A Voter ID Card Does Not Guarantee Right To Vote: Delhi Election Officer

The Chief Electoral Officer, Delhi, is conducting a Special Summary Revision of electoral rolls with the qualifying date set as January 1, 2025, a statement said on Tuesday, highlighting the CEO's emphasis that mere possession of a voter ID card does not guarantee the right to vote.

This process is being carried out as per the instructions of the Election Commission of India, ensuring that the electoral rolls remain updated and inclusive for all eligible voters.

During the pre-revision period, house-to-house verification was carried out from August 20, 2024, to October 18, 2024, by Booth Level Officers.

This exercise aimed to identify unregistered eligible citizens, prospective voters turning 18 by October 1, 2024, as well as permanently shifted or deceased electors and duplicate entries, the statement said.

Following this, the draft electoral rolls were published on October 29, 2024, inviting the public to file claims and objections. These were accepted by November 28, 2024, and all the claims and objections received were already disposed of by December 24, 2024.

The final electoral roll, reflecting these updates, is scheduled for publication on January 6, 2025.

However, the process of updation of rolls with respect to addition, deletion and modification is a continuous activity and the same is undergoing at present also.

Between November 29, 2024, and the present date, 4,85,624 applications for new registrations (Form 6), 82,450 applications for deletions (Form 7), and 1,71,385 applications for modifications (Form 8) have been received till date.

Citizens who have not yet registered as voters can still apply for enrollment using Form 6, which requires submission of supporting documents for verification by the respective Booth Level Officer.

For modifications or deletions in the electoral roll, Form 8 and Form 7 can be filed.

The CEO Office, Delhi also reminded citizens that having multiple entries in the electoral roll or multiple voter ID cards is a punishable offence under Sections 17 and 18 of the Representation of the People Act, 1950.

Recently, FIRs have been filed against eight individuals for submitting false documents for voter registration in the Okhla Assembly constituency in Delhi. Strict action will continue to be taken against such violations.

As a transparency measure, meetings with representatives of political parties were held on September 4. October 9 and 29.

The CEO Office emphasised that any un-enrolled eligible citizen, who has still not enrolled himself/herself in the electoral rolls, can apply for enrollment by filing Form-6 along with supporting documents. After filing Form-6, the form is assigned to the Booth Level Officer (BLO) of the part concerned for field verification.

On the basis of the BLO's field verification report and the supporting documents, the form is disposed of by the Electoral Registration Officer concerned as per the procedure laid down by the Election Commission.

After the update of his/her name in the electoral roll, an EPIC PDF is generated and sent for printing. After receipt of printed EPIC, the same is delivered to the elector through post. An elector can also download his/her e-EPIC from the ECI's portal https://ift.tt/xSBEhUZ

In case any elector has permanently shifted or expired, any elector of that particular Assembly Constituency can file Form 7 objecting to such entry in the electoral roll. After filing Form 7, notices are issued to the Objector and the Objectee through speed post as per relevant guidelines of the ECI except for registered death cases. If the elector fails to respond, the name is deleted from the electoral roll after following due procedure as laid down by the ECI and after giving sufficient opportunity to the elector concerned.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Retirement Hint? Australia Great Highlights Rohit Sharma's "Unusual" Act

The talks around India captain Rohit Sharma's potential retirement from Test cricket have intensified with the team's bitter defeat to Australia in the 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday. India's defeat in the match makes World Test Championship (WTC) qualification quite difficult while Rohit's form with the bat does make it difficult for the management to fit him in the XI. Suggestions are that the Sydney Test is likely to be Rohit's last in the longest format, and Australia great Justin Langer also spotted an 'unusually emotional' India skipper on Day 5 at MCG, hinting that the end is near for him.

Langer said that Rohit was unusually emotional on the field at MCG on Day 5 of the 4th Test, which could be seen as a hint behind his potential exit from the format. The former Australia batter also feels Rohit is quite tired, with the stress of the game getting to his nerves.

"Rohit Sharma looks very tired to me. I saw him quite emotional on the field yesterday. That's unusual for us to see Rohit like that. He's usually so calm, so chilled out. But he was showing his emotions; he looks tired. It's understandable because as a cricketer, when you're not making runs, that's all that stays on your mind. And as captain, if you're not making runs and your team is not winning, the stress starts to come into the game. Whether he can get up for Sydney, that's up to him. It's a big challenge. India need him to get up to speed in Sydney," Langer said after the end of the game.

Langer, however, doesn't have the same opinion on Virat Kohli. He feels Virat still has a few years of top-level cricket to offer and he has what it takes to improve his form.

"With Virat, I agree [with Ravi Shastri]. He looked excellent in that first innings. Maybe the run out [of Jaiswal] did ruffle him, but we were surprised to see him get out the way he did. He is still a great player, is in outstanding physical condition, and all Indians would be hoping he comes good," he asserted.

Shastri also feels the end is near for Rohit in Tests but Kohli is likely to play for a few more years.

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Australia, Umpires Labelled "Cheaters" By MCG Crowd For Jaiswal DRS Drama

India batter Yashasvi Jaiswal's controversial dismissal on Day 5 of the 4th Test against Australia has become a hot topic of debate. The incident happened on the fifth ball of the 71st over. Jaiswal was given not out for a caught-behind appeal, following an attempted pull shot. However, the decision was overturned by the TV umpire on visual evidence that the ball had changed direction, even though no spike was picked up by the 'Snicko'. Jaiswal expressed his displeasure over the incident as he was seen confronting the on-field umpire.

It was a crucial moment as far as the result of the match is concerned, with Jaiswal batting on 84 at that time. Following his dismissal, India suffered a late collapse, losing the match by 184 runs.

A section of Indian fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) weren't happy with the third umpire's decision. Chants of of 'cheaters' rang around the ground as Wilson was forced to change his decision.

The Jaiswal dismissal. The crowd is not having it. Been chanting non stop for 10 mins now #BGT #BoxingDayTest pic.twitter.com/3WsqHipNbI

— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) December 30, 2024

In the chase of 340, a draw looked imminent, especially after playing a wicketless second session.

But when it mattered the most, India suffered a batting collapse in the final session by losing their last seven wickets for 34 runs and suffer a 184-run defeat to Australia in the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Monday.

In front of a record 74,362 fans, Australia looked on course for the win after reducing India to 33/3 in the first session. But Jaiswal and Rishabh Pant kept them at bay in the second session, as the old ball began to soften.

But in the final session of the gripping Test match, Pant fell to Travis Head and that opened the door for Australia to barge in as India collapsed from 121/3 to 155 all out. Captain Pat Cummins and Scott Boland picked three wickets in a terrific bowling performance from Australia, who now have a 2-1 lead in the five-match series, ahead of next week's Test match in Sydney.

(With PTI Inputs)

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Dutch Plane Skids Off Runway After Emergency Landing In Norway

An Amsterdam-bound flight skidded off the runway at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport in Norway after an emergency landing. The incident happened on Saturday night, when a KLM Royal Dutch Airlines-operated Boeing 737-800 experienced a hydraulic failure shortly after taking off from Oslo Airport, prompting the crew to divert to Sandefjord Airport.

This came hours before a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, operated by Jeju Air, flying from Bangkok to South Korea with 181 people on board crashed on landing at Muan International Airport on Sunday, leaving all but two people plucked from the wreckage feared dead.

As per media reports, the KLM flight was carrying 176 passengers and six crew members. It landed safely at Sandefjord Airport, situated 110 kilometres south of Oslo. However, on landing, the plane veered off the runway before stopping in soft grass near a taxiway, a video of which is being widely shared on social media.

KLM flight #KL1204, a Boeing 737-800, veered off the right side of runway 18 after landing at Oslo Torp Sandefjord Airport.
The flight had diverted there shortly after takeoff from Oslo Airport (OSL).pic.twitter.com/SKIwHIfMBV

— Aviation Safety Network (ASN) (@AviationSafety) December 28, 2024

Video shows passengers being evacuated from the aircraft using mobile stairs, as emergency responders arrived on the site. Fortunately, all 182 people on board were unharmed.

Later, KLM in a statement confirmed that incident and said that during takeoff, a loud noise was heard, leading to the diversion. On landing, pilots were unable to control the aircraft and it slid and entered the grass next to the runway, NOS said in a report.

The airline also reassured that the passengers and crew were unharmed and were cared for and an investigation has been launched into the incident.

