Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday inaugurated two new express train services connecting Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan, the officials said. The inaugural runs of the Pune (Hadapsar)–Jodhpur Express and the MGR Chennai Central–Jodhpur (Bhagat Ki Kothi) Express were flagged off via video conferencing, they said. According to an official statement, the event was also attended by Union Minister of State for Cooperation and Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of State for Culture and Tourism and others. It said that the benefits of the new trains include direct travel between Maharashtra/Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan. It will boosts trade and commerce and would facilitate increase in tourism in the three states. The new trains will also encourage trade and business interaction between the regions and will saves time and effort for passengers, especially long-distance travellers, a Central Railway statement said. Details of the inaugural run of Hadapsar (Pune) – Jodhpur Express: - Inaugural Train no 01401 Hadapsar (Pune) – Jodhpur Express will leave Pune at 17:30 hrs on 03.05.2025 and reach Jodhpur at 14:00 hrs next day. Details of the regular train services between Hadapsar and Jodhpur: - Train no 20496 Hadapsar – Jodhpur Express will leave Hadapasar at 19.15 hrs daily from 6.5.2025 and reach Jodhpur at 15:10 hrs next day. - Train no. 20495 Jodhpur – Hadapsar Express will leave Jodhpur at 22:00 hrs daily from 5.05.2025 and reach Hadapsar at 17:10 hrs next day. Halts for regular train: Pune, Chinchwad, Lonavala, Kalyan, Vasai Road, Vapi, Surat, Vadodra, Geratpur, Ahmedabad, Mahesana, Palanpur, Abu Road, Pindwara, Jawai Bandh, Falna, Rani, Marwar Jn , Pali Marwar and Luni, Composition for Regular Train: Two AC-2Tier, Three AC-3Tier, Two AC-3Tier Economy, 7 Sleeper Class, 4 General Second Class, 1 General Second Class cum Guard’s Brake Van and 1 Generator Van. "The bookings for regular Train No. 20496 will be available from 5.5.2025 at all computerised reservation centres and on website www.irctc.co.in," the officials said. The regular train service comprises two AC-2 Tier coaches, three AC-3 Tier coaches, two AC-3 Tier economy coaches, seven sleeper class coaches, four general second class coaches, one general second class cum guard’s brake van, and one generator van, they said. "The bookings for the regular Train No. 20496 are available from May 5, 2025, at all computerized reservation centres and on the official website," the officials said.
03 May,2025 08:22 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentA 50-year-old Pakistani woman, her son, and a two-year-old grandson have been detained for residing illegally in Gujarat's Rajkot district, police said on Saturday. The family had been residing in India for more than 25 years, while the child was born to the son's Indian wife, officials said. According to PTI, the Rajkot Rural Local Crime Branch had recently received a tip-off that some Pakistani nationals were living illegally in Lodhika taluka, and accordingly, the branch had launched its investigation. Authorities have launched a crackdown on Pakistani nationals living illegally in India following the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. Rizwanaben Tatariya, who hails from Karachi in Pakistan, was found living in Lodhika taluka of Rajkot district since July 1999, the crime branch said in a statement. Her husband, Munaf Tatariya, a resident of Rajkot district, met her during a visit to Karachi on a work visa in 1992 and married her. The couple had a son, Zeeshan.While her husband returned to India in 1994, Rizwanaben and Zeeshan came to the country on a joint Pakistani passport on July 30, 1999, and never returned to Pakistan, the statement said, according to reports from PTI. In 2021, Zeeshan, 29, illegally married a local woman, and they had a son in September 2022, the police said. As Rizwanaben, Zeeshan, and the child are Pakistani nationals living illegally in India, they were detained for further action, the statement said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 May,2025 07:07 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIAngola’s President, Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, will visit India from May 1 to 4 on the invitation of President Droupadi Murmu, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) informed on Wednesday. President Lourenco will be accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising several ministers, senior officials, business representatives and members of the media, reported news agency ANI. During the visit, the Angolan President will meet his Indian counterpart and hold both restricted and delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister (PM). The two leaders will also address key business concerns shared by both countries. Several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed between the two countries in the fields of traditional medicine, agriculture, and cultural cooperation, reported ANI. India formally established diplomatic relations with Angola in 1985 and has maintained strong ties with the African country ever since. