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Tirupati stampede claims six lives, exposes gaps in crowd management during Vaikuntha Ekadasi preparations

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Devotees gather at Tirupati counters for Vaikuntha Ekadasi darshan tokens

Chaos erupted in Tirupati late Wednesday evening as a stampede at a ticket distribution center left six devotees dead and over 40 injured. The incident occurred just two days before the Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival at the renowned Lord Venkateswara Swamy temple on Andhra Pradesh’s Tirumala Hills.

Thousands of devotees had gathered at multiple counters set up by the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to distribute free “sarva darshan” tokens for the festival. Despite arrangements for 1,20,000 tokens across 94 counters at locations like Vishnu Nivasam, Srinivasam, Bhudevi complexes, and other sites in Tirupati, the situation spiraled out of control.

The token distribution, scheduled to begin at 5 a.m. Thursday, saw massive crowds arriving the night before. At the MGM High School counter in Bairagipatteda, near the Vishnu Nivasam temple, an estimated 4,000-5,000 people thronged the area, leading to jostling and overcrowding by evening.

BR Naidu, chairman of TTD, explained that the chaos began when a gate was opened to help an unwell woman. “As soon as the gate was opened, the crowd surged forward all at once, resulting in a stampede,” he said.

The stampede exposed significant lapses in crowd control measures, with Tirupati Municipal Commissioner N Moruya admitting that managing the crowds had become increasingly difficult. Tirupati Collector S Venkateswar confirmed that it took 15 minutes to evacuate the area and restore order.

The Vaikuntha Ekadasi festival, a significant annual event, allows devotees to offer prayers to Lord Venkateswara through the temple’s northern entrance. Despite the religious significance, the incident has cast a shadow over the preparations and safety measures undertaken by authorities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, “My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.” Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, urged Congress workers to extend all possible assistance to the affected.

Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his grief, saying, “The tragic death of devotees in Tirupati has deeply disturbed me. This incident, during such an auspicious time, is heartbreaking.”

The mishap has raised concerns over the adequacy of crowd management protocols for large-scale religious events. Authorities have pledged to review and strengthen safety measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

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Pune horror: Man stabs colleague to death in office parking lot, bystanders watch

Around 6 pm on Tuesday, Kanoja called Kodare to their office’s parking lot to confront her and ask for his money back. Shubhada Kodare refused, leading to an argument, and Kanoja stabbed her with a kitchen knife.

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Pune horror: Man stabs colleague to death in office parking lot, bystanders watch

In a harrowing incident, a 28-year-old woman was stabbed to death with a kitchen knife by a colleague in the parking lot of their company in Pune on Tuesday, allegedly because she borrowed money from him under false pretences. 

Several bystanders witnessed the horrific attack, but no one intervened. 30-year-old Krishna Kanoja, an accountant at WNS Global, a business process outsourcing (BPO) company in Yerawada told the police that his colleague, Shubhada Kodare had borrowed money from him several times, telling him that her father was unwell and needed treatment.

When Shubhada Kanoja asked for the money back, Kodare refused, citing her father’s condition. Subsequently, he went to her native place to corroborate her story and found that her father was okay and was suffering from no health issues. 

Later around 6 pm on Tuesday, Kanoja called Kodare to their office’s parking lot to confront her and ask for his money back. Shubhada Kodare refused, leading to an argument, and Kanoja stabbed her with a kitchen knife.

Many people who were in the parking lot saw Kanoja stab Kodare but did nothing to try and stop it. Reportedly, one or more of them even recorded the act. It was only after the woman was writhing on the ground and Kanoja threw the weapon that a crowd surrounded him and thrashed him. 

Reports stated that the Pune Police’s investigation has revealed that Shubhada Shankar Kodare had borrowed nearly Rs 4.5 lakh from the accused who was trying to threaten to pay it back. The Police said she had given the medical treatment of her father and herself as the reason to borrow the money over the past two years.

Additional Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manoj Patil said to a publication that as per the primary information, the suspect allegedly attacked Kodare on her right elbow with a sharp weapon around 6 pm in the parking lot of the firm. He continued that it was found that the attack was a fallout of some dispute over money borrowing issue.

The Police Commissioner further asserted that the woman, Shubhada Shankar Kodare, was bleeding profusely and was rushed to a nearby hospital. However, she succumbed to her injuries during treatment.

Reportedly, Krishna Satyanarayan Kanoja was detained and based on a complaint lodged by the deceased woman’s sister, a case was registered under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

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PM Modi says Genome India Project an important milestone in Biotechnology revolution

He noted that the project, which received approval five years ago, was successfully completed thanks to the relentless efforts of our scientists, who overcame obstacles posed by the Covid pandemic.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the completion of the Genome India Project (GIP) on Thursday, describing it as a pivotal moment in the nation’s biotechnology arena.