The flight departed from Oslo at 6:55 pm (local time) and the aircraft landed at Torp's Sandefjord airport at 7:14 pm (local time), according to Dutch media reports.

After safely evacuating them, all the passengers were transported to Torp Sandefjord airport's terminal by bus and a little before 9:00 pm (local time) everyone was off the plane, the reports added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Watch: Bengaluru Man Drives Cab After Driver Falls Asleep, Video Goes Viral

A Bengaluru man has gone viral on social media after he posted a video of driving a cab after his driver fell asleep. Milind Chandwani, a startup founder and an IIM graduate, was returning home late at night from Bengaluru Airport when he booked the cab. Taking to Instagram, Mr Chandwani wrote that the driver appeared to be sleepy and despite multiple breaks, could not get himself up to speed, before handing the steering wheel to the passenger.

"Last night at 3 AM while returning from Bengaluru airport, I found myself in an unexpected role: my cab driver's driver," Mr Chandwani captioned the video where the driver could be seen dozing off on the passenger seat.

"He was so sleepy, he even stopped for tea and a cigarette but still couldn't keep his eyes open. So, I offered to drive, and to my surprise, he handed me the keys faster than I could say "Bengaluru traffic."

After the driver went to sleep, Mr Chandwani could be seen navigating through Bengaluru's streets with Google Maps guiding him.

"He immediately reclined his seat, passed out, and left me to navigate the city with Google Maps as my co-pilot. Five minutes before we reached, his boss called, and I overheard him asking for a day shift because he couldn't handle the night shift anymore," he added.

The video quickly went viral, amassing attention on social platforms with over 13.2 million views and hundreds of comments. It sparked a range of responses from social media users, with many appreciating the act of kindness while others calling out the driver for putting his and Mr Chandwani's life in jeopardy.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Milind Chandwani (@milindchandwani)

Also Read | Woman Details "Traumatising" Experience With "Disgusting" Rapido Driver

Another incident

On Reddit, another user shared a video of his cab driver falling asleep during a trip from Saket, Delhi to Gurugram. The passenger who was forced to drive the vehicle said he was still "shaking" after the incident.

"I'm still shaking a bit. I booked an Uber from Select Citywalk, Saket to Sector 85, Gurgaon, with a midway drop in Najafgarh. The driver was late, but I figured it was because of the heavy rain all day," the OP said.

"At first, he was responsive, but as soon as we hit the expressway, I noticed he was driving erratically-swerving between lanes, almost hitting the divider. I looked over and realized he was falling asleep at the wheel."

My Uber Driver Fell Asleep While Driving – I Had to Take Over the Wheel
byu/Intelligent_Sign_737 ingurgaon

After driving to his destination, the OP got down while the driver woke up and instantly accepted another ride.

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One Bag, 7kg Limit: Stricter Hand Baggage Rules For Air Travel Announced

In a bid to streamline air travel and tighten security measures, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) has now brought into effect a new regulation that governs the carrying of hand luggage in flights. From next month onwards, in both domestic and international journeys, passengers will be restricted to carrying one cabin bag or handbag in the plane. This is part of the government's efforts in managing the ever-increasing number of passengers at the airports and increasing operational efficiency.

The new regulation will significantly facilitate passenger travel and airport operations by reducing traffic at security checkpoints. The BCAS and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) have decided to implement stricter luggage regulations in order to facilitate passenger flow through airport terminals, given the steadily rising number of air travellers.

Key Details of the New Baggage Restrictions:

1. One Handbag Limit: According to the new rule, each passenger is allowed to carry only one handbag or cabin bag weighing not more than 7 kg. All other luggage should be checked in.

2. Cabin Bag Size Limitations: The cabin bag size cannot be more than 55 cm in height, 40 cm in length, and 20 cm in width. This is to ensure uniformity in all airlines and to make security screening easier.

3. Surcharge for Excess Baggage: In case the passenger exceeds the weight or size limits of the cabin bag, then there will be an excess baggage charge.

4. Exemption for Pre-purchased Tickets: For tickets issued prior to 2 May 2024, the maximum weight will be as per the prior cabin baggage policy (Economy: 8 kg, Premium Economy: 10 kg, First/Business: 12 kg). However, for any such tickets subsequently reissued/rescheduled, the revised maximum weights will apply.

Impact on Airlines and Passengers:

Airlines, including major carriers like IndiGo and Air India, have updated their baggage policies to align with these new guidelines. Passengers are advised to check the updated baggage requirements before their flights to avoid any last-minute hassles or extra charges.

This change is expected to improve the overall efficiency of airport operations, reduce delays at security checkpoints, and contribute to a more organized travel experience for all passengers. However, travelers are encouraged to pack carefully and ensure that their cabin bag complies with the new restrictions to avoid inconvenience.

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Washington Gets A Rude Jolt: How Pakistan Kept US Guessing Its Nuke Plans

Pakistan has a knack of pulling the rabbit out of the hat every once in a while - one that leaves the United States perplexed and perturbed time and again. But before the US can delve into the method behind the trick, Washington, which has reasons for serious concern, often finds itself quickly distracted by one of the many other pressing problems it faces globally. Islamabad knows this, and so, it makes its move slowly, quite like the hour hand of the clock, knowing fully well that the watchful eyes are often focusing on the routinely-ticking seconds hand.

Pakistan has only one rabbit - the nuclear bomb - which it pulls out of the bag every time Islamabad is either held accountable for its actions, or finds itself in the diplomatic corner with no way out.

With time, that rabbit has grown, both in number and in range. As long as it only bothered the neighbours, it wasn't a priority for Washington. But the latest reports to emerge from Pakistan has left the United States deeply troubled.

As per reports, Pakistan is working on the latest version of its Shaheen missile - the updated Shaheen-III - which will be capable of striking the United States. This move has jolted Washington out of its slumber.

The original stated purpose of the Shaheen-III missile was to be able to strike India's naval facilities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with an estimated range of 2,750 km, but that was possible only if the launch pads were right on the International Border with India, in Pakistan's south eastern-most region. To change that, Rawalpindi, home to the Pak Army headquarters, is seeking help to extend the range.

A similar effort is also being made by Rawalpindi to increase the range of its other long-range missile Ababeel, which can currently strike at a distance up to 2,000 km.

China, which is the reason why Pakistan was able to have its nuclear programme to begin with, has reportedly been helping Rawalpindi reach this goal. Confirming the news, US Deputy National Security Adviser Jonathan Finer said recently that "Pakistan is working on its long-range missiles and may soon have the capability to strike targets well beyond South Asia, including in the United States".

Speaking at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace last week, Mr Finer noted that "it is hard for us to see Pakistan's actions as anything other than an emerging threat to the United States."

This is not just a concern for the US, but for Israel too. While Andaman and Nicobar is Pakistan's focus in the east, if it turns its focus westward, it already has the range to strike US naval assets in east Africa, in Somalia's Mogadishu and Djibouti. It can also strike the US base in Bahrain, in the Persian Gulf. Moving northwest, the range of these missiles, even if extended marginally, will be able to strike Israel.

US is also aware of the turmoil in Pakistan and the fact that Pakistan has the world's largest number of terrorist groups. There is always a threat of such technology falling in the wrong hands or getting transferred to regimes hostile towards the US and Israel.

LATEST SANCTIONS

As recently as last week, the US sanctioned four Pakistani entities, including the state-owned flagship aerospace and defence agency - National Development Complex or NDC - on charges related to its long-range ballistic missile program.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said four Pakistani firms were slapped with sanctions under an executive order that "targets proliferators of weapons of mass destruction and their means of delivery."

Apart from NDC, the three other entities sanctioned by the US are Akhtar and Sons Private Limited, Affiliates International, and Rockside Enterprises. All three are based in Karachi, while the NDC is located in Islamabad. According to the US State Department, these companies worked with the NDC to acquire equipment related to the long-range ballistic missile program.

A statement issued by the US State Department last week said "The United States holds NDC responsible for Pakistan's development of ballistic missiles, including the Shaheen-series ballistic missiles." It noted that NDC and the three other entities worked to acquire several items, including special vehicle chassis intended to be used as launch support equipment for ballistic missiles, besides acquiring missile testing equipment.