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the relationship. Angola is also serving as this year’s Chair of the African Union. Previous major visits Last year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio in Kampala on January 18 on the sidelines of the NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) Ministerial Meeting. On July 26, 2018, President Lourenco met PM Modi in Johannesburg during the BRICS Summit. Then Minister of State, MJ Akbar, visited Angola from March 15–16, 2018, and held bilateral discussions with Domingos Custodio Viera Lopes, Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Angolan Communities. An MoU on ICT was signed during the visit. In October 2015, the then Vice-President of Angola, Manuel Vicente, visited India to take part in the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS). During his visit, Vicente had met PM Narendra Modi. On July 15, 2015, then Minister of State, VK Singh, had visited Luanda as the PM’s special envoy to deliver a personal invitation to IAFS III. During that visit, he called on then Vice-President Manuel Vicente. Former Angolan Foreign Minister Joao Bernardo de Miranda visited India in May 2006, followed by his successor Georges R Chikoti in February 2011, who came to attend the India-LDC Ministerial Conference in Delhi. There have been regular political exchanges between India and Angola, with visits from various Angolan ministers, including those of agriculture, finance and health. (With ANI inputs)
03 May,2025 07:03 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentGoa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has announced a detailed inquiry into the tragic stampede that claimed six lives and left at least 75 others injured, reported the PTI. The incident occurred early hours of Saturday morning at the Sree Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village, North Goa at around 3 am during the annual Lairai Zatra festival. According to the PTI, CM Sawant visited the site of the stampede just hours after the incident. Addressing the press, he said, "I have asked for a detailed inquiry into the incident. The report will be made public." Sawant added that future temple festivals across the state would see more precautionary measures to prevent such tragedies. After the news of the stampede, CM Sawant also visited the North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa to check on the injured. He later tweeted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences and full support to the state government. Health Minister Vishwajit Rane confirmed that 75 people were treated across various government healthcare facilities in the state. As per the latest reports, 75 patients have been admitted to various government facility centres, including Asilo Hospital in Mapusa, Community Health Centres (CHC) in Bicholim and Sankhali, and the Goa Medical College (GMC),” he said in a statement, according to the PTI. Of the injured, at least 18 patients were admitted to Asilo Hospital, three are under observation at CHC Bicholim, and one is receiving care at CHC Sankhali. "Sadly, six people were brought in dead, including two women, at Asilo Hospital and two at CHC Bicholim," Rane added. The health minister praised the swift response of emergency teams at rescuing the affected people at the site. "First responders from CHCs acted quickly to stabilize the injured. Ten ALS (Advanced Life Support) ambulances were deployed, and patients needing specialised care were referred to GMC, which remains on high alert," he said, as per the PTI. Thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra, and Karnataka had gathered at the Sree Lairai Devi Temple for the annual festival. The exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined for which the investigations were underway. Meanwhile, BJP Goa unit president Damodar Naik said that the Prime Minister's Office is personally monitoring the situation. Speaking outside Goa Medical College and Hospital, Naik mentioned that six patients at the facility remain in critical condition. The opposition Congress party extended its condolences to the victims and their families. The All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) called for a thorough probe to fix the situation and asked the government to ensure such incidents do not recur. The state government has assured that all necessary steps are being taken to support the victims and their families, and the findings of the inquiry will be made public to maintain transparency. (With inputs from PTI)
03 May,2025 07:00 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA teenage girl was found hanging from a tree in Japanese Park in Delhi's Rohini area on Saturday morning, an official said. The deceased, believed to be between 14 and 16 years of age, has not been identified yet, he said. Police said that prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide. "The body was discovered around 6.45 am when a passerby informed the Prashant Vihar police station about the incident. A police team rushed to the spot and found the girl hanging with a dupatta tied to a tree," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Amit Goel said. The teenage girl's slippers were found lying near the base of the tree, indicating she may have taken them off before the act, Goel said. No external injuries were noticed on the body at the spot, the DCP said. The area was cordoned off and a crime team and a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team were called to examine