Category: India

  • Deported Dreams: Young Migrants Return from Failed US Journey

    Deported Dreams: Young Migrants Return from Failed US Journey

    Many young people dreamed of a better life in the United States and left their homes for that chance. Families sold their land, took loans, and made huge sacrifices to help them go abroad. Sadly, instead of discovering new opportunities, they found themselves back in Amritsar on a US military plane, deported and feeling lost about the future.

    In this latest group of deportees, 65 were from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, and a few from other states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh. Sourav, a 20-year-old from Chandiwala village, returned home on Sunday after being caught trying to cross the border on January 27. He had left on December 17, hoping to start a new life in America. “We were held in a detention center for 18 days,” Sourav said, explaining that their mobile phones were taken away and that they were told they would be moved to another camp before being put on a plane back to India.

    Sourav’s family sold two acres of land and borrowed a lot of money to support his journey, spending around ₹45-46 lakh. The route to the US took him through Amsterdam, Panama, and Mexico, only to end in detention.

    Harjit Singh, from Khanowal Ghuman village, had also hoped for a better life with his cousin. Instead, they returned home handcuffed. “We were caught trying to cross the US border on January 27 and kept in a detention center for 18 days. We were deported on February 13, chained and handcuffed,” he said, feeling deep disappointment. His family spent ₹90 lakh, which feels like a lot of money wasted.

    Mantaj Singh, a 22-year-old from Bodal village, also faced troubles at the US border. He took a risky route called the “donkey route,” often used by illegal migrants, trusting people who only saw him as a way to make money.

    In Behbal Bahadur village, Sahil Preet Singh’s family used all their savings—about ₹40-45 lakh—to send him abroad. His mother, Harvinder Kaur, said they sold their land and pawned jewelry, only to be tricked by a dishonest travel agent. “We were cheated,” she cried, hoping the government would help her son and take action against the agent.

    Another young man, Jaswinder Singh from Dharamkot village, had also raised money by selling land. After nearly 45 days of trying to reach the US, he and his family returned empty-handed, victims of lies from the person they trusted.

    Their experiences echo the stories of many others. When the first group of deportees arrived in Amritsar on February 5, their tales were almost the same. They all sought a better life, but returned home feeling defeated, caught in a system that exploits hope and desperation.

  • Confusion Sparks Deadly Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station”

    Confusion Sparks Deadly Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station”

    On Saturday night, a terrible stampede at New Delhi Railway Station resulted in the deaths of 18 people. The chaos was caused by confusion over two trains with similar names: Prayagraj Express and Prayagraj Special. The Prayagraj Special was set to arrive at Platform 16, which confused passengers waiting for the Prayagraj Express at Platform 14.

    Because of the announcement, many passengers rushed to Platform 16, thinking they were missing their train. This caused overcrowding and led to a stampede. Thousands of people were at the station, many of whom were traveling to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh 2025 festival, creating even more excitement and confusion.

    At the same time, four trains were scheduled to leave for Prayagraj, but three of them were delayed, adding to the number of travelers at the station. Passengers who could not board the Prayagraj Express began running towards other platforms, leading to a chaotic situation.

    In response to the tragedy, Delhi Police held a meeting to discuss the incident and has begun an investigation. The Indian Railways has promised to compensate the families of those who died with Rs 10 lakh (1 million) each. For seriously injured passengers, compensation of Rs 2.5 lakh (250,000), and Rs 1 lakh (100,000) for those with minor injuries has also been announced.

  • Sourav’s Heartbreaking Journey: The Cost of Illegal Immigration to the US

    Sourav’s Heartbreaking Journey: The Cost of Illegal Immigration to the US

    Sourav, an Indian man who was deported from the United States, shared his difficult story. He revealed that he and his family spent around ₹45 lakhs (about $54,000) to help him reach the US, but it was all in vain. Sourav’s parents sold their land and borrowed money from relatives to fund his journey. “I want help from the government because my parents lost everything for this,” he said.

    Sourav entered the US on January 27 and was caught by the police just a few hours later. They took him to a police station and then to a camp, where he stayed for 15-18 days. He explained that there was no one to listen to them, and when they were finally told they were moving to another camp, they were surprised to find out they were being sent back to India.

    His journey started on December 17 when he left India. He first went to Malaysia and then to Mumbai, where he stayed for ten days. After that, he traveled to Amsterdam, Panama, Tapachula, and finally Mexico, where he stayed for about three to four days before trying to cross the US border.

    Sourav said, “We cooperated with the American authorities, but no one listened to us. Our hands and legs were tied, and our phones were taken away while we were in the camp, so we couldn’t contact anyone back home.”