PAKISTAN'S NUCLEAR PROGRAM - A BRIEF HISTORY

On May 28, 1998, two weeks after India carried out its nuclear test in Pokhran, Pakistan carried out its nuke test deep in the desert-region of Balochistan. Bill Clinton, the US President at the time, imposed sanctions on both countries. From there on India and Pakistan took divergent routes to shape its nuclear legacy. While India established itself as a responsible nuclear power, Pakistan has been mired in multiple acts of proliferation and repeated rounds of sanctions.

From the early 90s, China has been actively involved in ensuring Pakistan has a nuclear weapons program, regardless of the risks involved. In the process, Beijing too has been sanctioned for providing assistance and technology to Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

In June, 1991, Washington held Beijing accountable for exporting sensitive missile technology to Islamabad and imposed sanctions on China. These sanctions were lifted nearly a year later, when Beijing, which was already a nuclear weapons state, agreed to abide by the international rules of the Missile Technology Control Regime or MTCR, though till date, China has not officially joined the MTCR.

Pakistan and China lay low for a while, and again, in 1993, Washington caught Beijing exporting sensitive missile tech to Islamabad. The sanctions were re-imposed, but did not prove to be too effective. Since then, China and Pakistan steadily increased cooperation on missile technology and delivery systems, disregarding the international rules stated in the MTCR.

Even after Pakistan tested the N-bomb in 1998, US sanctions proved to be effective only temporarily, as Washington lifted those sanctions soon after the 9/11 terror attack as it needed Islamabad on its side for the 'war on terror' in Afghanistan.

In another incident which highlights how China helped Pakistan with sensitive technology while enhancing its own, in August 1998, Pakistan managed to get its hands on a US-made Tomahawk missile. Two Tomahawk missiles, considered the latest technology of the time, turned out to be defective. They were a part of a barrage of 75 missiles fired by the US targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan.

Pakistan secretly shipped the Tomahawk missile to Beijing, where the technology was deciphered and replicated by China. From that new technology China developed its then-latest cruise missile - DH-10. Beijing later sold these missiles back to Islamabad, where they were renamed as the Babur missile, which is nuclear-capable.

Pakistan has, since the start, found itself being caught red-handed in aiding nuclear proliferation. Islamabad has long been accused of secretly exporting sensitive nuclear weapons technology through its network of rouge elements. The most infamous of them all being when disgraced Pakistani scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan was found illegally selling nuke-related technology to North Korea, Iran, Iraq, and Libya. It left Pakistan red-faced globally and the US shut down those operations in 2004. But two decades later, North Korea and Iran continue to get their supply of equipment and sensitive technology from nefarious underground networks that experts believe stem from Pakistan - some believe with China's blessings.
 

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Quantum Teleportation Now Possible Over Everyday Internet Cable

In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, researchers have figured out a way to achieve the unthinkable: quantum teleportation. While the name may suggest that humans could be teleported through the technology, it is far from the real-life implication of the technology. Quantum teleportation allows the transfer of information instantly and over any distance without needing any future technology. Led by Prem Kumar from Northwestern University, Illinois, US, scientists demonstrated quantum teleportation over standard fibre optic cable that already carries everyday internet traffic, according to a report in ScieneAlert.

In simple terms, quantum teleportation involves sending information from one place to another using something called "quantum entanglement". Think of entanglement like an invisible twin connection where two particles, even if miles apart, are linked in a way that what happens to one instantly affects the other. Unlike sending a physical object, you are sending the state or condition of a particle.

"This is incredibly exciting because nobody thought it was possible. Our work shows a path towards next-generation quantum and classical networks sharing a unified fibre optic infrastructure. Basically, it opens the door to pushing quantum communications to the next level," said Mr Kumar.

The study involved the careful management of light scattering to ensure that the delicate quantum information, carried by photons, could survive amidst the swarm of internet data. To achieve the desired result, the scientists utilised a specific wavelength for the quantum signal and implemented filters to minimise interference from other data streams.

"We carefully studied how light is scattered and placed our photons at a judicial point where that scattering mechanism is minimised. We found we could perform quantum communication without interference from the classical channels that are simultaneously present," added Mr Kumar.

Also Read | Google's Latest Breakthrough A Major Leap In Quantum Computing

The result was a successful teleportation of a quantum state of light, which represents a significant leap towards integrating quantum communication with existing internet infrastructure. Notably, this was not just a simulation; it was done in real-world conditions, showcasing the practical viability of quantum communication alongside traditional data transmission.

One of the biggest appeals of quantum teleportation is that it can occur almost as fast as light travels. The development is a big step towards quantum internet that could revolutionise traditional computing. From secure encryption methods to enhanced sensing capabilities to potentially even connecting quantum computers on a global scale, without needing specialised infrastructure -- the potential for the technology remains immense.

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Manmohan Singh, The Technocrat Who Transformed India's Economy

Manmohan Singh -- former Prime Minister of India, renowned economist, technocrat and the architect of India's liberalisation, which pulled the country out of economic atrophy - has died at 92. Dr Singh, who had been ailing for a while, died at Delhi's AIIMS hospital this evening.

Seen as a reluctant politician, Manmohan Singh was the automatic choice for Sonia Gandhi when, after an unexpected victory of the Congress-led UPA, she stepped away from the post of Prime Minister.

Dr Singh's background as Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor and former finance minister, and his unimpeachable reputation made it an obvious decision.

While the economy has never looked back after the liberalisation of 1991 that pulled it out of a phenomenal low of the balance of payments crisis, delivering an average growth rate of around 8.5 per cent, Manmohan Singh took the other huge step, in foreign policy, in 2009.

The India-US nuclear deal was forged in the fire of a huge political row in the country, the withdrawal of support by the left Front, which left Dr Singh's government confronting a test of strength.

The deal he stood by ended the era of sanctions placed on India after the Pokhran 2 nuclear tests of 1998, with partial sanctions by IAEA that covered only the civil nuclear facilities. It also steered the country away from the Nehruvian policy of non-alignment, placed it front and centre of the international community and secured it a place at the nuclear club high table.  

Dr Singh's political journey of over three decades saw his meteoric rise from a post-partition humble background to the country's highest office.

Born in Gah in undivided Punjab (now in Pakistan) on September 26, 1932, Dr Singh was a brilliant student who got a first class degree in Economics from Cambridge University and a DPhil from Oxford in the early 1960s.

He was handpicked as finance minister by former Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao after having held almost every top job in the government: Chief Economic Advisor, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission,  Reserve Bank of India Governor and Union Finance Secretary.

While Dr Singh's personal honesty was never questioned, his government faced allegations of corruption and  policy paralysis in its final years. Allegations linked to the 2G, CWG and Coal block allocations were seized by the Opposition BJP.

The other huge criticism against his government was sparked by the perception of then party chief Sonia Gandhi as a parallel power centre. 

His critics even disparagingly dubbed him as the "Accidental Prime Minister".

Dr Singh, however, maintained that history would be kinder to him.

In January 2014, addressing his last press conference as Prime Minister, he said, "I honestly believe that history will be kinder to me than the contemporary media, or for that matter, the Opposition parties in Parliament".

Even his fiercest rivals, however, respected and admired him - which is rare in today's politics.

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"Mohan Bhagwat Isn't Feeling Hindus' Pain": Shankaracharya On Temple Remark

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat has been criticised by a prominent spiritual leader over his recent remark against raking up temple-mosque disputes. "Mohan Bhagwat does not understand the plight of Hindus," said Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati on Wednesday.

"Several Hindu temples are being demolished. This is the truth. He is not feeling the pain of Hindus. It is clear from his statement. He does not truly understand the plight of Hindus," he said.

The RSS chief had on December 19 expressed concern over the resurgence of several temple-mosque disputes and asserted that certain individuals, after the construction of Ayodhya's Ram temple, seem to believe they can become "leaders of Hindus" by raking up such issues.

"Mohan Bhagwat has claimed that some people raise these issues to become leaders, but I want to clarify that ordinary Hindus do not aspire to become leaders," Swami Avimukteshwaranand said.

Mr Bhagwat, delivering a lecture in Pune on 'India-The Vishwaguru,' at Sahjeevan Vyakhyanmala (lecture series), advocated for an "inclusive society."

"Raking up new issues every day for disdain and enmity should not be done. What is the solution here? We should show the world that we can live in harmony, so we should have a little experiment in our country," he had said.