the scene. The body has been preserved at a hospital for post-mortem, police said. Police said efforts are underway to establish her identity by checking missing persons reports and by asking nearby localities. A case has been registered and further investigation is on to ascertain the exact sequence of events, officials added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 May,2025 05:05 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIGoa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant announced that an inquiry will be conducted into the temple stampede in North Goa, in which six people lost their lives in the wee hours of the day, and said the probe report will be made public, reported news agency PTI. Sawant visited the Goa temple stampede site at Sree Lairai Devi Temple in Shirgao village hours after the incident. Six people were killed, and several others sustained injuries after a stampede broke out during the annual festival at the temple around 3 am. Talking to reporters at the site, Sawant said, "I have asked for a detailed inquiry into the incident. We will make the report public." He said precautions would be taken in the future for all temple festivals in the state to prevent such incidents, reported PTI. Sawant said he visited North Goa District Hospital in Mapusa town in the early morning after he found out about the Goa temple stampede, reported PTI. Earlier in the day, Sawant tweeted that he had received a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who offered his full support. At least six persons were killed, and 30 sustained injuries after a stampede broke out during a temple festival at a village in North Goa in the wee hours of Saturday, officials said. The incident occurred around 3 am at Sree Lairai Devi temple in Shirgao village, around 40 km away from Panaji, a police official said. He said a stampede broke out as thousands of devotees thronged the narrow lanes to the temple for the annual festival. Talking to PTI, Director General of Police Alok Kumar said six people were killed while several others were undergoing treatment in different hospitals of the state. "At least 30,000 to 40,000 people had gathered for the festival, and some were standing on a slope. A few persons fell on the slope, causing others to fall on each other," the official said. He said 40 to 50 people fell on the slope, resulting in the Goa temple stampede, which was confined to that spot. Thousands of devotees from Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka attend the annual festival at the temple. Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant visited the injured at the North Goa district hospital. Sawant, in a post on X, said he had received a call from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who offered his full support. "Deeply saddened by the tragic stampede at the Lairai Zatra in Shirgaon this morning. I visited the hospital to meet the injured and assured all possible support to the affected families. I am personally monitoring the situation to ensure that every necessary measure is being taken," he wrote. "Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi ji spoke with me and took detailed stock of the situation, offering his full support during this difficult time." (With inputs from PTI)
03 May,2025 02:37 PM IST | Panaji | mid-day online correspondentCongress General Secretary in-charge of Communications, Jairam Ramesh, on Saturday strongly criticized the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing it of failing to restore peace in Manipur despite holding power with a clear mandate since February 2022. He pointed out that exactly a year after the BJP’s victory, the state plunged into ethnic violence on May 3, 2023. “What began on May 3, 2023, was the self-dictated, self-directed derailment of the so-called double-engine sarkar in the state,” Ramesh wrote on X, as reported by PTI. “Three months later, the Supreme Court was compelled to declare that there had been an absolute breakdown of constitutional machinery in the state.” Opposition leaders have condemned Prime Minister Narendra Modi for continuing to "shun" Manipur, and labeled Union Home Minister Amit Shah a “big failure” in handling the crisis, which has persisted for over a year. Since the outbreak of violence, more than 220 people have lost their lives, and thousands have been displaced due to ongoing clashes between the Meitei community from the Imphal Valley and the Kuki-Zo tribes from the surrounding hill regions. “The anguish and suffering of Manipur continues. Political games are being played. No meaningful reconciliation process is underway. Over 60,000 internally displaced persons are still living in relief camps under conditions of great distress,” Ramesh said, citing PTI. He further alleged that the Modi government acted only under political pressure and the threat of a no-confidence motion in the state assembly, which eventually led to the resignation of the Chief Minister. Ramesh also criticized Prime Minister Modi for his continued absence from the state. “Most importantly, the PM continues to avoid and shun Manipur. He has not met anyone from the state. He has traveled across the globe but hasn’t found the time, inclination, or sensitivity to visit the troubled state and reach out to its people,” he said. On February 13, the Centre imposed President’s Rule in Manipur, following over two years of prolonged unrest and communal tensions. “Manipur deserves better. The people of the state are still waiting for the PM to visit Imphal, tour the beautiful state, and extend a healing touch, at least to the extent that he is capable of,” the Congress leader added. (With inputs from PTI)