    Recently, two planes carrying Indian citizens who illegally migrated to America have returned them to India. The first plane landed in Amritsar on February 5, carrying 100 people, and the second plane arrived just days later with more deportees.

  • Supreme Court: Workplace Criticism Is Not a Crime

    Supreme Court: Workplace Criticism Is Not a Crime

    The Supreme Court has decided that when a boss gives criticism at work, it doesn’t count as an intentional insult that leads to criminal charges. The court explained that this kind of action could cause serious problems in the workplace, making it hard for everyone to do their jobs properly.

    A panel of justices, Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, stated that simply being rude, disrespectful, or mean does not qualify as an intentional insult under a specific law known as Section 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). This law deals with insults that aim to provoke a fight or cause trouble. The law carries a penalty of up to two years in jail, but it will soon be replaced by a new law from July 2024.

    This ruling came when the court canceled a 2022 case against the acting director of the National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities. The director was accused of insulting an assistant professor for complaining about him. The professor also claimed the director did not provide enough personal protective equipment (PPE), risking the health of everyone during the Covid-19 pandemic.

    However, the Supreme Court found that the accusations were more guesses than real proof. The court said that the boss’s criticism was part of keeping things in line at work, which is expected. The justices emphasized that every person in charge should expect their team to work sincerely and with commitment.

  • Excavation Planned at Kurkihar: A Journey into Ancient Bihar’s History

    Excavation Planned at Kurkihar: A Journey into Ancient Bihar’s History

    Patna: The Archaeological Survey of India’s Patna Circle wants to dig at Kurkihar village in Bihar’s Gaya district to find hidden treasures and learn about the area’s history. Kurkihar is located about 5 km northeast of Wazirganj and 27 km east of Gaya. It is thought to have been an ancient city and a Buddhist monastery.

    In the past, a famous archaeologist named Alexander Cunningham visited Kurkihar in the 1800s. He found many Buddhist sculptures and votive stupas (small shrines). Cunningham, who explored many historical sites like Sarnath and Sanchi, was the first director of the Archaeological Survey of India.

    Sujeet Nayan, the Superintending Archaeologist for the Patna Circle, confirmed they are seeking permission to start digging at Kurkihar. Other archaeologists have also noted the site’s importance over the years. According to Nayan, Kurkihar has a large mound of bricks and remains of a significant monastery that is about 25 feet tall.

    In 1930, a historian named K P Jayaswal discovered about 226 bronze sculptures in Kurkihar, which ended up in museums, including Patna Museum. The area holds valuable historical treasures that need proper exploration. Some stone statues from the Pala period have also been found, and some are still worshipped at a local temple.

    Additionally, there are many inscriptions on the bronze sculptures related to rulers of the Pala dynasty that ruled from the 9th Century to 1074 AD. One inscription mentions a popular monastery called Apanaka that attracted visitors from far-off places. Nayan believes there is much more to uncover at Kurkihar.

  • Mucherla: Inspiring Organ Donation Movement in a Small Village

    Mucherla: Inspiring Organ Donation Movement in a Small Village

    In Telangana’s Hanumakonda district, a small village named Mucherla is showing a big heart when it comes to organ donation. While many places don’t have enough people donating organs, Mucherla stands out because all 500 residents have promised to donate their eyes after they pass away. This movement started years ago when Mandala Ravinder, an engineer from the village, decided to donate his mother’s eyes after she died. He believes that organs should not go to waste, and has also donated his father’s organs. He encourages others to join in, hoping to help people who need it.

    Ravinder has become the go-to person in Mucherla for organ donation. Whenever there’s a death in the village, families reach out to him. He then contacts local doctors to ensure the donation goes smoothly. This has made the village feel more connected and united in a mission to help others, even after they are gone.

    What began as a few eye donations has now grown into a larger movement, inspiring people from nearby villages to pledge their eyes to the LV Prasad Eye Institute. Health experts regularly visit Mucherla to educate locals about organ donation.

    Mucherla has also put a solid system in place to handle these donations. They keep detailed records and have good communication with hospitals nearby to act quickly when donations are needed. Local resident B Sujatha, who proudly donated her mother’s eyes, said she feels proud to help decrease vision problems in society. “We donated my mother’s eyes, and I take great pride in our role in helping others,” she said.

    Mucherla’s efforts have been recognized, and they received the ‘Excellence in Eye Donation’ award from the Governor for their amazing work and raising awareness about organ donation.

  • Eight Gujaratis Deported from US Return Home: A Heartfelt Reunion

    Eight Gujaratis Deported from US Return Home: A Heartfelt Reunion

    A plane that brought back eight people from Gujarat, who were deported from the US for staying there illegally, landed at Ahmedabad airport on Sunday morning. The flight arrived from Amritsar at 11 am. After they landed, police helped take these deportees to their homes in Gujarat. Among them was a woman and a child.