His comments also sparked a political controversy with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav saying that the RSS chief must make his appeal for "harmony" to the BJP. "If he even makes a call to the chief minister (Yogi Adityanath), then there will be no survey and no such controversy," Mr Yadav said.

Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh slammed Mr Bhagwat's statement and termed it as "double standards".

Uttar Pradesh has witnessed several litigations filed in various courts related to temple-mosque disputes from Sambhal's Shahi Jama to Budaun's Jama Masjid Shamsi, Atala Masjid in Jaunpur and Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi, where Hindu petitioners have sought permission to offer prayers, claiming that ancient temples existed at the sites where the mosques now stand.

Recently, clashes between protestors and police over the court-ordered survey of the Jama Masjid in Sambhal resulted in five deaths in November. Dozens were injured in the violence that also triggered a massive political row. The issue also reached the Supreme Court, which halted survey action and directed the mosque's management committee to approach the Allahabad High Court.

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Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus Tipped to Offer Upgraded Camera Capabilities

Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus, and the CMF Phone 2 are said to be in the works. The phones were also spotted in the IMEI database earlier this month. Most recently, camera specifications and other details of the unannounced Nothing smartphones have surfaced on the Web. The Nothing Phone 3a is tipped to come with a telephoto camera. Meanwhile, the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Plus are said to be equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, whereas the CMF Phone 2 could run a MediaTek SoC.

Nothing Phone 3a Camera Details Leaked

Android Authority claims to have received information about the Nothing Phone 3a, Phone 3a Plus, and the CMF Phone 2, stating that they're in the works with codenames steroids, asteroids_plus, and galaga, respectively. The Nothing Phone 3a is said to include a telephoto camera, while the Phone 3a Plus will reportedly boast a periscope zoom camera.

If this turns out to be true, the Phone 3a series could be the first in the Nothing lineup to switch to dedicated sensors for optical zoom. Existing Nothing Phones boast a wide and ultra-wide rear camera setup.

The report further states that the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Plus could be the first phones from the UK brand to offer eSIM support. They are likely to provide two physical nano-SIMs or an eSIM with a physical nano-SIM for dual-SIM configurations.

CMF Phone 2, on the other hand, is likely to stick to physical SIM only. Further, the report reiterates that the Nothing Phone 3a and Phone 3a Plus will be reportedly equipped with the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, while the CMF Phone 2 will run a MediaTek SoC.

The Nothing Phone 3a series is expected to be launched in the first quarter of 2025. It is speculated to ship with Android 15-based Nothing OS 3.1 user interface.

 

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Childhoods Chained, Dreams Sold In Forgotten Corner of Madhya Pradesh

In the heart of Madhya Pradesh, nestled amid the rugged terrains of Rajgarh district, lies Jaitpura - a village where time seems to have stopped, leaving dreams in shackles and childhoods stolen. Here, innocence is traded, and the cruel weight of tradition drags children into adulthood long before their time.

Our journey began where the road ended, over narrow, broken paths that echoed the hardship of lives untouched by development.

In these forgotten corners of India, we found children whose laughter has been silenced by customs like child marriage and engagement, bound by the age-old practice of Jhagda-Natra. 

This grim tradition demands exorbitant amounts from families seeking to break free from pre-arranged marriages, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and despair.

The stories of Jaitpura are a reflection of a broader malaise plaguing 50 villages, where over 700 children have lost their right to a carefree childhood. 

Rama Bai, now 40, recalls how her childhood ended abruptly three decades ago.

"I got married at the age of 10 years... Every day, girls here are married off. This must stop," she said, her voice heavy with the weight of her past. 

Geeta, just 22, carries her young daughter in her arms. Engaged at two, married at 16, she refuses to let history repeat itself. "I will not engage my daughter. This must end with me," she asserts, her resolve a tiny ray of light amid the darkness that lies heavy over the lives of the children.

One parent explained the harsh reality: "Here relationships are often fixed even before birth. When a woman is six months pregnant, families decide-'if you have a boy and we have a girl, they will be engaged.' They stick to their word. As children grow, more money is required, and sometimes, in a drunken state, engagements are finalised. This happened in our family too," she said, a tone of resignation in her voice.

Childhood Dreams in Chains

These decisions impact children profoundly, robbing them of their innocence and dreams. Some are as young as one year old when they are engaged, marked with bracelets or lockets to signify the commitment.

Dinesh, a young boy, shared a bittersweet moment about his fiancee: "My fiancee is frim Gangapar. She was given a bracelet and a pendent during the engagement."

Another child, Mangilal's fiancée, said: "I was just a year old when I got engaged. I don't remember much, but I know his name is Mangilal. I didn't receive anything during the engagement."

For many, these symbols of commitment are not cherished but burdensome. 

A boy, just 10 years old, was vocal about his discomfort. "I was given sweets when I got engaged, but I didn't want to. I've decided-I won't marry. I'm in the 5th standard, and I want to become a doctor," he said.

For the young girls, anklets and bangles are not adornments but symbols of oppression. The pain, both physical and emotional, weighs heavily on them.

"My feet hurt a lot because of the anklets. I tell my parents every day, but they say I must wear them. This is bondage. I want freedom from these," a girl said.

For most, these ornaments represent a lifelong burden. 

A 10-year-old, married when she was far younger, said: "The bangles were put on me during my engagement and marriage. They're said to enhance a girl's beauty, but to me, they are shackles. Sometimes, when there is trouble at my in-laws' house, these bangles are removed and sold."

Villagers justify the system as a compulsion - a way to escape debt, or wedding expenses. But it is the children who pay the price, their lives reduced to mere transactions.

Govardhan Tanwar, the deputy sarpanch, sounded matter of fact. "Engagements happen when parents are drunk. They take loans, marry off their daughters, and the cycle continues."

According to the National Family Health Survey-5, 46 per cent of women aged 20-24 in Rajgarh were married before they turned 18. Education remains a distant dream, with over half the women in the district illiterate.

Breaking these shackles comes at a cost. Families must pay hefty fines to annul pre-arranged marriages, often appearing before social panchayats. 

The price of freedom is crushing, leaving many resigned to their fates. In certain regions of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, if a girl dares to break free from this bondage or refuses to go through with a prearranged marriage, she and her family are summoned before social councils. These councils impose fines, known as 'jhagda' (penalty), for canceling the marriage. In some cases, practices like nata or natara, involving widows or abandoned women returning to society, are also intertwined with these traditions. 

Amid these statistics and age-old customs, this story is not just about Jaitpura village-it is a reflection of countless tales of pain and struggle. It is the story of countless villages where tradition chains childhood, and dreams are sold.
 

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Photo From Shyam Benegal's 90th Birthday Resurfaces After His Death

Photos from legendary filmmaker Shyam Benegal's 90th birthday celebration have resurfaced online following the news of his death.

The heartwarming images serve as a poignant reminder of the iconic director's enduring legacy and the lives he touched. The late filmmaker celebrated his milestone birthday on December 14, surrounded by Bollywood celebrities such as Shabana Azmi, Divya Dutta, Naseeruddin Shah, Rajit Kapur, Atul Tiwari, and others.

A group photo from the celebration, shared by Shabana Azmi on X, has gone viral. Sharing the photo, Azmi captioned it, "On #ShyamBenegal's 90th birthday with my co-actor of many films and my favorite actor @NaseeruddinShah. Why aren't more people casting us together?!"

Some of his actors with Shyam Benegal's on his 90th birthday Mashallah pic.twitter.com/cnDrjAphf2

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) December 15, 2024

On December 23, Shyam Benegal d at the age of 90. He breathed his last around 6:30 pm at Wockhardt Hospital in Mumbai. His daughter, Pia Benegal, confirmed the news.

Mourning his death, filmmaker Hansal Mehta shared a photo of Benegal and wrote, "Among the last of our great filmmakers. Go well, Shyam Babu. Thank you for inspiring many like me. Thank you for the cinema. Thank you for giving tough stories and flawed characters such amazing dignity."

Known for his iconic and award-winning films such as "Ankur," "Bhumika," "Manthan," and "Nishant," Benegal leaves behind a rich legacy in Indian cinema. He made his feature film debut with "Ankur" in 1974, starring Anant Nag and Shabana Azmi. The critically acclaimed film earned the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film, solidifying his reputation as a trailblazer in Indian cinema.