03 May,2025 02:24 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe National Medical Commission (NMC) has directed the immediate suspension of 26 MBBS students found complicit in NEET-UG 2024 malpractices and cancelled admission of 14 students for the academic year 2024-25 for resorting to unfair means during the entrance exam, an official source said. National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, or NEET, is a pan-India exam to taken by aspirants to get admission into the country's medical colleges. As part of the ongoing investigations by multiple agencies into the NEET-UG 2024 paper leak case, the National Testing Agency identified instances of unfair means and debarred 42 candidates for three years, 2024,2025, 2026, from taking the NEET-UG. It also debarred nine candidates for the 2025 and 2026 sessions. The candidature of 215 candidates who appeared in the NEET-UG 2024 exam has been put on hold pending an investigation, the source said. The action against the students has been initiated based on the findings of the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is investigating the cases. "Given the severity of these violations and their potential to undermine the credibility of the medical education system, the National Medical Commission has issued directives to the concerned medical colleges and institutions to immediately suspend the 26 MBBS students found to be complicit," the source said. The Commission stressed a "zero-tolerance" policy towards academic fraud and said it was committed to taking all measures to uphold integrity, transparency, and accountability in medical admissions. The directive comes ahead of the NEET-UG 2025 scheduled for May 4. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 May,2025 02:24 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed India's unwavering resolve to act decisively against terrorism and those who support it, reported news agency IANS. His statement came amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the horrific terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, where over 26 innocent civilians were killed. Speaking during a joint press conference with Angolan President Joao Manuel Goncalves Lourenco, Prime Minister Modi stated, "We are firmly united in our stance against terrorism. I expressed my gratitude to President Lourenco and the people of Angola for their sympathies to those killed in the Pahalgam terror attack," reported IANS. "We are committed to taking firm and decisive actions against terrorists and those who support them. We thank Angola for its support in our fight against terrorism," the Prime Minister added, reported IANS. The brutal assault was carried out by four heavily armed terrorists, linked to The Resistance Front (TRF), an offshoot of the Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Two of the assailants were confirmed to be Pakistani nationals. Emerging from the dense forests surrounding the area, the terrorists unleashed indiscriminate gunfire on a group of tourists, resulting in one of the deadliest terror attacks in recent years. In response to the April 22 terror attack, the Indian government swiftly convened a high-level Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) meeting on April 23, chaired by PM Modi. Several critical decisions were taken against Pakistan in the aftermath of the massacre. India announced the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and ordered the closure of the Attari border. Additionally, it cancelled all visas issued to Pakistani nationals, initiated a sweeping crackdown on Pakistani YouTube channels and X handles, and downgraded diplomatic relations by ordering a further reduction in High Commission staff, effectively sending back many diplomats to Islamabad, reported IANS. In a stern message following the CCS meeting, PM Modi had warned that India would leave no stone unturned in seeking justice. "We will identify, trace, and punish every terrorist and their supporters. We will pursue them to the ends of the Earth," he declared, underlining the country's aggressive stance in the face of terrorism, reported IANS. India's response marks a significant escalation in its counter-terror strategy, signalling a no-compromise policy on national security and terror threats emanating from across the border. (With inputs from IANS)