    These eight people were part of a larger group of 116 Indians who were sent back to India on a US military plane that had landed in Amritsar the night before. Out of the eight deportees, three were from Gandhinagar and one was from Ahmedabad. They are from the second group of Indians who have been sent home after former President Donald Trump started a crackdown on illegal immigrants.

    In a previous incident on February 5, another US military plane brought 104 illegal immigrants to Amritsar, which sparked criticism from many people. Among those were 33 individuals from Gujarat. A third plane carrying 157 more deportees was also expected to arrive in Amritsar on Sunday.

    Former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel expressed sympathy for the deported Gujaratis, stating that many of them went to find jobs or careers, and they should not be seen as criminals.

  • Assam Launches BPO Centre to Empower Rural Youth with Jobs

    Assam Launches BPO Centre to Empower Rural Youth with Jobs

    Assam’s Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, opened a new BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) Delivery Centre called RuralShores in Guwahati. This special centre aims to create job opportunities for young people in rural areas. The goal is to help less-privileged youth by giving them steady jobs while also helping companies find talented workers from rural India.

    RuralShores is part of the Sri Madhusudan Sai Global Humanitarian Mission, which already supports more than 3,000 employees at 12 centres in eight different states. They provide various services, including checking online content, organizing data, monitoring social media, verifying insurance documents, and managing emails and chats.

    During the opening, Sarma thanked Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, the founder of this initiative. He expressed hope that this BPO will help the youth of Assam and reduce their need to move to other places for jobs. Sarma also encouraged setting up more BPO centres throughout the state. The government promises to create the right conditions to help these centres thrive, ensuring skilled youths can find exciting job opportunities close to home.

  • Tragic Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims 15 Lives

    Tragic Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station Claims 15 Lives

    A serious stampede happened at New Delhi Railway Station on Saturday night, killing 15 people. Thousands of people were trying to catch trains to the Maha Kumbh festival in Prayagraj, which caused the crowd to get extremely big and unmanageable.

    An Indian Air Force sergeant named Ajit, who witnesses the chaos, shared how officials tried to ask people to avoid gathering in large numbers, but nobody listened. He said there was a massive crowd and he couldn’t even get through the station after his duty. He and a friend helped some injured people during the stampede.

    Another person who saw it happen described how the crowd became uncontrollable. He mentioned that there were people from the administration and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) trying to help, but when the crowd got too big, it was impossible to manage.

    One victim’s brother, Sanjay, shared his heartbreak, saying, “We were 12 people going to Mahakumbh. My family was stuck in the crowd, and we found my sister half an hour later—she had died.”

    The confusion started when an announcement said a train was moved to a different platform. This caused people to rush from both sides, leading to the stampede.

    Delays with train departures and the sale of many general tickets made the situation worse. Pappu, a passenger from Patna, said, “My mother died in the stampede. We were going home.”

    NDRF officer Daulat Ram Chaudhary confirmed the situation was now under control, and they were rescuing people.

    DCP Railway KPS Malhotra said the officials expected a large crowd, but the chaos happened very suddenly. An investigation has been started by the Railway Board to find out what went wrong.

    The situation improved, and the Railway Board said two experts are looking into the incident. They even arranged for extra trains to help manage the crowd.

    Entry to the railway station was stopped for a short time to regain control. Although it was chaotic, DCP Malhotra stated that everything is normal now, and special trains were provided to help passengers.

  • Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: 18 Dead; Many Injured

    Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: 18 Dead; Many Injured

    New Delhi: A sad incident happened on Saturday at the New Delhi Railway Station when a stampede occurred, leading to the death of 18 people and many injuries. The chaos started at platform number 14, where a lot of people gathered to catch three trains heading to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival.

    President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared their thoughts on social media, expressing deep sorrow for the lost lives and sending prayers for the injured. Rahul Gandhi, the leader of the opposition, criticized the government for not managing the crowd properly. He stated that better arrangements should have been made since many people were traveling for the festival and that no one should have lost their life because of poor planning.

    Reports say that the stampede happened because staircases leading to platforms 14 and 15 were blocked by railway officials to manage the crowd. Unfortunately, as trains were delayed, more passengers pushed towards the blocked staircases, leading to the stampede.

    Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav announced that an investigation into the tragic event has been ordered, expressing sorrow for those affected. Delhi’s Chief Minister Atishi also visited victims in the hospital and offered condolences to the families.

    Local leaders, including AAP head Arvind Kejriwal, called the situation tragic and shared their hopes for peace for those who lost loved ones. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia described the incident as a result of administrative negligence, questioning how the public keeps suffering from such failures.