By-Polls In 6 Seats Of Bengal, Opposition Hopes For RG Kar Effect

The coming by-polls in West Bengal are expected to be bellwether for which way the political winds are blowing in Mamata Banerjee's West Bengal after the massive protests over the rape-murder of a Kolkata doctor. The protest, strongly backed by the urban middle class, has shaken the state and despite protesters' claims that it was apolitical, it had received significant support from the opposition.

By-polls are due in six seats in various parts of the state - their geography and demography are expected to be strong indicators of the political trend.

The seats include Naihati, the urban centre close to Kolkata, the minority dominated Haroa, Taldangra with a significant tribal population, Sitai with a chunk of minority and Rajbanshi vote, the tea garden seat of north Bengal. Madiahat and Medinipur.

Many believe that the results now could throw light on whether the RG Kar protests will impact future elections. The Opposition BJP, which has been trying to dislodge Mamata Banerjee for years, is hoping for an upset. 

Of the six seats going to polls, five were held by the Trinamool and one by the BJP. While the Trinamool has claimed it will win all six, anything below five will be seen as a loss. For the BJP, winning Madarihat will be a confidence booster after its performance fell in the region during the Lok Sabha election. 

Senior Trinamool Congress Leader Kumal Ghosh said the Opposition "will try their best to misguide and confuse the voters by misusing this RG Kar issue".

"But I think we are confident that the voters will realise the facts. They know the regime of the CPIM, they know the happenings in the BJP-ruled states and they know that within 24 hours, Kolkata Police have arrested the criminal, the main rape and murder accused," he added.

In the BJP stronghold of North Bengal, where Trinamool clawed its way back in the Lok Sabha elections, Sitai is situated near the Bangladesh border and the Madarihat seat is largely a tea garden seat and the only one among the six that was held by the BJP.

The Left, which the Trinamool accuses of hijacking the RG Kar protests, is fighting alone this time and not with the Congress as it has done in the past elections.

"This time in by-elections, since it was due in ten seats and four had already happened, six are taking place," said senior CPM leader Md Salim. "Time was limited so discussions could not be held because of the change of guard in the party's state unit," he added.

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Bhutan's Gelephu 'Mindfulness City' A Global Game-Changer. Know All About It

Bhutan, considered one of the happiest countries in the world, is working on a mega project, one that has the potential to redefine not just how sustainable living can be achieved, but become a global model unlike any other in the world today. The project - a mega 'Mindfulness City' in Gelephu.

Though it is called a city, it is massive - spread over 2,500 square kilometers. It is a Special Administratve Region (SAR). It will have its own government and have the independence to have its own lawmaking, as well as an independent judiciary. But what makes it special?

Photo Credit: big.dk

The Gelephu 'Mindfulness City' will have two protected areas - a national park and a wildlife sanctuary. It will have rivers that will have the potential to generate 4,000 to 5,000 megawatts of electricity through renewable energy. It has forests, biological corridors and is teeming with wildlife. It has its own agricultural hubs and small towns.

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The 'Mindfulness City' project has been envisioned by the King of Bhutan, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The motivation behind this is to improve the lives of Bhutanese people and take Bhutan to the next level. A place where people can live with harmony with others from all over the world.

People in this city will live with nature and the biodiversity of the region. "This is what we call 'Gross National Happiness 2.0'," Prime Minister of Bhutan Tshering Tobgay said recently at the NDTV World Summit in New Delhi.

Photo Credit: big.dk

Speaking exclusively to NDTV World, the Bhutanese PM had said that the 'Gelephu mindfulness city' would "directly benefit India" in many ways since this city has been "purposely placed along the border with India in Assam."

Photo Credit: big.dk

'MINDFULNESS CITY' - BUT WHY IN GELEPHU?

The land in Gelephu is "beautiful and pristine", said the Butanese Prime Minister, adding that the region is a biological hot spot, with abundant potential for clean energy, but why this mega project here? he had asked the King, wondering why such a project was not being considered for Thimphu or Paro - where there is ready infrastructure, like airports, highways, etc.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The King had a one-word reply for the prime minister - "India". He then explained that "Our future is linked with India. If we chose any other place, then such a project may succeed, it may have its challenges, but if we plan this along the border with India, the concept itself will drive it to success, because Bhutan's future is intrinsically linked with India," the prime minister recalled the King having said this.

Photo Credit: big.dk

Then I finally understood the strategic significance of the project, he said. "The Gelephu Mindfulness City is not about Bhutan - it is about Bhutan and India."

DETAILS ABOUT THE CITY

Once built, Bhutan's 'Mindfulness City' will cover nearly 2.5% of the entire country's landmass and will be bigger than all of Singapore. A more local comparison will be to Bhutan's capital city, Thimphu. While Gelephu City will be more than 2,500 square kilometers, capital city Thimphu is just 26 square kilometers.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will be built around a series of inhabitable bridges. It is expected to be a low-rise city which will have its own university, health care facilities for both western and traditional medicine. It will also have several markets and spiritual centres.

Photo Credit: big.dk

There are also plans to build a hydroelectric power project and a hydroponic greenhouse.

It will be spread over 11 major neighbourhoods which will span across the region's thirty-five rivers and streams. The city design and planning is done such that neighbourhoods will be like mandalas, with public spaces towards the city centre.

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will be entirely based on Bhutan's Gross National Happiness philosophy which has been praised the world over. At the time of the announcement of the project, the Kingdom of Bhutan had said that "Mindfulness City will be unique as it would not just prioritise economic development, but will focus on personal well-being of every resident."

Photo Credit: big.dk

The city will have its own international airport - construction for which has already begin.

The Gelephu 'Mindfullness City' rethinks how the cities of the future should be like, how they should function and the ways in which sustainable living can be achieved with an environment-friendly approach.
 

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US Blames Onions For McDonald's e.Coli Outbreak

US health authorities said Wednesday that slivered onions used by McDonald's triggered an e.Coli outbreak that sickened 90 people.

"Fresh, slivered onions served on Quarter Pounders and other menu items from McDonald's are the likely source of this outbreak," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

These particular onions were supplied by Taylor Farms, which issued a voluntary recall. McDonald's also pulled the onions.

Restaurants in a dozen US states temporarily pulled the burgers from their menus this month amid the outbreak linked to them.

The number of people sickened now stands at 90, including 27 who had to be hospitalized, and an elderly man in Colorado died.

McDonald's on Sunday said it would resume selling its Quarter Pounder hamburgers after tests for e.Coli came back negative.

The e.Coli bacterium causes stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting that last three to four days. Most people recover without needing treatment but some develop complications.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Diwali 2024: Sonakshi, Kareena, Akshay's Festive Greetings

The country is celebrating the festival of lights Diwali today. On this special occasion, the who's who of Bollywood and the South film industry extended warm wishes to their fans. The celebrities posted pictures of diyas and festivities on their official Instagram handles and fans commented sharing their love. Stars from across the country wished for happiness and prosperity for all. Kareena Kapoor shared a photo of herself from vacation and wrote, “Dare to dream …Look ahead…Look after your mind and heart…Feel the light …Happy Diwali Friends #2024.”

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A post shared by Kareena Kapoor Khan (@kareenakapoorkhan)

Akshay Kumar shared a small clip of lighting diya on his Instagram Stories. The text on the video read, “Shubh Deepawali”.

Parineeti Chopra shared a photo of herself holding a plate of diya. The actress wore a traditional green attire for the occasion. "Wish you all a CHAMKILA diwali!," read the caption of her post. 

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Sara Ali Khan celebrated Diwali in the hills of Uttrakhand. Sharing glimpses of her trip on Instagram, the actress wished her fans a "Happy Diwali". She wrote, "Happy Diwali. Wishing you joy, prosperity, bliss and health- which for me is basically good food. So don't be rude. Just give me my food. Thank you kindly don't intrude." 

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A post shared by Sara Ali Khan (@saraalikhan95)

Karan Johar posted a set of family photos with his mother Hiroo and twins - Yash and Roohi. He wrote in the caption, “From us to you … we wish you the best festive season and all the love, joy, mutual respect, and the ability to love and live your life to its fullest… thank you Manish Malhotra for always dressing us on special occasions.” 

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Mahesh Babu's wife, actress Namrata Shirodkar shared pictures of her daughter Sitara on Instagram. The note attached to the photos read, “Wishing you all a very happy and prosperous Diwali. May this year bring light, peace and prosperity to all. Soak in the festive spirit.” 

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A post shared by Namrata Shirodkar (@namratashirodkar)

Soha Ali Khan visited a temple on the occasion of Diwali. She was joined by her husband Kunal Kemmu, daughter Inaaya and her in-laws. Sharing the video of their temple visit on Instagram, the actress wished her fans a "very happy and prosperous Diwali". 

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Riteish Deshmukh's Diwali wish was quite different. The actor shared a hilarious video with his wife Genelia D'Souza, who was seen laughing and lip-synching to a dialogue while Riteish made funny expressions in the back. He wrote in the caption in Hindi that can be translated as, “May your Diwali be as heavy with laughter as ours is! Is your wife's laughter also like my Baiko?? Happy Diwali to all of you!!! #happydiwali”.

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A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd)

Sonakshi Sinha posted a picture with her husband Zaheer Iqbal and wrote, “Happy happy happy Diwali. Light in every house, happiness in every house, this is our prayer for all of you.” 

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A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona)

Farhan Akhtar shared a family photo featuring Shibani Dandekar, Javed Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar and Shabana Azmi. He wrote in the caption, "Happy Diwali". 

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A post shared by Farhan Akhtar (@faroutakhtar)

Happy Diwali to all of you!

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"Not A Terrorist": Nawab Malik Slams BJP Leader's "Irresponsible" Comment

Nawab Malik, now the official candidate of the Ajit Pawar faction of the Nationalist Congress Party, told NDTV today that the allegations now levelled at him were "irresponsible" and the verdicts in the cases would vindicate him. His response was to the remarks of senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who had called him a "terrorist".