03 May,2025 02:22 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentRJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging him for a "comprehensive review of the social protection and reservation policies" once the exercise to include caste enumeration in the upcoming census is completed. Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar assembly, shared the letter on X on Saturday. It was written on Friday. "Conducting the caste census is merely the first step of the long journey towards social justice. The census data must lead to a comprehensive review of social protection and reservation policies. The arbitrary cap on reservations will also have to be reconsidered," the letter said. The upcoming delimitation exercise should reflect the social realities uncovered by the census, ensuring proportional political representation for marginalised groups, it read. "The redrawing of constituencies should be sensitive to and reflective of the census data," Yadav wrote to the PM. Special provisions must be there for adequate political representation of OBCs and EBCs, who have been systematically excluded from decision-making forums. "Hence, they will need to be expanded based on the proportional representation principle in state assemblies and the parliament of India," his letter read. He also mentioned the decision to conduct the caste census can be a transformative moment in our nation's journey towards equality. The millions who have struggled for this census await not just data but dignity, not just enumeration but empowerment. "The private sector, which has been a major beneficiary of public resources, cannot remain insulated from social justice imperatives," Yadav wrote. Companies have received substantial benefits, including land at concessional rates, power subsidies, tax exemptions, infrastructure support, and various financial incentives funded by taxpayer money. In return, it is entirely reasonable to expect them to reflect the social composition of our country, he wrote. "Will the data be used as a catalyst for systemic reforms, or will it be confined to dusty archives like many previous commission reports?" the RJD leader asked. "Prime Minister, your government now stands at a historic crossroads," he said. Assuring the PM of Bihar's cooperation Yadav wrote, as Bihar's representative, where the caste survey opened many eyes to ground realities, "I assure you of constructive cooperation in utilising the census findings for genuine social transformation." The millions who have struggled for this census await not just data but dignity, not just enumeration but empowerment, he said in the letter. "I write to you with a sense of cautious optimism," he wrote, adding that for years, "your government and the NDA alliance government dismissed calls for a caste census as divisive and unnecessary". When Bihar took the initiative to conduct its caste survey, central authorities, including the top law officer of the government and your party created obstacles at every step. Your belated decision represents an acknowledgement of the groundswell of demands from the citizens who have long been relegated to the margins of our society, Yadav's letter said. Referring to the Bihar caste survey, which revealed that OBCs and EBCs constitute around 63 per cent of the state's population, Yadav said similar data at the national level could shatter many myths perpetuated to maintain the status quo. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
03 May,2025 02:20 PM IST | Patna | PTIA man accused of raping and blackmailing college students sustained injuries while allegedly trying to escape police custody in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, reported news agency PTI. Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Priyanka Shukla confirmed that the prime accused, Farhan Ali, had previously disclosed his stay with co-accused Abrar in a room in Bilkisganj. On Friday night, officers from Ashoka Garden police station were escorting Farhan to the location for evidence collection, reported PTI. According to DCP Shukla, the incident occurred near Sarwar village under the Ratibad police station limits. Farhan reportedly asked the police to stop the vehicle to use the washroom. When the vehicle halted, he allegedly tried to snatch a pistol from a sub-inspector and escape. During the scuffle, a shot was fired, injuring Farhan in the leg. He was immediately hospitalized and is currently under medical care. Ashoka Garden police station in-charge Hemant Shrivastava said two police personnel were also injured in the altercation. Farhan was being taken to help trace co-accused Abrar and collect further evidence, reported PTI. Farhan Ali is among six individuals arrested for allegedly raping and blackmailing college students. The accused reportedly concealed their identities and recorded objectionable videos of the victims, later using the footage to blackmail them, reported PTI. The investigation began after three students from a private college lodged a complaint on April 25, alleging sexual assault and blackmail. A fourth survivor later came forward with similar allegations. The case has triggered widespread outrage in Bhopal. On Friday evening, protests were held at 26 locations across the city, with many demonstrators calling it a case of "love jihad." In response, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that such acts would not be tolerated and assured strict action against the accused, reported PTI. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and formed a three-member inquiry committee headed by retired IPS officer and former Jharkhand DGP Nirmal Kaur, reported PTI. A case has been registered at Ashoka Garden police station under Sections 64 (rape) and 61 (gang rape) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), along with relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Madhya Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act. (With inputs from PTI)
03 May,2025 01:11 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentADVERTISEMENT
