In a tragic incident early Sunday morning, two young men lost their lives after falling from the Kothaguda flyover on Gachibowli Road in Hyderabad. The victims, identified as K. Rohith (27) and Bala Prasanna (26), were traveling on a bike from Maseedbanda towards Hafizpet.
The accident occurred when Rohith, who was riding the bike, lost control and hit the road median at high speed. The impact of the collision caused both men to be thrown from the flyover, landing on the road below.
Local residents and police quickly transported the injured to the hospital, where doctors declared them dead on arrival. The Gachibowli police have registered a case and, following post-mortem examinations, the bodies were returned to their families. Gachibowli sub-inspector Bhanu Prasad confirmed the details of the incident.
Hyderabad :- In the State Assembly, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, responding to a representation by Akbaruddin Owaisi, announced that commercial establishments in Hyderabad, Rachakonda, and Cyberabad will be allowed to remain open until 1 am. This extension applies to all shops except liquor stores.
Key Points from the Assembly Announcement:
Representation by Akbaruddin Owaisi: Owaisi raised the concern in the assembly that at 11 PM, the police are beating innocent youth.
CM’s Directive: In response, CM Revanth Reddy declared, “I have ordered that all restaurants and other establishments in Hyderabad, Rachakonda, and Cyberabad commissariates can remain open until 1 am.”
Liquor Stores: Emphasizing his stance against alcohol consumption, Revanth Reddy stated, “I am against alcohol consumption; liquor stores will close at the designated time.”
The announcement marks a significant change in operating hours for businesses in these regions, aimed at supporting economic activity while maintaining restrictions on alcohol sales.
BRS Leader KTR Leads Protest at Gun Park, Accusing Congress of Failing Job Promises
The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) has criticized the Congress party for failing to fulfill its job promises, labeling their job calendar as bogus. BRS Working President K. Taraka Rama Rao (KTR) led a protest at Gun Park, highlighting the concerns of the youth and unemployed.
Key Points from the Protest:
Promises Unfulfilled: KTR accused Congress of not delivering on its promise of 200,000 jobs made by Rahul Gandhi. “Nine months ago, they created drama, falsely claiming KCR did not provide any jobs,” KTR stated.
Challenge to Congress: KTR challenged Congress, questioning the absence of promised jobs. “Where are the 200,000 jobs you promised? Dates are changing in the calendar, but where are the jobs?” he asked.
Job Calendar Questioned: KTR criticized the legitimacy of the job calendar, saying it contains nothing but dates. He challenged Rahul Gandhi and Revanth Reddy to come to Ashok Nagar and prove their claims.
Accusations of Deception: KTR accused Congress of deceiving the unemployed for votes and failing to discuss the issue of job creation in the assembly.
Congress Criticized: KTR criticized Congress for not increasing the number of jobs in Group 1, Group 2, and Group 3, and for not amending GO No. 46 as promised.
Statements Against Congress:
Insults in Assembly: KTR condemned the Congress for insulting BRS MLAs during assembly discussions. “When we asked to discuss the job calendar, they insulted us with a party-switching MLA Danam Nagender from our party,” he said.
Chief Minister Criticized: KTR also criticized the Chief Minister for using unparliamentary language and inciting division. “This sadistic Chief Minister is inciting everyone and enjoying it sadistically,” he said.
Assembly Meetings: KTR pointed out the lack of substantial discussions during assembly meetings and accused Congress of spreading false information about Hyderabad and the state’s financial status.
Protest and Arrests:
Protest at Gun Park: Following the protest at Gun Park, police arrested the BRS legislators. The BRS party condemned the police action, asserting that the legislators were peacefully demanding job numbers in the job calendar.
Call to Public: KTR urged the public to see through Congress’s dramas and false promises. “They said guarantees within a hundred days. But they have not yet implemented the promises. That’s why we are protesting against the government.”
The protest led by KTR emphasized the BRS’s stance on job creation and their demand for accountability from the Congress party regarding its job promises.
