Category: India

  • Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: 18 Lives Lost in Tragedy

    Stampede at New Delhi Railway Station: 18 Lives Lost in Tragedy

    A tragic stampede at New Delhi Railway Station happened late Saturday night, resulting in the deaths of at least 18 people. Thousands of people were trying to catch trains to Prayagraj for the Maha Kumbh festival. The chaos started around 10 pm when the crowd became too large to manage.

    Eyewitnesses described the scene as frightening. Ajit, a sergeant in the Indian Air Force, recounted, “I was coming back from my duty, and the crowd was enormous. I tried to get people to move away from the platform, but no one listened.” Ajit and a friend helped several injured people.

    The crowd was larger than the station could handle, one witness said, “It felt like a disaster waiting to happen. There were so many people that it was impossible to control them.”

    Among the victims was Sanjay, who lost his sister in the stampede. “We were a group of 12 family members. We were still on the stairs when everything happened. We found her half an hour later, but by then it was too late,” he recalled, filled with sorrow.

    The situation worsened when an announcement changed where one train would arrive, causing more people to rush to the platform. “No one was controlling the crowd,” another witness said. “When the announcer said the train would come on a different platform, everyone pushed to get there, and a stampede broke out.”

    The station was also overcrowded because about 1,500 general tickets were being sold, and there were delays in trains. Pappu, a man from Patna, lost his mother in the panic. “She didn’t make it. We were just trying to go home,” he said, his voice shaking with sadness.

    After the incident, Daulat Ram Chaudhary from the National Disaster Response Force said, “The situation is now under control. We have rescued the injured.” The authorities had anticipated a large crowd but were surprised by how quickly things got out of hand. KPS Malhotra, the Deputy Commissioner of Police Railway, said, “We thought we could manage the crowd, but it happened so fast. We will investigate what went wrong.”

    On Sunday, the Railway Board created a special team to look into what led to the stampede. Dilip Kumar, a member of the Board, confirmed train services had resumed. “We have controlled the situation and even added four special trains to help with the crowd. Some people fainted and were taken to nearby hospitals,” he explained.

  • “Investigation Launched: Rs 122 Crore Embezzlement at New India Bank

    “Investigation Launched: Rs 122 Crore Embezzlement at New India Bank

    The Mumbai police are investigating Hitesh Mehta, the General Manager of New India Cooperative Bank, because he and some others are accused of stealing a whopping Rs 122 crore! This happened just after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) took control of the bank for a year, putting an administrator in charge.

    Just before that, the RBI made it hard for people to take out their money due to worries about what’s been happening in the bank. So many customers rushed to the bank branches on Friday, hoping to get their savings, but they couldn’t even get inside!

    Hitesh Mehta is currently being questioned by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the police. This investigation began after the bank’s acting CEO, Devarshi Ghosh, reported the mismanagement. According to Ghosh’s complaint, Mehta and his associates might have worked together to steal money from the bank’s safes in Prabhadevi and Goregaon locations.

    The police have charged Mehta with serious crimes under the law, including criminal conspiracy. New India Cooperative Bank has 28 branches, mostly in Mumbai, and it also has a couple in nearby places like Surat and Pune.

  • Debate: Should Chief Justice Be Involved in Executive Appointments

    Debate: Should Chief Justice Be Involved in Executive Appointments

    On Saturday, legal experts shared different opinions about whether the Chief Justice of India (CJI) should be included in choosing executive leaders, like the CBI director. Some believe having the CJI involved brings fairness, while others think he should not be part of such decisions.

    The discussion started when Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar questioned how it was right for the CJI to be part of these selections. He suggested it might be time to change the related rules.

    Expert Rakesh Dwivedi argued that the CJI shouldn’t be in the selection committee for positions like the CBI director. On the other hand, lawyer Shoeb Alam said the CJI’s involvement can make these appointments fairer and more credible. He pointed out that a democracy benefits when the CJI is included, especially when there aren’t clear laws guiding such appointments.

    Gopal Sankaranarayanan noted that since the case about the chief election commissioner’s appointment is currently reviewed by the Supreme Court, the Vice President shouldn’t have commented on it. Mohit Mathur added that since important roles like the prime minister and CJI are involved in choosing the CBI director, they shouldn’t face criticism for their roles.

    During a meeting in Bhopal, the Vice President also shared his personal views, stating that having the CJI involved in selecting positions like the CBI director seems questionable. The Supreme Court is set to hear related cases on February 19 regarding the selection of election commissioners.

