National
Congress Aims to Preserve Social Balance with Telangana Cabinet Expansion
Eighteen months into his tenure as Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy has expanded his Cabinet, inducting three new ministers after receiving approval from the High Command. The newly appointed ministers, Gaddam Vivek Venkataswamy, Vakiti Srihari, and Adhuri Laxman Kumar, were sworn in on Sunday by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma.
Reddy prioritized social equity in his selections by including representatives from the Madiga and Mala communities within the Scheduled Castes, along with a member from the Mudiraj community among the Backward Classes. However, the Cabinet expansion has led to dissatisfaction among various aspirants, prompting AICC in-charge Meenakshi Natarajan and PCC president Mahesh Kumar Goud to intervene and address the concerns.
Telangana is set to hold a bypoll following the passing of Jubilee Hills MLA Maganti Gopinath, who succumbed to a heart attack on Sunday. Gopinath, a member of the BRS, previously triumphed over Congress’s Mohammad Azharuddin with support from AIMIM.
Being the first state to legislate the sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes post-Supreme Court approval, Telangana’s Cabinet expansion also mirrors this commitment. The Chief Minister and Congress High Command resisted pressures from the influential ‘Reddy’ community, to which several ministers, including Revanth Reddy, belong.
Gaddam Vivek represents the Mala community, while Adhuri Laxman Kumar is from the Madiga community, ensuring balanced representation. Existing Cabinet members, including Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu (Mala) and Health Minister C. Raja Narsimha (Madiga), have been significant advocates for SC sub-categorization. Upholding Congress’s social engineering principles, the Chief Minister also appointed Vakiti Srihari from the prominent Mudiraj group among Backward Classes. Moreover, Ramchander Naik, representing the ST constituency, was designated as Deputy Speaker.
At 12:19 PM, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma administered the oaths of office to the new ministers at Raj Bhavan, attended by the Chief Minister and other senior officials. However, the event was overshadowed by the discontent of certain MLAs, including Sudarshan Reddy, Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, and Prem Sagar Rao.
Once again, the Congress leadership opted not to include a Muslim representative in the state Cabinet. While no Muslim candidates secured victory in the Assembly elections, opportunities for inclusion post-election as MLCs existed. Before the expansion, six Cabinet positions were vacant, allowing for the possibility of future appointments that will enable the state leadership to strategize.
Noida: A man died by suicide after jumping from the 43rd floor of the Supernova Tower in Noida on Saturday.
The incident took place at the Supernova complex in Sector 94. A video shows the man standing near the railing before jumping. Another person tried to stop him but could not prevent the incident.
Police identified the deceased as Sambhav Jain, a resident of Manesar, Haryana. He had reportedly checked into an Airbnb in the building on Friday and was scheduled to leave on Saturday.
Police said Jain had called his father several times before the incident. His family has been informed.
The police and forensic teams inspected the spot and collected evidence. CCTV footage is also being checked as part of the investigation.
READ MORE:Lineman Dies of Electric Shock While on Duty in Bantwal
Police said Jain was reportedly under severe financial stress. His body has been sent for a post-mortem examination.
The investigation is underway.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Captain Smit Machchhar over a video call and praised his courage after he helped prevent a major air disaster.
Captain Machchhar was seriously injured after his co-pilot allegedly stabbed him during a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX reportedly lost nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds.
Passengers and crew members entered the cockpit and overpowered the co-pilot. A second pair of pilots then took control and safely landed the aircraft in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. More than 170 passengers and crew were on board.
Speaking from his hospital bed, Captain Machchhar told PM Modi that he was badly injured and had collapsed in the cockpit. He realised that the aircraft was rapidly losing altitude and that he had to act.
“I could not let all those people die,” he told the Prime Minister.
Captain Machchhar said his 17 years of flying experience helped him understand what was happening to the aircraft. He managed to open the cockpit door, after which passengers and crew came to his help.
READ MORE:CPI (ML) Liberation Protests in Bantwal, Demands Chief Election Commissioner’s Resignation
He also said he was chanting the Hanuman Chalisa while fighting the pain and fear.
PM Modi praised the captain’s courage, patience and presence of mind. He said Captain Machchhar’s actions helped save many lives and called his effort a “monumental task.”
Captain Machchhar, who is from Gujarat, has more than 9,750 flying hours and has served as a captain for 11 years.
Gandhidham: India has taken a major step towards green shipping with the foundation stone laid for the country’s first port-based e-methanol production facility at Kandla in Gujarat.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid the foundation stone at the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) on Saturday.
The Rs.2,300-crore project is a joint initiative of the Deendayal Port Authority and Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd. The plant will produce 150 tonnes of e-methanol every day using renewable power, water and biogenic carbon dioxide.
E-methanol is considered a cleaner alternative fuel for the shipping sector. The facility will supply green fuel to ships operating on the Asia-Europe trade route.
The project will be developed in two phases. The first phase will have a production capacity of 50 tonnes per day and involve an investment of Rs.1,200 crore. It is expected to be completed by January 2027.
The second phase will add another 100 tonnes per day at an estimated cost of Rs.1,100 crore. It is targeted for completion by March 2027.
The Deendayal Port Authority will hold a 76 per cent share in the project, while Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd will have a 24 per cent stake. DPA will provide Rs.567.32 crore as equity, along with 75 acres of land, desalinated water and renewable energy support.
The project is expected to create more than 3,500 direct and indirect jobs. It will also support activities such as transportation, storage and supply of green fuel around Kandla.
Speaking at the event, Bhupendra Patel said Gujarat’s coastline would play an important role in supplying green energy to the world. He described Kandla as a future gateway for India’s green energy exports.
Sarbananda Sonowal said the project marked another step in India’s growing maritime ambitions. He said Kandla could develop into a major green-fuel hub on the Singapore–Rotterdam shipping route.
Himanta Biswa Sarma said Assam would contribute to India’s clean energy transition through its natural resources and industrial strength. He described the project as an example of cooperation between Assam and Gujarat.
The facility is expected to support India’s long-term goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. It is also linked to the government’s focus on energy self-reliance and the Make in India initiative.
The government is also working to strengthen India’s maritime sector. It has set a target of adding 100 new ships to the country’s merchant fleet over the next five years.
Several other maritime projects are also being developed in Gujarat, including a Rs.1,520-crore shipbuilding project at Vadinar and a proposed shipbuilding and repair cluster at Kuchhadi in Porbandar.
READ MORE:Tulu Sahitya Academy Announces Annual Honorary Awards
Kutch MP Vinod Chavda, Gandhidham MLA Maltiben Kishor Maheshwari, Assam government representatives, officials of Assam Petro-Chemicals Ltd and DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh were among those present at the foundation stone ceremony.
Kodagu MLA Visits Athlete Poovamma’s Residence in Mangaluru
Kuwait Returnee Dies of Heart Attack at Bengaluru Airport
Asian Games Gold Medallist M.R. Poovamma Felicitated by Dakshina Kannada Administration
Meet Bubu and Dudu: The Adorable Cartoon Couple Captivating Hearts Around the Globe!
“Hidden Love” Spin-Off “The First Frost” Now Streaming on Netflix
