Hyderabad: A group of four tourists from Hyderabad had a close call when their car veered off course and landed in a canal in Kurappanthara, Kottayam district, Kerala, on Saturday. The incident occurred around 3 am as they were traveling from Munnar to Alappuzha, relying on Google Maps for directions.
Despite the car being submerged, all four occupants were rescued without injuries. Local authorities and police rescued the tourists, whose Ford Endeavour was swept into the canal due to heavy rains, causing confusion as the driver mistook the canal for a waterlogged road.
One of the passengers managed to escape through a window and sought help from locals to rescue the others trapped inside the SUV. The driver explained that he mistook the canal for a road due to the darkness and heavy rain. Authorities noted the accident-prone area lacked warning signs or barriers.
With the assistance of local residents and the Fire and Rescue team, the car was successfully lifted out of the canal by Saturday noon.
Hyderabad: The School Education Department has released the academic calendar for schools for the 2024-25 session. Schools will reopen on June 12, 2024, and the last working day will be April 23, 2025. An admission drive, ‘Badi Bata,’ for government schools will be held from June 1 to 11.
Examination Schedule
Formative Assessment 1: By July 31
Formative Assessment 2: By September 30
Summative Assessment 1: October 21 to 28
Formative Assessment 3: By December 17
Formative Assessment 4: By January 29, 2025, for Class X and February 28, 2025, for Classes I to IX
Summative Assessment 2 (Classes I to IX): April 9 to 19, 2025
Pre-Final for Class X: Before February 28, 2025
SSC Board Exams: March 2025
Syllabus Completion
Class X: By January 10, 2025
Classes I to IX: By February 28, 2025
Additional Activities
Yoga and meditation included in the daily school assembly.
Holidays
Dasara Vacation: October 2 to 14 (13 days)
Christmas Vacation for Missionary Schools: December 23 to 27
Sankranthi Vacation for Non-Missionary Schools: January 13 to 17, 2025
Summer Vacation: April 24, 2025, to June 11, 2025
School Timings
High Schools: 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM (8:45 AM to 4:00 PM in Hyderabad and Secunderabad)
Upper Primary Schools: 9:00 AM to 4:15 PM (8:45 AM to 4:00 PM in Hyderabad and Secunderabad)
Primary Schools and Primary Sections of Upper Primary Schools: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (8:45 AM to 3:45 PM in Hyderabad and Secunderabad)
Primary and Upper Primary Schools Working in High Schools: 9:30 AM to 4:15 PM for primary sections and 9:30 AM to 4:45 PM for upper primary sections.
New Delhi, May 23 – Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asserted on Thursday that the BJP believes women should be treated as “second-class citizens” and criticized the RSS, BJP’s ideological parent, for not allowing women in its ‘shakhas’.
At an all-women poll meeting in Mangolpuri, supporting Congress’ North West Delhi Lok Sabha candidate Udit Raj, Gandhi highlighted that despite the BJP’s passage of the women’s reservation bill with much fanfare, it postponed its implementation for 10 years.
Gandhi also took a metro ride on the last day of campaigning for the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections, interacting with commuters and sharing his experience on X. “Met fellow passengers and enquired about their well-being — I am happy to see that our initiative of building metro in Delhi has proved so convenient for public transportation,” he posted in Hindi.
Addressing the crowd, Gandhi pointed out the unrecognized efforts of working women at home. “Working women have to do a second shift of chores after getting home and their efforts go unnoticed. If men work for eight hours, you (women) work for 16 hours with no compensation,” he said.
Gandhi reiterated the Congress party’s promise to introduce the Mahalaxmi Yojana if voted to power, which would provide Rs 8,500 per month and Rs 1 lakh annually to women from families living below the poverty line.
Targeting the BJP’s women’s reservation law, Gandhi said, “They passed the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam in Parliament with much pomp and show to give reservation to women (in Lok Sabha and legislative assemblies). But later, they said we will implement this after 10 years once the survey (census) is completed.”
“There is an ideology behind this. The RSS does not enroll women, and women cannot enter their ‘shakhas’. This belief is deeply ingrained in their minds that women should be treated as second-class citizens,” he alleged.
Gandhi also promised to increase women’s reservation in all government jobs if Congress is voted to power.
