In a recent development, the Telangana government has made a significant announcement altering the Diwali holiday schedule. Originally slated for November 12th, the date has undergone a change, as revealed in a fresh order issued on Friday.
As per the latest directive, the revised Diwali holiday is now set for November 13th. This adjustment applies not only to schools but also encompasses government employees, organizations, and private entities. The government emphasized the mandatory implementation of this altered holiday on the specified date.
Traditionally, Telangana government releases the list of general holidays for the upcoming year in December of the preceding year. In accordance with the initial announcement, November 12th was designated as the Diwali holiday. However, a recent order indicates a modification of this date based on the counsel of scholars.
Effectively, the government has revised the order, rescheduling the Diwali holiday to November 13th. This amendment extends to employees, offices, business organizations, and schools under the Negotiable Act. Notably, November 13th (Monday) is now declared a general holiday, replacing its previous status as an optional holiday. Stay tuned for further updates.
In a recent development, the Supreme Court has rejected a plea urging the Centre to establish guidelines for the trading and mining of cryptocurrencies. The Chief Justice, D Y Chandrachud, leading the bench, stated that the petition primarily sought legislative directions. The court, comprised of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, emphasized that the petitioner could seek regular bail through the appropriate court, as the main reliefs sought were of a legislative nature beyond the court’s purview under Article 32 of the Constitution. The plea also sought direction for the prosecution of cases involving digital assets and cryptocurrencies, with the court disposing of the petition and granting the petitioner the liberty to pursue legal remedies
New Delhi: In anticipation of Diwali, Delhi Police is taking robust measures to enforce the ban on bursting firecrackers, with a significant seizure of 3500 kg of firecrackers in North Delhi.
DCP Manoj Kumar Meena of North Delhi revealed, “Till now we have caught around 3500 kg of firecrackers and have taken action by registering FIRs. Surveillance is being done through drones near the Yamuna Khadar area to ensure that agricultural waste is not being burnt.” Ground-based patrolling is also underway, resulting in the registration of 10 cases.
In an effort to combat winter pollution, the Arvind Kejriwal Government has imposed a complete ban on firecrackers, emphasizing the need to curtail pollution during the winter months. Environment Minister Gopal Rai stated, “Pollution rises significantly during winters in Delhi; instructions are given to impose a complete ban on the manufacture, storage, sale of firecrackers, and bursting of firecrackers.”
To further discourage firecracker use, the Delhi government introduced the ‘Diya Jalao, Patakhe nahi’ campaign. Gopal Rai urged people to refrain from bursting firecrackers, emphasizing the positive impact of lighting lamps and distributing sweets during Diwali.
Addressing concerns over pollution, Rai noted, “Due to the rain and wind, pollution has reduced significantly. People of nearby cities are requested to light lamps and distribute sweets during Diwali, but do not burst firecrackers. We want the pollution level to remain good even on the next day of Diwali.”
In response to the Supreme Court’s directive, the Delhi government has temporarily postponed the proposed implementation of the odd-even car-rationing scheme in the city. The court left the decision to the state government, refraining from making a definitive ruling on the matter.
Srinagar: A devastating fire wreaked havoc in the heart of the tourist hub at Dal Lake early Saturday, resulting in the destruction of property valued at crores of rupees, as confirmed by officials.
Thankfully, amidst the chaos, there were no casualties reported in the incident, offering a silver lining to an otherwise catastrophic event.
The Fire and Emergency Services Department official disclosed that the fire erupted near Ghat number 9 of Dal Lake, igniting at approximately 5:15 am. The rapid response by emergency services helped contain the blaze, but not before at least five houseboats and three huts fell victim to the destructive flames.
This unfortunate incident adds to the challenges faced by the iconic Dal Lake, a prominent attraction in Srinagar. Authorities are actively investigating the cause of the fire as the community begins to reckon with the aftermath of the substantial loss to property and the unique cultural heritage associated with Dal Lake.