  • Viral Video of Passengers Jumping Gates at Jama Masjid Metro Station

    Viral Video of Passengers Jumping Gates at Jama Masjid Metro Station

    A video of people jumping over ticket gates at the Jama Masjid metro station has gone viral online. This incident happened on February 13 on the Violet Line of the Delhi Metro. In the video, you can see many commuters skipping the automatic gates by leaping over them. Some people were even filming it on their phones.

    The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) responded to the video, explaining that there was a sudden rush of passengers at that time. “There was a short but busy period when a lot of people used the exit at once, and some chose to jump over the gates,” said Anuj Dayal, DMRC’s communications head.

    He assured everyone that there were security staff and metro workers present who managed the situation. It was never dangerous or out of control, according to him. DMRC said this was a quick reaction due to the unexpected crowd near the exit gates.

  • Pakistan Expresses Concerns Over US Plans to Provide F-35 Jets to India

    Pakistan Expresses Concerns Over US Plans to Provide F-35 Jets to India

    Pakistan is concerned after US President Donald Trump said he wants to give India F-35 stealth fighter jets. During a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump mentioned this plan, saying it would help strengthen military sales to India, starting this year with billions of dollars’ worth of military equipment.

    Pakistan fears that giving advanced military technology to India could upset the balance of power in the region and make peace harder to achieve in South Asia. Officials from Pakistan called on the world to recognize the true situation in the area and not take sides.

    A spokesperson from Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that these military steps create an imbalance and threaten peace. They urged international partners to look at the issues in a balanced way.

    In response to Trump’s comments, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that while there was a talk about F-35 jets, no official process for purchasing them has started yet.

    During their meeting, Trump and Modi also talked about a new project called the Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA). This is meant to strengthen how they work together on defense, especially in new technologies for security. They plan to do more military exercises together and improve how they share important information about security.

    Trump also announced the extradition of a man named Tahawwur Rana, who is accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. He will be sent back to India to face justice.

  • CBI Busts Cyber Fraud: Rs 1.08 Crore Seized in Major Raids

    CBI Busts Cyber Fraud: Rs 1.08 Crore Seized in Major Raids

    The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has raided 11 places in Delhi and Haryana to catch cybercriminals who were pretending to be government officials. The sting operation led to the recovery of Rs 1.08 crore in cash, officials announced on Saturday. The raids took place at nine locations in Delhi and two in Hisar, Haryana, as part of a two-year investigation.

    These criminals were accused of tricking people by pretending to be government workers and were involved in scams related to cryptocurrency. They cheated individuals both in India and other countries by offering fake tech support, urging them to pay using cryptocurrencies. The money was then funneled through various crypto wallets and converted into cash.

    During the raids, the CBI found important digital evidence, including six laptops, eight mobile phones, and an iPad. They also discovered that the scammers were making calls using special software and accessing the darknet. In addition to the cash, the CBI seized foreign currency worth USD 1,000 and 252 grams of gold.

  • US Extradites Tahawwur Rana: Major Win for India

    US Extradites Tahawwur Rana: Major Win for India

    Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranji Singh Sandhu, has spoken out about US President Donald Trump’s decision to extradite Tahawwur Rana, who is accused of being involved in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Sandhu emphasized that this action sends a strong warning to those who threaten the friendship between the US and India.

    In an interview, Sandhu mentioned that the joint statement after talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump highlighted the importance of taking firm action against individuals who put the safety of both countries at risk. He noted that President Trump had pointed out that there are more names being considered for action, suggesting that those involved in such activities should be careful.

    Sandhu explained that the joint statement also talks about cooperating to combat various threats, including illegal crime, drug trafficking, and other dangers that could harm public safety. He expects the US government to take tougher measures against these threats.

    President Trump announced the extradition of Tahawwur Rana during a press conference with PM Modi, stating that Rana will face justice in India. Rana was found guilty for his role in the attacks, which led to the deaths of 174 people, including security personnel and foreign nationals.

    The US State Department had previously expressed its support for India’s efforts to bring justice for the Mumbai attacks. They are currently reviewing the situation for the extradition, especially since Rana has used up all legal options available to him in the US.

    With the US Supreme Court denying Rana’s petition against his extradition, India is now in discussions with US officials about the next steps to bring him back to face charges.

  • India Cuts Bourbon Whiskey Tariff – Discover Fun Facts!

    India Cuts Bourbon Whiskey Tariff – Discover Fun Facts!

    On Friday, India made bourbon whiskey cheaper by slashing the tax from 150% to 100%. This change happened after former US President Donald Trump complained about high taxes on American products being unfair. The new tax was announced just before Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Trump. Now, the total tax on bourbon is 100%, made up of a 50% basic tax and an additional 50% tax.

    The US is the biggest seller of bourbon whiskey to India, providing about 25% of the bourbon imported. In the year 2023-24, India bought bourbon whiskey worth $2.5 million. The US and India want to increase their trade to $500 billion by 2030 and are working on a trade deal to lower taxes.