In another poll meeting in Dilshad Garden, northeast Delhi, supporting Congress candidate Kanhaiya Kumar, Gandhi accused the BJP of wanting to “tear and throw away” the Constitution. “They never accepted the Indian Constitution or the Indian flag. In this election, they have finally accepted that they want to change it,” he claimed.
“This election is a fight for safeguarding the Indian Constitution. It is not simply a book; our Constitution carries thousands of years of ideological heritage of Gandhi, Ambedkar, and Nehru ji,” he said. He warned the BJP that they would face opposition from Congress and millions of Indians if they tried to change the Constitution.
Gandhi’s remarks followed the Election Commission’s directive to the Congress to ensure that its star campaigners and candidates do not make statements suggesting the Constitution may be abolished or sold.
Thursday marked the end of campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections in Delhi, with all seven parliamentary constituencies set to vote on May 25. Votes for all seven phases of the elections will be counted on June 4.
Hyderabad, May 23, 2024 – The 20th edition of CII Green Cementech commenced at HICC, Hyderabad, bringing together global recognition and anticipation as it focuses on the cement sector’s journey towards sustainability. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in partnership with the Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA), the event aims to foster dialogue, innovation, and collaboration in shaping a greener future for the industry.
Mr. Madhavkrishna Singhania, Chairman of Green Cementech 2024 and Deputy Managing Director & CEO at JK Cement Ltd, highlighted the significance of committing to Net Zero, emphasizing its economic and sustainable benefits.
India, the world’s second-largest cement producer, anticipates significant growth driven by infrastructure demands and government initiatives. However, recognizing the sector’s environmental implications, CII Green Cementech 2024 explores strategies to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
Mr. Neeraj Akhoury, President of the Cement Manufacturers’ Association and Managing Director at Shree Cement Limited, emphasized the industry’s commitment to supporting the nation’s net-zero carbon goals.
The event also witnessed Mr. Raju Goyal, Co-Chairman of Green Cementech 2024 and Chief Technical Officer at UltraTech Cement Limited, underlining the importance of stakeholder engagement in promoting sustainability and innovation.
Mr. Shekhar Reddy, the national Vice Chairman of the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC), highlighted the role of green cement in driving sustainable practices in the building sector.
Through initiatives like electrification of transport systems and adoption of sustainable fuels, CII supports the cement industry in its journey towards a net-zero carbon future.
Key highlights of the event include the launch of “Green Logistics: Electric Vehicles for Cement Sector” publication and the “Benchmarking & Net Zero Web tool for Cement Sector,” aimed at facilitating low-carbon growth.
With over 50 industry experts sharing insights on embracing new technologies and best practices, CII Green Cementech 2024 aims to advance sustainable cement production and foster innovation in the sector.
Videograb: Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi Addresses Delhi Voters
New Delhi, May 23 – Two days before the Lok Sabha polls in Delhi, former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi emphasized the critical nature of this election, highlighting its importance for saving democracy and the Constitution.
In a video message ahead of the sixth phase of the general election, Gandhi called on the people of Delhi to participate in this crucial fight by supporting INDIA bloc candidates in all seven seats in the national capital.
“This is a very important election. This election is an election to save the democracy and Constitution of the country. This election is being fought on issues like unemployment, inflation, and attacks on constitutional institutions. You have to play your part in this fight,” Gandhi stated.
“Every single vote of yours will create employment, reduce inflation, empower women, and build an equitable and equal India in a golden future. I appeal to you to ensure that the candidates of Congress and INDIA alliance win with a huge margin in all the seven seats of Delhi,” she added.
May 23 marks the last day of campaigning in the city. Delhi will go to the polls on May 25, with results announced on June 4.
Among the key parties contesting are BJP and the Congress-AAP alliance. The BJP has fielded candidates on all seven seats, while Congress and AAP have entered into a seat-sharing agreement for the Delhi polls, with Congress contesting three seats and AAP four seats.
Dombivli, Maharashtra – A catastrophic boiler explosion at a chemical factory in the MIDC area of Dombivli, near Mumbai, has claimed the lives of seven people and left 48 injured on Thursday. The incident, occurring at Amber Chemical Company in Phase 2 of the Dombivli MIDC area, triggered a massive fire that has spread to three adjacent factories.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the fatalities, stating, “Six people have been killed and 48 injured in the fire that broke out in Dombivli, near Mumbai. NDRF, SDRF, and TDRF teams are working together to control the fire and prevent it from spreading further.”