"These are irresponsible statements. Nawab Malik was never a terrorist nor was ever with any terrorist or any criminal. Nawab Malik has been in politics in this country for 50 years," Mr Malik told NDTV in an exclusive interview. 

Some people think giving such comments would help increase their vote bank but it actually has the opposite effect, he said.

"Now the matter is sub judice, so I can't obviously discuss it. Once the verdict comes, everything will be clear," he added.

Mr Malik was arrested by central agencies in an alleged  money laundering case involving mafia don Dawood Ibrahim and his associates Chhota Shakeel and Tigar Memon. He is currently out on bail.

The BJP had refused to support his candidature, citing the case against him. 

"We won't endorse anyone who's related to any Dawood or Dawood related case," Maharashtra BJP chief Ashish Shelar had said yesterday, after Ajit Pawar's last-minute backing fr Mr Malik, he said the BJP would not campaign for him.

"Nawab Malik is a terrorist who tried to break India into pieces. He is Dawood's agent and Ajit Pawar's NCP has betrayed the country by giving ticket to Nawab Malik," Kirit Somaiyya later said. 

Mr Malik, who had filed two nominations yesterday - one of them as an Independent and the other as a member of the NCP, to day said he ws not keen on contesting this time. 

"I have been a 5-term MLA and have been a minister 6 times. I did not want to contest the election," he said, explaining that he changed his mind because of appeals from the people of Mankhurd Shivaji Nagar.

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"Don't Have To Cry About...": The 'Hardik' Factor In Kishan's Comeback

It has been a topsy-turvy year for Indian cricket team wicket-keeper batter Ishan Kishan. Kishan was left out of the BCCI central contracts list after taking a break from cricket during the series against South Africa. However, he showed a brilliant run of form in the Duleep Trophy as well as the Ranji Trophy to find a place in the India A squad for the tour of Australia. Ahead of his comeback, Kishan opened up about his journey and the role that Hardik Pandya played in his guiding him.

"Every individual is different. I feel not everyone would think like that. I feel I am lucky enough that my thinking pattern is very practical. I am a very practical guy. I have spent a lot of time with Hardik (Pandya) and you also know that he is a very practical guy. What's needed, is needed. You don't have to cry about everything... So I have also started thinking like that," Kishan told Times of India.

“At a very young age, I was picked by Mumbai Indians and I have been friends with Hardik for a long time now. So I know how he thinks and I know he also wants me to be a great player so he keeps sharing ideas with me. I am in a very practical zone right now. Even if you get out, it's not like I start thinking 'ye kya ho gaya (what just happened), how will I now perform in the next game” he added.

Ishan played two matches in the ODI World Cup 2023 before losing his spot to Shubman Gill. The youngster opened up about how maintaining a neutral point helped him in keeping balance in his career.

"You need to find that neutral point where even when you score a hundred, you have to be very calm. Even if you get out early, you have to stay grounded. You have to find that right balance. I am very lucky to have guys like Hardik around me who have spoken to me about it. There are moments in cricket where you feel really down. And it's not just for me, it's for every cricketer."

But if you find that neutral point, you will get over it. Skills are always there, it's just your mental thing. How you are dealing with things at that point of time. I have been very lucky to be in a very healthy zone throughout my career," he concluded.

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Doomsday Arctic Vault, The World's Backup Gene Bank, Sees Surge In Samples

An Arctic seed vault on Norway's Spitsbergen island received new samples last week from the largest number of depositors since 2020, reflecting fear about the threat of conflict and climate change to food security, a custodian of the facility said recently.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, set deep inside a mountain to withstand disasters from nuclear war to global warming, was launched in 2008 as a backup for the world's gene banks that store the genetic code for thousands of plant species.

Billed as a doomsday vault protected by permafrost, the deposit has received samples from across the world, and played a leading role between 2015 and 2019 in rebuilding seed collections damaged during the war in Syria.

"Climate change and conflict threaten infrastructure and impact food security for over 700 million people in more than 75 countries worldwide," Executive Director Stefan Schmitz of the Crop Trust said in a statement.

Among the new desposits, Bolivia's first contribution to the vault was made by the 400-year-old Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, and assembled by some 125 farming families from local communities.

"This deposit goes beyond conserving crops; it's about protecting our culture," the project coordinator of the Norway-funded Biodiversity for Opportunities, Livelihoods, and Development in Bolivia said in a statement.

Chad, another newcomer, deposited 1,145 samples of sesame, rice, maize and sorghum - all adapted to the country's climate and crucial for developing crops that can withstand rising temperatures and erratic rainfall.

The total of more than 30,000 new samples from 21 countries, also included seeds of vegetables, legumes and herbs from the Union of Agricultural Work Committees in the occupied Palestinian territories.

Located on a sparsely populated island halfway between mainland Europe and the North Pole, the vault's chambers are only opened two or three times a year to limit exposure to the outside world.
 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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