    5 Fun Facts About Bourbon Whiskey

    1. What is Bourbon? Bourbon whiskey is America’s only spirit made mainly from corn, with at least 51% of the mixture being corn. In 1964, the US Congress officially called it a special American product.

    2. Barrel Aging: For bourbon to be called bourbon, it must be aged in a brand-new white oak barrel that has never been used before. The inside of the barrel is burned to give it flavor before the whiskey is added.

    3. Where it Comes From: Bourbon was first created in the 1800s in Kentucky, specifically Bourbon County. Many people think bourbon can only be made in that county, but that’s not true! As long as it follows the rules, bourbon can be made anywhere in the US.

    4. Reusable Barrels: After bourbon is made, the barrels can be used to age other types of whiskey. The charred barrels can be used to flavor other drinks, like single malt scotch.

    5. Mixing Bourbon: Bourbon whiskey is very versatile and can be used in popular cocktails like an ‘Old Fashioned,’ the ‘Mint Julep’ (the official drink of the Kentucky Derby), and a ‘Manhattan.’ It has yummy flavors like vanilla, oak, and caramel that blend well in many drinks.

  • Jaishankar Celebrates India’s Strong Democracy at Munich Security Conference

    Jaishankar Celebrates India’s Strong Democracy at Munich Security Conference

    External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar spoke with hope about India’s democracy at the Munich Security Conference. He talked about how voting takes place in India, highlighting the successful recent elections in Delhi and the national elections set for 2024.

    During a panel discussion titled “Live to Vote Another Day: Fortifying Democratic Resilience,” Jaishankar shared his views alongside leaders like Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store and U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin. While many people believe that democracy is struggling globally, Jaishankar disagrees. He proudly mentioned that India has had a good turnout in elections—around two-thirds of eligible voters participate.

    “For our recent elections, about 700 million out of 900 million voters cast their votes. We count the votes in a single day, and there are never disputes about the results,” Jaishankar explained. He emphasized that India’s democracy is working well and providing for people.

    He shared that in India, being a democratic society means they can support food and nutrition for around 800 million people. He believes different parts of the world are having different conversations about democracy, and we should not think that issues facing democracies everywhere are the same.

    Jaishankar highlighted the importance of understanding the unique situations of each country. He also mentioned that many countries in the Global South might see India as a better example to follow than Western countries.

    He finished by stating that if the West wants to see democracy succeed, it should learn from successful models outside of its own. The 61st Munich Security Conference takes place in Munich, Germany, from February 14–16.

  • Karnataka Launches Strong Investigation into Covid-19 Fund Mismanagement

    Karnataka Launches Strong Investigation into Covid-19 Fund Mismanagement

    The Karnataka government is taking a closer look at how money was handled during the Covid-19 pandemic. They have handed the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This news came out on Friday, two months after police started looking into some strange financial activities.

    A team from the CID, led by Police Superintendent Raghavendra Hegde, will investigate the suspected corruption that happened under the previous Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The current Congress-led government is using this investigation to defend itself against other accusations it is facing.

    The police had filed a First Information Report (FIR) on December 13, targeting high-ranking officials. Former chief minister BS Yediyurappa and former health minister B Sriramulu might also be in for some scrutiny as the investigation goes on.

    The government had already created a special group to look at a report from Justice John Michael D’Cunha, which helped guide their decision to investigate further. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that anyone found guilty of misusing Covid funds would face the law.

    Shivakumar raised alarms about testing numbers. He pointed out that in the area managed by the BBMP, 84 lakh RT-PCR tests were done, racking up bills of ₹502 crore, and ₹400 crore has already been paid. He questioned how such a high number of tests could be done in households.

    At Kidwai Hospital, similar issues arose. They claimed to have conducted 24 lakh tests for ₹146 crore without the right approvals. This raised serious questions about the testing process.

    Previously, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was looking into this case but was hesitant due to the senior politicians involved. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Parameshwara visited Udayagiri police station after chaos erupted from a controversial social media post. He met with high-ranking officers to review what happened.

    Parameshwara shared that arrests were being made based on video footage, ensuring that justice is served. He promised that anyone responsible for the violence, especially those who attacked police, would face action. Forensic teams are examining videos to ensure only the right people are charged. They are also checking for any outside influences on the incident.

    Parameshwara eased worries about police morale, saying, “Our officers are well-trained.” He rejected claims of police being ineffective and praised them for quickly controlling the situation. When asked about using extreme measures like demolishing properties of rioters, he insisted, “The legal system in Karnataka is strong enough to handle this without going that far.