The explosion, which took place around 1:30 PM, was powerful enough to cause vibrations felt within a 5 km radius, according to Civil Defence Officer Bimal Nathwani. “The building I was in, 1.5 km away, shook… We have recovered seven bodies,” Nathwani reported.
Eyewitnesses described the blast as loud enough to be heard from a kilometre away, causing significant damage to nearby buildings, with glass windows shattered and houses affected.
Injured workers were immediately transported to a local hospital for treatment. The Thane civic body’s Disaster Management Cell chief, Yasin Tadvi, noted that the explosion occurred at approximately 1:40 PM, resulting in thick plumes of smoke and fire visible from a considerable distance.
Fadnavis also addressed the public on the microblogging site X, describing the incident as tragic and announcing the suspension of eight individuals. “Arrangements have been made to treat the injured, and additional ambulances are on standby. I have spoken with the Collector, who is en route to the site. Teams from NDRF, TDRF, and the fire brigade have been deployed,” he stated.
Efforts to control the blaze continue, with teams from the Regional Disaster Management Cell and 13 jawans from the Thane Disaster Response Force actively working on the scene. PTI reports ongoing efforts to bring the situation under control.
A major fire broke out in Dombivli's industrial area, triggered by a boiler blast at the Amber Chemical Company. Reports indicated huge plumes of smoke and an explosion sound could be heard from 3km away. Factory workers were evacuated immediately, and there have been no reported… pic.twitter.com/dovUWAhIPA
Hyderabad: On Wednesday, M Dana Kishore, Principal Secretary of the Municipal Administration & Urban Development department, assumed charge as the in-charge Vice Chancellor of Osmania University.
Dana Kishore took over from the outgoing VC, Prof. D Ravinder. During the handover ceremony, Dana Kishore expressed his honor at being appointed to lead the prestigious institution. He pledged to diligently address the university’s challenges and committed to its continued success.
Kishore’s Remarks: “I am honored to be appointed in-charge VC of this prestigious institution and will work diligently to address the university’s challenges.”
Acknowledgments: Kishore acknowledged Osmania University’s longstanding reputation for leadership in various fields and expressed his enthusiasm for his new role.
Attendees: The ceremony was attended by OU Registrar Prof. P Laxminarayana, OSD to VC Prof. B Reddya Naik, deans, directors, principals, faculty members, and student union leaders, all of whom extended their greetings to Dana Kishore.
Peddapalli: On Wednesday, Ramagundam Mayor Bangi Anil Kumar, who is also a doctor, successfully performed a surgery to remove a 15-kilogram tumor from a woman’s abdomen in Godavarikhani.
Patient Details:
Name: Vemula Vanaja
Residence: Dwarakanagar, Godavarikhani
Symptoms: Persistent stomach pain
Hospital: Rahul Hospital, owned by Dr. Anil Kumar
After thorough investigations, Dr. Anil Kumar discovered the massive tumor and performed the surgery.
Mayor’s Statement: “Although I have performed numerous surgeries in my 50 years of experience, I have never encountered such a large tumor.”
Community Support: Local MLA Makkan Singh Raj Thakur praised the Mayor for his exceptional surgical skills and his dedication to providing medical services to the Ramagundam coal belt area.
Ahmedabad: On Wednesday, May 22, Shah Rukh Khan was admitted to KD Hospital after suffering from a heat stroke.
According to doctors, the actor experienced severe dehydration. Shah Rukh Khan was in Ahmedabad for the play-off match between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) held on Tuesday.
Event Timeline:
Arrival: SRK arrived in Ahmedabad two days before the match.
Post-Match: After the game, he and the KKR team received a grand welcome at the ITC Narmada Hotel late at night.
Health Incident: His condition worsened by morning, and he was admitted to KD Hospital around 1 pm.
Current Status: Shah Rukh Khan’s health is now stable. Doctors have advised him to rest adequately.
Visits from Family and Friends: His wife, Gauri Khan, businessman Jay Mehta, and actor Juhi Chawla were seen visiting the hospital to check on him.
Weather Conditions: Ahmedabad, along with many other parts of India, is experiencing extreme heat. The temperature in the city was around 45 degrees Celsius, prompting the Meteorological Department to issue a red alert.