VIDEO | At least five house boats destroyed in fire at Srinagar's Dal Lake. More details are awaited.
HYDERABAD: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to intensify the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign efforts for the upcoming assembly elections in the state. Having recently participated in the BC Garjana organized by the BJP, he is now slated to attend the Madigala Vishwarupa Mahasabha on Saturday.
This public meeting gains significance against the backdrop of a crucial decision regarding the classification of SC reservations, a matter of priority in Telangana and other southern states. Speculations are rife that Modi might announce an increase in ST reservations to 9 or 10 percent, aligning with the state’s population.
With a focus on garnering support from Backward Classes (BC), Scheduled Castes (SC), and Scheduled Tribes (ST), which collectively form a substantial part of the state’s demographic, the BJP’s national leadership is strategically positioning itself. The assembly elections have evolved into a prestige battle for the party, prompting dedicated efforts to secure backing from these crucial communities.
As per the itinerary, Prime Minister Modi is expected to land at Begumpet airport via a special flight from Delhi at 4:45 pm. Subsequently, he will traverse to the parade grounds by road and engage in the public meeting from 5 to 5:40 pm. Following the event, he is slated to depart from Begumpet airport at 6 pm for his return to Delhi.
In addition to this engagement, Modi is scheduled for an election campaign event in Nirmal on the 26th of this month. The grand finale of the election campaign will witness him participating in an assembly organized by the state party in Hyderabad, further underlining the significance of the BJP’s efforts in the lead-up to the assembly elections.
In a recent development, Canada’s federal police have launched an investigation into a video circulating online that urges individuals to avoid flying with Air India starting November 19. Transportation Minister Pablo Rodriguez confirmed this on Thursday, underscoring the government’s commitment to treating all threats seriously, especially those involving airlines.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is actively engaged in the investigation, responding to a video released by the secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) over the weekend. In the video, SFJ’s general counsel, Gurpatwant Pannun, delivered a warning in Punjabi, advising Sikhs not to travel with Air India after November 19, citing potential risks to their safety. Pannun later clarified in a statement that his intention was to call for a boycott of the airline, not to issue a direct threat.
The situation adds complexity to Canada-India relations, already strained by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s September allegations of Indian involvement in the June murder of a Canadian Sikh leader near Vancouver. Trudeau’s expulsion of an Indian diplomat believed to be linked to the slaying was dismissed by India as “absurd,” further fueling tensions.
Pannun, in discussions with Canadian media, emphasized that the call was to boycott Indian businesses and not a direct threat. With Canada being home to a significant Sikh population of around 770,000, constituting approximately two percent of the overall population, the advisory has broader implications.
The deteriorating relations between India and Canada, exacerbated by the unsolved murder and Indian dissatisfaction with Ottawa’s handling of Sikh separatist issues, are now facing a new challenge with the ongoing investigation into the Air India travel advisory. This development adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate diplomatic landscape between the two countries.
In a decisive move, the ICC Board has suspended Sri Lanka Cricket, citing serious breaches of autonomy and the interference of the government in cricket governance. The suspension conditions will be determined by the ICC Board in the coming days.
The turmoil began after Sri Lanka’s crushing 302-run defeat to India in the 2023 World Cup, prompting the sports minister to dismiss the entire cricket board. However, the court of appeal swiftly reinstated Sri Lanka Cricket, leading to a contentious situation.
A joint resolution in parliament, backed by both government and opposition, has called for the resignation of SLC’s management. The government, divided over the minister’s decision, proposes a new constitution for the governing body with a revised voting structure for office bearers.
Amidst the chaos, Sri Lanka’s chief selector, Pramodaya Wickramasinghe, alleges an “outside conspiracy” behind the team’s World Cup debacle, promising revelations in the coming days.
Struggling in the 2023 World Cup, Sri Lanka managed victories only against Netherlands and England, facing challenges with injuries and a mid-tournament captaincy change. Currently, placed ninth in the points table, their final standing hinges on results in the group stage.
