National

VP Dhankhar: Beneficiaries of Reservations Must Remember Society’s Efforts and Support

Published

2 years ago

February 9, 2025

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar addressed the Akhil Mewar Region Jat Mahasabha in Chittorgarh on Sunday, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the societal support that has facilitated progress through reservations.

Reflecting on the Jat reservation movement from 25 years ago, he stated, “I am here 25 years later, and it’s important to remember the significant work that commenced here. The fight for social justice began, leading to reservations for Jats and other castes.”

“This initiative took off in 1999, with many key figures present. I was among them. We laid the groundwork here, on this revered land of Devnagari, Mewar’s Haridwar, and our efforts bore fruit—today, the outcomes can be seen in various administrative services across the country and the state,” Dhankhar noted. He underscored that those who have benefited from these reservations now hold critical positions within the government.

He urged beneficiaries to reflect on their journey, stating, “Never forget the support and sacrifices that enabled us to achieve social justice. Movements related to reservations can instill fear and lead to chaos; however, our movement has been a testament to social justice without disorder or violence.”

Regarding the vital role of farmers, the Vice-President remarked, “Farmers are the backbone of our economy and should strive for self-reliance. When farmers thrive, the entire nation flourishes. They possess both political power and economic potential through their hard work.”

He emphasized that no matter the challenges, the significance of farmers in India’s developmental narrative cannot be overstated. “The current governance system respects the contributions of farmers,” he asserted.

Dhankhar encouraged farmers to utilize the resources available at Agricultural Science Centres, stating, “There are over 730 Agricultural Science Centres ready to assist you. Engage with them—learn about the services available, modern technologies, and government initiatives. The government has numerous resources that you might not be aware of, including the benefits of cooperatives.”

“Regular visits to these centres can awaken enthusiasm among those working there, reinforcing the idea that the providers of food are actively seeking accountability. This accountability can lead to improved quality,” Dhankhar explained.

He further urged farmers to invest in the trade and value addition of their products. “Why aren’t farmers enhancing the value of their goods? Numerous businesses thrive on agricultural produce—flour mills, oil mills, and others. We must work together to ensure farmers focus also on livestock production. I take great pleasure in the growth of dairies and believe there is ample opportunity for expansion in this sector.”

He also appealed to youth, particularly the children of farmers, to explore agricultural business opportunities. “Agricultural production is a vital and valuable trade. I urge farmers to take charge of their products. Our youth are talented; my request is for more farmers to engage with cooperatives, diversify their activities, and fully invest in agricultural production ventures, which will yield positive long-term economic outcomes.”

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National

11 Hospitalised After Dead Lizard Found in Birthday Cake

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Maharashtra : Eleven people were hospitalised after eating a birthday cake that allegedly contained a dead lizard in Nalasopara, Maharashtra.

The incident took place during a birthday celebration. The affected group included seven children and four women.

According to reports, they complained of sudden stomach and chest pain shortly after eating the cake.

They were immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. Doctors said that all 11 patients are in stable condition.

The incident has raised serious concerns about food safety and hygiene standards in bakeries.

The case comes amid growing concerns over food safety in Maharashtra. Earlier, a rat was allegedly seen inside an ice cream freezer at a Blinkit store in Thane’s Godrej Hill area in Kalyan.

In another incident, food safety officials suspended the FSSAI licence of a Blinkit-linked facility in Malad West after finding several violations.

The recent incidents have increased calls for stricter checks on food storage, hygiene and safety standards across the state.

National

Dead Russell’s Viper Found on Vande Bharat Express

Published

2 days ago

August 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Ernakulam: A dead Russell’s viper was found on a passenger seat inside a Vande Bharat Express in Ernakulam, causing panic among passengers.

The incident took place on Friday, August 14, at around 2.30 pm. The train was scheduled to leave Ernakulam Junction for Bengaluru.

The incident came to light before the train began its journey. Vinu Varghese, who works for an insurance company in Ernakulam, had booked a ticket to travel to Coimbatore with his two-year-old child.

When he returned to his seat after visiting the restroom, he noticed the dead snake lying on the seat. He was shocked and immediately informed the Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) and railway staff.

The railway staff quickly responded to the situation. With the help of passengers, they removed the dead snake from the coach.

After the snake was removed, the passengers felt relieved. Vinu Varghese later filed an official complaint through the railway portal.

In his complaint, he questioned the safety and cleanliness standards on the train. He said passengers pay a significant amount for travelling on Vande Bharat trains and expected better safety measures.

Varghese said the railway staff later apologised for the incident.

The incident has also raised questions about how a snake entered the passenger compartment. Vande Bharat trains are air-conditioned and have sealed gangways and automatic doors that open only at designated stations.

The incident has raised concerns about pest control and safety protocols on the train. Railway authorities have ordered a detailed investigation into the matter.

This is not the first reported incident involving a snake on a Vande Bharat train. In December 2025, a passenger was allegedly accused of deliberately placing a snake inside the Mumbai-Solapur Vande Bharat Express.

National

West Bengal Man Detained in Bengaluru over Alleged Terror Links

Published

3 days ago

August 15, 2026

Namma Kudla

Bengaluru: Bengaluru police have detained a 25-year-old man from West Bengal over his alleged links with a terror group.

The accused has been identified as Asafool Mallik. He is a native of Naopara village in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district.

Police detained Mallik in the Jigani area after receiving information about his alleged suspicious online activities.

According to the police, Mallik had allegedly established contact with a person identified as Imran Haider through Facebook. Haider, who is from Afghanistan, is suspected to have links with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Police said Mallik allegedly wanted to travel to Afghanistan and join the group. He also allegedly discussed retaliatory attacks against the Pakistan Army and possible attacks in India.

Mallik had reportedly applied for a visa to travel to Afghanistan. However, he later dropped the plan due to financial difficulties and family responsibilities, police said.

Mallik was living near APC Circle in Jigani. He had been working as a security guard at Tata Advanced Limited in the Jigani Industrial Area since December 2025.

Police said they received information about his activities while conducting patrols in the Bommasandra Industrial Area.

During questioning, Mallik allegedly said he was angry over what he believed were attacks on Muslims in Pakistan. He also reportedly expressed anger over Pakistan’s position on the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Police further said Mallik was allegedly being encouraged to retaliate if Muslims faced difficulties in India.

Police later examined Mallik’s mobile phone. They allegedly found chats, voice calls and audio conversations between Mallik and Haider.

The police are now examining the chats, recordings and other material recovered from the phone.

The investigation is underway to determine the extent of Mallik’s alleged links with the terror network.