His final directorial work, "Mujib: The Making of a Nation" (2023), chronicled the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Benegal was the recipient of multiple National Awards for films including "Bhumika: The Role," "Junoon," "Arohan," "Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero", and "Well Done Abba."

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Jeff Bezos Denies Report Of $600 Million Lavish Wedding: "Completely False"

Jeff Bezos has categorically denied media reports that his upcoming wedding to fiancee Lauren Sanchez will cost a staggering $600 million. Taking to X, the billionaire founder of Amazon set the record straight, dismissing the rumours as "completely false". The report, picked up by several outlets across the world, alleged that the couple is set to exchange vows on December 28 and spend over half a billion dollars on the extravagant event.

Mr Bezos' reaction was sparked by a post from billionaire investor Bill Ackman, who expressed scepticism about the reported $600 million wedding. "This is not credible. Unless you are buying each of your guests a house, you can't spend this much money," he wrote on X. 

Reacting to Mr Ackman's tweet, the Amazon founder wrote, "Furthermore, this whole thing is completely false — none of this is happening. The adage "don't believe everything you read” is even more true today than it ever has been. Now lies can get around the world before the truth can get its pants on. So be careful out there folks and don't be gullible. Will be interesting to see if all the outlets that "covered" and re-reported on this issue a correction when it comes and goes and doesn't happen."

See the tweet here:

Furthermore, this whole thing is completely false — none of this is happening. The old adage “don't believe everything you read” is even more true today than it ever has been. Now lies can get ALL the way around the world before the truth can get its pants on. So be careful out… https://t.co/wz2SWp6wBZ

— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 22, 2024

His fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, also weighed in on the matter, sharing Mr Bezos' post on her Instagram stories and adding a clear rebuttal: "Not true".

Initial reports from the Daily Mail and the New York Post alleged that Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez were planning an extravagant winter wonderland-themed wedding in Aspen, Colorado. According to the reports, the couple had booked Matsuhisa, an upscale sushi restaurant, as the exclusive venue for their celebration. The reports claimed that the luxury restaurant would be reserved from December 26 to 27, hosting around 180 guests including big names like Bill Gates, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Queen Rania of Jordan. 

Notably, Ms Sanchez started dating the Amazon boss in 2018. The couple went public with their relationship on July 14, 2019, after Mr Bezos' divorce from his first wife MacKenzie Scott was finalised. 

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4,000-Year-Old Massacre In England: 37 Victims Were Slaughtered And Eaten

A 4,000-year-old massacre in southwestern England was linked to possible acts of cannibalism, new research has revealed. The remains of at least 37 individuals -- men, women and children -- were found in a 50-foot-deep shaft at Charterhouse Warren Farm, showing snapped femurs, bashed skulls, and slicing cuts. Researchers suggest the victims were slaughtered and possibly eaten in a ceremonial feast, with some bones bearing marks of human teeth.

The findings, published in the journal Antiquity, suggest the victims were slaughtered in a single, large-scale event between 2210 and 2010 BC. Discovered in 1970 at Charterhouse Warren Farm, near Bristol, the site had initially been dismissed as a typical Bronze Age burial. However, the new study reveals the remains belonged to victims who were likely captives or caught in a surprise attack. No evidence of weapons or defensive injuries was found.

Nearly half of the recovered skulls bear fatal injuries consistent with blows from wooden clubs. Tool marks on leg bones suggest flesh was stripped, and fractures on long bones point to marrow extraction -- practices associated with cannibalism. The perpetrators also dumped butchered animal remains into the shaft alongside human bones, possibly as part of a ritual.

“It's taken us all aback. It was completely unexpected, totally atypical for the period and for almost all of British prehistory,” said lead author Rick Schulting, archaeology professor at Oxford University.

The scale of the violence and its motivations remain unclear. Researchers believe that a cycle of escalating revenge killings between nearby communities may have triggered the massacre. Rick Schulting suggests that the killings may have been a warning or a form of dehumanisation of the victims. “There has been no [previous] indication of violence on this scale in Britain at that time, both regarding the number of victims and the way in which they were treated after death,” he said.

Unlike the relatively peaceful archaeological record of the British Chalcolithic and Early Bronze Age, where violent conflict was rare, Charterhouse Warren presents a unique case of mass violence and systematic postmortem processing. The disarticulated remains stand out against the typical burial practices of the period, where articulated skeletons or cremations dominated. Charterhouse Warren joins a handful of European prehistoric sites that document extreme violence and body processing.

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2 Dead, 60 Injured In German Christmas Market Car Attack, Saudi Man Arrested

German police arrested a Saudi man after a deadly car ramming attack on a Christmas market Friday in which a vehicle barrelled through a crowd of revellers at high speed, leaving a trail of bloody carnage.

At least two people were killed and more than 60 injured, said rescue services in the eastern city of Magdeburg located about 130 kilometres (80 miles) southwest of Berlin.

The unnamed suspect was a 50-year-old medical doctor from Saudi Arabia living in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt, said regional premier Reiner Haseloff, speaking at the scene which was cordoned off and guarded by police commandos.

"We have arrested the perpetrator, a man from Saudi Arabia, a doctor who has been in Germany since 2006," he told reporters, calling the attack a "catastrophe" for the city and the country.

"From what we currently know he was a lone attacker so we don't think there is any further danger."

Police said the vehicle drove "at least 400 metres across the Christmas market" leaving behind a trail of bloodied casualties at the city's central town hall square.

Ambulances and fire engines rushed to the chaotic site, which was doused in blue emergency lights with sirens wailing, with badly injured people being treated as they lay on the ground or rushed off to hospitals.

Cries and screams could be heard as around 100 police, medics and the fire service officers deployed to the litter-strewn market decorated with Christmas trees and festive lights.

"The pictures are terrible," said city spokesman Michael Reif.

New weekly Der Spiegel, citing security sources, said that a black BMW had barrelled through the crowd at high speed just after 7:00 pm local time (1800 GMT) when the market was filled with revellers.

Haseloff said the Saudi man had driven a rented car with Munich licence plates into the Christmas market.

Die Welt daily reported that a piece of luggage was found on the passenger seat and it was "unclear whether there may be an explosive device in it", adding that "the authorities have not yet ruled out this scenario".

The Magdeburg city administration said in a Facebook post that 15 people were critically injured, with 37 people suffering serious injuries and 16 sustaining light injuries.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had quickly written on X that "the reports from Magdeburg raise the worst fears".

"My thoughts are with the victims and their families. We stand by their side and by the side of the people of Magdeburg. My thanks go to the dedicated rescue workers in these anxious hours."

Scholz was expected to travel to the city on Saturday, said the state premier.

- Series of attacks -

The bloody carnage recalled a 2016 jihadist attack in which a Tunisian man driving a lorry killed 12 people in a Christmas market in Berlin, the country's worst ever such attack.

A 13th victim died later having suffered serious injuries in the assault, claimed by the Islamic State (IS) group.

German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser has recently called on people to be vigilant at Christmas markets, although she said that authorities had not received any specific threats.

Domestic security service the Office for the Protection of the Constitution had warned it considers Christmas markets to be an "ideologically suitable target for Islamist-motivated people".

Germany has in recent times seen a series of suspected Islamist-motivated knife attacks.

Three people were killed and eight wounded in a stabbing spree at a street festival in the western city of Solingen in August.

Police arrested a Syrian suspect over the attack that was claimed by IS.

In June, a policeman was killed in a knife attack in Mannheim, with an Afghan national held as the main suspect.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote that "the anticipation of a peaceful Christmas was suddenly interrupted" but he cautioned that "the background to the terrible deed has yet been clarified".

The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, which has focused on jihadist attacks in its campaign against immigrants, wrote on X "when will this madness stop?"

French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "profoundly shocked" the attack and that he "shares the pain of the German people".

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also said she was "deeply shocked by the brutal attack on the defenceless crowd", adding: "Violence must have no place in our democracies."

Spain's prime minister Pedro Sanchez said he was "shocked" by the "terrible attack".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Saudi Suspect In German Attack Held Strongly Anti-Islam Views: Report

The Saudi suspect in Germany's deadly car-ramming attack on a Christmas market held strongly anti-Islam views and was angry with Germany's migrant policy, official said Saturday.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned the "terrible, insane" attack that killed five people and shocked the nation, days before Christmas and eight years after a jihadist drove a truck into a Christmas market in Berlin. 

