India News
States can decide their two-hour time slot for bursting crackers, says Supreme Court
Modifying its recent order fixing the two-hour time slot of 8 pm – 10pm for bursting firecrackers to check the growing air pollution menace, the Supreme Court today (Tuesday, October 30) allowed states, specifically states of south India, to set the time slot according to their practices and traditions.
Whatever the time of the day, the limit will be two hours for fireworks, however, said the top court.
The Bench of Justices AK Sikri and Ashok Bhushan refused to make any other dilutions in its recent order which, among other directives, laid out that e-retailing of crackers will be banned completely and that only “green crackers” – those without the poisonous chemical barium – will be manufactured, sold and used during Diwali or on any other occasion.
The apex court was hearing several applications filed by the Tamil Nadu government and firecracker manufacturers seeking modification and clarification of its October 23 order. On Monday, the Tamil Nadu government urged the apex court to allow firecrackers to be burst on Diwali morning in accordance with religious practices in the state, besides the already permitted 8 pm to 10 pm period.
“Diwali is a practice religiously and scrupulously followed by Hindus from time immemorial and it had become a core and essential religious practice which is also protected under Article 25 of the Constitution as their fundamental right,” it said.
Diwali is celebrated in the state early in the morning to commemorate the death of Narakashura, it pointed out.
Several States had pleaded that the court make some relations in the stringent guidelines laid out by it as large scale manufacturing of the fire crackers had already been done.
However, the court declined to entertain these pleas while directing the counsel for Centre and the State to file an affidavit on Wednesday (October 31) regarding use of barium in fire crackers.
On October 23, the top court said people in the country can only burst firecrackers from 8 pm to 10 pm on Diwali and other festivals. It also allowed the manufacture and sale of just “green crackers” which have low emission of light, sound and harmful chemicals.
The apex court carved out an exception for Christmas and the New Year’s Eve, saying crackers on these days could be burst between 11.55 pm and 12.30 am since the celebrations start at midnight.
It also banned the manufacture, sale and use of joined firecrackers, saying they cause “huge air, noise and solid waste problems”.
The apex court said the noise and smoke emission limits of the crackers will have to be approved by the Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO), under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
India News
Punjab: CM Bhagwant Mann hands over Rs 1 crore cheques to Anantnag encounter martyrs families
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also assured all possible help and support to the families of the martyred soldiers.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday handed over cheques of Rs 1 crore each to the bereaved families of martyrs Colonel Manpreet Singh and martyr Pradeep Singh. They were among the soldiers who laid their lives in protecting the nation in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir.
The anti-terror week-long operation in the Garol forests in the Anantnag district ended on Tuesday. The operation began when Colonel Manpreet Singh, commanding officer, 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major Ashish Dhonchak and deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat were killed by terrorists.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also assured all possible help and support to the families of the martyred soldiers. He expressed that martyr Colonel Manpreet Singh and martyr Pradeep Singh will always live in their memories.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Chief Minister conveyed that he met the families of Colonel Manpreet Singh of Kharar Constituency and Shaheed Pradeep Singh of Samana Constituency. He added that the families were handed over cheques of Rs 1 crore from the government as an honorarium.
According to reports, Colonel Manpreet Singh, commanding officer of the Rashtriya Rifles (19 RR) and a recipient of the prestigious Sena Medal (Gallantry), spoke to his family, just hours before dying of gunshot wounds. He is survived by wife, 2-year-old daughter, 6-year-old son, mother and a brother.
The body of martyred soldier Pradeep Singh was recovered on Monday, after he went missing on the first day of the encounter. Martyr Pradeep Singh was with the Sikh Light Infantry and was a part of 19 Rashtriya Rifles. Reportedly, the 27-year-old soldier served in the Indian Army for seven years. He hailed from Patiala in Punjab and is survived by his wife.