Hyderabad :- In a significant effort to combat child exploitation, 326 children, including 15 girls, were rescued from various locations within the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate in Hyderabad during July. This initiative, known as ‘Operation Muskaan – X,’ aimed to locate missing children and rescue those involved in begging, rag picking, and child labor.
Operation Details:
Nine specialized teams were formed to conduct the rescue missions.
The teams targeted various industries, companies, and other establishments.
A special drive focused on rescuing children forced into begging.
Results:
326 children were rescued.
155 criminal cases were filed against employers and businesses.
Citizens are urged to report child labor cases to Dial -100 or 1098.
Rescue Breakdown:
Total Children Rescued: 326
Boys: 311
Girls: 15
Within Telangana: 108
From Other States: 218
The Rachakonda Police continue to encourage the public to provide information about child labor to help protect vulnerable children.
“The Parliament building is beautiful and attractive, but unfortunately, its construction is hollow.”
Heavy rains in Delhi on Wednesday resulted in water leaking into the lobby of the newly inaugurated Parliament building, raising alarms about its weather resilience. The building, which cost ₹971 crore, was completed only last year.
The leaks were particularly noticeable around the New Parliament’s Makar Dwar, and several videos of the flooding quickly spread on social media. Waterlogging was also reported in other areas surrounding the Parliament premises.
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav criticized the new structure, sharing a video of the leaks and suggesting that the old Parliament was superior. He questioned whether the recurring issues with new roofs under the BJP government were part of a flawed design.
इस नई संसद से अच्छी तो वो पुरानी संसद थी, जहाँ पुराने सांसद भी आकर मिल सकते थे। क्यों न फिर से पुरानी संसद चलें, कम-से-कम तब तक के लिए, जब तक अरबों रुपयों से बनी संसद में पानी टपकने का कार्यक्रम चल रहा है।
The new Parliament building, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 28, 2023, and used for the first time during a special session on September 19, 2023, was constructed to replace the 93-year-old Parliament House. Designed to be modern, earthquake-resistant, and with a projected lifespan of over 150 years, the building covers 64,500 square meters and was led by architect Bimal Patel under HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore highlighted the incident, noting that the water leakage occurred along the path used by the President of India. He suggested forming a specialized committee, including MPs from all parties, to inspect the building’s weather resilience. This committee would investigate the causes of the leaks, evaluate the design and materials, recommend repairs, and establish a maintenance protocol.
The Lok Sabha attributed the leaks to displaced adhesives used to attach glass domes designed to enhance natural light. According to their statement, the issue was promptly addressed, and no further leakage has been observed.
The new Parliament building has faced other challenges since its inauguration, including technical issues during the special session, such as problems with microphones, earphones, and acoustics. Additionally, the biometric and barcode security system was not yet operational, causing confusion.
Despite these setbacks, the parliamentary proceedings continued as planned. Key items on the agenda for Thursday include the introduction of bills to amend the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and to move a statutory resolution regarding Section 8A of the Customs Tariff Act, 1975.
The ongoing monsoon session of Parliament, which began on July 22, is set to conclude on August 12. The legislative business continues amidst the challenges posed by the heavy rains and associated issues.
“Catastrophic cloudburst in Himachal Pradesh: Scenes of devastation as heavy rains cause widespread damage and flooding.”
Photo credit: Tilak Thakur (@thakur_tilak)
A severe cloudburst struck multiple regions of Himachal Pradesh early Thursday, resulting in at least five fatalities and leaving around 50 individuals unaccounted for. The affected areas include Nirmand, Sainj, and Malana in Kullu; Padhar in Mandi; and Rampur in Shimla districts.
In response to the disaster, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a “red alert” for heavy to extremely heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and lightning in Kangra, Kullu, and Mandi districts. The IMD also forecasted a moderate flash flood risk in these districts, as well as in Sirmaur and Shimla over the next six hours.
Warnings from the IMD extend to potential landslides, mudslides, and land subsidence. Disruptions to essential services, including water, electricity, and communications, as well as damage to crops and vulnerable structures, are anticipated due to strong winds and waterlogging.