Police were puzzling over the motive of Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, the top suspect after an SUV ploughed at high speed through a dense crowd Friday, also injuring 205 people in the eastern city of Magdeburg.

The mass carnage sparked sorrow and revulsion, with a nine-year-old child among the dead and casualties being treated in 15 regional hospitals.

Germany has been hit by multiple deadly jihadist attacks, but evidence gathered by investigators and his past online posts painted a different picture of Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old doctor of psychiatry.

A self-described "Saudi atheist" who as an activist helped women flee the oil-rich kingdom, he has railed against Islam but also against what he saw as Germany's permissive attitude towards refugees from other mainly Muslim countries.

Interior Minister Nancy Fraser said he held "Islamophobic" views, and a prosecutor said that "the background to the crime... could have been disgruntlement with the way Saudi Arabian refugees are treated in Germany".

Taha Al-Hajji of the Berlin-based European Saudi Organisation for Human Rights told AFP Abdulmohsen was "a psychologically disturbed person with an exaggerated sense of self-importance". 

Call for unity

Abdulmohsen in his online posts spoke about his troubles with and suspicions of German authorities.

Last August, he posted on social media: "Is there a path to justice in Germany without blowing up a German embassy or randomly slaughtering German citizens? ... If anyone knows it, please let me know."

Die Welt daily reported, citing security sources, that German state and federal police had carried out a "risk assessment" on him last year but concluded that he posed "no specific danger". 

A sombre Scholz, dressed in black, visited the attack site Saturday together with national and regional politicians laying flowers outside the main church in Magdeburg.

Mourning and bereaved residents have left candles, flowers, cards and children's toys at the Johanneskirche church, where a memorial service was planned at 7:00 pm (1800 GMT).

Scholz pledged the state would respond "with the full force of the law" to the attack but also called for unity as Germany has been rocked by a heated debate on immigration and security ahead of elections in February.

The centre-left chancellor said it was important "that we stick together, that we link arms, that it is not hatred that determines our coexistence but the fact that we are a community that seeks a common future."

He said he was grateful for expressions of "solidarity... from many, many countries around the world. It is good to hear that we as Germans are not alone in the face of this terrible catastrophe."

'Sad and shocked'

Surveillance video footage of the attack showed a black BMW racing straight through the crowd, scattering bodies amid the festive stalls that were selling traditional handicrafts, snacks and mulled wine.

On Saturday, debris and discarded medical materials blew across the cordoned-off site, where stalls now stand empty around a giant Christmas tree, the event cancelled for the year out of respect for the victims.

The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), Alice Weidel, which has focused on jihadist attacks in its campaign against immigrants, wrote on X: "When will this madness stop?"

"What happened today affects a lot of people. It affects us a lot," Fael Kelion, a 27-year-old Cameroonian living in the city, told AFP.

"I think that since (the suspect) is a foreigner, the population will be unhappy, less welcoming."

Michael Raarig, 67 and an engineer, said that "I am sad, I am shocked. I never would have believed this could happen, here in an east German provincial town."

He added that he believed the attack "will play into the hands of the AfD" which has had its strongest support in the formerly communist eastern Germany.

Security was stepped up Saturday at Christmas markets elsewhere in Germany with more police seen in Hamburg, Leipzig and other cities.

German footballers were holding a minute's silence and wearing black armbands in weekend matches in tribute to the victims.

The regional Evangelical church announced that at 7:03 p.m. (1803 GMT) "the time of yesterday's attack on the Christmas market, the bells of all churches in Magdeburg and many places of worship in the surrounding area will ring".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Namita Thapar And Anupam Mittal Clash Over 70-Hour Workweek Debate

It's been several months, but the debate on India's work productivity, sparked by Infosys founder NR Narayana Murthy's '70-hour workweek' comment continues to rage on. Now, 'Shark Tank India' judges, Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal, have expressed their views on the matter. During an interview with 'Humans of Bombay', Mr Mittal, founder and CEO of Shaadi.com, engaged in a fiery debate with Ms Thapar, the CEO of Emcure Pharmaceuticals. While Mr Mittal supported the idea that one should not look at the number of hours being clocked at work, Ms Thapar disagreed with him calling it a "crock of bullsh*t".

In the interview, Mr Mittal was asked about his opinion on the workweek debate. He said, "I think it is a big lie that's being told to this generation, and I think it stinks because you are not ever going to... okay this is for people who want to achieve something extraordinary in life... you are not going to achieve anything extraordinary in life by counting the hours that you are putting in."

Mr Thapar then quickly chimed in, saying that it is different for founders as they have an "upside" which is not there for regular employees and therefore, they should work for stipulated hours, considering the work-life balance. "Basically this whole discussion and argument that is going on, pardon my language, is a crock of bullsh*t," she said.

Ms Thapar explained three data points to support her argument. "No. 1, when Emcure went public, it was $3 billion, my family owns 80 percent, so imagine the kind of wealth I am making. The founders, set of co-founders and top management, look at the kind of money they are making. Obviously, we could work 20 hours a day, which is what we all do. But the employee? Today, my accountant, he is making a salary, he does not have the upside of putting in that kind of hours," she said. 

Ms Thapar then went on to say that extended work hours cannot be a norm for regular employees as it will have far-reaching implications. "If he is going to put in that kind of hours, my second data point is, he is going to have serious, serious, serious physical and mental health issues," she said.

"So, I think for founders and high stakeholders, who make tons of money - go for it. Work 24 hours a day forever! But I think for the common man and woman... (there needs to be) a certain number of hours that they are supposed to work, and of course when there are deliverables... people work longer hours, but it is not on a non-stop, standard number basis," she continued. 

Also Read | Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal's Strongly-Worded Email To Employees On WFH Misuse Goes Viral

"Third thing: For God's sake, don't get married and have children because the next generation is suffering because of non-existent parents... just spare them the misery and mental health issues due to having an absentee parent. So, I think for people with high stakes, yes (work long hours), but for common employees, have a reasonable work limit, knowing that there will be some blips during deliverable time, but it cannot be a constant 70-hour work week, which is what a lot of people are proposing," she added. 

Notably, the 70-hour workweek debate started when Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy said that India's work productivity is one of the lowest in the world and asked the youth the contribute towards building the culture so that India can compete effectively on the global stage. 

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Elon Musk Faces Assassination Threat? "He's A CEO" Cryptic Post Viral

A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) has gone viral, igniting controversy after a user appeared to call for the assassination of Elon Musk.

The tweet has prompted accusations that the social media user, Bill Shea, indirectly suggested harm against Elon Musk.

Bill Shea shared a screenshot from the X page, 'Republicans against Trump,' which contained a statement comparing Elon Musk to George Soros. It read, "Elon Musk is literally everything MAGA Republicans accused George Soros of doing."

At the time of sharing the post, Bill Shea added a comment, "Folks, please do not forget Musk is a CEO of several companies. I say again, he's a CEO. Do with that information as you will."

The tweet has spread like wildfire on the Elon Musk-owned platform. Bill Shea's account was subsequently deactivated, likely in response to the huge negative attention the post generated.

You can delete your profile, Bill Shea, but the internet is
F o r e v e r @realDonaldTrump @JDVance @DHSgov @FBI @DOGE pic.twitter.com/iqezeQ8P6D

— Em J (@emjniner11) December 19, 2024

This incident has emerged in the wake of the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a crime allegedly carried out by Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a well-known Baltimore family.

Luigi Mangione's actions have ignited a heated debate, with certain online communities praising him as a symbol of protest against the perceived flaws within the US healthcare system. His actions have given rise to an ongoing conversation about the influence of CEOs and their role in shaping public policy, further polarising opinions.

The controversy surrounding Luigi Mangione was amplified when a "lookalike contest" was held in New York City, the location of Mr Thompson's death, by those who sympathised with his cause.

The situation took another turn when former Washington Post journalist Taylor Lorenz stoked further controversy on Bluesky. Ms Lorenz shared an image with the caption "CEO DOWN," and used the opportunity to criticise the role of insurance executives in perpetuating harm. 

This question presupposes something that I'm not sure should be taken for granted. https://t.co/P4KI7SeCHL

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) December 5, 2024

While Ms Lorenz clarified that she does not support violence, she added the necessity of holding those responsible for systemic injustices accountable for their actions.

