercepting her while she was going home alone after duty at the hospital on the 30th of July. This incident comes in the wake of indefinite nationwide protests against the rape and murder case of a junior doctor in a Kolkata hospital.On the global front, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida announced that he will be stepping down from his position next month and will not contest the upcoming election for a new chief of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. Kishida has faced a tumultuous time in office, with his government plagued by scandals and an approval rating of just 20 percent, indicating a severe erosion of public trust.This was the catch up on 3 Things for the Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Ichha Sharma.It's the 2nd of August and here are this week's headlines.Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi along with sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited landslides-hit areas of Wayanad and said he was “deeply pained” to see people who have lost family members and homes in the tragedy, calling it a “national disaster” and demanded an urgent comprehensive action plan. The death toll has risen to 277, with over 200 injured, Kerala Chief Minister Pinaraya  Vijayan has confirmed that 240 people remain missing, while more than 1500 have been rescued from the affected areas.UPSC on Wednesday cancelled trainee IAS officer Puja Manorama Dilip Khedkar's candidature in the 2022 Civil Services Examination and barred her from appearing for any future examinations of the commission, after finding she had violated rules by appearing for the exam more times than what was allowed. UPSC had examined the data of the over 15,000 recommended candidates from 2009 to 2023, and found that apart from her, no other candidate had availed of more attempts than what is permitted under the CSE Rules.Building collapsing in Kullu, roads being washed away, pilgrims being airlifted — these were the scenes in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh on Thursday as multiple cloudbursts led to rain wreaking havoc claiming 5 lives in Himachal and 2 in Uttarakhand. Chardham Yatra registrations were put on hold and a safety advisory was issued urging the devotees to delay their travel due to the weather conditions.Meanwhile, Manu Bhaker made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to win two medals in the same Olympic Games after combining with Sarabjot Singh on Wednesday to win a bronze medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event. On Monday, she won India's first medal of the Paris Olympics, in the process becoming the first ever female shooter from India to win an Olympic medal.On the global front, Ismail Haniyeh, the Qatar-based public face of Hamas, was assassinated in Iran on Wednesday in what might mark a defining moment in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group. A day later, on Thursday the Israeli military confirmed that the Hamas' military wing chief Mohammed Deif was killed in an airstrike in Gaza in July. Haniyeh was killed in Tehran, where he had gone to attend the inauguration of the newly-elected Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.This was the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express.

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 1st of August and here are today's headlines.In the devastating Kerala landslides, the death toll has risen to 277, with over 200 injured as of earlier this morning, following a series of landslides in the hilly areas near Meppadi in Wayanad district. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra have arrived at the disaster site and are set to visit relief camps and the medical college to support and meet with the affected families. Additionally, CM Pinarayi Vijayan chaired an all-party meeting in Wayanad to address the crisis and noted the challenges faced in bringing in machinery to assist with the rescue operations but highlighted that the completion of the Bailey Bridge has significantly facilitated the efforts.Union Home Minister Amit Shah is slated to today, introduce a bill to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, in both Houses of Parliament. This comes amid devastating landslides in Kerala's Wayanad. A day earlier, Shah had said that the Centre had given an early warning to Kerala on July 23 and again on July 24 and July 25, following which nine NDRF teams were dispatched to the state. He said the loss of lives could have been minimised had the Kerala government become alert following the arrival of NDRF teams.Building collapsing in Kullu, roads being washed away, pilgrims being airlifted — these were the scenes in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh earlier this morning as multiple cloudbursts led to rain wreaking havoc claiming 5 lives in Himachal and 2 in Uttarakhand. Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami visited the areas affected by heavy rains in Baheda Tehri Garhwal to monitor the rescue and relief operations underway. Chardham Yatra registrations have been put on hold for the time being and a safety advisory has been issued urging the devotees to delay their travel due to the weather conditions.Starting with India at the Olympics, it was another historic moment in the sport of shooting as Swapnil Kusale became the first Indian to win a medal in the 50m Rifle 3-Position event, clinching bronze with a fine fightback. Meanwhile, it's an all-Indian clash with Lakshya Sen taking on HS Prannoy in the men's singles round of 16 while PV Sindhu and Satwik-Chirag will also be in action in the women's singles round of 16 and men's doubles quarterfinal respectively.The Israeli military confirmed today that the Hamas' military wing chief Mohammed Deif was killed in an airstrike in Gaza on the 13th of July. This comes a day after a senior Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Iran. On July 13, the Israeli military hit a compound in Mawasi to the west of Khan Younis, which killed over 90 people and injured 300, according to Gaza health officials. At the time, there had been no immediate confirmation that Deif was killed.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

In this podcast, Kushal speaks with Tushar Gupta about the Uttar Pradesh government's directive that instructed all food establishments to display their owner's names in all the food shops on the Kanwar Yatra route. In an interim order on Monday, the Supreme Court blocked Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand's directives. However, these establishments must indicate the type of food being sold. The Court was addressing multiple petitions, including one from the NGO Association of Protection of Civil Rights (APCR), challenging the directives. Follow Tushar Gupta: Twitter: @Tushar15_ #kanwar #kanwaryatra #supremecourt #supremecourtofindia #uttarpradesh ------------------------------------------------------------ Listen to the podcasts on: SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/kushal-mehra-99891819 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rVcDV3upgVurMVW1wwoBp Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-c%C4%81rv%C4%81ka-podcast/id1445348369 Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-carvaka-podcast ------------------------------------------------------------ Support The Cārvāka Podcast: Buy Kushal's Book: https://amzn.in/d/58cY4dU Become a Member on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPx... Become a Member on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/carvaka UPI: kushalmehra@icici To buy The Carvaka Podcast Exclusive Merch please visit: http://kushalmehra.com/shop ------------------------------------------------------------ Follow Kushal: Twitter: https://twitter.com/kushal_mehra?ref_... Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KushalMehraO... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecarvakap... Koo: https://www.kooapp.com/profile/kushal... Inquiries: https://kushalmehra.com/ Feedback: kushalmehra81@gmail.com

Joshimath, an ancient spiritual town in Uttarakhand, is facing an existential threat due to land subsidence or urban sinking. Future of people who call this town their home is uncertain. The entire region has been divided into danger zones and safe zones. Some residents seek compensation to give up their homes while some don't want to move at all. Sudeshna Chowdhury visits the town and speaks to residents to find out more about the issue.See sunoindia.in/privacy-policy for privacy information.

First, Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah talks about a landmark Supreme Court judgment in a citizenship case and shares her findings about the individual involved.Next, Indian Express' Dheeraj Mishra explains the controversial order issued by the UP and Uttarakhand governments regarding the Kanwar Yatra and explores why it has posed a setback for the BJP (15:16).And in the end, Indian Express' Ritu Sarin tells us why two books by former Army Chiefs have been held by the Ministry of Defence (23:26).Hosted, written, and produced by Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Join us for a comprehensive analysis of recent developments impacting the Muslim community, including Supreme Court judgments, the closure of madrasas in Uttar Pradesh, and the proposed Uniform Civil Code in Uttarakhand. Explore the legal and social ramifications of these measures under Prime Minister Modi's administration, discussed by experts in the field.

First, Indian Express' Sukrita Baruah talks to us about a strategically important dam project coming up in Arunachal Pradesh that will help in the production of hydropower but is a bone of contention between the government and the local people. Next, Indian Express' Avaneesh Mishra speaks to us about a decline in the yield and area under cultivation of fruits in Uttarakhand. He talks about the reasons behind this decline and how it is impacting the fruit farmers of the state. (10:13)And in the end, we give you an update on the NEET UG controversy. The CBI has arrested a man who is considered to be a kingpin in the entire paper leak case of the NEET UG 2024. (19:40)Hosted, written and produced by Niharika NandaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Uttarakhand མངའ་སྡེའི་སྤྱི་ཁྱབ་བློན་ཆེན་མཆོག་དོན་གྲུབ་གླིང་བོད་མིའི་གཞིས་ཆགས་སུ་ཆེད་ཕེབས་གནང་སོང་། The post Uttarakhand མངའ་སྡེའི་སྤྱི་ཁྱབ་བློན་ཆེན་མཆོག་དོན་གྲུབ་གླིང་བོད་མིའི་གཞིས་ཆགས་སུ་ཆེད་ཕེབས་གནང་སོང་། appeared first on vot.

An adventure trip is curated with terrain and domain knowledge and planning is a critical part of the exercise. In Uttarakhand's case, the Karnataka Mountaineering Association seemed to be too ambitious.  

Haldukhata, Uttarakhand, June 02, 2024: Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 6th of June and here are today's headlines.Prime Minister Narendra Modi's swearing-in ceremony is likely to take place on the evening of 9th of June, according to sources. Earlier, the ceremony was slated to take place on the 8th of June, but now it may be held at 6 pm on Sunday. The swearing-in of Telugu Desam Party chief N Chandrababu Naidu as the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh is likely to be postponed to 12th of June from 9th of June, as he has to attend PM Modi's swearing-in first.Meanwhile, there were more than 150 politicians who shifted from one political party to another in the fray in the elections. Of these, 13 candidates or their family members are facing probes either by the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Income Tax Department, or the Enforcement Directorate. Of the 13, eight had switched sides to the BJP — seven from Congress and one from Trinamool Congress; two had switched sides to the Shiv Sena Shinde faction from the Shiv Sena, one switched to TDP from YSRCP; and two to Congress from the Jharkhand Vikas Party and Punjab Ekta Party, respectively.The India Meteorological Department issued a yellow alert for thunderstorms and lightning in Mumbai, Thane, and Raigad districts starting today. Similarly, the Pune Fire Brigade had received 50 calls related to water logging and tree falls as rainwater logged major portions of roads due flash floods that hit several parts of the city. The rainfall, which meteorologists said, was very close to a cloud burst that was localized in nature.Nine trekkers from Bengaluru died in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi after their 22-member team which was on a trekking expedition to Sahastra Tal was hit by bad weather on Tuesday afternoon. Officials confirmed today after four more bodies were recovered. The deceased were part of a 19-member group of trekkers from The Karnataka Mountaineering Association.In global news today, Israel targeted a Gaza school that it alleged contained an Hamas compound, killing fighters involved in the Oct. 7 attack. On theother hand, the Gaza media said the strike killed at least 27 people seeking shelter. The Hamas-run government media office, rejected Israel's claims that the UN school in Nuseirat, in central Gaza, had hidden a Hamas command post. Israel's military said that before the strike by Israeli fighter jets, the military took steps to reduce the risk of harm to civilians. Israel has said there will be no halt to fighting during ceasefire talks.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

Hannah Ellis-Petersen reports from Uttarakhand, which offers a glimpse into what the future might look like if the BJP retains its power in national elections. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Two cases - one in Pune and the other in Uttarakhand - bring to the spotlight juveniles and the criminal justice system again. Sidharth Pillai, co-founder of the Rati Foundation, talks to TOI's Ambika Pandit about the challenges of tackling online sexual abuse that involves teenagers. Then Monica Kumar from the Manas Foundation talks about why the reformation of underage accused shouldn't be ignored. And finally, Gitanjali Prasad from the Azim Premji Foundation talks about what the Pune case reveals about the juvenile justice system. 

Dehradun, Uttarakhand, May 19, 2024: Discourse by Satguru Mata Sudiksha Ji Maharaj

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 15th of May and here are today's headlines.Invalidating his arrest in a terror case, the Supreme Court today ordered the release of Newsclick founder-editor Prabir Purkayastha. The reason the court gave: the Delhi Police failed to inform Purkayastha the grounds of his arrest before taking him into custody. The ruling is significant because it emphasises that proper procedure and due process are the guardrails against arbitrary action, even in stringent terror cases. Purkayastha was arrested on 3rd of October 2023 by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police, who alleged that Newsclick received money for pro-China propaganda.One of the 14 people who were trapped after a lift collapsed at a copper mine in Rajasthan's Neem Ka Thana district passed away today, hours after all of them were rescued. Besides workers, members of a Vigilance team from Kolkata and senior officials of the Khetri Copper Corporation were also trapped following the collapse on Tuesday night. The incident took place in Hindustan Copper Limited's Kolihan mine, located in the Khetri area. Ambulances have been rushed to the spot and doctors have been asked to be prepared for any emergency.While reacting to the warning issued by the United States a day after India and Iran signed a 10-year contract to operate the strategic Iranian port of Chabahar,  External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today, asserted that the agreement will benefit the entire region. He said, “We have a long association with the Chabahar port but we could never sign a long-term agreement. The reason being there were various problems on the Iranian end, it's a JV (joint venture), partners changed, conditions changed. Finally, we were able to sort this out and get the long-term agreement done. A long-term agreement is necessary, because without it, you cannot really improve the port operations, which we believe will benefit the entire region.” Unquote.Coming down heavily on the Uttarakhand government, the Supreme Court today said it was “at pains to say that the state's approach in controlling forest fires has been lackadaisical,”. It added that though action plans were prepared and finalised, no steps have been taken for their implementation. Hearing a plea raising the issue of forest fires in Uttarakhand, the top court also directed the Chief Secretary to be present before it on 17th of May. Flagging a huge vacancy in the state's forest department, the Supreme Court said the issue needs to be addressed.As Israel-Hamas war continues to rage on, the Israeli Defence Forces claimed to eliminate Hussain Ibrahim Mekky, a senior field commander in Hezbollah, by an IAF aircraft strike overnight. The IDF made the announcement in an 'operational update' on its official X handle and claimed that Mekky was responsible for "various acts of terrorism" against Israel. Mekky previously served as the commander of Hezbollah's forces in the coastal region, said the IDF post.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.