Addressing a function late on Sunday evening, Lt Governor Manoj Sinha expressed that every drop of blood of the slain security personnel will be avenged and the terrorist handlers will have to pay a heavy price. He added that they have complete faith in the soldiers and the entire nation stands in solidarity with them.
India News
MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveils Statue of Oneness of Adi Shankara
This 108 ft tall statue is situated on the Mandhata Mountain in Omkareshwar. MP CM took to X(formerly Twitter) and shared a video of himself offering prayers at the site during the inauguration of the statue.
Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan unveiled the Statue of Oneness of Adi Shankara, the first Shankacharya in Omkareshwar on Thursday. The state cabinet had approved this project last year to celebrate the life and philosophy of the 8th Century saint and Hindu philosopher.
This 108 ft tall statue is situated on the Mandhata Mountain in Omkareshwar. MP CM took to X(formerly Twitter) and shared a video of himself offering prayers at the site during the inauguration of the statue. He wrote there is auspiciousness and auspiciousness only in the feet of Acharya Shankar. He added the sun of welfare for the entire world lies in the auspicious thoughts of Advaita.
Omkareshwar is located on the banks of Narmada river. It is 80 km away from the city of Indore. MP CM said the cultural foundation on which Adi Shankara propounded Advaita Vedanta by seeing the existence of only one Brahma in every living being. Chouhan said Adi Shankara united India in one thread. He said he was proud of the fact that this unique personality of the spiritual world attained knowledge on the land of Madhya Pradesh and united the whole country.
Chouhan said future generations will continue to visit this statue and become familiar with the contribution of Shankarcharyaji from time to time. MP CM highlighted how Adi Guru Shankara worked to unite the nation culturally. He spread the essence of Vedas to the common people. Chouhan added Adi Shankara made four monasteries in four corners of the country. Hence helped in keeping India culturally united.
This statue is the third major statue built in India by the government. Before this PM Modi inaugurated the statue of equality near Hyderabad to commemorate the 11th Century Bhakti saint Sri Ramanujacharya. The statue was inaugurated in Ramanujacharya’s 1000th birth anniversary. In 2018 PM Modi inaugurated the Statue of Unity in Gujarat’s Kevadia. The statue was made in the memory of former deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
India News
India’s luxury train Deccan Odyssey makes a comeback, starting services on September 23
The train was inaugurated on September 21 around 1:30 pm at the CST Station in Mumbai but the operation will be starting from Saturday.
India’s luxury train Deccan Odyssey is all set to start its commercial services from September 23. It is a comeback for the Royal Train after 3 years. The operation of this train was stopped in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The train was inaugurated on September 21 around 1:30 pm at the CST Station in Mumbai but the operation will be starting from Saturday.
According to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) official, notable personalities such as Rahul Narvekar, Deepak Kesarkar, and Girish Mahajan attended the inauguration, with attempts being made to invite Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar as guests of honour.
The official said that after Covid-19, the first seven-day journey, will traverse through royal destinations including Vadodara, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Agra, Sawai Madhopur and culminate in New Delhi.
The MTDC operate the Deccan Odyssey Royal Train. The train provides a luxury service at a cost starting from Rs 6.5 lakh per person. The cost has been revised after the Covid-19 pandemic.
If a passenger books in a group of two people, the charges will cost around Rs 9 lakh for the royal experience.
To experience the grandeur of Maharashtra’s royal history, aboard the iconic Deccan Odyssey. The train features 21 coaches, with 11 dedicated to guests, as well as dining, conference, spa, and lounge coaches. MTDC has appointed a new tour operator to ensure seamless operations.
People can book now for the first trip after the COVID pandemic, with 25 seats already reserved out of a total capacity of around 80 persons.
The Deccan Odyssey showcases Maharashtra’s cultural heritage and scenic wonders, blending elegance and opulence for a luxurious travel experience.
The UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) recognised World Heritage site Ajanta Ellora Caves is also included in the Royal Train journey, people can experience this journey.