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India Lodges Protest With Bangladesh Over 'Map' Post By Muhammad Yunus Aide

India has lodged a strong protest with Dhaka over a now-deleted social media post by a key aide of Bangladesh's interim government that claimed certain areas of Indian territory should be part of that country.

Mahfuz Alam, known for his provocative comments, had also posted on Facebook four days ago a map purportedly showing parts of West Bengal, Tripura and Assam as parts of Bangladesh. He deleted the post after it triggered backlash.

Mr Alam is a de facto minister in the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government of Bangladesh.

In strongly reacting to the post, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday reminded all concerned to be "mindful" of their public comments.

"We have taken this up with the Bangladeshi government. We have strongly registered a protest on this issue. We understand that the post being referred to has reportedly been taken down.

"We would like to remind all concerned to be mindful of their public comments. While India has repeatedly signalled interest in fostering relations with the people and the interim government of Bangladesh, such comments underline the need for responsibility in public articulation," he said.

The relations between India and Bangladesh are reeling under severe strain after the interim government headed by Mr Yunus came to power in August.

Mr Yunus assumed the charge as the head of the interim dispensation days after the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned from the post and fled to India in the face of a massive anti-government protest.

Asked about Mr Yunus not providing a specific timeline for holding parliamentary elections in Bangladesh as he said it could be held between late 2025 and early 2026, Jaiswal did not give a clear answer.

"We have very clearly defined our approach towards our ties with Bangladesh. We have said that we support a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh," he said.

"We have reiterated our willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh based on mutual trust, respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interest," Jaiswal said.

"We have also emphasised that the people of Bangladesh are the main stakeholders in the India-Bangladesh relations and noted that India's development cooperation and multi-faceted engagements with Bangladesh including in areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building which are all geared towards benefiting the people of Bangladesh," he added.

In an address to the nation on December 16, Mr Yunus said the elections could be held between late 2025 and early 2026, depending on implementation of various reforms.

Asked about Mr Yunus's comments offering to host the stalled SAARC summit in Bangladesh following his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Cairo, Jaiswal said India has been pushing for regional cooperation through various platforms.

"Our efforts have been to boost regional cooperation. We want to move forward with platforms like BIMSTEC," he said, adding, "SAARC is another platform...You know why cooperation under SAARC is not moving forward." The SAARC ((South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) is a regional bloc comprising India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The grouping has not been very effective since 2016 as its biennial summits have not taken place since the last one in Kathmandu in 2014.

The 2016 SAARC Summit was to be held in Islamabad. But after the terrorist attack on an Indian Army camp in Uri in Jammu and Kashmir on September 18 that year, India expressed its inability to participate in the summit due to "prevailing circumstances".

The summit was called off after Bangladesh, Bhutan and Afghanistan also declined to participate in the Islamabad meet.

In the last few years, India has been making concerted efforts to make BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) a vibrant forum for regional cooperation as initiatives under SAARC were not moving forward.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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'One Nation, One Poll' Panel Gets More Members After Some Parties Object

The Joint Parliamentary Committee to review the One Nation One Election bill will have eight more members. Now it will have 27 members from Lok Sabha and 12 from Rajya Sabha, instead of 21 members from the lower house and 10 from the upper house, as was initially declared. The number has been increased after former Maharashtra Chief Minister and Shiv Sena UBT leader Uddhav Thackeray and a few other parties pointed out that none of their members have been included in the committee. 

Even so, the Committee - which the government wants to include all political parties -- still does not include members from the Nitish Kumar's Janata Dal United and Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party. The Rajya Sabha members, however, are yet to be named. One member from Shiv Sena UBT has been included now. 

The committee can have a maximum of 31 MPs based on each party's Lok Sabha numbers. This favours the ruling BJP - the largest party in the Lower House with 240 MPs. The Congress has 99 MPs.

The new members include Anil Desai ( Shivsena UBT ) Chhotelal (BJP), Vaijayant Panda (BJP), Shambhavi Chaudhary (LJP Ram Vilas), Sanjay Jaiswal (BJP) and K Radhakrishnan (CPM).

The Constitution (129th Amendment) Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha earlier this week. The bill will pave the way for simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha, state assembles and local bodies with minimum gap. 

But its implementation will require a series of amendments to the Constitution that can only be done with two-thirds majority in parliament. Some provisions may have to be ratified by the governments of states and Union Territories.

Given the huge changes this will involve, the government plans to start a dialogue that will involve all stakeholders and get everyone on board.

The Opposition has already been voicing its objections, with most parties contending that the bill will subvert the Constitution - an allegation the government has repeatedly refuted.

Introduced on Tuesday by Law Minister Arjun Meghwal in the Lok Sabha, the One Nation One Election Bill has sparked hours of bitter arguments which is still having ripple effects. The absence of a few BJP members from the house despite a party whip enthused the Opposition into claiming that bill had critics even within the ruling party.

Legal experts have warned that failure to pass the amendments will leave the government open to allegations that it is distorting India's federal structure. Many Opposition parties have already claimed the Centre is robbing the states of the right to self-determination, besides violating the Constitution.

While introducing the bill, Union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said, "Laws can be brought in for electoral reforms... this bill is aligned with the process of easing the electoral process, which will be synchronised. There will be no damage to the Constitution via this Bill. There will be no tampering with the basic structure of the Constitution".
 

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BJP's CT Ravi Arrested For Making Derogatory Remarks Against Woman Minister

In a major development, the police in Karnataka took Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLC CT Ravi into custody on Thursday evening from the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here for allegedly making derogatory remarks against a woman minister in the Chief Minister Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet.

The action came after a complaint was filed by Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Laxmi Hebbalkar. She alleged that Ravi used highly objectionable language on the floor of the House.

The police registered an FIR based on Laxmi Hebbalkar's complaint under Sections 75 and 79 of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) for sexual harassment and using insulting gestures amounting to sexual harassment.

CT Ravi was taken into custody by the police while he was staging a protest along with BJP members. He was taken away from the venue of protest and shifted into a police van.

Laxmi Hebbalkar also submitted a complaint to the Chairperson of the Legislative Council, Basavaraj Horatti.

BJP MLAs and MLCs staged a protest inside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha, condemning the alleged attack on BJP MLC CT Ravi related to the incident.

Reacting to the development, Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka said: "This is nothing but 'goondagiri' by the Congress. CT Ravi was assaulted on the floor of the House. The Chairperson of the Legislative Council, Basavaraj Horatti, has given a ruling that no such incident took place. There is no record supporting the allegation. We don't know whether a law and order system exists in the state. We will protest."

Chairperson of the Legislative Council Basavaraj Horatti commented that the members need to introspect in the wake of this incident.

"I have spoken to Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and BJP MLC CT Ravi regarding the matter. The issue has been closed. I am the custodian of the House, and I take responsibility for its smooth functioning," Horatti stated.

Meanwhile, Congress workers attempted to barge into CT Ravi's residence in his hometown of Chikkamagaluru. The police erected barricades and blocked the way of the protesters.

Protests were also staged in Bengaluru, Belagavi, and other locations.

The issue was raised in the Legislative Assembly by Congress MLA Sharat Bache Gowda. Leader of the Opposition R Ashoka objected, stating that the Chairperson of the Council had given a ruling on the matter and there was no scope for discussing it in the Assembly.

Minister for Law HK Patil stated that obscene words were used, and Minister Laxmi was insulted.

"This is a heinous act. Members must respect each other, and their protection is the duty of the government," he said.

Chaos and drama unfolded as, during a heated debate session earlier in the Council, CT Ravi allegedly referred to Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi as a "drug addict".

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Cummins, Lyon's Super Gesture To Ashwin, Present Him This After Retirement

Skipper Pat Cummins and top Aussie spinner Nathan Lyon on Wednesday presented a signed Australian Jersey to Ravichandran Ashwin as he bid adieu to cricket. It took many by surprise when Ashwin walked out with India captain Rohit Sharma to announce his international retirement. The signs were there for the fans to see when a camera caught Ashwin and Virat Kohli sharing a heartfelt moment on the last day of the Test. Ashwin was visibly emotional and Kohli embraced his friend, which made it clear that a big announcement was on the cards once the Test match ended.

Since the word spread about Ashwin's retirement, wishes have been pouring in, congratulating him for his illustrious career.

In a video shared by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the moment was captured when the two Aussie cricketers gave the signed Australian jersey to Ashwin in the hallway of the iconic Gabba in Brisbane.

