National
3.31 Lakh Pilgrims Sign Up for the Upcoming Amarnath Yatra
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha presided over the 49th Board meeting of the Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB) at the Raj Bhawan on Saturday.
The Board conducted a thorough review of the readiness of all relevant departments and proposed several initiatives to enhance facilities for the pilgrims. The meeting covered various arrangements and essential amenities at base camps and along the pilgrimage route, focusing on disaster preparedness, information dissemination regarding the Yatra, insurance for pilgrims and service providers, upgrading Yatra tracks, as well as ensuring sanitation, water, power, transportation, medical care, telecom connectivity, weather forecasts, a digital pre-paid system for service hire, fire and emergency services, and civil supplies.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasized the importance of the safety and well-being of pilgrims, stating, “Our top priority is to provide improved facilities and amenities to ensure a smooth and spiritually enriching experience for everyone.”
Additionally, the meeting addressed critical topics such as establishing Yatri Niwas and transit camps along the route, increasing lodging capacity, expanding Prasad sale counters, and enhancing Yatri facilitation centers. The Board also discussed the implementation of online services, issuance of RFID cards, and the registration and verification of both pilgrims and service providers, as well as Langar and NGO services.
Dr. Mandeep K. Bhandari, CEO of the Shri AmarnathJi Shrine Board, provided an extensive presentation on the arrangements for the Yatra. Key officials in attendance included Atal Dulloo, Chief Secretary; Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department; Nalin Prabhat, DGP; Chandraker Bharti, Principal Secretary of Home; IGPs; Administrative Secretaries; Divisional Commissioners from Jammu and Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners of Ganderbal and Anantnag; Additional CEO of SASB; and senior officers from the UT Administration, Police, Shrine Board, and BRO, both in person and virtually.
National
MBBS Student Alleges She Was Drugged, Raped by Friend in Delhi Hotel
New Delhi: An 18-year-old MBBS student has accused a 20-year-old male friend of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a hotel in Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar area. The alleged incident took place on September 9, police officials said.
According to the complaint, the accused, who is also a medical student, invited the woman to “Hotel Apple” on the pretext of spending time together. Once there, he allegedly gave her a drink laced with drugs and then raped her.
The survivor told police that the accused recorded obscene videos and took pictures during the assault. He later threatened to make the content viral if she reported the incident.
The woman, a native of Jind in Haryana, is currently staying at the hostel of Baba Saheb Ambedkar Medical College in Rohini, Delhi.
Based on her complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. A search is underway to locate and arrest the accused, officials added.
In a separate case earlier this month, a school manager in Uttar Pradesh was arrested for allegedly raping a Class 8 student. In February, a tuition teacher in Delhi’s CR Park area was accused of repeatedly raping a 15-year-old student over three years and threatening her with blackmail.
National
8 Patients Dead In Jaipur Hospital Fire
Jaipur: Eight patients died after a fire broke out at the trauma centre of the state-run Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur late Sunday night.
Officials said the blaze started in the storage area of the Neuro ICU, possibly due to a short circuit. There were 11 patients in the ICU at the time. Smoke quickly spread, causing panic among patients and staff.
Hospital workers and attendants tried to rescue patients, even moving them out on their beds. Firefighters controlled the blaze in about two hours.
Families of the victims alleged that hospital staff ignored early warnings about smoke and fled during the fire.
Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and other ministers visited the hospital to review the situation and assured a detailed probe into the incident.
National
75-Year-Old Man Marries 35-Year-Old, Dies Before Honeymoon
Uttar Pradesh: A 75-year-old man who remarried in search of companionship died barely hours after his wedding, sparking shock and speculation in his village.
The deceased, identified as Sangruram, a resident of Kuchhmuchh village in Jaunpur district, had been living alone after losing his first wife a year ago. With no children, he supported himself through farming. Despite advice from relatives against remarriage, Sangruram wed 35-year-old Manbhavati, a resident of Jalalpur area, on Monday, September 29.
The marriage was first registered in court, followed by traditional rituals at a local temple. According to Manbhavati, the couple spent most of the wedding night conversing, as Sangruram assured her that she would take responsibility for the household while he would “take care of the children.”
However, by the next morning, his health deteriorated suddenly. He was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The unexpected death has triggered varied reactions in the village. While some residents believe it to be a natural occurrence given his age, others have expressed suspicion about the circumstances.
Relatives, including nephews residing in Delhi, have halted funeral rites until their arrival. They have also raised questions about whether a police inquiry or post-mortem examination will be conducted before the cremation.
Authorities have yet to issue an official statement regarding further investigation.