In the midst of the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, an agreement has been reached for the release of prisoners. According to Arab media citing sources from the daily newspaper, Israel will release Palestinian women and children from its jails, while Hamas, in return, will release 100 Israeli women and children.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health reports that since the start of the Israeli aggression on October 7th in the Gaza Strip, 11,078 Palestinians have been martyred. The ministry further notes that the casualties include 4,506 children due to Israeli airstrikes. Additionally, the Israeli bombardment has rendered 135 medical centers and 21 hospitals in the Gaza Strip unusable, according to the Ministry of Health.
Telangana High Court has declared a holiday for November 13 for the district judiciary, encompassing all tribunals and labor courts in the state.
The Andhra Pradesh government, led by Chief Secretary K.S. Jawahar Reddy, has officially designated November 13 as a general holiday to celebrate the Diwali festival. This decision, outlined in Government Order (GO) No. 2167 issued on Monday, supersedes the earlier announcement that had initially marked November 12 as the holiday.
The modification in the holiday date is expected to facilitate Diwali celebrations for residents across Andhra Pradesh, allowing them to partake in festivities with their families and communities. The government’s adjustment aligns the holiday with the actual day of the Diwali festival, reflecting a respect for cultural and religious observances.
In a concurrent development, there has been no formal communication or issuance of a Government Order (GO) by the Telangana government concerning Diwali holidays. The current situation remains unchanged, and residents await further updates from the Telangana government in this context.
In a notable addition, the Telangana High Court has declared a holiday for November 13 for the district judiciary, encompassing all tribunals and labor courts in the state. This decision extends the Diwali celebration to the legal fraternity, allowing them to observe the festival with their families.
As the festival approaches, residents in both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana eagerly anticipate celebrating Diwali with joy and enthusiasm. The recent announcement by the Andhra Pradesh government ensures that residents can plan their festive activities accordingly on November 13.
London : An Indian-origin man, Anish Tailor, is among the claimants who have initiated a legal action against the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, known as Covishield in India, citing a rare blood clot. The lawsuit, filed in the UK’s High Court, is seeking damages for the death of Anish Tailor’s wife, Alpa Tailor, 35, who passed away in April 2021, less than a month after receiving the AstraZeneca jab.
Investigations conducted in September revealed that Alpa’s death was caused by blood clots and bleeding in the brain, attributed to a condition known as Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT), believed to be associated with the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.
Another claimant, Jamie Scott, a father-of-two, suffered a significant permanent brain injury leading to his inability to work after experiencing a blood clot following the vaccine in April 2021. These cases, collectively, may pave the way for up to £80 million in payouts from 80 different claims of VITT, according to reports.
The UK High Court has labeled the Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine as “defective.” The court documents state that the vaccine was “defective within the meaning of the Consumer Protection Act 1987,” leading to the claim for damages and interest.
“The group of individuals whom we represent have always been clear: they do not dabble in anti-vaccine conspiracy theories. However, it is plainly factually inaccurate to claim that vaccines do no harm given the experience of our client group – the vaccine injured and bereaved,” commented Sarah Moore, a partner at Hausfeld, the law firm handling the claim.
Anish Tailor is seeking up to £5 million in his claim, while Jamie Scott, who received £120,000 from the Government after his injury, is pursuing legal action as the compensation proved insufficient. Scott’s wife, Kate, emphasized the pursuit of justice, stating, “We were told by the Government the vaccine was safe and effective, but what’s happened to Jamie has been life-changing, and their [AstraZeneca] vaccine caused that.”
Despite several studies highlighting AstraZeneca’s vaccine as highly effective, saving millions of lives globally, legal actions have been prompted by rare adverse effects. In 2022, the World Health Organisation (WHO) affirmed the vaccine’s safety and effectiveness for individuals aged 18 and above, while acknowledging the rare nature of adverse effects leading to legal challenges. AstraZeneca reiterated its commitment to patient safety and expressed sympathy for those facing health problems or loss of loved ones.