"Well done mate, thank you, you have been great," Pat Cummins said while giving the signed jersey to the talisman India spinner.

Ashwin made his Test debut in 2011 against West Indies following that red-ball cricket became his forte. Ashwin featured in 106 Tests, picked up a whopping 537 wickets, including 37 five-wicket hauls, and amassed 3,503 runs.

In Tests, Ashwin appeared in 23 matches against Australia and picked up 115 wickets at an economy rate of 2.71.

The 38-year-old also holds the record for most wickets taken in a single Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. He picked up 29 wickets in the 2020-21 edition of the prestigious series.

In the long format, Ashwin holds plenty of records which are hard to be broken. The spinner holds the landmark of fastest Indian to claim 350 Test wickets. He is also India's second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests, with 537 scalps at an economy rate of 2.83.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Video: Passengers Panic, Scream For Help As Ferry Sinks Off Mumbai Coast

A video of Indian Navy and Coast Guard personnel rescuing passengers of a ferry that sank near Mumbai after colliding with a naval speedboat shows people shouting for help as the boat slowly goes under water.

Thirteen people were killed and 99 were rescued. The navy craft whose engine was on a trial run lost control and collided with the passenger ferry that was going from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island, a tourist spot.

"Search and Rescue efforts were immediately launched by the Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and Marine Police. Four naval helicopters, 11 naval craft, one Coast Guard boat and three Marine Police boats were involved in the rescue efforts," the Navy said.

"The survivors picked up by Navy and civil craft in the area have been transferred to jetties and hospitals in the vicinity. So far 99 survivors have been rescued," it added.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis told reporters in Nagpur that 101 persons have been rescued. He said he was deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives in the collision between the passenger ferry and the Indian Navy craft.

Mr Fadnavis declared financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to the families of those who died in the accident.

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3rd Test Day 5 LIVE: No Rain But Umpires Stop Play At Gabba. Reason Is...

India vs Australia LIVE Score, 3rd Test, Day 5: India were all out for 260 against Australia on Day 5 of the third Test match at The Gabba, Brisbane. Following gritty knocks by KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep stitched together a solid 10th wicket partnership to avoid follow-on on Day 4. With rain affecting the game, the match is likely to end in a draw but India will be looking to force a result in order to boost their World Test Championship (WTC) Final hopes. (Live Scorecard)

Here are the LIVE Score Updates of India vs Australia 3rd Test Match Day 5, straight from The Gabba, Brisbane -

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"Matter Of Shame": Priyanka Gandhi On Yogi Adityanath's "Israel" Remark

In a swipe at Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday said throwing youths into the war zone in Israel for "employment" is not an achievement but a matter of shame.

Her remarks came after Adityanath took a veiled jibe at Priyanka Gandhi for carrying a handbag to Parliament that had 'Palestine' emblazoned on it.

"Yesterday, a Congress leader was seen walking around Parliament carrying a Palestine bag, while we are sending our youth to Israel for opportunities.

"So far, more than 5,600 youth from Uttar Pradesh have gone to Israel for construction work. Every youth gets free food and accommodation besides a monthly salary of Rs 1.5 lakh there. There is also full guarantee of safety," Adityanath said on the second day of the Winter Session of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

Hitting back at Adityanath, Priyanka Gandhi said those who sent Uttar Pradesh's youths to war-torn Israel instead of providing them employment are calling it their achievement.

"They are neither aware of the unemployment situation in the state nor do they understand the pain of those youths and their families," she said.

According to reports, the youths who have gone to work in Israel are saving their lives by hiding in bunkers and the companies are exploiting them, she said in a post in Hindi.

"Their families are always scared. Our promising youths are forced to risk their lives for employment because you cannot provide employment," Priyanka Gandhi said.

"Throwing our youths into the war zone for employment is not something to pat on the back but a matter of shame." 

In his remarks, Adityanath said, "Recently, the ambassador of Israel visited Uttar Pradesh and said they want more youths from the state, as they are doing good work there. The world is now acknowledging the skills of our youths. When these youths send money home, they contribute to the development of the state. We should congratulate them." 

On Tuesday, Congress' Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi was seen carrying a cream-coloured handbag to Parliament on which it was written "Bangladesh Ke Hindu Aur Isaiyon Ke Saath Khade Ho" (stand with the Hindus and Christians of Bangladesh).

Several Congress MPs led by Priyanka Gandhi also staged a protest on the Parliament premises demanding justice for Hindus and Christians facing atrocities in Bangladesh.

This came a day after she expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine by carrying a handbag with 'Palestine' emblazoned on it. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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World's Largest Iceberg A23a Breaks Free, Drifts In The Southern Ocean

After being grounded for over 30 years, the world's largest iceberg, A23a, has started drifting in the Southern Ocean. This massive iceberg, which is roughly double the size of Greater London and weighs approximately one trillion tonnes, broke off from Antarctica's Filchner Ice Shelf in 1986. Since then, it had remained stuck on the seabed near the South Orkney Islands in the Weddell Sea until it began its slow movement northwards in 2020.

"It's exciting to see A23a on the move again after periods of being stuck. We are interested to see if it will take the same route the other large icebergs that have calved off Antarctica have taken. And more importantly what impact this will have on the local ecosystem," said Dr Andrew Meijers, who is an oceanographer with the British Antarctic Survey.

A23a's journey

The journey of iceberg A23a has been marked by fascinating scientific events. A23a broke free from Antarctica in 1986 but got stuck in the Weddell Sea's bottom mud for 30 years. It remained a static "ice island" until 2020 when it finally began to drift again. Slowly at first, it then accelerated northward, moving towards warmer air and waters. 

For several months, the iceberg was trapped in a rare oceanographic phenomenon known as a Taylor Column, where rotating water above a seamount held it in place. This unusual event caused A23a to spin in a single spot, delaying its expected rapid drift north.

As A23a continues on its journey, it is anticipated to follow the Antarctic Circumpolar Current into the Southern Ocean. This current is likely to drive the iceberg towards the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Once it reaches this region, A23a will encounter warmer waters, leading to its eventual break-up into smaller icebergs and subsequent melting.

Biogeochemist Laura Taylor, who was on board a research vessel, expressed hope that scientists would be able to study the impact of the massive iceberg A23a on the surrounding ecosystems as it melts and breaks apart.

"We know that these giant icebergs can provide nutrients to the waters they pass through, creating thriving ecosystems in otherwise less productive areas," Ms Taylor said.

"What we don't know is what difference particular icebergs, their scale, and their origins can make to that process. We took samples of ocean surface waters behind, immediately adjacent to, and ahead of the iceberg's route. They should help us determine what life could form around A23a and how it impacts carbon in the ocean and its balance with the atmosphere," she added.

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Ding, Accused Of Deliberately Losing To Gukesh, Opens Up On Loss At Worlds

Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren has opened up on his loss to India's D Gukesh at the World Chess Championship 2024 in Singapore last week. Ding, who was the defending champion, made a costly error in the decisive Game 14, allowing Gukesh to become the youngest ever world champion. Following his defeat to Gukesh, Ding was accused of deliberately losing the match by Russian Chess Federation chief Andrei Filatov. Russian news agency TASS quoted Filatov asking the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to open a probe and investigate the result.

Former world champions Magnus Carlsen and Vladimir Kramnik had also questioned the quality of chess on display during the whole course of the 14-game tie Ding and Gukesh.

Amid criticism, Ding has defended himself and Gukesh, insisting that the quality of the games was not so low.

"Yes, I tried my best in the match and you could see my usage of time. I used a large amount of time in the opening phase when I was not familiar with the position. I tried to figure out what is going on. Or what's the idea behind the novelty. Or how to play my pieces. And sometimes i did a good job and sometimes I didn't find a clear way to develop," Ding told ChessBase India.

"But in every game, his (Gukesh) time would eventually catch up my time after some long thought by him. So I can say that I played some high quality moves when I spent a lot of time. The quality of the game were not so low. Even when I was low on time, I also played some good moves with less time," he added.

Meanwhile, Gukesh secured the requisite 7.5 points as against 6.5 of his Chinese rival after winning the 14th and last classical time control game of the match that seemed headed for a draw for most part. As winner, he will walk away with a whopping USD 1.3 million (approx Rs 11.03 crore) from the 2.5 million prize purse.

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