First, Indian Express' Apurva Vishwanath joins us to talk about Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal getting a bail. After his bail plea was denied multiple times, the Supreme Court finally granted him bail. Apurva talks about how it all unfolded. Next, Indian Express' Naveed Iqbal talks to us about why the Kargil unit of the National Conference resigned collectively, along with sharing insights about the political climate in Jammu and Kashmir as it moves towards its first Parliamentary elections post the revocation of article 370. (12:00)And in the end, Indian Express' Avaneesh Mishra joins us to talk about the increasing frequency of forest fires in Uttarakhand and why it is happening. (20:33)Hosted by Niharika NandaProduced and written by Niharika Nanda and Shashank BhargavaEdited and mixed by Suresh Pawar

Shekhar Joshi was born in Almora, Uttarakhand. His stories carried his home in them. An important voice in the ‘Nayi Kahani' movement of Hindi literature, Joshi's stories talked of the struggles of his people, their poverty, exploitation and resistance. This story ‘Dajyu' was also made into a film by the Children's Film Society of India. ​​हिंदी साहित्य के 'नयी कहानी' युग की सशक्त आवाज़, शेखर जोशी की कहानियों में उत्तराखंड के कुमाऊँ क्षेत्र की हवा और हरियाली बसी है. लेकिन यथार्त से दूर नहीं हैं ये कहानियां. पहाड़ी इलाकों की गरीबी, जीवन संघर्ष, प्रतिरोध की बात उनके लेखन में उतनी ही झलकती है, जितनी पहाड़ी जीवन की सौम्यता और सौंदर्य. #kumaon #kumaoni #Himalayas #mountains #childrensStory #ShekharJoshi #childhood

ThePrintAM: Why did SC pull up Uttarakhand govt in Patanjali ads case?

This is the Catch Up on 3 Things for the Indian Express and I'm Flora Swain.It's the 11th of April and here are today's headlines.The Central Bureau of Investigation today arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha, who is accused of allegedly paying Rs 100 crore to Aam Aadmi Party leaders in return for liquor licences in the Capital. She is currently under the Enforcement Directorate's custody at Tihar jail over the matter. This comes days after a Delhi court had given permission to the central probe agency to interrogate her. She was arrested from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on 15th of March.Addressing an election rally in Uttarakhand, Prime Minister Narendra today sought to draw a contrast between his “strong government”, which he said brought safety and security to the country, and previous “weak and unstable” governments. Targeting the Congress, he said that for the party's leaders, their families always came first. He also repeated his criticism of the Opposition party for declining the invitation for the consecration ceremony of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.Apple has sent a fresh round of threat notifications to some of its users in India, along with 91 other countries. It has warned them that their iPhone could have been potentially attacked by “mercenary spyware,” including the Israeli NSO Group's controversial Pegasus malware. Last October, it had sent a similar notification to Opposition leaders across parties warning of a “potential state-sponsored spyware attack” on their iPhones. After pressure from the government, the company had later clarified that it “does not attribute the threat notifications to any specific state-sponsored attacker”.More than 6,000 Indian workers will arrive in Israel during April and May to help the country's construction sector meet a labour shortage post the Israel-Hamas conflict. They will be will be brought to Israel on “air shuttle” following a joint decision by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office (PMO), finance ministry and the construction and housing ministry on subsidising charter flights. The construction industry of Israel employs workers in specific fields where there is a lack of Israeli workers.Eleven men and one woman, all said to be Indian nationals, have been arrested by the UK's immigration authorities in a series of raids on suspicion of being in breach of their visa conditions and working illegally at a bedding and cake factory. Meanwhile, the two businesses could now face substantial fines if it is established they employed illegal workers at their factories and failed to conduct relevant pre-employment checks. In February this year, the Home Office tripled fines for employers who allow illegal migrants to work for them.This was the Catch-Up on the 3 Things by The Indian Express.