Eight workers died in an avalanche that struck a BRO camp in Mana, Uttarakhand, despite prior warnings from the Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE). Activists blame administrative negligence and reckless construction in avalanche-prone areas. Authorities failed to act on alerts, leading to the tragedy. Experts warn that such disasters will continue unless safety measures are enforced. The incident highlights the need for better disaster preparedness and stricter regulations in vulnerable regions.
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Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched a 'Kumbh War Room' at Rail Bhawan ahead of Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj. Operating 24x7, it features live CCTV feeds from 1,176 cameras across nine stations and multilingual announcements. With Rs 5,000 crore invested in infrastructure, 13,000 trains will ensure smooth operations. This enhances coordination between railway officials and district authorities.
A fresh dispute has arisen between BJP and Congress after US President Trump questioned $21 million USAID funds for voter turnout in India, calling it a “kickback scheme.†BJP accused Congress of using foreign support to influence elections while Congress highlighted BJP’s past USAID links and accused hypocrisy. Trump reasserted that the funds aimed to influence 2024 elections.
The Supreme Court has mandated that the government must proactively grant premature release to all eligible convicts without waiting for a formal application. This move ensures convicts aware of their eligibility for remission are considered for release, highlighting the government’s duty to avoid arbitrary and discriminatory actions.
British Airways introduces an in-person service in local languages for Indian customers traveling to London. The free 'meet and assist' service, available in Hindi, Punjabi, Telugu, and Tamil, helps passengers with check-in, airport navigation, boarding, and transit at London Heathrow. This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and improve customer experience on BA flights from five Indian cities.
Kannada actor Ranya Rao was caught smuggling 14.2 kg gold at Bengaluru airport. Her father, DGP Ramachandra Rao, has been sent on 'compulsory leave' to avoid embarrassment. Three central agencies are investigating, with Rao's involvement denied by Ranya, who claims she was coerced into signing documents. The central agencies might summon Rao for questioning.
A parliamentary panel emphasizes the ongoing crisis in Manipur, with significant displacement and loss of life. It recommends a special committee and targeted programs to support displaced women and children. The focus is on addressing shelter, nutrition, healthcare, and economic opportunities to alleviate the severe distress faced by the affected population.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the Aam Aadmi Party has been ousted from Delhi politics, with the BJP winning 47 seats. Modi expressed gratitude to Delhi's voters, highlighting the triumph over AAP after 27 years, and pledged further development efforts in the region.
A CBI special court in Chhattisgarh has discharged former CM Bhupesh Baghel from all charges in the sleaze CD case. Baghel, his former adviser Vinod Verma, and Kailash Murarka appeared in court, which found no basis for prosecution. The case was linked to an alleged sex CD involving ex-minister Rajesh Munat.
Anurag Srivastava highlights the importance of policy innovation and technology for water governance in Uttar Pradesh. He discusses the role of AI, IoT, and data analytics in managing water resources, and the significant progress under the Jal Jeevan Mission to improve tap water coverage in rural areas.
The Delhi high court was informed that the Election Commission of India would resolve Congress MP Randeep Singh Surjewala's request for electoral rolls from Haryana and Maharashtra by April. The court acknowledged the need for a prompt decision, aiming for utmost transparency during the electoral process.