Orange and yellow alerts were also issued for certain districts. An orange alert is in effect for Kangra, predicting heavy to very heavy rainfall on Friday, August 2. Additional heavy rains are expected in Sirmaur, Solan, Mandi, and Shimla on the same day.
Meteorological expert Sandeep Sharma reported that 20 weather stations in Himachal Pradesh recorded heavy to very heavy rainfall. The state is expected to experience ongoing wet conditions for the next four to five days.
Since the onset of the monsoon season on June 1, Himachal Pradesh has recorded 266.6 mm of rainfall, a shortfall of 27 percent compared to the normal 366.3 mm. Rain-related incidents have claimed 65 lives up to Tuesday evening, with damages estimated at ₹433 crore.
Dozens of people died and are missing in multiple could burst incidents in Himachal Pradesh including Kullu, Manali and Mandi.
In a highly controversial Olympic boxing match, Imane Khelif, an Algerian competitor, faced off against Italy’s Angela Carini. The bout, which lasted a mere 46 seconds, ended dramatically when Carini, after receiving two powerful punches from Khelif, fell to her knees and cried out, “this is unjust,” before quitting the fight. The Italian boxer threw her helmet onto the floor and was visibly distressed, leading to her immediate withdrawal from the match.
Carini, a 25-year-old Italian police officer, refused to shake hands with Khelif and instead collapsed sobbing on the canvas. She later described the pain she felt from the punches as unlike anything she had experienced before. Despite her emotional exit, Carini clarified that her decision to leave the ring was not a protest against Khelif’s inclusion but rather due to the intense pain she felt, which made it impossible for her to continue.
The controversy surrounding the fight intensified as it emerged that Khelif had previously been banned from a major boxing event after failing gender qualification tests related to testosterone levels. Despite this, Khelif was allowed to compete in the Olympics, a decision that has drawn significant backlash from various quarters. The referee raised Khelif’s hand in victory, but Carini, enraged, yanked her hand away from the official and exited the ring.
The aftermath saw a wave of criticism directed at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its policies. Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss and Olympic champion Sharron Davies were among those condemning the IOC’s decision, arguing that it set a dangerous precedent. Author J.K. Rowling also voiced strong objections, calling the situation “insanity.”
Khelif’s victory was celebrated by the Algerian Boxing Federation, which highlighted her rapid win over Carini. The Algerian boxer herself expressed hope for further success in the tournament, stating, “God willing, this was the first victory. God is willing me to the golden one.”
Carini was taken for a medical assessment to evaluate her injuries, which included a bruised nose. Her coach mentioned concerns about the severity of the injury and noted that there had been attempts to persuade her not to fight Khelif due to concerns about her opponent’s physical advantage.
The incident has sparked a broader debate about the inclusion of transgender athletes in women’s sports, with various stakeholders raising questions about fairness and regulations. The IOC has defended its decision, stating that Khelif met the eligibility criteria. Meanwhile, other boxers and sports figures have voiced their concerns, highlighting the ongoing controversy over gender and competition in sports.
This match also coincides with other instances of debate in the boxing world, such as the disqualification of Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan for similar gender eligibility issues. The discussion reflects ongoing tensions and challenges in addressing gender identity in competitive sports.
Biological male defeats female boxer in just 46 seconds at the Paris Olympics, punching her in the head.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has male chromosomes and previously failed a gender test, defeated Italian female boxer Angela Carini.
🇩🇿| La boxeuse algérienne Imane #Khelif a oblitéré sa concurrente italienne lors des 8ème de finale des -66kg. La boxeuse italienne a abandonné après uniquement 46 secondes de combat, lorsqu'elle a reçu un coup chirurgical au niveau de la mâchoire.
🚨 | El rostro desconsolado de Angela Carini tras abandonar su lucha en menos de un minuto contra Imane Khelif, que no pasó una prueba de género. pic.twitter.com/CF6eqMLiZh
“Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi at Wayanad. | Photo Credit: via X – @iamvijayvasanth”
On Thursday afternoon, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and his sister Priyanka Gandhi visited the landslide-devastated regions of Chooralmala and Mundakkai near Meppadi in Kerala’s Wayanad district. Accompanied by AICC General Secretary and Alappuzha MP K C Venugopal, the Congress leaders assessed the extent of the disaster before heading to the Community Health Centre in Meppadi. Their presence brought national attention to the tragedy in Wayanad, a constituency Rahul Gandhi won in the 2019 general elections.
