The University of Patanjali in Haridwar and Veer Madho Singh Bhandari Uttarakhand Technical University in Dehradun signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Monday to foster academic collaboration and research initiatives. The agreement was officially signed by Acharya Balkrishna, Vice Chancellor of the University of Patanjali, and Prof. Onkar Singh, Vice Chancellor of Uttarakhand Technical University.

Both leaders highlighted that this MoU will facilitate collaboration in various fields, including science, Ayurveda, naturopathy, yoga science, agriculture, and other applied sciences and professional courses.

Under the terms of the agreement, both universities aim to enhance mutual cooperation in areas such as agriculture, technological innovation, entrepreneurship development, and student academic and skill growth.

Furthermore, students will have the chance to participate in training, internships, and research through student exchange programs. The MoU will also support joint research initiatives, development activities, skill enhancement programs, COVID-related research, public health advancements, startup activities, and other collaborative projects.

The overarching goal is to create new employment opportunities for the youth by implementing skill development programs across agriculture, science, technology, and health sectors.

Both institutions will organize seminars, workshops, and specialized training programs on topics of shared interest. Additionally, they will focus on improving student participation and leadership through exchange opportunities while providing avenues for training, internships, and research.

Present at the signing were Pro-Vice Chancellor Prof. Mank Kumar Aggarwal and Examination Controller Dr. Arvind Kumar Singh from the University of Patanjali, as well as Vice Chancellor Prof. Onkar Singh, Examination Controller Dr. B.K. Patel, and Finance Officer Vikram Singh Jantal from Uttarakhand Technical University, along with other senior officials.

The dignitaries hailed this MoU as a significant milestone in education and research, expressing optimism about its potential to yield substantial benefits in the future.

Acclaimed filmmaker and cinematographer Shaji N Karun passed away at his home in Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram, on Monday evening at the age of 73. He had been battling cancer and had recently returned home from a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram after two days of treatment.

An alumnus of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Pune, Shaji began his remarkable career as a cinematographer, collaborating closely with the legendary director G Aravindan.

Born Shaji Neelakantan Karunakaran in 1952 in Kollam, he grew up in a culturally rich environment, with a father in the revenue department and a mother who fostered his passion for literature and classical arts. Shaji became a pioneer of new wave cinema in Malayalam, bringing its legacy to international audiences and earning global recognition.

In 1988, Shaji made his directorial debut with **Piravi**, a poignant exploration of grief that received international accolades, including 31 awards such as the Charlie Chaplin Award at Edinburgh, the Silver Leopard at Locarno, and a Special Mention at the Cannes Film Festival.

His later films—**Swaham**, **Vanaprastham**, **Kutty Srank**, and **Olu**—further solidified his status as a master storyteller known for deep emotional narratives and striking visuals. Notably, **Vanaprastham** was his third film to be selected for screening at Cannes.

Long before stepping into directing, Shaji showcased his visual storytelling expertise as a cinematographer in classics like G Aravindan’s **Kanchana Sita** and **Esthappan**. His films often explored themes of human suffering, memory, and existential longing, conveyed through captivating imagery and nuanced emotions.

Beyond filmmaking, Shaji played a vital role in shaping India’s film culture, serving as the founding chairman of the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy and the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). In 2024, he was honored with the Padma Shri for his significant contributions to Indian cinema.

Following directives from Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, bulldozers were in action on Monday, targeting illegal encroachments and unauthorized religious structures in districts adjacent to Nepal. Special operations were held in Shravasti, Bahraich, Siddharthnagar, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Maharajganj. Illegal constructions were demolished in Shravasti and Bahraich, while 12 unauthorized structures were flagged in Siddharthnagar, with notices issued accordingly.

In Lakhimpur Kheri, a comprehensive survey revealed no illegal encroachments. These measures aim to address longstanding unauthorized occupations of valuable land along the border, an initiative firmly supported by the Yogi administration.

Bahraich District Magistrate Monica Rani stated that operations to tackle illegal constructions commenced on Monday, acting on the Chief Minister’s orders. In the 0–10 km area along the India-Nepal border in Nanpara tehsil, 227 instances of illegal encroachment were reported. On Monday, two illegal structures were taken down, adding to the 89 removed over the previous four days, freeing a total of 91 sites. In Mihipurwa tehsil, 157 cases of encroachment were noted; four illegal structures were demolished on Monday, and 12 on April 27, thus clearing 16 government land sites to date. Additionally, actions were taken against seven illegal madrasas.

Shravasti District Magistrate Ajay Kumar Dwivedi mentioned that 12 unrecognized madrasas—six in Jamunha tehsil, four in Bhinga, and two in Ikouna—were sealed due to insufficient documentation. To date, 32 such madrasas have faced action.

Furthermore, under Section 67 of the Revenue Code, eviction proceedings were initiated in eight cases of illegal encroachments within the 0–15 km range of the India-Nepal border, bringing the total eviction actions to 127. A mosque in Bhartha Roshangarh village, Bhinga tehsil, which was partially constructed on government land, was also demolished during this operation.

Maharajganj District Magistrate Anunay Jha reported that during the inspection for illegal constructions within 10 km of the India-Nepal border, authorities discovered religious activities occurring on government land at plot number 40 in Sonpipri Khurd, a no man’s land near the SSB check post. An illegal structure intended for a mazar was dismantled in the presence of local officials. Moreover, an unauthorized madrasa built on pond land in Ramnagar village was also removed.

Lakhimpur Kheri District Magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal noted that the identification of illegal constructions continued throughout Monday in Palia tehsil. A temporary mosque structure in Krishnanagar Colony was taken down, and actions under Section 67 are being pursued against an Idgah that has stood for 80 years on Gata numbers 1136 and 37 in Chandan Chowki village.

Similarly, Siddharthnagar’s District Magistrate reported the identification of 12 illegal constructions, with notices sent to those occupying the properties. Should these structures not be removed, legal action, including demolition, will follow.

The Yogi government remains firm that illegal occupations and unauthorized religious or educational institutions will not be tolerated within a 15 km radius of the Nepal border. Authorities have been instructed to rapidly clear identified encroachments and maintain vigilant monitoring.