He noted that the project, which received approval five years ago, was successfully completed thanks to the relentless efforts of our scientists, who overcame obstacles posed by the Covid pandemic.

During his address, Modi highlighted the contributions of over 20 esteemed research institutions, including IISc, IITs, CSIR, and DBT-BRIC, that played key roles in this research initiative.

He announced that the genomic sequences of 10,000 Indians are now housed at the Indian Biological Data Center, expressing confidence that this project will become a hallmark in biotechnology research. He extended his congratulations to all stakeholders involved.

“The Genome India Project is a significant milestone in the biotechnology revolution,” Modi declared. He emphasized the project’s success in creating a diverse genetic resource by sequencing genomes from 10,000 individuals representing various populations across the country. This data will be accessible to scientists and researchers, offering insights into India’s genetic landscape and greatly assisting in national policy-making and planning.

Addressing experts and scientists, the Prime Minister acknowledged India’s vast diversity—not only in food, language, and geography but also in the genetic composition of its people. He stressed the importance of understanding genetic identities to devise effective treatments, noting that the nature of diseases can vary significantly.

He specifically pointed out the challenge of sickle cell anemia among tribal communities and the national effort to address it. Modi mentioned that understanding regional variations in genetic disorders necessitates a comprehensive genetic study to recognize the unique genomic patterns within India’s population.

He asserted that this knowledge would enable the development of targeted solutions and effective medications for specific groups, emphasizing that sickle cell anemia is just one example of a broader issue.

He also highlighted the lack of awareness in India regarding many hereditary genetic diseases, stating that the Genome India Project would facilitate the development of effective treatments for such conditions.

In discussing the future, Modi stated, “The integration of biotechnology and biomass in the 21st century is foundational for establishing a developed India as a Bio Economy.” He outlined the goals of the Bio Economy, which include the optimal utilization of natural resources, promotion of bio-based products and services, and the creation of new employment opportunities in this sector. He pointed out that the Bio Economy fosters sustainable development and innovation.

The Prime Minister noted that India’s Bio Economy has seen rapid growth over the past decade, expanding from 10 billions in 2014 to 150 billion today. He emphasized the nation’s ambition to elevate its Bio Economy further and mentioned the recent launch of the Bio E3 Policy.

He articulated that this policy would help India emerge as a leader in the global biotech landscape, akin to the IT revolution, acknowledging the vital role of scientists in this mission and extending his best wishes to them.

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Manmohan Singh: Himachal Pradesh govt gives nod to rename Institute of Public Administration after former Prime Minister

In addition, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a Special Task Force (STF) to address drug abuse and dismantle drug trafficking and organized crime networks in the state through a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy.

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Amid ongoing uncertainty regarding the selection of a memorial site in the national capital for former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh on Thursday approved the renaming of an institute in his honor, recognizing Dr. Singh’s substantial contributions to the development of the hill state.

During a meeting of the State Cabinet in Shimla, chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, it was decided to rename the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration (HIPA) as the Manmohan Singh Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration.

An official statement noted the Cabinet’s acknowledgment of Dr. Singh’s significant role in both national and state development, describing his tenure as Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister as transformative. Dr. Singh was credited with steering the country through an economic crisis and laying a solid foundation for the economic reforms that reshaped India’s financial landscape.

In addition, the Cabinet approved the establishment of a Special Task Force (STF) to address drug abuse and dismantle drug trafficking and organized crime networks in the state through a comprehensive, multi-faceted strategy.

The Cabinet also decided to promulgate an Ordinance to amend Schedule 1A of the Indian Stamp Act, 1899, allowing for a uniform stamp duty rate of 12% on transfer and lease transactions secured under Section 118(2)(H) of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, 1972, with prior consent from the state government.

During the 50th-anniversary celebrations of the Himachal Pradesh Institute of Public Administration in Shimla on January 1, Chief Minister Sukhu announced the institute’s renaming after Manmohan Singh. He praised Dr. Singh’s policies for their positive impact on the development of both India and Himachal Pradesh, stating that they had brought considerable benefits and recognition to the state.

At the event, Sukhu also unveiled a coffee table book published by HIPA and inaugurated a training program for special educators at the institute. This program, which will run until January 3, involves 80 teachers and aims to equip them with modern techniques for educating children with special needs, providing an alternative to traditional Braille methods.

Furthermore, as part of the state’s inclusive development initiatives, the Chief Minister announced an increase in the monthly pension for visually impaired children, raising it from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,000 until the age of 27.

He noted that this change would be included in the upcoming budget and emphasized, “The State Government is taking significant steps to empower visually impaired individuals and ensure their rightful share of state resources.”

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