Rahul Gandhi expressed his sorrow and commitment on social media, stating: “Witnessing these scenes of tragedy deeply pains my heart. In these difficult times, Priyanka and I stand with the people of Wayanad. We are closely monitoring the relief, rescue, and rehabilitation efforts, ensuring that all necessary assistance is provided. The UDF is committed to extending all possible support. The repeated incidents of landslides and natural calamities are extremely concerning. A comprehensive action plan is urgently needed.”
Ongoing Rescue Operations
As the death toll from the landslides climbed above 200, rescue operations continued into Thursday. The Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, acknowledged the challenges faced by the rescuers. He indicated that the mission might take several more days, despite the efforts of a newly appointed cabinet sub-committee and the presence of twelve ministers in Wayanad. The Army had informed Vijayan that all possible survivors had been rescued, yet many people remain missing, with numerous bodies recovered from the debris and the Chaliyar River.
Government Response and Challenges
Massive landslides, triggered by torrential rains, hit Mundakkai, Chooralmala, Attamala, and Noolpuzha hamlets in the early hours of Tuesday. The initial rescue efforts were hampered by the massive accumulation of soil. However, the construction of a Bailey Bridge by the Army is expected to facilitate the ongoing mission. Chief Minister Vijayan assured that the government would take comprehensive measures to rehabilitate the survivors, emphasizing the need to respect the privacy of families in relief camps.
Relief Efforts and Community Support
To support the victims, Vijayan announced the establishment of separate relief camps for individual families, aimed at ensuring their privacy and peace. The government has implemented strict regulations to control access to these camps, including the setup of reception desks to register visitors and the prohibition of cameras within the camps.
In addition to these measures, the Chief Minister received donations for the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) and expressed his commitment to visiting the disaster-hit areas soon.
Conclusion
As the rescue and relief operations continue, the full extent of the tragedy in Wayanad is still unfolding. The concerted efforts of government authorities, the Army, and community leaders reflect a shared determination to address the immediate needs of the affected populations while preparing for long-term rehabilitation and recovery.
Hyderabad: The Telangana Council of Higher Education (TGCHE) issued a notification on Wednesday, providing guidelines for admitting students into undergraduate engineering, pharmacy, and Pharm-D programs under the management quota (30%) in private colleges.
According to the schedule, college managements are required to issue the admission notification between August 1 and 9, allowing at least six working days for applications. Admissions are to be finalized by August 28, with the admission list submitted to the competent authority on or before September 10.
Hyderabad: Jishnu Dev Varma, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura, was sworn in as the Governor of Telangana on Wednesday. The oath of office was administered by Telangana High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan. The event was attended by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, his cabinet colleagues, and Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy.
In his inaugural address, Governor Varma expressed his gratitude to the President and Prime Minister of India for the significant responsibility entrusted to him. “I stand before you today as the new Governor of Telangana. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the President of India and the Prime Minister of India for entrusting me with this significant responsibility,” Varma stated.
Highlighting the unique qualities of Telangana, he said, “Telangana, nestled in the heart of India, is a land of vibrant life and promise. The spirit of enterprise and innovation thrives in our people, known for their resilience, hard work, and determination.”
Governor Varma emphasized the importance of education and youth empowerment, declaring them as primary focuses of his tenure. “Education and empowerment of youth will be of primary focus as they are our greatest assets. By providing quality education and opportunities, we can pave the way for a brighter future,” he asserted. He also stressed the need for accessible healthcare services, preventive measures, and public health initiatives for all citizens.
Committed to promoting inclusivity and social justice, Varma called upon the people of Telangana to unite in building an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future. “I am deeply committed to promoting inclusivity and social justice. I call upon all Telangana citizens to join hands in building a future that is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable,” he concluded.
